Conductive Polymer Shielding Joint with Metal Strip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Achieving effective electromagnetic shielding, particularly in the microwave range, is challenging due to the difficulty in maintaining electrical continuity and rigidity at the junctions of shielding elements, such as the seams of metal boxes, which can act as antennas and compromise shielding effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A shielding joint comprising a profiled element made of conductive polymer material with a metal strip fixed to its ends and a conductive polymer sole, providing rigidity and conductivity, and using a pasty conductive polymer layer for fixation without introducing discontinuities, along with lugs for secure attachment to the shielding elements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a flat gasket made of conductive polymer material is used to ensure electrical continuity at the junction of shielding elements, then electromagnetic shielding effectiveness is improved, but the rigidity and ease of handling of the gasket deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket is constructed as a composite structure with a rigid metal strip (providing structural support and conductivity) sandwiched between two layers of conductive polymer material (providing electrical continuity and shielding). This composite design allows the gasket to maintain both rigidity for easy handling and sufficient flexibility to ensure good electrical continuity when compressed between shielding elements, thereby resolving the contradiction between shielding effectiveness and ease of handling.
2Reliability
If the perimeter of a slot or opening in the shielding enclosure is reduced to prevent antenna effects, then electromagnetic shielding effectiveness is improved, but the accessibility and ease of operation of the enclosure deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The gasket acts as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between the requirement for small slot perimeters (to prevent antenna effects and maintain shielding effectiveness) and the need for accessible openings (for device insertion and maintenance). The gasket allows the opening to remain sufficiently large for accessibility while ensuring that the junction between the movable door and fixed enclosure maintains electrical continuity, effectively decoupling the size of the opening from the shielding performance at the junction.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional adhesive materials are used to fix the metal strip to the polymer layers, then ease of manufacture is improved, but electrical continuity and shielding effectiveness deteriorates due to conductivity discontinuities
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material parameter of the adhesive layer by using conductive polymer material instead of conventional non-conductive adhesives. This parameter change ensures that the adhesive layer maintains electrical continuity across the gasket structure while still providing adequate bonding between the metal strip and polymer layers, thereby resolving the contradiction between ease of manufacture and electrical continuity.
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 ensures excellent electrical continuity and rigidity, maintaining shielding effectiveness of up to 120 dB at 10 GHz, effectively preventing electromagnetic interference while allowing for precise fitting and secure sealing of microwave electronics enclosures.
Implementation Method 1
The electromagnetic shielding of equipment therefore fulfills two functions: attenuating the electromagnetic field emitted by equipment so as not to disturb its environment, attenuating the electromagnetic fields received by the electronic components inside this equipment so as not to be disturbed by its environment
Implementation Method 2
the joint is crushed on the edges of the elements of the box coming opposite one another and ensures good electrical continuity between these elements
Data Source
Figure 1A~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to an electromagnetic shielding joint (100) for ensuring the continuity of shielding at the junction of two shielding elements, characterised in that it comprises: at least one profiled element (10) made of a first electrically conductive polymer material; at least one metal strip (20) attached to said profiled element by a first surface; at least one strip (30) made of a second electrically conductive polymer material, attached to a second surface of said metal strip, said strip forming a flange for said joint.