Cable Tray Splice Member With Aligned Fastener Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray splicing methods are inefficient and require complex fastening systems, making it difficult to securely connect cable tray sections while maintaining ease of assembly and minimizing surface area disruption.
Innovation Solution
A splice member with a body configured to attach to a cable tray rail, featuring fastener openings aligned along the rail axis, allowing for secure connection of adjacent sections using carriage bolts and nuts, which are easily accessible for tightening, and providing a snap-fit or adhesive attachment for stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional splice plates are used to connect cable tray sections, then the cable tray sections can be joined together, but the fastening system becomes complex and difficult to assemble
Solution Approach 1:
The splice member is divided into distinct functional components: a body portion that attaches to the cable tray rail, and opening features that receive fasteners. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently, simplifying the overall assembly process while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice member acts as an intermediary component between adjacent cable tray sections. Rather than directly connecting the sections with complex fastening systems, the splice member provides a simplified interface that mediates the connection, reducing assembly complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If traditional splice plates are used to connect cable tray sections, then the sections can be joined, but the surface area disruption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splice member concentrates the connection function in localized areas through specifically positioned opening features, rather than requiring extensive plate coverage. This local quality approach maintains connection stability at critical points while minimizing overall surface area disruption to the cable tray assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection system is segmented into discrete attachment points rather than continuous plate coverage. This allows the splice member to provide reliable connections at specific locations while leaving the majority of the cable tray surface undisturbed.
3Strength
If fasteners are positioned for secure connection, then connection strength is improved, but accessibility for tightening becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The opening features are positioned and oriented in three-dimensional space to achieve both connection strength and accessibility. The openings are configured to receive fasteners from accessible directions while maintaining secure attachment to the rail, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to resolve the contradiction between strength and accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable tray section includes first and second side rails, each side rail having opposite longitudinal ends and a length extending between the opposite longitudinal ends. A splice member is secured to one of the first and second rails adjacent one of the longitudinal ends. The splice member includes at least one opening configured to receive a fastener to connect the splice member to another splice member of another cable tray section to attach the two cable tray sections together. The at least one opening has an axis extending along the length of at least one of the first and second rails.