Spiral Cable Connector for Locking Accessories Without Lateral Sliding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection systems between cables and accessories are inefficient due to slow installation times, failure to prevent lateral sliding, and material fatigue in applications with multiple cable crossings, such as in agricultural structures.
Innovation Solution
A connection system utilizing spiral curved wires with controlled pitch and surface layers to lock accessories to cables, preventing lateral sliding while allowing longitudinal movement, thereby simplifying installation and enhancing structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If pin type connectors are used to keep cable crossings together, then cable crossings are kept together, but installation time increases and lateral sliding is not prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate components: a first part with perpendicular gutters for receiving crossed cables, and a second part that closes the opening. This segmentation allows for simplified assembly while maintaining cable crossing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector integrates multiple functions into a single device: it keeps cable crossings together, prevents lateral sliding through the perpendicular gutter design, and allows longitudinal sliding for tension maneuvers. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate components.
2Stability of the object's composition
If connectors that fix cable connection in at least one direction are used, then lateral sliding is prevented, but installation complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a first part with perpendicular gutters that receive cables and a second part that closes the opening. This simple two-part design prevents lateral sliding without requiring complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using complex locking mechanisms to prevent lateral sliding, the invention inverts the approach by using the simple geometric configuration of perpendicular gutters that naturally constrain lateral movement while allowing easy assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If soft wire is wound to each side of cable crossover, then connection is achieved with low cost, but installation time increases and material fatigue occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the durable but time-consuming soft wire winding method with a simpler, more efficient connector design that achieves the same function with reduced installation time and without the material fatigue issues of repeatedly wound wire.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows for self-aligning cable placement through its perpendicular gutter structure, eliminating the need for multiple manual turns and adjustments required in soft wire winding, thereby reducing installation time and complexity.
4Strength
If multiple manual turns of soft wire are applied, then cable connection is achieved, but installation time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the time-consuming manual winding operation from the connection process by replacing it with a pre-formed connector that achieves the same connection strength through a single assembly action, eliminating the need for multiple manual turns.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an accessory connector device and to a connection system comprising said device, for connecting and locking at least one accessory to at least one cable, wherein the connector device comprises at least one spiral curved wire whose pitch is between 0.1 and 50 cm, extending and forming an outer envelope and an inner zone surrounded by said outer envelope, wherein the spiral curved wire pitch defines spiral sections, so that the connector device comprises between 1 to 1000 spiral sections along its extension, wherein the inner zone of the connector device comprises a spiral axis, so that the outer envelope formed by the spiral curved wire surrounds said spiral axis, wherein said inner area is configured to receive a first cable arranged along the spiral axis, and wherein at least one of the spiral sections of the spiral curved wire is configured to connect the connector device with the accessory in said at least one spiral section, locking the lateral sliding of the accessory with respect to the spiral axis, so that at least part of the accessory is located between the first cable and the spiral curved wire.