Connector Housing Sealing for Liquid and EMI Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current electrical connectors are vulnerable to water and chemical exposure, leading to potential short circuits and damage to electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly with a flange and mating end, featuring integrated seals made from materials like conductive ethylene propylene diene monomer or fluorosilicone rubber, which provide both water-tight and electromagnetic shielding, ensuring protection against liquids and chemicals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the connector housing is opened to allow electrical contact engagement, then electrical connection functionality is enabled, but liquid ingress risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible seal member is positioned within the connector housing to create a liquid-tight barrier around the electrical contact while allowing the contact to engage and disengage. The seal member's flexibility enables it to deform during contact insertion and removal, maintaining sealing effectiveness throughout the operational cycle.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If sealing materials are added to the connector assembly, then liquid protection is improved, but electromagnetic shielding capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is constructed from a composite material system comprising a flexible polymer matrix embedded with conductive particles or metal layers. This composite structure provides both the flexibility needed for sealing and the electromagnetic conductivity required for shielding, eliminating the trade-off between liquid protection and EMI shielding.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing function and electromagnetic shielding function are merged into a single integrated seal member. The seal member simultaneously performs both functions: preventing liquid ingress through its flexible barrier properties and providing electromagnetic shielding through its conductive characteristics, thereby eliminating the need for separate sealing and shielding components.
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 effectively seals the connector assembly, preventing liquid ingress and providing electromagnetic shielding, thus protecting the electronic device from damage and ensuring reliable operation in harsh environments.
Implementation Method 1
The flange seal is configured to be positioned between the flange surface of the connector housing and the flange side of the panel. The mating end seal is configured to be positioned between the panel and the mating end of the connector housing to seal the opening of the panel.
Implementation Method 2
The seal includes metal particles to provide electromagnetic shielding for the electrical contact.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a connector having a connector housing including a flange and a mating end. The flange has a flange surface. The mating end has an opening extending therethrough. A flange seal extends along the flange surface. A mating end seal extends around the mating end of the connector housing. The connector housing is configured to couple to a panel so that a flange side of the panel is positioned adjacent the flange surface of the connector housing. The mating end of the connector housing is configured to extend through an opening formed in the panel. The flange seal is configured to be positioned between the flange surface of the connector housing and the flange side of the panel. The mating end seal is configured to be positioned between the panel and the mating end of the connector housing to seal the opening of the panel.