Polyphenylene Sulfide Insulator for High-Voltage Ignition Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

High-voltage electrical components, particularly in ignition systems, face challenges with brittle ceramic insulators that are complex and expensive to process, and alternative plastics like PTFE are difficult to work with due to high material costs and inert properties, leading to issues with mechanical strength and insulation quality under changing conditions.

Innovation Solution

A manufacturing method using polyphenylene sulfide with glass fiber content for the insulator, combined with a potting compound like polyurethane or epoxy resin, which is processed via injection molding and vacuum-potted to ensure high dielectric strength, mechanical integrity, and thermal resistance, eliminating the need for complex machining and reducing material waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If technical ceramic insulators are used for high-voltage applications, then insulation quality is improved, but mechanical brittleness and susceptibility to impact stress increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinsulation qualityVSAvoidmechanical strength
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses composite materials by combining PTFE (polymer matrix) with ceramic inserts (dispersed phase). The PTFE provides impact resistance and mechanical toughness, while the ceramic inserts provide high dielectric strength and insulation quality. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between mechanical strength and insulation quality by integrating the advantages of both materials.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If PTFE insulators are used to replace technical ceramics, then mechanical strength and ease of processing are improved, but material costs and manufacturing complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing easeVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the insulator into two functional parts: a PTFE hollow body (providing mechanical strength and ease of processing) and ceramic inserts (providing dielectric strength). This segmentation allows each material to be optimized for its specific function while reducing overall manufacturing complexity compared to using单一 material for all requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The ceramic inserts are nested inside the PTFE hollow body, creating a multi-layer structure where the ceramic components are housed within the polymer matrix. This nesting approach allows the PTFE to provide the outer protective structure while the ceramic inserts provide internal dielectric enhancement, resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

3Strength

If PTFE insulators are used, then impact resistance is improved, but adhesion of electrical functional parts and material costs worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidadhesion ease
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by using PTFE for the hollow body where impact resistance is needed, and ceramic inserts in specific locations where adhesion and dielectric strength are required. The ceramic material provides better adhesion properties for electrical functional parts, while the PTFE provides impact resistance in the structural body. This localized application of different material properties resolves the contradiction between impact resistance and adhesion ease.

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

This method achieves high dielectric strength, mechanical durability, and thermal resistance, significantly improving the reliability and cost-effectiveness of electrical components for high-voltage applications, particularly in ignition systems, by ensuring crack-free and bubble-free encapsulation under vacuum conditions.

Implementation Method 1

inserting the electrical functional part into the insulator and potting the intermediate space that forms between the electrical functional part and the insulator designed as a hollow body under vacuum with a potting compound

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVacuum: Vacuum

Data Source

PatentEP2569833B1Production method for an electric component and electric component
Publication Date: 2018.06.27 MOTORTECH GMBH
  • EP2569833B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method for producing electric components (1) for high-voltage applications, in particular ignition systems. An insulator (3) is produced as a hollow body from a thermoplastic material by an injection-molding method, the electrical functional part (2) is introduced into the insulator (3), and a casting material is cast in the intermediate space between the electrical functional part (2) and the insulator (3). Also, an electric component (1) having an electrical functional part (2) and an insulator (3) for high-voltage applications, in particular ignition systems The insulator (3) preferably consists of polyphenylene sulfide having a glass fiber content.