Cable Drag Chain Separator With Dual-Access Shelf Retention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing energy chain division systems are not user-friendly and require significant effort for assembly and maintenance, with shelves being difficult to access and reconfigure, leading to inefficiencies in handling and internal division.
Innovation Solution
A dividing web with continuous retaining grooves accessible from both sides and a securing mechanism, such as a locking slide, allows for easy insertion and removal of shelves in both assembly directions, ensuring secure attachment and reducing the complexity of assembly and maintenance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If shelves are attached to dividers using conventional methods, then the internal division structure is formed, but assembly and maintenance require significant effort and time
Solution Approach 1:
The divider is segmented into a holder component and a shelf component that can be independently assembled and disassembled. The holder contains receiving grooves that accept the shelf ends, allowing for modular assembly without complex fastening operations.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attaching shelves to the sides of dividers as in conventional designs, the shelf ends are inserted into receiving grooves formed in the holder component. This inverted attachment method simplifies the assembly process by eliminating the need for side-mounted fasteners or complex joining operations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If shelves are attached to dividers using conventional methods, then the internal division structure is formed, but maintenance and reconfiguration are difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The modular design allows shelves to be independently removed from holders without affecting other components. This segmentation enables easy maintenance, replacement, or reconfiguration of individual shelf units within the cable guide chain system.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment system transitions from a fixed conventional design to a dynamic, easily adjustable configuration. Shelves can be inserted and removed from the receiving grooves without permanent attachment, allowing the system to adapt to changing cable routing requirements.
3Ease of operation
If retaining grooves are accessible from one side only, then assembly is straightforward, but shelves cannot be easily removed or accessed for maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The receiving grooves are designed to extend through the holder component, providing access from both ends of the holder. This dimensional change from single-sided to dual-sided access allows shelves to be inserted or removed from either direction, facilitating maintenance without disassembling the entire structure.
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3~4B
Figure 5A~6B
AI summary
The invention relates to a separator (30) for a cable drag chain, comprising a planar main body (33) having two main sides and having two narrow sides which extend in a vertical direction between two end regions. At least one of the end regions is designed to be detachably fastened to a crosspiece. A number of retaining grooves are provided in each main side for holding planar shelves. According to the invention, each retaining groove (19) is continuous from one narrow side to the other and has, on each narrow side, an insertion opening (170) through which a shelf can be inserted into, and removed from, the respective retaining grooves (19) in the two opposing mounting directions. Furthermore, the separator (30) comprises a securing device for securing mounted shelves against unintentional movement in the two mounting directions and against unintentional detachment from the respective retaining groove (19).