Foldable Cable Cap for Temporary and Permanent Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable end caps are either temporary and costly or permanent and expensive, with heat shrink caps requiring a torch for installation and cold shrink caps lacking adaptability for temporary use.
Innovation Solution
A push-on cap with a foldable extension and pull tabs that can be temporarily installed via friction fit and permanently sealed with a sealing mastic, allowing reversible temporary use and irreversible permanent installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heat shrink caps are used for permanent installation, then sealing reliability is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase due to requiring a torch
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the thermal field (torch heating) with a mechanical field (push-on installation). The cap is installed by simply pushing it onto the cable end, eliminating the need for torches and heat shrink material while achieving equivalent sealing through the push-on mechanism and integrated gasket.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the sealing function from the heat shrink process and integrates it directly into the cap structure through an attached gasket. This separates the sealing function from the installation method, allowing simple push-on installation while maintaining reliable sealing.
2Ease of operation
If cold shrink caps are used for permanent installation, then installation complexity is reduced, but adaptability for temporary use is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the cap dynamic by allowing it to be installed temporarily via push-on and permanently via pull tabs. The same cap structure serves both temporary and permanent functions, providing adaptability while maintaining simple installation through the push-on mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal cap that can serve multiple functions: temporary protection through push-on installation and permanent sealing through pull tab activation. This single device replaces the need for different cap types for temporary and permanent applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If temporary caps are used for cable protection, then adaptability is improved, but sealing reliability deteriorates requiring additional taping
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the temporary cap and permanent seal functions into a single integrated structure. The gasket is attached directly to the cap body, so when the cap is pushed onto the cable, the gasket automatically engages and provides sealing without requiring separate taping or additional components.
4Reliability
If permanent sealing with mastic is used, then sealing reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to extension portion and pull tabs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the cap into a body portion and an extension portion with pull tabs. This segmentation allows the main cap body to remain simple for push-on installation, while the extension portion provides the sealing function through pull tab activation, distributing complexity across functional segments.
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 solution provides an economical cable end cap that can be both temporary and permanent, offering a water-tight seal and adaptability without the need for additional taping or torches, addressing the limitations of existing caps.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing mastic bonded to an inner surface of the cap body... the mastic forms a water-tight seal with the cable
Implementation Method 2
an extension portion configured to be folded back to expose the mastic when the cap is free or temporarily installed
Implementation Method 3
the cap is configured to be friction fit to an exposed end of the cable when the cap is temporarily installed
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides, in various embodiments, a push on cap for an electrical cable that can be both temporary and permanent. The cap includes an extension that can be folded back for temporary installation of the cap on the cable, and unfolded onto the cable for permanent installation.