Furniture Cable Guide with Rotatable Roller to Prevent Cable Damage
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing solutions for managing device cables in furniture, such as drawers, often result in cable damage and tangles due to the mechanical stress of opening and closing, leading to potential damage to the cables and connected devices, and do not provide a reliable, hidden, and tidy connection option for mobile devices.
Innovation Solution
A cable guide system with guide rollers and energy storage mechanisms that use pretension and rotational movement to keep cables straight and secure, minimizing the risk of kinks and damage by storing energy during cable pull-out and releasing it during insertion to maintain cable tension.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a cable is routed through a recess in the drawer back wall, then a connection option for mobile devices is provided, but loops and kinks occur during drawer extension and insertion that can damage the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is designed to rotate dynamically during drawer extension and insertion, allowing the cable to move smoothly through the recess without forming loops or kinks. The rotation adapts to the changing spatial relationship between the drawer and fixed structure, maintaining cable integrity while providing connection versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide roller acts as an intermediary element between the cable and the recess opening. It mediates the cable's passage by providing a rotating contact point that reduces friction and prevents the cable from being pinched or damaged during drawer movement.
2Ease of operation
If the drawer is opened and closed repeatedly, then the cable can be used for charging and data transmission, but the cable may be crushed, cut, or damaged due to mechanical stress
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable guide roller dynamically adjusts its position and orientation during drawer operation, allowing the cable to flex naturally with the movement rather than being subjected to crushing or cutting forces. This dynamic adaptation protects cable integrity while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide roller provides a cushioning effect by distributing the mechanical stress of drawer movement across its rotating surface rather than concentrating it on the cable. This prevents damage before it can occur during repeated opening and closing cycles.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cable is routed through the drawer back wall, then devices can be charged inside the drawer, but the cable may be accidentally pulled out requiring re-threading
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller serves as an intermediary that secures the cable's passage through the recess. Its rotating mechanism creates friction and mechanical engagement that prevents the cable from being accidentally pulled out, while still allowing intentional removal and re-threading when needed.
4Shape
If cables are concealed in the drawer, then a tidy appearance is achieved, but cable management becomes more complex to prevent damage
Solution Approach 1:
The guide roller is a simple intermediary component that provides effective cable management through its rotating mechanism. It maintains a tidy concealed cable arrangement while preventing damage, avoiding the need for complex management systems.
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 solution effectively prevents cable damage and tangles, ensuring a functional and hidden connection for mobile devices while maintaining a tidy appearance by using guide rollers and energy storage to manage cable routing, reducing the risk of pinching or other damage during drawer movements.
Implementation Method 1
with an energy storage device (166) which generates a restoring torque when the guide roller (112) is rotated in a first direction of rotation by the cable (78) to be guided during an extension movement, wherein the restoring torque is oriented opposite to the first direction of rotation
Implementation Method 2
The cable guide takes advantage of the fact that during the extension movement (e.g., when opening a drawer), the cable allows the guide roller to rotate
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The disclosure relates to a cable guide (100, 200) for a piece of furniture (10), in particular a cable guide (100, 200) for charging and/or connection cables (78) for a drawer (30, 32, 34, 36, 38), comprising a first guide element (102, 202) designed as a guide roller (112, 212) with a guide surface (130, 230) for a cable (78) to be guided, which interacts with a second guide element (104, 204), wherein the first guide element (102, 202) and the second guide element (104, 204) are biased against each other in order to guide the cable (78) between them under bias, and comprising an energy storage device (166) which generates a restoring torque when the guide roller (112, 212) is pulled out by the cable (78) during an extension movement (80). a first direction of rotation (144) is rotated, wherein the restoring torque is oriented opposite to the first direction of rotation (144) in order to support a rotation of the guide roller (112, 212) in a second direction of rotation (148),when the cable (78) to be guided is moved relative to the guide roller (112, 212) during an insertion movement (82). The disclosure further relates to a piece of furniture (10) provided with such a cable guide (100, 200).