Flexible Cable Support Structure for Bend Radius Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Improper installation of communications cables, particularly optical fiber cables, leads to signal loss and damage due to bending beyond the minimum bend radius, causing stress and entanglement, which is exacerbated by the increasing density and complexity of electronic components.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cable support apparatus comprising elongated members and a base with extensions that accommodate cable diameter and allow bending up to a predetermined angle, preventing macrobending through abutment of extensions to maintain cable integrity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If cables are densely packed to accommodate more components, then component density increases, but cable stress and entanglement increase leading to damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of cablesVSAvoidcable integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management system divides cables into separate channels or pathways within the enclosure, preventing entanglement and reducing stress by organizing cables in distinct segments rather than allowing them to occupy the same space

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary structures such as cable guides, tension members, or routing channels that act as mediators between cables and the enclosure walls, distributing stress and preventing direct contact between cables that would cause entanglement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If optical fibers are bent beyond minimum bend radius, then cable flexibility increases, but signal loss occurs due to macrobending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable flexibilityVSAvoidsignal loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary anti-action by pre-configuring the enclosure with bend radius constraints, guide channels, or structural features that prevent the cable from being bent beyond the minimum bend radius before installation, thereby avoiding macrobending losses

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The enclosure is designed in advance with predetermined cable routing paths and support structures that maintain proper bend radius, ensuring that cables are installed in a configuration that prevents excessive bending before any signal transmission occurs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If cable routing is constrained to prevent bending, then signal quality improves, but installation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal qualityVSAvoidinstallation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the cable routing constraints with the enclosure structure itself, integrating guide channels, support features, and routing paths directly into the enclosure design, thereby maintaining signal quality without adding separate complex installation components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12546967B2Flexible cable support

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 PPC BROADBAND INC

AI summary

A flexible cable support includes a first elongated member, a second elongated member and a base. The first elongated member and the second elongated member extend along a longitudinal axis. The base may connect the first elongated member and second elongated member. The first elongated member, the base, and the second elongated member define a longitudinal recess which is configured to receive a cable.