Conduit Device Carbon Nanotube Additive

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cable routing devices made of low-conductivity plastics fail to dissipate electrostatic charges effectively, posing risks in environments like semiconductor and electronic component handling where static discharge can cause damage.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating carbon nanotubes as additives in the plastic material of cable routing devices to enhance electrical conductivity, allowing for efficient dissipation of electrostatic charges, with preferred mixtures including carbon fibers and specific weight percentages for optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional plastic materials are used for cable routing devices, then manufacturing cost and ease of manufacture are improved, but electrical conductivity is insufficient and electrostatic charge cannot be dissipated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic charge dissipationVSAvoidmaterial composition complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining conventional plastic with carbon nanotubes and/or carbon fibers to create a conductive composite material. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the ease of manufacturing plastic components while adding electrical conductivity through the carbon-based additives, enabling electrostatic charge dissipation without significantly complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical conductivity parameter of the plastic material by incorporating carbon nanotubes and/or carbon fibers. This transforms the material from electrically insulating to electrically conductive, enabling electrostatic charge dissipation while maintaining the base plastic's manufacturing advantages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If conductive coatings are applied to plastic surfaces, then electrical conductivity is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing steps increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidcoating process steps
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of applying conductive coatings as a separate step, the patent changes the bulk material parameter by incorporating carbon nanotubes and/or carbon fibers into the plastic itself. This eliminates the need for additional coating processes, reducing device complexity while achieving the desired electrical conductivity for electrostatic charge dissipation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If carbon-based additives are incorporated into plastic material, then electrical conductivity is improved, but material homogeneity and processing difficulty may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductivityVSAvoidmaterial homogeneity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the plastic material composition by incorporating carbon nanotubes and/or carbon fibers as additives. The carbon-based materials distribute throughout the plastic matrix, changing the electrical conductivity parameter while maintaining relatively good material homogeneity and compatibility with existing plastic processing methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 increased conductivity enables effective dissipation of electrostatic charges, making the cable routing devices suitable for use in ESD areas and ensuring the safety of sensitive components during handling and production.

Implementation Method 1

the additive comprises carbon nanotubes... the increased conductivity enables effective dissipation of electrostatic charges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Implementation Method 2

it is necessary to dissipate the electrostatic charge from the cable routing device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic Discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Data Source

PatentEP2329571B1Conduit device and method for producing an element of a conduit device
Publication Date: 2019.10.02 KABELSCHLEPP GESELLSCHAFT MIT BESCHRAENKTER HAFTUNG
  • EP2329571B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2329571B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2329571B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to an element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20) of a conduit device (1) for guiding cables, lines, hoses, and the like between a first (2) and a second connection point (3), the element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20) being composed of a material comprising at least one plastic and one additive, characterized in that the additive includes three-dimensional geometries having dimensions in the nanometer scale, preferably comprising carbon atoms, particularly carbon nanotubes. The element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20) according to the invention of a conduit device, the conduit device (1) according to the invention, and the element (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20) of a conduit device (1) produced in accordance with the invention may be advantageously utilized for dissipating electrostatic charges of the conduit device (1). In this manner, corresponding conduit devices (1) may also be utilized in work environments to be electrostatically secured.