Segmented Seal Member for Coaxial Connector Moisture Protection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing seal members for coaxial cable connectors are prone to installation errors, complicate the sealing process, and are limited by the length of terminal ports, leading to issues with moisture penetration and difficulty in installation and removal.
Innovation Solution
A seal member that can be slid over a coaxial cable connector and into contact with a terminal, providing a 360° environmental seal, with varying diameters and thicknesses to facilitate easier installation and increased torque during connection, while being axially moveable to ensure proper sealing and ease of use with different terminal lengths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a tight fitting seal ring is used to seal the connector-terminal junction, then moisture protection is improved, but installation difficulty increases and removal becomes even more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is divided into multiple functional zones along its length: a first zone with larger diameter for easier installation over the connector, a second zone with smaller diameter for forming the seal against the terminal, and intermediate transition zones. This segmentation allows the seal member to be installed without excessive force while still providing effective sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the seal member have different diameters and wall thicknesses optimized for their specific functions. The first portion has a larger diameter and greater wall thickness for durability and ease of installation, while the second portion has a smaller diameter for effective sealing contact with the terminal.
2Ease of manufacture
If a seal member with uniform diameter is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but installation over the connector becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member features a first portion with a larger diameter and greater wall thickness, and a second portion with a smaller diameter and lesser wall thickness. This non-uniform geometry is specifically designed to facilitate installation over the connector while maintaining effective sealing capability at the terminal interface.
3Reliability
If a seal ring covers most of the threads on the appliance port, then sealing is improved, but connector tightening becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The seal member is positioned and designed such that the sealing function is separated from the tightening function. The seal member covers the connector body and forms a seal against the terminal, while the coupler threads remain accessible for tightening operations. This spatial segmentation resolves the conflict between sealing coverage and tightening accessibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of connecting a coaxial connector and a terminal include providing a coaxial connector with a coupler, the coupler having a seal member in contacting relationship with the coupler such that the seal member is coaxial with the coupler about a longitudinal axis, affixing the coupler to the terminal and after the coupler is affixed to the terminal, sliding the seal member longitudinally toward, and into contact with, the terminal. When in a tightening position, the seal member covers an engagement surface of the coupler, and wherein when in a deployed position, the seal member contacts at least a portion of the terminal.