Metal Cable Tie Roller Locking into Geometric Dent
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable ties fail to securely engage cables due to issues with the locking mechanism, where gravity can dislodge the locking ball, causing the strap to release, and the ball may not fit into the aperture designed to prevent this, especially under vibration or shape changes.
Innovation Solution
A metal cable tie design featuring a metallic strap with a geometric dent at one end and a locking head with a roller mechanism that includes a retention means and a longitudinal slit, allowing the roller to easily roll into the dent and secure the cable, preventing movement and ensuring long-term fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a strap aperture is added to fix the locking ball, then the strap can be prevented from pulling out, but the locking ball does not necessarily go into the aperture and may drop due to shape changes or vibration, failing to achieve long-term fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a spherical locking ball that rolls into a curved dent on the strap. The spherical shape allows the ball to easily roll into the dent under gravity and remain securely positioned, preventing both premature engagement and disengagement. The curvature of the dent complements the spherical ball, ensuring reliable locking while maintaining simple structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the locking interface by creating a dent with specific dimensions and shape on the strap. This dent is designed to match the spherical locking ball, creating a reliable mechanical interface that prevents the ball from dropping or disengaging due to vibration or shape changes, thereby improving locking reliability.
2Device complexity
If a simple aperture is used to hold the locking ball, then the structure remains simple, but gravity can hold the locking ball out of locking engagement and cause the strap to release
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical locking ball combined with a curved dent creates a mechanical interface where gravity assists the ball to roll into the dent rather than holding it out. The curvature ensures the ball remains seated in the locking position, preventing strap release while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dent structure acts as a counterbalancing feature that counteracts the effect of gravity on the spherical locking ball. Instead of gravity causing the ball to drop out, the dent positions the ball correctly, and the spherical shape ensures it remains engaged, effectively using the ball's weight to maintain locking engagement.
3Device complexity
If the locking ball is allowed to move freely, then the structure remains simple, but the ball cannot achieve stable locking under vibration or shape changes
Solution Approach 1:
The spherical locking ball rolling into a curved dent creates a stable mechanical lock that resists vibration and shape changes. The spherical shape allows easy rolling into position while the curved dent provides a stable final position, ensuring locking stability under various conditions without adding complex structures.
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 design securely engages cables by allowing the roller to easily roll into a geometrically shaped dent, resisting gravity and vibrations, thus maintaining a stable lock and preventing the strap from releasing.
Implementation Method 1
gravity can hold the locking ball out of locking engagement and cause the strap to release
Data Source
AI summary
A metal cable tie formed with an elongate metallic strap and a metallic locking head. The elongate metallic strap has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The metallic locking head is secured to the first end of the metallic strap and comprises a strap entry face, a strap exit face, and a floor and a roof near the strap exit face for receiving the second end of the strap in order to form a closed ring structure. Moreover, a longitudinal slit and a metallic roller means are deployed between the strap entry face and the strap exit face of the metallic locking head in order to lockingly engage the metallic strap. A retention means extends from the roof of the metallic locking head to the strap exit face in order to captively hold the metallic roller means. When the strap is lockingly engaged, the metallic roller means captively held in the metallic locking head can move between the retention means near the strap exit face and a fixed position near the strap entry face, wherein the fixed position is the locking position of the roller means formed by a dent in geometric shape located on the first end of the metallic strap.