Self-Curling Shielding Tube for Lightweight Cable EMI Shielding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cable shielding methods, such as metal braided shielding and heat shrinkable tubes, face challenges in workability, weight, and electromagnetic wave shielding performance, particularly at cable connection sites, where on-site welding or thermal contraction is required and the materials lack sufficient rigidity and shielding efficacy.
Innovation Solution
A self-curling shielding tube is developed using braided carbon fiber yarn bundles with metal plating and shrinkage parts made of polyolefin resin, which can be thermally contracted to form a cylindrical shape without external heat, providing high electromagnetic wave shielding performance and reducing weight and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal braided shielding member is welded to shielding layers, then electromagnetic wave shielding performance is improved, but on-site workability deteriorates and weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The shielding tube is designed to automatically curl and conform to the cable shape without requiring external welding or thermal contraction equipment. The tube's inherent elasticity and memory effect enable it to self-adjust and secure itself around the cable, eliminating the need for complex on-site operations while maintaining effective shielding coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the welding process (thermal/mechanical joining) with a mechanical elastic deformation system. The shielding tube utilizes elastic deformation to attach to the cable, substituting the complex welding operation with a simple mechanical wrapping action that is much easier to perform on-site.
2Reliability
If metal braided shielding member is used, then electromagnetic wave shielding performance is improved, but weight increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin-walled elastic shielding tube made of metal-plated carbon fiber yarn instead of thick metal braid. This flexible shell structure provides effective electromagnetic shielding while significantly reducing weight compared to traditional metal braided shielding members.
Solution Approach 2:
The shielding tube is constructed from composite material - metal-plated carbon fiber yarn - which combines the lightweight properties of carbon fiber with the electromagnetic shielding capabilities of metal plating. This composite structure achieves effective shielding performance while minimizing weight.
3Weight of moving object
If general resin heat shrinkable tube is used, then weight is reduced, but rigidity and shielding performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses metal-plated carbon fiber yarn as the base material for the shielding tube. This composite material provides both the lightweight property of carbon fiber and the rigidity plus electromagnetic shielding capability of metal plating, simultaneously addressing weight reduction and strength enhancement requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal plating is applied locally on the carbon fiber yarn surface, providing electromagnetic shielding and rigidity only where needed, while the bulk carbon fiber structure maintains lightweight properties. This localized enhancement achieves the desired balance between weight and strength.
4Weight of moving object
If general resin heat shrinkable tube is used, then weight is reduced, but electromagnetic wave shielding performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The metal-plated carbon fiber composite material inherently provides electromagnetic shielding capabilities while maintaining lightweight properties. The metal plating layer acts as an electromagnetic shield, eliminating the need for additional shielding materials or complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameter from pure resin to metal-plated carbon fiber, which fundamentally alters the electromagnetic properties of the tube. This material parameter change enables the tube to provide both weight reduction and effective electromagnetic wave shielding performance simultaneously.
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 self-curling shielding tube improves workability by eliminating the need for on-site welding, offers superior shielding performance compared to traditional methods, and minimizes weight and costs while maintaining stability and rigidity.
Implementation Method 1
the braided member is formed in a cylindrical shape by thermal contraction
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a self-curling shielding tube for improving workability of connecting or shielding a cable, securing high electromagnetic wave shielding performance, and minimizing weight and costs.