Modular Cable Tray Routing With Removable Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing overhead cable routing systems require cutting of sidewalls to create tee, cross, or right-angle pathways, making installation time-consuming, costly, and creating sharp edges.
Innovation Solution
A cable routing system formed from a tray with transverse and longitudinal wires, featuring removable sidewalls, corner radius devices, and joining brackets to facilitate easier installation and cable management without cutting, along with drop-down devices and wall mount brackets for enhanced functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional cable basket or cable duct with integral sidewalls is used, then cable routing is provided, but sidewalls need to be cut to create pathways which makes installation time-consuming and costly
Solution Approach 1:
The cable tray system is divided into modular sections with standardized configurations. Pre-formed pathways (tees, crosses, right angles) are created as separate modular components that can be easily assembled without cutting, reducing installation time and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
Pathways and routing configurations are pre-formed during manufacturing of the cable tray sections. The sidewalls are pre-cut and shaped to create tees, crosses, and right angles before installation, eliminating the need for on-site cutting and reducing installation time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sidewalls of cable basket or cable duct are cut to create pathways, then cable routing flexibility is improved, but sharp edges are created which is harmful
Solution Approach 1:
Pathways are pre-formed during manufacturing with proper edge treatment. The cable tray sections are produced with pre-cut sidewalls that create tees, crosses, and right angles with smooth, deburred edges before installation, eliminating the creation of sharp edges during on-site installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting operation is moved from the installation phase to the manufacturing phase, where it can be performed under controlled conditions with proper edge treatment. This converts the potentially harmful sharp edges created during installation into a controlled manufacturing process where edges can be properly finished.
3Strength
If traditional cable routing system with integral sidewalls is used, then structural integrity is maintained, but installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses modular cable tray sections with standardized configurations that can be easily assembled. Pre-formed pathways are created as separate modular components that simplify installation while maintaining structural integrity through standardized connection methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable tray system provides universal mounting capabilities with multiple attachment options (side mounting, end mounting, wall mounting). The modular design allows the same basic structure to accommodate various routing configurations (tees, crosses, right angles) without increasing installation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable routing system formed from a tray with a plurality of transverse wires and a plurality of longitudinal wires. The transverse wires form a generally flat top portion with downwardly extending sidewalls. The longitudinal wires are positioned underneath the top portion, side longitudinal wires are positioned adjacent the downwardly extending sidewalls and bottom longitudinal wires are positioned at an end of each of the downwardly extending sidewalls. The transverse wires and the longitudinal wires form a grid with a plurality of openings for routing a plurality of cables. The cable routing system also includes a sidewall removablely secured to the tray to retain cables routed thereon and a corner radius device removablely secured to the tray to provide bend radius control to cables routed along intersecting cable trays.