USB Type-C Waterproof Connector

Abstract

This utility model discloses a waterproof USB Type-C female connector, including an insulating body, a terminal group, and a housing. The insulating body includes a base and a tongue plate. The inner wall of the housing is a closed surface, and an insertion cavity is formed between the inner wall of the housing and the outer wall of the tongue plate. A through hole is formed through the inner and outer walls of the front end of the housing, and a waterproof rubber ring is integrally injection molded at the front end of the housing. By forming a through hole through the inner and outer walls of the front end of the housing, the waterproof rubber ring can be injection molded through the through hole, thus forming an outer sealing ring and an inner sealing ring simultaneously. The outer sealing ring seals with the external device housing, and the inner sealing ring seals with the outer wall of the male connector, thereby effectively preventing water from entering the insertion cavity and achieving complete waterproofing. After the male connector is inserted into the insertion cavity, it can be immersed in water for live operation without the risk of short circuits or damage due to water ingress, bringing convenience to users.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of electrical connectors, and in particular to a USB Type-C waterproof female connector. Background Technology

[0002] The USB Type-C waterproof connector is a specially designed USB interface that combines the advantages of the Type-C interface with waterproof functionality. The biggest feature of the Type-C interface is its reversibility; it can be inserted from either side, greatly enhancing ease of use. The USB Type-C waterproof connector uses special waterproof materials or structures at the interface to prevent moisture from entering and thus protecting the circuitry from damage. This waterproof design allows the USB Type-C interface to be used in more outdoor or humid environments, such as automobiles, outdoor electronic devices, and water sports facilities. With technological advancements and increasing consumer demand for waterproof performance in electronic products, the USB Type-C waterproof connector is becoming increasingly widely used in the market. It can be used not only in consumer electronics such as smartphones and tablets, but also in industrial control, automotive electronics, and medical equipment.

[0003] Currently, the main structure of a USB Type-C waterproof female connector typically consists of an insulating body, a terminal block, and a housing. The waterproof structure of this USB Type-C waterproof female connector mainly involves assembling or using liquid silicone injection molding to form a waterproof ring at the head of the housing. The waterproof ring fits tightly with the inside of the insertion interface of the device housing to ensure that water cannot enter around it. At the same time, adhesive is applied to a groove at a certain position on the insulating body to prevent water from entering the insertion cavity and then seeping through the tail of the insulating body to corrode the PCB board inside the device.

[0004] However, according to the dimensions specified by the USB Association, even after the male connector is inserted into the insertion cavity at the front of the female connector, there is still a theoretical gap between the inner wall of the insertion cavity and the outer wall of the male connector, as follows: Male connector outer dimensions: 8.25±0.03mm, 2.40±0.03mm; Insertion cavity dimensions: 8.34±0.04mm, 2.56±0.04mm. This means that water can still enter the insertion cavity after the male connector is inserted. Furthermore, operating a powered device with the male connector inserted into a water-filled female connector poses a risk of short circuits and damage to the device, as water is a conductor. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the current USB Type-C waterproof female connector. Utility Model Content

[0005] In view of this, the present invention addresses the deficiencies of the existing technology and its main purpose is to provide a USB Type-C waterproof female connector, which can effectively solve the problem that the insertion cavity of the existing USB Type-C waterproof female connector is prone to water ingress, leading to various hidden dangers.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention adopts the following technical solution:

[0007] A USB Type-C waterproof female connector includes an insulating body, a terminal group, and a housing. The insulating body includes a base and a tongue extending from the base. The terminal group is disposed on the insulating body. The housing covers the insulating body, and the inner wall surface of the housing is a closed surface. An insertion cavity for inserting a male connector is formed between the inner wall surface of the housing and the outer wall surface of the tongue. A through hole is formed through the inner and outer wall surfaces of the front end of the housing. A waterproof rubber ring is integrally injection molded at the front end of the housing. The waterproof rubber ring includes an outer sealing ring that seals with an external device housing and an inner sealing ring that seals with the outer wall of the male connector. The outer sealing ring is attached and fixed to the outer wall surface of the front end of the housing, and the inner sealing ring is attached and fixed to the inner wall surface of the front end of the housing. The inner sealing ring is integrally connected to the outer sealing ring through a connecting part located within the through hole.

[0008] As a preferred embodiment, there are multiple through holes, which are arranged in a circumferentially spaced manner around the front end of the housing. Correspondingly, there are multiple connecting parts, which are located in the corresponding through holes.

