Cable Duct Corner Connector with Curved Pin-Slot Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional adjustable angle pieces for cable ducts can only compensate for deviations from a right angle by up to ±7°, which is insufficient for building corners with angles greater than 10°, resulting in unsightly gaps and visual imperfections.
Innovation Solution
An angular molded part with rotatably coupled cover wings featuring a pin-slot connection that allows for extended angular adjustment up to 135°, where the pin-slot connection is designed to prevent collisions and ensure a smooth, gap-free rotation by adapting the profile of the end edges to roll off each other, enabling continuous adjustment without visible gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a pin-slot connection with slot ends is used to guide rotational movement, then the connection is simple and guides rotation positively, but the rotational range is limited to ±7° due to pin stopping at slot ends
Solution Approach 1:
The slot is designed with a curved profile instead of a straight configuration. The curvature allows the pin to travel along an arc path, enabling the cover wings to rotate through a larger angular range (up to 135°) while maintaining positive guidance throughout the movement. This curved slot geometry eliminates the need for additional mechanical components to achieve extended rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection transitions from a static, fixed-angle structure to a dynamic, adjustable system. The pin-slot connection allows the cover wings to rotate and adapt to different corner angles, transforming the rigid assembly into a flexible configuration that can accommodate varying building corner geometries while maintaining structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the angular range is extended beyond the pin-slot stop position, then larger corner angles can be accommodated, but collisions between cover wings may block rotation
Solution Approach 1:
The curved slot profile is specifically designed to guide the pin through the extended rotation range while maintaining proper spacing between the cover wings. The curvature ensures that as the wings rotate beyond the traditional stop position, they follow a controlled path that prevents collision and maintains reliable rotation throughout the full 135° range.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the cover wings are allowed to rotate freely to achieve large angles, then obtuse corners can be accommodated, but unsightly gaps form between the wings
Solution Approach 1:
The curved slot geometry is designed to maintain the proper spatial relationship between the cover wings throughout the rotation. This ensures that the wings remain properly aligned and flush with each other even at extreme angles, preventing gaps and maintaining a clean, continuous visual appearance across the full angular range.
Solution Approach 2:
The relative angular position of the cover wings is continuously adjusted through the curved slot mechanism, allowing the system to adapt to different corner angles while maintaining optimal visual appearance. The parameter of wing alignment is preserved throughout the rotation by the geometric constraints of the curved slot.
Data Source
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AI summary
The part (1) has horizontal rods provided at inner sides of side walls (6, 7) of covering wings (4, 5) and extending up to edges (18) of the side walls, where the edges are turned towards the adjacent covering wings. Pins and/or elongate holes are arranged at and/or in the rods such that the pins and/or elongate holes stand perpendicular or approximately perpendicular over the edges. The edges are adapted to each other in its profile such that the edges are rolled on each other around the blocked pins about an angle range in a constant system without a gap.