Automobile waterproof connector with air-permeable film structure

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of automobile connector protection, especially discloses an automobile waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure, comprising a connecting piece for use in cooperation with an external shell, a breathable hole arranged on the connecting piece, and a waterproof breathable membrane for covering the breathable hole, and an electronic component is arranged in the external shell; a liquid reverse prevention structure for locally plugging the hole of the breathable hole is arranged at the outlet position of the breathable hole, the liquid reverse prevention structure partially plugs the hole of the breathable hole to form a breathable gap between the waterproof breathable membrane and the breathable hole, and the breathable gap is used for passing gas and blocking liquid backflow into the external shell. The structure design maintains efficient breathability while creating excellent liquid backflow prevention capability, and finally realizes the continuous maintenance of the pressure balance between the inside and outside of the shell under complex working conditions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of automotive connector protection technology, and in particular discloses an automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure. Background Technology

[0002] As automotive electronic devices become increasingly integrated, their internal electronic components generate significant heat during operation, causing the air inside the sealed housing to expand and create positive pressure. While fully sealed waterproof connectors effectively prevent liquid intrusion, they cannot eliminate the pressure difference between the inside and outside. Sustained positive pressure can cause irreversible mechanical stress on the seals, housing structure, and fasteners, potentially leading to seal failure, housing deformation, or cracking over time, severely impacting equipment lifespan and reliability. Furthermore, negative pressure generated during sudden temperature drops or equipment shutdowns can draw in humid external air, posing a risk of electrical short circuits. Utility Model Content

[0003] In order to overcome the shortcomings and deficiencies of the existing technology, the purpose of this utility model is to provide a waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure for use in the housing of automotive electronic control units, so as to achieve air pressure balance between the inside of the housing and the external environment while ensuring sealing and waterproofing.

[0004] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a waterproof automotive connector with a breathable membrane structure, comprising a connector for use with an outer housing, a vent hole disposed on the connector, and a waterproof and breathable membrane covering the vent hole. The outer housing is used to house electronic components. An anti-backflow structure is provided at the outlet of the vent hole to partially block the opening of the vent hole. The anti-backflow structure partially blocks the opening of the vent hole to form a breathable gap between the waterproof and breathable membrane and the vent hole. The breathable gap allows gas to pass through while preventing liquid from flowing back into the outer housing.

[0005] Furthermore, the anti-backflow structure consists of a cross-shaped rib set on the side of the vent hole away from the waterproof and breathable membrane. The middle part of the cross-shaped rib blocks the opening of the vent hole, and the end of the cross-shaped rib divides the opening of the vent hole into four independent fan-shaped vent gaps.

[0006] Furthermore, the anti-backflow structure consists of multiple cross-arranged ribs, which are rectangular strips, with one-way breathable gaps between adjacent ribs to allow gas to pass through.

[0007] Furthermore, the connector is provided with a first mounting groove, and the vent hole is provided through the bottom wall of the first mounting groove. The waterproof and breathable membrane is provided on the bottom wall of the first mounting groove by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or hot pressing.

[0008] Furthermore, the depth of the first mounting groove is greater than or equal to the thickness of the waterproof and breathable membrane, so that the surface of the welded waterproof and breathable membrane is not higher than the plane of the connector where the first mounting groove is located.

[0009] Furthermore, the waterproof and breathable membrane is one of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, thermoplastic polyurethane microporous membrane, polypropylene microporous membrane, or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene microporous membrane.

[0010] Furthermore, the connector is also provided with a sealing structure, which includes a second mounting groove provided on the inner wall of the connector, a plurality of limiting protrusions provided on the side wall of the second mounting groove, and a sealing ring pressed into the second mounting groove with interference fit, the sealing ring surrounding the vent hole.

[0011] Furthermore, the connector is provided with a relief groove that communicates with the second mounting groove. The relief groove extends through the side wall of the connector along the thickness direction of the connector and in a direction that intersects with the thickness direction of the connector. The outer side of the sealing ring is provided with a removable protrusion for accommodating the relief groove.

[0012] Furthermore, the automotive waterproof connector also includes conductive terminals disposed on the connector and a first plug portion used in conjunction with the conductive terminals. The connector is detachably mounted on the outer housing via a first fastener. One end of the conductive terminal is used to extend into the outer housing and electrically connect with the circuit board inside the housing. The other end of the conductive terminal protrudes into the first plug portion for electrical connection with the external connector.

