Folded Innerduct Structure for Cable Conduits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing flexible innerduct structures for conduits have bulky seams that reduce flexibility and occupy valuable space, especially in small conduits, limiting the number of cables that can be positioned and facilitating cable friction during insertion.
Innovation Solution
A flexible innerduct structure with a first margin region, a middle region, and a second margin region, featuring strip-shaped textiles that extend outward, fold, and return to form longitudinal chambers, minimizing seam bulk and maximizing usable space by using fewer edges and attachment points, allowing for easier installation and higher cable density.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional innerduct structures with multiple seams are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but flexibility is reduced and valuable space is occupied in small conduits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple seam functions into a single centralized seam location. The strip-shaped textile is folded back on itself, bringing the first and second edges together at the middle region to form a single attachment point, eliminating the need for separate seam structures at multiple locations along the innerduct.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a linear seam distribution along the innerduct to a concentrated seam at the cross-sectional center. By folding the textile back on itself and attaching at the middle region, the seam is repositioned from longitudinal edges to a central cross-sectional location, optimizing space utilization and flexibility.
2Quantity of substance
If more cables are positioned in a conduit, then cable density is maximized, but friction during cable insertion increases
Solution Approach 1:
The innerduct is divided into multiple longitudinal chambers by fold lines, with each chamber enveloping individual cables. This segmentation prevents cables from contacting each other directly, reducing friction during insertion while maximizing the number of cables that can be positioned in the conduit.
Solution Approach 2:
The strip-shaped textile structure acts as an intermediary between cables and the conduit wall. The folded chambers provide a smooth interface that reduces direct cable-to-cable and cable-to-conduit friction, facilitating easier cable insertion while maintaining high cable density.
3Area of stationary object
If strip-shaped textiles are folded and attached at the middle region, then seam bulk is minimized and usable space is maximized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a flexible strip-shaped textile that can be easily folded and shaped. The thin film nature of the textile allows it to be folded back on itself without creating bulk, and the flexible material accommodates the folding and attachment process with minimal manufacturing complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible innerduct structure having a first margin region, a second margin region, and a middle region, where the middle region is located between the first and second margin regions. The innerduct structure contains at least two flexible, longitudinal chambers, with each chamber being designed for enveloping at least one cable.The flexible innerduct structure contains at least one strip-shaped textile, each strip containing a first side and a second edge and extending in the longitudinal direction. All first and second edges of the strips are located in the middle region and each strip-shaped textile extends outwards from the middle region, folds about a fold axis located in either the first or second margin region and returns to the middle region. At least one strip extends from the first to the second margin region and the strips are attached together in the middle region.