Cable Retainer Channels and Arms for Housing Seal Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable retaining systems for housings, particularly those used in telecommunications networks, fail to effectively prevent the displacement of optical cables from their channels when the housing is open, leading to potential seal breaches and cable misalignment.

Innovation Solution

A cable retaining system comprising a first retainer with aligned channels to maintain cable alignment and a second retainer with retaining arms to prevent cable displacement perpendicular to the channel direction, ensuring cables remain in place even when the housing is open.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing is opened to access components, then ease of operation is improved, but cable alignment and seal integrity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to componentsVSAvoidcable alignment and seal integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retainer with channels and retaining features is installed in advance within the housing before components are accessed. This preliminary positioning ensures that when the housing is opened, the cables are already constrained in their correct alignment, preventing displacement during the access operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The cable retainer acts as an intermediary mechanism between the cables and the housing structure. It provides a dedicated retention system that maintains cable position independent of the housing state (open or closed), thereby preserving seal integrity while allowing easy access to components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of manufacture

If cables are inserted through openings in the gasket, then ease of manufacture is improved, but cable displacement and seal breaches increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable installationVSAvoidcable displacement and seal breaches

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cable retention system is segmented into multiple functional features within the cable retainer: channels for guiding cables through the gasket openings, and retaining arms or features that secure cables in place. This segmentation allows easy cable installation through the channels while the retaining features prevent subsequent displacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable retainer incorporates retaining features (such as retaining arms, clips, or friction-fit structures) that apply preliminary counter-action to prevent cable displacement. These features engage with the cables immediately upon insertion through the gasket openings, counteracting any forces that might cause cable movement or seal breaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Data Source

PatentUS20250138267A1Cable retaining system

Publication Date: 2025.05.01 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A cable retaining system is provided. The system comprises: a first retainer, wherein the first retainer is configured to be arranged adjacent to a gasket for sealing an aperture into a housing interior, wherein the first retainer comprises one or more first channels to be aligned with respective openings through the gasket, and wherein the channels are configured to receive respective cables extending through respective ones of the openings in the gasket in order to maintain alignment of longitudinal axes of the cables with the respective openings; and a second retainer, wherein the second retainer comprises a second retainer mechanism spaced apart from the first retainer, wherein the second retainer mechanism is configured to engage the cables to resist movement of the cables out of the first channels.