CN213338564U - Wire rod channel device - Google Patents

Abstract

The wire passage means seals the aperture of the barrier while allowing one or more wires to pass through the aperture. The wire passage device includes a two-part seal that moves between an open position that allows insertion of the wire and a closed position that establishes an airtight seal around the wire. The two-part seal may comprise a stationary seal section and a moving seal section. The moving sealing section can be moved away from the stationary sealing section by unlatching the latch and opening the door on the wire passage device. The wire may be placed between the plurality of sealing sections and the door may be closed until the door is latched, thereby sealing the wire between the plurality of sealing sections. The plurality of sealing segments may include a chamfer to direct the wire toward the wire aperture. In some cases, the two-part seal may include a plurality of apertures for a plurality of wires.

Description

Wire rod channel device

[ technical field ] A method for producing a semiconductor device

The present invention relates generally to computer systems, and more particularly to wire passage devices for computer wires.

[ background of the invention ]

In many computing environments, particularly in large data centers, it is often necessary to pass wires (cables) through barriers (barriers) or walls. For some barriers, particularly the walls of computer bases (chasses), it is often desirable to keep the channels as sealed as possible, for example, to avoid affecting the cooling system of the base and to avoid debris and debris ingress. For example, unsealed openings in the walls of a computer chassis may leave unintended air flow paths that may reduce cooling efficiency by bypassing various components that may require cooling.

Many common techniques for passing the wire through the wall include passing the wire through an opening, and then filling the opening with foam packaging (foam packaging) or glue (glue). While these multiple techniques may help seal the opening, installation is often difficult and time consuming. Furthermore, these techniques can present problems if the wire needs to be removed or replaced.

[ Utility model ] content

The terms "embodiment" and similar terms are intended to broadly represent the subject matter of the present invention and the claims that follow. Statements containing these terms should not be construed to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the claims that follow. Various embodiments of the invention encompassed herein are defined by the following claims, with the novel disclosure in mind. This summary is an overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces a number of concepts that are further described in the detailed description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of the invention, any or all of the drawings, and each claim.

The utility model discloses a plurality of embodiments contain wire rod passage means, and wire rod passage means contains the main part, and the main part is for can coupling with the protective screen that has the protective screen trompil, and the main part has the trompil of aligning the protective screen trompil. The wire passage device further comprises an elastic first sealing section and an elastic second sealing section, wherein the first sealing section is coupled to the opening of the body, and the second sealing section is adjacent to the first sealing section. The second seal segment is movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the second seal segment and the first seal segment are disposed apart, and in the closed position, the second seal segment is compressed against the first seal segment. The first and second seal segments are shaped to receive the wire between the first and second seal segments and to compress against the wire when the second seal segment is in the closed position. The wire passage device further includes a door coupled to the body and the second sealing section, wherein the door is movable between a door open position and a door closed position. Movement of the door to the door closed position moves the second seal segment to the closed position. Movement of the door to the door open position moves the second seal segment to the open position. The wire passage device further includes a latch for securing the door in the door closed position and an actuator coupled to the latch for releasing the latch.

In some cases, the first seal segment includes a first wire aperture to receive a wire and the second seal segment includes a second wire aperture to receive a wire. In some cases, at least one of the first seal segment and the second seal segment includes a plurality of compression grooves. A plurality of compression slots are formed adjacent the wire opening to establish an airtight seal (air seal) between the at least one sealing section and the wire when the second sealing section is in the closed position. In some cases, the first sealing section includes a first angled surface (angled surface) to direct the wire toward the first wire opening. In some cases, the second sealing section includes a second bevel to direct the wire toward the second wire aperture. In some cases, the wire passage device further includes a door biasing element (door biasing element) for biasing the door toward the door open position. In some cases, the latch includes a latch body slidably coupled to the main body and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. When the latch body is in the unlatched position, the latch does not secure the door. The wire passage device further includes a latch biasing element for biasing the latch body toward the latched position, and the actuator is slidable to move the latch body toward the unlatched position. In some cases, the second seal segment is coupled to a seal base that is slidably mounted in a groove of the body. The door is coupled to the seal base by a linkage (linkage) such that movement of the door toward the door closed position causes the seal base to move the second seal segment toward the closed position. In some cases, the door includes a door seal to seal the perimeter (perimeter) of the barrier opening when in the door closed position. In some cases, the barrier is a wall of the computer base.

