Multipole Connector Sealing via Through Hole Injection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional multipole connectors lack effective moisture protection, leading to damage and breakages due to moisture transfer along electrical cables, and existing sealing solutions are complex or wasteful.

Innovation Solution

A multipole connector design featuring a containment body with through holes for injecting a sealing substance, which seals the housing cavities and reduces manufacturing complexity and time by allowing a single injection of the sealing substance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sealing substance is injected into each single hollow portion of the connectors, then moisture protection is improved, but the complexity of filling operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidfilling operations complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple separate filling operations into a single operation by providing a common filling chamber that can be accessed through one opening. The sealing substance is injected once into the filling chamber, which then distributes it to multiple hollow portions simultaneously, eliminating the need to fill each hollow portion separately through individual openings.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The filling chamber serves multiple functions: it acts as a reservoir for the sealing substance, a distribution system to multiple hollow portions, and provides access through a single opening. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate filling mechanisms for each hollow portion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If connectors are entirely wrapped with sealing substance, then moisture protection is improved, but the time and cost to strip and replace sealing substance increases when disconnection is needed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture protectionVSAvoidtime to strip and replace sealing substance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sealing system into internal hollow portions that are accessible through openings, rather than requiring an external wrap. This allows the sealing substance to be contained within specific chambers that can be accessed and modified independently without affecting the entire connector assembly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the sealing substance from an external wrap configuration and places it inside internal hollow portions of the connector. This internal placement allows for easier access through openings and simplifies the process of adding or replacing sealing substance without requiring complete removal from the entire connector surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of manufacture

If conventional connectors without sealing are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but moisture transfer along cables causes damage and breakages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidmoisture transfer
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent nests hollow portions containing sealing substance within the connector structure itself. The hollow portions are integrated into the connector body, with openings providing access to the interior. This nested design incorporates the sealing function within the existing connector geometry without requiring external additions or complex manufacturing processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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 enhanced moisture protection and simplifies the manufacturing process by ensuring effective sealing with a single injection of the sealing substance, reducing the complexity and time required for sealing operations.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the containment body and the closing element comprises at least a through hole for the introduction of at least a sealing substance for sealing the housing cavities

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSealing:

Data Source

PatentEP3295524B1Multipole connector for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables
Publication Date: 2020.01.29 TECHNO SRL
  • EP3295524B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3295524B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The multipole connector (1) for the electrical interconnection of electrical cables (4) comprises: - a containment body (2) made of an electrically insulating material able to house a plurality of terminals (3) made of an electrically conductive material connectable to a corresponding plurality of electrical cables (4), the containment body (2) comprising a plurality of housing cavities (5) able to insert said terminals (3) and being coupleable to the containment body (2) of another connector (1); - a closing element (6) made of an electrically insulating material able to close the containment body (2) after terminals (3) have been inserted; in which: - the housing cavities (5) are communicating with each other; and - at least one of the containment body (2) and the closing element (6) comprises a through hole (7) able to communicate with at least one of the housing cavities (5) for the introduction of a sealing substance (S) for sealing the housing cavities (5).