Selectable Conduit Break Points for Damage-Free Length Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conduits are difficult to cut to a desired length in tight spaces without damaging internal wires, and existing cutting techniques require tools and precise positioning, which is often impractical.
Innovation Solution
Selectable length conduits with integrated channels and removable brace members that allow for defined break points, enabling manual adjustment of conduit length without tools by selectively removing the brace members to shear the conduit at predefined locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional conduits are cut using saws or cutting wires in tight spaces, then the conduit can be cut to desired length, but the internal wires may be damaged and precise positioning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit is segmented into modular sections defined by the channel locations. The tube wall is divided into multiple segments by the channels, with brace members positioned at each channel to define discrete cut positions. This segmentation allows the conduit to be divided at predetermined locations without requiring precise positioning during cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The channels and brace members are pre-formed during conduit manufacturing to create predetermined cut locations. The structural integrity is preliminarily designed to fail at specific channels when brace members are removed, eliminating the need for precise positioning during the actual cutting operation.
2Productivity
If cutting tools are used on conventional conduits, then the conduit can be cut, but the tools require space to maneuver and precise positioning
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit structure itself provides the cutting function through its predetermined channels and brace members. When a brace member is removed from a channel, the conduit automatically shears at that location when force is applied, eliminating the need for external cutting tools and their associated positioning requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting function is extracted from external tools and integrated into the conduit structure itself. The channels and brace members form an integrated cutting mechanism that eliminates the need for separate cutting tools, thereby removing the space and positioning constraints associated with tool operation.
3Ease of operation
If the conduit structure is weakened to enable easy cutting, then cutting becomes simpler, but the conduit loses structural integrity
Solution Approach 1:
The conduit structure transitions from a static strong structure to a dynamic system where the brace members can be selectively removed to change the structural properties. The conduit maintains full strength when brace members are installed, and becomes easily cuttable only when specific brace members are removed at desired cut locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The structural integrity is modified locally at the channel locations rather than throughout the entire conduit. The brace members provide localized reinforcement at predetermined cut positions, allowing the conduit to maintain overall strength while having specific weak points designed for easy cutting when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Selectable length conduits including a tubular body and a brace member. The tubular body has a tube wall with an outer surface. The tube wall defines a channel extending through the tube wall radially from the outer surface towards a longitudinal axis of the tubular body and circumferentially around the tubular body. The channel defines a channel gap between channel sidewalls of the tube wall spaced across the channel. The brace member is disposed in the channel and extends across the channel gap to abut the channel sidewalls. The brace member maintains the structural integrity of the tube wall against shear forces and is selectively removable from the channel. The channel weakens the structural integrity of the tube wall when the brace member is selectively removed from the channel to enable the tube wall to shear at the channel when shear force is selectively applied to the tube wall.