[0013] Furthermore, the first plug portion is provided with a snap fastener for correspondingly engaging with the snap groove on the second plug portion of the external connector. The first plug portion protrudes from the outer housing and engages with the second plug portion of the external connector to make the other end of the conductive terminal electrically connected to the external connector.

[0014] The core technical solution of this utility model is to set a specific anti-backflow structure at the vent outlet of the connector. This structure partially blocks the vent opening through cross ribs or multiple intersecting ribs, dividing the complete ventilation channel into multiple independent fan-shaped or strip-shaped ventilation gaps. The cross-sectional dimensions of these ventilation gaps are precisely designed to be much larger than the diameter of water vapor molecules but smaller than the minimum diameter of liquid water droplets, thereby physically forming a selective barrier.

[0015] The waterproof and breathable membrane is fixed in the first mounting groove inside the vent holes using processes such as ultrasonic welding, forming a dual protection system together with the anti-backflow structure. When the internal air pressure changes, gas molecules can pass smoothly through the vent gaps and exchange through the waterproof and breathable membrane; when external liquid attempts to flow back along the vent holes, the anti-backflow structure effectively blocks the flow path by significantly increasing the capillary resistance that the liquid surface tension needs to overcome.

[0016] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: This structural design maintains high-efficiency breathability while creating excellent anti-backflow capabilities. The matching design of the first mounting groove depth and membrane thickness further ensures the protective embedding of the waterproof and breathable membrane during assembly. This solution ultimately achieves comprehensive benefits, including maintaining continuous pressure balance inside and outside the housing under complex operating conditions, preventing electrical faults caused by liquid backflow, and significantly improving the long-term stability of the connector in high-temperature and high-humidity environments. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the connector of this utility model and its assembly with the outer shell;

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded structural diagram of the connector and the outer shell of this utility model;

[0019] Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the first state of the connector of this utility model;

[0020] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the second state of the connector of this utility model;

[0021] Figure 5 This is an exploded structural diagram of the connector, sealing structure, conductive terminal, waterproof and breathable membrane, and first fastener of this utility model.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a top view of the connector of this utility model;

[0023] Figure 7 for Figure 6 A magnified structural diagram of part A in the middle.

[0024] The reference numerals in the figures include:

[0025] 100. Outer shell; 101. First shell; 102. Second shell; 200. Circuit board; 1. Connector; 2. Anti-backflow structure; 3. Sealing structure; 4. First fastener; 5. Wire thread insert; 10. Vent hole; 11. Waterproof and breathable membrane; 12. Vent gap; 13. First mounting groove; 14. Conductive terminal; 15. First plug-in part; 151. Buckle; 152. Foolproof positioning hole; 21. Cross rib; 31. Second mounting groove; 32. Limiting protrusion; 33. Sealing ring; 331. Easy-to-remove protrusion; 34. Relief groove. Detailed Implementation

[0026] To facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art, the present invention will be further described below with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings. The content mentioned in the embodiments is not intended to limit the present invention.

[0027] Please see Figures 1 to 7 As shown, the core of this utility model is a waterproof automotive connector with a breathable membrane structure, which effectively prevents liquid backflow by setting a specific anti-backflow structure 2 at the outlet of the vent 10, while maintaining the air pressure balance function. The connector 1 is integrally molded using high-temperature resistant and flame-retardant engineering plastic (such as PA66-GF30) through injection molding, and has an overall rectangular structure. Threaded holes are provided at opposite corners, and steel wire threaded inserts 5 are pre-embedded in the threaded holes. The connector is detachably connected to the corresponding threaded holes of the outer shell 100 using the first fastener 4 (nut).

[0028] Specifically, a circuit board 200 is provided inside the outer shell 100. The outer shell 100 is formed by fastening together a first shell 101 and a second shell 102. A circular vent hole 10 with a diameter of 1.5 mm is provided at one corner of the connector 1 (away from the wire thread sleeve 5). The vent hole 10 penetrates the shell wall thickness.

