Flexible Cable Manager with Interlocking Retainers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Providing adequate cable management between moving parts is costly and difficult, leading to potential cable damage, which affects device reliability and safety, and can create fire hazards or result in unexpected device operation.

Innovation Solution

A flexible cable manager made from a sheet material, such as flame retardant polypropylene, with interlocking cable retainer sections and a flexible member that can be cut to fit specific cable lengths and widths, providing strain relief and secure cable positioning through alternating stiff and flexible sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional cable management methods are used for moving parts, then cable protection is provided, but cost and installation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protectionVSAvoidinstallation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable manager is divided into distinct functional sections: support sections for cable placement, retainer sections for securing cables, and flexible sections for accommodation of movement. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function optimally while simplifying the overall installation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable manager utilizes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) as its base structure, which provides both mechanical support and flexibility. This thin film approach replaces bulky traditional cable management systems, reducing complexity while maintaining protection capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Ease of manufacture

If cables are allowed to move freely between moving parts, then ease of installation is improved, but cable damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidcable damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Cables are pre-positioned within the support sections and secured by retainer sections before the assembly is put into operation. This preliminary positioning and securing prevents cables from moving freely and becoming damaged during operation, while still allowing for relatively easy installation of the entire assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible FPCB structure allows the cable manager to bend and flex with moving parts while maintaining cable positioning. This flexibility accommodates movement without requiring rigid constraints that would complicate installation, thereby preventing cable damage without sacrificing installation ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If rigid cable management structures are used, then cable positioning stability is improved, but adaptability to moving parts decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable positioning stabilityVSAvoidadaptability to moving parts

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cable manager transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic flexible structure. The FPCB base and flexible sections allow the cable manager to adapt its shape and position as moving parts move, while the retainer sections maintain stable cable positioning relative to the moving component throughout the range of motion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible FPCB structure inherently provides adaptability to moving parts by bending and flexing with the movement. This flexibility does not compromise cable positioning stability because the retainer sections secure cables at critical points, maintaining their relative positions even as the overall structure adapts to movement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Reliability

If custom cable management solutions are designed for each application, then cable protection effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protection effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable manager design serves multiple functions within a single integrated structure: support sections provide cable placement, retainer sections provide securement, and flexible sections provide accommodation of movement. This multi-functionality reduces the need for multiple separate components, lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining effective cable protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The FPCB-based construction uses a standardized flexible substrate that can be manufactured using conventional FPCB fabrication processes. This approach leverages existing manufacturing capabilities and materials, reducing development and production costs compared to custom-rigid solutions, while the flexible nature provides effective adaptation to various cable management needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9190816B2Cable manager

Publication Date: 2015.11.17 NCR VOYIX CORP

AI summary

A cable manager which secures cables and constrains their movement in a controlled fashion. An example cable manager includes a flexible sheet. The flexible sheet includes a support section for supporting a cable along a portion of a length of the cable, the support section including a first end and a second end. A first cable retainer section wider than the support section is adjacent the first end, the first cable retainer section including first retainer sides which interlock. A second cable retainer section wider than the support section is adjacent the second end, the second cable retainer section including second retainer sides which interlock, and the second cable retainer section being separate from the first cable retainer section.