Flexible Cable Retaining Structure for Industrial Vehicle Vibration Damping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial vehicle electrical cables experience damage due to vibrations and movements, leading to potential long-term damage to connectors and electronic components, as existing retaining systems fail to effectively dampen these vibrations.

Innovation Solution

A C-shaped flexible retaining system with pivotally mounted linking rods that guide and dampen the vibrations, distributing relative movements along the retaining member to reduce vibration energy and prevent cable bending, thereby enhancing cable reliability and longevity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If rigid cable routing is used to secure cables, then cable position stability is improved, but vibration damage to connectors and electronic components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable position stabilityVSAvoidvibration damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a flexible retaining member with a C-shaped cross-section that wraps around the cables. This flexible structure allows the cables to move and flex naturally while still being retained, preventing rigid constraints that would transmit vibrations to connectors and electronic components, thereby reducing vibration damage while maintaining cable position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible retaining member acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and dampens vibration energy before it can be transmitted along the cables to connectors and electronic components. By providing this protective cushioning in advance, the system prevents vibration damage without compromising cable positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If flexible cable routing is used to reduce vibration transmission, then vibration damage is reduced, but cable position control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevibration damageVSAvoidcable position control

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The C-shaped flexible retaining member provides a balance between flexibility and positioning control. The flexible material allows cable movement to absorb vibrations, while the geometric shape and structural design of the retaining member maintain adequate position control, preventing cables from becoming loose or misrouted.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Stability of the object's composition

If cables are securely fixed to prevent movement, then position stability is improved, but vibration energy accumulates causing connector damage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable position stabilityVSAvoidconnector reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible retaining member serves as a vibration-dampening cushion that absorbs vibration energy along the cable length before it reaches connectors and electronic components. This beforehand cushioning prevents vibration energy accumulation and protects connectors from damage while maintaining cable positioning stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The flexible retaining member allows controlled cable movement that dissipates vibration energy, preventing the accumulation of vibration forces that would otherwise be transmitted to connectors. This flexibility protects connector reliability while maintaining adequate cable position control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 flexible retaining system effectively reduces the negative effects of vibrations on electrical cables and connectors, improving their reliability and extending their lifespan by distributing movement and damping vibration energy.

Implementation Method 1

The flexibility of the retaining member, associated with the guiding provided by the two linking rods provide a compliance to the electric cables while guiding their movements. The energy of the vibrations is damped into the retaining system, thus reducing the negative effect of the vibrations.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Data Source

PatentEP4292885B1Retaining system for electrical cables of an industrial vehicle

Publication Date: 2024.07.24 VOLVO TRUCK CORP

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AI summary

The invention relates to a retaining system (20) for holding and routing electrical cables (1) of an industrial vehicle (100), the electrical cables (1) being configured to electrically supply an electrical equipment (2), the retaining system (20) comprising: - a C-shaped flexible retaining member (3), configured to receive the electric cables (1), the retaining member (3) comprising: -- a first fixing bracket (4) configured to be fixed to the electrical equipment, -- a second fixing bracket (5) configured to be fixed to a frame (60) of the industrial vehicle (100), - a first linking rod (7), - a second linking rod (8), wherein the first linking rod (7) is pivotally mounted relatively to the first fixing bracket (4), and wherein the second linking rod (8) is pivotally mounted relatively to the second fixing bracket (5) so as to guide the retaining member (3) when the electrical equipment (2) moves relatively to the frame (60).