Flexible Rigid-Conduit Connector for Easier Wire Rework
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing rigid metal conduit systems are inflexible and difficult to modify once installed, while flexible metal conduit systems are costly and complex to rework, and both types lack the ability to easily add or modify electrical wires after installation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible connector for rigid conduit with a metal shaping body that can be reshaped and reformed, allowing multiple adjustments and wire additions, and an integrated channel to pull wire through existing cables, enabling flexible shaping and easy wire modification without requiring extensive rework or replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If rigid metal conduit (RMC) is used to protect electrical wiring, then the conduit provides strong structural protection and stability, but it becomes very difficult to make changes in wire configuration after installation because the rigid metal pipe cannot be easily cut and reworked
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is divided into rigid sections (RMC) and flexible connector sections. The flexible connector acts as a separable component that can be adjusted or replaced without affecting the entire rigid conduit system, enabling wire configuration changes while maintaining overall structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector introduces dynamic adaptability to the otherwise static rigid conduit system. It allows the conduit to be bent and shaped after installation, and can be reconfigured multiple times, transforming the system from completely rigid to partially dynamic while maintaining protection strength.
2Ease of operation
If flexible metal conduit (FMC) or MC cable is used to allow bending around obstacles and easy wire installation, then the installer can bend the cable around various obstacles, but the cost increases due to pre-installed wiring and the complexity increases when rework is needed
Solution Approach 1:
Only the connector portion is made flexible while the main conduit remains rigid. This localized flexibility allows bending around obstacles without requiring the entire cable to be flexible, reducing overall complexity while maintaining the needed adaptability for installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector serves multiple functions: it provides bending flexibility for navigating obstacles, maintains structural protection, and enables future reconfiguration. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate flexible cable assemblies, simplifying the overall system.
3Stability of the object's composition
If rigid metal conduit is installed throughout a building, then the conduit provides stable wire protection, but once the RMC is in place, it is usually very difficult to make changes in the wire configuration
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit system is segmented into stable rigid sections and adaptable flexible connector sections. This segmentation allows the majority of the system to remain stable and fixed, while specific localized sections can be adapted for wire configuration changes without compromising overall system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector allows changes in geometric parameters (bend angle, direction, position) after installation. This parameter adaptability enables wire configuration modifications while the rigid conduit sections maintain their stable structural parameters and protection function.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes a flexible shaping body providing an open pathway to allow a flexible electrical conduit to shape and form into different positions. The device includes a first end of the flexible electrical conduit having a first connectable open pathway for connecting to a first rigid conduit. The device also includes a second end of the flexible electrical conduit having a second connectable open pathway for connecting to a second rigid conduit.