Sealing Mat Protective Skin for Cable Bushing Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sealing mats for multiple connections face challenges in sealing unused contact points without compromising the integrity of electrical connections, as conventional methods either lead to dirt and moisture ingress or damage to sealing elements when attempting to seal open positions.

Innovation Solution

A sealing mat with protective skins arranged in the cable bushings, allowing for controlled removal or piercing without electrical damage, ensuring airtight sealing and insulation across both occupied and unoccupied contact points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If partitions are used to seal unused contact points in the middle of the plug passage, then sealing of open cable bushings is improved, but parts of the ripped dividing wall may get into the contact path and interfere with electrical connection or prevent sealing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidinterference with electrical connection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful parts (ripped dividing wall) are extracted from the system by positioning the protective skin at the end area of the cable bushing, away from the contact path. This ensures that when the protective skin is pierced, debris does not contaminate the electrical connection area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The protective skin acts as an intermediary element that provides sealing functionality without the harmful side effects of central partitions. It seals the cable bushing from the outside while being positioned away from the contact path, thus mediating between sealing requirements and electrical connection integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the dividing wall is arranged centrally in the plug passage, then sealing of the sealing mat is improved, but there is a risk that sealing lamellae located in the spatial vicinity will be damaged when the dividing wall is pierced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing integrityVSAvoidsealing lamellae integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The protective skin is extracted from the central position and relocated to the end area of the cable bushing. This spatial separation ensures that when the protective skin is pierced, the sealing lamellae in the central area remain undamaged and functional.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable bushing is segmented into different functional zones: the end area contains the protective skin for external sealing, while the central area contains the sealing lamellae for internal sealing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Object-affected harmful factors

If subsequent sealing measures are applied to seal open positions of the sealing mat, then protection against dirt and moisture is improved, but costs, labor and materials increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against dirt and moistureVSAvoidsealing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The protective skin serves multiple functions: it seals the cable bushing from dirt and moisture, and it can be selectively pierced when needed. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate subsequent sealing measures, reducing complexity while maintaining protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 effectively prevents particle ingress, maintains electrical insulation, and reduces costs and labor by eliminating the need for additional sealing measures, while ensuring reliable sealing and contact functionality.

Implementation Method 1

A protective skin is arranged on the leadthrough. The protective skin is arranged in the first end area or in the second end area of the line bushing and, in an intact state, seals the first outside from the second outside.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical barrier sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2555338B1Sealed sealing mat
Publication Date: 2017.08.09 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2555338B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~2
  • EP2555338B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4B
  • EP2555338B1 patent drawingFigure 5A~5D

AI summary

The mat (1) has a cable bushing (13) connecting outer sides (9, 11) of the mat with each other. End regions of the cable bushing border on the outer sides of the mat. A protective membrane (19) e.g. partition wall or film, is arranged in one of the end regions and integrated with the mat. The membrane seals the outer sides of the mat from each other in intact state. The membrane and the mat are made of elastomer. One of the outer sides of the mat is designed as contact plug-in side, and another outer side is designed as contact plug far side and contact receiver facing side. An independent claim is also included for a method for manufacturing a sealing mat.