Bonding Fastener Environmental Seals Corrosion Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical bonding devices fail to prevent air and water infiltration, leading to corrosion and degradation of electrical connections, as they do not provide a comprehensive seal around the teeth and shank areas.
Innovation Solution
A combination of two components with serrated metal teeth on the underside of one component and inside surface of the other, along with circumferential and axial seals made of resilient materials, creates an air-tight and water-tight seal around the teeth and shank, preventing corrosion and environmental contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional toothed bonding devices are used, then electrical bonding is achieved, but air and water can infiltrate around the teeth causing corrosion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies flexible sealing elements (O-rings, gaskets, or elastomeric seals) positioned around the teeth and shank areas of the bonding device. These flexible membranes create a barrier that prevents air and water infiltration while allowing the device to maintain its bonding function, thus resolving the contradiction between achieving electrical bonding and preventing corrosive infiltration.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If single-use bonding devices like WEEB connectors are used, then some sealing is provided through deformation, but the device cannot be reused
Solution Approach 1:
The bonding device is segmented into separate functional components: the rigid bonding structure (teeth and shank) and the flexible sealing elements. This segmentation allows the bonding device to be reused multiple times while the seals can be replaced or maintained, resolving the contradiction between providing sealing protection and enabling reusability.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional washers without comprehensive seals are used, then installation is simple, but corrosion degrades the electrical connection over time
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing elements are nested within or around the bonding device structure, with inner seals positioned around the shank and outer seals around the teeth. This nested arrangement provides comprehensive corrosion protection while maintaining a compact, relatively simple overall structure that does not significantly complicate manufacturing or 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
The solution effectively protects the bonding location from corrosion and deterioration by creating a comprehensive seal, allowing for repeated use without loss of sealing ability and maintaining a reliable electrical connection.
Implementation Method 1
A bonding fastener with environmental seals includes a sealing material circumferentially outward from the teeth on both the first component and second component
Implementation Method 2
The metal teeth of the WEEB clip deform during installation to provide the bonding
Data Source
AI summary
A bonding fastener having two components which electrically bonds metallic surfaces through serrated metal teeth on the underside of the head of the first component and on the inside surface of the second component which embed into each metal surface as a fastener is tightened. In one embodiment, the fastener is a nut and bolt combination, and in another embodiment the fastener is a two-part rivet. A sealing material circumferentially outward from the teeth on both the first component and second component creates an air-tight and water-tight seal around the teeth, protecting the bonding location from air and water infiltration from the outside. The second component also has an internal seal, sealing around the shank of the first component to prevent axial infiltration of air or water along the shank and protecting the bonding locations from corrosion from contaminants entering along that route.