Cable Hanger Structure With Closure Reinforcement and Heat Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
The installation of electrical cables in environments such as solar farms often lacks suitable articles for suspension, and existing hangers are not sufficiently stiff or efficient in managing cable alignment and heat dissipation.
Innovation Solution
A hanger system with a closure member that aligns with the neutral axis of the first wall for enhanced stiffness, incorporating a wire channel for reinforcement, and features like a splitter wall and movable spacer for improved heat dissipation and cable alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If existing hangers are used for cable suspension, then cables can be suspended, but the hangers lack sufficient stiffness and structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The hanger combines polymeric material walls with a wire form reinforcement structure to achieve high stiffness and strength. The wire form acts as a reinforcing skeleton within the polymeric matrix, creating a composite structure that exceeds the strength of either material alone while maintaining a relatively simple overall geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The hanger is divided into multiple functional segments: support compartments for cables, a splitter wall for separation, a wire channel for reinforcement, and a closure member for sealing. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while contributing to overall structural stiffness.
2Ease of operation
If multiple cables are suspended together, then cable management is improved, but heat dissipation becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The support compartment is divided into multiple sections by the splitter wall, creating separate zones for individual cables. This segmentation allows each cable to be positioned and managed independently while maintaining proper spacing between cables, which facilitates heat dissipation between adjacent cable bundles.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable spacer acts as an intermediary element between cables, maintaining optimal spacing and alignment. The spacer creates thermal pathways and air gaps that facilitate heat dissipation while ensuring cables remain properly positioned for easy management and access.
3Ease of manufacture
If the gap in the hanger wall is left open for cable insertion, then cable installation is simplified, but structural stiffness is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The closure member is designed to be movable, transitioning between an open position during installation to allow cable insertion, and a closed position to restore structural stiffness. This dynamic element allows the hanger to adapt its state based on operational requirements, maintaining ease of installation while preserving structural integrity during service.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure member is pre-positioned in the open state during manufacturing to facilitate cable installation, then moved to the closed state after cables are in place. This preliminary configuration allows installers to benefit from easy access without permanently compromising the structural stiffness of the hanger wall.
4Strength
If reinforcement is added to increase hanger stiffness, then structural integrity is improved, but material usage and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The wire form reinforcement is integrated into the polymeric wall structure, creating a lightweight composite that provides high stiffness-to-weight ratio. The wire form follows the contour of the hanger and is embedded within or attached to the polymeric walls, adding strength without requiring substantial additional material volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The wire form reinforcement is strategically positioned within the wire channel along specific portions of the hanger where stiffness is most needed, such as at the closure member interface and along the length of support compartments. This localized reinforcement provides maximum structural benefit with minimum material usage.
Data Source
AI summary
A hanger (10) is disclosed, comprising a main part (12). The main part (12) has a holding formation (36) for holding an elongate article (1B) extending therethrough. The main part (12) comprises a plurality of walls (18, 26, 28, 29, 32, 80) defining at least one support compartment (38A, 38B, 38C, 38D) for supporting an elongate item (1A). A first wall (28) of the plurality of walls (18, 26, 28, 29, 32, 80) comprises a gap (22) to allow elongate items (1A) to be received in a support compartment (38A, 38B, 38C, 38D). A spacer (90) is also disclosed. A closure member (24) is also disclosed. A wire channel (118) and wire form (114) are also disclosed.