Cable Tray Anchoring Part Elastic Press Fit Lid Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable trays face issues with accidental lid release due to weight accumulation or impact, and existing anchoring solutions are limited by requiring specific raceway openings or complex installation processes.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray design featuring an anchoring part with a C-shaped section that can be easily and securely fixed to the raceway without screws, allowing placement at any position along the raceway, using elastic deformation for press fitting and snap-fitting mechanisms, ensuring secure lid attachment regardless of raceway opening distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anchoring parts are distributed along the raceway to prevent accidental lid release, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the anchoring function from the lid itself and places it in a separate anchoring part that is fixed to the raceway. This separation allows the anchoring mechanism to be independently optimized and distributed along the raceway without complicating the lid design. The anchoring part with harpoon-shaped ends can be positioned at multiple locations along the raceway to provide distributed security against accidental lid release.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state of the anchoring part by utilizing elastic deformation. The anchoring part is designed with elastic material properties that allow it to be inserted into the raceway and then deform to lock into position. This parameter change from a rigid to an elastic state enables simple installation while maintaining strong anchoring, improving reliability without adding complex fastening mechanisms.
2Strength
If anchoring parts are fixed to the raceway using screws through bottom wall openings, then anchoring strength is improved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to required openings and precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the anchoring function from the raceway structure itself and places it in a separate anchoring part. This eliminates the need for openings in the raceway bottom wall and precise positioning features during manufacturing. The anchoring part is designed to interface with the external geometry of the raceway, allowing the raceway to be manufactured as a simple, continuous structure without additional holes or positioning elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring part is designed to self-anchor to the raceway through its harpoon-shaped ends that engage with the external geometry of the raceway side walls. The elastic deformation of the anchoring part provides self-locking capability during installation, eliminating the need for screws or other separate fixing elements. This self-service anchoring mechanism simplifies both raceway manufacturing and field installation.
3Manufacturing precision
If anchoring parts require precise coincidence with raceway openings, then anchoring precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the positioning function from the raceway and places it in the anchoring part itself. The harpoon-shaped ends of the anchoring part are designed to engage with the external geometry of the raceway side walls at any position along the raceway length. This eliminates the requirement for precise coincidence with pre-defined openings, allowing the anchoring part to be installed at any location along the raceway without affecting anchoring precision or security.
Solution Approach 2:
The anchoring part utilizes elastic deformation to transition from a flexible insertion state to a locked anchoring state. During installation, the anchoring part is flexed to accommodate insertion, then springs into a locked position when engaged with the raceway. This dynamic behavior allows for easy installation at any position along the raceway while maintaining secure anchoring, eliminating the need for precise positioning.
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
The solution provides a quick, secure, and versatile anchoring system that prevents accidental lid release, suitable for various cable tray configurations and materials, ensuring reliable cable management without the need for additional fixing elements.
Implementation Method 1
particularly as a result of the elastic pressure exerted by the planar upper wing on the planar upper face of the lid
Implementation Method 2
it must simply be introduced in a desired position along said raceway and pushed towards the latter with enough force to cause its elastic deformation and thereby obtain the press fitting thereof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~7
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cable tray (1) comprising a U-shaped raceway (2), a detachable lid (5) which has a planar upper face (6) and is coupled to the side walls (4) of the raceway (2), and at least one anchoring part (9) comprising a hook-shaped lower wing (10), a planar upper wing (11) facing the lower wing (10) and a connecting segment (12) connecting the lower wing (10) and the planar upper wing (11). The anchoring part (9) is elastically deformable to increase the separation between the planar upper wing (11) and the lower wing (10) and to thereby be press fit with the side wall (4) and the lid (5). The lower wing (10) fits with a corresponding lip (13) of the side wall (4), and the planar upper wing (11) presses against the planar upper face (6) of the lid (5).