Cable bushing having a separable frame

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable bushing having a separable frame, which comprises at least one lower frame part and a frame cover and which has at least one rectangular chamber for receiving at least one elastic grommet, each chamber being delimited by a base of the lower frame part, the frame cover located opposite and laterally by webs. The cable bushing according to the invention is characterized in that the base, the frame cover and the webs each have, on at least one of the sides thereof, flanges protruding in the direction of the chamber in the running direction of the inserted lines.

Description

[0001] P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / November 11, 2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Cable entry with a divisible frame

[0004] The invention relates to a cable gland with a divisible frame of the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim 1.

[0005] Such feedthroughs for conduits such as cables or hoses are generally known from the prior art. For example, WO 01 / 42046 A2 describes such a conduit feedthrough, which can be used to introduce conduits through a housing opening in the wall of a control cabinet. The conduit feedthrough comprises a split frame in which elastic grommets are inserted for sealing and strain relief of the conduits. The split frame is then closed, for example, via a screw connection, as shown in the aforementioned document, and the grommets are compressed in individual chambers of the split frame. This achieves strain relief and sealing for the conduits. In addition to screwing, other types of closure are of course conceivable. For example, the

[0006] EP 2746634 B1 describes a comparable frame in which the cover can be snapped or clipped onto the frame base. To further increase the variability regarding the fitting of cable grommets, WO 2018 / 096136 A1 describes a design in which at least individual webs of the frame base can be removed and, if necessary, offset perpendicular to the primary orientation of a base of the frame base in order to adapt the chambers to accommodate differently sized elastic grommets.

[0007] As mentioned above, the grommets serve two purposes: firstly, they provide strain relief for the cables, and secondly, they seal both the gap between the cables and the grommets, as well as the gap between the grommets and the frame, thus preventing the ingress of dirt and, in particular, P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0008] 2

[0009] Moisture or water can pass through the cable penetration and thus, for example, enter a control cabinet.

[0010] In practice, it has become apparent in some applications that this type of sealing requires improvement. The object of the present invention is therefore to provide an improved pipe penetration that ensures improved sealing.

[0011] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a cable gland with the features of claim 1, and in particular with the features in the characterizing part of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments are described in the dependent claims.

[0012] In the cable gland according to the invention, the divisible frame, comparable to the frames in the prior art, has at least one rectangular chamber for receiving at least one elastic grommet, wherein the at least one chamber is bounded by a base of the frame lower part, the opposite frame cover, and laterally by webs. These webs can, as in the aforementioned prior art, either be formed integrally with the frame lower part or be designed to be inserted into it.

[0013] According to the invention, the base, the frame cover, and the webs each have flanges projecting towards the chamber on one of their sides in the direction of travel of the inserted pipes. These flanges thus project into the chamber area, preferably on a first side of the frame that will later face the environment. They therefore protrude and additionally cover the actual sealing gap between the nozzle and the frame, thus achieving a supplementary seal similar to a labyrinth seal. Furthermore, the flanges projecting towards the chamber and thus towards the nozzles provide a direct P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0014] 3

[0015] The flanges provide additional protection against water exposure, for example when using a high-pressure cleaner, as is common practice in the food processing industry. Made from the same material as the frame, the flanges are harder than the nozzles and, unlike the nozzles, are not deformed by the high-pressure cleaner jet. This prevents any potential deformation of the nozzles in the area of ​​the sealing gap from affecting it. The flanges thus create an additional sealing effect.

[0016] Furthermore, the flanges significantly stiffen the frame structure, particularly the frame cover and the webs, especially those located within the lower frame section between two chambers. This mechanical reinforcement allows for increased forces when pressing the lower frame section and the frame cover together, resulting in a stronger compression between the frame components and the grommets. This also improves the seal.

[0017] According to the invention, it is therefore provided that the flanges cover a sealing gap between the grommets and the parts of the frame in the direction of travel of the inserted pipes in order to achieve the aforementioned effect.

