Electrolytic Capacitor Sealing Structure for Case Expansion Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrolytic capacitors face a drop in sealing effectiveness due to the expansion and contraction of the body case, which is exacerbated by the uniform diameter of inorganic layers, resin layers, or ceramic reinforcement members provided on the sealing material, leading to deformation and adverse effects on the capacitor element during molding.

Innovation Solution

The electrolytic capacitor features a depressed portion in the sealing material with an external pressure deformation suppressing plate, a drawn portion in the body case, and a bent portion in the body case tip, allowing the sealing material to expand and contract freely while being protected from deformation by the external pressure deformation suppressing plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If an inorganic layer, resin layer, or ceramic reinforcement member is provided unitarily on the sealing material with the same diameter, then the sealing material is restrained from expansion and contraction, but the sealing effect deteriorates due to inability to follow body case dimensional changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidability to follow body case expansion and contraction
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing material is divided into multiple regions with different functional characteristics: a first region with a first diameter that can expand and contract, and a second region with a second diameter that is restrained. This segmentation allows different parts of the sealing material to perform different functions - maintaining sealing effect while adapting to body case dimensional changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the sealing material are given different properties: the first region has properties that allow expansion and contraction to follow the body case, while the second region has properties that restrain expansion and contraction to maintain sealing effect. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction between adaptability and sealing stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Stability of the object's composition

If the sealing material is restrained from expansion and contraction to maintain sealing effect, then sealing stability is improved, but the sealing material deforms severely during molding process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing effectVSAvoidresistance to deformation during molding
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing material is segmented into a first region that can deform during molding without affecting sealing, and a second region that is restrained to maintain sealing effect. This segmentation allows the structure to withstand molding forces while preserving sealing integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first region is designed with properties that allow deformation during molding to absorb external forces, while the second region maintains restrained properties to preserve sealing effect. This local quality differentiation protects the sealing material from severe deformation during molding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If the outer circumferential surface of the outer circumference holding portion is a flat face, then manufacturing is simplified, but the sealing material cannot adapt to environmental changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidability to expand and contract with environment
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The outer circumferential surface of the outer circumference holding portion is designed as a curved surface (concave toward the capacitor element) rather than a flat face. This curvature allows the sealing material to expand and contract more naturally in response to environmental changes while maintaining the holding function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP4632775A1Electrolytic capacitor
Publication Date: 2025.10.15 SAN DENSHI INDS
  • EP4632775A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4632775A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4632775A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A sealing material has, in its face facing an opening of a body case, a depressed portion depressed toward a capacitor element with an outer diameter smaller than that of the sealing material, and an outer circumference holding portion around the outer circumference of the depressed portion. In the depressed portion, an external pressure deformation suppressing plate in a plate shape is provided, and at least part of an outer circumferential portion of the external pressure deformation suppressing plate provided in the depressed portion is covered with an inner circumferential part of the outer circumference holding portion of the sealing material.