A cable and building services management system

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable and building services management systems require additional couplers, brackets, and bespoke sections to join and support tray-like sections, increasing installation time and cost due to the complexity of managing cables and service lines in buildings.

Innovation Solution

A cable and building services management system comprising support sheets with surface fixing apertures and protrusions with securing apertures, allowing for secure cable management without the need for additional brackets or bespoke components, with sheets that can be easily overlapped and attached using equidistantly spaced protrusions and depressions, and formed from a metal or alloy suitable for rolling and stacking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If traditional tray-like sections with couplers, brackets, and bespoke sections are used, then cable management functionality is achieved, but device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple separate components (tray sections, couplers, brackets, and bespoke corner sections) into a single continuous sheet structure. The sheet itself forms the complete cable management system without requiring separate joining components, thereby reducing device complexity and installation time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides cable support, forms corners, connects to surfaces, and joins with other sheets all through its own structure. This eliminates the need for specialized components for each function, reducing the overall number of different component types required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Device complexity

If traditional tray-like sections with couplers and brackets are used, then cable management functionality is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of the product form from discrete assembled components to a continuous sheet that can be cut and configured as needed. This simplifies manufacturing by allowing production of a single standardized product that can be adapted to various installation requirements through cutting and folding, rather than manufacturing multiple specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If bespoke sections are used for corner points, then cable routing around corners is enabled, but device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecorner negotiation capabilityVSAvoidnumber of specialized components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of creating specialized corner sections by adding complex components, the patent inverts the approach by designing the sheet itself to be foldable and formable into corner configurations. The corner capability is built into the sheet structure through its material properties and geometric design rather than being added through separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Device complexity

If multiple separate components are used, then cable management functionality is achieved, but storage and transportation efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidstorage and transportation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3465856B1A cable and building services management system

Publication Date: 2021.12.22 BOYLE CRAIG

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AI summary

A cable and building services management system is provided. The system comprises at least one support sheet (12) including a plurality of surface fixing apertures (13) for fixing the sheet to a surface. The sheet (12) further comprises a plurality of protrusions (14) on an upper surface (16) of the sheet, wherein each protrusion has at least one securing aperture (18) for securing one or more cables (34) and/or building service lines to the sheet. A method of managing one or more cables and/or building service lines is also provided.