Shrinkable Knitted Sleeve for Impact Protection and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile sleeves for protecting elongate members, such as wrappable and circumferentially continuous tubular sleeves, face challenges including the need for secondary features for assembly, increased costs, potential for exposure due to loose secondary features, non-uniform thickness, and difficulty in fitting various diameters, which limits their use in tight spaces and applications with enlarged connectors.
Innovation Solution
A knitted textile sleeve with a circumferentially continuous, tubular outer periphery made from alternating groups of shrinkable and non-shrinkable yarns, allowing the sleeve to constrict radially from an enlarged to a shrunken state, eliminating the need for secondary fasteners and providing enhanced impact protection through radially inwardly facing cushions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If wrappable sleeves are used to protect elongate members, then impact protection is provided, but secondary features (clamps, straps, tapes) are required for assembly which increases labor time and cost
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is constructed with shrinkable yarn integrated into the knitted wall that automatically constricts the sleeve to secure it about the elongate member when exposed to activating conditions (heat, moisture, or mechanical compression), eliminating the need for secondary fastening features and reducing assembly time
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve utilizes shrinkable yarn that changes its physical parameters (shrinks) in response to activating conditions, transforming the sleeve from a loose state during assembly to a constricted secured state, thereby providing self-securing functionality without additional components
2Strength
If wrappable sleeves are used, then impact protection is provided, but non-uniform thickness with overlapped edges creates non-uniform appearance and prevents use in tight areas
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve is constructed as a circumferentially continuous tubular knitted wall that can be formed with uniform thickness, providing a smooth outer surface suitable for tight spaces while maintaining impact protection capabilities through the shrinkable yarn construction
3Stability of the object's composition
If fixed diameter tubular sleeves are used, then circumferential continuity is provided, but the sleeve cannot fit over enlarged regions (connectors) and requires secondary fasteners
Solution Approach 1:
The sleeve incorporates shrinkable yarn that allows the sleeve diameter to dynamically change from a larger initial state (enabling installation over enlarged regions) to a smaller constricted state (providing secure fit), thereby combining circumferential continuity with adaptability to various diameters
Solution Approach 2:
The sleeve is constructed with shrinkable yarn in a relaxed state that allows it to be installed over enlarged regions first, and then the shrinkable yarn is activated to constrict the sleeve into a secure fit, performing the securing action after installation rather than requiring pre-securing
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 achieves a snug fit over a wide range of diameters without additional fasteners, enhances impact protection, and minimizes thickness, allowing for use in tight spaces without the need for multiple sizes, thereby reducing inventory and assembly costs while ensuring secure protection.
Implementation Method 1
The shrinkable yarn provides the wall with an ability to be radially constricted from a first, diametrically enlarged state to a second, diametrically shrunken state
Data Source
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AI summary
A knitted sleeve for routing and protecting elongate members and method of construction thereof are provided. The sleeve includes an elongate, knitted wall having a circumferentially continuous, tubular outer periphery extending along a central axis between opposite open ends. The wail includes knitted shrinkable yarn and knitted non-shrinkable yarn. The shrinkable yarn provides the wall with an ability to be radially constricted from a first, diametrically enlarged state to a second, diametrically shrunken state, wherein said shrinkable yarn and said non-shrinkable yarn are knit in alternating groups of courses with one another.