Fish-Plated Cable Raceway Assembly With Spacer-Locked Snap Joint
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable raceway assembly methods face challenges in achieving robust snap engagement and maintaining separation between metal wire components, leading to potential displacement under load and reduced assembly strength.
Innovation Solution
A modified metal wire trellis cable raceway design with a nominal end and a splice end featuring metal wire splicing, where the head is connected to the flexible arm by one end, and includes a spacer mechanically connected to the farthermost weft wire, enhancing the separation and snap engagement process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If metal wire splicing is used for snap engagement, then assembly convenience is improved, but separation between metal wire components may be compromised leading to displacement under load
Solution Approach 1:
A plastic spacer is introduced as an intermediary component between the metal wire splicing elements. The spacer is mechanically connected to the farthermost weft wire and positioned between the splice end and the nominal end, maintaining separation and preventing displacement while allowing the snap engagement mechanism to function. This intermediary element resolves the conflict by enabling both convenient assembly and stable component separation.
2Reliability
If head is connected to flexible arm by one end, then snap engagement security is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The splicing structure is segmented into distinct functional components: the head, the flexible arm, and the plastic spacer. By connecting the head to the flexible arm at one end only (rather than both ends), the structure is divided into segments that can deform independently during snap engagement. This segmentation improves security by allowing controlled elastic deformation while maintaining the connection, and the added complexity is offset by the functional benefits of each segment.
3Strength
If spacer is added to maintain separation, then assembly strength is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The plastic spacer serves as a manufactured intermediary component that is relatively simple in design but provides significant structural benefit. It is mechanically connected to the farthermost weft wire and positioned to maintain separation between metal wire components. The spacer's simple geometry (essentially a positioning element) keeps manufacturing complexity low while substantially enhancing assembly strength by preventing displacement and maintaining proper spacing during and after snap engagement.
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 improves the convenience and security of snap engagement, maintains the separation between metal wire components effectively, and enhances the strength properties of the assembly, preventing displacement under load.
Implementation Method 1
the flexible arm, in course of this movement of bringing together, elastically deforming in contact with said similar length then relaxing to retain said similar length
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a length of cable run made of metal wire mesh having a nominal end and a fish-plated end equipped with a fish plate made of metal wires which is configured to allow the fish-plated end to be assembled by clip-fastening with the nominal end of a similar length of cable run; lateral parts of the fish plate each including a flexible arm, a head provided with a ramp and with a clip and connected to the flexible arm by one of its ends, and a spacer secured to the end cross wire of the fish-plated end and situated between this end cross wire and the end cross wire of the nominal end of the similar length when the fish-plated end of the length and the nominal end of the similar length are assembled.