Cable Retaining Device for Wiring Ducts Using Segmented Strips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional cantilevered cable retaining strips in wiring ducts fail to securely hold cables of varying diameters, leading to cable fallout and complications in mounting and covering the duct due to limited adjustability and poor coupling with flexible fingers.
Innovation Solution
A cable retaining device with a main retaining element and secondary retaining means, fabricated from plastic, featuring adjustable length and secure engagement with duct fingers through hooks and wings, ensuring reliable cable retention and easy cover mounting across different duct widths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional cantilevered retaining strips are used, then the structure is simple, but the cables cannot be securely retained and may fall out
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is divided into a fixed retaining element (attached to one side wall) and a movable retaining element (that can engage with the opposite side wall), allowing the system to adapt to different cable configurations while maintaining security
Solution Approach 2:
The movable retaining element can be positioned at different locations along the duct and engages dynamically with the side wall fingers, providing adaptability for cables of varying diameters and bundle sizes while ensuring secure retention
2Adaptability or versatility
If the retaining strip is elongated to accommodate larger cable bundles, then more cables can be held, but the strip becomes difficult to mount and cover installation is complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device is split into fixed and movable elements, allowing the movable element to be positioned only as far as needed to secure the cables, rather than spanning the entire duct length, simplifying installation and cover mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The movable retaining element can be adjusted to different positions along the duct, enabling adaptation to various cable bundle sizes without requiring a fixed long strip that would complicate installation
3Reliability
If coupling elements are added to attach the strip to duct fingers, then the strip can be fixed, but the hold is poor especially with large cable bundles
Solution Approach 1:
Different coupling mechanisms are used at different locations: the fixed element uses hooks that engage with fingers at multiple points, while the movable element provides additional localized support where the cables exert force, creating zones of enhanced stability
4Ease of operation
If the retaining strip is made flexible to accommodate finger bending, then mounting is easier, but the connection stability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The retaining device separates the flexible connection (in the movable element that can slide along the duct) from the secure attachment points (hooks on the fixed element that engage firmly with fingers), allowing ease of mounting while maintaining stability
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A wiring duct (100; 100') for electric cables is provided with first (2) and second (2') side walls joined to a bottom wall (3). These side walls consist of a plurality of flexible fingers (4) alternating with slots (5). An electric cable retaining device (1; 200) within said duct comprises: - a cable retaining strip (21) provided at a first end (21a) thereof with coupling means (25, 26; 25, 26, 220) in order to be removably fixed to at least one first finger (4) of said first side wall (2) and having a second end (21b) intended to project towards said second wall (2'). This device is characterized in that it includes secondary retaining means (30) that are mechanically coupled to said projecting end of the strip and that can be removably fixed to at least one second finger (4) of the second wall to lock said second end in the operating position.