Elastomer Cable Bushing Symmetrical Shell Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable bushings with elastomer bodies struggle to adapt to various cable diameters effectively, leading to asymmetrical deformation and potential damage or leaks, especially when dealing with large deformations or varying cable sizes.

Innovation Solution

The elastomer body design features material bridges on both end faces, allowing for symmetrical construction and uniform pressing, with parting lines extending from opposite ends to connect adjacent shells, enabling adaptation to different cable diameters and preventing asymmetry during deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If material bridges are arranged on both end faces of the elastomer body, then uniform pressing action is achieved and asymmetry during deformation is prevented, but manufacturing complexity increases compared to arranging all material bridges on one end face

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies asymmetry in reverse - it deliberately creates symmetry by arranging material bridges on both end faces of the elastomer body. This symmetrical arrangement ensures that when the elastomer body is pressed against a cable, the deformation force is distributed evenly across all shells, preventing asymmetrical deformation that could lead to sealing failures or damage to smaller cables.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If parting lines extend from opposite end faces into the elastomer body, then adaptation to different cable diameters is enabled with uniform deformation, but manufacturing effort increases due to machining from both end faces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different cable diametersVSAvoidmanufacturing ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomer body is segmented into multiple shells connected by material bridges, with parting lines extending from both end faces. This segmentation allows the structure to adapt to different cable diameters by controlling which shells remain connected. The alternating arrangement of parting lines from opposite ends enables uniform distribution of deformation forces across all shells during the adaptation process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a large number of shells are arranged in the through-opening for smaller diameter lines, then adaptation to small cables is achieved, but asymmetrical pulling of shells occurs with material bridges on one end face, potentially causing damage or leaks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to small cable diametersVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The material bridges on both end faces act as counterbalancing elements that offset each other's pulling forces. When the elastomer body is pressed against a small diameter cable and shells are deformed, the material bridges create opposing forces that balance each other, preventing the asymmetrical pulling effect that would otherwise occur with single-sided material bridge arrangement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

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 design ensures a uniform pressing action on cables of varying diameters, reducing the risk of damage or leaks and allowing for efficient sealing across a range of cable sizes, while also simplifying manufacturing and assembly processes.

Implementation Method 1

an elastomer body is deformed with a clamping device and in the process makes sealing contact

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3336400B1Lead feedthrough with elastomer body
Publication Date: 2020.09.23 HAUFF TECHNIK GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3336400B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3336400B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3

AI summary

The invention relates to a pipe penetration (1) for constructing a sealing closure of a wall or floor opening through which a pipe passes, comprising an elastomer body (2) in which a through-opening provided for arranging the pipe is provided for adapting to different pipe diameters with a plurality of shells (8) extending circumferentially around a central axis (5) of the through-opening and adjacent to each other outwards from the central axis (5), wherein at least one (8a) of the shells (8) is separated from its innermost adjacent shell (8b) and its outermost adjacent shell (8c) by separating joints (9a, 9b) which extend from opposite end faces (4a, 4b) into the elastomer body (2).