Segmented Cable Protector for Auxiliary Artificial Heart Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable protectors require removal of cables from equipment operating parts to exchange, leading to interruptions in critical systems like auxiliary artificial heart systems and industrial robots, as they are prone to breaking and deterioration, especially when repeatedly subjected to bending forces.
Innovation Solution
A cable protector design featuring a helical portion, an equipment housing mounting portion, and a distal-end-side cylindrical portion with an opening/closing mechanism, allowing for exchange without removing the cable from the equipment operating part, ensuring continuous system functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable protector is designed with a fixed structure requiring cable removal for exchange, then the cable is securely protected from bending forces, but the exchange operation becomes complex and requires interruption of equipment operation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protector is divided into a first cable protector and a second cable protector that can be independently exchanged. The second cable protector is removable without removing the cable from the equipment operating part, allowing maintenance without system interruption while the first cable protector remains in place providing continuous protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cable protector is disposed inside the first cable protector, creating a nested structure. This allows the inner protector to be exchanged independently while the outer protector remains mounted on the equipment housing, enabling maintenance without removing the cable from the equipment.
2Device complexity
If a cable protector is made as a single integrated component, then the structure is simple and robust, but replacement requires complete disassembly and cable removal
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protector system is segmented into multiple independent protectors (first and second cable protectors) that can be exchanged separately. This segmentation allows the second protector to be replaced without removing the cable from the equipment, significantly easing repair operations while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
3Reliability
If the cable protector completely surrounds the cable, then maximum protection against bending is achieved, but exchange operations become extremely difficult requiring cable disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The protection is segmented into two separate cable protectors instead of one complete surrounding structure. The second cable protector can be removed and exchanged independently while the cable remains connected to the equipment operating part, enabling maintenance without complete disassembly while still providing comprehensive cable protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The second cable protector is nested inside the first cable protector, allowing the inner component to be exchanged independently. This nested arrangement provides complete cable protection when both protectors are in place, while enabling easy exchange of the second protector without cable disconnection.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable protector includes: a helical portion where a helical strip-like member surrounds a barrel portion of a cable, an equipment housing mounting portion configured to surround the barrel portion between a rear end portion of the strip-like member and an equipment housing, and a distal cylindrical portion configured to surround the barrel portion. The equipment housing mounting portion includes a mounting plate and a cylindrical body. The equipment housing mounting portion forms a notched portion thereon for allowing entering and exiting of the barrel portion into and from the mounting plate. The distal cylindrical portion has an opening/closing portion changeable between a surrounding state where the distal cylindrical portion surrounds the barrel portion and a state which allows entering and exiting of the barrel portion into and from the distal cylindrical portion.