Flat Cable Termination with Clamping Surfaces for Tensile Force Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing end terminations for round tension elements are not suitable for flat ribbon cables, necessitating a need for a cost-effective and secure method to attach flat ribbon cables to a third element for force transmission.
Innovation Solution
The development of an end termination with clamping surfaces that can be brought into non-positive contact with the ribbon cable's sheathing or transmission elements, utilizing a plastically deformable base body with recesses for secure clamping and sealing, allowing for the transmission of tensile forces while maintaining the ribbon cable's integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing end terminations for round tension elements are used, then force transmission is achieved, but they are not suitable for flat ribbon cables
Solution Approach 1:
The end termination design is changed from circular geometry (suitable for round cables) to flat geometry with clamping surfaces (suitable for flat ribbon cables). The base body is plastically deformed to create clamping surfaces that contact the flat surfaces of the ribbon cable, adapting the termination form to match the cable form while maintaining force transmission capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The end termination is designed with separate functional zones: clamping surfaces for securing the ribbon cable, sealing elements for protecting against moisture, and mounting features for attachment to third elements. This segmentation allows each function to be optimized independently for flat ribbon cable applications.
2Reliability
If clamping surfaces are brought into non-positive contact with the ribbon cable, then secure fastening is achieved, but production complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping surfaces are pre-formed on the base body through plastic deformation during manufacturing. This preliminary action creates the clamping geometry in advance, so that during assembly, the end termination simply needs to be pressed onto the ribbon cable, achieving secure fastening without complex assembly operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The plastically deformable base body automatically conforms to the ribbon cable dimensions when pressed together, creating self-adjusting clamping pressure. The material deformation itself provides the clamping force, eliminating the need for additional adjustment mechanisms or complex fastening procedures.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If the sheathing is clamped in the end termination, then sealing against moisture is achieved, but the connection strength must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping surfaces serve as an intermediary mechanism that simultaneously achieves sealing and strength. By pressing the base body against the ribbon cable sheathing, the clamping action creates both the mechanical connection for force transmission and the contact pressure needed for sealing against moisture ingress.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and connection function are merged into a single clamping action. The same clamping surfaces that provide mechanical attachment also provide the contact pressure necessary for sealing, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and maintaining connection strength while protecting against moisture.
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 enables the ribbon cable to transmit at least 50% of its minimum breaking load, provides optimal sealing, and ensures long-term stability under outdoor conditions, while being economical and easy to produce.
Implementation Method 1
The end closure comprises a plastically deformable base body, which has at least one recess for receiving an exposed transmission element of the ribbon cable
Implementation Method 2
Due to the jamming, there is a lateral pressure on the end side surfaces of the sheathing and/or the transmission elements for the transmission of tensile force in all of the connection variants mentioned above between the ribbon cable and the end termination. This results in a static friction force which is effective in a longitudinal direction or on the longitudinal axis of the ribbon cable and enables the transmission of force between the ribbon cable and end termination or a third element connected thereto
Data Source
Figure 1~4
Figure 5~7
Figure 8~10
AI summary
A flat cable (1, 2,...6, 500) with a termination (10, 1 1,... 15, 400) for the force-transferring attachment to a third element. The flat cable (1, 2,...6, 500) has several transmission elements (1.1...1.12, 2.2, 5.2, 6.2) disposed in a common jacket (1.20, 2.20,...6.20). At least one of the transmission elements (1.1...1.12, 2.2, 5.2, 6.2) is designed for transmitting tensile forces. The flat cable (1, 2,...6, 500) is characterized in that the termination (10, 1 1,... 15, 400) has clamping surfaces (10.1, 11.1, 11.10.1, 11.10.2, 13.1.1, 13.1.2, 14a.3, 14b.3, 15a.3, 15b.3, 17.3, 17.4), which are in positive contact with one or more terminal side surfaces of the jacket (1.20, 2.20,...6.20, 8.20) of the flat cable (1, 2,...6, 8) or of an exposed transmission element (1.2.1, 2.2.1) for transmitting tensile forces.