Color-Coded Electrical Installation Pipe Connectors for Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electrical installation processes, it is challenging to identify which electrical installation pipe ends connect to specific installation boxes when multiple pipes are encased in a building element, leading to inefficiencies during wiring installations.

Innovation Solution

An electrical installation accessory featuring two connectors with visual indicator means, such as different colors or markings, connected to a tubular body part, allowing for easy differentiation between the connectors and thus identifying the correct pipe ends.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple electrical installation pipes are encased in a building element with connectors of the same appearance, then the installation structure remains simple and uniform, but it becomes difficult to identify which pipe end leads to which installation box, slowing down the installation work

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of identificationVSAvoidconnector complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies color coding to the electrical installation pipe connectors, where different colors or color combinations indicate different pipe functions or destinations. This allows installers to quickly identify which pipe end connects to which installation box without adding complex identification systems, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of identification and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local differentiation by applying visual indicators (colors, markings) only to specific parts of the connectors that need identification, rather than making the entire connector complex. This localized approach provides the necessary identification capability while maintaining overall connector simplicity and uniformity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If visual indicator means are added to electrical installation pipe connectors to enable differentiation, then the identification of pipe ends is facilitated, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation efficiencyVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses color coding as the visual indicator system, which can be implemented through standard plastic coloring processes during manufacturing. This approach significantly improves installation efficiency by enabling quick pipe identification while maintaining manufacturing simplicity, as color addition is a routine process in plastic connector production

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs cost-effective visual indicators such as colored plastic components or printed markings that are inexpensive to produce. These indicators provide the necessary identification functionality without significantly increasing manufacturing costs, allowing for high installation efficiency gains at minimal additional production expense

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP3890133A1Electrical installation accessory, use and method for producing thereof
Publication Date: 2021.10.06 ABB (SCHWEIZ) AG
  • EP3890133A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3890133A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3890133A1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

An electrical installation accessory, comprising a tubular body part (10), a first electrical installation pipe connector (20A) having a first end (21A) and a second end (22A) and connected to a first end of the tubular body part, and a second electrical installation pipe connector (20B) having a first end (21B) and a second end (22B) and connected to the second end of the tubular body part, wherein the second end (22A) of the first electrical installation pipe connector (20A) and the second end (22B) of the second electrical installation pipe connector (20B) are configured to be connected to electrical installation pipes of the same diameter size, and wherein the first electrical installation pipe connector (20A) and/or the second electrical installation pipe connector (20B) comprise visual indicator means configured to make the first electrical installation pipe connector and the second electrical installation pipe connector visually distinguishable from one another.