Cable Seal Assembly for Long-Term Sheath Pressure Retention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Cable seals experience a decrease in sealing effectiveness over time due to plastic deformation of the cable sheath caused by environmental factors, leading to reduced surface pressure and potential material loss.

Innovation Solution

A cable seal design with first and second inner sealing lips having smaller diameters and an inner auxiliary sealing lip with larger diameters, exerting forces to maintain axial inward pressure on the cable sheath, preventing material loss and deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing lips are pressed against the cable sheath to ensure sealing, then sealing effect is improved, but cable sheath material can be pushed out of the seal over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidcable sheath material loss
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The seal is divided into multiple sealing lips (first inner sealing lip, second inner sealing lip, and at least one inner auxiliary sealing lip) arranged at different axial positions. Each sealing lip has a different sealing lip inner diameter, creating segmented sealing zones that distribute the sealing function across multiple elements rather than relying on a single sealing interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sealing lips are assigned different local properties through their varying sealing lip inner diameters. The first and second inner sealing lips have smaller diameters to press inward, while the inner auxiliary sealing lips have larger diameters to prevent material ejection. This local differentiation allows each sealing lip to perform its specific function optimally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If cable sheath material is pressed inward to maintain sealing, then sealing stability is improved, but force balance between sealing lips becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing stability over timeVSAvoidforce balance mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the geometric parameter of the sealing lips by varying their sealing lip inner diameters. The first and second inner sealing lips have smaller sealing lip inner diameters than the inner auxiliary sealing lips. This parameter differentiation creates the necessary force balance automatically through the geometry itself, rather than requiring complex mechanical force balancing mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 seal maintains a stable sealing effect over time by ensuring more cable sheath material remains within the seal, enhancing reliability and durability.

Implementation Method 1

The force exerted by the first and second inner sealing lip on the cable sheath thus outweighs the force exerted by the inner auxiliary sealing lips in the opposite direction on the cable sheath

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical Force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 2

Ageing processes of the cable, which may be accelerated by environmental influences such as high temperatures, can cause the cable sheath to deform plastically over time

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlastic Deformation: Plasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4651313A1Cable seal with enduring sealing effect, seal assembly and electrical plug connector
Publication Date: 2025.11.19 TE CONNECTIVITY SOLUTIONS GMBH
  • EP4651313A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4651313A1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4651313A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to a seal (1) for a cable (10), in particular a cable with a relaxing insulation, with a cable receptacle (2) extending through the seal in an axial direction (12) for receiving the cable at least in sections with a first inner sealing lip (4) that is arranged in the cable receptacle, protrudes radially inward and comprises a first sealing lip inner diameter (16), with a second inner sealing lip (6) that is spaced apart from the first inner sealing lip in the axial direction, is arranged in the cable receptacle, protrudes radially inward and comprises a second sealing lip inner diameter (18), with an inner auxiliary sealing lip (8) that is arranged between the first and second inner sealing lip with respect to the axial direction, comprises a third sealing lip inner diameter (20) and protrudes radially inward, wherein the third sealing lip inner diameter is larger than the first and second sealing lip inner diameter. Further, the invention relates to a seal assembly with such a seal as well as to an electrical plug connector with the seal according to the invention and/or a seal assembly. The sealing effect of the seal according to the invention decreases over time, at least to a lesser extent.