[0009] As a preferred embodiment, the housing includes an inner shell and an outer shell, the inner shell covering the insulating body, the insertion cavity located in the inner shell, the through hole located at the front end of the inner shell, and the outer shell covering the outer shell.

[0010] As a preferred embodiment, the inner shell is a seamless stretched metal shell.

[0011] As a preferred embodiment, the front end of the inner shell is bent outward to extend a retaining ring, and the outer sealing ring is located behind the retaining ring.

[0012] As a preferred embodiment, the outer sealing ring has a raised crest that protrudes from the outer peripheral side of the retaining ring.

[0013] As a preferred embodiment, the outer casing is a metal stamped casing.

[0014] As a preferred embodiment, the inner sealing ring has a triangular cross-section.

[0015] As a preferred embodiment, the USB Type-C waterproof female connector is a plate-mounted, recessed, vertical, or horizontal USB Type-C female connector.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, this utility model has obvious advantages and beneficial effects. Specifically, as can be seen from the above technical solution:

[0017] By forming through holes on the inner and outer walls of the front end of the housing, the waterproof rubber ring can be injection molded through the through holes, thus forming an outer sealing ring and an inner sealing ring simultaneously. The outer sealing ring seals with the external equipment housing, and the inner sealing ring seals with the outer wall of the male connector, effectively preventing water from entering the insertion cavity and achieving complete waterproofing. After the male connector is inserted into the insertion cavity, it can be immersed in water for live operation without the risk of short circuits or burn-out due to water ingress, bringing convenience to users.

[0018] To more clearly illustrate the structural features and effects of this utility model, the following detailed description of this utility model is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0019] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional assembly diagram of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention in use.

[0023] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0024] 10. Insulating body 11. Base

[0025] 12. Tongue plate 101. Glue dispensing groove

[0026] 20. Terminal group; 21. Contact portion

[0027] 22. Welded parts; 30. Shell

[0028] 31. Inner shell 311. Retaining ring

[0029] 32. Outer shell 33. Shielding shell

[0030] 301. Insertion cavity; 302. Through hole

[0031] 40, male connector 50, waterproof rubber ring

[0032] 51. Outer sealing ring; 511. Wave crest

[0033] 52. Inner sealing ring; 53. Connecting part. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Please refer to Figures 1 to 4As shown, it illustrates the specific structure of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, including an insulating body 10, a terminal group 20, and a housing 30.

[0035] The insulating body 10 includes a base 11 and a tongue plate 12 extending from the base 11. In this embodiment, the insulating body 10 is made of one-piece plastic material. The base 11 has a glue groove 101, which is filled with glue to form a seal (not shown in the figure).

[0036] The terminal group 20 is disposed on the insulating body 10; the terminal group 20 is inserted into the dispensing groove 101 and fixed together with the sealing element; the terminal group 20 has multiple contact portions 21 and multiple welding portions 22; the multiple contact portions 21 are exposed on the two surfaces of the tongue plate 12 respectively; the multiple welding portions 22 extend out of the base 11.

[0037] The housing 30 covers the insulating body 10. The inner wall of the housing 30 is a closed surface. An insertion cavity 301 for inserting the male head 40 is formed between the inner wall of the housing 30 and the outer wall of the tongue plate 12. A through hole 302 is formed through the inner and outer wall surfaces of the front end of the housing 30. A waterproof rubber ring 50 is integrally injection molded at the front end of the housing 30. The waterproof rubber ring 50 includes an outer sealing ring 51 that seals with the external equipment housing and an inner sealing ring 52 that seals with the outer wall of the male head 40. The outer sealing ring 51 is attached and fixed to the outer wall surface of the front end of the housing 30, and the inner sealing ring 52 is attached and fixed to the inner wall surface of the front end of the housing 30. The inner sealing ring 52 is integrally connected to the outer sealing ring 51 through a connecting part 53, which is located inside the through hole 302. In this embodiment, there are multiple through holes 302, which are arranged in a circumferentially spaced manner around the front end of the housing 30. Correspondingly, there are multiple connecting parts 53, which are respectively located in the corresponding through holes 302, so that the outer sealing ring 51 and the inner sealing ring 52 are connected firmly and reliably and are not easily separated from the housing 30. Furthermore, the multiple through holes 302 are evenly spaced and can be round holes, square holes, etc. The shape and size of the through holes 302 are not limited.

