Adjustable Cable Dropout for Flexible Tray Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray systems restrict the placement of cable dropouts to rungs, leading to undesirable cable lengths or bends when redirecting cables to apparatus located below but not near a rung, potentially causing interference or damage.
Innovation Solution
A cable dropout is secured to laterally outward extensions of both side rails of the cable tray, allowing placement at any selected location, including gaps between rungs, using a mounting bar that attaches via clamps or bolts to the side rails, ensuring cables are redirected efficiently without sharp bends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If cable dropout is attached only to rungs, then the dropout has fixed placement locations, but the cable may be undesirably long or bent when apparatus is not near a rung
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray structure is segmented into side rails with rungs, and the dropout mounting system is separated from the rungs, attaching instead to the side rails. This segmentation allows the dropout to be positioned independently of rung locations, enabling flexible placement while maintaining structural support.
Solution Approach 2:
The dropout mounting system transitions from one-dimensional rung-based placement to two-dimensional positioning along the side rails. By attaching to the side rails rather than being constrained to rung locations, the dropout can be positioned at any location along the cable tray path, adding dimensional flexibility to the placement options.
2Reliability
If cable dropout is attached to rung closest to apparatus, then the dropout is supported on cable tray structure, but the cable may contact or interfere with other cables or objects
Solution Approach 1:
The dropout positioning is optimized for each specific location by allowing placement at any position along the side rails rather than being constrained to fixed rung locations. This local optimization enables the dropout to be positioned precisely where needed to serve each apparatus, preventing cable interference with other objects while maintaining reliable support.
3Device complexity
If cable dropout extends below side rails with only rung attachment, then the dropout structure is simple, but the cable may be undesirably bent at the bottom edge
Solution Approach 1:
The side rails serve as an intermediary mounting structure between the rungs and the dropout. By attaching the dropout to the side rails rather than directly to rungs, the system achieves better cable bend control while maintaining structural simplicity. The side rails provide continuous support along the cable tray path, enabling precise dropout positioning without complicating the overall structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable dropout for a cable tray: The cable tray has side rails. Rungs at spaced intervals along the side rails define the width of the tray with the side rails. The tray side rails have laterally outward extensions at the bottom regions of the side rails for mounting a cable path re-directing dropout to the tray. The dropout has a convexly curved surface for redirecting and supporting a cable from its path on the tray to below the tray. A mounting bar at the entrance region of the dropout from the tray has laterally outward extensions clamped to the bottom region outward extensions at the bottom region of the side rails, so that the mounting bar may be clamped at any location along the side rails.