Soft Body Cable Bushing with Membrane Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cable bushing devices are complex, costly, and inefficient in terms of space usage and assembly effort, particularly when routing multiple cables through partition walls, with suboptimal sealing and strain relief for cables of different diameters.

Innovation Solution

A simple, cost-effective cable bushing device comprising a soft body with multiple bores and membranes, manufactured as a single unit using polyurethane or silicone gel, which can be easily adapted to various cable diameters, providing reliable sealing and strain relief through a deformable membrane that forms a funnel shape around the cable.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple individual cable bushing modules are used to route several cables through a partition wall, then each cable achieves optimal sealing and strain relief, but the device complexity increases and assembly becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing qualityVSAvoidnumber of individual parts
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple cable bushing functions into a single integrated soft body with multiple body bores and body membranes. This unified structure eliminates the need for multiple separate cable bushing modules, reducing device complexity while maintaining sealing quality for each cable passage. The soft body integrates multiple sealing and strain relief functions into one component that can accommodate several cables simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The soft body is designed as a universal component that can handle multiple cables of different diameters through its multiple body bores. Each bore with its corresponding body membrane provides individualized sealing and strain relief, while the overall structure serves as a single multi-functional element that replaces numerous individual cable bushings.

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

2Reliability

If multiple individual cable bushing modules are used to ensure consistent sealing quality for each cable, then sealing reliability is maintained, but the assembly effort and installation time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing consistencyVSAvoidassembly time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple cable bushing functions into a single soft body component, the patent enables all cable passages to be installed simultaneously as one unit. This eliminates the sequential assembly process required for multiple individual modules, dramatically reducing assembly time while maintaining consistent sealing quality across all cable bores through the standardized body membrane design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Quantity of substance

If traditional cable bushing devices are used to route multiple cables through a partition wall, then cable passage is achieved, but the space required increases and packing density decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of cables routedVSAvoidspace occupied by cable bushing device
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The soft body is designed with multiple body bores arranged in a compact, space-efficient configuration that allows cables of different diameters to pass through in close proximity. The nested arrangement of multiple functional bores within a single soft body structure maximizes cable routing capacity while minimizing the overall space occupied by the cable bushing device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Strength

If precise matching of cutouts to cable diameter is required in multi-layer compressible material bushings, then cable fixation is achieved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase and quality varies across different cable positions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable clamping strengthVSAvoidcutout matching precision
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The body membranes are designed with varying thicknesses at different locations to accommodate cables of different diameters. This parameter variation in membrane thickness allows each body bore to provide optimal sealing and strain relief for its specific cable size without requiring precise pre-matched cutouts, thereby reducing manufacturing precision requirements while maintaining cable clamping strength.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 device allows for efficient, high-density installation of cables of different diameters with minimal assembly effort, ensuring optimal sealing and strain relief, maintaining the partition's separating function while being easy to produce and install.

Implementation Method 1

The body membrane (121) is deformable and forms a funnel shape around the cable

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

A simple, cost-effective cable bushing device comprising a soft body with multiple bores and membranes, manufactured as a single unit using polyurethane or silicone gel

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompressibility: Compression

Data Source

PatentEP2866322B1Cable feed-through device
Publication Date: 2018.10.10 LAPP ENG
  • EP2866322B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1b
  • EP2866322B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2866322B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The cable entry device (1), which serves for the sealed passage of one or more cables (9) through a partition, e.g., through a housing wall of an electrical device or through a housing shell of a connector, comprises a soft body (12) suitable for the sealed passage of the cable (9). According to the invention, the soft body (12) has at least one bore (120) serving for the passage of the cable (9), within which at least one sealed membrane (121) is provided, which can be opened by applying force.