Pivoting Cable Cleat Assembly for Short-Circuit Cable Restraint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable cleat designs fail to effectively prevent cable movement during short circuit events, where electromagnetic forces can cause cables to separate, leading to potential damage and safety hazards.
Innovation Solution
A cable cleat assembly with a base and pivotally mounted side bodies, featuring intrinsic pegs and slots, and bending tabs that allow for secure engagement without additional fasteners, enabling the cleat to accommodate various cable diameters and resist axial and lateral forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cable cleat designs are used, then the structure is simple, but the cable movement during short circuit events cannot be effectively prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The cable cleat is divided into a base member and two separate clamping arms that can be assembled around the cables. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining overall structural integrity during short circuit events.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping arms are pre-positioned and adjustable before cables are installed, allowing the cleat to be customized for different cable diameters and configurations. This preliminary adjustment ensures optimal clamping force and cable security from the outset.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid cable retention is implemented to resist electromagnetic forces, then cable stability during short circuit improves, but the cleat cannot accommodate various cable diameters
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arms are designed with pivotable connections to the base member, allowing them to dynamically adjust their position and angle. This dynamic capability enables the cleat to accommodate cables of varying diameters while maintaining rigid clamping force to resist electromagnetic forces during short circuits.
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between the clamping arms and their angle of engagement can be adjusted to match different cable diameters. This parameter adjustment allows the same cleat structure to securely hold various cable sizes while maintaining the rigidity needed for short circuit resistance.
3Strength
If additional fasteners are used to secure the cleat, then the holding strength increases, but the device complexity and production cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping arms are integrally formed with mounting members that directly attach to the base member, combining multiple functions (clamping, positioning, and securing) into a single component. This merging eliminates the need for separate fasteners while maintaining strong holding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The intrinsic pegs on the clamping arms engage with slots in the base member, creating a self-securing mechanism that does not require additional fasteners. The design uses its own structural elements to achieve both clamping and securing functions.
4Ease of manufacture
If traditional mounting methods are used, then installation is straightforward, but galvanic corrosion issues arise
Solution Approach 1:
The intrinsic pegs and slots create a mechanical interference fit that acts as an intermediary connection method, eliminating direct metal-to-metal contact between dissimilar metals. This intermediate mechanical engagement prevents galvanic corrosion while maintaining secure attachment.
Data Source
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AI summary
A cable cleat assembly secures a bundle of cables to a ladder rack. The cable cleat assembly includes a base and two side bodies. Each side body is pivotally mounted to one of the ends of the base. Each side body has a first end, a middle section, and a second end. The first end of each side body includes a mounting member. The mounting member has a peg extending from each side of the mounting member. The pegs are mounted in the base to enable the side bodies to pivot from an open position to a closed position.