Cable Sensor Contacting System for Repeated Servicing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable screw connections for sensors, used in environments like water monitoring, require significant force to open for servicing, often leading to sealing and EMC connection damage, necessitating complete replacement and incurring high work and cost.

Innovation Solution

A contacting system with a cylindrical contact body and cable end piece design, featuring holding and sealing elements, allows for multiple openings and closings without degrading the seal or EMC connection, using connection structures like coupling nuts and sealing elements like O-rings to maintain electrical and mechanical contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If cable screw connections are used with EMC connections, then electromagnetic compatibility is ensured, but opening the connection requires considerable force and leads to destruction of the sealing element and plastic deformation of the EMC connection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveEMC connection reliabilityVSAvoidEase of opening for servicing

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cable connection system is divided into separate components: a cable end piece with EMC connection elements, a contact body with sealing, and a sensor interface. This segmentation allows the EMC connection to be maintained while enabling tool-free opening and closing operations without damaging the sealing or EMC elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection system employs dynamic coupling mechanisms that allow for easy assembly and disassembly. The cable end piece can be connected and disconnected from the contact body without requiring excessive force, enabling multiple opening and closing cycles while maintaining sealing integrity and EMC connection reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If cable screw connections are used with EMC connections, then electromagnetic compatibility is ensured, but the screw connection must be completely replaced to obtain reliable sealing and functional EMC connection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSealing reliabilityVSAvoidService cost and work

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The design allows the cable end piece to be easily disconnected and replaced without discarding the entire cable connection assembly. The contact body with its sealing and EMC elements can be recovered and reused, reducing service costs and work while maintaining reliable sealing and EMC functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Reliability

If cable screw connections are used, then sealing is achieved through radial compression, but opening leads to plastic deformation of the EMC connection

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveSealing actionVSAvoidEMC connection integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The EMC connection elements are segmented into the cable end piece, separate from the contact body's sealing mechanism. This allows the sealing action to be maintained through radial compression while the EMC connection remains intact and undeformed during opening and closing operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

Enables repeated opening and closing of the cable connection without compromising sealing or EMC integrity, preventing twisting and ensuring reliable operation by maintaining the cable and contact body unit's position relative to the sensor.

Implementation Method 1

The exit of the cable from the sensor must, in such case, be sealed such that no medium can get into the sensor. This is accomplished, as a rule, by cable screw connections, whose sealing element is compressed radially around the cable jacket

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadial compression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

a holding element is provided in the contact body interior and the holding element is so embodied that it produces contact between the first conductor and the contact body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical contact force: Mechanical Force

Implementation Method 3

a first connection structure and a first contact structure are provided; and an essentially cylindrical cable end piece, wherein a second connection structure corresponding to the first connection structure is provided for mechanical connection of the contact body to the cable end piece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Implementation Method 4

Predominantly, the line to ground, and therewith, the EMC-drain, is routed via the outer conductor (also called the cable shield)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS9048562B2Contacting system for producing electrical contact between a cable and a sensor

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 ENDRESS HAUSER CONDUCTA GESELLSCHAFT FUER MESS UND REGELTECHNIK MBH CO KG

AI summary

A contacting system, comprising: an essentially cylindrical contact body having at least a first opening, a second opening and a contact body interior between the first opening and the second opening. The first opening is embodied for accommodating the cable, wherein a holding element is provided in the contact body interior and is so embodied that it produces contact between the first conductor and the contact body. A sealing element is provided at the first opening and is so embodied that it seals off the contact body interior from the medium.