[0029] Specifically, an anti-backflow structure 2 is integrally injection molded at the outlet position of the vent 10 located outside the connector 1. In actual manufacturing, welding or bonding methods can also be chosen. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-backflow structure 2 is a cross rib 21, which is formed by two ribs with a width of 0.6 mm and a length of 3.7 mm intersecting perpendicularly. The center point of the cross rib 21 coincides with the center of the vent 10, so that the central area of ​​the cross rib 21 completely covers and blocks part of the vent. Four independent fan-shaped ventilation gaps 12 with approximately equal areas are formed between the extended section of the cross rib 21 and the inner wall of the vent 10. The maximum width of each fan-shaped gap is approximately 0.1-0.3 mm. This size design ensures that water vapor molecules (approximately 0.0004 μm in diameter) and air molecules can pass freely, while effectively blocking liquid water droplets with a minimum diameter of approximately 20 μm.

[0030] By dividing a single large-aperture venting channel into multiple tiny fan-shaped slits, the capillary resistance and surface tension that the liquid needs to overcome when passing through are significantly increased, thereby achieving efficient blocking of liquid backflow in terms of physical structure, while ensuring sufficient effective venting area to quickly balance the pressure difference.

[0031] Specifically, as another embodiment of the anti-backflow structure 2, the ribs can also be arranged in a cross pattern such as a star shape or a grid. For example, three ribs evenly distributed at a 120-degree angle are used to form six smaller triangular ventilation areas at the vent holes 10.

[0032] This multi-ribbed, intersecting structure creates more intricate and complex ventilation channels, further increasing liquid flow resistance, making it particularly suitable for applications where liquid splashing or impact may occur. By offering more diverse structural options, the design allows for flexible adjustments to the form of the anti-backflow structure 2 according to different protection levels, providing an optimized solution for coping with more severe liquid impact environments while ensuring basic anti-backflow functionality.

[0033] Specifically, on the inner wall of the connector 1, an annular first mounting groove 13 with a depth of 1 mm and a diameter of 7 mm is formed around the vent 10. The bottom wall of the first mounting groove 13 is the inner opening of the vent 10. The waterproof and breathable membrane 11 is a circular ePTFE membrane (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane) with a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the first mounting groove 13 and a thickness of 0.9 mm.

[0034] During installation, the waterproof and breathable membrane 11 is aligned and placed into the first mounting groove 13, and then fixed using an ultrasonic welding process. The ultrasonic welding head acts on the surface of the membrane, and the generated vibration energy causes the plastic at the edge of the first mounting groove 13 to partially melt and form a dense fusion seal with the edge area of ​​the membrane.

[0035] Ultrasonic welding achieves molecular-level bonding between polymer materials, forming a connection with high strength, reliable sealing, and good durability. This effectively avoids the aging, delamination, and chemical compatibility issues that may occur with adhesives, ensuring the stability of the breathable membrane under long-term vibration and environmental stress.

[0036] In actual production, the waterproof and breathable membrane 11 can also be installed and fixed by laser welding or hot pressing.

[0037] Preferably, the depth of the first mounting groove 13 is designed to be slightly greater than or equal to the thickness of the waterproof and breathable membrane 11. For example, when using an ePTFE membrane with a thickness of 0.5 mm, the depth of the first mounting groove 13 can be designed to be 0.6 mm. This dimensional relationship ensures that after ultrasonic welding is completed, the entire surface of the waterproof and breathable membrane 11 can be accommodated within the first mounting groove 13 and will not protrude from the inner wall plane of the connector 1.

[0038] This embedded design provides effective mechanical protection for the fragile breathable membrane, preventing physical damage such as scratches and punctures to the membrane surface during subsequent wiring harness assembly, equipment maintenance, or contact with foreign objects, thus greatly improving the reliability and service life of the product.

[0039] Specifically, the material of the waterproof and breathable membrane 11 can be selected based on specific cost, chemical resistance, and welding performance requirements. In addition to expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membranes, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) microporous membranes can also be used, which have the advantage of good ultrasonic welding compatibility with various engineering plastic shells, forming an extremely strong weld interface; or polypropylene (PP) microporous membranes can be used, which have excellent resistance to acid and alkali chemical corrosion and extremely low cost, suitable for cost-sensitive mass applications; or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW-PE) microporous membranes can be used, which have excellent wear resistance and impact resistance, suitable for installation environments with high risks of friction or vibration.

[0040] By offering a variety of membrane materials with different properties, this design can be flexibly adapted to different application needs, environmental conditions, and cost control objectives, thereby enhancing the practicality and economy of the technology.

