Posted by vanguard on | Comments Off on The Advantages of Electromagnetic Shielding, Including Silicone EMI Shielding Gaskets, in Electric Vehicles
By: Merima Trako, Program Manager, Shielding And Thermal Composites, Vanguard Products Corporation
Electric vehicles (EVs) are shaping transportation’s future. One crucial aspect that deserves attention is electromagnetic shielding of the electrical systems within EVs. This may mean including silicone EMI shielding gaskets in the critical design areas. This sophisticated shielding technique, specifically with high-temperature and reliable silicone gaskets, plays a vital role in ensuring electric vehicles’ seamless operation while providing numerous benefits.
Application Challenges:
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) refers to the disturbance caused by electromagnetic radiation from various sources. Electric vehicles generate EMI from power electronics, control systems, electric motors, and charging systems. Silicone EMI shielding gaskets act as a barrier to both the environment and extraneous signals, effectively containing and reducing EMI levels, preventing potential interference with sensitive electronic components. The incorporation of silicone EMI shielding gaskets ensures optimal performance of electric vehicles without compromising their intricate systems.
Efficiency is a fundamental characteristic of electric vehicles. Unshielded electromagnetic fields can induce eddy currents, leading to energy losses and reduced efficiency. Silicone EMI shielding gaskets, when applied strategically, can effectively mitigate these unwanted currents, resulting in improved energy efficiency. By reducing energy losses, users can achieve extended driving range, reduced power consumption, and enhanced overall vehicle performance.
Safety is paramount in electric vehicle design and operation. There is a great deal of controversy on the effect of high frequency radiation on the human body. Regardless of the validity of the concerns, EMI shielding safeguards passengers from any potential harm to the human body due to electromagnetic radiation from the vehicle. Silicone gaskets function as a protective barrier, containing and redirecting electromagnetic radiation away from the passenger compartment. This shielding mechanism significantly reduces electromagnetic exposure, ensuring a safe and secure environment for vehicle occupants.
Another safety issue that EMI shielding gaskets address relates to signal integrity. Electric vehicles rely on various communication systems, including wireless connectivity, GPS, and sensor networks, for seamless operation. Unshielded electromagnetic radiation can interfere with these signals, leading to degraded performance and compromised data accuracy. Electromagnetic shielding, with silicone gaskets ensures reliable communication channels within critical systems. Silicone EMI gaskets effectively block and redirect electromagnetic interference, enabling uninterrupted signal transmission thus facilitating vehicle systems smooth and error free functioning.
As the electric vehicle industry evolves, regulatory standards have been put in place to ensure safety and reliability. Electromagnetic shielding, with the use of silicone gaskets, is a crucial aspect of meeting these compliance requirements. Electric vehicle manufacturers can incorporate effective shielding measures, including silicone gaskets, to adhere to international electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standards. By doing so, they guarantee that their products conform to established regulations and ensure vehicle electromagnetic integrity.
Solutions:
EMI shielding systems that incorporate the use of shielding gaskets are going to be an indispensable feature in the design and development of EVs. With its ability to minimize electromagnetic interference, enhance vehicle efficiency, ensure passenger safety, prevent signal interference, and achieve regulatory compliance, silicone gaskets may play a vital role in EV performance and reliability. As technology continues to advance, the continued integration and improvement of electromagnetic shielding techniques, including the use of silicone gaskets, may contribute to the sustainable growth and widespread adoption of electric vehicles.
Vanguard Products Corporation, with its innovative Ultra-Vanshield conductive product line, is ready to partner with EV transportation companies in helping them achieve their signal security and energy efficiency goals. Our proprietary method of layering conductive material with a non-conductive silicone matrix is the future of EMI shielding, ensuring reliability and sustainability of EVs’ performance.
To begin with, 4G and 5G don’t actually stand for any specific definition of capabilities – they merely stand for 4th Generation and 5th Generation wireless technology. They do, however, require that certain standards be met to use the branding.
4G is actually a combination of two standards, with LTE Advanced being the primary standard followed. An upgrade of the LTE standards bumped the data speeds from a peak upload of 50 Mbit/s and a peak download speed of 100 Mbit/s up to a peak upload of 500 mbps and a peak download of 1000 mbps.
