Electromechanical Actuator Cable Gland for Twist-Proof Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromechanical actuators for concealment devices face issues with durable and watertight anchoring of electrical power cables, prone to tearing and twisting, with risks of liquid ingress and dust contamination, leading to unreliable operation and high assembly costs.
Innovation Solution
An electromechanical actuator design featuring a non-circular section housing and barrel assembly with a retaining member and sealing lips, providing anti-tearing, anti-rotation, and sealing functions to securely anchor the power cable, ensuring reliable mechanical connection and protection against liquids and dust.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a power supply cable is plugged into pins of the electromechanical actuator, then electrical power can be supplied to the motorized drive device, but the connection is not permanent and the cable is prone to tearing and twisting
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (anchoring, sealing, and electrical connection) into a single integrated gland structure. The gland merges the mechanical anchoring function with the sealing function and the cable entry function, eliminating the need for separate components and reducing overall complexity while improving reliability through a unified design.
Solution Approach 2:
The gland is segmented into distinct functional zones: an anchoring portion that secures the cable to the housing, a sealing portion with a gasket that prevents liquid ingress, and a cable passage portion that guides the cable into the housing. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function while working together as a complete solution.
2Reliability
If a ring threaded around the power supply cable is screwed into a tapped hole in a stud of the casing, then permanent anchoring is achieved, but the assembly process becomes long and tedious
Solution Approach 1:
The gland is pre-assembled with the sealing gasket integrated into its structure before installation. The anchoring features and sealing elements are prepared in advance as a single unit, eliminating the need for operators to separately install rings, gaskets, and perform screwing operations during final assembly. This preliminary preparation significantly speeds up the assembly process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the complex screwing operation by providing a gland with an external thread that engages with a simple counterbored hole in the housing stud, rather than requiring the operator to screw a separate ring into a tapped hole. This extraction of the threading function from the assembly process reduces operational complexity and time.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a sealing gasket is threaded around the power supply cable and assembled inside the tapped hole of the housing stud, then sealing is ensured, but the assembly process requires additional steps and components
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing gasket is merged with the gland structure, forming an integrated sealing assembly. The gasket is positioned within the gland body and compressed between the gland and the housing stud upon installation, creating a seal without requiring separate gasket installation steps. This merging eliminates additional assembly operations while maintaining effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The gland acts as an intermediary component between the cable and the housing, providing a pre-configured sealing interface. Rather than requiring direct assembly of separate sealing elements, the gland mediates the connection by incorporating the sealing function within its structure, simplifying the overall assembly process.
4Ease of manufacture
If the power supply cable passes through the housing wall without proper anchoring, then assembly is simple, but the cable is at risk of twisting and damage
Solution Approach 1:
The housing wall is provided with a localized reinforced opening structure featuring a counterbored hole with specific dimensional characteristics. This local structural enhancement provides cable anchoring and protection at the specific penetration point without complicating the overall housing design or requiring extensive modifications to the housing structure.
Data Source
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AI summary
An electromechanical actuator comprises an electric motor, a control unit, a housing, a power cable (10) passing through a wall (17G) of the housing, and a retaining element (220). An end fitting (200) is secured to the power cable (10). A non-circular recess and a through-hole (178) are formed in the wall (17G). The end fitting (200) comprises a non-circular portion (206) engaged in the non-circular recess and a shaft (208) engaged in the through-hole (178). The retaining element (220) is mounted on a portion of the shaft (208) that extends beyond the through-hole (178) on the inner side (S1) of the wall. The shaft (208) includes a sealing lip (212) in contact with a surface defining the through-hole (178).