Conduit Attachment with Rotating Spillway for Cable Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conduits for holding cables often lack bend radius control, leading to damage when cables exit at an angle, and existing solutions are difficult to install and remove, especially when positioned elevated relative to the ground.

Innovation Solution

A conduit attachment with a securement device and spillway that provides bend radius control, featuring a hinge for up to 180° rotation and a locking mechanism that can be secured without tools, allowing easy installation and removal, and includes a spillway for supporting cables with curved surfaces to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If cables exit the conduit at an angle without bend radius control, then cable installation is simpler, but cable damage occurs due to sharp edges and lack of support

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable installation simplicityVSAvoidcable damage from sharp edges

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spillway acts as an intermediary component between the conduit and the cables. It provides a curved surface that guides cables from the conduit opening, ensuring proper bend radius control and preventing cable damage from sharp edges while maintaining installation simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spillway incorporates curved surfaces and rounded edges instead of sharp angles. This curvature provides natural bend radius control for cables, protecting them from mechanical damage while allowing straightforward cable routing from the conduit

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If conduit attachment is designed for secure cable support, then cable protection is improved, but installation and removal become difficult especially at elevated positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable protection from damageVSAvoidinstallation and removal ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device incorporates a rotatable collar that can swing into position and lock automatically. This dynamic mechanism allows the attachment to be easily installed by simple rotation and removed by unlocking, eliminating the need for tools even when positioned at elevated locations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment device features self-locking and self-retaining mechanisms that automatically secure the spillway to the conduit upon rotation. The device serves itself by locking into place without requiring external tools or complex assembly procedures, facilitating easy installation and removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If conduit attachment includes rotation capability for positioning, then adaptability to different cable routes is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to different cable routesVSAvoidattachment device structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment device is segmented into distinct functional components: a collar portion for rotation and positioning, a spillway portion for cable support, and integrated locking features. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while maintaining overall simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7740211B2Conduit attachment apparatus

Publication Date: 2010.06.22 PANDUIT CORP

AI summary

A conduit attachment apparatus is secured to an open end of a conduit for holding cables or wires. In one embodiment the conduit attachment apparatus comprises a spillway and a securement collar. The spillway is adapted to provide bend radius control to cables or wires extending out of the conduit. The securement collar is adapted to secure and remove the spillway from the conduit. In another embodiment, the securement collar can be installed without the use of tools and can rotate up to approximately 180° about the spillway.