Snap-In Cable Tray Connector for Open-Cover Pre-Assembly
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable tray systems require cables to be installed by pulling them into closed trays after fixation to a boundary surface, preventing pre-installation with open covers, which complicates assembly and installation.
Innovation Solution
A cable tray system with tray connectors featuring a base plate and side parts that allow cable trays to be inserted and secured via a snap-in connection, eliminating the need for additional fasteners and enabling pre-assembly before fixation to the boundary surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If cable trays are fixed to the boundary surface with traditional tray connectors, then the cable tray system is securely mounted, but cable installation becomes complex requiring cables to be pulled into closed trays after fixation
Solution Approach 1:
The tray connector is designed with an open-top receptacle that allows cable trays to be inserted and pre-assembled before fixation to the boundary surface. Cables can be installed in the open trays during the pre-assembly phase, eliminating the need to pull cables through closed trays after mounting. This preliminary assembly action resolves the contradiction by enabling easy cable installation while maintaining secure mounting.
2Reliability
If traditional bracket-like tray connectors are used to fix cable trays to the subfloor, then secure mounting is achieved, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The tray connector is segmented into a base plate for fixation and a separate receptacle structure with side parts forming the open-top cavity. This segmentation allows the receptacle to be quickly assembled around inserted cable trays without requiring complex bracket manipulation. The modular design enables rapid assembly while maintaining reliable mounting through the base plate fixation mechanism.
3Stability of the object's composition
If cable trays are installed with closed covers fixed to the boundary surface, then structural integrity is maintained, but pre-installation and cable laying before screed application becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The tray connector design transitions from a static closed-cover structure to a dynamic open-top receptacle during the installation phase. The receptacle remains open to allow cable trays to be inserted and cables to be laid before screed application. After installation, the system maintains structural integrity through the fixed base plate and secured cable trays, achieving both adaptability and stability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to a cable tray system that can be fixed to a boundary surface of a building, such as a floor, comprising at least two cable trays 1, each comprising two side wall members 5, 5.1 and a base plate connecting the side wall members 5, 5.1, and a tray connector that can be fixed to the boundary surface and spans the joints of the two cable trays 1. A particular feature is that the tray connector 2 has a base plate 3 extending over the width of the cable trays 1 and two side parts 4, 4.1 connected to it and spaced apart from each other in the direction of the width of the cable trays 1, which together with the base plate 3 provide an upwardly open cable tray receptacle 7 into which the cable trays 1 to be connected can be inserted or are inserted, and that the side parts 4, 4.11 of the channel connector 2 each have at least one locking projection 6 projecting into the cable channel receptacle 7 with an undercut H formed in the direction of the base plate 3 and acting in the opposite direction, and that the cable channels 1 each have at least in the end sections of their side wall stiles 5, 5.1 an outwardly directed projection which, when the cable channel 1 is mounted on the channel connector 2, engages in the undercuts H formed by the locking projections 6 of the two side parts 4, 4.1.