Linear Actuator Cable Shroud and Hood for Protected Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electric linear actuators for trim tabs on boats have exposed electrical cables that are prone to pinching or cutting by moving parts and require a visible hole in the transom for cable routing, which is aesthetically and functionally suboptimal.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a shroud on the pivot ear and a hood on the mounting bracket to securely guide and conceal the cable, using a pivot ear with a channel to route the cable and a hood that extends along the clevis forks to cover the cable, ensuring it remains aligned and hidden from view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the cable is exposed for easy routing, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to pinching or cutting by moving parts
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is nested within protective structures including a cable guard that extends along the actuator housing and a shroud on the pivot ear. This nesting approach allows the cable to be concealed within existing structural elements rather than exposed, preventing pinching and cutting while maintaining routing capability through dedicated channels and openings in the protective structures.
2Shape
If the cable is concealed to improve appearance, then aesthetic quality is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional structural components
Solution Approach 1:
The cable concealment features are merged with existing structural components of the actuator. The cable guard is integrated into the actuator housing, the shroud is formed as part of the pivot ear, and the mounting bracket includes built-in cable routing features. This merging approach achieves aesthetic concealment without adding separate, complex components, thereby maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is routed through a visible hole in the transom, then ease of operation is improved, but object-affected harmful factors worsen due to exposed cable vulnerability
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator housing and mounting bracket are designed with pre-formed cable routing channels, guards, and shrouds that guide and protect the cable before it reaches the transom opening. This preliminary protective action ensures the cable is already concealed and protected within the actuator structure itself, eliminating the need for additional external protection at the transom hole location.
Data Source
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AI summary
A linear actuator (10) has a mounting bracket (22) with a mounting flange (40) configured to be coupled to a first component (18) and a clevis (46) comprising a pair of forks (48, 50). A housing (12) has a first end (14) configured to be pivotably coupled to the clevis forks (48, 50). A rod (13) extends from a second end (16) of the housing (12) and is configured to be coupled to a second component (20). A cable (26) extends from the first end (14) of the housing (12) and is routed between the clevis forks (48, 50) and through an opening (54) in the mounting flange (40). A hood (32) on the mounting bracket (22) extends from the mounting flange (40) at least partially along the clevis forks (48, 50) so as to cover at least part of the cable (26). In addition or alternatively, a shroud (28, 30) extends past the first end (14) of the housing (12) and also covers at least part of the cable (26).