Embodiments of the present invention include a method for passing a wire through a barrier, the method including providing a barrier including a barrier opening, and coupling a wire passage device to the barrier opening. The wire passage device includes a body, the body and a barrier having a barrier aperture are couplable. The body has an aperture aligned with the barrier aperture. The wire passage device further includes a resilient first seal section coupled to the opening of the body and a resilient second seal section adjacent to the first seal section and movable between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the second seal segment is spaced apart from the first seal segment, and in the closed position, the second seal segment is compressed against the first seal segment. The first and second seal segments are shaped to receive the wire between the first and second seal segments and to compress against the wire when the second seal segment is in the closed position. The wire passage device further includes a door coupled to the body and the second sealing section. The door is movable between a door open position and a door closed position. Movement of the door to the door closed position moves the second seal segment to the closed position. Movement of the door to the door open position moves the second seal segment to the open position. The wire passage device further includes a latch for securing the door in the door closed position and an actuator coupled to the latch for releasing the latch. The method further includes activating an actuator and moving the door to a door open position in response to the actuator being activated. The method further includes inserting the wire between the first seal segment and the second seal segment. The method further includes moving the door to a door closed position, wherein moving the door to the door closed position moves the second seal section to the closed position. The method further includes securing the door in the door closed position.

In some cases, the first seal segment includes a first wire aperture to receive a wire and the second seal segment includes a second wire aperture to receive a wire. In some cases, at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section includes a plurality of compression grooves adjacent the wire opening to establish a hermetic seal between the at least one sealing section and the wire when the second sealing section is in the closed position. In some cases, the first sealing section includes a first bevel to direct the wire toward the first wire aperture. In some cases, the second sealing section includes a second bevel to direct the wire toward the second wire aperture. In some cases, the wire passage device further comprises a door biasing element for biasing the door toward the door open position. In some cases, the latch includes a latch body slidably coupled to the main body and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position. When the bolt body is at the non-latching position, the bolt does not fasten the door. The wire passage device further includes a latch biasing element for biasing the latch body toward the latching position. The step of activating the actuator includes sliding the actuator to move the latch body to the unlatched position. In some cases, the second seal segment is coupled to a seal base slidably seated in a groove of the body, wherein the door is coupled to the seal base by a link. Movement of the door to the door closed position causes the seal base to move the second seal segment toward the closed position. In some cases, the door includes a door seal to seal a perimeter of the barrier aperture when in the door closed position. In some cases, the step of providing the barrier includes providing a computer base having a wall, wherein the barrier is the wall of the computer base.

[ description of the drawings ]

The specification refers to the following figures, in which like reference numerals represent the same or similar elements in different figures.

FIG. 1 is a partial exploded view of a system including a wire passage device and a computer base according to certain aspects of the present invention;

fig. 2 is an isometric view depicting a wire passage device in a closed configuration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 is a front view showing a wire passage device in a closed configuration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 is an isometric view depicting a wire passage device in an open configuration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 is a front view showing a wire passage device in an open configuration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 is a rear view showing a wire passage device in a closed configuration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 is an isometric view depicting a first seal segment and a second seal segment according to certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 is a progressive combination of isometric views depicting a wire passage device in an open configuration, a wire passage device in a partially closed configuration, and a wire passage device in a closed configuration, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a progressive combination of front views showing a wire passage device in an open configuration, a wire passage device in a partially closed configuration, and a wire passage device in a closed configuration, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure; and

fig. 10 is a flow chart depicting steps of using a wire passage device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[ notation ] to show

100 system

102 base

104 wall surface

106 barrier opening

108 fastener holes

110,210,310,410,510,610 passage device for wire

112,212,312,612 wire seal

114,514,515,814,914 wire rod

116,666 fastener

118,218,318,418,818,918 actuator

120,220,320,420,520,620,820,920 door

130,230,330,430,530,630,830,930 main body

222,322,422,522,622,822,922 second seal segment

224,324,424,524,624,824,924 first seal segment

226,426 hinge

228,328,552,553,668,670 perforating the wire

332,632 compression groove

434 door deflection element

436,662 sealing member

444,544,644 connecting rod

440,540,640 sealed base

438,638 latch element

442,642 bolt

446 track

448,548,648 opening holes

550,650,950 slope surface

554: a rotating shaft

656 fastener receiver

658 bolt body

660 latch deflection element

664 bolt body groove

810A,810B,810C,910A,910B,910C wire passage means

1000 step (c)

1002,1004,1006,1008,1010: block

[ detailed description ] embodiments

Certain aspects and features of the present disclosure relate to a wire passage device for sealing an opening of a barrier while allowing one or more wires to pass through the opening. The wire passage device may include a two-part seal movable between an open position allowing insertion of the wire and a closed position establishing an airtight seal around the wire. The two-part seal may comprise a stationary seal section and a moving seal section. The moving sealing section can be moved away from the stationary sealing section by unlatching the latch and opening the door on the wire passage device. The wire may be placed between the plurality of sealing sections and the door may be closed until the door is latched, thereby sealing the wire between the plurality of sealing sections. The plurality of sealing segments may include a chamfer to direct the wire toward the wire aperture. In some cases, the two-part seal may include a plurality of apertures for a plurality of wires.