[0038] Specifically, the housing 30 includes an inner shell 31 and an outer shell 32. The inner shell 31 covers the insulating body 10, the insertion cavity 301 is located in the inner shell 31, the through hole 302 is located at the front end of the inner shell 31, the inner shell 31 is a seamless stretched metal shell, and the base 11 is covered by a shielding shell 33. The rear end of the inner shell 31 is tightly fitted with the shielding shell 33, and the sealing element is embedded and formed with the rear end opening of the inner shell 31 for a sealing fit. In addition, the front end of the inner shell 31 is bent outward to extend a retaining ring 311, and the outer sealing ring 51 is located behind the retaining ring 311 to prevent the waterproof rubber ring 50 from falling forward. The outer shell 32 covers the inner shell 31, and the outer shell 32 is a stamped metal shell, which is not limited to this type.

[0039] In addition, the outer sealing ring 51 has raised crests 511, which protrude from the outer peripheral side of the retaining ring 311. There may be one or two crests 511, and the number is not limited. The inner sealing ring 52 has a triangular cross-section to form a better waterproof seal with the outer wall of the male head 40.

[0040] In addition, the USB Type-C waterproof female connector can be a board-mounted, recessed, vertical, or horizontal USB Type-C female connector, and its structural form is not limited.

[0041] The usage method of this embodiment is described in detail below:

[0042] When in use, install this product onto the circuit board of the electronic device and ensure that the outer sealing ring 51 fits tightly against the inner side of the insertion interface of the device housing. When the male connector 40 is inserted into the insertion cavity 301, the terminals inside the male connector 40 make contact with the contact portion 21 of the terminal group 20 and conduct electricity. At the same time, the inner sealing ring 52 seals against the outer wall of the male connector 40, effectively preventing external water from entering the insertion cavity 301, achieving the purpose of complete waterproofing, and allowing it to be immersed in water for live operation.

[0043] The key design feature of this invention is that through holes are formed on the inner and outer walls of the front end of the housing. During the injection molding of the waterproof rubber ring, the through holes allow for the flow of adhesive, thus simultaneously forming an outer sealing ring and an inner sealing ring. The outer sealing ring seals with the external equipment housing, while the inner sealing ring seals with the outer wall of the male connector, effectively preventing water from entering the insertion cavity and achieving complete waterproofing. After the male connector is inserted into the insertion cavity, it can be immersed in water for live operation without the risk of short circuits or burn-out due to water ingress, bringing convenience to users.

[0044] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and does not constitute any limitation on the technical scope of the present utility model. Therefore, any minor modifications, equivalent changes and alterations made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present utility model shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A USB Type-C waterproof female connector, comprising an insulating body, a terminal group, and a housing; the insulating body includes a base and a tongue extending from the base; the terminal group is disposed on the insulating body; the housing covers the insulating body, the inner wall surface of the housing is a closed surface, and an insertion cavity for inserting a male connector is formed between the inner wall surface of the housing and the outer wall surface of the tongue; characterized in that: The front inner and outer walls of the housing have through holes. The front end of the housing is integrally injection molded with a waterproof rubber ring, which includes an outer sealing ring that seals with the external equipment housing and an inner sealing ring that seals with the outer wall of the male connector. The outer sealing ring is attached and fixed to the front outer wall of the housing, and the inner sealing ring is attached and fixed to the front inner wall of the housing. The inner sealing ring is integrally connected to the outer sealing ring through a connecting part located inside the through hole.

2. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: There are multiple through holes, which are arranged in a circumferential pattern around the front end of the housing. Correspondingly, there are multiple connecting parts, which are located in the corresponding through holes.

3. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The housing includes an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell covers the insulating body, the insertion cavity is located in the inner shell, the through hole is located at the front end of the inner shell, and the outer shell covers the outside of the inner shell.

4. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner shell is a seamless stretched metal shell.

5. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The front end of the inner shell is bent outward to extend a retaining ring, and the outer sealing ring is located behind the retaining ring.

6. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 5, characterized in that: The outer sealing ring has a raised crest that protrudes from the outer circumferential side of the retaining ring.

7. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that: The outer shell is a metal stamping shell.

8. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The inner sealing ring has a triangular cross-section.

9. The USB Type-C waterproof female connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The USB Type-C waterproof female connector is available in plate, recessed, vertical, or horizontal configurations.

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