Carriage system for cable ladders, cable raceways and cable trays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional carriage systems for cable ladders, cable raceways, and cable trays require numerous screw joints and tools for assembly, making the process time-consuming and involving extra components, which is inefficient and cumbersome.

Innovation Solution

A carriage system utilizing a pivot runner with a hole pattern and hook-shaped projections, along with spring lock tabs, allows for quick connection of components through a click-lock mechanism, minimizing the need for screw joints and tools, enabling faster assembly with fewer loose parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw joints are used to assemble carriage systems, then the connection is reliable, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and requires numerous tools and components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection reliabilityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional screw joint mechanical system with a spring lock tab mechanism. The spring lock tab uses elastic deformation and snap-fit engagement to achieve reliable connections without requiring screws, nuts, or tools, thereby maintaining connection reliability while dramatically improving assembly speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring lock tab is designed to automatically engage and lock components together through its own elastic properties. The tab bends during insertion and snaps into place, creating a self-locking connection that does not require external tools or additional fastening operations, thus eliminating the need for tools and reducing assembly time

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If numerous screw joints and tools are used for assembly, then secure connections are achieved, but the number of loose parts and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection securityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate components (screws, nuts, washers, and the tool required to assemble them) into a single integrated spring lock tab. This tab is pre-attached to the carriage component and performs both the fastening and locking functions in one piece, significantly reducing the number of loose parts while maintaining secure connections

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts and eliminates the unnecessary components from the traditional screw joint system. By removing screws, nuts, washers, and assembly tools, the design retains only the essential spring lock tab, which provides both connection and locking functions, thereby reducing complexity without compromising connection security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If lock tabs requiring tool intervention are used, then components are locked securely, but assembly time increases due to hand grip operations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelocking securityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The spring lock tab is designed to automatically perform the locking action through its own elastic properties. When inserted, the tab bends and snaps into the locking position without requiring any hand grip operations or tool intervention, thus maintaining secure locking while eliminating the time-consuming manual bending process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the manual tool-based locking mechanism with an automatic spring-loaded snap-fit system. The elastic deformation of the spring lock tab provides the necessary locking force without requiring external tools, thereby maintaining locking security while dramatically reducing assembly time by eliminating tool intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Adaptability or versatility

If multiple varying components are used in carriage systems, then functional requirements are met, but the assembly procedure becomes complex and non-standardized

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidassembly procedure simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring lock tab is designed as a universal component that can be applied to various carriage system configurations and cable tray types. The standardized tab design maintains the ability to meet different functional requirements while providing a consistent, simple assembly procedure across all applications, thereby improving ease of operation without sacrificing adaptability

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

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

The system significantly reduces assembly time and the number of components required, facilitating efficient and rapid connection of different parts using a standardized procedure, enhancing assembly efficiency and reducing complexity.

Implementation Method 1

a spring lock tab on the first horizontal object is designed to snap/click into or over the locking device on the first vertical object

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3644464B1Carriage system for cable ladders, cable raceways and cable trays
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 WIBE AB
  • EP3644464B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3644464B1 patent drawingFigure 7a~10
  • EP3644464B1 patent drawingFigure 11

AI summary

A carriage system (110) for cable ladders, cable raceways or cable trays consisting of a first vertical object (10), for example, in the form of a pivot runner/anchor runner and a first horizontal object (11), for example, in the form of a bracket, or a second horizontal object (911, 912, 101), for example, in the form of a yoke or a second vertical object (51, 71), for example, in the form of an adapter or ceiling bracket, wherein said first vertical object (10) or said second horizontal object (911, 912, 101) is provided with a hole pattern (21) including at least one slot (12) and a locking device (13), and said first horizontal object (11) or said second vertical object (51, 71) at one end (31, 72) or at its side (61, 81) is provided with at least one hook-shaped projection (41, 42), which in a first position is insertable into said slot (12) and the object is insertable into a lock position and that said first horizontal object (11) or second vertical object (51, 71) is provided with a spring lock tab (43, 63, 83, 84), designed to snap/click into said locking device (13) in the first vertical object (10), or in the second horizontal object (911, 912, 101) in lock position.