Telescoping Coupler Assembly with Spring-Loaded Grounding Ring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telescoping coupler assemblies for electrical metal tubes suffer from diminished electrical grounding and moisture ingress due to insufficient contact between moving tubes and coupler bodies, leading to poor sealing and grounding over time.
Innovation Solution
A telescoping coupler assembly with a coupler body featuring a grounding ring, wire mesh grounding strap, and internal cantered spring, along with a cam or ramp for improved sealing, ensures optimal electrical grounding and moisture-proofing throughout the telescoping movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a telescoping coupler assembly allows free sliding movement between the electric metal tube and coupler body, then the telescoping function is achieved, but the electrical grounding effect is substantially diminished due to insufficient contact between complementary surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
A grounding ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the electric metal tube and the coupler body. The grounding ring maintains continuous electrical contact with both the tube and the coupler body through spring-loaded arms, ensuring reliable grounding even when the tube slides telescopically. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated grounding path that is not dependent on the sliding contact surfaces.
2Length of moving object
If tolerance is increased to permit desired telescoping movement, then the telescoping range is improved, but the contact between complementary surfaces is reduced leading to poor grounding
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding ring with spring-loaded arms acts as an intermediary that maintains electrical contact independent of the telescoping tolerance. The springs allow the grounding ring to accommodate the movement and tolerance variations while maintaining continuous contact, thus resolving the conflict between telescoping range and grounding reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded arms of the grounding ring change their compression parameter dynamically as the tube telescopes, maintaining optimal contact pressure throughout the range of motion. This parameter change ensures consistent electrical contact despite variations in position and tolerance.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the coupler assembly is designed for sliding movement, then the telescoping capability is achieved, but sealing is compromised over time due to movement and poor contact
Solution Approach 1:
A seal ring is introduced as an intermediary component between the electric metal tube and the coupler body. The seal ring maintains continuous sealing contact with both surfaces through spring-loaded arms, preventing moisture ingress even during telescoping movement. This mediator component resolves the contradiction by providing a dedicated sealing path that is not dependent on the sliding contact surfaces.
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 solution provides reliable electrical grounding and enhanced weather-tight sealing, maintaining effective grounding and preventing moisture ingress even during telescoping movements, thus addressing the limitations of existing coupler assemblies.
Implementation Method 1
an internal grounding cantered spring is used
Implementation Method 2
wire mesh grounding strap
Data Source
AI summary
A moisture proof, telescoping coupler assembly for electric metal tubes and threaded rigid pipe with an enhanced grounding arrangement both internally and externally for electrically grounding the telescoping tube to the coupler body, Moisture proof sealing is improved by centering the electric metal tube within the coupler body adjacent the seal preventing possible leaking after securing the electric metal tube to one end. A modified arrangement utilizes a snap fitting retaining ring for securing an electric metal tube to the coupler body to provide for unidirectional insertion of an electric metal tube into the open end of a coupler body in a manner that prohibits unintentional separation of the tube and/or retainer ring from the coupler body.