Housing Shutter Mechanism for Cable Access and Pest Protection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Cable end enclosures, such as those for electric meters, are vulnerable to external environmental factors like meteorological conditions, organic matter, and pests, which can cause significant damage and even lead to fires due to insect penetration through the orifices used for cable connections.

Innovation Solution

A shutter mechanism that can be used in conjunction with cable end enclosures, allowing it to block or authorize access to the orifice depending on its direction of use, effectively limiting pest access and enhancing protection from external environments without requiring modifications to the enclosure's structure or size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the enclosure has openings for cable connections, then cable access is enabled, but pests and organic matter can penetrate inside causing damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable accessVSAvoidpest penetration
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter is designed to be movable between two positions: a first position where it blocks the orifice to prevent pest penetration, and a second position where it allows cable access. This dynamic mechanism resolves the contradiction by making the enclosure opening state changeable based on operational needs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter is provided as a separate, detachable component that can be installed on existing enclosures without modifying the enclosure structure itself. This segmentation allows the protective function to be added independently while maintaining the original cable access capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Object-affected harmful factors

If the enclosure structure is modified to add protection, then pest protection is improved, but the enclosure structure and opening size cannot be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepest protectionVSAvoidenclosure structure modification
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shutter is designed as a standalone protective component that attaches to the enclosure exterior without requiring modifications to the enclosure structure, opening size, or shape. This allows pest protection to be implemented while preserving the original enclosure design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The shutter acts as an intermediary element positioned between the external environment and the enclosure orifice. It provides the necessary protection function without becoming part of the enclosure structure itself, thus avoiding complexity in the enclosure design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a cover is provided for electrical contact, then electrical connection is enabled, but the cover always provides access to the inside via openings

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connectionVSAvoidcontinuous access
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Unlike traditional covers that remain stationary with permanent openings, the shutter dynamically changes its position to either block or open the orifice. When in the blocked position, it eliminates continuous access while still allowing electrical connections to be made when opened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3985817B1Shutter for housing intended for receiving at least one end of a cable and corresponding housing
Publication Date: 2023.03.15 SAGEMCOM ENERGY & TELECOM SAS
  • EP3985817B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3985817B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3985817B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a housing shutter for receiving at least one cable end, the shutter comprising at least: - a pin (6, 7) for, in a first direction of use of the shutter, blocking an access hole inside the housing, and - an opening (11, 12) for, in a second direction of use of the shutter, cooperating with the access hole to allow at least one cable end to extend during operation through the opening and the hole in order to enter the housing. The invention also relates to a housing equipped with such a shutter.