Antimicrobial Thermoplastic Conduits for Rodent and Microbial Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for antimicrobial and anti-rodent protection in electrical distribution networks, particularly in hygienically sensitive facilities, are inadequate for systems with varying conductor specifications, lengths, and exposed installations, as they fail to provide comprehensive protection against microbial growth and rodent attacks in complex conduit systems.
Innovation Solution
An integrated system of thermoplastic conduits and supplementary items, such as bends, clips, couplers, and junction boxes, containing 1-8% antimicrobial and 1-8% anti-rodent additives, offering comprehensive protection by covering all aspects of the electrical installation, including underground conduits, to prevent microbial growth and rodent attacks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional antimicrobial additives are applied to cables and cords, then protection against microbial attack is improved, but comprehensive protection in complex conduit systems with varying specifications is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by formulating a single antimicrobial additive composition that can be effectively used across all types of conduits and associated items in electrical distribution networks, regardless of conductor specifications, lengths, or installation configurations. This universal solution eliminates the need for different antimicrobial treatments for different cable types, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing reliable microbial protection and adapting to varying conductor specifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by optimizing the concentration and formulation of antimicrobial additives (specifically quaternary ammonium compounds) to achieve effective protection across diverse conduit systems. By adjusting the additive parameters within an effective range, the solution maintains reliability against microbial attack while being adaptable to various conduit types, sizes, and installation environments.
2Reliability
If conventional antimicrobial protection is applied to electrical installations, then microbial growth is inhibited, but protection against rodent attacks is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate protective functions into a single integrated solution: antimicrobial protection and anti-rodent protection. By combining quaternary ammonium antimicrobial additives with rodent repellent additives in the conduit and associated items, the system simultaneously provides protection against both microbial growth and rodent attacks, thereby resolving the contradiction between achieving microbial inhibition and preventing rodent damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by creating a multi-functional additive system that integrates antimicrobial agents (quaternary ammonium compounds) with anti-rodent repellents. This composite protective layer on conduits and associated items provides dual protection against biologically destructive sources, including both microorganisms and rodents, thereby addressing the limitation of conventional single-function antimicrobial treatments.
3Ease of operation
If electrical distribution networks are exposed to ambient conditions, then installation flexibility is improved, but susceptibility to microbial and rodent damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by incorporating both antimicrobial and anti-rodent protective measures into the conduits and associated items before the electrical distribution network is installed in ambient conditions. This pre-protection ensures that when conduits are exposed to ambient environments, they are already equipped with defensive mechanisms against microbial growth and rodent attacks, thereby resolving the contradiction between installation flexibility and vulnerability to harmful factors.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by integrating protective additives into the conduit material and surface treatments during manufacturing, before installation. This advance preparation ensures that conduits and associated items possess inherent resistance to microbial and rodent hazards from the outset, allowing flexible ambient installation without subsequent vulnerability to biological damage.
4Reliability
If comprehensive antimicrobial and anti-rodent protection is provided in all conduits and associated items, then protection effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages manufacturing complexity by establishing specific parameter ranges for additive concentrations (quaternary ammonium compounds at effective levels combined with rodent repellents) that can be integrated into existing conduit manufacturing processes. By defining clear parameter specifications, the patent achieves comprehensive protection without requiring fundamentally new manufacturing methods, thereby balancing protection effectiveness with manufacturing feasibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating antimicrobial and anti-rodent additives specifically in the conduit walls and associated items where contact with cables and ambient environment occurs. This targeted application of protective additives ensures comprehensive protection at critical interfaces while avoiding unnecessary complexity in non-critical areas, thereby resolving the contradiction between protection effectiveness and manufacturing complexity.
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 system effectively reduces microbial growth and rodent attacks on electrical conductor cables and surrounding environments, achieving significant antibacterial activity with a relative reduction of 99.49-99.94% in bacterial populations, including E. coli and MRSA, and demonstrating effectiveness against other microbes.
Implementation Method 1
manufactured from a thermoplastic material which comprises an anti-microbial additive and an anti-rodent additive
Implementation Method 2
manufactured from a thermoplastic material which comprises an anti-microbial additive and an anti-rodent additive
Data Source
Figure 1~7
Figure 8~9
AI summary
An integrated system of conduits and associated supplementary items employed to cover cables in an electrical distribution network, comprising rigid or pliable conduit portions (11, 12), clips (17) adapted to support and fixedly mount conduits (11, 12), couplers (13) adapted to connect linearly oriented sequential conduit portions (11, 12), bends (14) adapted to connect perpendicularly oriented sequential conduit portions (11, 12), junction boxes (16) with a plurality of outlets, spout adaptor members (15) with an end (15b) adapted to fit within the outlets of junction boxes (16) and an end (15a) adapted to receive a conduit portion (11, 12), including double-wall structured pliable or rigid underground conduits (19) connected with couplers (18), wherein all items (11, 12, 13, 14, 15,16, 17, 18, 19) are manufactured with a thermoplastic material having a composition comprising an anti-microbial additive and/or an anti-rodent additive, each at a percentage by weight of about 1-8%.