One-Piece Plastic Guide Device for Cable Chains
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing guide devices for energy guiding chains face challenges in easy assembly and stability, particularly in connecting guide walls without separate fixing means, which complicates transportation and assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
The guide device features one-piece plastic wall elements with integrated fixing means, such as projections and latching mechanisms, allowing for secure locking and self-supporting components, reducing the need for additional fixing elements and enabling stable connection of wall elements without separate fastening during assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate fixing means are used to connect wall elements, then the connection stability is improved, but the device complexity and assembly difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing means are integrated directly into the wall elements themselves, merging the connection function with the structural component. Each wall element includes fixing protrusions and fixing surfaces that enable direct connection to adjacent wall elements without separate fastening components, thereby maintaining connection stability while reducing device complexity and assembly difficulty
Solution Approach 2:
The wall elements are designed to be self-connecting through their inherent geometric features (protrusions and surfaces). The structure enables automatic alignment and connection when wall elements are brought together, eliminating the need for external fixing means and reducing assembly complexity while ensuring reliable connections
2Ease of operation
If wall elements are made modular for easy assembly, then the ease of operation is improved, but the connection stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The guide device is divided into modular wall elements that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each module maintains connection stability through integrated fixing features (protrusions and surfaces) that ensure reliable connections between segments, thus achieving both ease of operation and connection stability
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing mechanisms are merged into the wall elements themselves rather than being separate components. This integration ensures that modular assembly does not compromise connection stability, as the fixing features are inherent to the structure of each module
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a guide device, in particular for a cable chain, comprising laterally opposite guiding walls for guiding the top part and/or the bottom part of the cable carrier, which are formed from wall elements interconnected from the area of the front-sided end. Said wall elements are made from a single piece of plastic, and they comprise, in the area of the front-sided ends, first securing means made of one piece which enable said elements to be fixed in a positive and/or non-positive fit to a directly adjacent wall element such that a separation therefrom and pivoting counter to is prevented in any direction.