C-Shaped Cable Tray Corner Accessory With Integrated Wire Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing corner accessories for wire cable trays are complex to assemble, require multiple parts, and can be aggressive to cables due to screw heads, while also failing to adequately protect against sharp edges during bending.
Innovation Solution
A corner accessory with a C-shaped profile and chute-like features allows pre-assembly on a cable tray section, featuring a tongue for locking weft wires and a slot for disassembly, made from materials like galvanized or stainless steel, ensuring easy installation and protection against sharp edges.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a corner accessory uses a screw-nut system with folding tabs to hold the accessory on the cable tray section, then the accessory can be securely fixed, but the assembly process becomes complex and time-consuming, and the screw head is aggressive to cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the fixing function and the positioning function into a single integrated accessory body. The accessory comprises a single piece with a body having first and second branches that directly engage with the cable tray sections, eliminating the need for separate folding tabs and screw-nut systems. This integration simplifies the assembly process while maintaining secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the aggressive screw head from the system by replacing the screw-nut fastening mechanism with a friction-based engagement system. The branches of the accessory engage with the cable tray sections through friction and geometric interlocking, eliminating the need for screw heads that could damage cables during installation or operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the accessory is made in several parts requiring assembly in stages, then the design allows for easier manufacturing, but the assembly time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple parts into a single monolithic accessory body that can be manufactured as one piece through processes like stamping or injection molding. This single-piece construction eliminates the need for assembling multiple components on-site, dramatically reducing installation time while maintaining manufacturing efficiency through optimized production processes.
3Ease of operation
If the corner accessory has a simple structure, then the assembly is faster and easier, but the protection against sharp edges is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The accessory body is segmented into first and second branches that wrap around the cable tray sections. These branches create multiple contact points and engagement surfaces that naturally cover and protect against sharp edges at the bent cable tray section, while the overall structure remains simple and easy to assemble in a single operation.
4Reliability
If the accessory uses a complex multi-part system, then the fixation is more secure, but the presence of screw heads becomes aggressive to cables
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the screw head component entirely from the system. The secure fixation is achieved through the geometric design of the branches that engage with the cable tray sections, utilizing friction and mechanical interlocking without requiring any fastening elements that could damage cables.
Data Source
Figure 1A~2C
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~7B
AI summary
This accessory comprises: a plane bottom (2) with a first edge (10) and a second edge (12) parallel to the first edge (10), a first flange (4) inwardly curved from the first edge (10) towards the front of the bottom (2), a second flange (6) inwardly curved from the second edge (12) towards the front of the bottom (2), the first and second flanges (4, 6) being inwardly curved towards one another so that with the part of the bottom (2) they exhibit a C-shaped profiled form, each flange defining a housing for a transverse wire (32), a third flange (8) extending towards the front of the bottom (2), the third flange (8) being disposed in such a way that it defines together with the ends of the first flange (4) and of the second flange (6) on the side of the third flange (8) on each occasion a housing intended to receive a longitudinal wire.