Multi-Material Shielding Arrangement for Lighter EMI Enclosures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing shielding arrangements for electrical or electromagnetic shielding are cost-intensive and heavy due to the use of high-conductivity materials, making them inefficient for larger shielding volumes.

Innovation Solution

A shielding arrangement comprising two connected shielding bodies made of different electrically conductive materials, where a more resilient and costly material is used in contact areas and a cost-effective, lightweight material is used in other areas, allowing for reduced weight and manufacturing costs without compromising shielding effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If high-conductivity materials are used for shielding arrangements, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but weight and manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidweight of shielding arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different materials with different properties to different parts of the shielding arrangement. Specifically, copper (high conductivity, high cost, high weight) is used only for contact areas where electrical conductivity is critical, while aluminum (lower conductivity, lower cost, lower weight) is used for the main shielding bodies where structural shielding is sufficient. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing high shielding effectiveness only where absolutely necessary while reducing overall weight and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding arrangement uses a composite structure combining two different electrically conductive materials (copper and aluminum) with distinct properties. The first shielding bodies use copper for optimal electrical contact, while the second shielding bodies use aluminum for cost-effective and lightweight structural shielding. This composite approach allows the system to achieve required shielding effectiveness while significantly reducing weight and manufacturing costs compared to using copper throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If high-conductivity materials are used for shielding arrangements, then shielding effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different materials with different properties to different parts of the shielding arrangement. Specifically, copper (high conductivity, high cost, high weight) is used only for contact areas where electrical conductivity is critical, while aluminum (lower conductivity, lower cost, lower weight) is used for the main shielding bodies where structural shielding is sufficient. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing high shielding effectiveness only where absolutely necessary while reducing overall weight and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The shielding arrangement uses a composite structure combining two different electrically conductive materials (copper and aluminum) with distinct properties. The first shielding bodies use copper for optimal electrical contact, while the second shielding bodies use aluminum for cost-effective and lightweight structural shielding. This composite approach allows the system to achieve required shielding effectiveness while significantly reducing weight and manufacturing costs compared to using copper throughout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Weight of moving object

If different materials are used for first and second shielding bodies, then weight and cost are reduced, but material selection complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveweight of shielding arrangementVSAvoidmaterial selection complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Weight of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The shielding arrangement is segmented into two distinct functional parts: first shielding bodies for electrical contact and second shielding bodies for structural shielding. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function, with copper used where electrical properties matter and aluminum used where structural properties matter, thereby reducing overall weight and cost while keeping the design manageable through clear functional separation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different materials with different properties to different parts of the shielding arrangement. Specifically, copper (high conductivity, high cost, high weight) is used only for contact areas where electrical conductivity is critical, while aluminum (lower conductivity, lower cost, lower weight) is used for the main shielding bodies where structural shielding is sufficient. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by providing high shielding effectiveness only where absolutely necessary while reducing overall weight and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 reduces the weight and manufacturing costs of the shielding arrangement while maintaining its shielding properties, enabling efficient electromagnetic interference protection with adaptable sizing for various applications.

Implementation Method 1

shielding arrangement for electrical or electromagnetic shielding of a shielding volume

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic shielding: Faraday Cage

Implementation Method 2

the first and the second shielding bodies each consist of different, electrically conductive materials

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentEP4294142A1Shielding arrangement, shielded connection and kit for a shielding arrangement
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 TE CONNECTIVITY GERMANY GMBH
  • EP4294142A1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4294142A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP4294142A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

The invention relates to a shielding arrangement (1) for electrical or electromagnetic shielding of a shielding volume (5) open at two ends (3), a shielded connection (31) between a housing element (33) and a shielding arrangement (1), and a kit (43) for a shielding arrangement (1). Known solutions are improved in that the shielding arrangement (1) comprises a first shielding body (7) and a second shielding body (9) connected to the first shielding body (7), and that the first (7) and the second shielding body (9) are each made of different, electrically conductive materials (11). In the shielded connection (31), the housing element (33) has a receiving opening (37) in which the shielding arrangement (1) is received and in which the shielding arrangement (1) is mechanically and electrically connected to the housing element (33) by contact springs (25) or by a material bond. The kit (43) comprises a first shielding body (7) and a plurality of second shielding bodies (9, 9a, 9b, 9c), which have different lengths (45, 47, 49) in the direction of passage (17) and are designed to be connectable to the first shielding body (7).