Cable Tray Joint Structure for Tool-Free, Cable-Safe Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray joints with screw elements require tools and increase assembly time, and can cause damage to cables due to sharp edges during installation, leading to potential cable deterioration.
Innovation Solution
A U-shaped cable tray joint with a rectangular laminar joining member featuring rounded extensions, a fitting flange, and slotted perforations, which allows for tool-free coupling and reduces sharp edges by overlapping male and female portions, enhancing mechanical resistance and rigidity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If screw elements are used for joining adjacent trays, then the joint strength is improved, but the assembly time increases and tools are required
Solution Approach 1:
The joining system is divided into separate male and female portions with integrated joining members, allowing the trays to be segmented into modular units that can be quickly connected without screws while maintaining joint strength through the distributed joining members along the side walls
Solution Approach 2:
The joining members are self-aligning and self-securing features built into the tray structure itself, eliminating the need for external tools and screw fastening operations. The male portion automatically engages with the female portion through the joining members, providing both speed and strength
2Ease of operation
If male portions protrude from joining members for coupling, then the coupling function is achieved, but sharp edges are created that can damage cabling
Solution Approach 1:
The male portions are designed with rounded contours and curved surfaces instead of sharp edges, eliminating the harmful sharp points that could damage cables while maintaining the protruding geometry necessary for coupling engagement with the female portions
Solution Approach 2:
The joining members have differentiated local characteristics: the male portion protrudes for engagement while featuring rounded edges for safety, and the female portion has corresponding recesses. This local differentiation allows the coupling function to be achieved without creating harmful sharp edges in critical areas
3Adaptability or versatility
If joining members are added to side walls for coupling, then the coupling capability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joining members are merged directly into the tray side wall structure as integrated features rather than separate components. The male and female portions are formed as part of the tray body itself, eliminating the need for additional fastening hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile coupling capability
Data Source
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AI summary
A joint for cable trays (1), of the type comprising a sheet substantially bent in the shape of a U, including a male portion with a transverse cross section with smaller dimensions with respect to the rest of the sheet, and a female portion (14) present at the opposite end intended for coupling the male portion of an adjacent tray, such that when coupling two trays, the side walls and the base (10) overlap with each other, the male portion (13) being located inside the adjacent sheet in a coplanar manner, and wherein the female portion (14) includes on side walls a joining member (4) capable of fitting in a through hole made in the male portion. The joining member is formed by a body which includes, on the upper side thereof and on a side which is opposite from an access area for insertion the male portion, rounded extensions which extend perpendicular to the laminar body, the laminar body being parallel to the side wall, such that a partially closed housing is defined. In this manner, it ensures the correct positioning of trays adjacent to each other and prevents damage to the cabling during the installation thereof.