Insider Fitting for Flexible Metal Conduit Internal Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional electrical fittings require disrupting and repairing the surrounding wall to connect flexible metal conduit to an electrical box, making them unsuitable for old work situations due to extensive wall damage and time-consuming repairs.
Innovation Solution
An electrical insider fitting that secures to the inside wall of an electrical box, using a snap ring and discontinuous thread portions to connect and ground flexible metal conduit without external wall disruption, allowing for internal conduit attachment and electrical connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional electrical fittings are used to connect flexible metal conduit to an electrical box, then secure electrical connection is achieved, but the surrounding wall must be removed and repaired causing extended installation time and wall disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting is inverted from the conventional external attachment method to an internal insertion method. The fitting is inserted through the electrical box from the interior side, with the nose portion extending through the outer wall to engage the flexible metal conduit. This reversal eliminates the need to access the exterior wall surface for installation while maintaining secure electrical connection through the same grounding and threading mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting is nested within the electrical box structure, with the tubular body positioned inside the box and the nose portion extending outward. The snap ring is nested within the fitting structure, engaging with the box wall from the interior. This nesting approach allows the fitting to be installed from within the box without requiring exterior wall access or disruption.
2Reliability
If conventional electrical fittings are used to connect flexible metal conduit to an electrical box, then secure electrical connection is achieved, but extensive wall disruption and subsequent repairs are required
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the installation approach from external to internal, the fitting accesses the electrical box through the existing opening rather than requiring new holes or damage to the wall surface. The nose portion extends through the existing outer wall opening to engage the conduit, eliminating the need for drywall removal and subsequent repair work.
Solution Approach 2:
The installation process extracts the fitting installation from the wall surface entirely. Instead of attaching to the exterior wall where drywall would need to be removed, the fitting is installed from the interior side of the electrical box, taking the installation action out of the wall disruption context and placing it within the protected interior space.
3Ease of operation
If conventional electrical fittings attached to the exterior wall are used, then flexible metal conduit can be connected, but drywall must be removed and replaced causing extended time for wall repair
Solution Approach 1:
The fitting installation is inverted from exterior to interior access. The tubular body is inserted through the electrical box from the interior, with the nose portion extending through the outer wall to engage the conduit. This eliminates wall repair needs entirely while maintaining ease of conduit connection through the same threading and grounding mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The fitting design allows the installer to complete both the electrical connection and the wall opening closure in a single operation. As the fitting is installed from the interior and the nose portion engages the conduit through the existing opening, the drywall or wall surface can be immediately restored without requiring separate repair steps, making the installation self-sufficient regarding wall restoration.
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 secure and efficient connection of flexible metal conduit to an electrical box without damaging the surrounding wall, reducing installation time and repair costs while ensuring proper grounding and electrical supply.
Implementation Method 1
A resilient split snap ring is adapted to fit onto the seat. The snap ring enables snap connection of the fitting to the interior wall of an electrical box
Implementation Method 2
Discontinuous thread portions on the nose are adapted to grab and hold a flexible metal conduit to the box
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical insider fitting for connecting flexible metal conduit to an electrical box without disrupting the walls surrounding the box. The fitting includes a connector body with a leading end, a trailing end, and a nose portion. A resilient split snap ring on the fitting enables snap connection of the fitting to the interior wall of an electrical box. Discontinuous threads on the nose portion are adapted to grab and hold a flexible metal conduit to the box. Conductors from the attached flexible metal conduit feed through the interior bores of the fitting to the interior of the electrical box enabling an installer to complete electrical connections in order to supply voltage to any components within the box.