Remote Manipulator Universal Cable Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing remote manipulation systems for elastic collars are complex and costly to manufacture, with delicate assembly and maintenance requirements, and do not allow for easy replacement or prefabrication of sheath-cable assemblies.

Innovation Solution

A remote manipulator with a fixed jaw and mobile jaw, actuated via a cable and flexible sheath, featuring interchangeable sleeves that allow easy clipping and sliding of the cable or sheath ends, enabling simpler assembly and maintenance, and allowing prefabrication of the sheath-cable assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a cable is fixed to one arm and slides inside a flexible sheath with one end abutting on the fixed jaw, then remote actuation of the mobile jaw is achieved, but the assembly and maintenance of the sheath-cable assembly become delicate and complicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote actuation capabilityVSAvoidsheath-cable assembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the sheath-cable assembly into separable components: the sheath is divided into two portions that can be independently assembled to each arm, and the cable is divided into two ends that can be separately secured. This segmentation allows each component to be independently replaced or maintained without affecting the entire assembly, thereby reducing assembly complexity while preserving remote actuation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The sheath portions and cable ends are pre-configured with securing mechanisms (such as eyes, loops, or attachment points) that enable preliminary assembly before final installation. This preliminary preparation simplifies the overall assembly process and facilitates quick replacement during maintenance, addressing the complexity issue while maintaining operational capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the cable is fixed to one arm and slides inside a flexible sheath, then remote manipulation is enabled, but quick replacement of damaged cable or sheath is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveremote manipulation capabilityVSAvoidcable-sheath replacement ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

By dividing the sheath into two separate portions and the cable into two ends, the invention enables independent replacement of damaged components. If one portion of the sheath or one end of the cable is damaged, only that specific component needs to be replaced rather than the entire assembly, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining remote manipulation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces dynamic, reversible connection mechanisms between the sheath portions and cable ends to the arms, allowing for quick attachment and detachment. This dynamic connection system enables rapid replacement of damaged components without complex disassembly procedures, thereby improving ease of repair while preserving the remote manipulation capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Ease of operation

If the cable is fixed to one arm and slides inside a flexible sheath, then actuation is achieved, but prefabricated sheath-cable assemblies cannot be easily marketed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveactuation functionalityVSAvoidprefabrication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the sheath-cable system into independent, interchangeable portions that can be pre-assembled and tested separately before final installation. This segmentation allows manufacturers to produce standardized, prefabricated sheath portions and cable ends that can be库存ed and quickly assembled into complete remote manipulator systems, thereby enabling easier marketing of prefabricated assemblies while maintaining actuation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates universal connection interfaces between the sheath portions, cable ends, and arms that can accommodate different configurations and applications. This universality allows a single design of prefabricated sheath-cable assemblies to serve multiple purposes and be easily marketed across different use cases while preserving the core actuation functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Facilitates easier and less expensive manufacturing, allows for quick replacement of damaged components, and enables the use of prefabricated sheath-cable assemblies, improving maintenance and reducing assembly complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a cable (2) secured to one end of said slider (6) and sliding inside a flexible sheath (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

Said ring is naturally capable of deforming by separating its two ends which creates an elastic return torque used as clamping

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2855086B1Remote manipulator with a universal cable
Publication Date: 2016.09.14 GILLET OUTILLAGE
  • EP2855086B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2855086B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2855086B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns a remote manipulator (1) of a tool (4) comprising a body (5) provided with a fixed jaw (7) and a slider (6) provided with a mobile jaw (9) capable of moving linearly, said remote manipulator (1) comprising actuating means located remotely and coupled to said tool (4) via a cable (2) that is integral with one side of the slider (6) and slides into a flexible sheath (3) of which one end is integral with the body (5), the actuating means comprising two arms (11, 12) each respectively associated with a handle (14, 15) and capable of moving angularly away from one another by rotation about an axis (13) by a value such that the distance between the free ends of same is at least equal to the maximum linear movement of the slider (6) carrying the mobile jaw (9), when said two handles (14, 15) are moved towards each other, characterized in that each of the arms (11, 12) is such that the free end of same allows the other end of the cable (2) or the other end of the sheath (3) to be clipped on interchangeably, the sheath (3) being clipped on in such a way as to allow the cable (2) to slide.