Offset-Leg Rocker Holder for Low-Stress Cable Carrier Travel

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holding apparatuses for line guide devices are expensive to manufacture and prone to failure, and they can stress the line guide device excessively, particularly during long horizontal travel paths.

Innovation Solution

A holding apparatus featuring a rocker element with offset legs, where the holding device is mounted on a holder for rotation about an axis, allowing for displacement between two positions to securely hold or guide the line guide device, reducing stress and manufacturing costs by absorbing torsional forces rather than bending forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional holding apparatus are used for long horizontal travel paths, then the line guide device can be held, but the apparatus are expensive to manufacture and susceptible to failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of holding apparatusVSAvoidmanufacturing cost and complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The holding apparatus is divided into two functional legs on the rocker element: a first leg (switching device) and a second leg (holding device). This segmentation allows each leg to perform its specific function independently, simplifying the overall structure while maintaining reliability for long horizontal travel paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex mechanical assemblies to achieve holding and switching functions, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple rocker element where the legs themselves perform the switching and holding actions through their geometric arrangement and interaction with the line guide device, reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Reliability

If conventional holding apparatus are used, then holding function is provided, but they stress the line guide device to a greater extent than desirable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding capabilityVSAvoidstress on line guide device

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The rocker element is configured to change the force parameters by absorbing torsional forces through its rotational movement about the axis of rotation. This parameter change allows the holding apparatus to maintain holding capability while reducing the stress transmitted to the line guide device, as the torsional forces are absorbed by the rocker's rotation rather than being directly applied to the line guide.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the rocker element legs are offset in the longitudinal direction, then manufacturing is simplified and reliability improved, but the structural complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereliability of holding apparatusVSAvoidstructural complexity of rocker element

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rocker element employs asymmetric positioning of its legs, with the second leg offset relative to the first leg in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation. This asymmetric configuration simplifies the manufacturing process and improves reliability by ensuring proper functional sequencing, while the overall structural complexity remains manageable due to the simplicity of the rocker element itself.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

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 reliable, cost-effective holding apparatus that minimizes stress on the line guide device, ensures timely displacement, and allows trouble-free passage of the deflection arc, enhancing the durability and efficiency of the holding mechanism.

Implementation Method 1

The holding device and the switching device are arranged on a, preferably on precisely one, rocker element mounted on the holder for rotation about an axis of rotation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRotation:

Implementation Method 2

The second leg is arranged offset relative to the first leg in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation... absorbing torsional forces rather than bending forces

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorsion:

Data Source

PatentUS20240377023A1Holding apparatus for a line-guiding device, in particular a cable carrier, and arrangement therewith

Publication Date: 2024.11.14 IGUS SE & CO KG

AI summary

A holding apparatus for a line-guiding device, in particular for a cable carrier, which extends between two connection points which are movable relative to one another, and comprises a strand which can be connected to one of the connection points and a strand which can be connected to the other connection point, and a deflection bend connecting the strands. The holding device and the switching device are arranged on a rocker element which is mounted on the holder so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation and which has a first leg and a second leg, wherein the second leg is arranged offset with respect to the first leg in the longitudinal direction of the axis of rotation.