Cable Gland Bearing Structure for Variable Cable Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable glands are limited in their applicability due to the need for precise adaptation of the support surface to the sealing element, restricting their use to cables with similar dimensions, and often contain halogen materials, making them unsuitable for applications with higher temperatures or fire protection regulations. They also require full tightening to achieve a tight fit, which can be inconvenient and may lead to twisting of the cable during installation.
Innovation Solution
A cable gland design featuring a compressible sealing element held between a cap nut and a bearing element, with a support element allowing for detachable bearing elements that can be adapted to different cable diameters, ensuring secure sealing and easy installation without twisting, and using halogen-free materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the support surface is made relatively large to support different sealing elements, then the adaptability to different sealing elements is improved, but the diameter of the nozzle channel and thus the maximum diameter of the cables to be installed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The support surface is segmented into multiple individual support elements (support ribs) distributed around the nozzle channel. These discrete support elements provide the necessary support for sealing elements without forming a continuous large surface, thereby maintaining adequate cable passage diameter while still providing adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements serve multiple functions: they support the sealing element, guide the cable, and provide structural reinforcement. This multi-functionality allows the use of smaller, distributed support elements rather than a large single support surface, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and cable diameter.
2Reliability
If the support surface is adapted precisely to the pressure surface of the sealing element, then the sealing performance is improved, but the device complexity increases due to the need for different mounting studs for different sealing elements
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting socket is designed with universal features that can accommodate different sealing element types and dimensions. The distributed support elements can work with various sealing element geometries, eliminating the need for multiple specialized mounting studs while maintaining reliable sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows for parameter variations in sealing elements (different dimensions, materials) while maintaining the same basic mounting socket structure. The support elements can accommodate these parameter changes without requiring changes to the fundamental mounting mechanism, thus reducing device complexity.
3Reliability
If the cap nut is fully tightened to achieve a tight fit when the sealing channel is too wide, then the sealing performance is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates and cable twisting may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are pre-positioned in the mounting socket before the sealing element is installed. This preliminary positioning ensures proper alignment and support, allowing the sealing element to be correctly positioned without requiring excessive tightening of the cap nut, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining sealing performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The support elements act as intermediaries between the mounting socket and the sealing element. They provide the necessary support and alignment, mediating the interaction between these components to achieve proper sealing without requiring extreme tightening forces that would cause operational difficulties or cable damage.
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 design enables the use of cables with varying diameters, meets fire safety regulations, and ensures easy, secure sealing and fixation, avoiding cable twisting during installation, while being compatible with a wide range of applications.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing element, which is preferably at least approximately rotationally symmetrical, can be compressed between the cap nut and the bearing element by tightening the cap nut, so that its inner side tightly contacts an inserted cable or line
Implementation Method 2
If the support surface is too small, the sealing element material may be displaced along the cable rather than against it, resulting in insufficient sealing and inadequate fixation of the inserted cable
Data Source
Figure 1a~1b
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The cable gland (1), which has a lead-through axis (x) and is provided for leading a cable (8) along the lead-through axis (x) through an opening in a mounting wall (9), in particular a housing wall of an electrical device or an electrical cabinet, comprises - a mounting socket (12) which can be connected to the mounting wall (9), which comprises a first connection part (121) provided with a first external thread (1212) and a socket channel (120) serving to lead through the cable (8), - a cap nut (11) which has an internal thread (112) and a hat channel (110) serving to lead through the cable (8) and which can be screwed onto the mounting socket (12), and - a compressible sealing element (13) which has a sealing channel (130) serving to lead through the cable (8), an upper part (131) which projects upwards into the hat channel (110), and a lower part (133) which projects downwards into the nozzle channel (120).According to the invention, at least one support element (124) is provided in the nozzle channel (120), by which a disc-shaped or annular bearing element (14) is detachably held, which has a bearing channel (140) serving to pass through the cable (8) and on which the lower part (133) of the sealing element (13) is seated.