Strain Relief Clamp With Tool-Free Spring Strip Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strain relief clamps require tools for releasing cables, which is inconvenient and can lead to safety hazards if improperly handled.
Innovation Solution
A strain relief clamp design with a spring strip and teeth mechanism that allows manual release without tools, featuring bendable and resilient properties to lock and unlock the clamp securely.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tool is required to release the cable from the strain relief clamp, then the locking mechanism is secure and reliable, but the ease of operation deteriorates as users need additional tools
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief clamp enables users to release cables manually without requiring external tools. The release mechanism is integrated into the clamp body, allowing users to directly manipulate the spring strip and teeth structure to unlock and remove cables, making the system self-sufficient for both locking and releasing operations
Solution Approach 2:
The spring strip is designed to be bendable and movable, transitioning between locked and unlocked states. The dynamic movement of the spring strip allows it to engage with or disengage from the teeth, providing a flexible locking mechanism that can be easily activated or deactivated by user action
2Ease of operation
If the spring strip is made bendable for manual release, then the ease of operation improves, but the reliability deteriorates as the spring strip may accidentally disengage
Solution Approach 1:
The design incorporates features that prevent accidental disengagement by requiring deliberate user action to release the cable. The spring strip and teeth structure are configured so that normal cable tension or minor disturbances cannot overcome the locking force, while intentional manual manipulation can successfully release it
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the spring strip have different functional properties. The first end portion is attached to the second body part and engages with teeth for secure locking, while the second end portion is movable and designed for user manipulation. This local differentiation allows the same component to provide both secure locking and easy release functionality
3Reliability
If multiple locking mechanisms are used to secure cables, then the reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief clamp integrates multiple locking mechanisms into a single unified structure. The spring strip and teeth configuration provides both strain relief and locking functions simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable cable securing
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
Enables tool-free manual release of cables, enhancing user convenience and safety by preventing accidental detachment.
Implementation Method 1
the spring strip is bendable such that the second end portion is movable by a user. It allows the user to move the second end portion to bend the spring strip and subsequently cause the second plurality of teeth to disengage from the first plurality of teeth
Implementation Method 2
the spring strip is resilient. Resilience of the spring strip allows the second plurality of teeth originally disengaged from the first plurality of teeth to press towards and subsequently engage with the first plurality of teeth to automatically lock the individual locking mechanism
Data Source
AI summary
A strain relief clamp (100), which has a first body part (110) and a second body part (120) creating a passage (160) for clamping cables upon the two body parts securely attached together by using locking mechanisms (105,106). An individual locking mechanism (105) has a first plurality of teeth (115) protruded from the first body part (110), and a spring strip (130) formed with a second plurality of teeth (135). The second plurality of teeth (135) faces and engages with the first plurality of teeth (115) to lock the individual locking mechanism (105). The spring strip (130) is bendable, allowing a user to bend the spring strip (130) and subsequently cause the second plurality of teeth (135) to disengage from the first plurality of teeth (115) to release the individual locking mechanism (105). Tool-free release of the cables is achieved, offering the user convenience.