Cable And Conduit Holder With Self-Locking Centering Strips

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing holders for elongated objects like cables and pipes fail to securely manage objects of varying diameters, leading to potential movement, rattling, and noise issues, particularly in electromobility applications.

Innovation Solution

A holder design featuring a pivoting closure part with a film hinge that locks into a counter-locking mechanism, utilizing resilient strips to center and secure elongated objects of different diameters, preventing undesirable movements and enhancing noise attenuation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If existing holders are used for elongated objects, then the holder structure is simple, but the holder cannot securely manage objects of varying diameters leading to movement and noise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different diametersVSAvoidsecurity against movement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The holder employs a resilient strip that can dynamically adjust its position and applying force according to the diameter of the inserted elongated object. The strip deflects to accommodate different diameters while maintaining constant securing force, enabling the holder to adapt to various object sizes without compromising security against movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing holders are used for elongated objects, then the holder structure is simple, but noise issues occur particularly in electromobility applications

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovenoiseVSAvoidholder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder utilizes a resilient strip that acts as a flexible element to dampen vibrations and reduce noise generated by elongated objects. The resilient nature of the strip provides inherent noise attenuation without requiring complex additional damping structures, thus controlling harmful noise factors while maintaining relatively simple holder geometry.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Adaptability or versatility

If resilient strips are added to existing holders, then objects of different diameters can be centered, but the holder structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecentering capability for different diametersVSAvoidholder structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The resilient strip serves multiple functions simultaneously: it centers elongated objects of different diameters, secures them against movement, and provides noise damping. By integrating these multiple functions into a single element, the holder achieves versatile adaptability without proportionally increasing structural complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The resilient strip automatically adjusts its position and applying force based on the diameter of the inserted object without requiring external adjustment mechanisms. The strip self-centers the object and provides appropriate securing force, enabling the holder to adapt to different diameters through the inherent elastic properties of the strip itself.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The holder provides reliable, automatic locking with high restoring force, ensuring objects are kept centered and secure, reducing noise and movement, making it suitable for a wide range of diameters and applications.

Implementation Method 1

a pivotable closure part (6) which is articulated to a first side wall (4) via a film hinge (7)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHinge: Hinge

Implementation Method 2

at least one resilient strip (20, 22) is provided, which extends from the base body and/or the wall in the closed state towards the object being held

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3757435B1Support for elongated objects
Publication Date: 2024.10.23 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3757435B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757435B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3757435B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a holder for elongated bodies (30) such as conduits, cables and the like, wherein a trough-like base body with a base wall (3) and two side walls (4, 5) extending from it is provided, wherein a pivotable locking element (6) is hinged to a first side wall (4) of the side walls and a locking element (25) is arranged on the second side wall (5), wherein the pivotable locking element and the locking element have corresponding locking means which can be engaged by pivoting the locking element, wherein a wall (12) serving as a pivot lever is provided for pivoting the locking element, which, when an object to be held is placed on and pressed in, pivots the locking element of the locking element to the locking element of the locking element and engages it, wherein at least one spring-loaded strip (20, 22) is provided.which extends from the base body and/or the wall in the closed state in the direction of the object being held.