Flexible Channel Molding Assembly for Complex Cable Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional protective covering systems for electrical cables struggle with complex geometries, requiring custom designs or numerous modular components, leading to increased cost and labor for installations involving intricate surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A flexible channel molding assembly comprising pivotally coupled molding members with a flexible backing plate, allowing the assembly to conform to complex geometries by using connectors that enable the molding members to shape the channel molding assembly to fit various structures, such as outside and inside corners.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional protective covering systems are used for complex geometries, then custom designs or numerous modular components are required, but cost and labor increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex geometriesVSAvoidnumber of modular components

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The molding members are divided into multiple segments that can be pivotally coupled together, allowing each segment to be a standard component while the assembly adapts to complex geometries through pivotal connections between segments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The molding members incorporate pivotal joints that allow dynamic adjustment of angles and orientations, enabling the assembly to conform to various complex geometries including outside corners and inside corners without requiring custom-designed static components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If conventional protective covering systems are used for complex geometries, then custom designs or numerous modular components are required, but installation time and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to complex geometriesVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The molding members are pre-configured with pivotal joints and connection mechanisms that enable quick assembly, allowing installers to rapidly configure the system to match complex geometries without time-consuming custom fabrication or complex modular assembly

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotal connections allow for quick adjustment and reconfiguration during installation, enabling the system to adapt to various complex geometries in the field without requiring pre-fabricated custom components or extensive assembly time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If pivotally coupled molding members are used, then adaptability to complex geometries improves, but structural stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconformability to surface geometryVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the molding into discrete pivotally coupled segments, where each segment maintains its structural integrity while the pivotal connections allow controlled movement and adjustment to match complex surface geometries

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotal joints allow for controlled changes in angular parameters and orientations of individual molding segments, enabling the assembly to conform to various geometries while maintaining structural stability through defined connection geometries and attachment mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12057686B2Flexible channel molding assemblies

Publication Date: 2024.08.06 PPC BROADBAND INC

AI summary

A flexible channel molding assembly may include a plurality of molding members. Each of the molding members defines a channel configured to receive a cable, and the plurality of molding members are configured to be pivotally coupled to one another along an axial direction to conform to a surface having a complex geometry.