Conduit Body Guide Surface for Wire Bend Radius
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conduit bodies require sharp bends in wires to change direction, which can adversely affect wire performance, especially for data and fiber optic cables, and complicate the pulling process due to obstructions and reduced interior capacity.
Innovation Solution
A conduit body design featuring annular hubs with radially inwardly extending guide surfaces that facilitate a larger bend radius and smooth wire passage, allowing for 90° changes in direction without sharp bends and internal obstructions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional conduit bodies are used to effect 90° turns in wires, then direction change is achieved, but sharp bends are required which adversely affect wire performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs curved surfaces throughout the conduit body design, including a curved bottom surface and curved transition surfaces between hubs. These curved surfaces guide the wire through smooth arcs rather than sharp angles, maintaining the required bend radius and preventing damage to the wire while still achieving the 90° directional change.
2Ease of operation
If inserts are added to conduit bodies to support wire passage, then wire movement is facilitated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the wire guidance function directly into the conduit body structure itself. The curved bottom surface and hub transition surfaces are formed as integral parts of the conduit body, eliminating the need for separate inserts or support components. This merging of functions maintains ease of wire passage while avoiding increased device complexity.
3Reliability
If inwardly projecting bumps are added to maintain bend radius, then wire performance is protected, but interior capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curved surfaces and bend radius maintenance features only at specific locations where wires need guidance - namely at the hub transitions and along the bottom surface. The majority of the conduit body interior remains open and unobstructed, preserving maximum usable capacity while still protecting wire performance at critical points.
4Shape
If inwardly extending projections are used to force bend radius, then desirable change in direction is achieved, but wire pulling is obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses smooth curved surfaces instead of protruding bumps or projections. The curved bottom surface and hub transition surfaces create a continuous smooth path that guides the wire through the bend without creating obstructions. This allows the wire to be pulled through easily while still maintaining the required bend radius for performance protection.
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit body provides for the accommodation of wire extending therethrough. The conduit body includes a body wall having an elongate side wall, a bottom wall and an open end defining a body interior. At least one hub extends from the body wall in communication with the body interior. The hub includes a hub wall defining an access channel for passage of wire therethrough. The hub wall includes a guide surface outwardly of the body wall and protruding into the channel for maintaining a bend radius of the wire passing from the body interior through the channel.