Cable Tray Spacer Design for Ventilation and Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray assemblies face challenges in air circulation due to complete closure of the upper face, which prevents natural convection and can lead to overheating of cables, and the installation of spacers and lids is cumbersome, especially in hard-to-access locations.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray assembly that allows spacers to be easily positioned along the tray via press fitting, enabling flexible placement and assembly of the lid, which creates side openings for ventilation and can be adapted in height without additional fixing means, using components with elastic deformation and toothed features for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the lid is coupled to the side walls completely closing the upper face, then cable protection against weather and access is improved, but air circulation and natural convection are prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The lid is segmented from the side walls by introducing spacers, creating a divided structure where the lid covers the upper face but is separated by a gap. This segmentation allows the lid to provide protection while the gap enables air circulation and natural convection for heat dissipation.
2Temperature
If holes are made in the lid to enable natural convection, then heat dissipation is improved, but cable protection is negatively affected
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers act as intermediaries between the lid and the cable tray, creating side openings that allow air circulation. This intermediary structure enables heat dissipation through natural convection while the lid remains intact to provide comprehensive cable protection, avoiding the need to compromise the lid with holes.
3Stability of the object's composition
If spacers are fixed with screws or complementary fastening means in specifically formed locations, then structural stability is improved, but ease of installation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers are designed with self-fixing features that allow them to be installed without screws or complementary fastening means. The spacers can be directly positioned and fixed in any location along the side walls, enabling easy installation while maintaining structural stability through their inherent design.
4Volume of moving object
If the lid is raised by spacers to increase cable placement space, then cable capacity is improved, but structural complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The spacers serve multiple functions: they raise the lid to increase cable placement space and capacity, enable natural convection for heat dissipation, and provide a simple installation mechanism without requiring additional fastening components. This multi-functionality increases cable capacity while minimizing structural complexity.
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
Facilitates easy installation and ventilation of cables while providing robust and adjustable protection, allowing for better heat dissipation and increased capacity for cable placement without compromising protection.
Implementation Method 1
The lower end of the spacers is elastically deformable, such that it can undergo an elastic deformation which increases the separation between said planar upper wing and said hook-shaped lower wing, thereby allowing a press fitting of the lower end of the spacers with the upper portion of the side walls
Implementation Method 2
This side opening allows establishing natural convection driven by the heat dissipated by the cables
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cable tray assembly, comprising a cable tray (1) with a bottom wall (32), two side walls (33) and an open upper face, a lid (6) which is arranged on the open upper face, and spacers (7) which are fixed to the side walls (33) to separate the lid (6) from the open upper face (4). Each spacer (7) is made up of a single part and comprises an upper end where the lid (6) is coupled and a lower end (9) having a complementary shape with respect to an upper portion of the side walls (33). The upper portion of the side walls (33) has a constant section, such that the lower end (9) of the spacer (7) is press fit onto said upper portion in any position along the side wall (33).