Elastic Support Collar for Cables and Pipes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing support collars for cables and pipes are limited in adapting to varying diameters and geometries, and they do not effectively address the issue of passive intermodulation in telecommunications infrastructure, which degrades network quality.

Innovation Solution

A support collar with an elastically deformable structure, featuring flexible retaining arms and flaps, designed to securely hold cables or pipes of different diameters, and allowing for stackable and easy positioning, made from a lightweight and cost-effective plastic material.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If support collars use rigid metal structures, then strength and stability are improved, but adaptability to different cable diameters deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidadaptability to different cable diameters

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The support collar uses elastic material properties to enable dynamic parameter changes in the retaining arms, allowing them to flex and adapt to different cable diameters while maintaining structural integrity through material elasticity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The retaining arms are designed as flexible elastic structures that can deform to accommodate various cable sizes, providing both adaptability and sufficient holding force through elastic deformation rather than rigid construction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Adaptability or versatility

If support collars use elastic structures, then adaptability to different geometries is improved, but locking stability for small diameter cables deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different geometriesVSAvoidlocking stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The support collar features localized structural variations where the retaining arms have different flexibility characteristics in different regions, with enhanced rigidity in specific zones to ensure stable locking for small diameter cables while maintaining overall adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic retaining arms provide dynamic adaptation to different cable geometries while maintaining stable locking through controlled elastic deformation, allowing the structure to adjust to varying cable sizes while ensuring reliable retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If support collars use complex metal structures, then locking reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The support collar uses inexpensive plastic material that can be easily manufactured and replaced if needed, providing sufficient locking reliability for the application while dramatically reducing manufacturing costs compared to metal alternatives

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces complex metal mechanical structures with a simpler plastic elastic structure that achieves equivalent or sufficient locking reliability through elastic deformation, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution provides stable locking for cables and pipes of varying diameters, reduces production and marketing costs, and minimizes passive intermodulation, enhancing network performance and infrastructure adaptability.

Implementation Method 1

The elasticity of the retaining arms of said clip together with the presence of side portions without structural folds gives an elastic yield which allows the support collar to easily adapt to different geometries and/or dimensions of the cables or pipes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS10927980B2Support collar for cables, pipes or the like

Publication Date: 2021.02.23 FIMO TEC SPA

AI summary

A support collar for cables, pipes or the like includes a head portion having a pass-through opening; two side portions extending from the head portion and ending with abutment portions disposed substantially parallel to the head portion and with a coupling element adapted to engage the collar onto a support plate or the head portion of another support collar; and retaining members within the housing area for retaining firmly the cable or pipe. The retaining members include a clip having retaining arms that extend inside the housing area and can be elastically splayed to engage the cable or pipe due to an elastic pressure exerted transversely thereon. Each of the retaining arms cooperates with a flap that extends into the housing area opposite of the retaining arms, so that the flap is abutted against the retaining arm when the cable or pipe is engaged in the clip.