Adaptor for Flexible Conduit Wire Protection and Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for connecting wires to electrical plugs using pre-wired flexible conduits are prone to damage and are time-consuming, as the wires are unprotected and require a shrinkdown hose, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An adaptor with a housing, conduit connector, locking mechanism, and connecting elements that securely fit around the flexible conduit and electrical plug, providing protection and a quick connection by locking the conduit and plug in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If wires are connected to electrical plugs using a shrinkdown hose, then the connection can be made, but the wires are relatively unprotected and prone to damages
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor houses the shrinkdown hose connection within its internal cavity, nesting the previously exposed wire connection inside a protective structure. The conduit connector portion receives the flexible conduit, and the internal volume contains the wire-to-plug connection, protecting it from external damage while maintaining the functional connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor housing acts as a flexible protective shell that encloses and protects the wire connections. The housing provides a robust outer structure that shields the vulnerable wire connections inside from mechanical damage, environmental factors, and accidental extraction forces.
2Productivity
If a shrinkdown hose is used to connect wires to plugs, then the connection can be made, but the process is rather time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The adaptor is pre-configured with the shrinkdown hose connection ready to receive the flexible conduit. The locking mechanism is pre-positioned to automatically engage with the ribs when the conduit is inserted, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual assembly steps during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The adaptor is divided into functional segments: the conduit connector portion for receiving the flexible conduit, the locking mechanism for securing it, and the housing for protecting the connection. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function and enables quick assembly by simply inserting the conduit into the pre-configured adaptor.
3Strength
If the locking mechanism uses circumferential rings or ring segments, then the connection can withstand large forces, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism uses circumferential rings or ring segments positioned at specific locations where maximum mechanical advantage is achieved. The rings are strategically placed to engage with the ribs of the flexible conduit at points that distribute and withstand large forces in all directions, providing localized reinforcement where needed most.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism combines the rigid adaptor housing with the flexible conduit's rib structure. The circumferential rings engage with the ribs to create a composite locking system that leverages both the structural integrity of the adaptor and the flexibility of the conduit, achieving high connection strength through material and structural combination.
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A method and adaptor for connecting an electrical plug with a flexible conduit. The flexible conduit comprises a plurality of ribs along the conduit, an open end and one or more wires extending through the conduit and the open end. The adaptor comprises a housing. The housing comprises a conduit connector portion configured to fit around and connect to the open end of the flexible conduit, a locking mechanism configured to lock the conduit in the conduit connector portion of the adaptor, an electrical plug opening opposite the conduit connector portion and connecting elements to connect and lock the electrical plug to the adaptor. The electrical plug opening configured to receive at least part of the electrical plug within an interior volume of the housing to enable contact within the housing interior volume between the one or more wires extending through the flexible conduit and one or more wire receptacles in the electrical plug. The invention is further directed at an assembly kit and assembly comprising two or three of a flexible conduit, adaptor and electrical plug.