Sliding Cable Management Device for Lighting

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing retractable cable management devices for lighting installations are cumbersome and aesthetically unpleasing due to the need for exposed power supply cables that require length adjustments with changes in shelf width and lamp position, increasing the workload of cable management.

Innovation Solution

A retractable cable management device featuring a strip-shaped housing with a sliding mechanism and a tightening system that adjusts the output cable length by sliding along the housing, utilizing a limit post and fastening knob for convenient length adjustment, keeping most cables inside and maintaining a neat appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the cable length is adjusted to meet changes in lamp installation position, then the adaptability to different shelf widths is improved, but the device complexity increases due to frequent cable management adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different shelf widthsVSAvoidcable management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The cable management device employs a dynamic sliding mechanism where the cable guide can move along the housing to adjust cable length. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the device to adapt to different shelf widths and lamp positions without requiring complex reconfiguration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The cable is nested within the housing structure, with excess cable stored inside the housing and only the necessary length extending outward. This nesting approach conceals the cable management complexity within the housing while maintaining simple external adjustments, addressing both adaptability and complexity concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a certain length of cable is reserved for subsequent adjustments, then the adaptability for future repositioning is improved, but the appearance is worsened due to exposed cables

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability for future repositioningVSAvoidappearance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The cable is nested within the housing structure, with excess cable stored inside the housing and only the necessary length extending outward. This nesting approach conceals the cable management complexity within the housing while maintaining simple external adjustments, addressing both adaptability and complexity concerns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable guide can slide along the housing to adjust the exposed cable length as needed. This dynamic adjustment allows the user to minimize exposed cable for aesthetic purposes while retaining the ability to extend cable length for future repositioning, thus resolving the appearance versus adaptability contradiction.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 device allows for easy adjustment of cable length to match different shelf widths and lamp positions, reducing the complexity of cable management and maintaining a clean, concealed cable appearance.

Implementation Method 1

a fastening knob that is threaded to the limit post

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThreading: Screw

Data Source

PatentEP3754802B1A retractable cable management device
Publication Date: 2023.06.14 SELF ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3754802B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3754802B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3754802B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a retractable cable management device, comprising a strip-shaped housing and a sliding device. The housing is provided with an opening formed along the length direction of the housing, an input cable is provided at one end of the housing and an output cable is provided at other end. One end of the sliding device extends into the housing through the opening and is electrically connected to the input cable and the output cable. The sliding device can slide along the length direction of the opening and the extension length of the output cable relative to the housing changes accordingly during sliding. With this design, by adjusting the sliding device of the power supply rail, the extension length of the output cable relative to the housing can be changed accordingly, thereby meeting the different length requirements of the power supply cable, the operation is very convenient, and the appearance is beautiful.