Segmented Cable Tie With Transverse Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional cable ties are heavy, limiting their use in weight-sensitive applications like the automotive sector, and require full sliding through the tightening region, making them difficult to use in confined spaces and requiring complex manual actions for fastening and reopening.
Innovation Solution
A cable tie with a plurality of transverse slots along its body, featuring a plate-like element with engagement teeth and retention teeth, allowing for partial insertion and rapid disengagement, and a hollowed-out design for flexibility, enabling one-handed operation and reduced weight without compromising holding capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Weight of moving object
If conventional cable ties are used, then holding capacity is ensured, but weight is excessive for automotive applications
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tie body is divided into multiple modular sections with slots at regular intervals, allowing the tie to be segmented into functional units. This segmentation reduces material usage and weight while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed slot design that engages with corresponding teeth on the tightening element.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tie features localized reinforcement at critical areas such as the slot regions and engagement points, while other portions use reduced material thickness. This local quality approach ensures holding capacity is maintained at stress-critical locations without unnecessarily increasing weight across the entire tie structure.
2Ease of operation
If the entire body of the tie must slide through the tightening region, then proper engagement is achieved, but the operation becomes complex and requires two hands
Solution Approach 1:
The tightening region is segmented into discrete engagement points along the cable tie body, with slots positioned at multiple locations. This allows the user to engage the tie at any convenient point rather than requiring complete threading through the entire tightening region, simplifying the operation to a single-handed action.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tie design allows for partial engagement where only a portion of the tie body needs to be inserted and engaged at the slots, rather than requiring the excessive action of threading the entire body through the tightening region. This partial action approach maintains secure fastening while reducing operational complexity.
3Ease of repair
If conventional ties are used, then reliable fastening is achieved, but reopening requires cutting the tie
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tie incorporates segmented engagement points with slots distributed along the body, allowing the tightening element to be disengaged from specific slot positions. This segmentation enables controlled reopening by simply releasing the engagement at the desired location without requiring destruction or cutting of the tie, while maintaining reliable fastening when engaged.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tie design transitions from a static, permanent fastening system to a dynamic, reversible system where the engagement between slots and teeth can be easily changed or released. This dynamic capability allows the tie to be reopened and repositioned multiple times while maintaining reliable holding capacity when engaged, eliminating the need for cutting.
4Strength
If the tie body is made solid for strength, then holding capacity is ensured, but weight increases and flexibility decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The tie body is designed with varying cross-sectional properties along its length, with reinforced sections at slot locations and engagement points where strength is critical, and reduced material sections in intermediate areas. This local quality distribution maintains holding capacity at stress-concentration points while minimizing weight in non-critical regions.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tie incorporates a hollow or porous internal structure within the tie body, providing structural strength through the outer wall thickness and reinforcement at critical locations while reducing overall material content and weight. The porous or hollow design maintains flexibility and bending capability while achieving weight reduction.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tie having a tie body that is provided with slots which are arranged along an extension thereof that is used for tightening. The slots are arranged transversely with respect to the extension. The body has an elongated shape with a plate element at one end and a traction ring at the other end.