Reversible Nut Hole Seal for Multiple Enclosure Sizes

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing hole seal solutions for electrical enclosures require multiple sizes to accommodate various hole sizes, leading to user inconvenience and excess inventory due to the lack of a versatile sealing option.

Innovation Solution

A hole seal design featuring a body with a threaded portion and a reversible nut with multiple outer flanges of different diameters, allowing the same nut to be used for multiple hole sizes by centering it within the enclosure holes, thereby eliminating the need for multiple seals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If multiple different size hole seals are used to accommodate various hole sizes, then the fit accuracy for each hole size is improved, but the inventory complexity and quantity required increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefit accuracyVSAvoidinventory quantity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The hole seal assembly is designed with a single nut component that can accommodate multiple hole sizes through its dual-flange configuration. The first flange with a first diameter and the second flange with a second diameter allow the same nut to be used with different sized holes by selecting the appropriate flange, making the hole seal universal across multiple applications and eliminating the need for multiple different sized hole seals in inventory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different size hole seals are maintained in inventory, then the adaptability to different hole sizes is improved, but the device complexity and selection process increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesize accommodationVSAvoidselection complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The hole seal assembly is designed with a single nut component that can accommodate multiple hole sizes through its dual-flange configuration. The first flange with a first diameter and the second flange with a second diameter allow the same nut to be used with different sized holes by selecting the appropriate flange, making the hole seal universal across multiple applications and eliminating the need for multiple different sized hole seals in inventory

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Quantity of substance

If a single hole seal design is used for all hole sizes, then the inventory complexity is reduced, but the fit accuracy for specific hole sizes deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory quantityVSAvoidfit accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The nut is segmented into two distinct flanges with different diameters. The first flange has a first diameter suitable for smaller holes, while the second flange has a second diameter suitable for larger holes. This segmentation allows a single nut to provide accurate fits for multiple hole sizes by selecting the appropriate flange for the specific application

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7518062B2Hole seal for enclosure

Publication Date: 2009.04.14 HOFFMAN ENCLOSURES INC

AI summary

A hole seal for an enclosure includes a body having a threaded portion, and a nut having an inner threaded portion to receive the threaded portion of the body, the nut including a first outer flange having first diameter and a second outer flange having a second diameter, larger than the first diameter.