Multi-Component Seal for Telecommunications Enclosure
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunications enclosures face challenges in maintaining effective seals, particularly in re-enterable designs, which can lead to moisture intrusion and contamination, compromising the integrity of the enclosure.
Innovation Solution
A multi-component seal design is introduced, featuring a first body made of a resilient, compressible material and a second body made of a softer, incompressible material, where the second body is disposed on the peripheral surface and within the ports, allowing for a wrap-around configuration and enhanced sealing capabilities, including tapered walls and movable seams for lateral access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single-material seal is used in re-enterable telecommunications enclosures, then the seal can be made simple in structure, but it fails to maintain effective sealing under pressure and allows moisture intrusion
Solution Approach 1:
The seal employs a composite structure with a first body made of a resilient material and a second body made of a softer material disposed on the peripheral surface of the first body. This multi-material approach allows the seal to maintain effective sealing under pressure while protecting against moisture intrusion, resolving the contradiction between sealing reliability and structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If the seal material is made softer to improve sealing conformability, then the seal can adapt better to enclosure surfaces, but it loses structural integrity and compressibility
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material system where the first body provides structural integrity and compressibility through its resilient material properties, while the second body provides enhanced conformability through its softer material properties. This division of functional requirements between two materials resolves the contradiction between seal conformability and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal applies different material properties to different regions: the first body (core structure) uses resilient material for strength and compressibility, while the second body (outer layer on peripheral surface) uses softer material for conformability. This local differentiation of material qualities allows each region to perform its specific function optimally.
3Ease of operation
If the seal is made re-enterable with access panels, then maintenance access is improved, but the sealing integrity is compromised and moisture can intrude
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-material seal structure maintains sealing integrity even in re-enterable enclosures by providing a robust composite barrier that can withstand repeated opening and closing operations. The resilient first body and softer second body work together to maintain the seal at access panel interfaces, preventing moisture intrusion while allowing maintenance access.
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 seal effectively meets IP65 standards by forming a complete seal around structures and the exterior, maintaining integrity even under pressure and reducing the risk of moisture intrusion, while allowing for easy installation and access.
Implementation Method 1
a first body made of a resilient, compressible material
Implementation Method 2
a first body made of a resilient, compressible material
Implementation Method 3
a second body made of a softer, incompressible material, where the second body is disposed on the peripheral surface
Data Source
AI summary
A seal (110) for a telecommunications enclosure (100) includes a first body (114) made of a first material. The first body (114) defines a port (112) and the port (112) defines a port axis (113). The first body (114) further includes a first axial face (122), an opposite second axial face (124), and a peripheral surface (126). The peripheral surface (126) surrounds the first body (114) between the first axial face (122) and second axial face (124), and the peripheral surface (126) further surrounds the port. The seal (110) also includes a second body (116) made of a second material. The second body (116) is disposed on at least the peripheral surface (126) of the first body (114). The second material is softer than the first material of the first body (114).