Overlapping Cable Support Beam Joints Without Extra Connectors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable support segments require additional connectors for end-to-end connections, limiting flexibility in length adjustment and increasing manufacturing complexity and weight.
Innovation Solution
Designing cable support segments with support beams having differently dimensioned connecting sections that allow for overlap and engagement without additional connectors, ensuring a secure fit and reduced fastener usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If additional connectors are used to connect cable support segments, then the connection strength and load-bearing capacity are improved, but the device complexity and weight increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connector function directly into the cable support segments themselves. The connecting sections are integrated as part of the support beam structure, eliminating the need for separate connector components. This is achieved by designing one support beam with a protruding connecting section that engages with a recess in the other support beam, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beams are designed with multi-functionality: they provide structural support for cables and simultaneously serve as connectors for joining adjacent segments. The connecting sections are formed as integral parts of the support beams, allowing the same component to fulfill both load-bearing and connection functions, thereby reducing the need for additional specialized connectors.
2Reliability
If additional connectors and fasteners are used to connect cable support segments, then the connection reliability is improved, but the weight of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the connector mass with the support beam mass by integrating the connecting sections into the support beam structure. This eliminates the weight of separate connector components and fasteners, reducing overall system weight while maintaining connection reliability through the engineered engagement geometry of the integrating connecting sections.
3Strength
If connectors are attached with multiple screw fasteners, then the connection strength is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the connection function into the support beams themselves through integrating connecting sections that engage directly with each other. This eliminates the need for separate connectors and multiple screw fasteners, significantly reducing assembly complexity and time while maintaining connection strength through the engineered engagement geometry of the integrated connecting sections.
Solution Approach 2:
The support beams are designed to self-connect through their integrating connecting sections. The protruding section of one beam automatically engages with the recess of the other beam, creating a self-aligning, self-connecting mechanism that eliminates the need for complex fastening operations and multiple fasteners, thereby simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
4Adaptability or versatility
If cable support segments are designed with different connecting sections, then the adaptability for various connection configurations is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetry in the design of connecting sections, where one support beam has a protruding connecting section and the other has a corresponding recess. This asymmetric design provides adaptability for various connection configurations while the standardized geometry of the protruding and recessed sections ensures that manufacturing precision requirements remain manageable through consistent dimensional specifications.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3c
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a cable support segment (1) comprising two support beams (2, 3), which laterally surround a cable receiving volume and each of which has an upper and a lower structure projecting from the plane of the beam lateral wall (4, 5), and comprising at least one base element (11), which connects the support beams (2, 3) together. The distance between the beam lateral walls (4, 5) is identical in the two connection sections, wherein the two connection sections of one of the two support beams (3) for connecting the cable support segment (1.1) to another identical cable support segment (1) are designed with respect to the connection sections of the other support beam (2) such that the support beam (3) with the connection section design which differs from that of the other support beam (2) fits into the connection sections (15) of the other support beam (2), and at least one end section of the cable support segment (1) for use as a connection section is free of a base element or is designed with respect to the base element such that the connection section of another identical cable support segment (1.1) can be connected to said connection section in an overlapping arrangement.