Rollable Cable Duct with Interlocking Side Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable duct solutions face issues with end-face joints, which are optically inferior and less impermeable to dust and water, limiting their suitability for applications beyond suspended ceiling systems, and require complex attachment methods for protection.
Innovation Solution
A cable duct formed by two profile parts that can be connected on their longitudinal sides, with one part having V-shaped connecting areas made of flexible material and the other part having a more stable plate-like area, allowing for rolling and connection without end-face joints, enabling a completely closed duct over any length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If cable ducts are formed by joining multiple profile parts at the front side, then the desired total length can be achieved, but transition points are created that are optically inferior and have less impermeability to dust and water
Solution Approach 1:
The cable duct is divided into multiple profile parts that can be joined together, but the joining method is improved by creating interlocking side connections rather than simple end-face joints. Each profile part has connecting areas on its longitudinal sides that engage with corresponding areas of adjacent parts, creating multiple sealing points along the length of the duct.
Solution Approach 2:
The connecting areas on the longitudinal sides of the profile parts are given different properties from the main body - specifically, they have increased flexibility to allow for better engagement and sealing when joined. This localized change in material property ensures that the connection points achieve the same impermeability as the rest of the duct.
2Ease of manufacture
If profile parts are made with standard lengths for customer availability, then manufacturing and inventory are simplified, but end-face joints are required which create optical and sealing problems
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of joining profile parts end-to-end (one-dimensional connection), the invention creates connections along the longitudinal sides (two-dimensional connection). This side-joining approach allows profile parts to be connected in a way that maintains continuous outer surfaces, eliminating the visual disruption of end-face joints while still allowing standard length modules to be used.
3Ease of operation
If a one-piece flexible profile element is used, then the duct can be rolled up for transport, but the cross-sectional shape requires complex attachment to support structures
Solution Approach 1:
The duct is segmented into multiple profile parts that can each be rolled up independently for transport. This maintains the flexibility and transportability advantage of the one-piece design while allowing the duct to be assembled from manageable sections that can be stored and handled more easily.
Solution Approach 2:
The profile parts are made from composite materials that combine flexibility in the connecting areas with structural stability in the plate-like areas. This allows the duct to be rolled for transport while maintaining the rigid cross-sectional shape needed for simple support attachment.
4Ease of operation
If connecting areas are made of flexible material, then profile parts can be rolled up and connected easily, but the plate-like area requires less flexible material for stability
Solution Approach 1:
The profile parts have non-uniform material properties: the connecting areas on the longitudinal sides are made of flexible material to enable rolling and easy connection, while the plate-like areas forming the main structural surfaces are made of less flexible, more stable material. This localized differentiation of material properties allows both flexibility for assembly and stability for structural integrity.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
An arrangement for forming an elongated, channel-like receiving space (110), for example a cable duct, has two profile parts (10, 20) to be connected to each other, each of which has an elongated, plate-like area (11, 21) and connection areas (12, 22) formed on the two longitudinal sides of the plate-like area (11, 21), which are designed to interact with the corresponding connection areas (12, 22) of the other profile part (10, 20), wherein the plate-like areas (11, 21) of the profile parts (10, 20) and the connection areas are designed such that each of the profile parts (10, 20) can be wound or rolled up on its own.