Cable Gland With Spring Mechanism for Tool-Free Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable glands require tools for assembly and disassembly and may not ensure a secure seated state, risking damage from excessive screwing forces or torques.
Innovation Solution
A cable gland design featuring a cylindrical sleeve with a helical compression spring and a union nut that screws onto the sleeve, providing a spring chamber for the spring to compress fully, preventing overtightening and allowing tool-free assembly and disassembly, with a clamping ring and radial seal for secure cable fixation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cable gland with a locking carriage and spherical clamping elements is used, then the cable fixation is secure, but assembly and disassembly require tools
Solution Approach 1:
The cable gland is designed to be self-assembling and self-disassembling through a spring mechanism. When the cable is inserted, the spring automatically pushes the clamping elements outward to grip the cable. For disassembly, simply pulling the cable releases the clamping force, eliminating the need for tools. This self-service mechanism resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable gland is divided into separate functional components: a body, a spring mechanism, and clamping elements. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function independently while simplifying the overall assembly process. The modular design enables easy assembly and disassembly without requiring complex tooling, addressing both ease of operation and manageable device complexity.
2Reliability
If excessive screwing forces are applied during assembly, then the union nut secures tightly, but damage to the line or sealing parts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The spring mechanism is pre-loaded to provide an initial outward force on the clamping elements before the union nut is even tightened. This preliminary action ensures that the cable is already gripped securely, preventing the need for excessive tightening forces that could damage the cable or sealing parts. The pre-loaded spring acts as a counterbalance to excessive screwing forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring acts as a cushioning element that absorbs and distributes the tightening forces. Instead of transmitting full screwing forces directly to the cable and sealing parts, the spring gradually engages and cushions the force application, preventing damage while ensuring secure fixation. This beforehand cushioning protects vulnerable components from excessive forces.
3Reliability
If the union nut is tightened to ensure secure fixation, then the cable is firmly clamped, but the assembly cannot be easily disassembled
Solution Approach 1:
The cable gland uses a dynamic spring mechanism instead of a static rigid connection. The spring allows the clamping force to be maintained securely during normal operation, but when disassembly is needed, the spring can be easily compressed by pulling the cable, immediately releasing the clamping force. This dynamic behavior enables both secure fixation and easy disassembly, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.
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
Ensures secure cable fixation without tools, prevents damage from excessive forces, and allows easy assembly and disassembly, with a clear acoustic signal for final assembly and reduced screwing forces.
Implementation Method 1
the external thread of the sleeve is formed by a helical compression spring. Accordingly, the union nut has a thread for screwing onto the compression spring. If the union nut is screwed onto the compression spring mounted on the sleeve with the help of the thread, the union nut moves along the sleeve.
Implementation Method 2
When leaving the thread, the last coil of the compression spring produces a clicking noise, so that the operator is also informed by an acoustic signal that the union nut has reached its final assembly position.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5
AI summary
Cable gland consisting of - a cylindrical sleeve (1) with a through channel (3) for a cable (4) -- with a clamping element at the insertion opening of the through channel (3) and -- with a helical compression spring (11) pushed over the outer shell of the sleeve (1) and supported against the sleeve (1) and - a union nut (13) screwable over the sleeve (1) with an inner contour -- with at least one thread (18) with which the union nut (13) can be screwed over the compression spring (11), -- with a spring chamber (17) extending axially to the thread (18) for receiving the screwed-on area of the compression spring (11) and -- with an inner contour extending axially to the spring chamber (17) as an actuator for the clamping element.