Cable Duct Upper Part Asymmetrical Profiles Flush Offset Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable routing ducts require multiple variants to achieve flush and offset mounting positions, increasing manufacturing and distribution costs and the number of parts during assembly, which is unsatisfactory.

Innovation Solution

A cable routing duct with asymmetrical lid-retaining profiles on the lower and upper parts, featuring differently dimensioned geometric structures on both sides, allowing a single upper part to achieve either flush or offset mounting positions by rotating the upper part 180°, facilitated by leg elements of varying lengths interacting with lid holding profiles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If two different mounting variants are offered to meet different customer requirements for flush or offset positions, then customer needs are satisfied, but manufacturing and distribution costs increase and the number of parts during assembly increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position optionsVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry by designing the upper part with a symmetrical body but asymmetrical attachment means on its underside - specifically, two different attachment profiles (first and second attachment profiles) that are mirror images of each other. This allows a single upper part to achieve both flush and offset mounting positions by rotating it 180 degrees, eliminating the need for separate variants while maintaining design versatility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The upper part is designed as a universal component that can serve multiple mounting configurations. By incorporating both attachment profiles on the same upper part and enabling 180-degree rotation, the single component performs the function of what would traditionally require two different components, thereby reducing part complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If two different mounting variants are offered for flush and offset positions, then customer requirements are met, but manufacturing and distribution costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting position optionsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of two separate upper parts into a single unified component. The upper part incorporates both the first attachment profile and the second attachment profile on opposite sides, allowing it to be manufactured as one piece rather than two separate components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and distribution costs while maintaining both mounting options

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If asymmetrical support structures are used to achieve different mounting heights, then different positions are possible, but the structure becomes more complex and requires significant development work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting positionVSAvoidprofile structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes asymmetry in the attachment profiles - the first and second attachment profiles are designed as mirror images with different geometric configurations. This asymmetrical design enables the upper part to achieve different mounting positions (flush or offset) through simple 180-degree rotation, without requiring complex asymmetrical support structures throughout the entire duct system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentEP2182600B1Cable guidance channel with flush or offset cover stowage
Publication Date: 2020.08.19 TEHALIT
  • EP2182600B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2182600B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B

AI summary

The channel has a U-shaped lower part (2), and a U-shaped upper part (1) at which two geometrically differently formed form profiles are designed. Two geometrically differently formed U-shaped cover retaining profiles are formed at the lower part and include inner brackets (26, 43), bases (25, 44), outer brackets (21, 40) and support strips (12, 34) that cooperate with the retaining profiles. The form profiles and the retaining profiles are cooperated with each other. The form profiles have upper side elements (18, 30) that run up to support strips and are variably long.