Module Frame for Cable Bushing Sealing and Adjustment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing modular cable duct systems are inefficient for installing tubular cable bushings, requiring significant effort and being prone to errors due to their limited compatibility with rectangular frame geometries, necessitating the dismantling of existing frames for subsequent installations and lacking secure fire and smoke gas tightness.

Innovation Solution

A module frame with a base plate, flange elements, and an intermediate element, featuring feed-through recesses and sealing elements, allowing for flexible installation of tubular cable bushings with improved fire and smoke gas tightness, and enabling easy assembly and adjustment without requiring additional sealing elements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing elements are installed by the user to seal openings between the component opening and frame, between the cable bushing and the frame, and between adjacent cable bushings, then fire and smoke gas tightness is achieved, but the system becomes impractical with additional expense and error-prone installation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefire and smoke gas tightnessVSAvoidinstallation complexity and error rate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element is integrated with the flange element as a single pre-assembled unit. This merging eliminates the need for users to separately install sealing elements at multiple locations, reducing installation steps and minimizing errors while maintaining fire and smoke gas tightness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element is pre-installed on the flange element during manufacturing, before the user receives the components. This preliminary action ensures proper sealing is already in place, eliminating the need for user intervention and reducing installation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If further cable bushings are subsequently installed in already installed frames, then the frame must be completely dismantled and reinstalled, resulting in high assembly effort

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability for subsequent installationsVSAvoidassembly effort
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The flange elements are designed to be detachable and repositionable on the base plate, allowing the configuration to dynamically adapt as new cable bushings are added. Users can remove and reposition flange elements without dismantling the entire frame structure, enabling flexible subsequent installations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The frame's modular segmentation allows individual flange elements to be independently removed and repositioned. This means only the specific flange elements that need to be moved are detached, while the rest of the frame and installed bushings remain in place, significantly reducing reassembly effort.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the entire frame with installed cable bushings must be dismantled for subsequent installations, then component opening can be increased and system reinstalled, but this results in high assembly effort and loss of time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability for frame expansionVSAvoiddismantling and reinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The detachable flange element design enables dynamic reconfiguration of the frame without complete dismantling. New bushings can be added by simply removing and repositioning individual flange elements, maintaining frame expansion capability while minimizing time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2604899B1Module frame for fixing a cable bushing onto a component
Publication Date: 2018.12.26 HILTI AG
  • EP2604899B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2604899B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2604899B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The frame has a rectangular-shaped base plate fastened at a construction part. A set of flange elements is arranged side-by-side that is fastened at a base plate. One of the set of flange elements comprises a sealing element and a flat, plate-shaped intermediate element arranged among the base plate and the flange elements. The base plate, the intermediate element, and the flange elements comprise multiple conduit openings that are adjusted to diameter of the conduits and accept the conduits. The base plate and the flange elements are made from metal. The intermediate element comprises a non-combustible, thermally insulating material.