Composite Sealing Adapter for Electrical Interconnections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrical interconnections are prone to degradation from environmental factors like moisture and vibration, and existing sealing solutions, such as rigid clamshell enclosures and elastic seals, face challenges in ease of installation and effectiveness, especially in exposed locations.
Innovation Solution
A composite sealing adapter comprising a harder outer shell and a softer inner core with a threaded arrangement, featuring quarter threads and an inner ring, which provides a secure and sealed interface with a threaded member, enhancing environmental sealing and mechanical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid clamshell enclosures are used to seal electrical interconnections, then environmental protection is improved, but ease of installation and opening deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device is divided into two separate shell halves that can be independently positioned and secured. This segmentation allows the enclosure to be easily opened and closed during installation and maintenance, while still providing rigid environmental protection when closed. The shells are connected through a threaded engagement mechanism that enables simple assembly and disassembly operations.
2Ease of operation
If elastic seals are used to cover electrical interconnections, then ease of installation is improved, but sealing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing device combines rigid shell materials (such as metal or hard plastic) with elastic sealing elements (such as rubber gaskets or O-rings). The rigid shells provide structural integrity and environmental protection, while the elastic sealing elements ensure effective sealing at the interface between shells and around the electrical interconnection. This composite approach maintains ease of installation while significantly improving sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If seals are applied at enclosure ends and along sealing perimeter, then environmental protection is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs elastic sealing elements in the form of flexible rings or gaskets that can be easily positioned within the shell structure. These flexible sealing elements conform to the contours of the electrical interconnection and seal effectively at critical locations such as the cable entry point and shell joints. The simplicity of the flexible sealing structure reduces overall device complexity while maintaining comprehensive environmental protection.
Data Source
Figure 1~2A
Figure 3~3B
Figure 4~5
AI summary
An assembly includes: a mounting structure having a threaded member; a generally annular adapter, the adapter having threads that engage the threaded member, the adapter further including a radially outward sealing surface formed of one of the materials; an electrical cable having a connector threaded onto the threaded member, and a sealing boot that covers the connector and engages the sealing surface of the adapter.