Sealing Joint Membrane with Preferential Opening for Connector Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Grommet-type sealing joints with pierceable membranes face issues where the membranes tear and generate fragments during insertion or extraction of electrical connectors, leading to potential interference with connector contacts and impaired sealing performance.
Innovation Solution
The membranes feature a thick portion and a preferential opening portion with a local reduction in thickness, where the smallest thickness in the opening portion is no more than 70% of the thick portion, and ends connected to the wall with a part of gradually increased thickness to prevent tear propagation and fragment generation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If the membrane is made thin to allow easy piercing during insertion, then the insertion force is reduced, but the membrane may tear and generate fragments that detach and infiltrate connector cavities
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is designed with non-uniform thickness: a thin preferential opening portion (0.5-2 mm) for easy piercing and a thick portion (3-10 mm) for structural integrity. This local quality variation allows the membrane to be easily pierced at the intended location while the thick portion prevents fragment detachment and maintains reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is segmented into functionally distinct zones: the preferential opening portion that tears cleanly during insertion, the thick portion that provides structural support, and the transition zone with gradual thickness variation. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising overall membrane integrity.
2Strength
If the membrane is made thick to prevent fragment detachment, then the membrane strength is improved, but the insertion force increases excessively
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of making the entire membrane thick, only the preferential opening portion is kept thin (0.5-2 mm) while the thick portion (3-10 mm) provides overall strength. This local quality approach reduces insertion force at the piercing location while maintaining membrane strength in critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane is divided into thin and thick portions with a transition zone. The thin preferential opening portion requires minimal force to pierce, while the thick portion provides structural strength. The transition zone with gradual thickness variation ensures smooth stress distribution during insertion.
3Ease of operation
If the membrane thickness varies abruptly to create preferential opening portions, then the piercing behavior is controlled, but tear propagation may occur beyond the preferential opening portion
Solution Approach 1:
The membrane is segmented into distinct thickness zones with a transition zone between them. The transition zone features gradual thickness variation that acts as a barrier to tear propagation, ensuring that tearing is confined to the preferential opening portion while maintaining sealing integrity in the thick portion.
Solution Approach 2:
The membrane thickness parameter is gradually changed from the thin preferential opening portion through the transition zone to the thick portion. This gradual parameter change creates a stress distribution that prevents sudden tear propagation, confining the tear to the intended opening area while preserving sealing integrity.
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 design allows for smooth insertion and extraction of electrical connectors without fragmenting the membranes, ensuring effective sealing and preventing debris from hindering electrical connections, while maintaining the membranes' integrity to withstand pressurized conditions.
Implementation Method 1
The membranes remain not pierced in the unused passageways, thus avoiding the sealing of the joint to be impaired
Data Source
Figure 1~3B
Figure 4~7A
Figure 8~11A
AI summary
A sealing joint (1) for an electrical connector (5) comprises a body made of a flexible material and at least one membrane (10) having a peripheral edge connected to a wall (20) of a hole (2) of the body. The membrane comprises at least one thick portion (11), as well as a preferential opening portion (12) created by a local reduction of the membrane thickness and which presents at least two ends which are located in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the membrane (10). The smallest value (e) of the membrane thickness in said preferential opening portion (12) is lower than or equal to 70% of the smallest value (g) of the membrane thickness in said at least one thick portion (11). Preferably, each one of said at least two ends is connected to said wall (20) by a part (21) of gradually increased thickness (tS).