Translucent Closure for Wall Feed-Through Water Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bushings for wall or floor elements do not effectively allow for the visual detection of water presence before the closure is removed, which can lead to hidden water accumulation, especially in dirty or cloudy conditions, making it difficult to inspect for water presence during installation.
Innovation Solution
A bushing with a tubular element and a closure made from at least partially transparent material, allowing visual inspection of water presence on one side of the closure from the opposite side, featuring a bayonet lock mechanism for non-destructive removal and a design that extends over a significant portion of the tubular element's inner diameter for enhanced visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the closure is made from opaque material, then the closure provides complete sealing and durability, but water presence cannot be visually detected before removal
Solution Approach 1:
The closure is made partially transparent in specific areas (viewing zones) while maintaining opaque material in other areas for sealing. This local differentiation allows visual detection of water presence through the transparent portions while the opaque portions maintain sealing effectiveness and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure material's optical properties are modified to create transparent or translucent regions that allow light transmission. This enables the water presence to be visually detected through changes in optical appearance, while the material maintains its sealing function through proper material selection and design.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the closure is made from transparent material, then water presence can be visually detected, but the closure may compromise sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire closure transparent, only specific local areas are made transparent or translucent. This allows water detection in those specific zones while the rest of the closure maintains optimal sealing properties with opaque materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure is constructed as a composite structure combining transparent/translucent material regions with opaque material regions. This composite design integrates the water detection capability of transparent materials with the sealing effectiveness of opaque materials in a single unified closure component.
3Ease of operation
If the closure is designed for non-destructive removal, then the closure can be reused and installation is easier, but the removal mechanism adds structural complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The closure transitions from a static, permanently fixed state to a dynamic, reversible state. The bayonet lock mechanism enables the closure to be easily inserted and removed by simple rotational movements, transforming the removal process from a destructive complex operation to a simple reversible action.
Solution Approach 2:
The traditional mechanical threading or welding systems for securing closures are replaced with a bayonet lock mechanism that uses simple rotational engagement. This substitution reduces the complexity of the removal mechanism while maintaining secure sealing during installation.
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
Enables reliable and efficient visual detection of water presence before the closure is removed, ensuring that water accumulation is identified and addressed before routing cables through the bushing, thereby preventing damage and ensuring proper installation.
Implementation Method 1
the closure being formed from an at least translucent material at least in some areas, so that before the closure is removed, there is a pending on one side of the closure Water is visually detectable on the opposite side of the closure
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a feedthrough (1) for installation in a wall or floor element with a pipe element (2) and a closure (3) which closes the pipe element (2) and which can be removed from the pipe element (2), wherein the closure (3) is formed at least partially from a material that is at least translucent, so that before the closure (3) is removed, water present on one side of the closure (3) is visually visible on the opposite side of the closure (3).