Sealed Fluid-Chamber Connector for Contaminated Circuit Mating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors designed for harsh environments, such as dual-chamber connectors, are complex, expensive, and prone to contamination, failing to provide a reliable and quick connection/disconnection solution for optical circuits in varied contaminated conditions without the need for cleaning between uses.
Innovation Solution
A connector system comprising plug and receptacle units with sealed fluid chambers, featuring resilient end portions with penetrable seals that maintain isolation of contacts from the environment before, during, and after mating, preventing fluid exchange between units and ensuring sealed operation in harsh conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If dual-chamber connectors with closed oil-filled chambers are used, then contact protection from contamination is improved, but device complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into two separate sealed chambers: a first chamber housing the plug contacts and a second chamber housing the receptacle contacts. Each chamber is independently sealed from the external environment, preventing contamination while maintaining operational reliability. This segmentation allows each chamber to function independently without requiring complex inter-chamber mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses simple elastomeric penetrable seals instead of complex mechanical locking mechanisms found in prior art dual-chamber connectors. These elastomeric seals can be easily replaced if needed, providing a cost-effective solution that maintains reliability without requiring expensive, complex hardware.
2Reliability
If prior art dual-chamber connectors are used, then contact sealing is improved, but ease of operation and connection speed deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Elastomeric penetrable seals are used instead of rigid mechanical barriers. These flexible elastomeric membranes allow contacts to pass through during mating while maintaining sealing integrity. The elastomeric material deforms easily during connection and disconnection operations, enabling quick operation while preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric penetrable seals automatically deform to allow contact passage during mating and return to their sealed position when contacts are removed. This self-adjusting mechanism eliminates the need for complex manual operations or additional actuating mechanisms, improving ease of operation while maintaining reliable sealing.
3Ease of operation
If fluid exchange between mating connector units is permitted, then contact engagement is facilitated, but contamination spread between units occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The connector system maintains separate, non-communicating fluid chambers for plug and receptacle units. Each chamber is independently sealed, preventing cross-contamination of fluids between mating units while still allowing contact engagement through the elastomeric penetrable seals. This segmentation isolates potential contamination sources.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric penetrable seal acts as an intermediary barrier between the two fluid chambers. It allows mechanical passage of contacts while maintaining fluid isolation. The elastomeric material provides a selective permeability that facilitates contact engagement while preventing fluid exchange and contamination spread between units.
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 enables reliable, quick, and maintenance-free connection/disconnection of optical or electrical circuits in contaminated environments, maintaining contact integrity and preventing contamination spread, while being simple, efficient, and economical.
Implementation Method 1
resilient end portions including penetrable seals
Implementation Method 2
approximately pressure-balanced to the working environment by way of one or more movable portions of the chamber walls
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~5
AI summary
A connector for sealably engaging and disengaging contacts therein can include a first unit and a second unit that is movable with respect to the first unit between an unmated position and a mated position. The first unit can have one or more closed chambers therein. Each closed chamber of the first unit contains fluid and one or more first contacts. The second unit can have one or more closed chambers therein, each closed chamber of the second unit containing fluid and one or more second contacts. Each second contact is configured to engage one of the first contacts. The one or more closed chambers of the first unit remain sealed from the one or more closed chambers of the second unit throughout mating and demating of the first and second units.