[0018] In a highly advantageous further development, the flanges run around the entire circumference of each chamber, so that the entire gap between the elastic grommet and the significantly harder frame material is covered by the flange. With multiple grommets in a chamber, the elastic grommets seal against each other through contact. This is considerably less problematic due to the comparatively high elasticity of both components, since both are elastic grommets, thus eliminating the need for an additional flange covering the joint. P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / November 11, 2025

[0019] 4

[0020] According to a very advantageous embodiment of the inventive pipe penetration, the flanges are arranged on a first side in the direction of travel of the inserted pipes, wherein a circumferential seal is injection-molded onto a second opposite side of the frame in the direction of travel of the inserted pipes, which completely surrounds the chambers, and in particular all chambers together, so that the system can be sealed against a material having the opening, for example the wall of a control cabinet, without liquid, dirt or the like getting laterally under the frame being able to enter through the opening.

[0021] According to a further very advantageous embodiment, it is also provided that the circumferentially molded seal additionally surrounds the fastening device, for example stepped bores for receiving screws, for the frame, in order to seal these accordingly in case openings or bores in the wall of the control cabinet are necessary for fastening.

[0022] In addition to fastening to the control cabinet by screws, as described in the aforementioned prior art, fastening by means of a mounting frame screwed tightly to the control cabinet, into which the frame is clipped, for example, would also be conceivable. The applicant's German patent application DE 102020208235 A1 describes such a split clip frame into which a cable gland frame can be inserted. Besides simple screw fastening, any other type of fastening is also conceivable in principle; in this context, reference can be made, purely by way of example, to the applicant's WO 2022 / 171 551 A1, which describes clamping the cover of the frame and fastening via tension hooks that slide along a guide with only two screws. P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0023] 5

[0024] As mentioned above, according to a highly advantageous embodiment, the cable gland can have at least two chambers, which are separated by a web and arranged in the lower part of the frame, each serving to accommodate at least one grommet. In this way, for example, two grommets can be accommodated side by side, or in particular, two grommets stacked one above the other, within the same frame. As illustrated in the aforementioned WO 2018 / 096136 A1, grommets of different sizes can be combined within a frame in virtually any configuration.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment, the frame cover can be connected to at least one frame base via fastening elements. In principle, several frame bases would also be conceivable, all of which could then be combined with the cover to form a larger frame, as described in the aforementioned WO 01 / 42046 A2. As mentioned above, the fastening elements can be screws or similar components. Fastening the frame cover and, if applicable, the multiple frame bases together is also conceivable in principle. Other fastening elements, such as clamping levers or the like, are also known from the prior art.

[0026] The frame itself can preferably be made of fiber-reinforced plastic and manufactured by injection molding. Such a frame is simple and efficient to produce once the injection mold has been manufactured. It can then be manufactured in larger quantities. Fiber reinforcement, for example with glass fibers, synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or the like, increases the frame's stability, allowing it to be pressed with greater force and thus enabling improved sealing of the pipes in the grommets, between the grommets themselves, and against the frame. P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / November 11, 2025

[0027] 6

[0028] Another very advantageous design of the pipe penetration can provide for the use of grommets which have a profile on two opposite sides that interacts with a corresponding profile of the webs next to the chambers, and which are flat on at least one of the other opposite sides, in order to ensure a large-area seal between the elastic grommets when two grommets are used in one chamber.

[0029] A further highly advantageous embodiment of the cable gland according to the invention can also provide that the grommets have at least one opening for the cable, which is connected to an outer edge of the grommet via a slot. This allows pre-assembled cables, such as cables with already attached connectors or hoses with already attached coupling elements, to be inserted easily and efficiently into the grommets by opening them and closing them around the cable to seal the assembly.

[0030] Alternatively, grommets can be used which have at least one opening that is closed by a pierceable membrane on at least one side of the grommet in the direction of travel of the inserted cables. Such grommets do not have a slot but are designed for routing cables without plugs or couplings. The cable is simply pierced through the membrane, which seals around the cable.

[0031] Of course, different types of nozzles can be combined in one frame.

