Self-Centering Cable Strap With Abutment Fingers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable straps often cause large cables or bundles to become off-centered on the pedestal, leading to potential wear and dislodgement due to the strap's tendency to twist or bend away from the anchoring feature.
Innovation Solution
The self-centering cable strap design incorporates abutment fingers extending from the bed on the opposite side of the anchored end, which hold the cable or bundle in a more centered orientation, ensuring alignment with the anchoring feature and providing a consistent closing force for secure locking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable strap is used to secure cables or wires to a structure, then the cables are held in place and protected, but the cable or bundle stabilizes in an off-centered orientation on the pedestal, causing the anchoring feature to twist or bend
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating a centering finger that preemptively counteracts the off-centering force generated by the strap. The centering finger protrudes into the path where the cable would naturally migrate, creating an opposing force that maintains centered alignment before the strap tension can cause misalignment. This resolves the contradiction by preventing the harmful off-centering effect while maintaining secure cable attachment.
2Strength
If the strap is pulled taut to secure the cable, then the cable is firmly held, but the strap assumes a departing angle closer to ninety degrees, urging the cable away from the centerline
Solution Approach 1:
The centering finger provides preliminary anti-action by opposing the lateral force generated when the strap is pulled taut. As the strap tension increases and creates a departing angle, the centering finger simultaneously increases its counteracting force to maintain the cable's centered position, allowing strong cable holding without sacrificing alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The centering finger acts as an intermediary element between the cable and the pedestal structure. It mediates the interaction by providing a controlled contact point that guides the cable's position while allowing the strap to exert its full securing force. This intermediary structure enables both strong holding force and precise centerline alignment to coexist.
Data Source
AI summary
A self-centering cable strap centers items such as cables, wires and tubes, or bundles thereof, on a bed of the strap. A cinch strap extends from one side of the bed and abutment figures extend from a side of the bed opposite the cinch strap and project laterally and axially relative to the bed.