Hermetic Connector Assembly with Partitioned Sealing Chambers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connection arrangements for electrical lines in motor vehicle injector cable harnesses are prone to moisture ingress and require complex, costly manufacturing processes, failing to provide a reliable hermetic seal against contaminants like oil and water.
Innovation Solution
A connection arrangement featuring a connecting sleeve with chambers and a sealing body that creates a hermetic seal between line ends, using a permanently elastic sealing body with radial prestressing force and annular sealing ribs to prevent media penetration, and an electrically conductive connecting sleeve for secure electrical connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sealing tubular cable lugs are used to prevent media penetration, then hermetic sealing is improved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connection sleeve is divided into multiple chambers (first chamber and second chamber) separated by a partition wall, creating segmented sealing zones that prevent media propagation along the cable harness while using standard manufacturing processes
Solution Approach 2:
The connection sleeve performs multiple functions: electrical connection between conductors and mechanical/hermetic sealing against media, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing manufacturing complexity
2Reliability
If connection arrangements with partition walls and sealants are used, then moisture sealing is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The partition wall integrating the sealing body combines the moisture barrier function and media sealing function into a single structural element, reducing the number of separate components and simplifying the overall device structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body is integrated within the partition wall structure, with the sealing rib nested in a groove of the partition wall, creating a compact design that reduces structural complexity while maintaining effective sealing
3Reliability
If connection arrangements are made sensitive to outside moisture, then internal sealing is improved, but reliability against external media decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connection sleeve is divided into multiple sealed chambers that prevent media propagation along the cable harness while maintaining internal sealing effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing body with its sealing rib is positioned at the critical interface where the conductor enters the chamber, providing localized sealing quality at the most vulnerable point against external media
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 prevents media from spreading along the cable harness, ensuring a reliable seal even with insulating materials like ETFE or PTFE, while maintaining electrical conductivity and reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Implementation Method 1
compensates for different material-specific thermal expansion coefficients of the cable end (e.g. stranded cable) on the one hand and the connecting sleeve on the other
Implementation Method 2
The sealing body is permanently elastic and compensates for different material-specific thermal expansion coefficients
Implementation Method 3
a sealing body (14, 15) arranged in at least one of the chambers (9, 10), which seals the intermediate space between the line end (2, 3) inserted into the chamber (9, 10) and the inner wall of the chamber (9, 10)
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a connection arrangement (1) for electrically connecting at least two conductor ends (2, 3) of electrical conductors, in particular stranded conductors, and for hermetically sealing between the conductor ends (2, 3), with a connecting sleeve (8) for receiving the conductor ends. It is proposed that the connecting sleeve (8) has at least one first chamber (9) for receiving one of the conductor ends, wherein the first chamber (9) has a partition (11) separating it from the other conductor end. The invention further relates to a corresponding method.