Clickable Cable Tray Joints for Tool-Free Load-Bearing Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray connection systems require additional components like bolts and nuts, making installation laborious and difficult, especially for single-person setups, and are not compatible with all surface treatments such as hot-dip galvanizing, while also being more expensive and prone to damage.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray design featuring a barb and barb opening system that allows adjacent trays to connect in a clickable manner without additional components, enabling stable and load-bearing connections, suitable for various surface treatments, and easy installation and removal by one person.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If additional components like bolts and nuts are used to connect cable trays, then connection stability and load bearing capacity are sufficient, but installation becomes laborious and difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means are integrated directly into the cable tray structure itself, merging the tray and connector into a single unit. The tray includes built-in connecting elements at its ends that directly engage with adjacent trays without requiring separate bolts, nuts, or plates, thus maintaining connection stability while simplifying installation to a single snapping operation
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tray's own structure provides the connecting means through integrated features at its ends. The tray self-contains all necessary connection elements, eliminating the need for external fastening components and enabling self-installation without additional parts or complex assembly procedures
2Strength
If additional components are used for connection, then connection strength is sufficient, but the system becomes more complex and expensive
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means are merged with the cable tray structure, eliminating separate fastening components. The tray ends incorporate integrating features that directly engage with adjacent trays, reducing the system to essentially two main components (tray and cover) and simplifying the overall structure while maintaining connection strength
Solution Approach 2:
Traditional fastening components like bolts, nuts, and connecting plates are extracted/removed from the system. The patent eliminates these additional parts by incorporating connecting functionality directly into the tray structure, reducing system complexity and component count
3Stability of the object's composition
If traditional connecting systems are used, then connection is stable, but fitting and removal become difficult especially for single-person installation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray structure itself provides the connecting means through integrated features at its ends. The tray self-contains all necessary connection elements, eliminating the need for external fastening components and enabling self-installation without additional parts or complex assembly procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tray system is segmented into modular units with standardized connecting ends. Each tray is an independent module with built-in connecting features that snap together, enabling quick assembly and disassembly by a single person without requiring complex fastening operations
4Ease of operation
If spring-based connecting systems are used, then connection is achieved, but compatibility with surface treatments like hot-dip galvanizing is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connecting means are made from the same durable material as the cable tray itself (including galvanvanized steel), eliminating the need for separate spring components that would be incompatible with surface treatments. The integrated connecting features are permanently formed as part of the tray structure, ensuring full compatibility with all surface treatments including hot-dip galvanizing
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides an assembly having a plurality of cable trays, a first cable tray of the plurality of cable trays including a bottom and a set of upright sides extending between a first end and a second end, and a barb and a barb opening along each upright side of the set of upright sides. The barb may extend from an end of the barb opening, wherein a portion of the opening of a first cable tray of the two or more cable trays extends beyond, and remains uncovered by, a second end of a second cable tray of the plurality of cable trays when the first and second cable trays are connected.