Flexible Cable Sleeve with Embedded Pliable Rods for Shape Retention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for coupling and bundling wires and cables, such as tape and twist ties, face difficulties in adding or removing cables and manipulating the bundle into flexible, fixed positions to reduce clutter or package efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A flexible sleeve made of materials like rubber, plastic, or silicone with embedded pliable rods or mesh, allowing it to wrap around objects and maintain a bent shape without separate fastening, using internal rods or mesh for structural rigidity and electrical insulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional coupling methods like tape and twist ties are used to bundle wires and cables, then the bundling function is achieved, but it becomes difficult to add or remove cables and manipulate the bundle into flexible positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of adding or removing cablesVSAvoidbundle manipulation flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a flexible sleeve made of rubber, plastic, or silicone that can wrap around bundles of wires and cables. The sleeve's flexible material allows it to conform to the bundle shape while providing a smooth outer surface that reduces clutter and enables easy manipulation into various positions without the rigidity of traditional twist ties or tape.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The sleeve is designed to be dynamically adjustable - it can be easily opened to add or remove cables, then closed to secure the bundle. The flexible material allows the sleeve to be manipulated into different positions and shapes as needed, providing adaptability that static traditional methods cannot achieve.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If a flexible sleeve is used to wrap around wires and cables, then ease of manipulation and flexible positioning is improved, but structural rigidity to maintain bent shape is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebundle manipulation flexibilityVSAvoidstructural rigidity to hold bent position

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve incorporates an internal support structure within the flexible material. This composite construction combines the flexibility of rubber/plastic/silicone with rigid internal elements (such as metal wires or plastic rods) that provide the necessary structural support to maintain bent positions and prevent the sleeve from collapsing or losing its shaped configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Reliability

If the flexible sleeve is made from materials like rubber, plastic, or silicone, then electrical insulation and thermal resistance are improved, but the ability to maintain fixed positions without separate fastening is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulation and thermal resistanceVSAvoidability to maintain fixed position

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sleeve integrates an internal support structure within the flexible insulating material. This composite design maintains the electrical insulation and thermal resistance properties of the rubber/plastic/silicone while the embedded rigid elements provide the structural stability needed to hold fixed positions and prevent deformation, eliminating the need for separate fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables easy insertion and removal of cables, flexible manipulation, and secure enclosure of bundles in various positions, reducing clutter and enhancing packaging efficiency while maintaining electrical insulation and thermal resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a pliable insert layer positioned between the first and second cover layers

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

maintaining electrical insulation and thermal resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Implementation Method 3

maintaining electrical insulation and thermal resistance

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS20250018705A1Flexible cover

Publication Date: 2025.01.16 KIM DALE

AI summary

A flexible covering for any type of object, such as wires, cables, and the like, includes a flexible sleeve in a partially rolled natural state and capable of being unrolled, and at least one pliable rod or insert running through at least a portion of entire length of the flexible sleeve capable of firmly holding the flexible sleeve in a bent shape while allowing the flexible sleeve to remain wrapped around the object. A method for manufacturing the flexible covering includes providing at least two cover layers, and an intermediate pliable layer, and then coupling together the cover layers to at least partially encapsulate the pliable layer.