Additive Cable Gland Union Body With Integrated Sealing Groove

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional cable glands are complex, requiring multiple components and post-processing steps, which complicates production and customization for specific cable sizes and environments.

Innovation Solution

The cable gland features a union body produced by additive manufacturing, eliminating internal or external supports, and integrating a spiral groove and tapered profile for secure cable engagement, thus reducing component count and enabling customization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional cable glands use multiple components (hub body, union body, gland nut, bushing), then the cable gland can provide sealing and grounding functions, but the device complexity and number of components increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing and grounding functionsVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple conventional cable gland components (union body, bushing, and grounding elements) into a single integrated union body manufactured by additive manufacturing. This merging reduces the total component count while maintaining all necessary functions including sealing around the cable and providing grounding paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The additively manufactured union body performs multiple functions simultaneously: it seals around the cable through its internal geometry, provides grounding through integrated conductive pathways, and structurally connects the hub body to the gland nut. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate specialized components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional cable glands require post-processing steps and multiple components, then the cable gland can be assembled, but the productivity and manufacturing efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction processVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The additive manufacturing process creates the complex union body geometry with integrated sealing surfaces and grounding pathways in a single manufacturing step, eliminating the need for subsequent post-processing operations such as machining, assembly, or finishing that would be required for conventional multi-component glands.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional cable glands use standard components, then the cable gland can be manufactured, but the customization for specific cable sizes and environments is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing capabilityVSAvoidcustomization for cable sizes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The additive manufacturing process allows for easy modification of design parameters such as cable diameter, sealing groove dimensions, and grounding pathway configurations. This enables rapid customization of the union body to accommodate different cable sizes and environmental requirements without changing the fundamental manufacturing approach or requiring new tooling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12308140B2Additively manufactured cable gland

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 EATON INTELLIGENT POWER LTD

AI summary

A union body for a cable gland includes a body having a generally cylindrical shape defining an interior surface and a passage extending though the body from a first end to a second end of the body. A groove is formed on the interior surface of the body. The groove is configured to mate with an exterior surface of a cable received in the passage of the body.