The 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project), a group that has overseen cellular communications standards since the third generation of wireless and put forth the LTE and LTE Advanced standards, has already established specifics for potential 5G technology. Among these are latency under one millisecond, the capability of delivering a 1 Gbps downlink to start and multi-gigabit downlink in the future, and improved energy efficiency to improve battery life and reduce power drain across the grid.
The Aim of 5G
5G aims to improve integration of technology and the Internet of Things, as highlighted by Ericsson’s CEO, Hans Vestberg. This means having localized networks that are service-aware, and can prioritize situation and connection based on the urgency of a device – changing latency and connection speed to meet specific needs.
As mentioned above, improving the efficiency is a major aim as well, as data communication uses a great deal of power. Being able to reduce pings when data is not necessary, or increase them at peak usage, can make new technology only use large amounts of power when necessary. This reduces the hassle on consumers of constant recharging, and can reduce the cost of use over the life of a device.
Also, 5G systems will tend to be much more localized than the current 4G systems. This means that instead of the hulking wireless towers you see, or the towers disguised as “Frankentrees” in order to make them “blend” into the background for 3G and 4G systems, the 5G systems will consist of many more “mini-cells”, some of which could be the size of a current at-home router and located at various points around the neighborhood or countryside. This will greatly increase the coverage, and reduce the unsightly presence of large scale cellular installations. Also, it will increase amount of data that a system as a whole will handle by paring down the amount that each individual point will need to handle.
Once fully implemented, it is likely that true 5G systems could replace hardwired telephony, hardwired cable TV, and hardwired internet service. AT&T, for instance, is exploring the potential to use 5G systems to replace all of its DSL services, allowing them to offer a complete package of TV service, 5G internet, wireless, and home phone services. 5G implementation would also allow carriers to offer “true” unlimited data plans to their home customers.
Potential Timeline and Problems Facing 5G
Still in its trial period, 5G wireless certainly appears to be a few years off. Even optimists are expecting that initial specs will be completed by late 2018, with Phase 2 specs completed in 2020. That being said, AT&T has made the bold move of announcing rollout of 5G technology in Austin and Indianapolis by the end of 2017.
What this means for tech companies and consumers is the potential for better communication and automation. Of course, the big hurdle that 5G faces is adoption – the cost to upgrade will be substantial at the beginning and, if it is anything like 4G, the time from inception to commercial use could be 5-6 years.
Design Challenges For 5G Base Stations And The Future
Because the base station systems will be shrunken in size and spread around in higher numbers, in addition to operating in a broader spectrum of high and low frequencies, there are numerous challenges for the enclosure design engineer to overcome. Many, if not most, of the systems will be located outdoors, and must provide robust moisture sealing and EMI shielding in a small package. Because of their proliferation, the systems must provide performance with low maintenance and low cost. These requirements make these systems ideal applications for our Ultra-Vanshield and Microbridge shielding gaskets.
We’re excited to continue our involvement in the telecommunications industry in the “5G future” with our unique capabilities, and look forward to expanding our work with them in the future.
Concerns are mounting among the general public and the scientific community about the safety of nano-materials. The overall consensus is that more research must be done to determine the safety and possible risks associated with these materials.
Though most studies have been inconclusive, the fact remains that some nanoparticles can easily pass through cellular walls and even through the blood-brain barrier. Some nanoparticles have even been shown to have an antibiotic effect. Knowing that many bacteria are helpful and necessary for our bodies to function properly, would it not be wise to keep such a potentially damaging agent from being introduced into our environment?
So why use nanoparticles in the first place? Nanoparticles are highly conductive and can replace expensive materials, such as precious metals, in a wide range of products. The very same aspects of nanoparticle technology that make it potentially harmful, such as the aforementioned ability to permeate the blood-brain barrier or to destroy specific cells, make nanoparticles a potential tool for the delivery of drugs. Nano-tech could be put to use in the future for such things as pollution monitoring, better energy storage techniques and in the reduction of otherwise harmful chemicals to name just a few of its potential applications. But again, there is the possibility of significant negative human health consequences.
