Sealed Safety Light Block Double Membrane Cable Entry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Emergency lighting units face challenges in achieving the required IP 65 or IP 66 protection indexes due to weaknesses in cable entry openings, which compromise sealing against water jets and powerful projections, and existing solutions like cable glands increase the unit's size and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The emergency lighting unit employs a double membrane cable entry system using breakable flexible membranes, where the first membrane breaks a water jet and the second ensures watertightness, eliminating the need for cable glands and allowing for a thinner design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If cable glands are used to seal cable entry openings, then protection against water jets is improved, but the size and thickness of the lighting unit increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible membrane made of elastomeric material to seal the cable entry opening. This thin film structure provides effective sealing against water jets while maintaining a compact design, eliminating the need for bulky cable glands and reducing the overall thickness of the lighting unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing solution combines the flexible elastomeric membrane with the rigid housing structure. The membrane is integrated into the housing at the cable entry opening, creating a composite structure that provides both mechanical support and effective water jet protection in a space-efficient manner.
2Reliability
If cable glands are used to seal cable entry openings, then protection against water jets is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane provides a simple yet effective sealing solution compared to complex cable glands. The membrane's elasticity allows it to deform and seal around the cable while maintaining protection against water jets, significantly reducing structural complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from rigid (cable glands) to flexible (elastomeric membrane), which fundamentally simplifies the sealing mechanism while maintaining or improving water jet protection effectiveness.
3Ease of operation
If cable entry openings are made in the housing, then cable connection to local electrical network is enabled, but sealing against water intrusion is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible membrane is positioned at the cable entry opening to simultaneously enable cable passage and provide water intrusion protection. The membrane can deform to accommodate the cable while maintaining an effective seal against water jets and powerful projections.
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 solution effectively meets the IP 65 or IP 66 protection standards by preventing water intrusion while reducing the unit's size and complexity, ensuring reliable operation under water projection conditions.
Implementation Method 1
the first membrane crossed by a cable is suitable for breaking a water jet as provided for by the specification tests to satisfy the IP X5 and IP X6 protection indices
Implementation Method 2
said first and second cable entry openings are closed respectively by first and second breakable membranes made of flexible material
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The invention relates to an emergency lighting unit comprising a housing (1) having a wall (3) internally delimiting a housing (4) for a light source and an electronic control circuit for said light source, said housing (1) having at least a first cable entry opening (7) made in said wall for the passage of a cable enabling the connection of said light source to a local electrical network, characterized in that said first cable entry opening leads into a receptacle (8) located inside said housing, said receptacle being open towards said housing by a second cable entry opening (9) which is located opposite said first cable entry opening, said first and second cable entry openings being closed respectively by first and second breakable membranes made of flexible material (70, 90).