Cable entry through strain relief guide
By designing wire guide components, including sealing covers, seals and strain relief guides, the problem of stress application caused by sharp bends of cables is solved, effective sealing of cables and preventing contaminants is achieved, and the reliability of electrical devices is improved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202380060575.X
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-07-21
- Filing Date
- 2023-07-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-03-28
AI Technical Summary
Prior art When a cable enters the electrical device housing, sharp bends cause stress to be applied to the cable, which may cause the cable to pull away from the sealing element of the guide, losing the sealing effect, thereby allowing contaminants to enter.
A wire guide assembly is designed, including a sealing cover, a seal and a strain relief guide. The sealing cover and seal are aligned by a defined opening, the seal is mounted on the surface of the sealing cover, and the strain relief guide is mounted on the opposite side of the sealing cover, aligned with the opening of the sealing cover to eliminate strain on the cable.
By reducing the strain of the cable, the effective sealing of the seal is ensured, pollutants are prevented from entering the electrical device housing, and the reliability and life of the system are improved.
Smart Images
Figure CN119731895A_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to electrical conductor or cable handling systems and, more particularly, to through-cable guides and cable seals. Background Art
[0002] In order to achieve reliable operation of the electrical system, it is generally desirable to seal the associated electrical components to protect them from the harsh operating environment. As a non-limiting example, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular as their practicality and usability increase. Such performance improvements for personal and commercial applications require continuous optimization to obtain maximum performance and reliability. A key aspect of EV performance includes the ability to charge the EV's battery as quickly and consistently as possible. In this way, it is desirable to minimize any degradation in charging performance during the life of the vehicle.
[0003] Charging performance may be negatively impacted by any number of factors, including water, dirt, and other debris that contaminates and / or degrades the electrical terminals or contacts of the vehicle's charging inlet or receptacle housing. Therefore, it is desirable to prevent contaminants from entering the inlet. Furthermore, wires or cables routed in and around these devices are often subject to space constraints. Therefore, it may be desirable to implement tightly curved routing paths immediately before and / or after the cables enter the inlet housing.
[0004] According to the prior art, through-cable guides can be used to guide and seal cables as they enter the housing of an electronic device (such as the charging inlet of an EV). However, the presence of sharp bends in the cable before and / or after entering the housing typically results in stress or strain being applied to the cable. This can cause the cable to pull away from the sealing surface of the sealing element of the guide (e.g., gland or sidewall) or cause the guide to deflect from the sealing surface of the housing, thereby preventing its ability to provide an effective seal.
[0005] Therefore, there is a need for improved systems and methods for preventing contaminants from entering electrical device housings. Summary of the invention
[0006] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a wire guide assembly includes a sealing cover having at least one cover opening defined therethrough and at least one fixing element. A seal is mounted to a surface of the sealing cover and defines at least one sealing opening that is aligned in an axial direction with the at least one cover opening. A strain relief guide of the assembly is sized to be mounted to a side of the seal opposite the sealing cover and defines at least one guide opening that is aligned in an axial direction with the at least one sealing opening and the at least one cover opening. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0008] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a charging inlet assembly that may be used to describe an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0009] Figure 2A is an exploded view of a cable strain relief guide according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Another exploded view of a cable strain relief guide;
[0011] Figure 2C It is in assembled state Figure 2A and Figure 2B A perspective view of a strain relief guide;
[0012] Figure 3 yes Figure 2C A cross-sectional view of a strain relief guide in an installed state on a charging inlet;
[0013] Figure 4 A device in which wires or cables are installed Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of a strain relief guide;
[0014] Figure 5 is an exploded view of a strain relief guide according to another embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0015] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of the strain relief guide in an installed state on the charging inlet; and
[0016] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a strain relief guide according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Overall reference Figure 1, an embodiment of the present disclosure for use with an exemplary charging inlet 10, such as a charging inlet for charging an electric vehicle, will be described. The inlet 10 includes a multi-part body or housing 12 adapted to receive a charging plug in its inlet receptacle 14. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the inlet receptacle 14 includes at least one conductive charging terminal adapted to engage with a corresponding terminal of the charging plug. The inlet 10 also includes at least one opening 16 adapted to receive one or more wires or cables passing through the at least one opening for electrically connecting the conductive components of the inlet to an external electrical device. In the illustrated embodiment, a seal 18 may be disposed between the opening 16 and a removable cover or cap 20. More specifically, the seal 18 may be disposed within the cover 20 for maintaining the seal relative to the body 12 of the inlet 10. The seal 18 includes a plurality of holes 19 defined through the seal for receiving corresponding wires of a multi-conductor cable in a sealed manner. However, as described above, insufficient strain relief provided for cables passing through the seal 16 generally prevents a reliable seal from being established between the holes 19 and the wires of the cable or between the outer surface of the seal and the inner surface of the opening 16.
