Longitudinal Sealing of Electrical Lines Using Negative Pressure

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for sealing electrical lines, particularly in harsh environments like the engine compartment of vehicles, face challenges with water and engine oil ingress due to the limitations of conventional sealing methods, which can lead to component failure and require expensive solutions or risk clogging with injection needles.

Innovation Solution

A device using a negative pressure system to introduce a suitable sealing compound into the cavities of electrical lines, ensuring effective sealing against engine oil ingress without the risks of needle wear or clogging, and allowing for real-time pressure monitoring to ensure proper sealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If expensive solutions like special ring cable lugs with sealing inserts are used, then protection against engine oil ingress is improved, but the cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against engine oil ingressVSAvoidcost
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the sealing compound to create a formulation that is specifically resistant to engine oil degradation. By modifying the chemical composition and properties of the sealing compound rather than using expensive mechanical sealing components, the system achieves protection against engine oil ingress at a lower cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a cost-effective sealing reservoir that can be easily manufactured and replaced, substituting expensive permanent sealing components like special ring cable lugs. The reservoir provides the necessary sealing function at a lower cost, aligning with the principle of using more economical components when appropriate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If conventional hot-melt adhesive is used for sealing, then the process is simple, but resistance to engine oil degradation is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing process simplicityVSAvoidresistance to engine oil degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite sealing system combining a specifically formulated sealing compound with resistance to engine oil degradation and a suitable reservoir material. This composite approach maintains process simplicity while achieving the required chemical resistance, unlike conventional hot-melt adhesives that degrade in engine oil environments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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 provides reliable and long-lasting sealing of electrical lines and cable harnesses against engine oil, eliminating the risk of needle wear and clogging, while enabling efficient and cost-effective sealing without the need for expensive alternatives.

Implementation Method 1

the sealing compound is introduced or sucked into the cavities of the line by means of a negative pressure applied from the other side of the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNegative pressure: Pressure Gradient

Implementation Method 2

the sealing compound is introduced or sucked into the cavities of the line by means of a negative pressure applied from the other side of the line

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP2064711B1Apparatus and method for longitudinal sealing of electrical lines
Publication Date: 2010.11.10 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH
  • EP2064711B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

In a method for longitudinal sealing of electrical lines (2), which have one or more line fibres (21) arranged in an outer sheath (22), and cavities (23) between the individual line fibres (21) as well as between the individual line fibres (21) and the outer sheath (22), that end (2a) of the line (2) to be sealed is, according to the invention, immersed in a liquid sealing compound (3), and a reduced pressure is applied to the other end (2b) of the line (2). A sealing apparatus (1) that is suitable for carrying out this method has a supply reservoir (4) for the liquid sealing compound (3), in which the end (2a) of the line (2) to be sealed is immersed, and a vacuum-pressure source (5), to which the other end (2b) of the line (2) is connected.