Mounting Sleeve Cable Routing for Misaligned Prefab Joints
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable installation systems in prefabricated timber frame construction are time-consuming, labor-intensive, and weaken the structural stability of components due to the need for precise alignment and large holes, making it difficult to install conduits at joints without causing structural damage.
Innovation Solution
A cable installation system using mounting sleeves with self-locking locking elements and tapered internal surfaces that allow easy insertion into pre-drilled holes, accommodating standard conduit diameters and minimizing material usage, ensuring secure fastening without tools and maintaining structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If anchorable sleeves are inserted into frame elements to accommodate installation lines, then cable installation is enabled, but the degree of precision required between individual prefabricated components becomes impractical and large holes are required weakening the frame timber
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the frame element and the conduit. It is inserted into a relatively small borehole in the frame element and provides a larger internal diameter to accommodate the conduit, eliminating the need for large holes in the frame timber while enabling cable installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system separates the functions of structural support (frame element with small borehole) and cable accommodation (mounting sleeve with large internal diameter). This segmentation allows the frame element to maintain its structural integrity while the mounting sleeve provides the necessary space for conduit installation.
2Ease of operation
If cable entry funnels are attached to conduit ends to guide cables, then cable insertion is facilitated, but the installation and fastening becomes complex requiring screw connections and large depressions in wooden frame
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting sleeve combines multiple functions into a single component: it provides the cable entry funnel function, the conduit mounting function, and the fastening function through self-locking elements. This eliminates the need for separate cable entry funnels and screw connections, simplifying the overall installation process.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting sleeve is equipped with self-locking elements that automatically secure the conduit in place without requiring additional fastening operations. The conical inner surface guides the conduit into the correct position and the self-locking elements engage to hold it firmly, enabling tool-free installation.
3Ease of operation
If cable entry funnels are used to guide cables without offset, then cable insertion is improved, but large depressions are required in wooden frame weakening structural stability
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting sleeve serves as a mediator that transfers the cable guidance function from the frame element to the sleeve itself. The sleeve's conical inner surface provides the cable entry funnel function, eliminating the need for large depressions in the frame element while maintaining structural stability.
4Strength
If mounting sleeves with minimized outer diameter are used, then structural stability is maintained, but the insertion of standard conduit must be precise
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting sleeve's inner surface geometry is changed to a conical shape with a specific angle. This parameter change allows the sleeve to accommodate standard conduit while compensating for manufacturing tolerances and offset values up to 5 mm, eliminating the need for high precision conduit insertion.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6b
AI summary
A cable installation system designed for the quick and tool-free routing of installation cables between adjacent prefabricated building components, particularly between floor-to-wall, wall-to-wall, floor-to-floor, ceiling-to-ceiling, and wall-to-ceiling elements. This cable installation arrangement comprises a first mounting sleeve, or insertion sleeve (1), and a second mounting sleeve, or receiving sleeve (2). The two sleeves (1, 2) are shaped differently but have essentially the same outer diameter to allow for easy, tool-free insertion into a bore. In a preferred embodiment, the two mounting sleeves (M, M') are identical and are inserted in opposite directions. The mounting sleeves according to the invention each have a plug-in sleeve section (4, 10) and a funnel section (5, 9), the plug-in sleeve section serving to secure a conduit (L1, L2) and the funnel section (5, 9) for easy, i.e., tool-free, insertion of the cable.The interior is funnel-shaped, allowing for unimpeded and offset-independent routing of installation lines.