[0018] See in general Figure 2A-2C , embodiments of the present disclosure include an improved wire guide assembly 100. Assembly 100 includes a sealing cover 110 having a generally cylindrical central body 111 defining at least one cover opening 112. The cover opening(s) 112 extend through the body 111 and are sized to receive a wire or cable passing through the cover opening. At least one fixing element 115 is integrally formed with the body 111 for fixing the sealing cover 110 to a mating component, such as a Figure 1 The main body 12 of the charging inlet 10. See also Figure 3 and Figure 4 In an exemplary embodiment, the fixing element(s) 115 include latches that are sized and positioned to engage with corresponding snaps formed on a mating component. Each fixing element 115 extends integrally from a rear end of the body 111 and defines a free end positioned proximate a front end of the body.
[0019] The assembly 100 also includes a seal 120 that is sized to fit to or abut against a face 113 of the sealing cover 110. The seal 120 may be formed of an elastic polymer material and defines at least one sealing opening 122 extending through the seal. In an exemplary embodiment, a plurality of sealing openings 122 are provided and aligned with a respective one of the plurality of cover openings 112 in an axial direction of the assembly 100 (i.e., an insertion direction of a cable or wire to be inserted through the assembly). The seal 120 also includes a ribbed outer surface that includes a plurality of circumferential ribs 121. The ribs 121 are adapted to form a seal between the seal 120 and a corresponding inner surface (e.g., a cylindrical hole) defined in a mating component.
[0020] Still reference Figure 2A-2C , the assembly 100 includes a strain relief guide 130 that is sized to fit into or abut a side of the seal 120 opposite the seal cover 110. The strain relief guide 130 includes a generally cylindrical body 131 that defines at least one guide opening 132, or in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of guide openings 132 that are aligned in an axial direction with the plurality of seal openings 122 and the cover opening 112. The strain relief guide 130 may also include an alignment feature or protrusion 136 extending from an end thereof opposite the seal 120. The alignment feature 136 is operable to engage with a complementary recess defined in a mating component (e.g., the body 12 of the charging inlet 10) to secure the orientation of the assembly 100 relative thereto in its installed state. A flange 138 may be formed circumferentially around the strain relief guide 130 to limit the insertion depth of the assembly 100 into the mating component, such as Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The flange 138 may be keyed or formed discontinuously around its circumference. In this manner, the flange 138 may more securely engage with a secondary seal 139 disposed within the opening or hole of the inlet body 12.
[0021] like Figure 2A and 2B As shown, the sealing cover 110 also includes a plurality of retaining or alignment protrusions 114 extending in the axial direction from the first face 113 thereof. In the exemplary embodiment, the retaining protrusions 114 are uniformly cylindrical in shape. Similarly, the sealing member 120 defines a plurality of correspondingly shaped retaining openings 124 aligned with the plurality of retaining protrusions 114. Figure 2C In the assembled state shown, the retaining projection 114 is received in the retaining opening 124, fixing the position of the seal 120 relative to the cover 110 and preventing it from rotating during use. Figure 2BAs shown, the strain relief guide 130 may include a plurality of retention or alignment projections 134 received within corresponding ones of the retention openings 124 of the seal 120. In some embodiments, the same retention opening 124 may receive the retention projections 114, 134 of both the seal cap 110 and the strain relief guide 130.
