Cable Tray Section With Integrated V-Shaped Anchorage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire mesh tray systems require additional accessories and tools for assembly, which can be cumbersome and imprecise, especially when assembled in elevated or uncomfortable positions, and previous solutions have drawbacks such as requiring separate manufacturing and installation of additional elements or not ensuring a secure hold.

Innovation Solution

The tray sections are designed with bent metal wire anchorage elements forming a 'V' shape, welded to the tray walls, allowing for secure coupling without additional accessories by trapping the transversal wire between internal and external bends, ensuring a firm and tool-free assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If traditional anchorage systems with clamps, splints, and screws are used to join tray sections, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring multiple accessories and tools for assembly

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

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the anchorage function directly into the tray section structure itself. The bent metal wire elements are integrated as part of the tray section, eliminating the need for separate clamps, splints, or other anchorage accessories. This combining of functions reduces device complexity while maintaining connection strength through the welded bent wire elements that securely join adjacent tray sections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The tray sections are designed with built-in bent metal wire anchorage elements that enable self-assembly without requiring external tools or accessories. The worker can directly couple tray sections by engaging the bent wire elements, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on separate anchorage devices, screws, or clamps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If traditional anchorage systems with multiple accessories are used, then the connection reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to requiring precise assembly in elevated or uncomfortable positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly precisionVSAvoidassembly convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated bent wire anchorage elements enable the tray sections to be self-assembling without requiring precise alignment procedures or additional tools. The design allows workers to easily couple sections even in elevated positions by simply engaging the bent wire elements, which are built into the tray structure rather than requiring separate anchorage devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Strength

If separate anchorage accessories are manufactured and supplied, then the connection strength is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing cost deteriorate due to requiring multiple separate elements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanchorage strengthVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention combines the anchorage function with the tray section manufacturing process. The bent metal wire elements are produced as integral parts of the tray sections themselves, eliminating the need for separate manufacturing of clamps, splints, or other anchorage accessories. This integration simplifies manufacturing while maintaining anchorage strength through the welded bent wire elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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

This design enables easy, secure, and tool-free coupling of tray sections regardless of length, eliminating the need for additional accessories and ensuring a stable, precise assembly without protrusions that could harm the worker.

Implementation Method 1

welded along the straight sections to the last but one and last transversal metal wires

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWelding: Welding

Data Source

PatentEP2733803B2Section of cable tray
Publication Date: 2019.05.08 VALDINOX SL
  • EP2733803B2 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2733803B2 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2733803B2 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

Cable tray section, which can be joined with no need for additional accessories, and enables the union of anchorage elements (1, 1') located at one end of the tray section walls; these anchorage elements are metal wires bent into a "V" shape (2, 2'), followed by straight sections (5, 5') installed between the longitudinal metal wires (7, 8), with bends between the straight sections (5, 5') and the "V" shape, one facing the inside of the tray (3, 3') and the other facing the outside (4, 4'); they are coupled by sliding the sides of the first transversal metal wire (12, 12') in the tray section to be joined (I) down the "V" shapes (2, 2'), leaving them trapped between the inner bends (3, 3') and the sides of the last transversal metal wire (10, 10') of the receptor tray section (II).