Segmented Cable Guide Device for Hygienic Food Industry

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable routing systems, such as cable ducts and trays, are difficult to access and clean, especially in hygienic environments like the food and pharmaceutical industries, and require complex articulation and locking devices that are prone to wear and maintenance issues.

Innovation Solution

A cable routing device with a simple and robust design featuring radially aligned webs and retaining wings made of durable plastic, allowing easy insertion and removal of cables without tools, and a self-cleaning coating for efficient cleaning, along with a modular design for easy installation and connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If cable ducts and cable trays are used for routing cables, then cable routing is achieved, but individual cables are difficult to access and cleaning the inside is only possible with considerable effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable accessibilityVSAvoidcable duct structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide device is divided into multiple individual cable guides that can be separately accessed and manipulated. Each cable guide forms a discrete unit within the overall structure, allowing individual cable access without disassembling the entire system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Cables can be extracted from the cable guide device through openings in the wall plate, allowing individual cable access and replacement without removing the entire cable management system from the wall.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of manufacture

If cable ducts and cable trays are used, then cable routing is achieved, but cleaning the inside is only possible with considerable effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleaning effortVSAvoidcable duct structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable guide device consists of separate modular components (wall plate, cable guides, securing elements) that can be easily removed and cleaned individually, facilitating maintenance and hygiene in food and pharmaceutical industries.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Reliability

If articulated links with locking mechanisms are used, then cable guidance is achieved, but the device requires significant manufacturing effort and the joints and locking mechanisms require relatively high maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable guidance reliabilityVSAvoidjoint and locking mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complex locking mechanisms and articulated joints are completely removed from the design. Instead, simple securing elements with spring arms and locking notches are used, which require no maintenance and eliminate wear issues associated with traditional locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The securing elements are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed, rather than using complex, expensive locking mechanisms that require maintenance over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Reliability

If intricate joint and locking devices are used, then cable guidance is achieved, but they can only be thoroughly cleaned with considerable effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable guidance reliabilityVSAvoidcleaning accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The device is segmented into removable components with smooth surfaces and no hidden crevices, allowing thorough cleaning in hygienic environments without disassembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

All complex joints and locking mechanisms that create cleaning difficulties are completely removed from the design, leaving only simple, smooth-surfaced components that are easily cleaned.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

5Ease of manufacture

If a simple and robust design is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and weather resistance is improved, but cable securing capability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidcable holding strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

While the overall design remains simple and robust, the cable contact areas feature specially shaped cable guides with appropriate friction surfaces and securing elements with spring arms that provide localized gripping force to hold cables securely.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3641084B1Cable guide device and cable guide system

Publication Date: 2022.02.16 LAPP ENG

Figure 1
Figure 2a~2b
Figure 3

AI summary

The cable guidance device (1), which serves for the directed guidance of cables (81, 82, 83) particularly in production areas of the beverage and/or food industry, comprises at least two webs (12) which are radially aligned to a central part (10) and have a first end piece (121) connected to the central part (10) and a second end piece (122) on which a retaining wing (13) is provided, which extends in the direction of the adjacent retaining wing (13). According to the invention, each retaining wing (13) is integrally formed on the second end piece (122) of the associated web (12) and is separated on both sides by a segment opening (14) from the adjacent webs (12) or their retaining wings (13), and two adjacent webs (12) and one or two associated retaining wings (13) each define a cable receiving opening (15) which is provided for receiving cables (81, 82, 83).