Plug-In Connector Seal Arrangement for Corrosion-Resistant Compressors
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seal arrangements for electrically driven compressors in motor vehicles fail to provide adequate corrosion resistance and are costly due to the use of multiple components, leading to a limited service life and increased assembly time.
Innovation Solution
A seal arrangement featuring a single-piece combined axial and radial sealing element with a flange and housing contours designed to correspond, forming a labyrinth seal that extends the migration path for corrosive substances, reducing the number of components and simplifying installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple sealing elements (axial seal and radial seal) are used, then corrosion protection is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the axial seal and radial seal into a single integrated sealing element with a mounting element. This sealing element features a sealing flange with axial sealing surfaces and a sealing collar with radial sealing surfaces, all as one component. This merging reduces the number of separate components while maintaining both axial and radial sealing functions, thereby improving corrosion protection without proportionally increasing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The single sealing element is designed to perform multiple sealing functions simultaneously. The sealing flange provides axial sealing against the housing, while the sealing collar provides radial sealing around the mounting element. This multi-functional design allows one component to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate sealing elements, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining comprehensive corrosion protection.
2Reliability
If multiple sealing elements are used, then corrosion protection is improved, but assembly time increases
Solution Approach 1:
By integrating the axial and radial sealing functions into a single sealing element, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps. Instead of installing separate axial and radial seals, the mounting element is inserted as one component, automatically providing both sealing functions. This significantly reduces assembly time while maintaining the same level of corrosion protection.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sealing surfaces are used, then manufacturing is simpler, but migration path for corrosive substances is shorter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extends the sealing arrangement from a single-plane sealing surface to a multi-dimensional sealing path. The sealing flange creates axial sealing in one dimension, while the sealing collar creates radial sealing in a perpendicular dimension. This dimensional extension significantly lengthens the migration path for corrosive substances without complicating the manufacturing process, as both sealing surfaces are integrated into a single molded component.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing collar is designed with a curved, collar-like structure that surrounds the mounting element radially. This curved geometry creates a longer, more tortuous path for corrosive substances compared to a flat sealing surface, effectively extending the migration path and improving service life while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through integral molding.
Data Source
AI summary
A seal arrangement for a plug-in connector for establishing electrical connections via a housing, in particular a device for driving a compressor. The seal arrangement exhibits a mounting element to accommodate plug-in connectors for transmitting electrical energy and data, and a sealing element located between the housing and the mounting element. The mounting element is designed with a flange with a sealing surface facing in the direction of the housing. The sealing surface of the flange thus exhibits a first contour and the housing exhibits a second contour in the area of the location of the sealing surface surrounding a pass-through opening.