Metal Sealing Plug Structure for High-Temperature Panel Holes
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an effective sealing solution in vehicles that can separate the battery compartment from the vehicle's interior while maintaining a seal even at high temperatures, as existing solutions fail to provide reliable sealing under varying temperature conditions.
Innovation Solution
A sealing plug comprising a metal plug body with obliquely extending holding arms and a flexible sealing portion made of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, which is designed to be inserted into a panel hole, allowing the holding arms to deform and secure the plug, ensuring a tight seal even when the ambient temperature is high.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a metal plug body is used to maintain structural integrity at high temperatures, then strength is improved, but sealing capability deteriorates because metal cannot deform to create a tight seal
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plug is divided into two functional segments: a metal plug body for structural support and strength, and a separate sealing portion made of heat-sensitive material for creating the actual seal. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug combines metal material (for strength and high-temperature structural integrity) with heat-sensitive sealing material (for adaptive sealing). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by having each material perform what it does best - metal provides strength while the sealing material provides adaptive sealing capability.
2Reliability
If a heat-sensitive sealing material is used to adapt to high temperatures, then sealing capability is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates because the material may melt or deform
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing plug is divided into two functional segments: a metal plug body for structural support and strength, and a separate sealing portion made of heat-sensitive material for creating the actual seal. This segmentation allows each part to perform its optimal function without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug combines metal material (for strength and high-temperature structural integrity) with heat-sensitive sealing material (for adaptive sealing). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by having each material perform what it does best - metal provides strength while the sealing material provides adaptive sealing capability.
3Reliability
If the sealing portion is made of flexible material to adhere to the panel, then sealing capability is improved, but temperature resistance deteriorates because flexible materials typically have lower melting points
Solution Approach 1:
Different parts of the sealing plug have different material properties optimized for their specific functions: the metal plug body provides heat resistance and structural integrity, while the sealing portion provides flexibility and adhesion. This local differentiation of material qualities allows the system to achieve both flexibility and temperature resistance simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing plug combines metal material (for strength and high-temperature structural integrity) with heat-sensitive sealing material (for adaptive sealing). This composite structure resolves the contradiction by having each material perform what it does best - metal provides strength while the sealing material provides adaptive sealing capability.
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 sealing plug effectively seals the panel hole at high temperatures by using a flexible sealing material that can melt and adhere to the panel, while the metal body maintains structural integrity, ensuring a reliable seal and adaptability to high-temperature environments.
Implementation Method 1
the sealing portion is made of a material with a melting point lower than that of the metal material
Data Source
AI summary
A sealing plug that is configured to seal a hole in a panel. The sealing plug comprises a plug body, at least two holding arms and a sealing portion. The plug body has a central axis and a support portion arranged around the central axis. Each of the at least two holding arms extends downward from the bottom of the support portion of the plug body and has a holding portion. The holding portions extend obliquely downward in a direction away from the central axis. The sealing portion is arranged on an outer edge of the support portion of the plug body. The sealing body is made of a metal material, and the sealing portion is made of a material with a melting point lower than that of the metal material.