Floor Cable Channel with Rotational Joint for Compact Transport
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional floor cable channels are cumbersome and time-consuming to assemble and disassemble, especially in mobile and temporary applications like sports timing events, where they need to be easily set up and taken down within a limited timeframe, and their bulky nature complicates transportation.
Innovation Solution
A floor cable channel design featuring a joint-like connection element that allows rotational movement between channel elements, enabling the channel to be folded for transport and easily assembled by unfolding, reducing the length and complexity of setup, and allowing for self-locking in the operating position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional floor cable channels are assembled using locking connection elements, then the cable line element is protected from external forces, but the assembly and disassembly process becomes time-consuming and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element is designed to enable dynamic transformation between operating position (channel elements arranged one behind another) and transport position (channel elements parallel to each other). This dynamic positioning capability allows quick assembly and disassembly while maintaining protection reliability when in operating position.
Solution Approach 2:
The floor cable channel is divided into multiple channel elements that can be independently handled and connected. This segmentation allows the channel to be assembled in sections, reducing the overall time and effort required for complete assembly while maintaining full protection coverage.
2Length of stationary object
If multiple channel elements are connected to span required lengths, then the cable line element protection coverage is increased, but the device becomes bulkier and more difficult to transport
Solution Approach 1:
In the transport position, channel elements are arranged parallel to each other in a compact configuration, similar to nested dolls. This reduces the overall footprint and makes transportation significantly easier while allowing the same number of elements to be deployed for extended protection coverage when in operating position.
Solution Approach 2:
The channel elements can transition between two-dimensional parallel arrangement (transport position) and one-dimensional linear arrangement (operating position). This dimensional transformation allows compact storage and transport while maintaining the capability to span required lengths for cable protection.
3Ease of operation
If channel elements are detachably connected for flexibility, then ease of assembly is improved, but assembly stability and reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connection element automatically locks the channel elements together when in the operating position through self-locking mechanism. This eliminates the need for additional manual locking operations while ensuring stable and reliable assembly, combining ease of operation with assembly stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection element acts as an intermediary between channel elements, providing a standardized interface that ensures both easy connection and stable assembly. This mediator component simplifies the assembly process while maintaining structural integrity and reliability of the connected channel elements.
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
Facilitates faster and more efficient assembly and disassembly, reduces transportation bulkiness, and prevents unprofessional or faulty assembly by allowing pre-assembled transport and simple on-site deployment, enhancing stability and reducing error-proneness.
Implementation Method 1
the connection element allows a rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element about a rotational axis orthogonal to a first longitudinal axis of the first channel element and orthogonal to a second longitudinal axis of the second channel element
Implementation Method 2
in the operating position, the first channel element and the second channel element are in contact at their mutually facing front faces to provide a self-locking of the channel elements relative to each other
Data Source
AI summary
A floor cable channel for positioning a cable line element on an underlying surface and for protecting the cable line element. The floor cable channel includes a first channel element and a second channel element for receiving the cable line element and a connection element connecting the first channel element to the second channel element. The connection element allows a rotational movement of the first channel element relative to the second channel element. The floor cable channel can be brought into a transport position in which the channel elements are parallel to each other and into an operating position in which the channel elements are arranged along their longitudinal axes. In the operating position, the first and second channel elements are in contact at their mutually facing front faces to provide a self-locking of the channel elements relative to each other in the operating position.