Multi-core Cable Sealing Structure with Mechanical Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sealing methods for multicore cables require time-consuming heating and melting of hot melt adhesive, reducing work efficiency, and may fail to maintain proper pressure, allowing moisture ingress due to cap displacement.
Innovation Solution
A sealing structure that maintains the relative position between the sheath and cap using holding portions, ensuring the rubber stopper is properly pressed against the sheath and electric wires, with wire routing and bracket configurations to prevent twisting and vibration, enhancing sealing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hot melt adhesive is used for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but work efficiency decreases due to required heating and melting time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the hot melt adhesive from the sealing system and replaces it with a rubber stopper that provides sealing through mechanical compression alone. The rubber stopper is inserted into the cable conduit and compressed using a cap and holder assembly, eliminating the need for thermal processing while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the thermal field (heating and melting process) with a purely mechanical system. The holder assembly with cap and rubber stopper creates sealing through mechanical compression forces, substituting the thermal field with a mechanical field that achieves the same sealing function without requiring energy input for heating.
2Ease of manufacture
If cap is fitted on rubber stopper without holding portions, then assembly is simple, but cap may become off from proper fitting position when force is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The holder assembly is designed with pre-formed holding portions that engage with the cap before any external forces are applied. The holding portions include features such as ribs or grooves that create preliminary mechanical interlocking, ensuring the cap maintains its proper position on the rubber stopper even when subjected to subsequent forces during operation or installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holder assembly provides beforehand cushioning by incorporating the holding portions that prevent cap displacement before external forces can cause misalignment. The structural design of the holder with its holding portions acts as a preventive measure, cushioning against potential cap displacement and ensuring continuous sealing reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
A sealing structure 12 of a multicore cable 11 includes the multicore cable 11, a rubber stopper 15, a cap 17, and a holder 52. The multicore cable 11 includes first to fourth electric wires 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D covered with a sheath 14. The rubber stopper 15 is fitted on an end 14A of the sheath 14 and first to fourth through holes 22A, 22B, 22C and 22D through which the first to the fourth electric wires 13A, 13B, 13C and 13D are passed, respectively. The cap 17 is fitted on the rubber stopper 15 and presses the rubber stopper 15 inward. The holder 52 includes a sheath holding portion 60 for holding the sheath 14 and a cap holding portion 62 for holding the cap 17.