Acute-Angle Slot Sealing for Cable Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing devices for cable passages between electrical machine housings and terminal boxes fail to effectively prevent small parts from entering the machine interior, especially when dealing with cables of different thicknesses, as they create large open areas that allow foreign objects to pass through, leading to potential damage.
Innovation Solution
A sealing device with flat, slotted surfaces where pairs of slots intersect at an acute angle, forming a 'finger-like' design that fits closely around cables, ensuring uniformly small openings and preventing small parts from entering, even with varying cable thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rectangular slots are used in the sealing device, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but large open areas are created that allow small parts to enter the machine interior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by changing the slot geometry from rectangular to a shape where slots meet at acute angles (between 0° and 30°). This asymmetric configuration creates finger-like sections that conform to cable shapes, reducing open areas while maintaining manufacturing simplicity. The acute angle arrangement is the key asymmetric feature that prevents small parts from entering through the sealing device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If rectangular slots are designed for maximum cable cross-sections, then all cable sizes can be accommodated, but larger open areas are created that compromise sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating finger-like sections through acute-angled slots that locally adapt to cable dimensions. Each finger-like section between adjacent slots can independently conform to the cable it encloses, providing a customized fit for different cable thicknesses. This local adaptation maintains sealing effectiveness while accommodating various cable sizes, as each section optimizes its fit to the specific cable it contacts.
3Reliability
If the sealing device creates uniformly small openings, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device becomes less adaptable to different cable thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a flexible sealing structure where the finger-like sections can dynamically adjust to different cable thicknesses. The acute-angled slot configuration allows the material between slots to deform and conform to cables of varying sizes, maintaining uniformly small effective openings while adapting to different cable dimensions. This dynamic adaptation occurs through the elastic deformation of the sealing material in the finger-like sections.
4Reliability
If acute angle slots are used instead of rectangular slots, then sealing effectiveness is improved with uniformly small openings, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the sealing device into multiple finger-like sections created by the acute-angled slots. Each section between adjacent slots functions as an independent sealing element that can conform to cables. This segmentation approach simplifies the manufacturing process compared to creating complex curved slots, as the acute-angled configuration can be more easily fabricated while still achieving the desired sealing effectiveness through the collective action of multiple segmented sections.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The sealing device (1) is formed as a flat sealing with two slots (4) forming an opening (5) for cable passage and separating in an acute angle (6). The two slots are formed parallel to each other and then bend in a blunt angle, such that they define a finger-like shape in the flat sealing. An independent claim is also included for a method for sealing a cable passage.