[0022] Reference again Figure 3 and Figure 4 , the assembly 100 is shown in an installed position and secured to the inlet body 12, or an exemplary mating component housing. As shown, two securing elements or latches 115 of the sealing cover 110 receive corresponding snaps 15 of the body 12. With the assembly secured to the inlet body 12, the sealing cover 110 and the seal 120 apply seating pressure in the axial direction on the strain relief guide 130. The corresponding axial compression of the seal 120 may cause it to expand radially, thereby pushing its sealing ribs 121 into the inner sealing surface of the opening 16 of the inlet body 12.
[0023] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the sealing openings 122 each include a varying diameter that moves in an axial direction. More specifically, each sealing opening 122 can include a plurality of internal sealing ribs 124, each rib being sized to sealingly engage with the outer insulation of the wire 30 passing through the internal sealing rib. In one embodiment, at least three sealing ribs 124 are formed within each sealing opening 122. The diameter of the sealing opening 122 widens on each side of each sealing rib 124. At least in the area where the cover and strain relief guide abut the seal in the assembled state, the diameter of each sealing opening 122 at the respective ends of the seal 120 corresponds to the diameter of each opening 112, 134 of the cover 110 and the strain relief guide 130. In this way, the wire 30 is allowed to pass more freely therethrough. In addition, the sealing cover 110 and the guide 130 and their respective openings 112, 132 provide strain relief to either side of a cable or wire inserted through the assembly 100, such as Figure 4 In this way, excessive strain on the wire 30 and the seal 120 is prevented. By reducing the strain or tension on the seal 120, its deformation is reduced, and a watertight seal can be more reliably ensured.
[0024] Reference now Figure 5 and Figure 6 According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the sealing cover 210 includes a plurality of hollow columns 218 extending from each of the plurality of cover openings 212 in the direction of the seal 120. Figure 6As shown, in the assembled state, the posts 218 partially extend through the corresponding sealing openings 122 of the seal 120. Preferably, at least one sealing rib 124 of the seal 120 remains exposed by the cover 210 in the assembled state. In this way, the wire inserted through the posts 218 can still be directly sealed with the seal 120. The remaining sealing ribs 124 of each sealing opening 122 engage the outer surface of each post 218. Figure 5 and Figure 6 Embodiments of the invention may be advantageous because the presence of post 218 allows cables or wires (e.g., Figure 4 The illustrated wire 30) is inserted more easily through each opening 122 of the seal 120. Likewise, the post 218 provides additional strain relief for each of the wires inserted therethrough, thereby limiting any deflection of the seal 120 and further improving the sealing properties of the resulting assembly.
[0025] Reference now Figure 7 , a seal 220 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure includes an internal waterproof member 224 temporarily blocking each seal opening 222. More specifically, each seal opening 222 may initially be discontinuous in the axial direction or in the insertion direction of the wire or cable, wherein the waterproof member 224 blocks the corresponding seal opening 222. By a force applied to the waterproof member 224 by the cable or wire, or by a waterproof member having Figure 5 and Figure 6 By inserting the cover of the protruding post 218 of the embodiment, the waterproof member 224 can be broken and allow the wires or cables to pass through the (multiple) openings 222 in a sealed manner. The waterproof member 224 can be formed by a molding process in conjunction with the formation of the rest of the seal 220.
[0026] It should be understood that unless otherwise stated, Figure 5-7 Embodiments of the invention are shared with Figure 2A-4 There are many additional features similar to those described in the embodiments of the present invention. However, for the sake of brevity, detailed descriptions of these features are omitted herein.
