Interference-Fit Cable Clip for Fast Fiber Optic Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fiber optic cables are prone to damage during installation due to the fragility of their glass fibers, making traditional mounting methods like hammering or screwing risky, while conventional methods like using cable ties are time-consuming and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A cable clip with a channel for securing elements like nails or screws, providing an interference fit to hold the element in place, simplifying installation by allowing secure positioning without handling small parts during mounting, and accommodating various cable profiles with flexible arms and arches for different cable shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional mounting methods like hammering or screwing are used to fix fiber optic cables to walls, then installation speed is improved, but the risk of damaging the fragile glass fibers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable clip as an intermediary device between the fiber optic cable and the wall mounting process. The clip has a channel that receives and secures the fixing element (nail or screw), positioning it away from direct contact with the cable. This intermediary structure allows rapid installation while protecting the fragile fibers from hammer blows or screw damage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If cable ties are used to mount fiber optic cables, then fiber damage risk is reduced, but installation time increases due to multiple steps required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions into a single integrated cable clip structure. The clip integrates the cable retaining portion, the channel for securing elements, and the mounting function into one component. This allows installation in a single step by simply positioning the clip and inserting the fixing element, eliminating the multiple steps required for cable tie installation while maintaining fiber protection.
3Ease of operation
If a cable clip with pre-positioned securing element channel is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cable clip is segmented into distinct functional portions: a boss for mounting, a channel for receiving securing elements, and a cable retaining portion with curved arms. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall design relatively simple and manufacturable from a single piece of molded material.
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 cable clip ensures safe and efficient mounting of fiber optic cables by preventing direct contact with installation tools and accommodating multiple cable shapes, reducing installation time and risk of damage.
Implementation Method 1
the channel is formed to provide an interference fit with the securing element, thereby to hold the securing element in position prior to affixing the cable clip to a surface
Data Source
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AI summary
There is provided a cable clip (10) comprising at least one cable retaining portion (12, 44) and a boss (14, 14') formed with a channel (16) providing an interference fit for receiving a securing element (18), such as a nail or a screw. The cable retaining portion (12, 44) comprises a curved arm (22), a tab (26) to enable the curved arm to be opened up to receive a cable, and a barb (28) to assist with retaining a cable. The curved arm is shaped so as to be able to receive different profile cables.