Conduit Connector Assembly Pre-Assembly Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing conduit connector assemblies for armored cables do not allow pre-assembly with the electrical conduit before installation into an electrical box, leading to complex and error-prone site assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A conduit connector assembly comprising a body, a grommet, and a spring clip that can be pre-assembled with the conduit, featuring a latch mechanism to securely attach the conduit to the body and the electrical box, ensuring easy and efficient installation by applying a gripping force to the conduit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conduit connectors are designed with spring clips that couple armor cable to the body during installation, then the connector can be securely attached to the electrical box, but the armor cable cannot be attached to the body before installation into the electrical box
Solution Approach 1:
The connector body is divided into two functional sections: an internal cavity that receives and secures the conduit body, and an external coupling mechanism (spring clip with latch) that attaches to the electrical box. This segmentation allows the conduit body to be pre-assembled and secured within the connector before the entire assembly is installed into the electrical box, resolving the contradiction between secure attachment and pre-assembly capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform the action of securing the conduit body in advance. The internal cavity with retaining features is prepared beforehand to receive and hold the conduit body securely. This preliminary configuration allows workers to assemble the conduit body into the connector at the supply house or before installation, rather than having to complete all assembly steps at the installation site.
2Ease of manufacture
If conduit connectors require assembly at the work site, then all components can be properly installed, but the assembly process becomes complex and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to perform the action of securing the conduit body in advance. The internal cavity with retaining features is prepared beforehand to receive and hold the conduit body securely. This preliminary configuration allows workers to assemble the conduit body into the connector at the supply house or before installation, rather than having to complete all assembly steps at the installation site.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges the conduit body reception function and the electrical box coupling function into a single integrated connector assembly. The spring clip simultaneously performs both securing the conduit body and coupling to the electrical box, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing complexity at the work site.
3Ease of operation
If multiple components are assembled at the work site, then all parts can be installed, but part loss and assembly errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the conduit body reception function and the electrical box coupling function into a single integrated connector assembly. The spring clip simultaneously performs both securing the conduit body and coupling to the electrical box, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and reducing complexity at the work site.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed to perform the action of securing the conduit body in advance. The internal cavity with retaining features is prepared beforehand to receive and hold the conduit body securely. This preliminary configuration allows workers to assemble the conduit body into the connector at the supply house or before installation, rather than having to complete all assembly steps at the installation site.
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 solution enables simplified and error-free assembly of conduits to electrical boxes by allowing pre-assembly of the connector assembly with the conduit, reducing site assembly complexity and part loss, while ensuring secure attachment to the electrical box.
Implementation Method 1
a spring clip coupled to a body member and having a first end that is able to engage the outer surface of the conduit to retain the conduit in the axial passage of the body
Implementation Method 2
The spring clip is also provided with a latch mechanism to connect with the body under the tension of the spring clip
Data Source
AI summary
A conduit connector assembly which receives an end of a conduit carrying electrical wires includes a body, a grommet and a spring clip. The grommet and the spring clip are each mounted to the body. The spring clip is disposed within an interior bore of the fitting body and has a resiliently flexible body and a leg having a gripping end portion. The grip end has a substantially scalloped configuration for gripping and fitting partially about the conduit so as to center the grip end of the spring clip body on the conduit. The spring clip also includes a latching member to couple with the body to hold the spring clip in position and apply a biasing tension of the gripping end of the leg against the conduit. The grip end having the scalloped configuration is in the form of an arcuate concave-shaped edge surface on the gripping end portion of the body. The grip end of the spring clip body makes line contact with an inner convolution on an exterior of the conduit and makes at least a single point contact with an outer convolution on the exterior of the conduit. The grip end may be disposed at a predetermined angle for matching a predetermined pitch angle of the convolutions on the exterior of the conduit and thereby make line contact with the inner convolution on the exterior of the conduit and make a pair of point contacts with the outer convolution on the exterior of the conduit.