Coaxial Coupler Seal Geometry for Variable Port Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional coaxial cable connector seals face challenges in providing consistent moisture and corrosion resistance, particularly due to the accordion effect which compromises sealing quality and can lead to signal loss and high maintenance costs, especially when dealing with varying port lengths and diameters.
Innovation Solution
A modular coupler seal with an elastically deformable tubular body featuring a radially inner facet divided into forward and rearward portions by an inner annular groove, allowing for effective sealing with both short and long interface ports through adjustable separation of the anterior and posterior portions, preventing the accordion effect and ensuring reliable connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber seal is made tight enough to collapse onto mating parts to ensure moisture sealing, then moisture resistance is improved, but friction increases causing operators to believe the connection is fully tightened when it actually remains loose
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is divided into multiple sealing surfaces at different diameters along its length. Each sealing surface can engage with corresponding mating parts at different diameters, allowing the seal to provide moisture protection through multiple contact points rather than relying on a single tight collapse, thereby reducing excessive friction and preventing operator misjudgment during tightening
Solution Approach 2:
The seal transitions from relying solely on radial compression to utilizing axial compression as well. The seal is designed to be compressed axially between the connector coupler and the opposing surface of the port, creating sealing contact along the axial dimension. This distributes the sealing force over a longer distance, reducing the need for excessive radial compression and the associated friction problems
2Reliability
If the seal length is increased to span the distance between coupler and port surface, then moisture sealing is improved, but the seal may prevent complete assembly or compress axially like an accordion compromising shielding
Solution Approach 1:
The seal incorporates an accordion-like collapsed configuration that allows it to dynamically adapt its axial length. When compressed axially during assembly, the seal can collapse in a controlled manner to accommodate varying port lengths while maintaining sealing effectiveness. This dynamic compression capability allows the seal to span different distances without preventing complete assembly or compromising shielding, as the collapsed configuration maintains electrical continuity
Solution Approach 2:
The seal design allows for parameter changes in axial compression while maintaining sealing function. By designing the seal with appropriate material properties and geometric features, it can undergo axial compression to adapt to different port lengths. The seal transitions from an extended state to a compressed state, changing its axial dimension parameter while maintaining the sealing function through controlled deformation rather than uncontrolled accordion compression
3Ease of operation
If the seal is made shorter to accommodate shorter ports, then ease of assembly is improved, but moisture freely passes through compromising reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed with multiple sealing surfaces at different diameters and positions along its length, allowing it to function effectively with ports of varying lengths. The same seal can provide moisture protection for both short and long ports by engaging different combinations of sealing surfaces. This universal design eliminates the need to select different seal lengths for different port configurations, making assembly easier while maintaining reliable moisture protection across all applications
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 modular seal design ensures reliable sealing across different port lengths and diameters, maintaining signal quality and reducing maintenance costs by preventing corrosion and moisture ingress, while being easy to install and adaptable to various port configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a seal having an elastically deformable tubular body attached to the housing
Data Source
AI summary
A cable system component includes a housing having a seal-grasping surface portion and a seal having an elastically deformable tubular body attached to the housing. The body has a posterior sealing surface that cooperatively engages the seal-grasping surface portion of the housing and a forward sealing surface configured to cooperatively engage an interface port. The forward sealing surface includes a radially inner facet divided into a forward portion and a rearward portion by an inner annular groove in the inner facet. The seal includes an anterior portion and a posterior portion connected by a thinned neck portion, the forward portion of the radially inner facet is on the anterior portion, and the rearward portion of the radially inner facet is on the posterior portion. The rearward portion of the radially inner facet includes a sealing edge surface that is configured to cooperate with an outer surface of the interface port in order to provide a sealed connection between the connector and the port when the anterior portion is removed from the seal. The inner annular groove is radially aligned with the neck portion and is configured to keep the neck portion away from the sealing edge of the rearward portion of the radially inner facet when the anterior portion is removed from the seal.