In light of these health concerns, the European Union has taken the lead in regulating the use of nanoparticles and exploring their potential detrimental effects. Many large electronics manufacturers are questioning their use of these materials internally and have set extensive internal reviews to evaluate the use of these types of products internally, with the thought that, eventually, they may need to limit their usage.
However in other parts of the world, like Asia, companies still include nanoparticles in their products, and some larger companies here in the U.S. are continuing to distribute these nanoparticle containing products. There are, however, other American companies that are working to provide competitive products that are made with completely safe materials and achieve similar or same properties as the nanoparticle containing products.
As a trusted supplier of top quality electromagnetic shielding, at this time, Vanguard Products has made the decision to manufacture shielding products without the use of these nanoparticles. There is still just too much uncertainty with respect to the safety of these products both from a manufacturing sense within our factory, and the safety to our valued customers and, for that matter, their customers. We are a full service manufacturing and engineering company, providing industry with incredibly precise elastomeric fabricated goods who is constantly evaluating new materials and processes while keeping in mind that safety truly is the most important attribute of a product. For more information about our design, development, and manufacturing services, visit us at vanguardproducts.com.
In the competitive world of EMI/RFI shielding gaskets, many companies are touting various nickel-containing gasket materials claiming that they have improved galvanic compatibility with aluminum at a lower cost. However, these material combinations including nickel and graphite alloys, and nickel and aluminum alloys suffer from poor conductive performance. And beyond that challenge, a major concern is the uncertainty surrounding the safety of heavy exposure to nickel products.
The fact sheet goes on to state that individuals who have prolonged exposure to nickel become more sensitive to it.
“A nickel sensitized individual, when re-exposed to nickel ions on the skin in sufficient amounts, may have an allergic response within a matter of hours. This is termed the elicitation phase, which often occurs at a lower concentration of nickel ions than required for inducing sensitization in the first place. The elicitation of nickel ACD usually occurs at the site of exposure but can occur in skin remote from the site of contact with nickel where previous nickel sensitization reactions have occurred.”
Because of these risks, it may be beneficial for companies to select industrial products that are nickel free to prevent unnecessary exposure and discomfort among employees. At Vanguard Products, the majority of our materials are nickel free, and our Ultra-Vanishield Dual Elastomer EMI/RFI Shielding Gaskets offer a competitive cost alternative to nickel-containing products. Our microbridge approach with silver and aluminum alloys can even surpass the galvanic performance of other products. And because our EMI shielding gaskets are made in the USA, all materials adhere to current safety and quality standards.
To learn more about EMI/RFI shielding gaskets and their many industrial applications, please feel free to visit our website. You can also browse our online catalog for additional product details and information.
Virtually all high-speed connector applications, as well as the industries which rely on them, have evolved dramatically. The technology is very advanced, and therefore, so are the challenges and requirements.
As a result of these changing needs, Ultra-Vanshield Dual Elastomer EMI/RFI Shielding Gaskets are quickly becoming the standard for high-speed electronic connectors. Their design and advantages have proven to be far superior to previous types of shielding gaskets, such as traditional stamped metal gasket products.
One of the reasons for Ultra-Vanshield gaskets’ success over other products is the inherent limitation posed by these previously used gasket designs. Oftentimes, they lack the features necessary for long-term shielding, have high compression forces, and don’t offer high performance over the expected life of the connector.
Alternatively, Ultra-Vanshield shielding gaskets are able to withstand high temperatures and promise long life spans, providing high levels of shielding at frequencies up to and greater than 40GHz—with low compression forces. For the needs of today’s high data rate connectors used in networking and communications equipment, they are the most logical, affordable, effective choice.
Other design features and benefits include:
Easy to mate and un-mate
Reduced silver content = reduced costs
Excellent conductive properties
Resistance to deformation
Optimal compression and aging properties
Environmental sealing, along with extreme environment and abrasion resistance
Regardless of the specific application, Ultra-Vanshield shielding gaskets can be customized based on specific needs. Countless customers worldwide have come to find the absolute advantages they provide, and we expect them to continue to replace older methods, leading the way in the RFI/EMI market.
