Conductive Shaft-Housing Disk for Low-Friction Equipotential Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solutions for creating an electrically conductive connection between a shaft and a housing are complex and costly, lacking a simple and inexpensive method to ensure reliable conductivity while preventing mechanical damage from electrical potential differences.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a holding body with an electrically conductive disk made of non-woven material, preferably impregnated with PTFE dispersion and containing carbon fibers, which securely contacts both the shaft and the housing, providing a form-fitting connection and elastic pretension for reliable conductivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If an electrically conductive seal is used for equipotential bonding, then electrical potential equalization is achieved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrical conductive element with a simple holding body in a single integrated device. The holding body receives the conductive disk and positions it between the shaft and housing, merging the mounting structure and conductive element into one component that achieves equipotential bonding without complex sealing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the essential function of equipotential bonding from complex seal structures and implements it through a simplified holding body with a conductive disk. This separation allows the conductive connection to be achieved independently of complex sealing requirements, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a complex seal structure is used for equipotential bonding, then electrical potential equalization is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a simple holding body with a conductive disk that can be manufactured at low cost using conventional processes. The design accepts that the conductive element may wear over time and can be replaced, prioritizing low initial manufacturing cost and ease of production over long-term durability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using a conductive disk with specific friction-reducing properties (PTFE impregnation) rather than complex seal structures. This material parameter change enables simple manufacturing while maintaining electrical conductivity and reducing friction during operation.
3Reliability
If friction between the conductive element and shaft is high, then secure contact is achieved, but service life decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the friction parameter by impregnating the conductive disk with PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), which has extremely low friction properties. This allows the disk to rotate freely against the shaft while maintaining electrical contact, significantly extending service life compared to high-friction materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The conductive disk is made as a composite material combining electrically conductive components (carbon fibers, metallic fibers, or conductive carbon black) with a PTFE matrix. This composite structure provides both electrical conductivity and low-friction properties, simultaneously achieving secure electrical contact and extended service life.
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 a simple, inexpensive, and reliable electrically conductive connection between the shaft and the housing, preventing mechanical damage from potential differences and extending the service life by reducing friction and ensuring secure contact.
Implementation Method 1
The PTFE dispersion stabilizes the fleece and reduces the coefficient of friction in relation to the shaft. This extends the service life of the disc.
Implementation Method 2
The upstream seal equalizes the potential between the two machine elements and prevents mechanical damage that can occur when different electrical potentials of the machine elements are equalized by an electrical voltage breakdown.
Implementation Method 3
The disk preferably bears against the shaft with elastic pretension. This ensures reliable electrical contact between the disc and the shaft.
Data Source
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AI summary
Arrangement (1) comprising a shaft (2), a housing (3) and a device (4) for producing an electrically conductive connection between the shaft (2) and the housing (3), wherein the device (4) has a retaining body (5), wherein the retaining body (5) accommodates at least one electrically conductive disk (6), wherein the disk (6) contacts the shaft (2) and the housing (3).