The wire passage device disclosed herein may be attached (attached) to any suitable barrier that requires an airtight seal, such as a wall of a computer base. As described herein, a computer base may include a receptacle that houses a computer system and has an airflow path defined therethrough. Other computer bases may be used. In some cases, the base may include a housing (housing) for a personal computer (e.g., a single rack-mounted server) mounted on a rack or a housing for multiple computers (e.g., a blade server base or server rack). The wire passage means may be attached around an aperture in the barrier.

The wire passage device may comprise a body having an aperture that aligns with the aperture in the barrier when the wire passage device is mounted on the barrier. The wire channel device may be attached to the barrier using any technique, such as a variety of fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws, rivets, or the like). One or more seals may seal the wire passage means to the barrier so that air cannot escape from inside the barrier past behind the edge of the wire passage means.

The aperture of the wire passage device may comprise a multi-part wire seal, for example a two-part wire seal. The wire seal may include one or more wire openings for one or more wires. The wire seal may include a first seal section and a second seal section, such as a bottom seal section and a top seal section. The first sealing section may be statically coupled in place to the body of the wire channel device, but this need not always be the case. The second seal segment is slidably coupled to the body to allow the seal segment to move between an open position and a closed position. For example, when the second seal segment is positioned above the first seal segment, the second seal segment may be moved upward to an open position and may be moved downward to a closed position.

The plurality of sealing segments may be made of an elastomeric material, such as silicone rubber (silicone rubber). In the closed position, the first seal segment and the second seal segment compress against each other. When the wire is positioned in the wire opening of the wire seal and the second sealing section is moved to the closed position, the first sealing section and the second sealing section may be compressed against the wire to establish a hermetic seal around the wire. In some cases, one or more of the seal segments may include a plurality of compression grooves such that elastic deformation (elastic deformation) of a region having the plurality of compression grooves is increased. When multiple compression grooves are used to surround part or all of the wire openings, the increased elastic deformation in this region allows wires of various diameters to be used in the same wire opening. For example, a wire of a first diameter (e.g., a small diameter) may deform the wire seal only slightly around the wire aperture to form a hermetic seal, while a wire of a second diameter (e.g., a large diameter), which is larger than the first diameter, may deform the wire seal more around the wire aperture to form a hermetic seal. Furthermore, the multiple compression grooves are a technique for allowing multiple wires of different diameters to be used in the same wire passage device while still maintaining a secure seal, since multiple compression grooves can be formed in the sealing section without forming seams, which would otherwise not be possible if the sealing section included seams.

The wire passage means may be established in any suitable size. In one example, the wire passage means is sized such that the wire aperture of the wire seal is approximately 8 millimeters (mm) (e.g., 7mm, 7.5mm, 8mm, 8.5mm, 9mm, 9.5mm, or 10mm) in diameter. The use of multiple compression slots allows such wire openings to receive and seal multiple wires having diameters about the same as the wire opening diameter, even multiple wires having diameters about 1mm, 2mm, 3mm, or 4mm larger than the wire opening diameter. The size of the wire openings, the size and number of compression grooves, and/or the type of elastomeric material used for the wire seal may be adjusted to fit any suitable wire size or range of wire sizes desired for the wire passage means. In some cases, one or more inserts may be used to adapt the wire passage device to smaller wires (e.g., wires having a diameter equal to or less than the diameter of the wire opening).

In some cases, one or both of the plurality of sealing segments may include a chamfer that may urge one or more wires into one or more wire openings. For example, the ramps on the first sealing segment may be inclined toward the wire cut hole such that a wire placed on any such ramp will tend to move toward the wire cut hole, either due to gravity or due to the force exerted by the second sealing segment as it moves toward the first sealing segment.

Movement of one or both of the plurality of sealing sections of the wire seal may be achieved by opening and closing a door of the wire passage device. In one example, the second seal segment may be attached to a seal base that moves linearly within a track (e.g., a groove) of a body of the wire passage device. The door may be hinged (hinged) at the first end and may be coupled to the sealing base by a linkage such that movement of the door to the door open position raises the sealing base and thereby the second sealing section, while movement of the door to the door closed position lowers the sealing base and thereby the second sealing section. The door and link may act as a lever (lever) to open and close the wire seal, providing some mechanical advantage. The amount of mechanical advantage provided can be tailored by adjusting the distance between the hinge (hinge) and the link and/or the distance between the hinge and the second end of the door. The door and link may be assembled to provide sufficient mechanical advantage to ensure that a user can easily move the door from the door open position to the door closed position, particularly in view of the expected resistance to compression of the wire seal around the building material. Thus, the use of stiffer elastomeric materials may require greater mechanical advantage. Alternatively, if space is limited, the maximum mechanical advantage may be less, possibly resulting in the use of a less stiff elastomeric material.

