Gap-Spanning Cable Connector Housings for Expansion Joint Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deploying tubular bodies, such as communication cables, across gaps in paved surfaces, particularly cracks and expansion joints, is challenging due to movement and stress issues, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in installation methods like microtrenching and smoothing techniques.
Innovation Solution
A connector apparatus comprising first and second connector housings fixed to adjacent structural members, allowing a tubular body to traverse gaps by incorporating non-linear segments within the housings, providing stress relief and protection, with the housings designed to accommodate horizontal and vertical movements of the structural members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If microtrenching or smoothing techniques are used to install communication cables across gaps, then the cable can be deployed, but the cable is susceptible to damage from movement and stress in the gap
Solution Approach 1:
A connector apparatus with connector housings is introduced as an intermediary component between the cable and the gap. The connector housings are fixed to adjacent structural members and provide a protected pathway for the cable, isolating it from the harmful movement and stress in the gap while maintaining cable deployment capability
Solution Approach 2:
The connector housings are pre-installed and configured to accommodate expected movement and stress before the cable is deployed. This beforehand cushioning protects the cable from damage by absorbing and accommodating the movement forces that occur in expansion gaps
2Device complexity
If rigid connector housings are used to fix cables to structural members, then installation is simple, but the cable cannot accommodate movement between structural members
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housings are designed with dynamic characteristics that allow them to accommodate movement between structural members. The housings can move relative to each other or deform elastically to absorb the movement forces, maintaining cable integrity while keeping the connector design relatively simple
3Ease of manufacture
If the tubular body is directly exposed across the gap, then installation is straightforward, but the tubular body is vulnerable to rupture from stress and movement
Solution Approach 1:
The connector housings serve as intermediary protective structures that enclose and protect the tubular body as it passes through the gap. This protection maintains cable strength and prevents rupture while keeping the overall installation process straightforward
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, system, and method for deploying a tubular body across a gap. The tubular body is fixed to a surface on either side of the gap. The system includes a first connector housing fixed to the first surface and a second connector housing fixed to a second surface. An insertion end of the first connector housing is smaller than a receiving end of the second connector housing such that the insertion end of the first connector is insertable into the receiving end of the second connector housing. The tubular body passes continuously through the interior volume of the first connector housing and through the interior volume of the second connector housing.