Reinforced Splice Plate for Cable Tray Joints Over Structural Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional splice plates used in cable tray systems are ineffective when joining sections over structural support members, as they fail or become damaged due to pressure exerted by these members, leading to potential damage from environmental temperature fluctuations and seismic activity.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray system with a reinforced splice plate and beam configuration that includes a rigid splice plate with reinforcement beads and a reinforcing beam, allowing for secure attachment over structural support members and accommodating expansion and contraction, thereby enhancing structural integrity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional splice plates are used to join cable tray sections over structural support members, then the installation process is simple, but the splice plates fail or become damaged due to pressure from structural support members
Solution Approach 1:
The splice plate is segmented into multiple functional components: a base splice plate for joining cable trays, reinforcement beads protruding from the bottom surface to distribute pressure, and a reinforcing beam structure. This segmentation allows each component to address specific problems - the base plate provides joining functionality while the reinforcement beads handle structural pressure distribution.
Solution Approach 2:
Reinforcement beads are strategically positioned at the bottom surface of the splice plate where it contacts structural support members. This local quality enhancement concentrates structural reinforcement exactly where pressure occurs, allowing the splice plate to withstand structural loads without compromising the overall simplicity of installation.
2Device complexity
If conventional splice plates are used, then the device complexity is low, but the system cannot accommodate expansion and contraction from environmental temperature fluctuations and seismic activity
Solution Approach 1:
The splice plate design incorporates dynamic adaptability through reinforcement beads that can deform and adjust under varying loads. The beads allow the rigid splice plate to accommodate dynamic environmental changes such as thermal expansion and contraction, as well as seismic activity, while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcement beads act as pre-configured cushioning elements that anticipate and absorb the effects of environmental stresses before they cause damage. By having these beads in place beforehand, the splice plate is pre-prepared to handle temperature fluctuations and seismic forces without failing.
3Strength
If reinforcement beads are added to the splice plate, then the structural integrity over support members improves, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcement beads are merged with the splice plate as an integrated component rather than separate attachments. This merging allows the beads to be formed during the same manufacturing process as the splice plate itself, reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the added structural feature.
Solution Approach 2:
The splice plate utilizes composite structural features by combining the flat plate material with protruding reinforcement beads of the same or different material properties. This composite approach allows optimization of each region for its specific function while maintaining manufacturability through integrated fabrication processes.
Data Source
AI summary
A reinforcing structure is provided for supporting a joint of two cable tray sections, wherein each of the two cable tray sections includes a side rail having a planar body member, a bottom edge and a top edge, and wherein the joint is positioned over a structural support member. The reinforcing structure may include a top member; a body member extending substantially perpendicularly from the top member; and a bottom member extending substantially perpendicularly from the body member. The bottom member may be configured for mounting on the structural support member. The bottom member may be configured to receive the bottom edge of the side rail. The top member may include an inside edge configured to support the planar body member of the side rail when the bottom edge of the side rail is received into the bottom member.