Multiple degree of freedom cable clamp

{
  "publication_number": "US12441257B2",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B2",
  "title": "Multiple degree of freedom cable clamp",
  "abstract": "A vehicle drive system includes a vehicle structure and a suspension system connected to the vehicle structure. An electric motor is mounted to the suspension system and includes a drive member. A wheel is drivingly connected to the drive member. At least two electric cables are connected to the electric motor. A cable clamp has a clamp body including a first portion and a second portion defining at least two apertures for receiving the at least two electric cables, the clamp body being pivotably mounted to the vehicle structure.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A vehicle drive system comprising: a vehicle structure; a suspension system connected to the vehicle structure; an electric motor mounted to the suspension system, the electric motor having a drive member; a wheel drivingly connected to the drive member; at least one electric cable connected to the electric motor; and a cable clamp having a clamp body including a first portion and a second portion defining at least one aperture for receiving the at least one electric cables, the clamp body being pivotably mounted to the vehicle structure via a base mounted to the vehicle structure and a pivot portion connected between the base and the clamp body.",
    "2. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the clamp body includes a Cardan-joint for pivotally mounting to the vehicle structure.",
    "3. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the suspension system includes a link arm and further comprising a link arm cable clamp mounted to the link arm and supporting the at least two electric cables.",
    "4. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the clamp body is mounted to the vehicle structure by a ball and socket joint.",
    "5. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the clamp body are secured to one another by at least one bolt.",
    "6. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the clamp body includes a mounting flange with an aperture and the aperture receives a pivot arm that is fixed to the vehicle structure.",
    "7. The vehicle drive system according to claim 6, wherein the mounting flange is formed from an elastomeric material.",
    "8. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the clamp body is pivotally supported by a pivot body that is pivotally supported to the vehicle structure.",
    "9. The vehicle drive structure according to claim 8, wherein the pivot body incudes a first aperture that receives a first pivot arm that is fixed to the vehicle structure, and the pivot body includes a second aperture that receives a second pivot arm that extends from the clamp body.",
    "10. The vehicle drive system according to claim 1, wherein the clamp body is mounted to the vehicle structure by a swivel joint having a first rotational axis and a second rotational axis that is generally perpendicular to the first rotational axis.",
    "11. A clamp, comprising: a clamp body including a first portion joined to a second portion and defining at least one aperture configured to receive at least one of a cable and a tube, the clamp body including a mounting base connected to the first portion of the clamp body by a pivot portion.",
    "12. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the pivot portion is connected to a Cardan-joint having a first axis of rotation and a second axis of rotation perpendicular to the first axis of rotation.",
    "13. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the pivot portion is connected to a ball and socket joint.",
    "14. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the clamp body are secured to one another by at least one bolt.",
    "15. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the pivot portion includes a mounting flange with an aperture that pivotally receives a pivot arm configured to mount to a vehicle structure.",
    "16. The clamp according to claim 15, wherein the mounting flange is formed at least partially from an elastomeric material.",
    "17. The clamp according to claim 11, wherein the mounting base is configured to be connected to a vehicle structure.",
    "18. The clamp according to claim 17, wherein the pivot portion includes a pivot body with a first aperture that is configured to receive a first pivot arm that is fixed to the vehicle structure, and the pivot body includes a second aperture that receives a second pivot arm that extends from the clamp body."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The information provided in this section is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. The present disclosure relates to a multiple degree of freedom cable clamp. In electric vehicles, electric motors are commonly mounted to a wheel suspension system for providing drive torque to a hub of the wheel. The electric motor is supplied with electricity by two or more cables that are connected to a battery system. As the vehicle wheel experiences suspension travel, jounce and rebound, the electric motor moves with the wheel and the cables move with the electric motor. In non-automotive applications, electric cables or hydraulic hoses can also be connected to a movable electric motor or a movable hydraulic motor or hydraulic system that require the mounting of electric cables or hydraulic hoses to a main structure.\n\nAccording to an aspect, a vehicle drive system includes a vehicle structure and a suspension system connected to the vehicle structure. An electric motor is mounted to the suspension system and includes a drive member. A wheel is drivingly connected to the drive member. One or more electric cables are connected to the electric motor.",
  "cpc": [
    "B60R 16/0215",
    "F16B 2/06",
    "H02G 11/00",
    "H02G 3/32"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B60R 16/02",
    "F16B 2/06",
    "H02G 11/00",
    "H02G 3/32"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "GM GLOBAL TECH OPERATIONS LLC"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "DUHON THOMAS K",
    "WYKA JEFFREY",
    "ZIEGELMANN II DOUGLAS LESTER",
    "TAIRA ALEXANDRE LUIS"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2022-11-28",
  "publication_date": "2025-10-14",
  "grant_date": "2025-10-14",
  "priority_date": "2022-11-28",
  "application_number": "US-202218070061-A",
  "family_id": "91192308",
  "citations": [
    "US11142143B2",
    "US11179986B2",
    "US12176698B2",
    "US2023311792A1",
    "US3999784A",
    "US7653987B2",
    "US9879802B2"
  ]
}