Modular Cable Trough With Interlocking Joints For Curved Routes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of cutting and connecting cable troughs with mortar at construction sites is inefficient and often results in an uneven finish when installing cable troughs along curved routes, as commercially available curved troughs do not match the desired route curvature.
Innovation Solution
A cable trough for corners is designed with a configuration that allows varying the relative orientation between male and female trough bodies, enabling the trough to be bent and aligned with curved routes by using protrusions and depressions on the lids and bottom walls, along with a lid fixing member to maintain coupling while adjusting orientation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cable troughs are cut and connected with mortar at construction site, then curved route installation is achieved, but installation efficiency decreases and finish quality becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The cable trough is divided into multiple modular sections with standardized coupling mechanisms (male and female joints). Each section can be independently manufactured with precise curvature, and they connect through interlocking joints without requiring on-site cutting or mortar application. This segmentation enables efficient assembly while maintaining consistent curved route installation capability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple cable troughs are cut and connected with mortar at construction site, then curved route installation is achieved, but finish quality becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling joints and curvature specifications are predetermined during manufacturing. The male and female joints are precision-formed with matching geometries that ensure accurate alignment and consistent spacing between trough sections. This preliminary preparation of connection interfaces eliminates on-site variability and ensures uniform finish quality across the entire curved installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The trough sections are manufactured with varying curvature parameters to match different route requirements. By changing the geometric parameters (radius, angle, profile) during the manufacturing process rather than at installation, the system achieves adaptability to various curved routes while maintaining precise and consistent finish quality through controlled production conditions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If cable trough is bent to conform to curved route, then route alignment is improved, but structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The trough is segmented into rigid sections that maintain their structural integrity individually. Each section is manufactured with a predetermined curvature that does not require bending or deformation of the material. The sections connect through coupling joints that preserve the rigidity and strength of each segment while enabling the overall assembly to conform to curved routes.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A cable trough including: a male trough body including male joints having side beams protruding externally from both edges of external faces of first side walls, a female trough body including female joints having side grooves at both edges of inner faces of second side walls, wherein the male and female trough bodies are alternatingly coupled to each other by connecting the male and female joints, when one first side wall moves inwardly and obliquely, a movement of the side beam of another first side wall is restricted by the side groove into which the side beam is fitted, when another first side wall moves inwardly and obliquely, a movement of the side beam of the one first side wall is restricted by the side groove into which the side beam is fitted, and orientations of the male and female trough bodies are variable relative to each other.