Integrated Feedthrough Element for Insulated Fluid-Tight Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing feedthrough elements and systems for providing electrically conductive connections through separating layers are complex in design, often compromising electrical insulation and fluid tightness due to numerous components and interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A feedthrough element with a continuously electrically conductive section and an insulating section that surrounds the conductive section, featuring a fixing device with spring elements to ensure secure insertion and sealing, and a shape that allows for positive insertion and sealing within a feedthrough receptacle, simplifying the mechanical structure and enhancing electrical insulation and fluid tightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If known feedthrough elements use multiple individual components to provide electrical connection, then electrical conduction is achieved, but device complexity increases and electrical insulation becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical conductionVSAvoidmechanical structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple functions (electrical conduction, insulation, sealing, and mechanical retention) into a single integrated element body. The element body includes a conductive section for electrical connection, an insulating section circumferentially surrounding the conductive section, and a lateral surface that provides sealing and retention, eliminating the need for multiple separate components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The element body is segmented into functionally distinct sections: a conductive section for electrical conduction, an insulating section for electrical insulation, and a lateral surface for sealing and mechanical retention. This segmentation allows each section to perform its specific function while being part of a unified structure

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 a simple, cost-effective, and secure electrically conductive connection through a separating layer while ensuring electrical insulation and fluid tightness, reducing the complexity of the mechanical structure and improving reliability.

Implementation Method 1

the fixing device has a first spring element for exerting a pressing fixing force on the first end face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

an electrically insulating insulation section circumferentially surrounding the conductive section at least in sections for insulating the conductive section from an inner surface of the feedthrough receptacle

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Electrical Resistance

Data Source

PatentEP3591731B1Feed-through element and system comprising a separating layer and a feed-through element
Publication Date: 2024.05.29 VOLKSWAGEN AG
  • EP3591731B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3591731B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3591731B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a feedthrough element (1) for providing an electrically conductive connection through a separating layer (70), comprising an element body (10) for positive locking or at least substantially positive locking insertion into a feedthrough receptacle (73) of the separating layer (70), the element body (10) comprising a continuously electrically conductive guide section (11) for providing the electrically conductive connection and an electrically insulating insulation section (12) surrounding the guide section (11) at least partially for insulating the guide section (11) from an inner surface (74) of the feedthrough receptacle (73).Furthermore, the invention relates to a system (100) comprising a separating layer (70) and a feedthrough element (1) for providing an electrically conductive connection through the separating layer (70), the separating layer (70) having a feedthrough receptacle (73) in which the feedthrough element (1) is inserted in a form-fitting or at least substantially form-fitting manner.