Modular Cable Protector with Hinged Ramps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial facilities face challenges in allowing vehicular traffic over temporary service lines such as electrical cables, piping, and hoses, which are often laid on vehicle passageways, requiring a portable solution to ensure safe and controlled passage.
Innovation Solution
A portable cable protector apparatus comprising variously configured sections with protected raceways and pivoting ramps that allow vehicles to roll over the service lines, featuring hinged ramp covers for easy access and assembly, and forklift slots for mobility, enabling secure and controlled traffic flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If temporary service lines are laid directly on vehicle passageways, then installation is simple and quick, but vehicle passage becomes unsafe and service lines are vulnerable to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protector is divided into multiple modular sections that can be easily assembled and disassembled. Each section contains a protected raceway for service lines with integrated ramps, allowing simple installation while providing robust protection for vehicle passage over temporary service lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable protector apparatus serves as an intermediary structure between the service lines and vehicles. It provides a protected raceway that shields service lines from vehicle damage while allowing safe passage, thus mediating the conflict between simple installation and vehicle passage safety.
2Ease of operation
If cable protectors are made portable and modular, then ease of installation and relocation is improved, but structural strength and stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The cable protector is segmented into modular sections with standardized connection interfaces. This segmentation enables easy assembly and relocation while maintaining structural integrity through proper mechanical connections between sections, resolving the conflict between portability and strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable protector incorporates movable ramp covers that can be opened or closed as needed. This dynamic feature allows easy access for maintenance while maintaining structural strength when closed, and facilitates easy relocation by allowing sections to be accessed and moved independently.
3Ease of operation
If ramp covers are made hinged with forklift access slots, then ease of moving and positioning is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ramp cover integrates multiple functions: it protects the raceway, provides a walking surface for vehicles, and incorporates forklift access slots for moving the entire assembly. By merging these functions into a single component, the design improves ease of operation without proportionally increasing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The ramp cover serves multiple purposes: vehicle passage protection, raceway shielding, and forklift lifting interface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby improving ease of moving and positioning while minimizing the increase in device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable protector and access ramp apparatus and system are disclosed. The apparatus and system is comprised of a plurality of variously configured cable protector sections. Each of the sections has a protected raceway through which various piping, electrical, gas, communication and other service lines may be directed and front and rear ramps to allow vehicles to roll up and over the protected raceway. The raceway in each of the sections of the apparatus and system has a hinged cover which may be lifted to allow placement and access to the service lines. The front and rear ramps of each of the sections may be provided with a pivoting ramp cover having a slot configured to allow access to lifting channels in the frame. The lifting channels are configured to receive the tines of a forklift.