Shielding Sleeve Connector Sealing via Press Element

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connector parts face challenges in reliably sealing the transition between the plastic housing part and the shielding sleeve, particularly when formed by overmolding, which can lead to moisture penetration and compromised protection against environmental factors.

Innovation Solution

A connector part design incorporating a pressing element and a sealing element, where the sealing element is compressed against the shielding sleeve via the pressing element, providing a reliable seal independent of the plastic housing part's action, and can be integrated through material or surface contact during overmolding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the plastic housing part is formed by overmolding the shielding sleeve, then the manufacturing process is simplified and production efficiency is improved, but the sealing reliability at the transition between the plastic housing part and the shielding sleeve deteriorates due to potential capillary gaps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction efficiencyVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the plastic housing part and the shielding sleeve. This sealing element is compressed by a pressing element to fill and seal the capillary gap that forms during overmolding, thereby maintaining both the simplified overmolding process and reliable sealing without requiring complex modifications to the base overmolding technique.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing function is segmented from the main overmolding process by introducing a separate sealing element and pressing element assembly. This allows the overmolding process to remain simple and efficient while the sealing function is independently optimized through the dedicated sealing element that can be precisely compressed to eliminate capillary gaps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a sealing element is added to seal the transition between the plastic housing part and the shielding sleeve, then sealing reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The sealing element and pressing element are combined into a single integrated assembly that is pre-mounted on the shielding sleeve before overmolding. This merging reduces the number of separate components and assembly steps, thereby improving sealing reliability while minimizing the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealing element and pressing element are installed on the shielding sleeve in advance, before the overmolding process begins. This preliminary action ensures that the sealing mechanism is already in place and properly positioned, eliminating the need for additional sealing steps after overmolding and thus reducing overall device complexity while maintaining high sealing reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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

This solution ensures a moisture-tight seal between the plastic housing part and the shielding sleeve, maintaining a predefined degree of protection and moisture resistance without complicating the overmolding process, thus enhancing the connector's reliability and durability.

Implementation Method 1

a sealing element (14) arranged in a receiving device (132) of the press element (13), which is in sealing contact with the shield sleeve (10) for sealing a transition between the plastic housing part (15) and the shield sleeve (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

the plastic housing part (15) is manufactured by overmolding a section of the shield sleeve (10)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOvermolding:

Data Source

PatentEP3785334B1Connector part with a shielding sleeve
Publication Date: 2022.04.27 PHOENIX CONTACT GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3785334B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3785334B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3785334B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A connector part (1) comprises an electrically conductive shielding sleeve (10), a plug section (100) situated on the shielding sleeve (10) for plug-connection to an associated mating connector part (3), at least one electrical contact element (120) arranged in or on the plug section (100), and a plastic housing part (15) which at least partially encloses the shielding sleeve (10). A pressing element (13), which is connected to the plastic housing part (15) and has a receiving device (132), is also disposed on the shielding sleeve (10). A seal element (14), which bears sealingly against the shielding sleeve (10) to seal a transition between the plastic housing part (15) and the shielding sleeve (10), is arranged in the receiving device (132) of the pressing element (13). In this manner, a connector part is provided which has a simple structure and is simple to produce and allows the plastic housing part to be reliably sealed off from the shielding sleeve.