Hermetically Sealed Capacitive Modules for RC Voltage Dividers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RC voltage dividers are vulnerable to environmental conditions during assembly, requiring disassembly for dielectric testing and potentially leading to electrical malfunctions, as the active part is exposed to humidity and dust before full assembly.

Innovation Solution

The active part of the RC voltage divider is composed of individually encapsulated and hermetically sealed capacitive modules, allowing pretesting and protection from environmental influences, which can be stacked and assembled without disassembling the entire unit in case of failure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the active part is exposed to environmental conditions during assembly, then the assembly process is simple, but the active part is vulnerable to humidity and dust causing electrical malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly process simplicityVSAvoidelectrical malfunction risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The active part is divided into multiple capacitive modules (first capacitive module, second capacitive module, etc.), each independently encapsulated in separate housings. This segmentation allows each module to be manufactured, tested, and protected independently, reducing the risk of environmental damage during assembly while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each capacitive module is pre-encapsulated in its own housing before assembly into the complete voltage divider. This preliminary encapsulation protects the active components from humidity and dust during the assembly process, eliminating the need for disassembly in case of failures and ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If dielectrical testing is performed only after full assembly, then the testing process is simple, but the complete unit must be disassembled in case of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting process simplicityVSAvoiddisassembly requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The voltage divider is segmented into independent capacitive modules, each capable of being tested separately. This allows dielectrical testing to be performed on individual modules before assembly, eliminating the need to disassemble the complete unit if a failure occurs, as only the defective module needs replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Dielectrical testing is performed on each capacitive module before it is assembled into the complete voltage divider. This preliminary testing ensures that each module meets specifications prior to assembly, and if a failure occurs during or after assembly, only the specific defective module needs to be disassembled and replaced, not the entire unit.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the active part is protected by plastic bag, then protection from environmental factors is provided, but the protection is insufficient against humidity and dust

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental protectionVSAvoidelectrical malfunction prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using a single plastic bag to protect the entire active part, each capacitive module is individually encapsulated in its own sealed housing. This provides robust protection against humidity and dust for each module, ensuring reliable operation even during prolonged assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each capacitive module is enclosed in a sealed housing that acts as an intermediary barrier between the sensitive electronic components and the environmental factors (humidity and dust). This provides reliable protection that goes beyond simple plastic bag covering, preventing electrical malfunctions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution ensures the active part is protected from environmental factors, enabling pretesting and reducing the risk of electrical malfunctions, allowing for easier handling and assembly, and making the RC voltage divider more reliable and cost-effective by allowing modular testing and assembly.

Implementation Method 1

Each one of the at least two capacitive modules 2, 3, 4 is insulated by means of an insulating fluid within the encapsulation 29, 39, 49

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical insulation: Dielectric

Implementation Method 2

each one of the at least two capacitive modules 2, 3, 4 is encapsulated and hermetically sealed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHermetic sealing: Physical Containment

Data Source

PatentEP2975413B1Active part of an RC voltage divider

Publication Date: 2017.03.08 SIEMENS AG

AI summary

Method (90) for producing an active part (1) of an RC voltage divider (100, 200), comprising the steps of - providing (91) at least two capacitive modules (2, 3, 4, 202, 203) of the active part (1) of the RC voltage divider (100, 200); - encapsulating and hermetically sealing (92) each one of the at least two capacitive modules (2, 3, 4, 202, 203); - stacking (94) the at least two encapsulated and hermetically sealed capacitive modules (2, 3, 4, 202, 203) in order to produce the active part (1) of the RC voltage divider (100, 200).