Optical Fibre Clip With Resilient Gap for Partial Wall Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable securing methods require multiple steps and are inefficient for temporary cable placement and routing, lacking the ability to partially insert fixings into a wall before attaching cables, which is necessary for flexible cable path testing and efficient installation.
Innovation Solution
A unitary elongate member fixing with adjustable divergence and barbs, allowing partial insertion into a hole for easy cable placement and testing, followed by full insertion for secure attachment, utilizing resilient biasing and barbs for enhanced friction and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fixings with screws and plugs are used, then secure attachment is achieved, but installation time increases due to multiple steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the screw, plug, and fixing body into a single integrated component. The fixing includes an elongate body with a threaded portion that directly engages the wall, eliminating the need for separate plugs and screws. This merging of components maintains secure attachment while significantly reducing installation steps and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, creates its own anchoring mechanism through the threaded portion, and includes a cable retention feature. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components while maintaining reliable attachment.
2Reliability
If fixings are fully inserted into the wall before cable attachment, then secure fixation is achieved, but cable routing flexibility is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing incorporates a resilient cable retention member that can dynamically adjust its position. The member is biased by a spring to engage with cables, but can be manually displaced to allow cable insertion or removal. This dynamic capability enables flexible cable routing while maintaining secure fixation when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixing can be partially inserted into the wall before cable attachment, allowing preliminary positioning and cable routing planning. The resilient retention member remains in a disengaged state during this phase, enabling easy cable manipulation. Once cable routing is finalized, the fixing is fully inserted and the retention member is engaged to secure the cable.
3Reliability
If multiple fixings are installed separately, then individual secure attachment is achieved, but cable routing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fixings can be temporarily connected together using spacing members that engage with the cable retention members of adjacent fixings. This merging allows installers to pre-assemble sequences of fixings with cables already routed through them, then install the entire assembly as a unit, significantly improving cable routing efficiency while maintaining individual attachment security.
4Ease of operation
If clips with opposed resilient legs are used, then installation simplicity is improved, but cable retention strength is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing combines a rigid elongate body made from a strong material (such as metal or rigid plastic) with a resilient cable retention member. This composite structure provides both the simplicity of a single-component design for easy installation and the strength of a rigid body for secure cable retention, overcoming the limitations of purely resilient leg-based clips.
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 efficient cable routing by enabling flexible cable path testing and secure attachment with reduced installation time, allowing cables to be easily removed and repositioned during installation, while providing high friction and alignment.
Implementation Method 1
a resiliently biased elongate member having a gap located between the first and second portions
Implementation Method 2
The barbs may be directed towards the outside of the hole, which results in them being easily inserted, but makes them difficult to release
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6
AI summary
Herein is described a fixing of unitary construction for securing an article to a surface, comprising; a coupling arrangement (104), for coupling the article to the fixing, wherein the fixing comprises barbs (114) which increase the friction between the fixing and the hole; and an elongate member (106) extending from the coupling arrangement; the elongate member comprising a bend (108) which is located substantially midway along the length of the elongate member, the bend defining a first portion (110) and second portion (112) of the elongate member; wherein the first and second portions are resiliently biased away from each other, and the first portion extends between the coupling arrangement and the bend, and the second portion extends towards the coupling arrangement from the bend, forming a gap suitable for the article, between the second portion and the coupling arrangement; wherein the gap size is adjusted by varying the distance between the first and second portions of the elongate member.