The door may be secured in the closed door position by one or more latches. In some cases, the door may be biased to an open position, such as through the use of a door biasing element, such as a torsion spring (torsion spring) on a hinge of the door. In such cases, when one or more latches securing the door are released, the door may automatically move to the door open position due to the door biasing element. One or more latches may be coupled to a latch body that is slidably coupled to the main body of the wire passage device. Thus, the sliding latch body can separate one or more latches and a door sufficiently that the door is unsecured, allowing the door to move to a door open position. The latch body can be moved by using an actuator. Any suitable actuator may be used, although in some cases the actuator is a sliding button (e.g., a structure on which a finger may be placed to slide the actuator). Other actuators may be used, such as depressible buttons (buttons), electronic actuators (electronic actuators), keyed actuators (keyed actuators), or the like.

Certain aspects of the present invention are particularly useful for providing a channel seal on a wall of a computer base. Certain aspects of the present invention allow for easy one-handed opening of a two-part seal to allow insertion of a wire, and then closing of the two-part seal to seal the wire therein. The use of the ramp guides the wire to the wire opening further facilitating one-handed use of the wire passage device. One-handed use of the wire passage device is particularly useful in connection with computer bases. For example, when one hand is holding a computer base or manipulating a component within the computer base, the other hand can grasp a wire that is about to pass through the wall of the base and use one of the fingers of that hand to quickly and easily open the wire passage means. The large surface area provided by the door then makes it easy for the same hand to close the wire passage means once enough wire has passed through it. Furthermore, certain aspects of the present disclosure allow for the wire passage device to be modular and easily installed on a base when needed.

These various examples are provided to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein, and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following description describes various additional features and examples with reference to the various figures, like numbers representing like elements, and the directional descriptions are used to describe the exemplary embodiments, but as with the exemplary embodiments, the descriptions should not be used to limit the invention. The various elements included in the drawings may not be drawn to scale.

Fig. 1 is a partial exploded view of a system 100 including a wire passage device 110 and a computer base 102 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The seat 102 may include a wall 104, the wall 104 having a barrier opening 106 through which a wire may pass. Although fig. 1 depicts the barrier opening 106 as being rectangular, the barrier opening 106 may be any suitable shape. Any suitable base 102 may be used.

The wire channel device 110 may be coupled to the base 102 using any suitable technique, such as using fasteners 116. The fastener 116 may pass through the fastener hole 108 and be fastened to the wire passage device 110. For example, the fastener 116 may be a bolt that threads into an associated receiving nut within the wire passage device 110. In some cases, the wire passage device 110 may include a seal that seals around the perimeter of the barrier aperture 106, thereby avoiding air leakage between the edge of the wire passage device 110 and the wall 104.

The wire passage device 110 may include a body 130 having a door 120, an actuator 118, and a wire seal 112. The wire seal 112 may be a two-part seal that may be separated when the door 120 is open and may be brought together when the door 120 is closed. The door 120 is biased open but secured in a door closed position through the use of a latch. The actuator 118 may be a slidable button, and the actuator 118 may unlatch, thus allowing the door 120 to open, and thus allowing the wire seal 112 to open (e.g., allowing the seal segments to separate).

The wire seal 112 may be used to establish a hermetic seal around the wire 114. Any suitable wire 114 may be used, such as a power wire. Although the wire passage device 110 of fig. 1 is depicted as sealing two wires 114, in some cases, the wire passage device may be configured to accept one wire or more than two wires.

Fig. 2 is an isometric view depicting a wire passage device 210 in a closed configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The wire passage device 210 may be the wire passage device 110 of fig. 1. The wire passage device 210 may include a body 230. The door 220 may be coupled to the body 230 at a hinge 226 such that the door 220 swings open or closed about the hinge 226. The door 220 may be secured in the door closed position until the actuator 218 is depressed, at which point the door 220 may be opened by rotating about the hinge 226. In some cases, the door 220 may move approximately 90 ° between the door closed position and the door open position.

In the closed configuration, the door 220 is in a door closed position. In the door closed position, the door 220 closes the wire seal 212 together, thereby sealing around any wire located in the wire aperture 228. The wire seal 212 may include a first seal section 224 and a second seal section 222. As shown in the wire channel device 210 of fig. 2, the first sealing section 224 is statically coupled to the body 230 while the second sealing section 222 is slidable between an open position and a closed position. Since the door 220 is secured in the door closed position, the second seal segment 222 is now secured in the closed position.

Fig. 3 is a front view illustrating a wire passage device 310 in a closed configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The wire passage device 310 may be the wire passage device 210 of fig. 2. The wire passage device 310 includes a body 330. The door 320 may be coupled to the body 330 and secured in the door closed position until a user slides the slidable actuator 318, thereby disengaging the door 320 and allowing the door 320 to move to the door open position. In the door closed position, the door 320 may force the second sealing section 322 of the wire seal 312 against the first sealing section 324. This pressure may establish a seal around any wires that may be placed in the wire apertures 328 of the wire seal 312.

