Cable Strain-Relief Housing With Inner-Outer Clamping Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing strain relief devices for electrical cables are often cumbersome to use, making them difficult to operate effectively.

Innovation Solution

A multi-part device housing with an inner and outer housing, featuring a clamping body that creates a frictional or form-fitting contact with cables, providing strain relief without pre-fixing the cable, allowing for easy connection and routing of cables to the device.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional strain relief devices are used, then cable strain relief is provided, but the devices are cumbersome and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrain reliefVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is divided into multiple segments (first housing part, second housing part, third housing part) that can be easily assembled and disassembled. The cable strain relief device is integrated into the housing structure as a separate functional element, allowing independent installation without complex operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable strain relief device automatically engages with the cable when the housing parts are assembled. The resilient element provides automatic strain relief without requiring manual adjustment or complex operational steps by the user.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If cable strain relief is provided through traditional means, then mechanical forces are prevented from transmitting to the connection point, but the installation process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestrain reliefVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cable strain relief function is merged into the housing structure itself. The housing parts are designed to work together with the strain relief device as an integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate installation steps and reducing overall installation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable strain relief device is pre-configured within the housing structure during manufacturing. The resilient element is already positioned and configured to engage the cable, so no additional setup or adjustment is needed during installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of manufacture

If the housing is designed as a single integrated piece, then manufacturing is simpler, but cable routing and strain relief become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of manufactureVSAvoidcable routing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing is segmented into multiple parts that are easier to manufacture individually using standard molding techniques. These parts are designed to assemble together with built-in cable routing pathways and integrated strain relief features, maintaining manufacturing simplicity while improving cable management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Object-affected harmful factors

If the housing parts are connected tightly to provide sealing, then protection against external influences is improved, but cable insertion and strain relief become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against external influencesVSAvoidcable insertion
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The housing design provides different qualities in different areas: tight sealing in the main housing body for protection, and localized flexible openings with strain relief features at cable entry points. This allows maintaining overall sealing integrity while enabling easy cable insertion and strain relief at specific locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 simplifies the strain relief process by allowing the outer housing to connect without exerting forces on the device, making it easier to connect and route cables, and provides effective strain relief by distributing pulling forces through a frictional or form-fitting contact.

Implementation Method 1

The outer housing (18) surrounds the inner housing (16) and brings about a frictional and/or form-fitting contact between the clamping body (38) and a cable (12)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3619780B1Device housing for an electrical device, system comprising such a device housing and method for using such a device housing
Publication Date: 2023.08.23 SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a device housing (14), which comprises an inner housing (16) with a lower shell (20) and an upper shell (22) and also an outer housing (18) with a lower shell (24) and an upper shell (26), wherein profiles (30, 34) in the lower shell (20) and the upper shell (22) of the inner housing form an introduction opening (30, 34) for a cable (12), wherein the inner housing (16) retains a clamping body (38) and, by means of the outer housing (18), it is possible to bring about frictional and/or form-fitting contact between the clamping body (38) and a cable (12) which has been routed up to the device (10), and also to a system having such a device housing (14) and to a method for using such a device housing (14).