Cable Protection Kit for RRU Sealing and Size Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for protecting external interfaces in Radio Remote Units (RRUs) are either expensive with reduced product size or cheap but prone to water leakage due to unreliable cable routing, necessitating a cost-effective and reliable alternative.

Innovation Solution

A cable protection kit using standard indoor connectors with a simple connector protection solution, featuring a main body with a sealing member and pressing assembly that securely fixes and seals cables to the RRU frame, reducing size and assembly complexity while ensuring IP protection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If outdoor connector is used, then IP protection is achieved, but cost increases and product size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIP protectionVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The connector protection function is segmented from the main connector body and implemented as a separate protective structure (first protective structure and second protective structure) that can be independently configured. This allows IP protection to be achieved through modular protection elements rather than requiring a fully integrated expensive outdoor connector.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Protection is applied locally at critical areas where cables connect to the RRU, rather than requiring complete enclosure of the entire connector assembly. The first and second protective structures provide targeted protection at the cable penetration points, achieving IP protection where needed without the cost and size of a complete outdoor connector enclosure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If outdoor connector is used, then IP protection is achieved, but product size increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveIP protectionVSAvoidproduct size
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The protective function is divided into separate structural elements (first protective structure and second protective structure) that can be integrated into the existing RRU housing without requiring a complete outdoor connector enclosure. This segmented approach reduces the overall volume required for protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first and second protective structures are nested within or integrated into the existing RRU housing structure, utilizing available space rather than adding external bulk. The protective structures are positioned to fit within the housing contours, minimizing impact on overall product dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Ease of manufacture

If interface chamber with cable routing space is used, then cost is reduced, but product size increases and water leakage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidproduct size
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Cable protection is implemented locally at the connection points using the first and second protective structures, rather than requiring a large dedicated cable routing chamber. This localized approach provides necessary protection without the space requirements of a full interface chamber.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structures use gaskets and sealing elements (flexible sealing components) to provide water and dust protection at cable penetration points. These flexible sealing elements provide reliable IP protection without requiring large rigid enclosures, reducing the space needed compared to traditional interface chambers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

4Ease of manufacture

If interface chamber with gasket sealing is used, then cost is reduced, but water leakage occurs due to unreliable sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovecostVSAvoidwater leakage prevention
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Gaskets are used as flexible sealing elements in the first and second protective structures to provide reliable water and dust protection. The flexible nature of the gaskets allows them to conform to mating surfaces and maintain sealing under varying conditions, improving reliability compared to rigid gasket systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The protective structures combine multiple materials including rigid housing components, flexible gaskets, and adhesive elements to create a composite sealing system. This multi-material approach provides both cost-effectiveness and improved sealing reliability by leveraging the advantages of different material properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

The solution provides a cost-effective, compact, and reliable cable protection system that reduces the size of the RRU by 64% compared to traditional outdoor connectors, eliminates the need for screws, and prevents water leakage, while being easy to assemble without tools.

Implementation Method 1

a gasket (30) located on a first end (11) of the main body (10) and enclosing the first end (11) around a periphery of the main body (10); a pressing assembly (20) located onto the main body (10) and configured to press and deform the gasket (30), so that the gasket (30) fixes and seals up the cable protection kit (100) to the frame (210)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3387716B1Cable protection kit and radio remote unit including the same
Publication Date: 2020.11.11 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)
  • EP3387716B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP3387716B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3387716B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a cable protection kit and an Radio Remote Unit including the same. The cable protection kit (100,100') for RRU(200) includes a main body(10,10'), a sealing member(30,30') and a pressing assembly(20,20'). The main body(10,10') has at least one hole(50) for correspondingly accommodating at least one cable(40), wherein the at least one hole(50) extends from a first end(11) of the main body(10,10') to an opposite second end(12) thereof along a longitudinal direction of the main body(10,10'). The sealing member(30,30') is located onto the first end(11) and at least partly enclosing the first end(11). The pressing assembly(20,20') is located onto the main body(10,10') adjacent to the sealing member(30,30') and configured to press and deform the sealing member(30,30') so that the sealing member(30,30') fixes and seals up the cable protection kit(100,100') to a frame of the RRU(200).