Spiral Cable Entry Sealing for Underground Watertight Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable entry solutions for junction boxes are inadequate for underground use due to issues such as the need to cut cables, high risk of water and dust ingress, and aging of sealing materials, leading to potential system failures and interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A cable entry system with a spiral-shaped sealing element and detachable halves, allowing cables to be inserted without cutting, forming multiple contiguous seals that withstand high water pressure and maintain integrity over time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a classic cable gland with rubber sealing ring is used, then the cable entry provides basic sealing, but the rubber sealing ring hardens over time reducing watertight and dust-tight effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from rubber to silicone rubber, which has superior aging resistance and maintains flexibility longer. The sealing element is also designed as a continuous spiral instead of a simple ring, creating multiple sealing contact points that compensate for any localized aging effects.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed as a spiral with multiple contiguous sealing rings around the cable, dividing the sealing function into multiple segments. This ensures that if one section degrades, other sections maintain the seal integrity.
2Ease of operation
If a modular connector with peelable layers is used, then cable cutting is avoided, but water and earth are forced through cracks at high water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a flexible silicone rubber spiral sealing element that conforms to the cable surface and creates continuous sealing contact. This flexible membrane structure can withstand high water pressure without developing cracks, unlike rigid modular connectors.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating seals between rigid modular parts that may have gaps, the patent inverts the approach by using a continuous flexible spiral that actively conforms to the cable, ensuring no cracks or gaps exist for water penetration.
3Ease of manufacture
If a cable gland is used for underground connections, then basic cable protection is provided, but the rubber sealing ring cannot withstand high water pressure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the simple installation advantage of traditional glands with the high pressure resistance of silicone rubber spiral sealing. The silicone material provides both ease of installation and superior mechanical strength to withstand underground water pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spiral sealing element follows a curved path around the cable, creating a spheroidal sealing pattern that distributes water pressure evenly around the cable circumference, preventing localized stress concentration and penetration.
4Reliability
If thermoplastic materials are used to seal cable entries, then watertight and dust-tight sealing is achieved, but the materials harden over time making the cable entry no longer watertight
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material from thermoplastic to silicone rubber, fundamentally altering the material parameters to prevent hardening over time. Silicone rubber maintains its elastic properties and sealing capability throughout its service life, unlike thermoplastics that become brittle.
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
Ensures watertight and dust-tight connections without interrupting existing systems, enabling easy installation and maintenance, suitable for underground applications.
Implementation Method 1
The cable entry (18) comprises a sealing element (5) made of silicone rubber. The sealing element (5) is spiral shaped and wound around the cable (1). The sealing element (5) presses against the cable (1) and the body (4), wherein several successive contiguous sealing rings are formed around the cable (1).
Implementation Method 2
The cable entry (18) comprises a clamping element (12) suitable for clamping the sealing element (5) in the cavity (6). The two halves of the clamping element (12) are closed around the cable (1), after which the sealing element (5) is clamped by the clamping element (12) in the cavity (6) of the body (4).
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cable entry comprising a body, wherein the body extends along a longitudinal axis and comprises a cavity, a first and a second opening for passage of the cable, a sealing element, wherein the sealing element is received in the hollow body and comprises a cylindrical channel for passage of the cable, wherein the cylindrical channel is oriented along the longitudinal axis, and a clamping element on the side of the second opening for clamping the sealing element, wherein the body and the clamping element each comprise two detachable halves, a first half on a first side and a second half being located on a second side of a plane, wherein the longitudinal axis of the body is in the plane, and wherein the sealing element is spiral shaped. The invention also relates to a housing, a method, and a use.