The wire seal 312 may include one or more compression grooves 332 at or around the plurality of wire apertures 328. The compression groove 332 may be a groove formed in the resilient material of the wire seal 312. The depth, thickness and number of the compression slots 332 may be selected or adjusted to accommodate a desired range of wire diameters. The compression groove 332 facilitates elastic deformation of the wire seal 312 around the wire aperture 328 than the end of the wire seal 312 that exits the wire aperture 328. Thus, when a wire having a diameter greater than the wire aperture 328 is placed in the wire seal 312, the compression groove 332 may deform to establish a seal around the wire while still allowing multiple regions of the wire seal 312 distal from the wire aperture 328 (e.g., the leftmost or rightmost regions of the wire seal 312 as viewed in fig. 3) to compress and seal against one another.

In some cases, a multi-material wire seal 312 may be used in place of the compression groove 332, in which case the area of the wire seal 312 at or around the wire aperture 328 may be made of a less stiff (e.g., having a lower elastic modulus) elastomeric material than the elastomeric material used for other areas of the wire seal 312.

Fig. 4 is an isometric view depicting a wire passage device 410 in an open configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The wire passage device 410 may be the wire passage device 110 of fig. 1 in an open configuration. For illustrative purposes, the door 420 is depicted as transparent. While the door 420 may be made of a transparent material, this need not always be the case.

The door 420 is coupled to the body 430 by a hinge 426 to rotate between a door open position (as shown in fig. 4) and a door closed position (e.g., the door 220 of fig. 2). The door 420 may be biased to a door open position by a door biasing member 434. The door biasing element 434 is depicted as a torsion spring, but a variety of other biasing devices may be used.

The wire seal of the wire passage device 410 may be in an open position with the second sealing section 422 and the first sealing section 424 disposed apart (e.g., the second sealing section 422 is raised away from the first sealing section 424). The first seal segment 424 may be coupled to the body 430 within the opening 448 of the body 430. The first sealing segment 424 may be statically coupled to the body 430 such that the first sealing segment 424 does not move relative to the body 430. However, the second sealing section 422 may be slidably coupled to the body 430 such that the second sealing section 422 can slide (e.g., in an up-down direction as shown in fig. 4) within the opening 448 of the body 430. The second seal segment 422 is slidable between an open position (as shown in fig. 4) and a closed position (e.g., the second seal segment 222 of fig. 2).

The second seal segment 422 may be mounted within a track 446 (e.g., a groove) within the body 430. In some cases, the second seal segment 422 may be coupled to the body 430 in other various ways. The second seal segment 422 may be coupled to a seal base 440. The seal base 440 may slide relative to the body 430 (e.g., in an up-down direction as shown in fig. 4) to correspondingly move the second seal segment 422. The seal base 440 may be mounted within the track 446. In some cases, the rail 446, the seal base 440, and/or the second seal segment 422 may include a material having a low coefficient of friction (coefficient of friction) to facilitate sliding of the second seal segment 422.

The door 420 may be coupled to the seal base 440 by a linkage 444. Rotation of the door 420 about the hinge 426 from the door open position to the door closed position may cause the seal base 440, and thus the second seal segment 422, to rotate toward the first seal segment 424.

The door 420 may include a latch element 438, the latch element 438 engaging a latch 442 of a corresponding wire channel device 410 when the door 420 is moved to the door closed position. The latch 442 may be retracted to disengage the door 420 by applying a force (e.g., a downward force as shown in fig. 4) to the actuator 418. Disengagement of the door 420 may cause the door 420 to automatically move to the door open position via the door biasing member 434. The latch 442 and/or the latch element 438 can be shaped (e.g., have a sloped surface) to allow the door 420 to be closed without applying force on the actuator 418. For example, the act of closing the door 420 may push the latch element 438 toward the latch 442 and temporarily retract the latch 442 until the latch element 438 has passed the latch 442, at which time the latch 442 again extends and engages the latch element 438 to secure the door 420 in the door closed position.

The door 420 may include a seal 436. The seal 436 may be positioned to seal the door 420 from air leakage when the door is in the door closed position by establishing a seal between the body 430 and the seal base 440 and/or the second seal segment 422 about a portion of the rear of the door 420.

Fig. 5 is a front view illustrating a wire passage device 510 in an open configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The wire passage device 510 may be the wire passage device 410 of fig. 4. The body 530 of the wire channel device 510 may include an aperture 548, the aperture 548 may be aligned with an aperture in a barrier (e.g., a base wall) to which the wire channel device 510 is attached.

