Sectioned Cable Carrier Support for Thermal Expansion Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable carrier supports are prone to damage due to stresses caused by temperature changes, which lead to friction, noise, and vibrations, especially when used with materials having different coefficients of expansion.
Innovation Solution
A support divided into sections with interlocking teeth at the ends, allowing for thermal expansion compensation without altering the spacing between sections, preventing rollers from dipping into expansion joints and reducing noise and vibrations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the support is made as a single piece, then the structure is simple and strong, but thermal expansion causes stresses that can damage the support or brackets
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows thermal expansion to be accommodated by relative displacement between sections rather than creating damaging stresses in a continuous structure.
2Reliability
If the support is divided into sections to compensate thermal expansion, then thermal stress is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support is divided into multiple sections along its length, with each section capable of independent movement. This segmentation allows thermal expansion to be accommodated by relative displacement between sections rather than creating damaging stresses in a continuous structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The sections are designed with movable connections that allow dynamic adjustment of spacing in response to thermal expansion. The system transitions from a static rigid structure to a dynamic system that automatically adapts to temperature changes.
3Ease of operation
If rollers are used to reduce friction, then the cable carrier moves smoothly, but rollers may dip into expansion joints causing noise and vibrations
Solution Approach 1:
The support sections are pre-positioned and interlocked before the cable carrier moves over them. This preliminary arrangement ensures that rollers transition smoothly between sections without dipping into gaps, preventing noise and vibrations.
Solution Approach 2:
Interlocking features act as intermediaries between adjacent support sections, maintaining continuous support surface and preventing roller dip into expansion joints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively compensates for thermal expansion, reducing stress and wear on the support and brackets, while ensuring quiet and smooth operation of the cable carrier.
Implementation Method 1
the thermal expansion in the event of changes in temperature can be compensated by the division of the support into sections
Data Source
AI summary
A support (1) is for an energy supply chain (2). The support (1) is divided in a longitudinal direction (L) into a plurality of sections (5), wherein the sections (5) each have at least one tooth (6) at their ends, and wherein in each case two adjacent section (5) are interlocked with one another via the teeth (6).