Vulcanized Elastomer Contact Pin Sealing Module
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing contact device modules for weapons and active agent launchers are costly, require many parts, and lack electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) due to large open areas, making them susceptible to environmental penetration and wear.
Innovation Solution
A contact device module using a single carrier plate with a vulcanized elastomer and metal contact pin, eliminating the need for a separate contact housing and sliding seals, and utilizing the elastomer for both sealing and generating contact pressure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multi-part contact housing with elastomer spring and sliding seals is used, then sealing against environmental influences is achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple functions (sealing, spring action, contact guidance) into a single elastomer component that is integrally formed and vulcanized directly onto the contact pin. This eliminates the need for separate contact housing, separate spring elements, and sliding seals, thereby reducing part count while maintaining sealing performance against water, dust, and environmental influences.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomer component serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides sealing against environmental penetration, generates contact pressure through its elastic properties, and guides the displacement of the contact pin. This multi-functional design reduces the overall device complexity while achieving reliable sealing and contact force generation.
2Ease of manufacture
If a contact housing with large open areas is used, then ease of assembly is improved, but electromagnetic compatibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomer component acts as a flexible sealing membrane that covers and seals around the contact pin, creating an EMC-tight enclosure. This flexible shell approach maintains electromagnetic compatibility by preventing electromagnetic interference while still allowing for simple assembly through the vulcanization process that directly attaches the elastomer to the contact pin without requiring complex housing structures.
3Force
If sliding seals are used for contact pin movement, then contact pressure is maintained, but wear and reliability decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical sliding seal system with an elastomeric sealing approach where the contact pin moves through the flexible elastomer material itself. This eliminates the wear-prone sliding interface between separate seal components and the contact pin, while the elastomer's elastic properties continue to provide the necessary contact pressure force through its springback capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integration of the elastomer material directly with the metal contact pin creates a composite structure where the elastomer provides both sealing and spring action. This composite design eliminates the need for separate sliding seal components that would be subject to wear, while maintaining reliable contact pressure through the elastomer's inherent elastic recovery properties.
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 reduces part count, enhances EMC, and provides a reliable, watertight, dustproof, and dirtproof module with reduced rubber content, enabling efficient electrical contact and increased assembly compatibility.
Implementation Method 1
a contact pin (3) which is vulcanized by means of an elastomer (4) into the carrier plate (2)
Implementation Method 2
the vulcanization layer consisting of an elastomer allows the contact pin to change its position axially when pressure is applied to the contact pin
Implementation Method 3
the vulcanization layer consisting of an elastomer allows the contact pin to change its position axially when pressure is applied to the contact pin, so that a sufficiently high contact pressure force can be generated for reliable electrical contact
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
The invention relates to a contact device module (1), in particular for electrically contacting a weapon or an active agent launcher with the corresponding contact of an ammunition which can be found in the weapon or the active agent launcher The aim of the invention is to provide a contact device module (1) which requires substantially fewer individual parts than comparable known modules and which is water-, dust-, sand-, and dirt-tight. According to the invention, this is achieved in that the contact device module consists of a base (2) through which a contact pin (3) is guided, said contact pin being fixed in the base by means of a vulcanization layer (4) made of an elastomer. By using the vulcanization layer (4), an axial change of the position of the contact pin (3) is achieved in addition to the seal of the contact pin (3) guided through the base (2) when pressure is applied to the contact pin (3) such that a sufficiently high contact pressure force can be generated in order to establish a reliable electric contact.