Cable management system
The combination structure of U-shaped brackets and clamping parts solves the problem of lack of spacing and fixation of cables in solar power plants, achieving stable cable separation and simplified installation, reducing current limitations and the number of components.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- PANDUIT CORP
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-24
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-14
AI Technical Summary
In existing solar power plants, the lack of effective spacing and fixation when cables are laid in the brackets leads to increased current limitations and complicated installation with a large number of components.
The system employs a combination structure of U-shaped brackets and clamping halves, using fixing grooves and button pads to achieve stable fixing and spacing of cables, simplifying the installation process and reducing the number of parts.
It achieves stable cable isolation, maintains free air space, reduces current limitations, and simplifies the installation process of the cable management system.
Smart Images
Figure CN224123798U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model relates to a cable management system, and more specifically to a messenger wire cable management system for solar energy equipment. Background Technology
[0002] Solar panel power generation is a rapidly growing sustainable energy source. Each solar panel requires an electrical connection to collect electrical energy for use, storage, or connection to the grid. While a single panel does not require a large conductor, the interconnectedness of the panels necessitates an increase in conductor size to accommodate the amount of current generated by the panels and carried by the conductors. Thus, large solar power plants generate vast amounts of energy, requiring large cables to carry the current. Cables are typically suspended and laid via brackets suspended from suspension wires. The number of cables in each bracket varies, but some installations require 20 or more cables per bracket. If cables are laid adjacent to each other in a bracket, current limits for the cables need to be reduced. Free air space and cable derating are defined in the National Electrical Code (NEC) 100 and NEC 310, respectively. Free air space reduces the need for reduced conductor current carrying limits. Therefore, maintaining cable spacing in a bracket reduces or eliminates cable derating. Consequently, an improved bracket is needed that securely holds and separates cables, is easy to install, and comprises minimal components. Utility Model Content
[0003] A cable management system for supporting cables in a solar energy device. The cable management system includes a U-shaped bracket and at least one clamping half positioned within the U-shaped bracket. The U-shaped bracket has a base with two arms, each arm including a retaining groove. The clamping half has a top, bottom, front, rear, and side portions, with a button pad extending from the side portion. The button pad slides in the retaining groove, positioning the clamping half within the U-shaped bracket. The clamping half spacers and supports the cables mounted in the U-shaped bracket. Attached Figure Description
[0004] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a partially assembled cable management system according to this utility model.
[0005] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the U-shaped bracket of the cable management system.
[0006] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the clamping component half of the cable management system.
[0007] Figure 4 yes Figure 1A three-dimensional view of a partially assembled cable management system, in which multiple cables are positioned on the clamping half.
[0008] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A three-dimensional view of a cable management system, wherein the top clamping half is positioned in a U-shaped bracket and fixed to the bottom clamping half to form a cable clamping component.
[0009] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A three-dimensional view of the cable management system, in which the second cable clamp and the cable are positioned within the bracket. Detailed Implementation
[0010] This utility model relates to a cable management system 20 for solar energy equipment. The cable management system includes a U-shaped bracket 30 and multiple clamping halves 80 forming cable clamps (see...). Figures 5 to 6 The U-shaped bracket 30 provides a stable and secure platform for the polymer cable clamps. Figure 1 A U-shaped bracket 30 is shown, in which a clamping half 80 is positioned.
[0011] like Figure 2 As shown, the U-shaped bracket 30 includes a base 32 having a top 34, a bottom 36, a front portion 38, a rear portion 40, a first side portion 42, and a second side portion 44. Arms 46 extend from the first side portion 42 and the second side portion 44 of the base 32. Arms 46 include a vertical member 48 that extends to a horizontal member 50. Each arm 46 includes a retaining groove 52 located at the center of the arm 46. The retaining groove 52 includes an enlarged inlet end 54 located in the horizontal member 50. The inlet end 54 allows the clamping half 80 to be loaded into the bracket 30 without manipulating the bracket 30. Each retaining groove 52 extends downward from the inlet end 54 in the horizontal member 50 along the center of the vertical member 48 to a circular bottom 56 in the vertical member 48 of each arm 46 with a locking tab 58.
[0012] The suspension latch 60 is located at the distal end of the horizontal member 50 of arm 46. The suspension latch 60 secures the suspension wire 120 used for solar equipment. The suspension latch 60 includes a vertical member 62 connected to a spring hook 64. The suspension latch 60 provides range-taking capabilities when receiving suspension wires 120 of various diameters. The suspension latch 60 provides easy attachment and reduces the number of parts required in the cable management system.
[0013] like Figure 3As shown, the clamping half 80 includes a top 82, a bottom 84, a front portion 86, a rear portion 88, a first side portion 90, and a second side portion 92. Each side portion 90, 92 of the clamping half 80 includes a button pad 94 that extends from the center of each side portion 90, 92 via a shaft 96.
[0014] The top 82 of the clamping half 80 includes a plurality of saddles 100. Each saddle 100 is semi-circular and includes a pad insert 102. The pad insert 102 has flexible ribs 104 that allow multiple cables of different diameters or a single cable to be positioned within each saddle 100 of a single clamping half 80. The flexible ribs 104 securely hold cables of various sizes while preventing cable damage. The pad insert 102 can be a separate molded part that is manually inserted into the clamping half 80, or it can be manufactured together with the clamping half 80 via an overmolding process.
