Cable Thickening Devices for Conduit Theft Deterrence
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Solution Overview
Problem
The theft of cables from conduit systems is a significant issue due to the high cost of cables and labor required for replacement, with thieves often breaking system housings and incurring substantial maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising inhibiting devices with stoppers and thickening devices at both ends of a conduit to secure cables, where the thickening devices increase the cable diameter, making it difficult to remove, and are buried underground to deter unauthorized access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If cable is left unprotected in conduit, then ease of installation is improved, but cable theft risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by installing inhibiting devices with stoppers and thickening devices on cables before they are fully deployed in the conduit system. The thickening devices are applied to specific sections of the cable to create enlarged portions that will later interact with the stoppers, preventing theft without requiring complex active monitoring or security systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism where thickening devices serve as mediators between the cable and the stoppers. These thickening devices create enlarged portions on the cable that physically interact with the stoppers in the inhibiting devices, providing a passive mechanical barrier against cable removal without requiring direct connection or complex interaction between the cable and security system.
2Reliability
If inhibiting devices are installed at both ends of conduit, then cable security is improved, but access difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the cable into multiple sections, with thickening devices applied to specific segments rather than the entire cable. This allows the cable to be secured at discrete locations (where stoppers are installed) while maintaining ease of access in other sections, resolving the contradiction between security and accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by applying thickening devices only to specific portions or segments of the cable rather than uniformly along the entire length. This creates localized enlarged portions that interact with stoppers at specific locations, providing security where needed while maintaining cable flexibility and accessibility in other areas.
3Strength
If thickening devices are applied to cable, then cable removal resistance is improved, but cable installation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by placing thickening devices only at specific locations on the cable where security is needed, rather than along the entire cable length. This provides sufficient removal resistance at critical points while minimizing the complexity and cost of cable installation and preparation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for securing at least one cable in a conduit having first and second ends, the at least one cable being housed in the conduit and extending therethrough. The system includes a first inhibiting device disposed at the conduit proximate the first end and a second inhibiting device disposed at the conduit proximate the second end. Each of the inhibiting devices includes a stopper having a proximal end, a distal end, and a passageway formed therethrough for receiving the at least one cable. First and second thickening devices are respectively disposed adjacent each stopper. Each thickening device is operable to secure to the at least one cable. The first and second thickening devices cooperate with a respective one of the stoppers to deter removal of the at least one cable from the conduit when the thickening devices are secured to the at least one cable.