Symmetric Cable Clamp Structure for High-Load Release
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for securing elongate articles, such as cables, have limited load capacity and difficulty in releasing the clamping mechanism once the load is applied, often resulting in misalignment of clamping members and reduced gripping force.
Innovation Solution
A securing device with first and second elongate clamping members, a carriage, and a body with inwardly tapering walls, where the carriage moves along the passage to urge the clamping members towards each other, ensuring symmetric engagement with the elongate article, and a release portion allows for easy disengagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a clamping wedge is used to secure an elongate cable between two tapering walls, then the cable can be clamped effectively, but the load capacity is limited and it becomes difficult to release the wedge when full load is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The single wedge is divided into two separate clamping members (first and second clamping members), each independently clamping the elongate article. This segmentation allows the clamping force to be distributed and enables easier release by moving the carriage to the release position, where both clamping members are simultaneously disengaged from the elongate article.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamping members are designed to be movable relative to each other through the carriage mechanism. The carriage can dynamically transition between a clamping condition (where clamping members engage the elongate article) and a release condition (where they are disengaged). This dynamic capability allows easy release by simply moving the carriage along the passage, overcoming the difficulty of releasing a static wedge under full load.
2Device complexity
If clamping members are used without a carriage mechanism, then the structure is simpler, but the clamping members become misaligned and the gripping force is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage acts as an intermediary mechanism that carries both clamping members and ensures their proper alignment. The carriage moves along a defined passage with inwardly tapering walls, which guides the clamping members into symmetric positions on either side of the elongate article. This intermediary structure maintains reliable gripping force by preventing misalignment, while the overall device remains relatively simple in construction.
3Device complexity
If the clamping members engage fewer strands of the elongate article, then the device structure is simpler, but the load capacity and security of clamping is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping members are designed with specific engagement characteristics that allow them to effectively engage a sufficient number of strands (two-thirds or more of the total number of engageable strands) of the elongate article. This local quality in the engagement design ensures high load capacity and secure clamping without requiring overly complex device structures. The symmetric arrangement of clamping members on opposite sides of the elongate article optimizes the distribution of clamping force across multiple strands.
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 ensures maximum load capacity and secure clamping by aligning clamping members symmetrically, minimizing misalignment and risk of cutting, while facilitating easy release and repositioning.
Implementation Method 1
a body having first and second walls tapering inwardly towards each other, the first and second walls defining a passage along which the carriage can move... movement of the carriage along the passage in the direction of the inward tapering of the walls causes the clamping members to be urged towards each other to clamp the elongate article therebetween
Implementation Method 2
resilient means engages the carriage and is arranged to yieldingly urge the carriage towards the cable receiving end within the tapered portion of the shell
Implementation Method 3
various factors, including the differences in friction between the first and second clamping members and the elongate article, would result in the clamping members being misaligned
Data Source
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AI summary
A securing arrangement (10) comprises an elongate article (14) and a securing device (12). The securing device (12) has a body (20) and first and second clamping members (28) within the body (20) for clamping the elongate article (14). The clamping members (28) are disposed in an opposed position relative to one another. The elongate article (14) comprises a plurality of strands (16A - 16F) wound around one another in a plurality of turns of each strand. Each strand (16A -16F) has substantially the same pitch as each other strand, and each clamping member (28) has an engaging surface (57) for engaging the elongate article (14). Each engaging surface (57) is configured to engage half or more of the total number of strands forming the elongate article (14).