If you have ever been to a concert or sporting event in an arena or outdoor stadium, you know how important a quality sound system is. If you cannot hear the music, or the announcer, it can ruin a long planned and oftentimes expensive outing. When it comes to size, these systems are often massive in size and power: hundreds of different speakers, with miles of cables, all powered by thousands (if not tens of thousands) of watts. Additionally, modern systems include wireless microphones and monitors that rely on strong and uninterrupted signals.
This is not to mention the fact that the cellular and wireless traffic in a stadium or concert venue is so heavy that it sometimes seizes up the wireless networks in the area. It seems like everyone in the stadium has to tweet, snapchat, or otherwise update their status and share their experience with their friends during the performance or game. Further, security and service personnel use wireless systems to communicate among themselves to ensure security, and to make sure that you can get your hot dog or cold beer without delay. The prevalence of electromagnetic signals in these venues makes this a challenge that brings many of the biggest names in sound to Vanguard for help.
When it comes to maintaining the integrity of their signals, Vanguard’s line of fabricated EMI/RFI shielding products is the choice of the indoor and outdoor sound industry. Our EMI/RFI shielding products help provide superior shielding for a number of reasons, including:
Ultra-Vanshield dual elastomer gaskets
Microbridge™ technology
ISO 9001:2008 certified production
Wide variety of materials including silicone, fluorosilicone, and EPDM
Resilient inner core free of metal fillers
Very low compression force
Keep moisture outside of all electronics
On top of these benefits, Vanguard also provides in-house cutting, bonding, and O-Ring fabrication, and everything we make is proudly Made in the USA!
If you want to learn more about why the biggest names in event sound choose Vanguard’s EMI/RFI shielding products, visit our website or contact one of our experts today! Don’t delay, because if your customers can’t hear it, they won’t stick around very long!
Among many things to be proud of about our state, Connecticut serves as home to some of the largest maritime defense bases and manufacturers in the United States. While there are many bases from which U.S. subs operate, the Naval Submarine Base at New London has been given the simple and telling moniker, “Home of the Submarine Force.” We are proud to also be home to the Coast Guard Academy, and a number of hi-tech submarine and marine equipment manufacturers supporting the defense of our nation on the open seas. Being a Connecticut company ourselves, and being that we manufacture a full range of sealing and shielding products for maritime applications, we thought it might be a good time to talk about the perils of shipboard galvanic action, and how Vanguard shielding products help prevent galvanic action from occurring.
Galvanic action, in essence, is a process where combinations of materials essentially become batteries due to contact between electrochemically dissimilar metals. When this happens, a conductive path is made by which electrons and ions move from one metal to the next. During the process, the material from which the electrons and ions are moving becomes “sacrificial”—physically losing material until degrading to the point of failure. In practice, “galvanic action” can occur between the highly conductive EMI shielding gasket and the metal enclosure, and usually causes the electronic enclosure (typically made of aluminum or steel) to corrode and degrade to the point where the structural integrity, especially from a sealing standpoint, is literally eroded. The process is initiated and accelerated through the presence of an electrolyte. In the case of maritime applications, the electrolyte is abundant—salt water or salt fog in the air. Since maritime US forces are equipped with some of the most advanced, sensitive electronics known to man, and given that seawater is abundant, it becomes obvious why there’s a need to guard against galvanic action in naval electronics systems.
Vanguard’s Ultra-Vanshield and Microbridge dual function EMI shielding gaskets reduce the galvanic potential by reducing the exposure of the dissimilar metals to the electrolyte. This, combined with the appropriate selection of conductive material from our extensive conductive materials options, can virtually eliminate the potential for galvanic action between the shielding gasket and the enclosure on which it is installed. Whether extruded or molded, our gaskets and rubber sealants have been proven seaworthy time and again aboard seafaring vessels. Whether you make your way on a Nimitz-class carrier, a Los Angeles-class attack sub, or a munitions supply ship, you can depend on Vanguard to safeguard your electronic operations systems from the wind, weather, and brine you encounter every moment. For more information on our customized and standard electronics protection solutions for naval applications, call us today or email us at Vanguard Products.
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