[0041] To ensure a static seal between the connector 1 and the outer casing 100, a second mounting groove 31 with a "U"-shaped cross-section is provided on the inner wall of the connector 1. An arc-shaped limiting protrusion 32 is provided on each of the four side walls of the second mounting groove 31. A "U"-shaped sealing ring 33 made of silicone rubber is pressed into the second mounting groove 31 with a certain interference fit. The limiting protrusion 32 undergoes elastic deformation and exerts a continuous clamping force on the sealing ring 33, preventing it from loosening during use.

[0042] By using the interference fit between the limiting protrusion 32 and the sealing ring 33, the sealing ring 33 is pre-fixed in the groove, which avoids sealing failure caused by displacement or detachment of the sealing ring 33 during the final assembly process, simplifies the assembly process, and improves the assembly yield.

[0043] To further facilitate the replacement and maintenance of the sealing ring 33, a clearance groove 34 communicating with the second mounting groove 31 is also provided on the connector 1. The clearance groove 34 is opened along the thickness direction of the connector 1 and extends laterally, eventually penetrating to the outer edge of the mounting flange.

[0044] Accordingly, an easy-to-remove protrusion 331 is integrally formed on the outer circumference of the "U"-shaped sealing ring 33. This easy-to-remove protrusion 331 is made of the same silicone rubber material as the sealing ring 33. In the assembled state, the easy-to-remove protrusion 331 fits perfectly into the relief groove 34. When the sealing ring 33 needs to be replaced, the maintenance personnel can easily pull the entire sealing ring 33 out of the annular groove by simply hooking the exposed end of the easy-to-remove protrusion 331 with their fingers or tools.

[0045] This structural design greatly simplifies the disassembly process of the sealing ring 33, allowing for quick maintenance and replacement without the need for special tools. This significantly reduces the time and cost of after-sales service and improves the maintainability of the product.

[0046] As a complete electrical connector assembly, this utility model also includes conductive terminals 14 disposed on the connector 1 and a first insertion portion 15 used in conjunction with the conductive terminals 14. The conductive terminals 14 are stamped from phosphor bronze or beryllium copper alloy and then plated with tin or gold. In this embodiment, 6 conductive terminals 14 are provided. In actual manufacturing, the number can vary from 3 to 12 pins depending on the current and signal requirements.

[0047] The connector 1 is detachably mounted on the outer housing 100 via two stainless steel wire threaded inserts 5 and a nut as the first fastener 4. One end of the soldering pin of the conductive terminal 14 extends vertically downward into the outer housing 100 and is electrically connected to the circuit board 200 inside the housing 100 via wave soldering or reflow soldering; the other end of the contact spring of the conductive terminal 14 protrudes horizontally into the inner cavity of the first plug-in portion 15 for electrical connection with the pins of the external wire harness connector.

[0048] This structure enables modular and detachable connection between the connector and the equipment housing, facilitating separate manufacturing, testing, and subsequent maintenance of the equipment, while providing a stable and reliable electrical connection path.

[0049] The first plug-in portion 15 is generally an elliptical port, with anti-foolproof positioning holes 152 integrally formed on both sides, giving the first plug-in portion 15 an arch-like structure to facilitate blind-plug alignment with the external second plug-in portion. Additionally, an elastic latching member 151 is integrally formed on its side wall. This latching member 151 consists of a cantilever beam and a hook-shaped protrusion at the end, and is generally trapezoidal in shape. Correspondingly, the second plug-in portion of the external wire harness connector has a latching groove that mates with the latching member 151.

[0050] When docking, the first plug part 15 protrudes from the outer housing, aligns with the second plug part of the external connector, and is inserted. The hook-shaped protrusion of the latch 151 undergoes elastic deformation under the guidance of the inclined surface until it is fully inserted and snaps into the latching groove, making a clear "click" sound, indicating that the connection is in place and locked.

[0051] The snap-fit ​​connection provides a quick and intuitive plug-and-play experience and reliable mechanical locking, effectively preventing connector loosening caused by vehicle vibration and ensuring the continuous stability of the electrical connection.

[0052] The structural principle of this utility model lies in constructing a composite protective system that integrates an anti-backflow capillary structure and a membrane breathable function. Its core is an integrally formed cross-shaped rib 21 or a star-shaped rib at the outlet of the vent 10 of the connector 1, serving as an anti-backflow structure 2. By dividing the complete channel into multiple micron-level fan-shaped gaps, the physical effects of liquid surface tension and capillary resistance are used to block the backflow path of the liquid. Simultaneously, an annular first mounting groove 13 is provided on the inner side of the shell, and an ePTFE or other microporous membrane is embedded and fixed using ultrasonic welding to form a second protective barrier. This ensures that gas molecules can pass freely to achieve pressure balance, while also preventing liquid intrusion through a dual protection mechanism.