[0015] The front portion 86 and rear portion 88 of the clamping half 80 include a releasable latch 110 with a thumb tab 112. The front portion 86 and rear portion 88 of the clamping half 80 also include a recess 114 or an opening with a ledge 116. The releasable latch 110 extending from the front portion 86 of the clamping half 80 is aligned with the recess 114 and ledge 116 in the rear portion 88 of the clamping half 80, and the releasable latch 110 extending from the rear portion 88 of the clamping half 80 is aligned with the recess 114 and ledge in the front portion 86 of the clamping half 80. Figures 5 to 6 As shown, two clamping halves 80 are engaged together via a releasable latch 110 to form a cable clamping assembly, which engages with a ledge 116 defined by a recess 114.
[0016] Once two suspension wires 120 are installed for the solar panel (not shown), the U-shaped bracket 30 is fastened to the suspension wires 120. A clamping half 80 is inserted into the U-shaped bracket 30, with its bottom 84 positioned on the base 32 of the U-shaped bracket 30 and its saddle 100 facing upwards. A button pad 94 extending from the sides 90, 92 of the clamping half 80 is inserted into the inlet end 54 of the fixing groove 52 of the U-shaped bracket 30. The clamping half 80 slides toward the base 32 of the U-shaped bracket 30 via the button pad 94 in the fixing groove 52. Figure 1 As shown, once the button pad 94 passes through the locking tab 58 of the retaining groove 52, the clamping half 80 is locked in place within the U-shaped bracket 30. The button pad 94 is positioned at the circular bottom 56 of the retaining groove 52. When multiple clamping halves are installed in the U-shaped bracket, the retaining groove 52 also keeps the clamping halves 80 aligned.
[0017] like Figure 4As shown, the first cable layers 140 and 150 are loaded onto the clamping half 80. Once the cable layers 140 and 150 are loaded, the second clamping half 80 is installed in the U-shaped bracket 30. Figure 5 As shown, the second or top clamping half 80 is mounted with the saddle 100 facing downwards. The two clamping half 80s are engaged together via a releasable latch 110 to form a cable clamping assembly, the latch 110 engaging with a ledge 116 defined by a notch 114. If it is necessary to add or remove a cable, the releasable latch 110 can be opened by pulling on the thumb tab 112 for quick and easy removal. An installer can unlock the cable half 80 by pushing the thumb tab 112 inwards and pulling to open the cable clamping assembly.
[0018] Add the cable clamp assembly layer to the U-shaped bracket 30 using the same installation steps described above, as needed. For example, as... Figure 6 As shown, the second cable clamp assembly with the cable has been installed in the U-shaped bracket.
[0019] This utility model's cable management system provides a bracket with a fixing groove, which helps simplify the assembly and loading of the clamping half. The clamping half of this utility model ensures cable spacing, which maintains free air space for the cables. This utility model's cable management system provides an improved system with minimal components for supporting cables in solar energy equipment.
[0020] Furthermore, although specific preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the teachings of the present invention. The foregoing description and drawings are illustrative only and not limiting. The actual scope of the present invention is intended to be defined appropriately in the appended claims based on the prior art.
Claims
1. A cable management system for supporting cables in a solar energy device, the cable management system comprising: A U-shaped bracket having a base with two arms, each arm including a retaining groove; and At least one clamping half is positioned within the U-shaped bracket, wherein the at least one clamping half has a top, a bottom, a front, a rear, and a side; wherein a button pad extends from the side and slides in the fixing groove to position the at least one clamping half within the U-shaped bracket; Thus, the at least one clamping half separates the cables mounted in the U-shaped bracket.
2. The cable management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The U-shaped bracket also includes a suspension latch for securing the suspension wires in the solar equipment, the suspension latch having a vertical member and a spring hook.
3. The cable management system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The suspension latch provides the ability to adjust the working range for receiving suspension wires of various diameters.
4. The cable management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing groove has an inlet and a circular bottom with a locking tab.
5. The cable management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Each arm of the U-shaped bracket has a vertical member and a horizontal member.
6. The cable management system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixing groove has an inlet end in the horizontal member of each arm, which allows loading of at least one clamping half without manipulating the U-shaped bracket.
7. The cable management system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixing groove extends downward along the center of the vertical member of each arm of the U-shaped bracket.
8. The cable management system according to claim 7, characterized in that, The fixing groove includes a circular bottom with a locking tab.
9. The cable management system according to claim 5, characterized in that, The fixing groove extends from the inlet end in the horizontal member of the arm to the circular bottom of the vertical member of the arm, which has a locking tab.
10. The cable management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The top of the clamping half has multiple saddles for holding the cable.
11. The cable management system according to claim 10, characterized in that, The saddle has a ribbed compression insert for receiving cables of different diameters.
12. The cable management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The front and rear portions of the at least one clamping half have releasable latches having thumb tabs and recesses with ledges for securing the two clamping halves to each other.
13. The cable management system according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a first clamping half and a second clamping half, wherein a releasable latch of the first clamping half engages with a ledge defined by a notch in the second clamping half, and wherein a releasable latch of the second clamping half engages with a ledge in the first clamping half; thereby, the first clamping half and the second clamping half are snapped together to form a cable clamping assembly.