Rotating Cable Guide for Tubular Motor End Cap

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tubular electromechanical actuators can only accommodate cables of a specific diameter, leading to limitations in cable passage and increased manufacturing costs due to the need for multiple references for different cable diameters.

Innovation Solution

A tubular electromechanical actuator with a rotating element that holds cables in position through a cylindrical passage slot, allowing axial or radial exit, enabling the accommodation of cables of various diameters without damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fixed cable passage is used between the shutter and shutter element, then the cable can be held in position, but only a single cable diameter can be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable positioningVSAvoidcable diameter compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter element is made rotatable around a pivot element, transforming the fixed cable passage into a dynamic one. By rotating the shutter element to different angular positions, the cable passage can accommodate cables of different diameters while maintaining proper cable positioning and connection to the tubular electromechanical actuator.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple references of shutter elements are used for different cable diameters, then all cable sizes can be accommodated, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable diameter compatibilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single shutter element design with rotatable capability serves multiple functions by accommodating different cable diameters through angular positioning. This universal design eliminates the need to manufacture multiple specialized shutter element references for different cable sizes, thereby reducing manufacturing costs and simplifying inventory management.

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

3Reliability

If the cable passage section is reduced to fit smaller cables, then small cables can be held in position, but larger cables cannot be mounted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable positioningVSAvoidcable size range
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The rotatable shutter element creates a dynamic cable passage that can adjust its effective opening size and orientation. This allows the same cable passage structure to reliably position both small and large cables by rotating to appropriate angular positions, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-size passages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3135852B1End cap with cable guide for the tubular motor of a winding shaft
Publication Date: 2018.03.14 SOMFY ACTIVITES SA
  • EP3135852B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3135852B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3135852B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A tubular electromechanical actuator for a home automation system comprises a housing, an electric motor, a sealing element (21) at one end of the housing, and at least one cable (18, 28). The sealing element (21) includes a housing and a positioning device (29) for said at least one cable (18, 28). At least a portion of said at least one cable (18, 28) is disposed inside the housing. The positioning device (29) includes a rotating element (30) mounted inside the housing, such as to hold said at least one cable (18, 28) in position within the housing, following a rotational movement of the rotating element (30) inside the housing about an axis of rotation (Y) parallel to or coinciding with a longitudinal axis of the sealing element (21).This rotating element (30) is cylindrical in shape and includes a passage slot (30a), so as to allow a first exit of said at least one cable (18, 28) in an axial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sealing element (21) by means of the passage slot (30a) and a second exit of said at least one cable (18, 28) in a radial direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sealing element (21).