Multi-Core Cable Tape Structure for Water Ingress Resistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Water ingress into multi-core cables can cause deterioration or failure of connected electrical devices, necessitating a solution to prevent water entry.
Innovation Solution
A multi-core cable design featuring a tape member with a water absorption amount of 4 mm/10 minutes or less, spirally wound around the core, and an outer sheath to prevent water penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a tape member is used to wrap around the core, then structural integrity and protection are improved, but water absorption increases causing water ingress into the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water absorption parameter of the tape member by specifying materials with controlled absorption properties. The tape member is selected to have a water absorption amount of 4 mm/10 minutes or less, transforming it from a water-absorbing component to a water-resistant barrier while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material selection for the tape member, combining materials that provide both mechanical strength and low water absorption. This composite approach allows the tape to simultaneously fulfill protective structural functions and prevent water ingress into the cable core.
2Area of stationary object
If the tape member is wound spirally around the core, then coverage and protection are improved, but water can travel along the tape member into the cable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the water absorption parameter of the tape member to 4 mm/10 minutes or less, transforming it from a water-conductive path to a water-blocking barrier. This parameter change prevents water from traveling along the spiral winding into the cable core while maintaining full coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potential harm of water absorption into a benefit by selecting tape materials that have minimal water absorption. The spiral winding structure that could potentially channel water is instead made water-resistant, turning the same structural feature into an effective water barrier.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional tape members are used, then ease of manufacture is improved, but water absorption causes deterioration of electrical devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent specifies a water absorption parameter of 4 mm/10 minutes or less for the tape member, changing the material selection criteria from conventional ease-of-manufacture focus to include water resistance requirements. This parameter change ensures electrical device reliability while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through available low-absorption materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite materials for the tape member that provide both manufacturability and water resistance. By selecting from available composite tape options with controlled absorption properties, the invention maintains ease of manufacture while significantly improving protection against water-induced device deterioration.
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
Prevents water from entering the cable, maintaining electrical integrity and device functionality by reducing water absorption along the tape member.
Implementation Method 1
the water absorption amount is a length of a region in which absorbed water is distributed in a state where one end of the multi-core cable along a longitudinal direction of the tape member is immersed in water
Data Source
AI summary
A multi-core cable has a core including a plurality of sheathed electrical wires twisted together, a tape member disposed outside the core and wound spirally around the core along a longitudinal direction of the core, and an outer sheath disposed outside the tape member. The tape member has a water absorption amount of 4 mm/10 minutes or less. The water absorption amount is a length of a region in which absorbed water is distributed in a state where one end of the multi-core cable along a longitudinal direction of the tape member is immersed in water.