Solar Cable Guide Housing for Metal Contact Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable management systems in solar energy systems fail to adequately protect and guide electric cables, leading to potential malfunction, damage, and electrical contact with metal support structures, which can compromise system performance and safety.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a coupling element and a housing made of insulating material, with a guiding surface extending from both sides of a support structure, providing a protective barrier and guiding electric cables away from metal structures, featuring rounded side walls and an access opening for easy cable insertion, and optionally using hook-shaped fastening members for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cables are directly exposed to metal support structures, then installation is simpler, but electrical contact and system safety are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an insulating device as an intermediary component between the metal support structure and the electric cable. This device includes a housing made of insulating material with a receiving space that accommodates the cable, and a guiding surface that extends from the support structure to guide the cable away from the metal surface, preventing electrical contact while maintaining system safety.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable management system is divided into distinct functional components: a coupling element for attachment to the support structure, a housing with receiving space for cable accommodation, and a guiding surface for cable direction. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function effectively while contributing to the overall safety and organization of the cable management system.
2Adaptability or versatility
If cables are allowed to bend freely, then cable routing is more flexible, but cable malfunction and damage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guiding surface is designed to preliminarily direct the cable along a predetermined path away from the support structure before the cable is fully installed. This preliminary action ensures that the cable is properly positioned and guided from the beginning, preventing excessive bending and kinking that could lead to malfunction, while still allowing necessary routing flexibility.
3Reliability
If insulating material is used for the housing, then electrical protection is improved, but thermal insulation may reduce heat dissipation
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is made of insulating material specifically at the portions that require electrical protection (the walls and guiding surface in contact with or near the cable). The design allows for localized thermal management by ensuring that the insulating material is applied where electrical isolation is critical, while the overall structure maintains adequate heat dissipation pathways for the cable system.
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 device effectively prevents cable bending, kinking, and electrical contact, enhancing safety and system performance by guiding and insulating cables, thereby reducing the risk of damage and improving overall system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the housing, and preferably the device as such, is at least partially and preferably entirely made of an insulating material, in particular a plastic material, and wherein the guiding surface of the housing, is configured to extend from opposing sides of the underlying support structure... such that the housing forms an insulating barrier between the support structure, in particular the support rail, and at least one electric cable guided by the housing
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3e
AI summary
The invention related to a device and a method for guiding and protecting electric cables in a solar panel mounting system. The device comprises a coupling element configured for attaching the device to a metal containing support structure and a housing connected to said at least one coupling element, said housing defining at least one receiving space for receiving at least a part of at least one electric cable, and the housing comprising at least one guiding surface for support and/or guidance of at least one electric cable.