Slotted Strain Relief Bushing for Variable Cable Diameters
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strain relief grommets struggle to provide effective strain relief and sealing for cables with diameter deviations beyond 1 mm, leading to leaks or insufficient strain relief, and floating cable mounts offer no sufficient strain relief while risking damage to the seal.
Innovation Solution
A strain relief grommet with multiple through-openings of varying cross-sections, each hinged via a slot, allowing for cables of different diameters to be accommodated by deforming sections designed to maintain sealing and strain relief, and a cable gland with a frame cover that ensures secure assembly without complex screwing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If strain relief grommets are made in various diameters to match cable diameters, then sealing and strain relief are improved, but device complexity and inventory requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The strain relief grommet is designed with a conical receiving space that can accommodate cables of different diameters within a range, making a single grommet design universal for multiple cable sizes. The conical shape allows the grommet to adapt to varying cable diameters while maintaining effective sealing and strain relief, eliminating the need for multiple size-specific grommets.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet incorporates a conical receiving space with varying cross-sectional area along its length, allowing the structural parameters to change gradually. This parameter variation enables the grommet to accommodate different cable diameters effectively, as the conical shape can adapt to the specific cable size inserted while maintaining sealing and strain relief functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a floating cable mounting with a thin membrane is used, then adaptability to different cable diameters is improved, but strain relief capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet utilizes an elastic material that forms a flexible sealing structure. This flexible shell can deform to accommodate different cable diameters while maintaining effective sealing. The elastic material allows the grommet to adapt to various cable sizes without requiring a rigid, size-specific structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The grommet is made from elastic material that combines flexibility for adaptation with sufficient strength for strain relief. The composite nature of the elastic material allows it to exhibit both deformability for accommodating different cable diameters and mechanical strength for providing effective strain relief, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and strength.
3Reliability
If the grommet is tightly crimped to ensure sealing, then sealing is improved, but the risk of damaging the membrane or cable deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The grommet design incorporates a conical receiving space that gradually tapers, providing a cushioning effect during cable insertion and crimping. This gradual transition distributes the compression forces more evenly, preventing sudden stress concentrations that could damage the membrane or cable while still achieving effective sealing when crimped.
Solution Approach 2:
The conical shape of the receiving space creates a gradual change in cross-sectional area, which modifies the stress distribution during crimping. This parameter change in the grommet structure allows for progressive compression rather than abrupt force application, reducing the risk of damage while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
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 design accommodates a wider range of cable diameters with improved sealing and strain relief, reducing tooling costs and simplifying installation, while maintaining protection classes like IP65.
Implementation Method 1
They typically consist of an elastic material, such as an elastomer... The strain relief grommet is then folded closed, tightly enclosing the cable... Tolerances within the cable and minor diameter deviations of up to 1 mm can be compensated for by the elastic material
Implementation Method 2
which is hinged via a slot and at least indirectly connected to an outer surface of the strain relief grommet... The strain relief grommet can be opened along the slot to provide a lateral access opening
Implementation Method 3
When crimped, it is so tightly secured that, in addition to sealing, strain relief is also achieved... This ensures close contact between the strain relief sleeve material and the outer sheath of the cable
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a strain relief bushing made of a resilient material for receiving at least one cable - in at least one axial through-opening, which - via a slit is connected flexibly to an adjacent through-opening or an outer side of the strain relief bushing, wherein - each of the through-openings one after the other in the axial direction has at least two strain relief portions of different cross-section, wherein - central axes of the at least two strain relief portions of different cross-section run in parallel and eccentrically, such that the outer circumferences of the at least two strain relief portions of different cross-section are aligned along the slit, and wherein - the strain relief portion with the smallest cross-section of the through-opening makes up at least 10%, preferably at least 15% of the axial length of the through-opening in question.