Hinged Clamp Assembly for Secure Tractor-Trailer Cable Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tractor-trailer connections face challenges in effectively securing and managing electrical cables and air hoses, which can become tangled or snagged during operation, requiring multiple components and tools for installation and posing safety risks.
Innovation Solution
A clamp assembly with a two-part design featuring a first and second body with rounded segments and a 180-degree hinge, allowing for one-handed operation and secure closure using a carabiner, which enhances grip and prevents snagging through hyperboloid geometry channels that mimic the natural arc of the cables/hoses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple components and tools are used for installation, then the securing effectiveness of cables and hoses is improved, but the device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp combines multiple functions into a single integrated component: the夹 body provides clamping force, the hinge enables opening/closing motion, and the carabiner integration provides locking capability. This merging of functions reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining securing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed as a multi-functional device that can secure various types of cables and hoses (electrical cables, air hoses) while also providing suspension capability through its integration with the tractor's suspension system. The carabiner mechanism serves both as a locking device and a connection point.
2Strength
If traditional installation methods are used, then the securing strength is achieved, but the ease of operation and installation time are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp is divided into two main segments: a stationary夹 body and a movable夹 arm connected by a hinge. This segmentation allows the clamp to be opened for easy installation and closed for secure gripping. The carabiner is further segmented into gate and body components for simplified operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp incorporates a self-locking mechanism through the carabiner gate that automatically secures when closed, eliminating the need for additional tools or complex fastening procedures. The hinge design allows one-handed operation where the user's fingers naturally position the clamp during installation.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid clamp structures are used, then the holding firmness is improved, but the adaptability to different cable shapes and snagging resistance are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The夹 body and夹 arm feature curved, rounded surfaces that conform to the natural arc of cables and hoses. This curvature allows the clamp to adapt to different cable shapes and sizes while maintaining firm holding. The rounded geometry prevents stress concentration points that could damage the cables.
Solution Approach 2:
The hinge connection between the夹 body and夹 arm provides dynamic adjustment capability, allowing the clamp to adapt its angle and position to accommodate different cable routing requirements. This dynamic structure prevents snagging by allowing the clamp to flex rather than create rigid obstruction points.
4Reliability
If complex locking mechanisms are used, then the security of suspension is improved, but the ease of operation and tool-free installation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The carabiner serves as an intermediary component that provides secure locking without requiring complex mechanisms. The carabiner gate acts as a simple mediator that, when closed, engages with the carabiner body to create a reliable lock that can be operated with one hand without tools.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus of a clamp with a first body extending between an attachment end and a hinged end, the first body having at least one first rounded segment. A second body hingedly connected to the first body at the hinged end for movement of the first body and the second body between an opened position and a closed position; the second body having at least one second rounded segment.