Pivoting Splice Plate for Cable Tray Length Adjustments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional fishplates for connecting wire cable tray sections are not easily adaptable for length adjustments and do not provide a secure, reusable connection, especially when sections need to be cut for length adaptation, and they can be aggressive to the cables.
Innovation Solution
A pivoting fishplate design with a connecting body and locking lug that can be pre-assembled on a cable tray section, featuring housings for end weft wires with concavities oriented in opposite directions, allowing for secure pivoting and easy disassembly, and a shape that minimizes aggressive edges for cables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fishplates are used to connect cable tray sections, then the connection is secure, but the device cannot be easily disassembled and reused for length adjustments
Solution Approach 1:
The fishplate incorporates a pivoting mechanism that allows it to transition between a locked position (providing secure connection) and an unlocked position (allowing easy disassembly). The pivoting action enables the fishplate to move from engaging the first weft wire securely to releasing and engaging the second weft wire, thus providing both connection security and adaptability for length adjustments.
Solution Approach 2:
The fishplate is divided into functional segments: a body portion, a pivoting connection portion, and locking portions. This segmentation allows the different parts to perform specialized functions - the body provides structural support, the pivoting portion enables motion between locked and unlocked states, and the locking portions secure the connection to weft wires, thereby resolving the contradiction between secure connection and easy disassembly.
2Strength
If conventional fishplates are designed for secure connection, then mechanical strength is good, but the device forms aggressive obstacles for electrical cables
Solution Approach 1:
The fishplate incorporates curved surfaces and rounded edges instead of sharp angles, particularly in the body portion and connection portions. This curvature reduces the formation of aggressive obstacles that could damage electrical cables while maintaining the structural strength needed for secure connection. The rounded design allows cables to pass by without being caught on sharp edges.
3Ease of operation
If conventional fishplates are pre-assembled on cable tray sections, then the jointing operation is simplified, but the device cannot be easily dismantled and reused
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting mechanism allows the pre-assembled fishplate to be easily moved from a locked state (simplifying the initial jointing operation) to an unlocked state (enabling easy disassembly for length adjustments). This dynamic capability maintains both ease of operation and reusability, as the fishplate can be quickly released and repositioned on different cable tray sections.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a splice plate for connecting wire-based cable tray segments (38) comprising longitudinal warp wires (40, 40') and transverse weft wires (42). The splice plate comprises: a linking body (2) including a first housing (14) having a concave base and a second housing (20) parallel to the first and having a concave base oriented in the opposite direction to that of the first housing; and a locking tab (4) provided with a third housing (26) for receiving a warp thread (40), which third housing extends perpendicularly to the first and second housings, as well as locking means (28) for locking a warp wire (40).