Conductive Elastomer Sleeve for Cable Shield Grounding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable gland technologies face issues with electromagnetic wave penetration due to gaps between spring leaves, large diameter requirements, complex and time-consuming assembly, and potential poor shield quality, which affect electromagnetic compatibility, sealing, and strain relief.
Innovation Solution
An electrically conductive sleeve made of elastomer material is used to establish a direct conductive connection between the shield braid and the housing, eliminating gaps and allowing for a compact design that can be easily assembled and installed through narrow openings, with optional additional sleeves for enhanced sealing and strain relief.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring leaves are used to connect shield braid to housing, then electrical connection is established, but voids between spring leaves remain causing electromagnetic wave penetration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring leaves from the cable gland structure and replaces them with a conductive elastomer sleeve that directly contacts both the shield braid and housing. This extraction of the problematic intermediate component eliminates the voids between spring leaves that caused electromagnetic wave penetration, while maintaining electrical conductivity through the elastomer material itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite material approach by using an elastomer that is made electrically conductive through incorporation of conductive particles or fibers. This composite material serves multiple functions simultaneously: providing mechanical flexibility, ensuring electrical conductivity, and eliminating gaps for electromagnetic shielding, thereby resolving the contradiction between shielding reliability and structural complexity.
2Reliability
If conventional cable gland with housing is used, then cable is protected and grounded, but diameter is large requiring large opening in control cabinet wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the rigid metal housing with a flexible conductive elastomer sleeve that can be inserted through narrow openings. The flexible nature of the elastomer allows it to conform to the cable and provide protection and grounding without requiring a large diameter housing, thus reducing the opening size needed in the control cabinet wall while maintaining reliability.
3Reliability
If metallic pin pressed through cable bushing is used, then electrical connection is established, but assembly is complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical connection function with the structural protection function by using a single conductive elastomer sleeve that simultaneously provides mechanical protection, electrical conductivity, and electromagnetic shielding. This eliminates the need for separate metallic pins and multiple assembly steps, thereby significantly improving assembly speed while maintaining reliable electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive elastomer sleeve is designed to self-establish electrical contact with the shield braid and housing through its inherent flexibility and conductivity, without requiring external pressing tools or additional fastening operations. The sleeve automatically conforms to the cable and establishes reliable electrical connection during the insertion process itself, improving productivity.
4Reliability
If pressed-in pin through cable bushing is used, then electrical connection is established, but risk of poor shield quality increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the pressed-in pin mechanism that caused shield damage and replaces it with a conductive elastomer sleeve that gently contacts the shield braid. This extraction eliminates the risk of penetrating or damaging the shield wires during assembly, ensuring high manufacturing precision and shield quality while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the elastomer's conductivity.
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
This solution ensures continuous electromagnetic shielding, reduces costs by eliminating the need for metal springs, allows for ready-for-use component installation, and improves sealing and strain relief, meeting industrial requirements for EMC and moisture protection.
Implementation Method 1
The sleeve consists of at least partially electrically conductive material, for example of an elastomer. The sleeve is connected to the housing in a conductive manner.
Implementation Method 2
The sleeve consists of at least partially electrically conductive material, for example of an elastomer
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus for carrying a cable,wherein the cable comprises a conductor, a shield braid surrounding the conductor,a protective coat;the protective coat is removed along a part of its length, so that the shield braid is exposed;a housing surrounding the cable;an electrical connection in order to establish a conductive connection between the shield braid and the housing;a hinged sleeve is provided, which encloses the cable in the longitudinal section of the exposed shield braid;the hinged sleeve consists of an electrically conductive material which is connected to the housing in a conductive manner.