Multiple Cable Strain Relief with Compression Member

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strain relief solutions for electronic assemblies with multiple cables are inefficient, as they require multiple units, which are time-consuming to apply and increase housing size, failing to effectively meet code requirements for protecting non-class II cables under mechanical stress.

Innovation Solution

A multiple cable strain relief system featuring a body with spaced sidewalls and cable cutouts, combined with a compression member that retains cables between the sidewalls, providing strain relief for multiple cables while accommodating signal wires without deflection, and allowing for convenient routing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple individual strain reliefs are used for each cable, then each cable receives adequate strain relief protection, but the housing size increases and installation becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable strain relief protectionVSAvoidnumber of strain relief units

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual strain relief units into a single integrated strain relief device that can accommodate multiple cables simultaneously. The body includes multiple cable cutouts arranged to receive and protect multiple cables, while a single compression member applies strain relief to all cables at once, eliminating the need for multiple separate strain relief units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strain relief device is designed as a universal multi-functional unit that can protect multiple different types of cables (power cables, signal cables, control cables) within a single housing. The body includes various sized cutouts to accommodate different cable types, and the compression member can be adjusted to provide appropriate strain relief for each cable type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If multiple individual strain reliefs are used for each cable, then each cable receives adequate strain relief protection, but installation time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable strain relief protectionVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual strain relief units into a single integrated strain relief device that can accommodate multiple cables simultaneously. The body includes multiple cable cutouts arranged to receive and protect multiple cables, while a single compression member applies strain relief to all cables at once, eliminating the need for multiple separate strain relief units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strain relief device is pre-configured with multiple cable cutouts and a compression member that can simultaneously secure multiple cables. During installation, all cables can be routed through the device at once and secured with a single compression action, rather than requiring sequential installation of individual strain relief units for each cable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple individual strain reliefs are used for each cable, then each cable receives adequate strain relief protection, but the housing size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable strain relief protectionVSAvoidhousing size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple individual strain relief units into a single integrated strain relief device that can accommodate multiple cables simultaneously. The body includes multiple cable cutouts arranged to receive and protect multiple cables, while a single compression member applies strain relief to all cables at once, eliminating the need for multiple separate strain relief units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The strain relief device allows multiple cables to be nested within the single housing structure. The cables pass through sequentially arranged cutouts in the body, and the compression member compresses all cables within the confined space of the single housing, achieving space-efficient cable management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 solution effectively meets code requirements by providing simultaneous strain relief for multiple cables, reducing housing size and installation time, while maintaining efficient cable management and protection.

Implementation Method 1

a compression member (34) having a retention position that is at least partially extending into the cavity. With the compression member (34) in the retention position, a cable (16) extending through a cable cutout pair (32) is deflected in the cavity to retain that cable between the sidewalls (24) and compression member (34)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Data Source

PatentUS9478964B2Multiple cable strain relief

Publication Date: 2016.10.25 DEMATIC CORP

AI summary

A multiple cable strain relief and electronic assembly having such multiple cable strain relief includes a body, a plurality of cable cutouts and a compression member. The body has at least two spaced apart sidewalls thereby defining a cavity between the sidewalls. The plurality of cable cutouts are in each of the sidewalls. Each cable cutout in one of the sidewalls is aligned with a cable cutout in the other of sidewalls thereby defining a cable cutout pair. The compression member has a retention position that is at least partially extending into the cavity. With the compression member in the retention position a cable extending though a cable cutout pair is deflected in the cavity to retain that cable between the sidewalls and the compression member.