Indexable Insert Half Layer for Cable Sealing Adaptability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing solutions for cables, wires, or pipes in partition walls are prone to improper sealing due to the need for exact correspondence between the insert block's opening radius and the cable or pipe diameter, leading to potential safety failures in fire or explosion scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A flexible insert half with removably arranged layers, each shaped like an elongated circular arc and featuring indexing means at the ends, guides operators in removing the correct number of layers for optimal sealing, facilitating adaptation to various diameters and enhancing inspection accuracy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the radius of the groove in the insert block is made to correspond exactly with the outside diameter of the cable, wire or pipe, then reliable sealing is achieved, but the complexity of selecting and manufacturing multiple blocks with differently sized openings increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidblock variety complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The insert block is segmented into a base structure with a groove and multiple removable layers stacked within the groove. Each layer has a specific thickness, and by removing different numbers of layers, the effective groove radius is adjusted to match different cable diameters. This segmentation allows a single block design to serve multiple cable sizes while maintaining reliable sealing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The insert block transitions from a fixed groove radius to a dynamically adjustable groove radius through the removable layers. The indexing means on each layer provides dynamic guidance for operators to remove the correct number of layers based on cable diameter, enabling the block to adapt to different sealing requirements without increasing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If thin layers are removed from the opening to adapt the radius for specific cables, then versatility is improved, but the risk of improper sealing increases due to operator error in removing the correct number of layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable size adaptabilityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The indexing means are pre-positioned on each layer at specific locations that correspond to the correct number of layers to be removed for different cable diameters. This preliminary marking of the correct removal quantity eliminates the need for operators to calculate or estimate, preventing improper sealing due to operator error while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The indexing means provide visual or tactile feedback to the operator during the layer removal process. By indicating the correct number of layers to remove, the indexing system creates a feedback mechanism that guides the operator to the proper configuration, ensuring both versatility and sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Manufacturing precision

If multiple blocks with differently sized openings are manufactured to fit specific cables, then sealing precision is improved, but the manufacturing complexity and inventory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening size precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

A single insert block design with a standardized groove and layer system serves multiple cable sizes. The base block structure remains universal, while the removable layers provide the variable adjustment capability. This multi-functionality approach maintains manufacturing precision for different cable sizes while simplifying manufacturing and inventory management compared to producing entirely different blocks for each cable diameter.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2386133B2Layer for an insert half, and insert half
Publication Date: 2017.12.06 MCT BRATTBERG
  • EP2386133B2 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a layer (20) for use in combination with an insert half (10) to provide a sealing around a cable, wire or tube in a frame, said layer (20) having the shape of an elongated circular arc with a first end (21) and a second end (22). The invention is characterised in that the layer (20) is provided with at least one indexing means (30) arranged at the first (21) and / or the second end (22) of the layer (20).