Elastic Hinge Fishplate for Cable Tray Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fishplates for wire cable tray sections are not suitable for bottom connections, making it difficult to joint heavy load cable trays and require separate techniques for assembly and cutting, which complicates the production process.
Innovation Solution
A connecting fishplate with a first branch and a second branch connected by an elastic hinge, featuring support means, lateral stops, and a boss, allowing for snap-on coupling and pre-assembly at the end of a cable tray section, enabling easy jointing and reusability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fishplates are used for cable tray connections, then the cable trays can be jointed, but the fishplates cannot be pre-assembled in a removable manner and must use different jointing techniques for assembly and cutting
Solution Approach 1:
The fishplate is divided into two functional branches (first branch with support means and lateral stops, second branch with support means and lateral abutments) connected by an elastic hinge zone, allowing the device to be segmented for flexible assembly while maintaining unified functionality for both connection and removal operations
Solution Approach 2:
The fishplate design provides multi-functionality by enabling the same device to be used for both assembling cable tray sections and for removing/repositioning them, eliminating the need for different jointing techniques and making the fishplate pre-assemblable in a removable manner
2Ease of operation
If the fishplate is designed with elastic hinge zone for snap-on coupling, then easy assembly is achieved, but mechanical strength may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic hinge zone introduces dynamic flexibility to the fishplate structure, allowing it to deform elastically during snap-on coupling for easy assembly, while the overall rigid framework of the two branches maintains mechanical strength when properly installed
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic hinge zone changes the physical state of the fishplate from completely rigid to elastically deformable, enabling snap-on coupling while the material properties and structural design ensure that mechanical strength parameters are maintained under operational loads
3Strength
If the fishplate includes support means and lateral stops on both branches, then good mechanical performance is achieved, but the fishplate may form aggressive obstacles for cables
Solution Approach 1:
The fishplate design applies local quality by providing support means and lateral stops only where structurally necessary on each branch, rather than uniformly across the entire device, thereby maintaining mechanical performance while minimizing cable interference in critical areas
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 fishplate provides strong mechanical performance, easy assembly, and adaptability, ensuring secure connections while allowing for cable tray length adjustments without aggressive obstacles to the cables.
Implementation Method 1
the two branches being connected to one another by an elastic hinge zone with a substantially longitudinal axis
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4
AI summary
Connecting link for lengths of wire cable tray (38) which comprises: a transverse first leg (2) with: support means (6) intended to collaborate with at least one warp wire, and at least two lateral end stops (17), - a second leg (4) having: support means (26) intended to collaborate with at least one warp wire, at least two lateral end stops (33), and at least one boss running substantially horizontally, longitudinal spacer means (16) being provided for separating two end weft wires, and the two legs being connected to one another by an elastic hinge zone.