Modular Cable-Gland System With Snap-Fit Sealing For 5G Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable connection systems for 5G electronic chassis lack flexibility in accommodating varying cable sizes and struggle with effective sealing against water and debris, restricting the placement of electrical components and requiring complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A modular cable-gland system comprising interchangeable, cylindrical cable glands with snap-fit connections and registration features, allowing for different internal diameters to accommodate various cable sizes, and utilizing O-rings for enhanced sealing, which can be easily assembled and rearranged within the chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If rubber pieces are used to form openings for cables, then cables can enter the chassis, but sealing against water and debris is difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing system is divided into multiple independent rubber pieces, each forming a separate opening for individual cables. This segmentation allows each rubber piece to be independently optimized for sealing while maintaining ease of cable installation through pre-formed openings.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber pieces are pre-formed with specific shapes and opening configurations before installation. This preliminary action ensures that the openings are properly shaped for cable passage and that sealing surfaces are pre-positioned, making both cable installation and sealing effective without requiring complex assembly procedures.
2Reliability
If screws are tightened to force the top cover and base together, then the rubber pieces are pressed against the cables, but small gaps around the rubber pieces are difficult to control
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber pieces are designed with non-uniform cross-sections that provide different compression characteristics at different locations. The local quality of the rubber material and its geometric configuration are optimized to ensure uniform sealing pressure distribution, preventing gaps from forming around the rubber pieces when the cover is tightened.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the types and sizes of cables change over the device life cycle, then the device can be updated, but it is difficult to have cables match the openings formed by the rubber pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber pieces are designed with universal opening configurations that can accommodate multiple cable types and sizes. The openings are formed to provide flexible fit ranges, and the sealing mechanism works effectively with various cable diameters, allowing the same rubber piece design to serve multiple cable compatibility functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The rubber pieces are designed with parameter ranges that allow adaptation to different cable sizes. By varying the opening dimensions, rubber material properties, and compression characteristics within specific ranges, the same basic rubber piece design can effectively seal around cables of different types and sizes throughout the device lifecycle.
4Ease of operation
If an electronic cable gland is used on the chassis wall, then cables can be connected to electrical components, but the printed circuit board must be directly adjacent to the cable gland, restricting component placement
Solution Approach 1:
The cable connection function is extracted from the chassis wall structure and implemented through separate rubber pieces that form openings. This extraction allows cables to pass through the chassis wall independently of the printed circuit board location, freeing the PCB from the constraint of needing to be directly adjacent to the cable entry point and enabling flexible component placement throughout the chassis.
Data Source
AI summary
A cable-gland system provides a sealing function to openings in an electronic chassis that receive cables. The cable-gland system comprises a plurality of individual cable glands. Each of the plurality of individual cable glands includes an exterior end to be positioned adjacent an exterior of the chassis, and an interior end for positioning within the chassis. Each of the plurality of individual cable glands includes a through-hole extending between the exterior and interior ends for receiving one of the cables, and an outer surface between the exterior and interior ends. Each of the plurality of individual cable glands has a male projection on one side of the outer surface and a female recess on an opposing side of the outer surface. The cable glands are connectable to form the cable-gland system by mating the male projection on one cable gland with the female recess of an adjacent cable gland.