Cable Entry Housing With Assembly Window for Patch Cable Strain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable routing systems for control cabinets are complex to handle, particularly when adjusting cable length, leading to cable length issues and premature wear due to inadequate strain relief and poor sealing, especially for patch cables with pre-soldered plugs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a one-piece housing featuring a mounting window and a sealing element that can be inserted laterally, allowing for intuitive adjustment and secure sealing, eliminating the need for a locking device and reducing complexity in cable length management within the control cabinet.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a half-shell housing with locking mechanism is used, then the strain relief stability is improved, but the device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need to unlock and separate housing halves for cable adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into a stationary housing part and a movable mounting window that can be independently adjusted. The mounting window can be moved along the housing to change cable length without requiring separation of housing halves or unlocking mechanisms, thus maintaining strain relief stability while improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting window is designed to be movable along the housing rather than fixed. This dynamic element allows the cable length to be adjusted by simply repositioning the mounting window, eliminating the need for complex locking and separation operations while maintaining secure strain relief.
2Reliability
If a locking mechanism is used to secure the housing, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of manufacture and device complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is completely removed from the design. Instead of using locks to secure the housing, the patent relies on the inherent mechanical fit between the mounting window and housing, along with the sealing element, to maintain reliability while significantly simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting window and housing are designed to self-secure through their mechanical interface without requiring additional locking components. The sealing element and housing structure work together to automatically maintain secure connection and proper sealing.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cable entry systems are used, then the basic cable routing function is achieved, but the sealing effectiveness against moisture and dirt deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible sealing element made of elastomeric material is used to create an effective seal between the mounting window and housing. This flexible membrane conformally seals around the cable and interface surfaces, preventing moisture and dirt ingress while maintaining the cable routing function.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing system combines the elastomeric sealing element with the rigid housing and mounting window structures. This composite approach integrates sealing functionality into the structural components, achieving both mechanical strength and effective protection against environmental contaminants.
4Ease of manufacture
If patch cables with pre-soldered plugs are used, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability deteriorates due to inability to adjust cable length without desoldering
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting window is designed as a movable component that can be repositioned along the housing to adjust cable length. This dynamic adjustment mechanism allows patch cables with pre-soldered plugs to be adapted to different lengths without desoldering, maintaining both ease of manufacture and adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of adjusting cable length by modifying the cable itself (one-dimensional adjustment), the patent moves the mounting window along the housing (spatial repositioning). This dimensional approach to adjustment preserves the pre-soldered connectors while providing flexible cable length adaptation.
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
Enables convenient and intuitive adjustment of patch cables to the ideal length, reducing cable tension and transverse forces, while providing a more effective seal against moisture and dirt, thus extending component lifespan and reducing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing element, which is designed to be inserted laterally into the cable entry opening together with the patch cable and which is made of elastomeric material
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cable insertion and strain relief device for switch cabinets, consisting of an installation housing and a grommet housing, designed as a half-shell housing, having a plurality of cable inlets and associated seals and strain relief elements suitable for the cables to be inserted, which grommet housing can be connected to the installation housing by insertion and can be locked by means of a locking bow, is known from the prior art. However, this makes the adjustment of the length of the cables within the switch cabinet extremely difficult. Finally, the unlocked plug connector automatically has a larger distance from the switch cabinet in the complex assembly process than in the installed state. The excessively large cable length resulting therefrom produces corresponding stresses and transverse forces of the cables on the contacts/cable connections of the components within the switch cabinet. According to the invention, in the preferably one-piece housing (1), the strain relief elements (3) are attached to an inner side (129) of the housing (1) and an assembly window (124) is provided on an opposite side, through which assembly window the strain relief elements (3) can be actuated. The closing of the window (124) by means of a cover (4) causes the seal elements (2) to be compressed and the cables to be sealed to the housing (1).