Claims
1. A wire guide assembly (100), comprising: A sealing cover (110) comprising at least one cover wire opening (112) defined through the sealing cover (110) and sized to receive at least one wire (130); a strain relief guide (130) defining at least one guide wire opening (132) aligned with the at least one cover opening (112) in an axial direction of the assembly and sized to receive the at least one wire (30); and A seal (120) is disposed between the sealing cover (110) and the strain relief guide (130) and defines at least one sealed wire opening (122) through the seal, the at least one sealed wire opening (122) being aligned with the at least one cover opening (112) and the at least one guide opening (132) in the axial direction and being sized to form a seal with the at least one wire (30) inserted through the at least one sealed wire opening.
2. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the sealing cover (110) defines a plurality of retaining protrusions (114) extending along the axial direction.
3. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 2, wherein the seal (120) defines a plurality of retaining openings (124) that receive the retaining protrusions (114) and secure the seal (120) to the seal cover (110).
4. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 3, wherein the strain relief guide (130) includes a plurality of retaining protrusions (134) that are received within the plurality of retaining openings (124) of the seal (120) and secure the strain relief guide (130) to the seal (120).
5. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one sealed wire opening (122) comprises a diameter that varies along the axial direction.
6. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 5, wherein the at least one sealed wire opening (122) defines a plurality of internal sealing ribs (124), each rib (124) being sized to form a seal with an outer insulation of a wire (30) passing through the rib.
7. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 6, wherein the sealing cover (110) includes at least one guide post (218), the at least one guide post (218) being coaxially aligned with the at least one cover wire opening (112) and extending into the at least one sealed wire opening (122), the at least one guide post (218) engaging a portion of the plurality of internal sealing ribs (124) of the corresponding sealed wire opening (122).
8. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the seal (120) comprises a ribbed circumferential outer sealing surface (121).
9. The wire guide assembly (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one sealed wire opening (122) is closed in the axial direction via a waterproof member (224).
10. An electrical component comprising: An electrical device (10) having a body (12) defining a wire opening (16); A wire guide assembly (100) is at least partially insertable into the wire opening (16) and comprises: a cover (110) selectively securable to the body and defining a wire opening (112) sized to receive a wire (30); a guide (130) having a wire opening (132) sized to receive the wire (30); and A seal (120) is disposed between the cover (110) and the guide (130) and defines a wire opening (122) sized to receive the wire (30).
11. The electrical assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover (110) and the guide (130) are fixedly attached to the seal (120).
12. The electrical assembly of claim 10, wherein the cover (110) includes a hollow guide post (218) coaxially aligned with a wire opening (112) of the cover (110) and extending into the wire opening (122) of the seal (120).
13. A charging inlet (10) for an electric vehicle, comprising: A body (12) for receiving at least one conductive terminal, the body (12) comprising at least one inlet opening (16); a wire (30) inserted through the entry opening (16) of the body (12); and A wire guide assembly (100) receives the wire (30) and is inserted through the entry opening (16) of the body (12), the wire guide assembly comprising: A sealing cover (110) comprising a cover wire opening (112) defined through the sealing cover, the cover wire opening (112) receiving the wire (30); a strain relief guide (130) defining a guide wire opening (132) aligned with the cover opening (112) and receiving the wire (30); and A seal (120) is arranged between the sealing cover (120) and the strain relief guide (130) and defines a sealed wire opening (122) aligned with the cover opening (112) and the guide opening (132) in the axial direction, the sealed opening (122) receiving the wire (30) and forming a seal with the wire.
14. The charging inlet (10) of claim 13, wherein the sealed wire opening (122) defines a plurality of internal sealing ribs (124), each rib (124) being sized to form a seal with an outer insulation of the wire (30) passing through the rib.
15. The charging inlet (10) of claim 13, wherein the strain relief guide (130) includes an alignment protrusion (136) extending from an end thereof opposite the seal (120) and engaging the body (12) to fix an axial position of the wire guide assembly (100).