Seal Structure for Electronic Control Device with Variable Groove Depth
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing seal structures for electronic control devices, which feature a connector seal portion with a seal groove and protruding line throughout the entire circumference, result in an increased size of the casing, compromising the ease of installation and workability of the device, particularly in engine rooms.
Innovation Solution
A seal structure with a deep bottom portion, a shallow bottom portion, and a connecting portion is implemented, where the shallow bottom portion has a shallower seal groove, and the connecting portion has a larger width and gradually increasing depth, maintaining constant seal lengths while reducing the overall size of the device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a seal groove and protruding line are formed throughout the entire circumference of the connector, then sealing performance is improved, but the casing size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the seal groove depth across different regions of the connector circumference. The connector is divided into a first circumferential region with a first depth and a second circumferential region with a second depth greater than the first. This localized variation in groove depth provides enhanced sealing where needed while minimizing overall casing size increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal groove is segmented into different depth regions around the connector circumference. The first circumferential region and second circumferential region are clearly divided, with each region having optimized groove depth characteristics. This segmentation allows the sealing structure to adapt to different functional requirements at different locations.
2Reliability
If a deep seal groove is formed throughout the entire circumference, then sealing performance is improved, but the thickness of the housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local quality by making the seal groove depth location-dependent. The first circumferential region has a shallower first depth while the second circumferential region has a deeper second depth. This localized deepening ensures adequate sealing performance at critical locations without uniformly increasing housing thickness throughout the entire structure.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of providing uniform deep sealing grooves throughout the entire connector circumference, the patent applies excessive depth (second depth) only in the second circumferential region where it is most needed for sealing performance. The first circumferential region uses a moderate first depth, avoiding unnecessary material and space consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
Seal structure for electronic control device having a seal portion formed between an outer peripheral surface of a connector and an inner peripheral surface of a housing, and provided with a seal groove and a protruding line. The seal portion has a deep bottom portion having a seal groove, a shallow bottom portion whose seal groove is shallower than that of the deep bottom portion, and a connecting portion connecting these deep and shallow bottom portions. Width of the seal groove of the shallow bottom portion is set to be larger than the deep bottom portion As a position of a seal groove of the connecting portion gets closer to the deep bottom portion from the shallow bottom portion, depth of the seal groove of the connecting portion is set to be gradually larger, and width of the seal groove of the connecting portion is set to be gradually smaller.