Pulling Eyes with Integrated Wiring Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wire and cable installation methods are labor-intensive and prone to errors, particularly in configuring pulling heads, which can lead to reduced maximum pulling tension and increased risk of damage to conduits and equipment.

Innovation Solution

Integrated systems that include pre-lubed insulated conductors, color-coded conductors, armored cables with pulling eyes attached at the factory, and a configuration and ordering tool that facilitates customized wire and cable installations, reducing the need for on-site configuration and minimizing manual labor.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional wire and cable installation methods are used with manual configuration of pulling heads, then flexibility in customization is maintained, but labor intensity increases and errors are more frequent

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of installationVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-attaching pulling eyes to conductors at the factory before delivery to the job site. This eliminates the need for on-site configuration of pulling heads, reducing labor intensity and errors while maintaining customization flexibility through the configuration and ordering tool that allows customers to specify their requirements in advance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If pulling eyes are attached at the factory, then installation time is reduced and consistency is improved, but adaptability to specific job site requirements may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidcustomization flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration and ordering tool enables customers to specify their exact requirements (conductor types, colors, lengths, pulling eye configurations) before manufacturing. This preliminary specification process maintains adaptability while enabling factory pre-attachment of pulling eyes, thus improving installation speed without sacrificing customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration and ordering tool provides a feedback mechanism where customer requirements are captured, processed, and used to guide the manufacturing process. This ensures that pre-configured systems are adapted to specific job site requirements while still benefiting from factory pre-attachment efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If manual configuration of pulling heads is performed on-site, then immediate adaptability to specific pulls is achieved, but labor costs and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveon-site customizationVSAvoidinstallation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By moving the configuration and attachment process to the factory through the configuration and ordering tool, the system achieves adaptability to specific pulls in advance rather than on-site. This eliminates time-consuming manual configuration at the job site while maintaining the ability to customize according to specific requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If inconsistent pulling head configurations are used, then flexibility in handling different scenarios is maintained, but reliability and consistency of installation quality decrease

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoidinstallation consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies homogeneity by standardizing the pulling eye attachment process at the factory, ensuring consistent quality and configuration across all conductors. The configuration and ordering tool maintains adaptability by allowing customization of specifications while ensuring that once configured, all installations follow the same standardized process, improving reliability and consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

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 integrated systems enhance pulling tension capacity, reduce installation time and costs, and minimize conduit damage by standardizing connections and distributing pulling forces evenly across all conductors, thereby improving efficiency and safety.

Implementation Method 1

pre-lubed insulated conductors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentUS11611200B2Integrated systems facilitating wire and cable installations

Publication Date: 2023.03.21 SOUTHWIRE CO LLC

AI summary

Pulling eyes are provided with integrated wiring systems suitable for installing conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may include body portions that define interior cavities that are sized to snugly engage outside portions of the conductors or cables. The body portions are sized to be deformably crimped onto the outside portions of the conductors or cables. The pulling eyes may also include head portions joined to the body portions, with the head portions defining apertures for receiving a strength member for installing the conductors or cables. These apertures place the interior cavities in communication with the exteriors of the pulling eyes.