Textile Shielding Sleeve Structure for Expandable Connector Coverage

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electromagnetic shielding sleeves face challenges in providing simultaneous effective shielding and mechanical protection, especially in the automotive sector where weight optimization is crucial, due to their limited radial expansion and high weight, and often require complex configurations that compromise shielding performance.

Innovation Solution

A dual-textile sleeve system with separate rest diameters for protective and connecting sleeves, allowing for adjustable size to fit cables and connectors, with electrically conductive securing areas to maintain shielding efficacy and mechanical integrity, and the ability to expand radially to cover connectors while preserving shielding properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a fully-metal shielding sleeve is used, then shielding performance is improved, but weight increases and radial expansion capability is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding performanceVSAvoidsleeve weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite textile materials combining metal yarns (for electrical conductivity and shielding) with synthetic fibers (for mechanical strength and radial expansion). This composite structure achieves effective electromagnetic shielding while reducing weight and enabling radial deformation capability, directly resolving the contradiction between shielding performance and weight/expansion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Adaptability or versatility

If a radially deformable shielding sleeve is used, then adaptability to different dimensions is improved, but shielding performance deteriorates due to large openings in expanded state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedimensional adaptabilityVSAvoidshielding performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by creating an asymmetric braid structure where the textile density and metal yarn distribution are optimized in different regions. The braided configuration maintains sufficient coverage and shielding properties even when radially expanded, allowing the sleeve to adapt to different cable and connector dimensions without sacrificing shielding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Device complexity

If a single-size shielding sleeve is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different cable and connector dimensions is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesleeve configurationVSAvoiddimensional compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing a radially deformable sleeve that can transition between different dimensional states. The flexible braided structure allows the sleeve to expand or contract radially to accommodate various cable diameters and connector sizes, providing dimensional adaptability without requiring multiple fixed-size sleeves, thus maintaining simplicity while enhancing versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Reliability

If excessive shielding sleeve material is used to cover connectors, then shielding coverage is improved, but weight increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshielding coverageVSAvoidsleeve mass
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by designing the sleeve to provide sufficient shielding coverage only where needed - specifically at the connector region where electromagnetic interference is most critical. The radially deformable structure allows targeted expansion to cover the connector with appropriate shielding, while minimizing material usage in regions where full coverage is not required, thus optimizing the balance between shielding coverage and weight.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS11825640B2Electromagnetic shielding device
Publication Date: 2023.11.21 DELFINGEN FR ANTEUIL
  • US11825640B2 patent drawing
  • US11825640B2 patent drawing
  • US11825640B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An electromagnetic shielding device (40) including at least one hollow protective textile sleeve (50) having a main rest diameter D1 and an interior volume configured to receive one or several elongated element(s) (20, 21), at least one hollow connecting textile sleeve (60) having a rest diameter D2, D2 greater than D1. The protective textile sleeve (50) comprises a substantially annular front part (52) having a front open end (54), the connecting textile sleeve (60) includes a substantially annular rear part (62) having a rear open end (64), and the shielding device (40) includes a first electrically conductive, in particular at least partially annular, securing area (70) in which the rear part (62) of the connecting sleeve (60) and the front part (52) of the protective sleeve (50) are at least partly secured.