Strain Relief Device with Varying Stiffness Profile
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strain relief devices often concentrate stress at the point of connection between cables/conduits and rigid structures, fail to withstand high temperatures, and cannot bend at extreme angles, leading to potential cracking or failure of the conduit/cable.
Innovation Solution
A strain relief device with an elongated body made of silicone material, featuring clamshell sections with progressively smaller voids and varying stiffness along its length, allowing it to distribute stress and withstand extreme angles and high temperatures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a strain relief device is used to reinforce the conduit or cable at the point of connection, then the strength at the connection point is improved, but stress may be concentrated at the point where the conduit or cable contacts the strain relief device
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief device incorporates varying stiffness along its length, with the first portion having a first stiffness and the second portion having a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness. This local variation in mechanical properties allows the device to provide reinforcement where needed while progressively reducing stress concentration toward the cable interface, resolving the contradiction between strengthening the connection and avoiding stress concentration.
2Strength
If a rigid strain relief device is used to provide structural support, then the strength is improved, but the device cannot bend at extreme angles
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief device employs a dynamic stiffness profile along its length, transitioning from a stiffer first portion to a more flexible second portion. This allows the device to maintain structural integrity and provide support where needed while accommodating extreme bending angles and cable movement, effectively resolving the contradiction between rigidity and flexibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If a strain relief device with uniform construction is used, then the manufacturing is simplified, but the device may direct strain towards the point where it meets the conduit or cable
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a uniform construction, the strain relief device incorporates local variations in stiffness along its length. The first portion has a first stiffness and the second portion has a second stiffness that is less than the first stiffness. This localized differentiation in mechanical properties prevents strain concentration while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes such as extrusion or molding, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and stress distribution.
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 device effectively diffuses stress along its length, reducing the likelihood of stress concentration and maintaining performance under high temperatures and repeated bending cycles.
Implementation Method 1
an elongated body made of a silicone material... the body has two clamshell sections... edges in each of the clamshell sections defining a plurality of voids... the edges become shorter in length from the first end to the second end such that the shorter edges define progressively smaller voids
Data Source
AI summary
A strain relief device includes an elongated body having a first and second end, the elongated body defining an elongated hole extending from the first end to the second end; and edges in the body defining a plurality of voids between the first and second end, wherein the edges become shorter in length from the first end to the second end such that the shorter edges define progressively smaller voids in the body from the first end to the second end. A method of providing a strain relief is also disclosed.