Stackable Microduct Bracket With Staggered Clips for Secure Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing products for managing and routing ducts, cables, and wires are either fiddly, weak, difficult to install, or inadequate for holding larger sizes, and lack compatibility with varying diameters and secure anchoring to flat surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A stackable bracket assembly with C-shaped holding members and raised ribs, designed to accommodate cables and ducts of different diameters, featuring a staggered and overlapping configuration for secure holding and alignment, along with locating members for easy assembly and anchoring to surfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If conventional J clips are used to retain cords and cables, then installation is simple, but they are weak, small, and difficult to install due to needing a hammer and nail

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveholding strengthVSAvoidinstallation ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into multiple functional segments: a base for mounting, multiple clips for holding different cables, and staggered holding members for organized routing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall simplicity of installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple cable holding functions are merged into a single bracket assembly. The bracket combines multiple clips with staggered C-shaped holding members, eliminating the need for multiple separate J clips and reducing installation complexity while increasing holding strength.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Stability of the object's composition

If cord clips with rigid retaining arms are used, then they provide stable positioning, but they have a small range of motion and cannot accommodate cables larger than the clip diameter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoidcable size adaptability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The C-shaped holding members are designed with flexibility to dynamically adapt to different cable diameters. The staggered configuration allows the holding members to flex and adjust their position, providing stable positioning for various cable sizes without requiring rigid, fixed-geometry clips.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bracket design changes the geometric parameters of the holding members by staggering their positions and using C-shapes with varying opening dimensions. This allows the same bracket structure to accommodate a range of cable diameters while maintaining positioning stability through the staggered arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If general-purpose nylon wire ties are used, then they can group wires together, but they cannot be reused because the head is self-locking and the pawl is cut off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesimplicity of designVSAvoidreusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly is designed to be self-installing through the staggered configuration of holding members that naturally guide cables into position. The locating members on the base provide self-alignment during installation, eliminating the need for complex adjustment mechanisms and enabling easy reinstallation by simply removing and repositioning the entire bracket.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Reliability

If adhesive backed mounting bases are used, then they can anchor wires to flat surfaces, but they are not compatible with releasable cable ties that have interlocking teeth

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveanchoring reliabilityVSAvoidcable tie compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket assembly serves multiple functions: the base provides anchoring to flat surfaces while the multiple clips and staggered holding members accommodate various cable types and sizes. This multi-functional design replaces the need for separate adhesive bases and cable ties, providing both secure anchoring and versatile cable management in a single integrated component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11821549B2Brackets for microducts and cables

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 PPC BROADBAND FIBER LTD

AI summary

A stackable bracket includes a base, and a plurality of clips configured to extend from the base. Each of the plurality of clips is configured to include a pair of holding members, each of the holding members of the plurality of clips is configured to define an opening configured to receive one of a plurality of cables or ducts, and the openings of each pair of holding members are configured to be aligned with one another in a first direction. The plurality of clips are configured to be arranged sequentially relative to one another in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, the holding members of the plurality of clips are configured to be staggered relative to one another in the first direction, the holding members of a first one of the plurality of clips are configured to overlap the holding members of a second one of the plurality of clips in second direction, and each of the holding members includes a pair of raised ribs configured to be aligned with a corresponding pair of grooves in one of the plurality of cables or ducts.