Bulkhead Connector With Accessible Fixing Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bulkhead connector installations require opening the housing for cable attachment, making the process complex and vulnerable to mechanical and electromagnetic interference, with limited protection against dirt and water ingress.
Innovation Solution
A bulkhead connector design with a recessed receptacle for mechanical and electromagnetic protection, accessible fixing means from outside the housing, and a sealing mechanism to prevent water ingress, allowing easy installation and maintenance without opening the housing, and accommodating various connector types for versatile applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the housing is opened for cable attachment to the bulkhead connector, then the installation can be performed, but the process becomes complex and vulnerable to mechanical and electromagnetic interference
Solution Approach 1:
The bulkhead connector is divided into separate components: a housing that remains installed in the wall, and a connector portion that can be independently attached to the cable. This segmentation allows the connector to be installed on the cable before inserting it through the wall, eliminating the need to open the housing for attachment operations.
2Ease of operation
If the housing is opened for cable attachment, then the connector can be attached, but mechanical and electromagnetic protection is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The connector attachment function is extracted from the housing structure and placed on a separate cable-mounted component. This allows the housing to remain closed and sealed, maintaining its protective function, while the connector performs the attachment function externally through the wall opening.
Solution Approach 2:
A cable-mounted connector acts as an intermediary between the cable and the bulkhead connector in the wall. This intermediary allows attachment operations to be performed on the cable side without exposing the housing interior, thus maintaining protection while enabling installation.
3Reliability
If the entire cable is fed through the wall, then connection is achieved, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is pre-attached to the cable before the cable is inserted through the wall. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex in-situ attachment operations, significantly reducing installation time while maintaining connection stability through the pre-established connection.
4Stability of the object's composition
If fixing means are not accessible from outside, then housing integrity is maintained, but installation and maintenance require opening the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is designed to be self-contained on the cable side, allowing installation and maintenance operations to be performed on the cable without requiring access to the housing interior. The connector essentially services itself through the wall opening, maintaining housing integrity while enabling easy maintenance.
Data Source
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AI summary
The application shows a connection assembly (1) comprising a bulkhead connector (2), the bulkhead connector (2) being adapted for installation in a wall (3) and comprising a partition wall (4), the connection assembly (1) further comprising an adaptor (5) comprising a standardized connector face (6), the adaptor (5) extending through the partition wall (4) and being fixed to the bulkhead connector (2) by fixing means (7) that are accessible from one side (41) of the partition wall (4).