Inverted Grounding Conductor for Rigid Metal Conduit Bushings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional grounding bushings for rigid metal conduits require excessive force and manipulation to connect grounding wires, as the grounding connectors are typically mounted on the outer peripheral surface, making it difficult and inconvenient to secure grounding wires contained within the conduit.
Innovation Solution
A conduit bushing with a grounding conductor assembly extending inwardly from the bushing, positioned coaxially with the conduit's inside diameter, allowing easy access and secure mounting of grounding wires without the need for extensive effort or twisting, featuring a threaded connection and a plastic ring for wire protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the grounding connector is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the conduit bushing, then the grounding connector is easily accessible for external grounding wires, but substantial force and manipulation are required to connect grounding wires contained within the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding connector is inverted from its conventional position on the outer peripheral surface to an inwardly extending position on the inner peripheral surface of the conduit bushing. This inversion allows the grounding wire to be connected in the opposite direction - pulling outwardly from the conduit rather than pushing inwardly - thereby eliminating the need for substantial force and manipulation while maintaining ease of operation.
2Ease of manufacture
If the grounding connector is mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the conduit bushing, then external grounding connections are straightforward, but grounding wires contained within the conduit require excessive manipulation and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
By inverting the grounding connector orientation from outward-extending to inward-extending, the patent simplifies the installation process for grounding wires contained within the conduit. The wire can be directly pulled out and connected without complex twisting or manipulation, reducing both installation complexity and device complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional conduit bushings are used with grounding connectors on the outer surface, then external grounding is easy, but installers experience substantial inconvenience when grounding wires are inside the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The inverted grounding connector design provides adaptability to different grounding configurations by accommodating grounding wires contained within the conduit, which is the more common installation scenario. This inversion significantly improves ease of operation by allowing installers to simply pull the grounding wire outwardly and connect it, eliminating substantial inconvenience while maintaining versatility for various grounding applications.
Data Source
AI summary
By providing a grounding conductor assembly affixed to a conduit bushing in a manner which enables the grounding conductor assembly to extend inwardly from the bushing, effectively being positioned coaxially with the inside diameter of the rigid metal conduit, conduit bushing is realized which enables all grounding wires to be quickly and easily mounted to the grounding conductor assembly. The conduit bushing of the present invention includes a generally circular shaped cover or cap member mounted to the terminating end of the conduit and incorporating an enlarged aperture which overlies the elongated passageway formed in the conduit. In this way, the electrical power carrying wires are able to extend outwardly from the rigid metal conduit into the desired outlet box, junction box with the grounding wire being quickly affixed to the receiving zone of the grounding connector assembly.