Composite Sealing Member Structure for Deformation Resistance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sealing members made of single elastic materials have low rigidity and easily deform, leading to reduced sealing properties when interfering objects are present.

Innovation Solution

A sealing member composed of multiple sealing materials made from elastic materials and a high rigidity material, arranged as a single body with the high rigidity material providing structural support to maintain the sealing member's shape and prevent deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a sealing member is formed of a single elastic material, then close adhesion to mating member is achieved and sealing properties are excellent, but rigidity is low and the sealing member easily deforms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing propertiesVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing member is constructed as a composite structure comprising a sealing material layer and a rigidity enhancement layer. The sealing material layer provides close adhesion and sealing properties, while the rigidity enhancement layer (made of rigid or semi-rigid material) prevents deformation and maintains the member's shape. This composite approach resolves the contradiction by combining materials with complementary properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing member is divided into functionally distinct layers: a sealing material layer for adhesion and sealing, and a separate rigidity enhancement layer for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other, addressing the contradiction between softness for sealing and hardness for rigidity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a sealing member is formed of a single elastic material, then sealing properties are excellent, but when an interfering object is present, the sealing member deforms and gaps form reducing sealing properties

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing propertiesVSAvoidshape stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The composite structure with a rigidity enhancement layer provides resistance to external forces and interfering objects, preventing deformation of the sealing material layer. This maintains the member's shape stability and ensures consistent sealing properties even when interference is present.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The rigidity enhancement layer is strategically positioned and configured to provide localized support where deformation is most likely to occur. This local reinforcement maintains overall shape stability while allowing the sealing material to maintain its conforming properties for adhesion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 sealing member achieves stabilized sealing properties by preventing deformation and maintaining close adhesion to mating surfaces, even when encountering interfering objects.

Implementation Method 1

The outer peripheral surface of the packing comes into close adhesion with the housing and the adherend to realize sealing between the housing and the adherend

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The sealing member is formed of a single sealing material, for example, an elastic material such as rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP4372927B1Sealing member, wire harness provided with sealing member, connector provided with sealing member
Publication Date: 2025.02.19 YAZAKI CORP
  • EP4372927B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4372927B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP4372927B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

A sealing member (29) includes at least one sealing material (43) made from an elastic material, and a high rigidity material (45) provided as a single body with the at least one sealing material (43) and having a rigidity higher than a rigidity of the at least one sealing material (43).