Rounded Locking Hub Nut for Conduit Wiring Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electrical conduit systems face issues such as wiring damage during installation, loose connections, contamination risks, clumsiness in multipart connectors, and the need for dual-person labor, along with a lack of suitable sockets for locking hub nuts that prevent damage and simplify the process.

Innovation Solution

An electrical conduit socket with an annular ring, planar cover plate, and a locking hub nut designed to minimize wiring damage, featuring arch-shaped recesses, a box-shaped recess, and a channel for universal threading, allowing single-person operation and compatibility with various conduit sizes, made from materials like galvanized steel or die-cast zinc.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional multipart connectors are used, then connections can be made, but wiring is frequently damaged during pulling due to sharp edges on fittings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring damageVSAvoidconnector design

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a smooth, rounded top surface on the locking hub nut before the wiring pulling process occurs. This rounded surface acts as a protective feature that prevents wire damage during installation, eliminating the need for additional protective bushings while maintaining connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by modifying only the specific area where wiring contact occurs (the top surface of the locking hub nut) while maintaining the threaded structure and locking function elsewhere. The top surface is made smooth and rounded locally, while the body retains its structural integrity and threading capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Object-affected harmful factors

If two-person teams are used for wiring installation, then wiring damage is reduced, but labor cost and inefficiency double

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring damageVSAvoidinstallation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by designing the locking hub nut with an integrated smooth top surface that automatically protects wiring during the pulling process. The fitting serves its primary locking function while simultaneously providing wire protection, eliminating the need for additional protective components and enabling single-person installation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the wire protection function with the locking hub nut structure itself. Instead of using separate protective bushings or requiring two-person operation, the rounded top surface of the nut combines both the locking mechanism and wire guidance/protection features into a single component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If snap-in connectors are used, then installation is quick, but electrical connections are loose and allow contaminants to enter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation speedVSAvoidconnection security

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by designing a locking hub nut that works with various conduit types and sizes while providing both secure mechanical locking and contamination protection. The threaded design ensures reliable electrical connection while the smooth top surface prevents contaminant entry, combining multiple functions in a single universal fitting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Object-affected harmful factors

If plastic bushings are used to protect wire, then already installed wire is helped, but they are still sharp enough to damage wire during pulling and are not designed for this purpose

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewiring protectionVSAvoiddesign suitability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies inversion by reversing the conventional approach: instead of adding protective bushings to mitigate damage from sharp fitting edges, the design makes the fitting edge itself (the top surface of the locking hub nut) smooth and rounded. This eliminates the source of the problem rather than attempting to protect against it.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11283251B2Electrical conduit socket for a round-top locking hub nut

Publication Date: 2022.03.22 KIST INC

AI summary

The invention relates to an electrical connector socket configured to work operatively with a locking hub nut having a rounded top sidewall that does not damage the wiring during pulling, frees up manpower by allowing one person rather than two to be able to do the pulling, has a simplified design, and which has universal threading for conduit of all currently approved sizes and materials.