Damper Actuator Housing with Integrated Cable Strain Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional actuators for fire and smoke dampers in HVAC systems require additional components and complex assembly processes to secure wiring, leading to increased costs and potential damage to cables.
Innovation Solution
An integrated strain relief design in the actuator housing, utilizing troughs and protuberances in the lower and upper housings to secure cables without additional parts, simplifying assembly and reducing strain on the wiring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional actuators use additional components like grommets or threaded connectors to secure cables, then cable security is improved, but device complexity and assembly time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the cable support function directly into the actuator housing structure by forming troughs and protuberances as integral features during housing manufacturing. This eliminates the need for separate grommets, threaded connectors, or other additional components that would otherwise be required to secure cables, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining cable security.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure provides its own cable support functionality through the integrated troughs and protuberances, making the system self-sufficient. The housing serves dual purposes: protecting internal components and securing cables, without requiring external or additional parts to perform the cable support function.
2Reliability
If conventional actuators use additional components to secure cables, then cable security is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining the cable support function into the housing structure itself, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture and source separate components like grommets or threaded connectors. This reduction in part count directly lowers manufacturing costs while maintaining the necessary cable security function.
3Reliability
If conventional actuators use complex assembly techniques to secure cables, then cable security is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of troughs and protuberances into the housing structure allows cable support to be achieved as a natural result of housing assembly, rather than requiring separate complex assembly steps. This simplifies the assembly process and reduces assembly time while maintaining cable security.
4Reliability
If conventional actuators pinch cables with nuts and threaded connectors, then cable security is improved, but risk of cable damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces pinching mechanisms like nuts and threaded connectors with integrated troughs and protuberances that support cables through a distributed contact approach. This eliminates concentrated pinching forces that can damage cable insulation and conductors, while still providing secure cable retention through the geometric configuration of the integrated features.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described an actuator for a damper comprising an electrical circuit, a cable coupled to the electrical circuit, a lower housing supporting the electrical circuit, and an upper housing coupled to the lower housing. The electrical circuit controls positions of the damper. The cable provides power and control to the electrical circuit. The lower housing includes a first trough and a second trough to provide support for the cable in a first direction. The upper housing includes a first protuberance and a second protuberance to provide support for the cable in a second direction. The first and second protuberances are positioned offset from the first and second troughs of the lower housing.