Self-Retaining Pin Seals for Reliable Connector Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pin sealing methods in connectors are unreliable and inefficient, often requiring specialized equipment and individualized solutions, with issues such as air trapping and damage to seals during pin insertion.
Innovation Solution
A pin assembly featuring elastically deformable seals that are separately formed and retained on conductive pins using elastic force and adhesion, eliminating the need for additional retention elements and specialized equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mat seal is used to seal pins in a housing, then sealing is achieved, but additional retention elements are required and the seal can be damaged during pin insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The seal is designed to be self-retaining through its elastic deformable material that naturally adheres to the pin surface. The elastic property allows the seal to maintain continuous contact with the pin without requiring additional retention elements, clips, or fasteners. The seal serves both its sealing function and its own retention function through the inherent properties of the elastic material.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal utilizes changes in the physical parameters of the elastic deformable material, specifically its elasticity and adhesion properties. The material deforms elastically during pin insertion to accommodate the pin, then maintains continuous contact through adhesive forces, providing both sealing and retention without additional elements.
2Reliability
If sealant is dispensed in liquid form and cured around pins, then sealing is achieved, but specialized dispensing and curing equipment is required
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces expensive, specialized dispensing and curing equipment with simple, pre-formed elastic seal components. Instead of using complex liquid dispensing systems and curing equipment, the patent uses pre-manufactured elastic seals that are mechanically simple and can be applied without specialized machinery, reducing both equipment complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the physical state and application method of the sealing material from liquid sealant requiring dispensing and curing to solid elastic deformable material that can be mechanically deformed and adhered. This parameter change eliminates the need for specialized dispensing and curing equipment while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
3Reliability
If sealant is dispensed around pins, then sealing is achieved, but air can be trapped and sealant may be unintentionally dispensed on pins or housing surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic seal is pre-formed with the correct shape, size, and adhesive properties before application to the pin. This preliminary preparation ensures that the seal is ready for immediate application without requiring precision dispensing during assembly. The pre-formed seal eliminates the risk of air trapping and unintended dispensing that occurs with liquid sealant application.
4Reliability
If individualized seal solutions are created for each housing and pin combination, then sealing requirements are met, but manufacturing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The elastic deformable seal is designed as a universal component that can accommodate various pin configurations and housing types. The elastic property allows the same seal design to adapt to different pin sizes and shapes, eliminating the need for individualized seal solutions for each housing and pin combination while maintaining sealing effectiveness across multiple applications.
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 provides a reliable and efficient sealing mechanism that is scalable and flexible, allowing for a wide range of applications without the need for additional production processes or retention elements, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of the sealing process.
Implementation Method 1
The seals are each formed from an elastically deformable material and are each retained on the one of the pins by interaction of the elastically deformable material with the one of the pins
Implementation Method 2
retained on the one of the pins by interaction of the elastically deformable material with the one of the pins
Data Source
AI summary
A pin assembly includes a plurality of pins and a plurality of seals. The plurality of seals are separate from one another and are each formed from an elastically deformable material. The seals are each disposed on one of the pins and are each retained on the one of the pins by interaction of the elastically deformable material with the one of the pins.