Re-Enterable Cable Enclosure Sealing Without Gel Extrusion
Solution Overview
Problem
Telecommunications enclosures require re-enterable designs that allow access to internal components without damaging the enclosure, while maintaining a sealed environment to prevent moisture and contaminant intrusion.
Innovation Solution
The enclosure design features pivotally movable housing pieces with a cable pass-through location and sealant modules that seal cables, using a hinge for easy opening and closing, and a cable sealing arrangement that includes sealant modules with containment plates and snap-fit interfaces for secure sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the enclosure is designed to be re-enterable with movable housing pieces, then access to internal components is enabled, but the sealing reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is divided into first and second housing pieces that can pivot relative to each other, allowing the enclosure to be opened for access while maintaining sealing when closed. The sealant is also segmented into first and second portions carried by respective housing pieces, which work together to maintain sealing integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
A hinge is introduced as an intermediary mechanism to enable controlled movement between housing pieces while maintaining their cooperative sealing relationship. The hinge allows pivotal movement for access while ensuring the housing pieces return to and maintain proper alignment for sealing.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealant is applied at the cable pass-through location to seal cables, then moisture intrusion is prevented, but the cable routing flexibility may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant is applied locally at the cable pass-through location rather than throughout the entire enclosure. This localized sealing approach prevents moisture intrusion at the critical cable entry point while leaving other areas open for cable routing flexibility and access.
3Reliability
If the housing pieces are designed to mate together with precision, then sealing integrity is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is segmented into separate pieces that can be manufactured independently using standard manufacturing processes, then assembled together. This segmentation allows each piece to be manufactured with appropriate precision for sealing without requiring the entire housing to be manufactured as a single complex component.
Solution Approach 2:
The design allows for adjustment of manufacturing parameters such as tolerance ranges and sealant properties to achieve reliable sealing. By optimizing these parameters, the patent balances sealing integrity requirements with manufacturing feasibility and cost.
Data Source
AI summary
An enclosure includes a housing having an elongate length between first and second ends, the housing defining a cable pass-through location at a first end, the housing including a first housing piece and a second housing piece that pivotally couple together at the first end of the housing. Each housing piece carries a respective cable sealant module that compress together as the housing is closed. A sealing projection on one of the housing pieces inhibits gel of the sealant modules from extruding into a perimeter seal of the housing.