The door 520 is shown in a door open position. The door 520 is coupled to the body 530 by a hinge, allowing the door 520 to rotate about a rotation axis 554. The door 520 may be coupled to the seal base 540 by a plurality of linkages 544. Each link 544 is rotatably coupled to the door 520 and the seal base 540. Fig. 5 depicts two links 544, but any suitable number of links may be used. The seal base 540 may be coupled to the second seal segment 522. Movement of the door 520 from a door open position (e.g., as shown in fig. 5) to a door closed position (e.g., the door 320 of fig. 3) may cause the connecting rod 544 to push the seal base 540, and thus the second seal segment 522, toward the first seal segment 524.

One or both of the first and second sealing sections 524, 522 may include features that urge any of the wires 514,515 within the apertures 548 toward the respective wire apertures 552, 553. As shown in fig. 5, the first sealing section 524 includes a ramp 550 (e.g., a ramp located on and between opposite sides of the wire apertures 552, 553) that can move the wire 514 toward the wire aperture 552 and the wire 515 toward the wire aperture 553. This movement may be due to the weight of the pull down on the wires 514,515 or may be the result of a force from the second sealing section 522 as it moves towards the first sealing section 524.

Fig. 6 is a rear view showing a wire passage device 610 in a closed configuration according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The wire passage device 610 may be the wire passage device 210 of fig. 2.

The body 630 may have an opening 648. Door 620 is visible through opening 648. A door seal (e.g., seal 436 of fig. 4) may block air leakage through the door 620. The body 630 may include a seal 662 to block air from leaking past the edge of the body 630. The seal 662 of the body 630 may press against a barrier (e.g., a base wall) to which the wire passage device 610 is coupled.

As shown in fig. 6, the wire passage device 610 is in a closed configuration. Thus, the closed door 620 is or has passed the link 644 and the seal base 640 with the second seal segment 622 abutting the first seal segment 624. In the closed position, the latch member 638 of the door 620 can engage the latch 642. The latch 642 can be part of a latch body 658 and/or the latch 642 can include a latch body 658. As shown in fig. 6, a single latch body 658 can be coupled to and/or include two latches 642. The latch body 658 can be slidably coupled to the body 630. For example, the fastener 666 can pass through a latch body groove 664 in the latch body 658 to couple the latch body 658 to the main body 630. Thus, the latch body 658 is able to slide due to the interaction of the fastener 666 with the latch body groove 664. A latch biasing element 660, such as a spring, may bias latch 642 to an extended position (e.g., a position where latch 642 can engage door 620), such as through latch body 658. A force (e.g., a downward force as shown in fig. 6) can overcome the latch biasing element 660 and cause the latch 642 to retract, thereby disengaging the door 620 from the release door 620.

In some cases, the body 630 may include a fastener receiver 656 to facilitate coupling of the wire channel device 610 to the barrier. The fastener receivers 656 may be nuts for receiving bolts, but a variety of other structures capable of receiving fasteners may be used. In some cases, the fastener receivers 656 are made of a different material than the main body 630, but this need not always be the case.

Fig. 7 is an isometric view depicting a first sealing section 624 and a second sealing section 622 according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. The first and second sealing sections 624, 622 may constitute the wire seal 612. The wire seal 612 may be the wire seal 212 of fig. 2.

The wire seal 612 may have two wire openings, each for receiving a wire. A plurality of wire apertures may be formed through the wire apertures 670, 668 of the first and second sealing sections 624, 622, respectively. The wire aperture 670 of the first seal segment 624 may take the form of a semi-circle or near semi-circle. Likewise, the wire apertures 668 of the second sealing section 622 may take the form of opposing semi-circles or near semi-circles corresponding to the wire apertures 670 of the first sealing section 624.

In some cases, one or both of the first and second sealing segments 624, 622 may include a chamfer 650. In some cases, the first sealing section 624 includes a plurality of bevels 650 that slope toward an adjacent plurality of wire apertures 670. When positioned between the plurality of wire apertures 670, the plurality of ramps 650 may take the form of a pointed arch, a multi-segment arch, or a rounded arch such that any wire stopped thereon is forced into any of the adjacent plurality of wire apertures 670 due to gravity or due to a force from the second sealing segment 622 (e.g., during movement of the second sealing segment 622 toward the first sealing segment 624).

In some cases, one or both of the first and second seal segments 624, 622 may include a plurality of compression slots 632. The compression slots 632 may be located at or about the plurality of wire apertures 668, 670. The compressed groove 632 may allow the portions of the first and second sealing segments 624, 622 that define the wire apertures 668,670 to elastically deform more than other portions of the first and second sealing segments 624, 622. Thus, when the wire is placed within the wire apertures 668,670, the regions with the compression grooves 632 may be easily deformed to ensure that a tight seal is maintained in the regions with other regions of the wire seal 612 (e.g., the interface of the first and second sealing segments 624, 622).

