Cable Seal Assembly for Enduring Sheath Sealing Pressure
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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 seal design with inner sealing lips having varying diameters and auxiliary sealing lips, where the inner sealing lips exert greater pressure to maintain contact with the cable sheath, and auxiliary sealing lips with larger diameters counteract outward force, ensuring the cable sheath material remains within the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing lips are pressed against the cable sheath to maintain sealing effect, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the cable sheath material is pushed out of the seal over time due to plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple sealing lips with different functions: first and second inner sealing lips for pressing the cable sheath inward, and inner auxiliary sealing lips for preventing material loss. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without interfering with the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the seal have different properties: the inner sealing lips have smaller sealing lip inner diameters to exert pressing force, while the inner auxiliary sealing lips have larger diameters to prevent material loss. Each region is optimized for its specific local function.
2Reliability
If the cable sheath is pressed against the sealing lips to maintain surface pressure, then sealing effect is improved, but the cable sheath deforms plastically over time due to environmental factors
Solution Approach 1:
The first and second inner sealing lips are designed to press the cable sheath axially inward in advance, counteracting the tendency of the cable sheath to deform outward due to environmental factors like high temperatures. This preliminary action prevents plastic deformation before it occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design changes the dimensional parameters of the sealing lips, with the first and second inner sealing lips having smaller sealing lip inner diameters than the inner auxiliary sealing lips. This parameter difference creates the necessary force imbalance to press the cable sheath inward and maintain its shape.
3Reliability
If multiple sealing lips with different diameters are used to maintain cable sheath position, then sealing stability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sealing functions are merged into a single seal component. The first inner sealing lip, second inner sealing lip, and inner auxiliary sealing lips are all integrated into one piece, simplifying installation and assembly while maintaining the complex internal structure needed for stable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal performs multiple functions simultaneously: the first and second inner sealing lips press the cable sheath inward, while the inner auxiliary sealing lips prevent material loss. This multi-functionality is achieved within a single component, avoiding the need for separate devices for each function.
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 preventing the cable sheath material from being pushed out, even as it deforms, thus ensuring consistent protection against environmental factors.
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. As a result, the material of the cable sheath is pressed axially inward into the seal.
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.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal for a cable, such as a cable with a relaxing insulation, is provided with a cable receptacle extending through the seal in an axial direction for receiving the cable at least in sections with a first inner sealing lip that is arranged in the cable receptacle, protrudes radially inward and comprises a first sealing lip inner diameter, with a second inner sealing lip 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, with an inner auxiliary sealing lip that is arranged between the first and second inner sealing lip with respect to the axial direction, comprises a third sealing lip inner diameter and protrudes radially inward, wherein the third sealing lip inner diameter is larger than the first and second sealing lip inner diameter.