Cable Duct With Separable Compartments for Integrated Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Surface-mounted electrical systems lack design flexibility and are costly due to limited commercially available solutions, with high costs for special lighting components and complex installations.
Innovation Solution
A cable duct for surface-mounted systems with a separable internal volume, housing lighting devices in one portion and wiring in another, allowing dual functions of illumination and power distribution, using a separation element for stable separation and heat dissipation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate boxes and components are installed for lighting in surface-mounted electrical systems, then lighting function is achieved, but installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cable duct and lighting device into a single integrated unit. The cable duct enclosure houses both the wiring and the lighting device, eliminating the need for separate lighting boxes and components. This integration reduces the number of parts, simplifies installation, and lowers overall system complexity while maintaining the lighting function.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable duct enclosure serves multiple functions: it protects and organizes the electrical wiring, provides housing for the lighting device, and acts as the structural element for mounting to the wall. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated separate components for each function, reducing cost and complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cable ducts are used without integrated lighting, then wiring function is achieved, but design flexibility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The internal volume of the cable duct is divided into separate compartments: one for wiring and another for the lighting device. This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function while maintaining overall integration, enabling designers to customize the arrangement based on specific needs without increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a separable separation element that can be positioned or removed to adjust the configuration of the internal volumes. This dynamic adjustability allows the same cable duct structure to accommodate different wiring arrangements and lighting device positions, significantly increasing design flexibility.
3Adaptability or versatility
If lighting devices are housed within cable duct, then design flexibility increases, but heat dissipation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the lighting device from the main cable duct enclosure in certain embodiments, allowing the lighting device to be positioned separately where it can be better cooled. Alternatively, the separation element can be configured to create airflow paths that channel heat away from the lighting device, effectively managing thermal issues while maintaining the integrated design.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 1C
AI summary
A cable duct (100; 200) for an out-of-the wall electrical system, the duct comprising an enclosure (105; 205) configured to enclose an internal volume, wherein the internal volume comprises: - a first portion of volume (110(1); 210(1)); - a second portion of volume (110(2); 110(2)), wherein: - the first portion of volume is separated or separable from the second portion of volume by means of a separation element (115) inserted or, respectively, insertable within the internal volume; - the cable duct further comprises coupling elements (120) for coupling the separation element to the enclosure; - the first portion of volume is configured to house one or more lighting devices (130) when the separation element is inserted within the internal volume and is coupled to the enclosure.