Rail Vehicle Cable Duct with Adjustable Divider Holes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable ducts in rail vehicles lack flexibility in accommodating different numbers and classes of cables, limiting their standardization and requiring specific configurations that are not adaptable to varying cable requirements.

Innovation Solution

The cable duct features a pattern of additional wider connecting holes for dividers, allowing greater variability in the positioning of separating webs and fastening cables, enabling the adjustment of compartment widths to suit specific applications and supporting standardization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If narrow elongated holes are used to connect dividers to the duct, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the flexibility in positioning dividers and adapting compartment widths is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in positioning dividers and adapting compartment widthsVSAvoidcomplexity of hole pattern and divider configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base is segmented with multiple rows of connecting holes arranged at different positions, allowing dividers to be connected at various locations. This segmentation enables flexible positioning of dividers to create different compartment widths while maintaining structural integrity through the distributed hole pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting holes serve multiple functions: they connect dividers to the base, allow positioning of dividers at different locations, and enable adaptation of compartment widths. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by providing versatility without requiring separate mechanisms for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the cable duct is designed with fixed compartment widths, then manufacturing is standardized and simple, but adaptability to different cable numbers and classes is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different cable numbers and classesVSAvoidstandardization and simplicity of manufacturing

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The cable duct system transitions from fixed compartment widths to a dynamic configuration where compartment widths can be adjusted by positioning dividers at different locations using the multiple rows of connecting holes. This allows the structure to adapt to different cable requirements while maintaining standardized manufacturing through the pre-designed hole pattern.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting holes are designed with varying widths in different rows, allowing the compartment widths to be changed by selecting different hole positions. This parameter change capability enables adaptation to different cable numbers and classes while the overall hole pattern remains standardized for manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If additional wider connecting holes are added for dividers, then flexibility and adaptability increase, but the device complexity and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in divider positioningVSAvoidcomplexity of hole pattern

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The connecting holes for dividers are merged with the existing fastening holes for cables, serving dual purposes. The same holes that fasten cables to the base also connect dividers to the base, reducing the need for separate hole patterns and minimizing overall device complexity while maintaining flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The connecting holes are designed to serve multiple functions: fastening cables to the base and connecting dividers to the base. This multi-functionality increases flexibility in divider positioning without proportionally increasing device complexity, as the same structural features serve multiple purposes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3435501B1Cable channel

Publication Date: 2022.12.28 ALSTOM HOLDINGS SA

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AI summary

The invention relates to a cable duct (1) extending along a longitudinal direction (XX), comprising: - two side walls (7) and a base (9) connecting the side walls (7) to each other, - a plurality of fastening holes for securing the cables contained in the cable duct (1) to the base of the cable duct (1), wherein the first fastening holes extend through the base (9). The cable duct (1) has connecting holes for connecting dividers (15) to the cable duct (1), which are suitable for receiving connecting tabs of a divider (15), wherein the connecting holes extend through the base (9) and have a greater width in the transverse direction of the cable duct (1) than the first fastening holes (25).