Feedthrough Device Hermetic Seal via Body Indentation Crimping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for a feedthrough device that can effectively transmit electricity through a housing wall while withstanding harsh environments and preventing the transfer of matter, while minimizing manufacturing time and cost.
Innovation Solution
A feedthrough device is designed with a body having longitudinally spaced end faces and an inner surface defining an opening, where a conductor and insulator are inserted, and the body is crimped to form indentations that create a hermetic seal by displacing material to crimp the insulator and conductor, using ductile materials for deformation and low elastic modulus to maintain the seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional feedthrough devices are used to transmit electricity through a housing wall, then electrical transmission is achieved, but the device cannot effectively withstand harsh environments and prevent matter transfer
Solution Approach 1:
The feedthrough device is segmented into distinct functional zones: a first crimp region with first indentations for sealing the conductor, a second crimp region with second indentations for sealing the insulator, and intermediate regions. This segmentation allows each zone to address specific sealing requirements, achieving comprehensive hermetic sealing against harsh environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The indentations are pre-formed into the body during manufacturing, creating predetermined crimp zones that will automatically engage and seal the conductor and insulator when assembled. This preliminary action ensures that the hermetic sealing capability is built-in from the start, enabling the device to withstand harsh environments without additional sealing steps.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If complex sealing mechanisms are added to achieve hermetic sealing, then environmental resistance improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing function is merged into the body structure itself through the formation of integrally-formed indentations. The body simultaneously provides structural support, electrical isolation, and hermetic sealing through its crimp regions, eliminating the need for separate sealing components and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The crimp regions are designed to automatically engage and seal the conductor and insulator through the pre-formed indentations during the assembly process. The body's own material deformation provides the sealing action, making the system self-sealing without requiring external sealing mechanisms or additional manufacturing steps.
3Reliability
If multiple crimping operations are performed to ensure hermetic seal, then sealing reliability improves, but manufacturing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple crimp zones are pre-formed as integral features of the body during a single manufacturing operation. When the conductor and insulator are inserted, all crimp regions engage simultaneously, achieving multi-point sealing in one assembly action rather than requiring sequential crimping operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The first and second crimp regions are combined into a single integrated body structure with intermediate regions between them. This merging allows both sealing functions to be achieved through one assembly operation, maintaining high sealing reliability while preserving manufacturing speed.
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 device achieves hermetic sealing and electrical transmission while accommodating different thermal expansion coefficients and offering improved chemical resistance, reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
longitudinal displacement of material of the body at the indentation causes transverse displacement of material of the body at the inner surface of the body to crimp the insulator and the conductor within the opening of the body
Implementation Method 2
an insulator extends within the opening of the body transversely intermediate the conductor and the inner surface of the body to insulate the conductor from the body
Data Source
AI summary
In a feedthrough device and method of assembly thereof, a body has longitudinally spaced first and second end faces and an inner surface defining a longitudinally extending opening. A conductor extends within the opening and an insulator extends within the opening transversely intermediate the conductor and the inner surface of the body to insulate the conductor from the body. The body has at least one indentation formed longitudinally into at least one of the first and second end faces, with a portion of the inner surface of the body being displaced transversely against the insulator in correspondence with the at least one longitudinal indentation to crimp the insulator and conductor within the opening of the body and maintain a hermetic seal across the feedthrough device.