Corrugated Pipe Joint With External Ground Contact Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe joints that connect corrugated metallic pipes with a conductive layer face challenges in confirming external contact and securing a sufficient contact area for large current flow due to limited internal space, making it difficult to effectively ground the conductive layer and prevent damage from induction lightning.
Innovation Solution
A pipe joint design featuring a conductive member with a part exposed outside to confirm contact with the conductive layer and a projection for enhanced contact, allowing easier verification and larger contact area, facilitating easier current flow by engaging the conductive member with both the housing and outer edge of the pipe.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the conductive layer is brought into the inner portion of the pipe joint for grounding, then the ground path is secured, but it becomes impossible to confirm from the outside whether the conductive layer is actually in contact with the pipe joint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contact confirmation function from the internal contact interface and places it on the external surface of the pipe joint. The conductive layer is made to contact an external surface of the pipe joint body, allowing visual or physical confirmation of contact from the outside while maintaining the grounding function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a conductive member as an intermediary element that facilitates both the electrical contact between the conductive layer and pipe joint, and the external visibility of this contact. The conductive member serves as a mediator that connects the grounding function with the confirmation function.
2Reliability
If the conductive layer is contacted inside the pipe joint, then the grounding connection is made, but the limited internal space makes it difficult to sufficiently secure a contact area for large current flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the contact interface from the internal three-dimensional space to the external surface of the pipe joint. This dimensional transition allows the contact area to expand along the external surface, providing sufficient area for large current flow while maintaining the grounding connection.
3Productivity
If the contact area between conductive layer and pipe joint is increased, then large current can flow more easily, but the internal space of the pipe joint becomes insufficient to accommodate the larger contact structure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contact area expansion requirement from the internal volume constraint and relocates it to the external surface. This allows the contact area to be increased without consuming internal space, enabling large current flow capability while maintaining compact internal dimensions.
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
Enables external confirmation of contact and secure large current flow, reducing the risk of damage from induction lightning by ensuring a sufficient contact area and minimizing contact deterioration, thus effectively grounding the corrugated pipe.
Implementation Method 1
a conductive member (330) that includes a first part (331) in contact at least partially with the housing part (320) and a second part (332) exposed to an outside of the housing part (320) to be in contact with the conductive layer (230)
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe joint connecting a first pipe having conductivity and being grounded and a second pipe including a corrugated metallic pipe member and a conductive layer having lower electric resistance than metal forming the pipe member and covering the pipe member, the pipe joint including a connection part that has conductivity and is connected to the first pipe, a housing part that has conductivity, is engaged with the connection part, and houses the second pipe inside the housing part by insertion of the second pipe along an axis direction of the second pipe, and a conductive member that includes a first part in contact at least partially with the housing part and a second part exposed to an outside of the housing part to be in contact with the conductive layer.