Cable Ladder Rung Attachment via Deformed Retaining Tabs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable ladders face challenges in attaching rungs to longitudinal beams without damaging the galvanizing, require laborious rivet removal and replacement, and lack efficient tools for easy reconfiguration.
Innovation Solution
The cable ladder features rungs with offset parallel slits for form-fitting attachment via deformed retaining lugs, which can be bent over without special tools, allowing for reversible and force-absorbing connections, and are integrated with the longitudinal beams for a reliable, tool-free attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If welding is used to attach rungs to longitudinal beams, then strong connection is achieved, but the galvanizing is damaged leading to premature corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal welding process with a mechanical attachment system using retaining tabs that are formed directly on the longitudinal beams. These tabs engage with slots in the rungs through a press-fit mechanism, achieving strong connection without heat input that would damage the galvanizing coating.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tabs act as intermediary elements between the longitudinal beams and rungs. They are formed integrally on the beams and provide a mechanical interface that transfers loads while preserving the galvanizing on both the beams and rungs, eliminating the need for direct welding contact.
2Reliability
If rivet connections are used to attach rungs, then reliable connection is achieved, but laborious removal and replacement is required
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining tabs are formed integrally on the longitudinal beams and are designed to be manually bent back into the bent position using simple tools. This self-contained design eliminates the need for specialized rivet setting tools and allows for easy removal and reinstallation of rungs by simply bending the tabs forward and back.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tabs transition from a fixed formed state during installation to a flexible state during maintenance. The tabs can be bent forward to release the rung and bent back to secure it, providing dynamic adaptability that facilitates easy rung replacement while maintaining reliable connection during operation.
3Ease of operation
If retaining tabs are formed on longitudinal beams, then tool-free attachment is achieved, but space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment function is segmented into discrete retaining tabs that are formed on the longitudinal beams at specific locations. Each tab is a separate functional element that can be independently formed and positioned, allowing for optimized space utilization while maintaining ease of attachment operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The retaining tabs utilize the thickness dimension of the longitudinal beams by forming protrusions that extend from the beam surface. This dimensional approach allows the attachment mechanism to be integrated into the existing beam structure without significantly increasing the overall volume or footprint of the cable ladder system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides a reliable, labor-efficient, and tool-free attachment method that prevents rung twisting and corrosion, while allowing for easy reconfiguration and reduced bulk, ensuring a stable and space-efficient cable ladder design.
Implementation Method 1
the end regions of the retaining tabs are bent towards one another, with the bent end regions overlapping in the longitudinal direction of the rung
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6~9
AI summary
The invention relates to a cable ladder (1) with two longitudinal beams (2, 3) arranged at a distance from each other, which are connected to each other by a plurality of rungs (4), wherein the rungs (4) are attached at their ends (5, 6) to the longitudinal beams (2, 3) in a form-fitting manner via formed retaining tabs (9, 10, 11, 12).