Twisted String-Shaped Electric Cable for Underwater Robots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing underwater robot cables lack flexibility and high tensile strength, making them difficult to handle and maneuver underwater, and are prone to tangling or damage due to their density being higher than water.
Innovation Solution
The electric cable features a plurality of string-shaped structures twisting around a core electric wire, made from materials like polypropylene with a density lower than water, providing high tensile strength and flexibility, allowing it to float and be handled freely underwater.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the cable is made with traditional composition (optical fiber cords, power wires, aramid fiber anti-tensile body, jelly-like admixture, elastomer sheath), then the cable has high tensile strength and protected transmission path, but the cable lacks flexibility and is prone to tangling due to density higher than water
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is divided into multiple independent string-shaped bodies (first, second, third string-shaped bodies) that twist around each other. Each string-shaped body contains its own electric wire and anti-tensile bodies, creating modular segments that can move independently, enhancing flexibility while maintaining overall structural strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable combines multiple materials with different properties: polypropylene string-shaped bodies (density lower than water for buoyancy and flexibility), aramid fiber anti-tensile bodies (for high tensile strength), and PVC coating (for protection). This composite structure resolves the contradiction between strength and flexibility.
2Reliability
If the cable uses traditional dense composition, then the transmission path is protected, but the cable density is higher than water causing it to sink and tangle
Solution Approach 1:
The cable incorporates polypropylene string-shaped bodies whose density is lower than water, creating a buoyant effect that counteracts the weight of the cable components. This allows the cable to float or remain neutrally buoyant, preventing sinking and tangling while maintaining transmission path protection through the twisted structure and coating.
3Ease of operation
If the cable is made more flexible for free handling, then the cable can be maneuvered easily underwater, but the tensile strength may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cable consists of multiple discrete string-shaped bodies (first, second, third) that can move and flex independently while twisted together. This segmentation allows the cable to bend and maneuver easily underwater while each individual string-shaped body maintains its structural integrity and contributes to overall tensile strength through the twisting configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of polypropylene (flexible, buoyant material) with aramid fiber anti-tensile bodies (high strength material) in each string-shaped body creates a composite structure that simultaneously achieves flexibility for underwater handling and sufficient tensile strength to prevent breaking under load.
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 cable protects the transmission path for signals or power with high transmission characteristics and flexibility, enabling free handling and stable signal transmission, preventing tangling and damage, and allowing for efficient operation of underwater robots.
Implementation Method 1
made from materials like polypropylene with a density lower than water, providing high tensile strength and flexibility, allowing it to float and be handled freely underwater
Data Source
AI summary
An electric cable includes at least one electric wire, and a plurality of string-shaped bodies each extending in a longitudinal direction of the electric cable and twisting with one another around the at least one electric wire being a core. The plurality of string-shaped bodies has connection parts twisting with one another excluding the at least one electric wire. The connection parts are connected to a frame of an underwater robot.