Bolted Vertical Cable Tray Redirector for Fast Field Assembly

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable tray redirectors require welding, which is time-consuming and unsuitable in facilities with seismic restrictions or where stress and corrosion are concerns, and they lack efficient storage and shipping solutions.

Innovation Solution

The development of non-welded cable tray redirectors that use interchangeable fasteners and nestable components, allowing for easy assembly and reduced storage and shipping volume, while maintaining electrical conductivity and enabling redirection up to 90 degrees in a horizontal plane.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If welding is used to assemble cable tray redirectors, then structural strength and reliability are improved, but assembly time increases and suitability for facilities with seismic restrictions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The redirector is divided into multiple separable components (base component, redirector component, tray support components) that can be assembled without welding. Each component maintains structural integrity through mechanical fastening, allowing parallel assembly operations and eliminating the sequential nature of welding processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Welding operations are replaced with mechanical fastening systems including bolts, nuts, and fasteners. This substitution eliminates the time-consuming welding process while maintaining structural strength through properly engineered mechanical connections that can be assembled quickly and easily.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Strength

If welding is used to assemble cable tray redirectors, then structural strength is improved, but suitability for facilities with seismic restrictions and corrosion concerns deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural strengthVSAvoidseismic restrictions and corrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the redirector into bolted components rather than a welded monolithic structure, the design eliminates stress concentrations at weld joints that are vulnerable to seismic events and corrosion. Each component can be independently designed for optimal strength-to-weight ratio.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Replacing welding with mechanical fasteners eliminates the creation of heat-affected zones and potential corrosion sites at weld joints. Mechanical connections allow for thermal expansion and contraction without creating stress concentrations, making the structure more resistant to seismic activity and corrosion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional cable tray redirectors are manufactured, then functionality is achieved, but storage and shipping volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveredirector functionalityVSAvoidstorage and shipping volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The redirector components are designed to nest within each other when not in use. The base component can accommodate the redirector component, which in turn can hold the tray support components, creating a compact nested arrangement that significantly reduces storage and shipping volume while maintaining full functionality when assembled.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Productivity

If non-welded assembly is used, then assembly time and costs are reduced, but electrical conductivity for grounding may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidelectrical grounding

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Conductive fasteners and bonding jumpers serve as intermediaries to maintain electrical continuity between the segmented components. These specialized fasteners provide both mechanical fastening and electrical conduction paths, ensuring proper grounding while allowing non-welded assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system incorporates composite or multi-functional materials that combine mechanical fastening properties with electrical conductivity. This allows the same component to fulfill both structural and electrical grounding requirements without requiring welding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Data Source

PatentUS20250379432A1Non-welded vertical cable tray redirector

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 JAMES C WHITE CO INC

AI summary

Vertical redirector components speed assembly and connection of cable trays. More efficiently manufactured, universal components needed throughout vertical redirectors of a specific size and type cable tray run reduce the overall total items and cost of inventory. The improvement is in part the elimination of welding cable redirector components in favor of connecting the components together with bolts and nuts in the field. The inventory and shipment of individual parts is substantially more efficient because the new components “nest” efficiently prior to assembly. Moreover, components are designed to minimize the number of bolts and nuts used without jeopardizing strength. The use of bolts and nuts to fasten the components also enables good electrical conductivity for effective electrical grounding of the assembled cable tray system.