Spring-Clamped Cable Feedthrough for Curved Wall Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing long goods bushings struggle with secure abutment on curved walls and require tools for assembly, limiting their applicability to installations with varying wall thicknesses and diameters, and they often fail to provide adequate strain relief and sealing.

Innovation Solution

A long goods bushing with a clamping body that is translationally adjustable and equipped with a force storage element, such as a compression spring, which allows for secure clamping without tools and adapts to curved surfaces, ensuring strain relief and sealing without manual torque application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If clamping nuts with external threads are used to secure the connecting piece to the wall, then the long goods feedthrough can be braced to the wall, but the assembly requires tools (pliers or wrench) and cannot adapt to curved walls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure mountingVSAvoidtool-free assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional threaded clamping nut mechanism with a friction-based clamping system. The clamping body with clamping surface presses directly against the locking tongue abutment contour, eliminating the need for threaded fasteners and external tools for assembly. This substitution enables tool-free installation while maintaining secure mounting through friction forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping body is designed to be self-adjusting through friction engagement. When the locking tongue is inserted, the clamping body automatically engages with the abutment contour and secures the connection without requiring external adjustment or tightening operations. The system serves itself by using the insertion motion to create the clamping force.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If clamping nuts are adjusted to fit curved walls, then the connection can accommodate installation boxes with curved walls, but the clamping nut cannot be tightened securely

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to curved wallsVSAvoidsecure connection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping body is designed with a curved clamping surface that matches the curvature of installation box walls. This curved geometry allows the clamping body to conform to both flat and curved wall surfaces, providing universal adaptability. The locking tongue abutment contour is also designed with complementary curvature to maintain secure engagement regardless of wall shape.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping body serves multiple functions: it provides clamping force through friction, adapts to different wall curvatures, and secures the locking tongue in position. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for different clamping mechanisms for flat versus curved walls, achieving universal applicability while maintaining secure connections.

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

3Force

If the clamping body is designed for secure clamping force, then effective strain relief is provided, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclamping forceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the clamping function and the positioning function into a single integrated clamping body. The clamping body simultaneously provides clamping force through friction and positions the locking tongue against the abutment contour. This consolidation eliminates the need for separate clamping and positioning mechanisms, reducing structural complexity while maintaining effective strain relief.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables secure, tool-free mounting on various wall types, provides effective strain relief, and maintains a sealed connection, enhancing the bushing's transverse load capacity and adaptability to different installation configurations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one force storage element, in particular a compression spring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression spring: Spring

Data Source

PatentEP4447241A1Elongated-material feedthrough and arrangement comprising such elongated-material feedthrough and an installation box
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 OBO BETTERMANN HUNGARY KFT
  • EP4447241A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4447241A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4447241A1 patent drawingFigure 5~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a long-material feedthrough, in particular a cable feedthrough, comprising a connecting piece 2 enclosing a long-material channel 8 with an end section 3 that can be inserted through an opening 21 of a wall 22 of an installation, for example an installation box, equipped with at least one abutment contour 6, which is provided by at least one end face of a locking tongue 4, which is radially spaced from a long material 23 passed through the long-material channel 8 and which abutment contour 6 is supported on the inside of the wall when the end section 3 is inserted through the wall opening 21, and comprising means for holding the connecting piece 2, which is supported on the inside of the wall by the at least one abutment contour 6 of its locking tongue 4, on the wall 22.A special feature is that a clamping element 12, which is translationally adjustable in its longitudinal extension, is seated on the connection stub 2 and has a clamping surface pointing towards the free end 5 of the end section 3, and that the long goods feedthrough 1 has at least one force storage element 11, through which the clamping element 12, under preload, acts against the outside of the wall when the long goods feedthrough 1 is mounted on the installation and against which restoring force the clamping element 12 is translationally adjustable relative to the connection stub 2.