Stackable Belt Member Structure for Accurate Cable Bending

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable guiding devices face issues with maintaining accurate bending radius, causing damage due to excessive torsion or tension, and are difficult to install and assemble, especially in limited spaces, leading to resonance and instability, and require significant production time and resources.

Innovation Solution

A belt member with a tubular body and protrusion areas at predetermined positions, allowing for easy stacking and connection, enabling secure cable guidance in straight or bending postures, and facilitating easy assembly and disassembly with a reduced number of components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If stainless steel or leaf spring is used as the flexible member, then the supporting member can maintain structural strength, but the device cannot be installed within limited space because the supporting member is unable to maintain an accurate bending radius during bending

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidbending radius accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous material strip is divided into multiple action-limited solid bodies that are sealed within channels. Each segment can bend independently while maintaining the overall structural integrity, allowing the supporting member to achieve accurate bending radius in limited spaces while retaining strength through the segmented modular structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The action-limited solid bodies are sealed within channels that are disposed in parallel, creating a nested structure where multiple functional elements are contained within a compact framework. This nesting allows the supporting member to maintain accurate bending geometry while fitting within limited installation spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Duration of action of stationary object

If stainless steel is used as the flexible member, then the supporting member can maintain durability, but the apparatus may breakdown and rupture as a result of fatigue

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovedurabilityVSAvoidfatigue resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses composite construction where action-limited solid bodies are sealed within channels, creating a composite structure that combines the durability of sealed enclosures with the flexibility of segmented internal elements. This composite design distributes stress more evenly, reducing fatigue concentration and preventing rupture while maintaining long-term durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of manufacture

If pieces formed of resin are injection-molded one at a time to the stainless steel or leaf spring, then the components can be assembled, but the production requires much burden and time and cannot be mass-produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly capabilityVSAvoidmass production capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The continuous material strip is segmented into multiple action-limited solid bodies that are pre-formed and then sealed within channels. This segmentation allows each component to be manufactured independently using efficient processes, and then assembled through the sealing operation, enabling mass production while maintaining assembly capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple action-limited solid bodies are sealed within channels in parallel, merging multiple components into an integrated assembly through the sealing process. This merging approach allows for efficient mass production of complete assemblies rather than producing and assembling individual pieces separately, significantly increasing productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If the supporting member is unable to maintain an accurate bending radius during bending, then the device can be more flexible, but the supporting member may contact an obstacle in the vicinity of itself

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidobstacle contact

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The segmented structure of action-limited solid bodies sealed within channels allows the supporting member to achieve controlled flexibility. Each segment can adapt to spatial constraints while the overall geometry maintains an accurate bending radius, preventing contact with obstacles even when navigating tight spaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11821491B2Belt member and a cable guiding device comprising the same

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 SAMWON ACT CO LTD

AI summary

The present invention provides a belt member comprising: a tubular body; and a belt member unit comprising #1 protrusion area located at #1 predetermined position of the body, where by inserting and placing each protrusion area of layer #2 belt member in each opening of layer #1 belt member, the layer #1 belt member and the layer #2 belt member can be prevented from falling out.