[0032] Further advantageous embodiments of the cable gland according to the invention will also become apparent from the exemplary embodiments, which are described in more detail below with reference to the figures. P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0033] 7

[0034] This shows:

[0035] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a cable gland in a three-dimensional representation, viewed from a first side;

[0036] Figure 2 shows a representation of the cable routing analogous to Figure 1 with inserted grommets;

[0037] Figure 3 shows the cable routing according to Figure 2 as seen from a second opposite side;

[0038] Figure 4 shows the cable routing according to Figure 2 in a front view;

[0039] Figure 5 shows a schematic section through the cable entry according to Figure 4;

[0040] Figure 6 shows the cable entry analogous to the representation in Figure 2 in an exploded view;

[0041] Figure 7 shows a representation analogous to that in Figure 4 with an alternative nozzle;

[0042] Figure 8 shows a representation analogous to that in Figure 2 for an alternative design of the cable entry; and

[0043] Figure 9 shows a representation of the cable routing according to the invention in a further alternative.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a cable gland, designated 1 in its entirety. In the embodiment shown here, this consists of a frame, designated 2, which has a frame base 21 and a frame cover 22. The frame base P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0045] 8

[0046] 21 comprises a base 23 and three webs 24, 25, 26. Two rectangular chambers 7 are thus formed between the base 23 and the webs 24, 25, 26. The cover 22 closes the lower part of the frame and, in the embodiment shown here, is connected to the lower part of the frame 21 by means of fastening elements 8 in the form of screws.

[0047] Figure 2 shows the same structure again in the same view. The only difference is that the two chambers 7 are no longer explicitly visible, as they are each fitted with two superimposed nozzles 3. These nozzles 3 are inserted into the chambers 7 from above when the lid 22 is open. They serve to accommodate lines 6 (see Figure 6), such as cables or hoses. Each nozzle 3 has at least one opening 31, which is connected to the outer circumference via a slot 32. In this way, the nozzle 3 can be opened to insert the hose or cable, even if it is already fitted with a plug or connector. The nozzle 3, together with the inserted line 6, can then be inserted into the chambers 7 from above and crimped with the lid 22, as will be described later in the exploded view in Figure 6.This creates a dense structure, whereby the grommets 3, which have a relatively high elasticity compared to the material of the frame 2, simultaneously provide very good strain relief for the lines 6, since the lines 6 adhere very well to the inner walls of the openings 31 by friction, especially after the grommets 3 have been pressed into the frame 2 over the cover 22.

[0048] In Figure 3, the same assembly is now visible from a second side. This side represents the rear, which faces the system when used on the wall of a control cabinet or similar enclosure, allowing the cables 6 to be routed through the cable gland 1 and an opening in the wall of the control cabinet into the interior of the cabinet. [Reference: P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025]

[0049] 9

[0050] To achieve a good seal, a gasket 4 is injection-molded around both chambers 7 and around mounting holes 29. Injection molding the gasket 4 has the advantage that it is permanently attached to the frame 2, so that, unlike a gasket that would have to be inserted in between, it cannot slip out of place or get lost. This eliminates the risk of forgetting the gasket.

[0051] The decisive difference compared to the prior art designs, besides this injection-molded seal 4, lies in the fact that the frame 2 is designed such that it has a circumferential flange 5 projecting towards the chambers 7, both in the area of ​​the base 23 and the cover 22, as well as the webs 24, 25, 26. In the front view of the first side of the pipe penetration 1 in Figure 4, this flange 5 is only indirectly visible, since the dashed lines show the transitions behind the flange 5 between the grommets 3 and the material of the frame 2.

[0052] The flanges 5 provide increased stability and, at the same time, conceal the transitions from the grommet 3 to the frame 2 material when viewed from the front in the direction of travel of the cables 6, as shown in Figure 4. This prevents the direct ingress of dirt or liquid into the gap, and the flanges 5 create a kind of additional labyrinth seal, preventing moisture from penetrating in a straight line parallel to the direction of travel. This significantly improves the sealing, allowing protection classes up to IP66 to be easily achieved.

[0053] In the sectional view of Figure 5, which shows a highly schematic section through webs 24 and 25, these flanges 5, which project beyond the grommets 3 from the first side shown below, are clearly visible. For the sake of simplicity, the profile between the P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0054] 10

[0055] The sections 24, 25 and the nozzle 3, which can be seen on the sections 24, 25 of figure 1, are omitted here.

