Plastic Cable Stopper With Flared Geometry For Conduit Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional rubberised bungs used to prevent cable movement within conduits fail to provide necessary positional accuracy and can bond with metal conduits, leading to cable sticking and increased tension on connectors, especially under adverse conditions.
Innovation Solution
A plastic cable stopper with a flared geometry that conforms to the conduit's shape, featuring a gripping mechanism and made from materials like polyamide or polycarbonate, which allows for angular articulation and easy cable insertion, reducing tension on connectors and preventing cable deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubberised bungs are used to prevent cable movement in conduits, then cable positioning is achieved, but the bungs bond with metal conduits during heat cycles causing cable sticking and increased connector tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rubberised compound to thermoplastic material, which fundamentally alters the interaction properties with metal conduits during heat cycles. The thermoplastic material does not bond to metal surfaces like rubberised materials do, eliminating the cable sticking problem while maintaining cable positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper is formed from composite or multi-part thermoplastic construction, allowing different regions to have different properties. This enables the outer surface to conform to conduit geometry while internal structures provide gripping mechanisms, achieving both positioning accuracy and prevention of sticking.
2Reliability
If rubberised bungs are used to stop cable movement, then cable positioning is provided, but positional accuracy is insufficient for consistent cable life
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from rubberised compound to thermoplastic, which allows for more precise manufacturing tolerances and better dimensional stability. This enables the stopper to maintain consistent positioning accuracy throughout the cable's service life, ensuring uniform cable life across different installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The stopper is formed in one or more parts, allowing modular construction that facilitates precise manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation enables better control over critical dimensions and positioning features, improving overall manufacturing precision.
3Reliability
If traditional potted bungs are used in conduits, then cable movement is prevented, but the conduit becomes less effective at reducing connector tension
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material properties from rubberised to thermoplastic, which maintains flexibility and movement capability while preventing bonding. This allows the stopper to move with the cable within the conduit, maintaining the conduit's ability to absorb and reduce connector tension while still preventing uncontrolled cable movement.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for use with a cable, wherein the apparatus comprises a conduit and a stopper, wherein the stopper is formed in one or more parts from a plastic; the stopper comprises an internal hole which is configured to accommodate a cable and the stopper has an outer surface of which at least a part conforms to the geometry of one end of the conduit; the geometry of the one end of the conduit is flared and accommodates the shape of the stopper; and the conduit is configured to accommodate the cable.