Composite Cable Tray with Embedded Metal Wire

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current cable trays lack mechanical resistance and ease of shaping into non-rectilinear forms without additional support, particularly in metal and composite materials, which are either conductive or prone to deformation.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating metal wires within the plastic or composite material of longitudinal structural elements to enhance mechanical strength and rigidity, while maintaining electrical insulation, allowing for easier shaping and reduced metallic material usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If metal cable trays are used, then mechanical strength and rigidity are improved, but electrical insulation is lost requiring grounding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemechanical strengthVSAvoidelectrical conduction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining metal wires (for mechanical strength) with plastic or composite material (for electrical insulation). The metal wires are embedded within the insulating material to form a composite structural element that simultaneously provides both mechanical reinforcement and electrical insulation, resolving the contradiction between strength and electrical safety

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic or composite material cable trays are used, then electrical insulation is improved, but mechanical resistance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidmechanical resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by embedding metal wires within plastic or composite material structures. This composite construction maintains the electrical insulation properties of the plastic/composite material while the embedded metal wires provide the necessary mechanical strength and rigidity, thus resolving the contradiction between insulation and mechanical resistance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If composite material beams are bent to form non-rectilinear shapes, then adaptability is improved, but shape retention deteriorates due to elastic return

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshaping capabilityVSAvoidshape retention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials where metal wires are embedded within plastic or composite beams. The metal wires provide plastic deformation capability and shape memory, allowing the beam to be bent into non-rectilinear shapes and retain those shapes permanently, while the plastic/composite material provides ease of shaping. This resolves the contradiction between adaptability and shape retention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Strength

If multiple metal wires are used to increase rigidity, then mechanical strength is improved, but metallic material usage increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproverigidityVSAvoidmetallic material usage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning metal wires within the plastic or composite material structure. The metal wires are placed at specific locations where mechanical strength and rigidity are most needed, rather than uniformly distributing metallic material throughout the entire structure. This optimized local reinforcement achieves the required rigidity while minimizing overall metallic material usage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 solution provides cable trays with improved mechanical resistance and ease of forming non-rectilinear shapes while retaining electrical insulation, reducing the risk of electrification and minimizing metallic material usage.

Implementation Method 1

the mechanical strength of the wire(s) deformed metal(s) is sufficient to compensate for the elastic return force of the plastic or composite material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPlastic deformation: Plasticity

Implementation Method 2

the mechanical strength of the wire(s) deformed metal(s) is sufficient to compensate for the elastic return force of the plastic or composite material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2652852B1Electrical cables or similar conducting structure path element and the obtention process of the same.

Publication Date: 2016.11.09 CQFD COMPOSITES

Figure 1~3
Figure 4~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an element for routing cables, comprising a load-bearing rigid structure that includes longitudinal structural elements (12, 13, 12', 13') made of electrically insulating plastic or composite material, and transverse structural elements (11, 21; 51, 52) connecting the longitudinal structural elements. At least some of the longitudinal structural elements comprise a metal wire (3) arranged in the plastic or composite material (4) from which said longitudinal structural elements are made.