Adjustable Insert Plug Sealing for Empty Cable Passages
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing systems for cables, wires, or pipes in partition walls face challenges in ensuring a reliable seal due to deformations in elastic insert halves and plugs when pressure is applied, leading to gaps and inefficiencies, especially when no cable, wire, or pipe is present.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an insert block with adjustable-length plug elements made of less elastic material, connected via a male/female configuration, and flanges that expand with the insert block to maintain a tight seal, ensuring the plug adapts to the block's extension and maintains shape under pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If elastic insert halves and plugs are used to fill the frame, then the insert blocks can be easily installed and packed, but deformations occur when pressure is applied leading to poor sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The plug is designed with movable elements that allow it to dynamically adjust its length in response to pressure applied to the insert block. When pressure is applied, the plug extends to maintain contact with the insert half surfaces, ensuring continuous sealing despite the elastic deformation of the insert block materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The plug is divided into multiple movable elements that can independently adjust their positions. This segmentation allows the plug to adapt to varying pressure conditions and maintain effective sealing contact across the entire interface between adjacent insert blocks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the frame is selected slightly larger than required to accommodate future installations, then additional pipes, wires or cables can be added, but gaps and deformations occur in the sealing when no cable, wire or pipe is present
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable-length plug dynamically adapts to the presence or absence of cables, wires, or pipes within the insert block. When no cable is present, the plug extends to fill the entire passage; when a cable is installed, the plug adjusts its length accordingly, maintaining sealing reliability across different operational states.
3Manufacturing precision
If insert plugs with radius corresponding to the groove are used, then the groove is sealed when pressure is applied, but deformations in the elastic insert plug prevent desired sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The plug's movable elements enable it to dynamically compensate for elastic deformations that occur when pressure is applied. Rather than relying solely on precise initial manufacturing dimensions, the plug adjusts its configuration in real-time to maintain effective sealing contact despite material deformation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration enhances the sealing efficiency by allowing the plug to adjust and expand with the insert block, ensuring a reliable seal even when no cable, wire, or pipe is present, addressing the issue of deformations and gaps in existing systems.
Implementation Method 1
deformations in the elastic insert halves and insert plug when the pressure is applied to seal the space within the frame
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3a~3b
AI summary
The present invention relates to an insert block (4) for sealing around a cable (2), pipe or wire, said insert block comprising: two substantially identical insert halves (10) each comprising: an insert half body (11; 40) with a first (12) and a second end (13), a first side (14), and a groove (15) with a semi-circular shape arranged in said first side and extending between the first and second end along an axis A, wherein the insert halves are intended to be arranged with first sides adjacent to each other such that a substantially circular passage is formed through the insert block; and an insert plug (20) arranged in the substantially circular passage to seal the passage, said insert plug comprises at least a section (27) along axis A that has a circular cross section with a radius corresponding to the radius of the passage, wherein said insert plug comprises at least two insert plug elements (21, 22) movably connected to each other such that the length of the insert plug along axis A is adjustable. The invention furthermore relates to a sealing system comprising said insert block (4).