Category Archive: Ultra Vanshield Sponge Product Line

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.

 

Contact us to learn more.

Should We Be Worried About the Safety of Wireless Electronic Accessories?

With the newest phone releases still getting mixed reviews in terms of functionality, one aspect that’s important to consider is safety. The biggest change arguably is the abandonment of the standard earbuds in favor of wireless ones – getting rid of the headphone jack altogether in the new model.

For most people, the biggest drawback to this change is the increased possibility of losing your earbuds. But for those of us who work in the electromagnetic shielding field, there’s the question of possible health risks associated with these wireless accessories.

With most mobile devices, we have the option of using a wired headset with headphones and microphone that allow us to communicate without holding the actual device so close to our heads. Though the radiation emitted from these devices is minimal, there’s little way of knowing the long-term effects of low-level exposure implanted so close to the brain. Now that the wired headset are phasing out, users will have to choose between holding the phone to their ear, or using Bluetooth ear buds – but are they any safer?

According to a few sources, the risks associated with wireless earbud use are the same as those with any other listening device – potential hearing loss if the volume is too loud, and distractions while walking or driving. The researchers so far contend that there is no increased risk of cancer from this type of radiation exposure. In fact, they argue that using the wireless Bluetooth option actually reduces the amount of electromagnetic radiation exposure as opposed to having the phone directly against your ear.

However, this is far from an open and shut case. The Environmental Health Trust has published a number of pieces examining the effects of electromagnetic fields on mammals. Researchers found that in addition to disrupting sleep patterns, wireless radiation in combination with exposure to other carcinogens can increase the risk of cancer development. So while on their own, electromagnetic fields may not cause cancer, they may contribute to more cases in individuals who are exposed to other factors – and with so many potential carcinogens in the air and even in our food already, adding another susceptibility can be a major problem.

With conflicting reports about the safety of these types of products, it’s important to consider appropriate shielding measures in electronic devices. Our Ultra-Vanshield products are used by manufacturers to limit the electromagnetic radiation emitted from common electronic devices such as computers and telecommunications equipment. Though we can’t say that this solves the possible problems associated with cellphones and Bluetooth devices, we will continue to do our part to improve the safety of consumer technology. In the meantime, we’ll continue to research this topic and work to solve noted problems.

New Certification to Add Value to Our Ultra Vanshield Sponge Product Line

Vanguards Product Corporation has stood true to its name. With cutting edge innovations in the field of high-quality elastomeric goods, it has always set industry precedents in terms of usability and safety of its wide range of products.

Dealing in both dense and sponge elastomeric forms, the myriad Vanguard products give new definitions to sealing, fluid transfer, shock absorption, heat transfer, and EMI/RFI shielding applications.

THE UL94V0 CERTIFICATION:

The newest addition to the Vanguard family of products is a special low compression deflection sponge version of our Ultra-Vanshield product with a high level of flame retardancy.  This product was developed in conjunction with our partners in Japan, Vanguard-Japan.  Its niche lies in high-performance commercial electronics for indoor purposes and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding for consumer equipment where ultra-low compression forces, high level shielding, and flame retardancy are key, such as backplanes and connectors.

Because of the mandates of its usage, this product with the highest level of flame retardancy commonly available in the industry.  The product is produced and listed under UL file number E31158 to the UL94V0 standard. Of the different classifications, UL94V0 offers the fastest level of flame extinguishing as certified by the industry leader in safety.

Vanguard is proud to announce the addition of this UL94V0 certification to its Ultra-Vanshield product line produced in Danbury, CT and at our sister company, Vanguard-Japan. This new certification adds to the current UL50/UL508/UL50E listing already in place for the Ultra-Vanshield product, providing our loyal clients and new customers alike with further affirmation of our drive to excel and grow over time.