Wave-Shaped Connector Seal for Lower Plugging Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
High plugging forces are required when connecting two connectors with a traditional connector seal, especially during the initial plugging process, which can be challenging and potentially lead to tilting or uneven loading.
Innovation Solution
A connector seal with a wave-shaped sealing lip that extends along the circumferential direction, where maxima and minima regions alternate in the axial direction, reducing the initial contact force by allowing maxima to engage first, followed by minima, thereby reducing the overall plugging force required.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional connector seal with a straight sealing lip is used, then a reliable seal is achieved, but high plugging forces are required especially during initial connection
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing lip is designed with a wave-shaped profile instead of a straight line, creating alternating maxima and minima regions along the axial direction. This curvature modification allows the sealing surface to contact the mating connector progressively, with maxima engaging first and minima following, thereby reducing the peak plugging force while maintaining sealing effectiveness.
2Reliability
If high plugging forces are applied to ensure proper sealing contact, then sealing reliability is improved, but tilting and uneven loading of the connector occur
Solution Approach 1:
The wave-shaped profile of the sealing lip creates a progressive contact mechanism where maxima and minima regions engage the mating connector in sequence. This distributed contact approach prevents concentrated forces that cause tilting, ensuring uniform loading and maintaining connector alignment stability throughout the plugging process.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a connector seal for sealing a gap between a first connector and a second connector of a plug connection in a state of being plugged together, wherein the connector seal extends in a self-contained manner along a circumferential direction around a central opening, wherein the connector seal has two face sides disposed opposite one another in an axial direction, wherein the connector seal has an inner side facing the central opening in the radial direction and an outer side facing away from the central opening in the radial direction, one of which is an abutment side for the abutment against the first connector and the 10 other is a contact side for the abutment, in particular in a sealing manner, against the second connector in the state of the plug connection being plugged together. In order to reduce the plugging force necessary for plugging the two connectors together, it is provided that the contact side comprises at least one sealing lip which extends along the circumferential direction and the position of which changes in a wave-shaped manner in the axial direction.