Connector Line Entry Sealing with Cured Casting Compound
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for protecting electronic circuit arrangements in housings from environmental media, such as aggressive chemicals and moisture, are either labor-intensive and expensive, like complete potting with resin, or fail to seal the interior of the housing effectively, as seen in DE 20 2015 104 646 U1.
Innovation Solution
A connector system that uses a recess in a housing or insert part to encase a connection element and the end of a line with a cured casting compound, allowing for targeted sealing of the line's entry point into the housing, using a silicone-based material that is easier to apply and cure, and forms a strain relief without direct contact with aggressive media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If complete potting of the circuit arrangement with casting compound is used, then hermetic sealing and protection from environmental media is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sealing task into segments: instead of potting the entire circuit arrangement, only the line entry region and connection elements are enclosed with casting compound. This segmented approach maintains hermetic sealing where needed while avoiding unnecessary complexity in other areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing differential protection: the line entry region and connection elements receive hermetic sealing with casting compound, while other parts of the circuit arrangement remain accessible. This targeted sealing achieves protection where required without the complexity of complete potting.
2Reliability
If complete potting of the circuit arrangement with casting compound is used, then hermetic sealing is achieved, but production time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by enclosing only the critical line entry region and connection elements with casting compound, rather than completely potting the entire circuit arrangement. This reduces the volume of casting compound needed and shortens curing time, thereby improving productivity while maintaining necessary hermetic sealing.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If expensive and labor-intensive complete potting is used, then protection from environmental media is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing differential protection: the line entry region and connection elements receive hermetic sealing with casting compound, while other parts of the circuit arrangement remain accessible. This targeted sealing achieves protection where required without the complexity of complete potting.
4Reliability
If DE 20 2015 104 646 U1 sealing method is used, then cable joint protection is achieved, but hermetic sealing of housing interior is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two functions into one: the casting compound simultaneously protects the cable joint (as in DE 20 2015 104 646 U1) and provides hermetic sealing of the housing interior. The insert part with the enclosed line entry region acts as an integrated sealing barrier, combining cable protection and housing sealing in a single solution.
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
This solution provides a cost-effective and simpler sealing process that prevents media entry into the housing while allowing for the use of less expensive and easier-to-handle casting compounds, maintaining hermetic sealing and reducing the need for complex pretreatment and high-temperature curing.
Implementation Method 1
the cured casting compound also serves, in particular, as strain relief for the cable, which is passed into the housing with slack
Implementation Method 2
the cured casting compound also serves, in particular, as strain relief for the cable
Data Source
AI summary
A connector connecting a line to a printed circuit board. The connector has a section of the line that has a first end, has a connection element that is joined to the end of the section of the line by a first end and is joined to a printed circuit board by a second end, has an insert part that receives the first end of the connection element and the end of the section of the line, the insert part has a recess through which the connection element projects or in which the first end of the connection element and the end of the section of the line are arranged, and has a cured casting compound that fills the recess so as to enclose the connection element or so as to enclose the first end of the connection element and the end joined thereto of the section of the line.