Composite Closure Plug for EMC Shielding and Environmental Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical connector systems face issues with dust and water ingress and electromagnetic compatibility when cable receiving openings are empty, as existing sealing plugs fail to provide reliable sealing and EMC shielding under mechanical and thermal loads.
Innovation Solution
A closure plug comprising a polymer sealing element and a metal shielding element, where the polymer sealing element is injection molded with a rib structure and the metal shielding element is made of conductive materials like iron, copper, or silver, providing enhanced durability and EMC shielding by covering at least 90% of the projected area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a polymer sealing element is used to seal the cable receiving opening, then dust and water ingress is prevented, but electromagnetic compatibility is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines a polymer sealing element and a metal shielding element into a single integrated closure plug. The polymer sealing element seals the cable receiving opening against dust and water, while the metal shielding element provides electromagnetic shielding. These two elements with different functions are merged into one component that simultaneously addresses both sealing and electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The closure plug uses composite construction by combining polymer material for sealing and metal material for shielding. The polymer sealing element is injection-molded and can be integrally formed with or attached to the metal shielding element, creating a composite structure that leverages the advantages of both materials: the polymer's sealing properties and the metal's electromagnetic shielding properties.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If a metal shielding element is added to provide EMC shielding, then electromagnetic compatibility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The metal shielding element is merged with the polymer sealing element into a single integrated closure plug component. This integration reduces device complexity by eliminating the need for separate sealing and shielding components, while still providing both sealing and electromagnetic shielding functions through the combined structure.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a closure plug is designed to be tightly sealed, then dust and water protection is improved, but the closure plug may become untight or detach under mechanical and thermal load
Solution Approach 1:
The closure plug uses composite construction combining polymer and metal materials with different mechanical and thermal properties. The metal shielding element provides structural strength and stability to resist mechanical and thermal loads, while the polymer sealing element maintains the sealing function. This composite structure enhances reliability by preventing the closure plug from becoming untight or detaching under stress.
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 combination of polymer and metal elements ensures improved durability and electromagnetic compatibility, preventing dust and water ingress and electromagnetic interference, even under mechanical and thermal stress, while maintaining a compact design.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer sealing element for sealing the cable receiving opening against dust and/or water
Implementation Method 2
a metal shielding element for electromagnetically shielding the cable receiving opening
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a closure plug (10) for closing an empty, in particular substantially circular, cable receiving opening (22) of an electrical connector housing (21). The closure plug (10) comprises a polymer sealing element (11) for sealing the cable receiving opening (22) against dust and/or water, and a metal shielding element (13) for electromagnetically shielding the cable receiving opening (22). Moreover, the present disclosure relates to an electrical connector system (20) which comprises said at least one closure plug (10).