Control Cable Seal Structure with Drain Passage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Misalignment between control cable and grommet axes leads to water entry into vehicles, while tight grommet configurations prevent water entry but complicate cable insertion.
Innovation Solution
A seal structure with an insertion passage that includes an end wall portion to block water flow, a side wall portion with a drain passage that communicates with the gap between the cable and the passage, and a seal portion that contacts the cable to prevent water ingress without requiring a small inner diameter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the insertion passage is formed to tightly hold the control cable, then water entry is prevented, but insertion of the control cable becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion passage has different diameters at different locations: a first diameter larger than the control cable outer diameter for easy insertion, and a second diameter smaller than the control cable outer diameter at the seal portion for tight sealing. This local variation in diameter allows both easy insertion and effective water sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The insertion passage is divided into multiple sections with different functions: an insertion section with larger diameter for cable insertion, a seal section with smaller diameter for water sealing, and a drainage section for water ejection. This segmentation allows each section to optimize its specific function without compromising overall performance.
2Reliability
If misalignment between grommet axis and control cable axis occurs, then a gap is generated allowing water entry, but preventing misalignment increases manufacturing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The insertion passage has a first diameter larger than the control cable outer diameter at the insertion section, providing alignment tolerance. This parameter change allows the control cable to be inserted without precise alignment while still achieving effective sealing at the seal portion.
3Reliability
If high pressure water flows along the exposed control cable, then the grommet deforms and water enters through gaps, but reducing grommet flexibility improves sealing
Solution Approach 1:
The drainage hole is positioned to communicate with the insertion passage before the seal portion, allowing water to be ejected before it reaches the seal area. This preliminary drainage action prevents water accumulation and reduces pressure on the seal portion, maintaining sealing effectiveness without requiring excessive grommet rigidity.
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
Effectively prevents water from entering the vehicle while maintaining easy cable insertion by using a drain passage to reduce pressure and maintain seal efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a drain passage connecting a side surface of the side wall portion to an insertion passage, and communicating with a gap formed between the outer periphery of the control cable and an inner surface of the insertion passage
Data Source
AI summary
A seal structure includes an insertion path which connects between a first opening and a second opening and through which a longitudinal member is inserted; and a seal part, formed at the intermediate section of the insertion path, which contacts with the outer circumference of the inserted longitudinal member. A discharge path is provided on a side wall section of the insertion path, and connects from the side surface of the side wall section to a section, of the insertion path, which is closer to an inflow opening through which flowing water is likely to flow than the seal part is to the inflow opening. The discharge path is structured in communication with a gap, formed between the outer circumference of the longitudinal member and the inner surface of the insertion path, which allows for inflow of flowing water along the direction in which the longitudinal member is inserted