Cable Gland Assembly with Conical Presser for Tool-Free Sealing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable gland assemblies for industrial sockets and plugs fail to provide a reliable seal against water, steam, and dust, especially when cables of varying diameters are used, and often require tools for installation, leading to potential errors and mechanical stress issues.
Innovation Solution
A cable gland assembly featuring a cylindrical body with a thread engaging a ring having an inner thread and conical plane with anti-slip ribs, a gasket with flexible blades and anti-curl tabs, and a cable presser member that securely grips cables without tools, ensuring adaptability to different diameters and mechanical retention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable retainer with screw closure is used to achieve tightness and cable retention, then the cable is retained in position, but the system cannot provide a perfect seal when cable diameter varies and requires tools for installation
Solution Approach 1:
The cable presser member is designed to automatically press against the cable and engage with the gasket when the ring is screwed onto the cylindrical body, eliminating the need for tools or manual adjustment. The self-adjusting mechanism ensures proper cable retention and seal engagement without requiring technician intervention beyond basic screwing motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable presser member features a conical pressing surface that automatically adapts to different cable diameters. As the ring is tightened, the conical surface distributes pressure evenly across cables of varying sizes, maintaining consistent seal pressure without requiring tool adjustment or manual calibration.
2Reliability
If a cable retainer with screw closure is used to achieve cable retention, then the cable is held in position, but the system requires tools and is sensitive to operator errors
Solution Approach 1:
The cable presser member automatically engages with the cable and maintains retention force through its elastic deformation when the ring is screwed on. This self-activating mechanism eliminates the need for tool-based tightening or complex adjustment procedures, reducing installation complexity while ensuring reliable cable retention.
3Reliability
If traditional cable glands with multiple components are used to ensure proper seal, then sealing is achieved, but the construction is complicated and requires many components
Solution Approach 1:
The cable presser member integrates multiple functions into a single component: it provides cable retention through its pressing action, creates the sealing interface with the gasket, and distributes pressure evenly across different cable diameters. This consolidation reduces the component count from traditional multi-part cable glands to a simplified assembly of essential elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable presser member serves multiple purposes simultaneously: it retains the cable mechanically, creates a sealing surface for the gasket, and adapts to various cable diameters through its elastic conical design. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate retention and sealing components found in traditional designs.
4Ease of operation
If the cable entry region has an opening for conductor placement, then cable connection is enabled, but a gap is created that allows water and dust penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket acts as an intermediary sealing element between the cable presser member and the cylindrical body. When the cable presser presses against the cable, it forces the gasket to deform and fill the gap around the cable entry, creating a water and dust-tight seal while still allowing the opening to function for cable installation.
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 solution provides a secure, tool-free installation with maximum tightness against external agents, accommodating a range of cable diameters and resisting mechanical stress, ensuring reliability and safety while being compact and easy to manufacture with fewer components.
Implementation Method 1
The gasket is constituted by a cylindrical portion and a flexible lip that delimits a central inlet. The flexible lip allows the gasket to deform and adapt to different cable diameters while maintaining sealing contact.
Implementation Method 2
The cable presser member is constituted by an annular member and by a plurality of flexible blades connected monolithically to the annular member. The flexible blades apply distributed pressure to secure the cable without requiring tools.
Implementation Method 3
The cylindrical body is provided with a thread that is adapted to engage a ring. The threaded engagement creates friction that prevents rotation and maintains proper axial positioning during the tightening process.
Implementation Method 4
The inner part of the closure wall has a conical plane provided with anti-slip ribs. The anti-slip ribs create frictional engagement with the cable presser member to prevent rotation during tightening operations.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A cable gland assembly (1) for an electrical apparatus such as industrial plugs and sockets, has a cylindrical body (2) provided with a thread (3) adapted to engage a ring (4); the cylindrical body accommodates a cable connected to a device to which the cable gland assembly is applied; the ring is constituted by a cylindrical wall having an open end face and an end face closed by a closure wall (6) ; the inner side of the cylindrical wall of the ring has an inner thread (5) adapted to engage the thread of the cylindrical body; the closure wall has a central hole (7), within which the cable penetrates through the central hole; the closure wall has an inner part constituted by a conical plane (8); a gasket (13) and a cable presser member (14) are at least partially arranged inside the cylindrical body; the gasket and the cable presser member are coaxial and occupy an inner space that is defined by the ring and is included between the conical plane and the cylindrical body; the ring is able to translate along an axial direction as a result of a screwing movement on the cylindrical body; the conical plane acts on the cable presser member when the ring translates axially, imparting a movement along a radial direction to the cable presser and tightening it on the cable; the gasket is interposed between the cable presser and the cable.