Device for storing electric cable

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical cable storage solutions are inconvenient and prone to tangling, as they are typically placed on the floor or desk, making it difficult to connect cables and exposing them to shocks.

Innovation Solution

A cable storage mechanism that is fixed to the wall, allowing the cable to be pulled out easily with one hand and featuring a mounting element that secures the storage device out of sight, preventing tangling and shock exposure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cable storage device is placed on the floor or desk, then it is mobile and accessible, but it is inconvenient, cumbersome, and prone to receiving shocks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection convenienceVSAvoiddevice stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions the cable storage device from horizontal placement (on floor or desk) to vertical wall mounting. This dimensional change allows the device to be securely fixed in an upright position, eliminating the instability and shock exposure associated with floor/desk placement while maintaining easy cable access through the wall opening.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the cable storage device is placed on the floor or desk, then it is mobile, but the user must hold the device with one hand while pulling the cable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable connection convenienceVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent separates the cable storage function from the mounting function. The wall-mounted housing provides stable support, while the cable reel mechanism independently handles cable dispensing. This segmentation allows the cable to be pulled freely without requiring the user to stabilize the entire device, simplifying the operation to a single-handed cable pull.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Shape

If the mounting element is located at the rear of the wall, then it is out of sight, but the cable must be pulled through the wall opening

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaesthetic appearanceVSAvoidcable access ease
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wall opening as an intermediary element that connects the hidden rear mounting structure with the front cable access point. The opening serves as a passage that allows the cable to be pulled through while keeping the mounting element concealed behind the wall, thus maintaining aesthetic appearance while enabling easy cable access.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2456032B1Device for storing electric cable
Publication Date: 2017.06.14 LEGRAND FRANCE SA
  • EP2456032B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2456032B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2456032B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The installation has a mounting element for mounting an electrical equipment e.g. portable computer, across a through opening in a wall. A storing device (1) stores an electrical cable (90) e.g. universal serial bus (USB)cable, and includes a base (10) housing an automatic winding unit of the electric cable. The base includes a coupling unit (20) cooperating with a complementary coupling unit provided on the mounting element. The coupling unit includes a slidable mounting unit (21) for mounting the base on the mounting element.