Smooth-Strap Cable Tie Locking for Tighter Bundling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Prior art cable tie arrangements with periodic raised elements result in poor or loose bundling due to tension determined by spacing between these elements, leading to suboptimal bundling of cables and similar elongate members.
Innovation Solution
A cable tie arrangement featuring a continuous strap without racks and a separate locking head with metal teeth that engage the strap's planar surface to securely bundle elongate members, allowing for optimal tensioning and preventing movement in one direction while allowing movement in another, thereby enhancing bundling efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If periodic raised elements are used on the strap to engage with the locking head, then the strap can be engaged and locked, but the tension in the strap is determined by the spacing between the raised elements resulting in poor or loose bundling
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement mechanism is segmented into two independent components: the continuous strap with planar surface and the separate locking head with teeth. This segmentation allows the strap to provide consistent tension while the locking head provides secure engagement, resolving the contradiction between bundling security and tightness.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap surface is designed with a specific local quality (smooth planar surface) that allows flexible engagement, while the locking head has teeth with specific geometric properties for secure locking. This local differentiation enables the strap to maintain optimal tension independent of engagement spacing.
2Ease of operation
If raised elements are spaced periodically along the strap, then engagement points are provided, but the tension is constrained by this spacing leading to loose bundling in some instances
Solution Approach 1:
The periodic raised elements are extracted from the strap design. The strap now has a continuous smooth planar surface without discrete engagement features, allowing the locking head to provide all engagement functionality. This eliminates the constraint of fixed spacing on tension consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The strap surface parameter changes from having discrete raised elements to having a continuous smooth planar surface. This parameter change allows the engagement mechanism to be located solely in the locking head, enabling consistent tension regardless of where engagement occurs along the strap length.
3Manufacturing precision
If the strap has a smooth planar surface without racks, then optimal tensioning can be achieved, but the engagement mechanism becomes more complex requiring a separate locking head with teeth
Solution Approach 1:
The engagement and locking functions are merged into a single integrated locking head assembly. The teeth on the locking head simultaneously engage the smooth strap surface and provide the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall system complexity despite the smooth strap design.
4Reliability
If opposed teeth engage the planar surface to prevent movement in one direction, then secure locking is achieved, but the teeth must be precisely positioned to engage the smooth surface effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The locking head is designed with pre-positioned teeth that automatically align with the strap during insertion. The geometry of the opening and teeth arrangement ensures proper positioning occurs automatically as the strap is fed through, eliminating the need for high-precision manual positioning while maintaining reliable engagement.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tie arrangement for bundling one or more elongate members, and which includes a continuous strap having a planar surface free of any racks and a separate locking head defining an opening and having a metal locking element comprising a pair of opposed teeth extending into the opening and arranged to engage the strap in the opening. In use, the strap comprises a looped section arranged to bundle one or more elongate members on a first side of the locking head, and the looped section has an end section and a supply section extending through the locking head to a second side of the locking head in a first direction. Further, the opposed teeth are arranged to engage the planar surface of the end section and the supply section to prevent movement of the end section and the supply section in a second direction opposed to the first direction and to allow movement of the supply section in the first direction, and wherein the opposed teeth extend towards one another in the opening to press the end section and the supply section together in the opening.