The compression slots 632 may be slot shaped voids in the seal segment. Generally, the compression slots 632 take the shape of an arc that corresponds to the shape of any wire apertures 668,670 in the seal segment. The compression groove 632 may extend partially through the depth of the seal segment, for example, equal to or less than 90%, 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, or 20%. The compression pockets 632 may be formed during the initial formation of the seal segments (e.g., molding or additive printing) or may be fabricated by any suitable subtractive method (e.g., drilling, cutting, etc.). In some cases, the compression pockets 632 may include a first set of pockets located on the forward side of the seal segment and a second set of pockets located on the aft side of the seal segment. In this case, the front and rear slots may be aligned with each other or offset with respect to each other.

Fig. 8 is a progressive combination of isometric views depicting a wire passage device 810A in an open configuration, a wire passage device 810B in a partially closed configuration, and a wire passage device 810C in a closed configuration, in accordance with certain aspects of the present disclosure. The wire passage devices 810A,810B,810C may be the wire passage devices 110 of fig. 1.

The wire channel device 810A in the open configuration may have the door 820 in a door open position (e.g., a position orthogonal to the front surface of the body 830), which may cause the second sealing section 822 and the first sealing section 824 to be disposed apart, forming a wide aperture therebetween. One or more wires 814 can be moved into the opening. Because the opening is wide, even if wide or large terminals (terminations) are used, the terminals of the wires 814, such as connectors, can easily pass through the opening without difficulty. Pressing down on the door 820 of the wire passage device 810A in the open configuration may result in the wire passage device 810B being in the partially closed configuration. In this configuration, the door 820 has been partially moved toward the door closed position such that the second sealing section 822 has been partially moved toward the first sealing section 824. The second sealing section 822 may initially contact the wire 814.

Further pressure on the door 820 of the wire channel device 810B in the partially closed configuration may result in the wire channel device 810C being in the closed configuration. In this configuration, continued movement of the second sealing section 822 toward the first sealing section 824 may move the wire 814 into the wire aperture of the wire seal. The door 820 may be in a door closed position and latched in place. When the door 820 is in the door closed position, the second sealing section 822 may be compressed against the first sealing section 824 with sufficient pressure to establish a hermetic seal. This hermetic seal may include all interfaces between the first seal section 824, the second seal section 822, and any of the wires 814 in the wire aperture.

If sufficient downward pressure is applied to the actuator 818 of the wire channel device 810C in the closed configuration, the latch holding the door 820 in the door closed position may be unlatched, allowing the door 820 to move to the door open position and resulting in the wire channel device 810A in the open configuration.

Fig. 9 is a progressive combination of front views showing wire passage device 910A in an open configuration, wire passage device 910B in a partially closed configuration, and wire passage device 910C in a closed configuration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Wire passage devices 910A,910B,910C may be wire passage devices 810A,810B,810C of fig. 8, respectively.

Wire passage device 910A in an open configuration may have door 920 in a door open position (e.g., a position orthogonal to a front surface of body 930), which may cause second sealing section 922 and first sealing section 924 to be disposed apart, forming a wide aperture therebetween. One or more wires 914 may be moved into the opening. Because the aperture is wide, even if a wide or large terminal is used, the terminal (e.g., connector) of the wire 914 can easily pass through the aperture without difficulty. Pressing down on door 920 of wire passage device 910A in the open configuration may result in wire passage device 910B being in the partially closed configuration. In this configuration, the door 920 has been moved partially toward the door closed position such that the second sealing segment 922 has been moved partially toward the first sealing segment 924. The second seal segment 922 may initially contact the wire 914. Further pressure on the door 920 to press the second sealing section 922 against the first sealing section 924 may cause the wires 914 to be pressed against the ramp 950, thereby urging the wires 914 toward the wire openings.

Further pressure on door 920 of wire passage device 910B in a partially closed configuration may result in wire passage device 910C in a closed configuration. The door 920 may be in a door closed position and latched in place. When the door 920 is in the door closed position, the second sealing section 922 may be compressed against the first sealing section 924 with sufficient pressure to establish a hermetic seal. This hermetic seal may include all interfaces between the first sealing section 924, the second sealing section 922, and any of the wires 914 in the wire openings.

If sufficient downward pressure is applied at actuator 918 of wire passage device 910C in the closed configuration, the latch holding door 920 in the door closed position may be unlatched, allowing door 920 to move to the door open position and resulting in wire passage device 910A in the open configuration.

Fig. 10 is a flow chart depicting a step 1000 of using a wire passage device according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Step 1000 may be used with any suitable wire passage device, such as wire passage device 110 of fig. 1.

