Notched Support Structure and Disposable Clamps for Wire Harnesses
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing wire harnesses or bundles of conductors to aircraft structures often cause damage due to the need for tools that can lead to improper cutting of zip ties, resulting in sharp edges and risk of damage to adjacent wires during installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A support structure with edge surfaces featuring notches and clamps that use resilient materials and springs to secure bundles of conductors, along with a mechanism for secure attachment and easy removal of clamps without damaging adjacent wires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If zip ties are used to secure wire harnesses to aircraft structure, then the wire harness can be secured, but the cutting tools create sharp edges and risk damage to adjacent wires
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs disposable clamp assemblies with pre-formed securing elements that are installed and then removed after serving their purpose. These clamps secure the wire harness during installation and can be cleanly removed without creating sharp edges or damaging adjacent wires, replacing the need for cutting tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the harmful cutting operation from the securing process. Instead of using zip ties that require cutting tools creating sharp edges, the patent uses clamps that can be securely installed and then cleanly removed, taking out the dangerous cutting step entirely from the workflow.
2Ease of operation
If zip ties are used to secure wire harnesses, then installation is simple, but removal of individual wires requires cutting the zip tie which damages adjacent wires
Solution Approach 1:
The clamp assembly is segmented into removable components, allowing individual wires to be accessed and removed from the wire harness without removing or damaging the clamp itself. This segmentation enables safe wire replacement while maintaining the securing function of the clamp.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp serves as a temporary securing device that is installed for the duration of the wire harness assembly and then removed. This disposable approach eliminates the need to cut through the securing element, allowing safe removal of individual wires and complete removal of the clamp without damage to adjacent components.
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 provides a safe and damage-free method for installing and repairing wire harnesses, ensuring secure attachment and easy removal without causing harm to adjacent wires, thus reducing the risk of damage during installation and maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
The resilient materials are positioned on the plurality of clamps to engage against the bundles of conductors positioned in the open spaces of the plurality of notches and push the bundles of conductors together
Implementation Method 2
The biasing parts also include a plurality of springs on the support structure. Each spring extends into an open space of a notch in the support structure and engages against the bundle of conductors positioned in the open space of the notch and pushes the bundles of conductors together
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus used in securing together a bundle of conductors has a support structure with an edge surface having a plurality of notches provided in the edge surface. Each notch of the plurality of notches has an open space dimensioned for receiving a bundle of conductors in the open space. A plurality of clamps are provided that are attachable to the edge surface with each clamp extending over a notch of the plurality of notches and over a bundle of conductors positioned in the open space of the notch. The clamps attached to the edge surface of the support structure over the bundle of conductors positioned in the notch in the edge surface secures the bundle of conductors in the open space of the notch.