Electromagnetic Shielding Configuration With Corrugated Conductive Walls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electromagnetic shielding solutions for densely packed high-speed electronics are inadequate due to gaps in enclosures, which allow electromagnetic interference to pass through, and current methods like gaskets and pastes are costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An electromagnetic shielding configuration using a first and second electrically conductive wall with a corrugated surface and stepped edges, where the surfaces are designed to minimize spacing and absorb electromagnetic radiation, acting as a dual-stage filter to reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If access panels and doors are used to allow circuitry access, then ease of operation is improved, but electromagnetic shielding is worsened due to seams and gaps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs flexible conductive gaskets made of elastomeric material with conductive particles or coating. These gaskets are compressed between mating surfaces of access panels and enclosure walls, forming a flexible sealing layer that maintains electrical continuity and blocks electromagnetic interference while allowing for manufacturing tolerances and thermal expansion.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket structure combines elastomeric base material with conductive elements (metal particles, conductive polymer, or metallic coating) to create a composite material that simultaneously provides mechanical flexibility for sealing and electrical conductivity for electromagnetic shielding. This composite approach resolves the contradiction between accessibility and shielding effectiveness.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If gaskets are used to seal enclosures, then electromagnetic shielding is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the gasket directly into the access panel assembly during molding or bonding, combining multiple components (access panel, gasket, sealing structure) into a single integrated unit. This eliminates separate gasket inventory, simplifies assembly, and reduces manufacturing complexity while maintaining electromagnetic shielding effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The access panel assembly is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: providing physical access for circuitry, maintaining electromagnetic shielding, and ensuring environmental sealing. The integrated gasket structure performs both sealing and EMI shielding functions in one component, reducing overall system complexity.
3Ease of manufacture
If mechanical pressure is applied to secure access panels, then ease of manufacture is improved, but electromagnetic shielding is worsened due to manufacturing tolerances causing seams
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric gasket material provides compliance that accommodates manufacturing tolerances and surface irregularities. When compressed, the flexible gasket deforms to fill gaps and conform to mating surfaces, ensuring continuous electrical contact and effective electromagnetic shielding despite variations in manufacturing precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The gasket is pre-compressed during assembly to a specified deflection (e.g., 25-75% of original thickness) that creates a cushioning effect. This pre-compression ensures continuous contact between mating surfaces and maintains shielding effectiveness under varying operational conditions, compensating for tolerance stack-up before problems occur.
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 configuration effectively reduces electromagnetic interference by minimizing gaps and absorbing radiation, providing improved shielding without the cost and inefficiencies of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
the shields are usually able to absorb and/or reflect electromagnetic interference energy
Implementation Method 2
This step reduces the electromagnetic radiation by introducing a perpendicular turn (104) at the interface of the top (102) and bottom (103) enclosure walls, which weakens the energy of the transmitter radiation by having the geometrical interference absorb it
Implementation Method 3
the shields are usually able to absorb and/or reflect electromagnetic interference energy
Data Source
AI summary
An electromagnetic shielding configuration comprising a first electrically conductive wall having a first surface and a second electrically conductive wall having a second surface. The first surface is oppositely disposed from the second surface, wherein interfacing of the first conductive wall and the second conductive wall forms an enclosure wall. The first surface comprises at least one stepped edge forming a plurality of surfaces of unequal lateral displacement, and a corrugated surface on at least one of the plurality of surfaces, the corrugated surface formed by a series of apices extending radially from the first surface. The second surface is substantially a conjugate of the first surface.