Rope Connector Assembly Using Ball Locking for One-Side Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing support structures with cables face challenges in assembly, particularly when cables need to be guided through complex or hard-to-access structural elements, requiring difficult and labor-intensive screwing processes.
Innovation Solution
A connector system featuring a sleeve with an internal thread and a screw-in sleeve with an external thread, utilizing a chamfer to position ball elements for secure cable fixation, allowing for easy assembly from one side and adjustable cable length, with scalable design and maintenance-friendly features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are threaded through structural elements and screwed from the back, then secure connection is achieved, but assembly becomes difficult and labor-intensive when access is limited
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of threading the cable through the structural element and screwing from the back, the invention inverts the sequence: the cable is first secured to the connector on the accessible side, then the connector itself is attached to the structural element. This reversal eliminates the need to access the back side for screwing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is divided into separate functional components: a connector that handles cable fixation and a separate attachment mechanism for securing the connector to the structural element. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each component's function and simplifies the overall assembly process.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complex shapes or difficult-to-access locations are used for support structures, then design flexibility is improved, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to be self-contained with all necessary fixation elements (spherical elements, chamfer surfaces, threading mechanisms) integrated into a single unit. This self-service design eliminates the need for additional tools or components during assembly, simplifying installation in complex or hard-to-access locations.
3Reliability
If conventional threading and screwing methods are used, then secure cable fixation is achieved, but manufacturing and assembly effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges multiple functions into the connector: cable guidance, cable fixation via spherical elements, and attachment to structural elements via threading or form-fit connections. This consolidation reduces the number of separate manufacturing steps and assembly operations required compared to conventional separate components.
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
Ensures simple, secure, and robust cable attachment with reduced assembly effort, enabling flexible and durable connections even in challenging installation scenarios, enhancing safety and ease of use.
Implementation Method 1
by screwing the screw-in sleeve into the sleeve, the guideable rope can be fixed along a longitudinal axis with local deformation of the rope involving frictional engagement
Implementation Method 2
a screw-in sleeve which has at least partially an external thread for screwing into the sleeve
Implementation Method 3
the areas are at least partially separated from each other by a chamfer, so that at least one spherical element can be positioned between the chamfer, a pressure surface of the screw-in sleeve and a rope
Data Source
Figure 1~1f
Figure 2b~2c
Figure 2a~2d
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector (10) for securing a rope (12) to a support structure (54), comprising a sleeve (16) which can be interlockingly and/or frictionally or integrally connected to a support structure element (56), and which has an inner casing surface (18) having at least one region (20) with an inner thread (22) and having at least one further region (24) for guiding a rope, as well as comprising a screw-in sleeve (32) which has an outer thread (34) at least in sections for screwing into the sleeve, and which also has an inner casing surface (36) for guiding a rope. An inner diameter (26) of the region (20) is larger than a further inner diameter (28) of the further region, and the regions are separated from one another at least in sections by a chamfer (30), such that at least one ball element (40) can be positioned between the chamfer, the screw-in sleeve and a rope that can be guided by the sleeve and the screw-in sleeve, and the guidable rope can be secured by means of traction by screwing the screw-in sleeve into the sleeve.