At block 1002, a barrier having an opening may be provided. Providing a barrier may include: a barrier is provided that does not have an aperture and an aperture (e.g., having a perimeter that is smaller than a body seal (e.g., seal 662 of fig. 6)) suitable for use with a wire passage device is cut, stamped (stamping), or otherwise formed in the barrier. In some cases, providing the barrier further comprises forming a hole through which a fastener may be inserted to secure the wire passage device to the barrier. The barrier may be a wall of the computer base.

At block 1004, a wire passage device may be coupled to the barrier at the barrier opening. Coupling the wire passage device to the barrier may include inserting a fastener into and through a fastener hole in the barrier to engage a fastener receiver of the wire passage device. Securing the fastener may include applying a force to the wire passage device to press the body seal against the barrier.

At block 1006, the door of the wire passage device is movable to a door open position. Moving the door to the door open position may include releasing (e.g., retracting or unlatching) the latch by activating an actuator. In some cases, the door may be biased toward the door open position such that releasing the latch automatically moves the door to the door open position, although this need not always be the case. Moving the door to the door open position automatically moves the second seal segment away from the first seal segment, thereby creating a temporary opening defined by the spaced apart first and second seal segments.

At block 1008, one or more wires may be inserted between the first and second seal segments (e.g., through temporary openings). Inserting the one or more wires may include inserting a connector end that is larger than a diameter of the one or more wire openings of the wire seal. In block 1008, inserting the wire may include inserting the wire to a desired location.

At block 1010, the door is movable to a door closed position. In some cases, moving the door to the door closed position may include applying a force to a front surface of the door to overcome the door biasing element and rotate the door to the door closed position. In some cases, for example, if a door biasing element is not used, moving the door to the door closed position may include releasing a latch or other element that retains the door in the door open position. Moving the door to the door closed position may press the second seal segment against and against the first seal segment. In some cases, moving the second sealing section may include applying a force to one or more wires to press the one or more wires down one or more ramps of the first sealing section and into one or more wire openings. In some cases, the door may be automatically latched in place when the door is in the door closed position, such that the door is secured in the door closed position. In the door closed position, the second sealing segment may be pressed against the first sealing segment to form a hermetic seal between the first sealing segment, the second sealing segment, and one or more wires therebetween.

The foregoing description of various embodiments, including the illustrated embodiments, has been presented for purposes of illustration and description only and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Various modifications, adaptations, and uses thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Many variations may be made to the disclosed embodiments in light of the disclosure herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described embodiments.

Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, the words "include," including, "" have, "" having, "or variations thereof used in the embodiments and/or the claims are to be understood as being somewhat analogous to the words" comprise.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Moreover, words such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Claims (10)

1. A wire passage device, comprising:

a body couplable to a barrier having a barrier opening, the body having an opening aligned with the barrier opening;

a resilient first seal segment coupled to the opening of the body;

a resilient second sealing section adjacent the first sealing section and movable between an open position in which the second sealing section is spaced apart from the first sealing section and a closed position in which the second sealing section is compressed toward the first sealing section, wherein the first and second sealing sections are shaped to receive a wire between the first and second sealing sections and compressed toward the wire when the second sealing section is in the closed position;

a door coupled to the body and the second seal section, the door being movable between a door open position and a door closed position, wherein movement of the door to the door closed position moves the second seal section to the closed position, and wherein movement of the door to the door open position moves the second seal section to the open position;

a latch for securing the door in the closed position; and

an actuator coupled to the latch for releasing the latch.

2. The wire channel device of claim 1, wherein the first sealing section comprises a first wire opening for receiving the wire, and wherein the second sealing section comprises a second wire opening for receiving the wire.

3. The wire passage device of claim 2, wherein at least one of the first sealing section and the second sealing section comprises a plurality of compression grooves adjacent the wire opening to establish a hermetic seal between the at least one sealing section and the wire when the second sealing section is in the closed position.

4. The wire passage device of claim 2, wherein the first sealing section comprises a first slope for directing the wire toward the first wire opening.

5. The wire passage device of claim 2, wherein the second sealing section comprises a second slope for directing the wire toward the second wire opening.

6. The wire passage device of claim 1, further comprising a door biasing element for biasing the door toward the door open position.

7. The wire passage device of claim 6, wherein the latch comprises a latch body slidably coupled to the main body and movable between a latched position and an unlatched position, wherein the wire passage device further comprises a latch biasing element for biasing the latch body toward the latched position, and wherein the actuator is slidable to move the latch body toward the unlatched position.

8. The wire channel device of claim 1, wherein the second sealing section is coupled to a sealing base that is slidably mounted in a groove of the body, and wherein the door is coupled to the sealing base by a linkage such that movement of the door toward the door closed position causes the sealing base to move the second sealing section toward the closed position.

9. The wire passage device of claim 1, wherein the door includes a door seal for sealing a perimeter of the barrier opening in the door closed position.

10. The wire passage device of claim 1, wherein the barrier is a wall of a computer base.

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