Modular Cable Connector With Compressible Grounding and Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for shielded or armored cables lack adaptability to various dimensions and do not provide efficient grounding, leading to potential damage risks and area inefficiencies, while existing solutions either expose the grounding wire or are not adjustable.
Innovation Solution
A modular connector with a compressible body and a conductor arrangement that follows a non-linear path, allowing for secure and adjustable fitting around cables or pipes, utilizing peelable sheets for diameter adjustment and a recess for braided wires to enhance sealing and contact efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a grounding wire is exposed outside the connector, then the grounding location is accessible and performance is readily verifiable, but the risk of intentional or unintentional damages increases and the exposed position may pose safety risks
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding conductor is nested within the connector body, specifically housed in a recess that guides it from the cable interface to the external connection point. This nesting protects the conductor while maintaining functionality, as the recess structure shields the conductor from external damage and safety hazards while allowing electrical connection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a grounding element is forced towards the cable screen using gland nuts, then the grounding position is protected inside the connector, but the connectors are not readily adjustable to cables of various dimensions and require accessible glands for torque application
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a compressible body that can dynamically adapt its internal volume and shape to accommodate cables of various dimensions. The compressible material allows the connector to be compressed during installation, enabling it to fit different cable sizes while maintaining secure grounding contact, thus providing adjustability without requiring multiple fixed-size connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes changes in the physical state of the compressible body material under compression to achieve adaptability. When compressed, the material's density and shape change, allowing it to conform to different cable diameters and provide consistent grounding pressure across various cable dimensions, eliminating the need for adjustable mechanisms.
3Device complexity
If regular cable connectors are used with external grounding wires, then the solution is simple and performance is verifiable, but the grounding location and wire are exposed increasing damage risk
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the grounding conductor with the connector body structure by housing the conductor within a recess in the connector. This combination maintains the simplicity of the overall device while protecting the grounding conductor from exposure, thus reducing damage risk without significantly increasing device complexity.
4Reliability
If multiple glands are used for grounding, then grounding function is provided, but each gland must be accessible for torque application reducing area efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding function is segmented into the compressible body structure itself, which provides the grounding contact through its compressed interface with the cable, and the external connection point accessible through the recess. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple separate glands, reducing the installation space requirement while maintaining reliable grounding function.
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 modular connector provides secure, adaptable, and area-efficient grounding with reduced risk of damage, enabling high current transport while minimizing exposure and ensuring effective sealing and corrosion resistance.
Implementation Method 1
a compressible body (which is resilient too) as a pushing means for forcing a conductor arrangement towards the cable
Implementation Method 2
the conductor arrangement may be sandwiched between the compressible body and the cable... enabling the use of a braided wire of larger dimensions
Data Source
Figure 1
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Figure 5~7
AI summary
A modular connector for cables and pipes has a compressible body (208) with an axial groove provided therein for arrangement of a shielded cable extending from a first end to a second end, and the groove is dimensioned or dimensionable to sealingly fit around a circumference of the shielded or armored cable or the pipe. The connector (200) further comprises a conductor arrangement arranged between the first end and the second end, the conductor arrangement may be sandwiched between the compressible body (208) and a cable screen or armor of the cable or the pipe. The the conductor arrangement (210) further extends to an outside of the modular connector (200).