Flexible Head Cable Tie for Low Profile Tensioning
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable tie tools are ineffective for low profile cable ties, which require low insertion force and high retention force, and cannot be easily tensioned using standard tools.
Innovation Solution
A low profile cable tie design featuring a flexible locking head with a passageway and notches on the strap surface, where the head is pivotally connected to allow engagement of multiple teeth with the notches upon withdrawal, enabling low insertion force and high retention force, and accommodating conventional tool tensioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If the strap is inserted into the head in a direction substantially parallel to the strap body to maintain low profile, then the cable tie sits low to the bundle and resists snagging, but conventional cable tie tools cannot be effectively used to tension the tail
Solution Approach 1:
The head portion is made flexible and capable of pivoting relative to the base portion. During insertion, the head pivots to allow the tail to pass through the passageway in a direction parallel to the strap body, maintaining low profile. During tool engagement, the head can pivot to accommodate the tool's action, enabling conventional tools to effectively tension the tail despite the low profile configuration.
2Strength
If a flexible head with multiple locking teeth is used to provide high retention force, then resistance to withdrawal is increased, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into multiple discrete locking teeth arranged along the passageway. Each tooth can independently engage with corresponding notches on the strap body. This segmentation provides high retention force through cumulative engagement points while keeping each individual tooth simple in structure, thereby managing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The head portion is designed to be flexible and pivotable, allowing the locking teeth to dynamically adjust their positions during insertion and loading. This flexibility enables the teeth to engage optimally with the strap notches under tension, achieving high retention force without requiring a complex rigid structure with precisely positioned fixed teeth.
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 of the tail with low force and provides a high retention force once bundled, while allowing tensioning with standard cable tie tools.
Implementation Method 1
The locking head includes a base portion and a head portion flexibly connected to the base portion
Implementation Method 2
The notches engage a number of teeth less than all of the locking teeth upon the insertion of the strap into said passageway. The head is flexibly pivotal so that more than the locking teeth engage the notches upon an attempt to withdraw said strap from said head.
Data Source
AI summary
A low profile cable tie includes a strap having a tail at one end and a locking head at the other end. The locking head has passage for receipt of the tail therethrough. The strap includes a planar surface between the tail and the locking head having a plurality of notches therealong. The locking head includes a base portion and a head portion flexibly connected to the base portion with the passageway formed therebetween. The head portion includes a plurality of locking teeth extending into the passageway for engagement with the notches of the strap body. The notches engage a number of teeth less than all of the locking teeth upon insertion of the strap into the passageway. The head is flexibly pivotable so that more than the number of locking teeth engage the notches upon attempt to withdraw the strap from the head.