Connector Sealing Enclosure With Radial Compression for Single-Motion Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sealing enclosures for connectors are cumbersome to operate in limited spaces, especially when mating with connectors on circuit boards or components like amplifiers or transceivers, and require multiple assembly steps prone to faults such as damage or incomplete sealing.
Innovation Solution
A sealing enclosure design that includes a cable seal compressing in the forward position of the outer body, allowing for a single motion engagement with a mating enclosure while automatically tightening the cable seal for reliable sealing, and a connector that can move freely to accommodate variations in mating connector position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing enclosure with multiple assembly steps is used, then reliable sealing can be achieved, but the device becomes cumbersome to operate in limited spaces and increases assembly time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the sealing function and locking function into a single integrated mechanism. The outer body simultaneously performs both sealing engagement and locking engagement with the mating enclosure in one axial motion, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps and making the device easier to operate in limited spaces while maintaining reliable sealing
Solution Approach 2:
The outer body is designed as a multi-functional component that performs multiple functions: it provides sealing engagement through the cable seal, structural support, and locking engagement through the locking element. This universal design allows a single component to achieve both reliable sealing and ease of operation
2Reliability
If a sealing enclosure with fixed connector position is used, then sealing can be maintained, but the connector cannot accommodate variations in mating connector position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic capability by allowing the connector to move freely within the connector volume of the inner body. This dynamic design enables the connector to accommodate variations in mating connector position while the outer body maintains sealing integrity through its engagement with the mating enclosure
3Reliability
If multiple assembly steps are required, then proper sealing can be ensured, but the number of assembly steps increases and risk of damage or incomplete sealing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing engagement and locking engagement into a single axial motion of the outer body. This combines multiple functions into one operation, reducing assembly complexity to a single step while ensuring both sealing completeness and proper engagement through the integrated design of the cable seal and locking element
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 easy assembly and reliable sealing of connectors in limited spaces with a single motion, reducing the risk of damage or incomplete sealing and accommodating variations in connector position.
Implementation Method 1
a cable seal adapted to sealingly engage the cable... in the forward position, the outer body extends beyond the cable seal in the rearward direction and the cable seal is compressed by the outer body
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing enclosure is configured to connect to a mating enclosure. The sealing enclosure loosely receives a connector within a connector volume so that the connector, which may be of a standard type used in electronic or optic data transmission, may be displaced within a plug face at the forward end of the connector volume. The connector may compensate variations in the position of a mating connector with respect to the mating enclosure. The sealing enclosure allows to seal off the connector volume and engage the sealing enclosure with a mating enclosure in a single motion. This is affected by having a cable seal interposed between an inner body and an outer body. If the outer body is moved forward to engage the mating connector, the cable seal is squeezed between the cable and the inner body sealing off the connector volume at the rearward end of the inner body.