Vertical Cable Bundling Assembly with Conveyor and Fasteners
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for bundling cables are time-consuming and labor-intensive, requiring significant space and multiple individuals to manually lay out and secure long cables for winding or loading into storage units, which is inefficient and cumbersome.
Innovation Solution
A cable bundling assembly comprising a vertical conveyor with adjustable guides and fasteners, driven by a motor with variable frequency control, allowing cables to be advanced and secured vertically, with spacers and rollers to manage cable movement and a safety shield for efficient bundling and storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual cable bundling is performed by laying cables on a flat surface, then cables can be secured with tape or ties, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive requiring multiple individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of laying and securing cables with an automated conveyor system. The conveyor mechanically transports cables through the bundling process, substituting human labor with automated mechanical handling, positioning, and securing mechanisms that operate continuously without manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system performs preliminary positioning and alignment of cables before the actual bundling operation. Cables are pre-positioned on the conveyor in the correct configuration, and preliminary securing elements are applied before the final bundling step, streamlining the overall process and reducing the time required for manual adjustment during bundling.
2Ease of operation
If long cables are laid out for bundling, then they can be properly secured, but a large amount of space is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat surface layout to a three-dimensional conveyor-based system. Cables are positioned and secured in multiple spatial dimensions using the conveyor's vertical and horizontal capabilities, allowing long cables to be bundled in a compact vertical space rather than requiring extensive horizontal floor space.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system nests multiple functional elements within a compact structure. The bundling mechanism, securing elements, and cable guidance features are integrated into a nested configuration where components are arranged concentrically or in layered fashion, maximizing space utilization and enabling long cable processing in a small footprint.
3Ease of operation
If multiple individuals are used for manual cable bundling, then the task can be completed, but the process becomes cumbersome and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is designed to be self-sufficient for the cable bundling operation. It automatically performs cable transport, positioning, alignment, and securing without requiring multiple operators. The system includes self-adjusting mechanisms and automated control that enable it to perform the complete bundling task independently, reducing the workforce requirement to a single operator for loading and monitoring.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable bundling assembly and a method of operation is provided for bundling cables. The assembly has a vertical conveyor which is mounted to a frame for advancing cables. The conveyor is driven by a drive unit and has an entrance side and an exit side. At least one fastener is provided on the conveyor. When an end of a set of cables are releasably secured to the fastener, the cables advance upwardly on an entrance side of the conveyor and downwardly on an exit side of the conveyor as the conveyor is driven by the drive unit. An operator control configured to activate the drive unit is provided. When the operator control activates the drive unit to advance the conveyor, the cables are advanced along the vertical conveyor on a substantially vertical axis and the cables advance from the entrance side of the vertical conveyor to the exit side of the vertical conveyor.