[0056] As mentioned above, the structure is also shown in detail in the exploded view in Figure 6. The lower frame section with the webs 24, 26 and the base 23 is shown at the bottom, and the cover 22 at the top. Between them are four of the nozzles 3, each fitted with a line 6, of which only a section is shown. A special feature of the structure lies in the area of ​​the web 25, which could also be described as an intermediate web. This web 25 can be inserted and removed, as can be seen in the exploded view. An additional seal for the insertable web 25 can be provided either on the web 25 itself or on the recess in the frame 2 or the base 23 that receives it. This seal can preferably be injection-molded. Once the web 25 is inserted, the frame 2 can be fitted with four nozzles 3, as shown in the previous illustrations.If the bridge 25 is omitted, the frame 2 can also be fitted with a single nozzle 3 of correspondingly larger dimensions, as shown in Figure 7 in a view which is otherwise analogous to the representation in Figure 4. Here, too, there is the circumferential flange 5 around the entire circumference of the now single chamber 7 with the single nozzle 3.

[0057] In addition to the frame construction shown here with a removable and / or movable web 25 as an intermediate web, a construction in which this web 25 is fixedly connected to the frame lower part 21 or the base 23 would also be conceivable. Such a construction can be seen in Figure 8, analogous to the illustration in Figure 2.

[0058] In addition to the setup with chambers 7 for holding four small or one large nozzle, as described so far, larger frames are of course also conceivable. Figure 9 shows, purely as an example, such a frame 2, which is described in P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / 11 November 2025

[0059] 11

[0060] Its left section is designed to accommodate six small nozzles, and its right section to accommodate one large nozzle. Accordingly, instead of the three bridges 24, 25, 26 as before, it now features two additional bridges 27, 28. Here, bridge 25 is shown as an integral part of the frame base 21, and the two additional bridges 27, 28 to its left are designed as pluggable bridges. The design would, of course, also allow for the use of a pluggable intermediate bridge and four small nozzles 3 instead of the large nozzle 3 shown on the right in Figure 9. Similarly, on the left side, for example, one large nozzle 3 and two small nozzles 3, or a similar configuration, could be used. The intermediate bridge could also be made shorter in height, so that, for example, a nozzle 3 with a width equal to two small nozzles and a height equal to one small nozzle could be used.

[0061] Of course, the frame 2 could also be realized in any other size, for example to accommodate two or small nozzles 3 side by side, so that the chambers 7 each have only the height of a small nozzle 3.

Claims

P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / November 11, 2025 12 Patent claims 1. Pipe penetration (1) with a divisible frame (2) comprising at least one frame lower part (21) and one frame cover (23), and comprising at least one rectangular chamber (7) for receiving at least one elastic grommet (3), wherein each chamber (7) is bounded by a bottom (23) of the frame lower part (21), the opposite frame cover (22), and laterally by webs (24, 25, 26, 27, 28). characterized by the fact that the base (23), the frame cover (22) and the webs (24, 25, 26, 27, 28) each have flanges (5) projecting on at least one of their sides in the direction of travel of the inserted lines (6) towards the chamber (7).

2. Pipe penetration (1) according to claim 1 , characterized in that the flanges (5) extend around the entire circumference of the respective chamber (7).

3. Pipe penetration (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flanges (5) are arranged on a first side in the direction of travel of the inserted pipes (6), wherein a circumferential seal (4) is injection-molded on a second opposite side of the frame (2) in the direction of travel of the inserted pipes (6), which completely surrounds at least the chambers (7).

4. Cable entry (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the injection-molded circumferential seal (4) additionally surrounds fastening devices (29) for the frame (2). P 23246WO / iootek project GmbH & Co KG / Abdeokflansoh / ST / PM / 2024034221 / November 11, 2025 13 5. Cable entry (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the frame (2) has at least two chambers (7) separated by a web (25, 27, 28) for receiving at least one grommet (3) each.

6. Cable entry (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the frame cover (22) can be connected to the at least one frame lower part (21) via fastening elements (28).

7. Cable entry (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the frame (2) is made of fiber reinforced plastic and is manufactured by injection molding.

8. Conduit passage (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each of the nozzles (3) has a profile on at least two opposite sides which interacts with a corresponding profile in the sides of the chambers (7) formed by the webs (24, 25, 26, 27, 28), wherein at least one of the other two opposite sides of the nozzle (3) is planar.

9. Cable entry (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the grommets (3) has at least one opening (31) which is connected to an outer edge of the grommet (30) via a slot (32).

10. Cable feedthrough (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the grommets (3) has at least one opening (31) which is closed on at least one side of the grommet (3) in the direction of travel of the inserted cables (6) via a piercing membrane.

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