Spring-Biased Cable Conduit End for Secure Latch Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional latch mechanisms face difficulties in assembling and disassembling cable connections due to interference from other components, making the process time-consuming, costly, and prone to errors, and require robust anchoring to prevent inadvertent disengagement.

Innovation Solution

A cable conduit end with spring-biased arm members and retention features that snap-fittingly engage with a cable abutment, allowing for low insertion force and high retention, enabling easy assembly and maintenance while withstanding axial and radial forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional cable connection methods are used through small openings, then the latch mechanism can be compact, but the assembly process becomes difficult and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly speedVSAvoidassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable connection system is divided into separate components: a cable conduit end fitting with arm members, a cable abutment with opening, and retention features. This segmentation allows the components to be assembled independently through the small opening without requiring complex manual manipulation of the entire cable assembly, thereby improving assembly speed while maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The arm members are pre-configured with retention features (pawls) that automatically engage with the cable abutment opening during insertion. This preliminary configuration of retention mechanisms eliminates the need for complex manual securing operations during assembly, enabling quick installation through the small opening while ensuring proper cable anchoring.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of repair

If conventional cable anchoring methods are used, then the cable can be secured, but disassembly requires damaging the cable, cable fitting or latch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance easeVSAvoiddisassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The arm members are designed as flexible, spring-biased components that can dynamically change position. During assembly, they flex to allow insertion through the small opening; during disassembly, they can be deliberately actuated to disengage from the cable abutment. This dynamic behavior enables easy maintenance and disassembly without damaging any components, while maintaining secure anchoring during normal operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If robust cable anchoring is implemented to prevent inadvertent disengagement, then cable security is improved, but insertion force requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable securityVSAvoidinsertion force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring function is segmented between the flexible arm members and the rigid cable abutment. The arm members provide flexible engagement that requires minimal insertion force, while the cable abutment provides the robust anchoring structure. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high cable security through the engagement geometry and retention features, while keeping insertion forces low due to the flexible, spring-biased nature of the arm members.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If cable connections are made through minimal openings, then the latch mechanism remains compact, but component positioning becomes difficult and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelatch compactnessVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The arm members with retention features (pawls) are designed to self-align and self-engage with the cable abutment opening during insertion. The spring bias provides automatic positioning feedback, and the retention features guide the assembly into the correct position. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for precise manual positioning through the small opening, reducing errors while maintaining the compact latch design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 solution provides a quick and efficient means to secure and remove cable conduits, ensuring robust anchoring and ease of maintenance with minimal force requirements, while maintaining high disengagement resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a pair of arm members integrally formed with the housing of the conduit end, wherein the pair of arm members are spring biased into a first position

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS11316327B2Cable end fitting and cable abutment and method of securement

Publication Date: 2022.04.26 INTEVA PRODUCTS LLC

AI summary

A cable conduit end for securing a cable to a cable abutment of a latch, the cable conduit end including: a housing; a pair of arm members integrally formed with the housing of the conduit end, wherein the pair of arm members are spring biased into a first position; and a platform integrally formed with the pair of arm members, the platform extending laterally from the pair of arm members.