Resilient Rail Clip for Secure Detachable Cable Holding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems for detachably securing strand-like elements to support rails are inadequate as they are often unsuitable for elements of different diameters or cross-sections and have insufficient holding force to prevent unintentional loosening.

Innovation Solution

A clip design featuring a body section with an abutment surface, a strand securing section with resilient securing means, and a rail mounting section with clip securing portions that engage with a latching projection or recess on the support rail, allowing for secure attachment and detachment of strand-like elements of various diameters and cross-sections.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known clips with clamp-like sections are used to secure cable guides to the rail, then the cable guides can be detachably secured, but the holding force is insufficient to prevent unintentional loosening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveholding forceVSAvoiddetachable securing
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The clip incorporates resilient (elastic) portions that can dynamically deform to enable easy attachment and detachment, while the resilient force maintains constant holding pressure to prevent unintentional loosening. The resilient clip portions bend during mounting/dismounting operations and spring back to maintain secure engagement during operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If the clip portion is adapted to the diameter or cross-sectional shape of the cable guide, then it can securely grip that specific cable guide, but it becomes unsuitable for fastening strand-like elements of a different diameter or cross-section

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegrip securityVSAvoidcompatibility with different diameters
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The clip is designed with resilient portions that can elastically deform to accommodate strand-like elements of various diameters and cross-sectional shapes. The resilient material allows the same clip to adapt its grip to different cable sizes while maintaining secure holding force through elastic recovery.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The clip utilizes changes in physical parameters (elastic deformation) to adapt to different cable diameters. The resilient portions can compress and expand to match the diameter of the strand-like element being secured, allowing a single clip design to handle multiple cable sizes effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the cross-sectional profile of the receiving section is formed by curved and/or straight portions circumscribing a cavity, then the clip can be resiliently connected to the body section, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresilient connection capabilityVSAvoidcross-sectional profile complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The clip utilizes resilient portions made from elastic material that form flexible structural elements. These resilient portions are designed as thin-walled or flexible sections that can bend and deform elastically, providing the necessary compliance for resilient connection while being manufacturable using standard plastic molding techniques.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 clip securely holds strand-like elements of different sizes along the support rail, facilitating easy attachment and detachment while preventing unintentional loosening, thus enhancing the reliability and flexibility of cable management.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of said first and second clip securing portions is resiliently connected to said body section in such a manner that said clip securing portions are movable towards each other against a resilient force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4350188A1clip
Publication Date: 2024.04.10 ACCURIDE INTERNATIONAL GMBH
  • EP4350188A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4350188A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4350188A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A clip (1) for receiving and detachably fastening a strand-like element (5) to a support rail (2) and a system comprising the clip (1) and the support rail (2), the clip (1) comprising: a body section (11) with an abutment surface for abutment against the receiving section (4) of the support rail (2), a strand securing section (12) which adjoins the body section (11) on the side facing away from the support rail (2) and has a securing means (14, 15, 17) for releasably fixing and holding the strand-like element, a rail mounting section (10) adjoining the body section (11) on the side facing the support rail (2) and comprising a first and a second clip securing portions (18, 19) which have spaced-apart opposite portions extending into the cavity and engaging on opposite sides the inner wall (7) of the cavity defined by the receiving portion (4).