Cam Lever Cable Sealing Device Pre-Load Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telecommunications cable sealing technologies, while effective, require improvements in maintaining a consistent seal over time and ease of re-entry without compromising the enclosure's environmental integrity.
Innovation Solution
A cable sealing device with a cam lever actuator and pre-loaded spring mechanism that compresses compression plates to form a seal around cables, allowing for re-entry of telecommunications enclosures while maintaining a secure seal, even when the enclosure is opened.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a threaded actuator is used to pressurize the cable seal, then the seal can be effectively maintained, but the actuation mechanism becomes complex and time-consuming to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the threaded actuator mechanism with a cam lever actuator that uses cam surface geometry to convert rotational motion into linear compression motion. This substitution eliminates the need for threading operations while maintaining the pressurization function, thereby reducing operational complexity and time requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a threaded mechanism that requires multiple rotations to achieve compression, the invention inverts the approach by using a cam lever where a single rotational motion directly translates to compression through the cam surface profile. This inversion of the actuation mechanism achieves the same sealing effect with simpler operation.
2Ease of operation
If the enclosure is opened for re-entry, then access to components is enabled, but the cable seal may be compromised or de-pressurized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic spring-loaded mechanism where the spring continuously applies pressure to maintain seal integrity. When the enclosure is opened, the spring automatically compensates for any pressure changes, ensuring the seal remains effective without requiring manual intervention or risking de-pressurization.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring-loaded actuator serves itself by automatically maintaining the required compression force on the cable seal. The spring's inherent elasticity allows it to self-regulate and maintain seal pressure regardless of enclosure state changes, eliminating the need for external control mechanisms during re-entry operations.
3Force
If a cam lever with long stroke is used, then sufficient compression can be achieved, but the actuator size increases and precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the cam surface geometry parameters to achieve high compression force with a limited stroke length. By carefully designing the cam profile curvature and lever arm dimensions, the system maximizes mechanical advantage within a compact stroke, thereby achieving sufficient compression force without increasing actuator size or reducing precision.
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 provides a reliable and efficient seal that remains effective over time, with a short actuation stroke and high pre-load, preventing unintentional de-pressurization and minimizing seal compromise during re-entry, thus enhancing the durability and usability of telecommunications enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
The actuator includes a spring for transferring load between the cam lever and the first and second compression plates. The spring is pre-loaded when the cam lever is in the non-actuated position
Implementation Method 2
The actuator includes a cam lever pivotally movable between an actuated position and a non-actuated position
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a cable sealing device (30) for providing a seal around a communications cable (88, 90). The cable sealing device (30) includes a cable seal arrangement (38) positioned between first and second compression plates (92F, 92R). The cable sealing device (30) also includes an actuator (36) for compressing the first and second compression plates (92F, 92R) together to deform the cable sealing arrangement (38) such that the cable sealing arrangement (38) is adapted to form a seal about a cable (88, 90) routed through the cable sealing device (30). The actuator includes a cam lever (94) pivotally movable between an actuated position (P2) and a non-actuated position (P1). The actuator also includes a spring (98) for transferring load between the cam lever (94) and the first and second compression plates (92F, 92R). The spring (98) is pre-loaded when the cam lever (94) is in the non-actuated position (P1) (FIG. 13) with a pre-load equal to at least 50 percent of a total load applied through the spring (98) when the cam lever 94) is in the actuated position (P2).