Cable Feedthrough Sealing Structure for Stable Wall Penetration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feedthrough devices for elongated objects, such as cables and hoses, face challenges in achieving reliable sealing and mechanical stability when passing through physical boundaries, particularly in ensuring a fluid-tight connection and preventing displacement of sealing units.

Innovation Solution

A feedthrough device with a sealing unit comprising a colloid-like material, such as polyurethane gel, and a stabilization unit with comb-like extensions, which engages with the sealing unit to provide secure fixation and sealing, along with a coupling unit that includes a receiving channel and closure elements for stable attachment to the physical boundary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing unit is used to completely enclose and seal the elongated object, then sealing reliability is improved, but the sealing unit may displace under elastic restoring forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidsealing unit position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The feedthrough device is divided into distinct functional units: a sealing unit for fluid-tight sealing, a stabilizing unit with comb-like extensions for positional stability, and a coupling unit for mechanical connection. This segmentation allows each unit to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others, preventing displacement while maintaining sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The stabilizing unit is nested within the coupling unit, with the comb-like extensions of the stabilizing unit engaging with corresponding features in the coupling unit. This nested arrangement provides internal stabilization, where the stabilizing unit is contained within and supported by the coupling unit structure, preventing displacement under elastic restoring forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If a stabilizing unit is added to prevent displacement, then positional stability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositional stabilityVSAvoidnumber of components
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The stabilizing unit and coupling unit are merged into a single integrated component, where the comb-like extensions are formed as integral parts of the coupling unit structure. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining the stabilizing function, as the coupling unit simultaneously provides both mechanical connection and positional stabilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The coupling unit is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides mechanical coupling between the feedthrough device and the elongated object, incorporates stabilizing features through comb-like extensions, and maintains sealing support. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity by eliminating the need for separate dedicated stabilizing components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Strength

If a coupling unit with locking element is used to fix the stabilizing unit, then mechanical stability is improved, but assembly time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemechanical stabilityVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The comb-like extensions of the stabilizing unit are pre-formed and positioned to engage with corresponding features in the coupling unit during assembly. This preliminary configuration of the stabilizing features allows for quick snap-fit engagement without requiring additional locking steps, reducing assembly time while maintaining mechanical stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism is designed as a self-locking snap-fit connection where the comb-like extensions automatically engage with the coupling unit features when the stabilizing unit is inserted. This self-service locking mechanism eliminates the need for separate manual locking operations, providing strong mechanical stability without increasing assembly time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

The device ensures a secure, fluid-tight seal and stable fixation of elongated objects, preventing displacement of the sealing unit and allowing for quick assembly and disassembly, while being resistant to elastic restoring forces and tolerant of assembly opening variations.

Implementation Method 1

with at least one sealing unit (16) which is intended to completely enclose and seal the object (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3709461B1Execution device
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 REICHLE & DE-MASSARI
  • EP3709461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3709461B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3709461B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a feedthrough device, in particular a cable feedthrough device, for passing an elongated object (12) through at least one physical boundary, in particular a wall component (14), with at least one sealing unit (16) which is designed to completely enclose and seal the elongated object (12) in a mounted state, at least partially, in the circumferential direction, and with at least one stabilizing unit (18) which engages at least partially in the sealing unit (16) in a mounted state. It is proposed that the feedthrough device comprises a coupling unit (20) with a receiving channel (22) for receiving the sealing unit (16), in particular together with the elongated object (12) arranged in the sealing unit (16), and with a locking element (24) for fixing the stabilizing unit (18) to the coupling unit (20).