[0053] During use, the connector 1 and corresponding parts are first installed on the equipment housing by pre-embedded wire thread sleeve 5 and the first fastener 4, and static sealing is achieved by the interference fit sealing ring 33. When the internal electronic components generate heat and the gas pressure rises, the gas molecules release the pressure by passing through the waterproof and breathable membrane 11 and the fan-shaped gaps divided by the ribs. When external liquid splashes into the vent 10, the anti-backflow structure effectively blocks liquid penetration through the capillary force generated by the micro-gap.

[0054] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, there will be changes in the specific implementation method and application scope based on the idea of ​​this utility model. The content of this specification should not be construed as a limitation of this utility model.

Claims

1. A waterproof automotive connector with a breathable membrane structure, comprising a connector (1) for mating with an outer housing (100), a vent (10) disposed on the connector (1), and a waterproof and breathable membrane (11) covering the vent (10), wherein the outer housing (100) is used to house electronic components; characterized in that: At the outlet position of the vent (10), there is an anti-backflow structure (2) for partially sealing the opening of the vent (10). The anti-backflow structure (2) partially seals the opening of the vent (10) to form a breathable gap (12) between the waterproof and breathable membrane (11) and the vent (10). The breathable gap (12) is used to allow gas to pass through and prevent liquid from flowing back into the outer shell (100).

2. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-backflow structure (2) is a cross rib (21) set on the side of the vent (10) away from the waterproof and breathable membrane (11). The middle part of the cross rib (21) blocks the opening of the vent (10), and the rib body of the cross rib (21) divides the opening of the vent (10) into four independent fan-shaped vent gaps (12).

3. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The anti-backflow structure (2) consists of multiple cross-arranged ribs, with a one-way breathable gap (12) formed between two adjacent ribs to allow gas to pass through.

4. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector (1) is provided with a first mounting groove (13), and the vent (10) is provided through the bottom wall of the first mounting groove (13). The waterproof and breathable membrane (11) is provided on the bottom wall of the first mounting groove (13) by ultrasonic welding, laser welding or hot pressing.

5. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 4, characterized in that: The depth of the first mounting groove (13) is greater than or equal to the thickness of the waterproof and breathable membrane (11) so that the surface of the installed waterproof and breathable membrane (11) is not higher than the plane of the connector (1) where the first mounting groove (13) is located.

6. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The waterproof and breathable membrane (11) is one of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane, thermoplastic polyurethane microporous membrane, polypropylene microporous membrane or ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene microporous membrane.

7. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The connector (1) is also provided with a sealing structure (3). The sealing structure (3) includes a second mounting groove (31) provided on the inner wall of the connector (1), a limiting protrusion (32) provided on the side wall of the second mounting groove (31), and a sealing ring (33) pressed into the second mounting groove (31). The sealing ring (33) surrounds the vent hole (10).

8. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 7, characterized in that: The connector (1) is provided with a relief groove (34) that communicates with the second mounting groove (31). The relief groove (34) extends through the side wall of the connector (1) along the thickness direction of the connector (1) and in a direction that intersects with the thickness direction of the connector (1). The outer side of the sealing ring (33) is provided with a removable protrusion (331) for being accommodated in the relief groove (34).

9. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 1, characterized in that: The automotive waterproof connector also includes a conductive terminal (14) disposed on the connector (1) and a first plug portion (15) used in conjunction with the conductive terminal (14). The connector (1) is detachably mounted on the outer housing (100) via a first fastener (4). One end of the conductive terminal (14) is used to extend into the outer housing (100) and electrically connect with the circuit board (200) inside the housing (100). The other end of the conductive terminal (14) protrudes into the first plug portion (15) for electrical connection with the external connector.

10. The automotive waterproof connector with a breathable membrane structure according to claim 9, characterized in that: The first plug-in portion (15) is provided with a snap fastener (151) for correspondingly engaging with the snap groove of the second plug-in portion of the external connector. The first plug-in portion (15) protrudes from the outer housing and engages with the second plug-in portion of the external connector so that the other end of the conductive terminal (14) is electrically connected to the external connector. The snap fastener (151) engages with the snap groove so that the first plug-in portion (15) and the external second plug-in portion are engaged and locked.

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