Louver Cable Guide Structure to Prevent Flap Disengagement
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable protection and guide devices face issues with inadvertent disengagement of flaps due to internal forces, leading to potential damage to cables or hoses during opening and closing, and require complex maintenance procedures.
Innovation Solution
A cable protection and guide device featuring pairs of spaced side plates with louver type connecting plates that are securely attached via a connecting plate engagement mechanism, preventing disengagement and damage by using protruded supporting shafts and a concave/convex portion arrangement, allowing for easy maintenance without removing the connecting plates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a conventional flap structure is used in the cable protection and guide device, then the device can be assembled with simple structures, but the flap may be inadvertently disengaged due to biased loads from cables or hoses during operation
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate is divided into a body portion and a flap portion that can be independently engaged and disengaged. The body portion remains securely connected to the side plates while the flap portion can be opened for maintenance, allowing the structure to maintain reliability during operation while enabling easy access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting plate incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows the flap portion to rotate between an engaged closed position during operation and an disengaged open position for maintenance. This dynamic structure enables the connecting plate to adapt between requiring high stability during cable protection and requiring accessibility during maintenance.
2Device complexity
If a conventional flap structure is used, then the device structure remains simple, but the cable or hose may be damaged by the flap biting into it during opening and closing operations
Solution Approach 1:
A cable guide portion is introduced as an intermediary element between the flap and the cable. This guide portion directs the cable away from the flap's pivot path during opening and closing operations, preventing the flap from biting into the cable while maintaining the overall simplicity of the device structure.
3Ease of manufacture
If the flap structure is used in prior art devices, then initial assembly is simple, but maintenance requires opening at least one end of the flap which increases maintenance complexity when inadvertent disengagement occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting plate is segmented into a body portion and a flap portion that can be independently manipulated. During maintenance, only the flap portion needs to be disengaged while the body portion remains in place, allowing cable access without requiring complete disassembly or opening of the entire connecting plate structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The flap portion is extracted as a separate, independently operable component from the body portion. This extraction allows the flap to be removed or opened for cable maintenance while the main body of the connecting plate remains securely attached to the side plates, simplifying the maintenance process compared to conventional designs where the entire structure must be opened.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable protection and guide device includes an engagement mechanism for securing connecting plates in a bridged arrangement over flexional inner and outer circumferential sides of side plates of the device. The connecting plates are not inadvertently disengaged because the engagement mechanism includes several features for securing the connecting plates to the side plates. The connecting plate engagement mechanism has a louver body and a louver type connecting plate which pivots about a pair of right and left supporting shafts which are formed at both ends of the louver type connecting plate. The louver type connecting plate is attachably fitted onto the pair of right and left side plates.