Removable Cable Entry Seal for Link Box
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional link boxes require time-consuming and inconvenient disconnection of heat shrink tubing to interrupt or remove electrical cables, which complicates field operations and increases manufacturing costs due to the need for metal ports.
Innovation Solution
A link box design featuring a housing with apertures and cable entry seals composed of removably secured parts, including a flange and internally-threaded body with a heat-shrinkable seal conduit, allowing cables to be easily connected and disconnected without cutting off heat shrink tubing, and reducing the need for metal ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional heat shrink tubing is used to seal cables to metal ports, then cable sealing is achieved, but cable disconnection becomes time-consuming and inconvenient
Solution Approach 1:
The cable entry seal is divided into two separate parts: a first part that threads onto the metal port and provides structural attachment, and a second part containing the seal conduit that actually seals around the cable. This segmentation allows the seal to be installed once while enabling easy removal of the cable by detaching the second part, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable sealing and enabling convenient disconnection.
2Strength
If metal ports are used for cable entry, then structural support is provided, but manufacturing time and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the metal port structure itself and places it in a separate, removable cable entry seal assembly. This allows the metal port to be simpler and faster to manufacture, while the sealing capability is provided by the separate first and second parts that can be manufactured more efficiently and assembled quickly, thereby reducing overall manufacturing time and costs while maintaining structural support.
3Reliability
If heat shrink tubing is permanently attached to metal ports, then cable security is maintained, but field operations become complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The cable entry seal transitions from a static, permanent installation to a dynamic, removable configuration. The first part remains permanently attached to the metal port for structural security, while the second part with the seal conduit can be easily detached and reattached in the field. This dynamic design maintains cable security during operation while providing the flexibility needed for field operations, cable replacements, and maintenance activities.
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
This design simplifies cable installation and disconnection, reduces manufacturing time and costs by eliminating metal ports, and enhances ease of use in field operations by eliminating the need to cut off heat shrink tubing.
Implementation Method 1
The seal conduit is a heat-shrinkable tube that is configured to, upon the application of heat, shrink around and seal the cable
Data Source
AI summary
A link box includes a housing that defines an enclosure, an electrical connector within the enclosure, an aperture formed through a wall of the housing, and a cable entry seal secured to the housing at the aperture. The cable entry seal receives a cable inserted into the housing for connection to the electrical connector. The cable entry seal includes first and second parts that are removably secured together. The first part includes a flange and an externally-threaded portion that extends outwardly from the flange. The externally-threaded portion is inserted through the aperture from within the enclosure such that the flange abuts an internal surface of the wall. The second part includes an internally-threaded body and a seal conduit that extends outwardly from the internally-threaded body. The internally-threaded body is threadingly engaged with the externally-threaded portion of the first part and the seal conduit surrounds and seals the cable.