Shrinkable Braided Sleeve for Cable Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile sleeves for elongate members, such as wires and cables, face challenges including high costs, complexity in assembly, potential for secondary features to come undone, non-uniform thickness, and the need to stock multiple sizes for different diameters, which limits their use in tight spaces and applications with varying sizes.
Innovation Solution
A shrinkable braided tubular sleeve made from a combination of shrinkable and non-shrinkable yarns, where the shrinkable yarns are braided in a way that allows the sleeve to change diameter significantly upon heating, providing a snug fit without the need for secondary fixation mechanisms and increasing density for enhanced protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wrappable sleeves are used to protect elongate members, then protection against impact and abrasion is provided, but secondary features are required to secure them which increases assembly labor and time
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is designed to be self-securing through its shrinkable property. When heated, the sleeve automatically shrinks to conform to the elongate member, eliminating the need for external clamps, straps, or tapes to secure it in place.
2Strength
If wrappable sleeves are used, then protection is provided, but secondary features must be kept in stock which increases inventory costs
Solution Approach 1:
The shrinkable sleeve eliminates the need for separate secondary securing features, thereby eliminating the inventory costs associated with storing clamps, straps, tapes, and other fastening components.
3Strength
If wrappable sleeves are used, then protection is provided, but the secondary feature may come undone during use which risks direct exposure to environmental effects
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve's shrinkage creates a permanent mechanical interlock with the elongate member, providing continuous protection without the risk of secondary features loosening or failing during use.
4Strength
If wrappable sleeves are used, then protection is provided, but the non-uniform thickness with overlapped edges increases outer envelope thickness which prevents use in tight areas
Solution Approach 1:
The shrinkage process transforms the sleeve from a loose, non-uniform configuration to a tight, uniform fit around the elongate member, minimizing the outer envelope thickness while maintaining protective strength.
5Strength
If fixed diameter tubular sleeves are used, then protection is provided, but they require secondary fasteners to secure them in position which increases assembly complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The shrinkable sleeve automatically secures itself to the elongate member through thermal shrinkage, eliminating the need for secondary fasteners and simplifying the overall assembly process.
6Strength
If fixed diameter tubular sleeves are used, then protection is provided, but they cannot accommodate elongate members with regions of increased size such as connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve transitions from a fixed diameter state during manufacturing to a variable diameter state during use, allowing it to be stretched over larger components and then shrink to a tight fit, thereby accommodating elongate members with varying diameters including connectors.
7Strength
If thick walls are formed to provide desired impact resistance, then protection is improved, but the ability to use the sleeve in relatively tight spaces is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The shrinkage process increases the density and effective thickness of the sleeve wall in the radial direction while maintaining a compact outer envelope, providing enhanced impact resistance without increasing the overall sleeve volume.
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 sleeve remains fixed in place, offers enhanced protection against impact and abrasion, is economical, and can accommodate a wide range of elongate member diameters, with increased density and minimized thickness for use in tight spaces, eliminating the need for additional securing mechanisms.
Implementation Method 1
the shrinkable yarns undergo shrinkage upon heating of the sleeve
Data Source
Figure 1~1A
Figure 2~2A
Figure 3~3A
AI summary
A textile sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof is provided. The sleeve includes an elongate, braided wall having a circumferentially continuous, tubular outer periphery extending along a centra! axis between opposite open ends. The wail includes shrinkable yarns and non-shrinkable yams. The shrinkable yam provides the wall with an ability to be radially contracted from a first, diametrically enlarged assembly state to a second, diametrically shrunken state.