Matte Seal Recesses for Terminal Insertion Damage Prevention
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional matte seals often suffer damage during assembly due to the larger size of electrical terminals, which compromises their sealing capability.
Innovation Solution
A matte seal design featuring a resilient material with recesses on its surfaces, allowing for a wider inner through hole and reducing the risk of damage during terminal insertion, thereby maintaining sealing effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the inner through hole of the matte seal is made smaller to improve sealing contact, then the sealing capability is improved, but the terminal cannot be inserted without causing damage to the seal
Solution Approach 1:
The matte seal is segmented into multiple functional zones: a through hole for terminal passage, sealing surfaces for fluid barrier, and recesses for damage absorption. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with others.
Solution Approach 2:
The recesses are pre-formed into the sealing surfaces before assembly, creating a cushioning zone that absorbs impact and prevents damage when terminals are inserted. This beforehand cushioning ensures the sealing capability is preserved during the insertion process.
2Ease of operation
If the matte seal is made more resilient to accommodate larger terminals, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing capability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The matte seal exhibits local quality by having different properties in different zones: the sealing surfaces maintain high resilience and elasticity for sealing, while the recesses provide localized compliance for terminal accommodation. This localized differentiation allows the seal to be both resilient and protective.
3Ease of operation
If the through hole is enlarged to fit larger terminals, then the ease of operation is improved, but the sealing contact area is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The solution moves from a one-dimensional through hole to a multi-dimensional structure by adding recesses that extend into the sealing surfaces. This dimensional change allows the seal to accommodate larger terminals while maintaining sealing contact through the recessed areas.
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 design enables the matte seal to more readily accommodate electrical terminals during assembly, minimizing damage and preserving its sealing functionality.
Implementation Method 1
a seal body that extends along and about a width-wise axis and is fabricated from a resilient material
Data Source
AI summary
A matte seal includes a seal body that extends along and about a width-wise axis. The seal body has a first surface and an opposite parallel second surface and an outer peripheral surface extending to and between the first and second surfaces. The seal body has an inner through hole surface defining a through hole extending along and about the width-wise axis and between and through the first and second surfaces. The seal body has at least one recess formed into the first surface. The at least one recess is disposed apart from and between the inner through hole surface and the outer peripheral surface. The at least one recess extends parallel to the width-wise axis and partially into the seal body.