Cable Sealing Assembly With 3D Labyrinth Seal for Variable Cable Ports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications and electrical enclosures face challenges in achieving high ingress protection ratings, particularly in aerial applications, where they need to prevent dust and moisture intrusion effectively, especially for cables of varying sizes and configurations.
Innovation Solution
A seal block assembly with first and second block members, each featuring resilient tabs that intermesh to form a seal around cables, providing a self-sealing mechanism even without a cable, and accommodating cables up to 25 mm in thickness, with a sealing interface design that includes undulating surfaces and alternating concavity/convexity to enhance sealing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional sealing mechanisms are used in enclosures, then the structure is simple, but the ingress protection rating is insufficient for high environmental protection requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The seal block is divided into multiple segments including a body portion and multiple resilient tabs arranged in rows. Each tab can independently deform to accommodate cables of different sizes while maintaining the overall sealing structure. This segmentation allows the seal to adapt to various cable configurations without compromising the IP rating.
Solution Approach 2:
The resilient tabs are designed with specific material properties and geometric parameters that allow them to deform elastically when a cable is inserted. The tabs can change their shape and position to conform to the cable diameter, then return to their original position to maintain the seal. This parameter change capability enables the seal to accommodate cables up to 25 mm in thickness while maintaining high ingress protection.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed sealing structure is used, then the manufacturing is simple, but the adaptability to cables of varying sizes is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure incorporates resilient tabs that can dynamically adjust their position and shape based on the presence and size of a cable. When no cable is present, the tabs remain in a position that maintains the seal. When a cable is inserted, the tabs deform around the cable and then return to their original position, providing a self-adjusting sealing mechanism that adapts to different cable sizes without requiring custom-designed seals for each cable type.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing components are used to ensure high IP rating, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single integrated seal block structure. The seal block combines the body portion with multiple resilient tabs that work together to provide sealing against dust and water jets. This merging eliminates the need for separate sealing components while maintaining high IP rating through the coordinated action of the tabs and body portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal block is designed as a universal sealing component that can accommodate various cable types and sizes (up to 25 mm diameter) with a single structure. The resilient tabs provide multi-functionality by simultaneously providing mechanical support, sealing contact, and adaptability to different cable configurations, replacing what would traditionally require multiple specialized sealing components.
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 achieves high ingress protection ratings, such as IP 54, IP 55, or IP 65, by creating a robust and adaptable seal that prevents foreign material ingress, regardless of cable presence, ensuring the integrity of internal components in various environmental conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of resilient tabs projecting from the main body, the resilient tabs defining sealing surfaces
Data Source
AI summary
Sealing assembly for cable ports of a telecommunications closure. The sealing assembly includes a plurality of seal blocks that cooperate with each other to define 3-dimensional labyrinth seals around cables entering the closure through the cable ports. In some examples, the seal blocks cooperate to be self-sealing even without a cable or other structure being present.