Double-Rail Silicone Seal with Bushing for Parallel Flat Conductors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sealing parallel running flat conductors against a housing of an interface are either costly, time-consuming, or not adaptable for certain installations, especially when conventional seals like 8 series seals cannot be used.

Innovation Solution

An arrangement comprising an inner ring with two through holes for accommodating flat conductors spaced by a central bar, and an outer ring that seals the inner ring against the interface, allowing for easy installation and adaptability to various conductor cross-sections and tightness classes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional seals like 8 series seals are used for sealing parallel running flat conductors, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but adaptability to certain installations is limited and mechanical stress increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to installationVSAvoidsealing arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing arrangement is divided into two separate rings: an inner ring that seals around the flat conductors and an outer ring that seals against the housing. This segmentation allows each ring to be optimized for its specific sealing function and enables adaptation to different installation configurations without requiring a complete redesign of the sealing system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner ring is nested within the outer ring, with the inner ring positioned inside the outer ring's opening. This nested configuration allows the inner ring to seal the conductors while the outer ring seals the housing, creating a hierarchical sealing structure that improves adaptability while managing complexity through functional layering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If resin pouring is used to seal conductors running side by side, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but production cost increases and processing time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidprocessing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the chemical process of resin pouring and hardening with a mechanical sealing system consisting of elastomeric rings. The inner and outer rings provide sealing through their elastic deformation and contact pressure, eliminating the need for time-consuming resin application and curing processes while maintaining reliable sealing effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing mechanism transitions from a permanent chemical bond (resin hardening) to a flexible mechanical contact (elastomeric ring deformation). This parameter change allows for faster installation and removal while maintaining sealing effectiveness, directly addressing the productivity issue without compromising reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If resin pouring is used to seal conductors, then sealing effectiveness is achieved, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing effectivenessVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The elastomeric inner and outer rings are inexpensive, easily manufactured components that can be produced through standard molding processes. These rings replace expensive resin materials and the associated labor-intensive application processes, significantly reducing production costs while maintaining effective sealing through their elastic properties and simple geometric design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Device complexity

If a single seal component is used for parallel conductors, then simplicity is maintained, but sealing effectiveness for multiple conductors is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of sealing componentsVSAvoidsealing effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing function is segmented into two distinct rings: the inner ring that directly contacts and seals around the parallel flat conductors, and the outer ring that seals against the housing. This segmentation ensures that each ring can be optimized for its specific sealing interface, providing reliable sealing effectiveness for multiple conductors while keeping each individual component relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250132519A1Silicone seal having a bushing for sealing double rails

Publication Date: 2025.04.24 LISA DRAXLMAIER GMBH

AI summary

An arrangement for sealing two mutually parallel running flat conductors against a housing of an interface includes an inner ring with two through holes, which are mutually spaced by a central bar, for accommodating two parallel running flat conductors. The flat conductors respectively face each other with a wide side. The inner ring abuts all sides of flat conductors located in the through holes, and seals the flat conductors against the inner ring. The arrangement furthermore has an outer ring having an opening. The opening accommodates the inner ring, and the outer ring abuts with its inner surface on the inner ring and seals the inner ring against the outer ring. An outer surface of the outer ring abuts against a housing and seals the outer ring against the housing.