Composite Cable Seal Structure to Prevent Over-Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications enclosures face challenges in maintaining effective sealing at cable entrance/exit points without damaging the sealing materials, especially when compressed during closure, and existing solutions often require lubricants for proper installation.
Innovation Solution
A cable seal with a composite construction using a harder elastomeric frame material and a softer sealing material, which provides stored energy for controlled positioning and prevents over-compression, along with a tapered access slit for easy cable insertion, and optional lubricant containment, ensures effective sealing without lubricants and maintains the integrity of the sealing material.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-material cable seal is used to seal cable ports and enclosure interfaces, then the sealing function is provided, but the sealing material is over-compressed and damaged when the enclosure is closed
Solution Approach 1:
The cable seal is constructed from two different elastomeric materials: a softer sealing material (e.g., 15 Shore A or softer) that contacts the cable and gasket to provide sealing, and a harder frame material (e.g., 30 Shore A or harder) that provides structural support and prevents over-compression. This composite construction allows the seal to maintain effectiveness while protecting the sealing material from damage during enclosure closure.
2Reliability
If a softer sealing material is used to provide effective sealing, then the sealing effectiveness is improved, but the material is easily over-compressed and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The cable seal combines a softer sealing material (e.g., 15 Shore A or softer) that provides effective sealing contact with a harder frame material (e.g., 30 Shore A or harder) that resists over-compression. The frame material's greater durability and elasticity protect the softer sealing material from damage during installation and enclosure closure, while still allowing the seal to conform to cables and provide moisture barriers.
3Strength
If a harder frame material is used to prevent over-compression, then the structural support is improved, but the sealing capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cable seal uses a composite construction where the harder frame material (e.g., 30 Shore A or harder) provides structural support and prevents over-compression, while the softer sealing material (e.g., 15 Shore A or softer) maintains sealing capability by conforming to cables and enclosure surfaces. The frame material's hardness ensures durability and resistance to deformation, while the sealing material's softness ensures effective moisture barrier formation at critical interfaces.
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 cable seal effectively seals cable ports and enclosure interfaces without over-compressing or damaging the sealing material, providing a reliable and lubricant-free solution for telecommunications enclosures, ensuring moisture and contaminant exclusion.
Implementation Method 1
the frame material can be configured to provide stored energy when compressed, to control positioning of the sealing material, and to prevent the sealing material from being over-compressed when pressurized between housing pieces
Implementation Method 2
the sealing material can be configured to provide effective sealing at a cable port and to also provide effective sealing with respect to the enclosure
Data Source
AI summary
A composite cable seal includes a frame material and a sealing material. The frame material can be configured to control positioning of the sealing material, and to prevent the sealing material from being over-compressed. The sealing material can be configured to provide effective sealing at a cable port and to provide effective sealing with respect to the enclosure (e.g., at a triple point of the enclosure).