Cable Tray Section Anchoring via Rectangular Recess

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable tray attachment systems require additional accessories and precise assembly, often necessitating uncomfortable working angles, making them difficult to use in small spaces and increasing installation time and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A cable tray section design featuring longitudinal metal wires with U-shaped transverse wires and anchoring elements that allow secure coupling without additional tools or angles, using symmetrically arranged rectangular sections to create a flexible recess for wire insertion and ensure stable attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional anchoring systems with additional accessories (plates, screws, nuts) are used to secure tray sections, then the attachment strength is improved, but the device complexity and installation time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidnumber of accessories
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the anchoring function directly into the tray section structure itself. The transverse metal wires are integrated into the tray design, eliminating the need for separate anchoring accessories like plates, screws, and nuts. This consolidation maintains attachment strength while dramatically reducing device complexity and the number of components required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray section is designed to be self-anchoring through its own structural elements. The transverse metal wires that form part of the tray section itself serve as the anchoring mechanism, allowing the tray to secure itself to the support structure without requiring additional fastening components or complex assembly procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional anchoring systems requiring precise assembly are used, then the attachment reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to uncomfortable working positions and limited space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation comfort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The anchoring system is segmented into modular tray sections with standardized transverse wire positions. Each tray section is independently designed with pre-positioned transverse metal wires that align with corresponding wires on adjacent sections, enabling simple, repeatable assembly without requiring complex alignment procedures or uncomfortable working positions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse metal wires are pre-positioned and pre-configured during tray section manufacturing. This preliminary arrangement of anchoring elements eliminates the need for precise field assembly and complex alignment procedures during installation, allowing workers to simply connect pre-prepared sections together in various spatial configurations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Device complexity

If tapered tray sections with multiple close transverse wires are used to eliminate additional accessories, then the device complexity is reduced, but the manufacturing complexity and installation time increase due to multiple bends

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of accessoriesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal, standardized tray sections with identical transverse wire configurations throughout the system. Rather than using tapered sections with varying wire positions, the same modular tray design can be used in different orientations and configurations, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the ability to create complex cable routing paths through the arrangement of standardized sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Strength

If traditional anchoring systems are used in confined spaces, then the attachment strength is maintained, but the adaptability to different spatial configurations deteriorates due to required working angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment strengthVSAvoidspatial configuration flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The tray section design enables dynamic spatial configuration through the flexible arrangement of standardized transverse wires. The system can adapt to various spatial configurations including tight corners and confined spaces by adjusting the orientation and positioning of modular tray sections, while the transverse wires maintain attachment strength through their integrated design that doesn't require fixed working angles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3700032B1Cable tray section
Publication Date: 2024.07.03 VALDINOX SL
  • EP3700032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3700032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3700032B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a cable tray section which allows being successively coupled to another tray section (1) having similar features, without needing accessories or angle requirements on the horizontal plane, comprising longitudinal metal wires (10); U-shaped transverse metal wires (20); at least one anchoring element (30) installed between the longitudinal wires (10), attached to the last and next to last transverse wires (20), and comprising a single metal wire (31) close to the next to last transverse wire (20); and a pair of straight sections (32, 32') parallel to one another; where the straight sections (32, 32') project with respect to the last transverse wire (20), forming a rectangular section (33) perpendicular to the straight sections (32, 32'), such that there is established a free space (40) between the last transverse wire (20) and said rectangular section (33); said space (40) having a dimension corresponding to the thickness of a transverse wire (20).