Spring-Supported Cable Routing for Low-Sag Vehicle Line Strands
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing systems for vehicles, such as semi-trailers and articulated vehicles, face challenges in maintaining a compact design while preventing sagging of line strands with large diameters, especially during cornering and straight-ahead driving.
Innovation Solution
A cable routing device featuring a carrier element pivotably attached to the vehicle and a cable store with a spring element supporting the line strand loosely, allowing it to move axially with minimal friction and adjust its length to accommodate changing distances between the carrier element and the cable store.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the line strand is made longer to accommodate cornering movements, then the line strand can bridge larger distances without breaking, but the line strand sags and could be damaged when driving straight ahead
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a spring element that dynamically adjusts its length between minimum and maximum positions to accommodate the line strand. When the vehicle corners, the spring extends to allow the line strand to bridge larger distances. When driving straight, the spring contracts to prevent sagging and damage, thus resolving the contradiction between sufficient length and reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The spring element changes its physical state (length) based on operational conditions. It transitions between compressed and extended states depending on whether the vehicle is cornering or driving straight, allowing the line strand to maintain appropriate tension and position under varying conditions, preventing both breakage and sagging
2Adaptability or versatility
If a spring-loaded drum disk is used to store supply lines, then the line strand can be unwound under tension when cornering, but the installation space requirement becomes large and accommodating more supply lines increases the minimum bending radius
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid spring-loaded drum disk with a flexible spring element that can compress and extend. This flexible structure provides the necessary line strand movement capability while occupying significantly less space, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and volume
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of winding lines radially on a drum disk (two-dimensional arrangement), the patent uses a linear spring element that compresses and extends along one dimension. This dimensional change allows for more efficient space utilization while maintaining the ability to accommodate line strand movement
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 ensures that the line strand remains supported and prevents sagging, maintaining a smooth and efficient movement into and out of the cable store, while also ensuring the carrier element is correctly aligned for coupling and uncoupling processes.
Implementation Method 1
A spring element is arranged between the carrier element and the cable store, by which spring element the line strand is supported loosely
Implementation Method 2
A spring element is understood to be a component that is reversible under the expected operating loads and can be stretched in its axial extent between a maximum length and a minimum length
Data Source
AI summary
A cable routing device for connecting a line strand to a carrier element which can be moved with respect to the vehicle, wherein the cable routing device has a carrier element, fastened pivotably to the vehicle, and a cable store, in which at least part of the line strand is accommodated. Based on the problem of providing a cable routing device of compact design which is suitable for ensuring low sag of a line strand with a large diameter, the problem is solved by virtue of the fact that a spring element is arranged between the carrier element and the cable store, by which spring element, the line strand is supported loosely.