Conductive Seal Washer Structure for Fastener Potential Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seal washers struggle to maintain sealing properties while ensuring conductive states between multiple insulating film-coated fixing members during fastening.
Innovation Solution
A washer with a conductive main body, a first seal portion, and a second seal portion, featuring an annular plate-shaped body and protruding elements, is designed to facilitate conductive connections while maintaining sealing by using a bottomed cylindrical shape and a chrysanthemum-shaped second washer for enhanced contact and sealing performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional seal washer is used to secure sealing property, then sealing property is improved, but the ability to conduct multiple fixing members to the same potential deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously provides sealing, electrical insulation, and electrical conduction capabilities. The seal portion ensures sealing and insulation, while the conductive portion enables electrical potential equalization between multiple fixing members, making the single component universally applicable to both sealing and electrical connection requirements
2Ease of manufacture
If the washer structure is simplified to a single material, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the ability to provide both sealing and conductivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The washer is constructed as a composite structure combining insulating elastic material and conductive material in specific spatial arrangements. This composite construction allows the washer to simultaneously provide sealing, insulation, and conduction functions, maintaining dual-function performance while still being manufacturable through conventional processes
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 solution enables conductive states between fixing members while securing effective sealing properties, improving contact area and sealing performance through the use of insulating and conductive materials, ensuring reliable electrical connections and insulation.
Implementation Method 1
The first seal portion covers the inner peripheral surface at the inner peripheral portion and both surfaces in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped body
Implementation Method 2
The second seal portion covers at least the distal end portion of the protruding portion
Implementation Method 3
The washer of the embodiment includes a conductive main body... can fix a plurality of fixing members in a conductive state while securing sealing properties
Data Source
AI summary
A washer includes a conductive main body, a first seal portion, and a second seal portion. The main body includes an annular plate-shaped body and a protruding portion. The protruding portion protrudes in the thickness direction from the outer peripheral portion of the plate-shaped body. The first seal portion covers the inner peripheral surface at the inner peripheral portion and both surfaces in the thickness direction of the plate-shaped body. The second seal portion covers at least the distal end portion of the protruding portion.