Coaxial Electrical Connector Sealing for Waterproof Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for in-vehicle cameras lack sufficient waterproof performance and reliability due to unsealed gaps between components, particularly in coaxial connections, which can lead to reduced connection reliability and shortened product lifetime.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design with a first sealing member in the second cylindrical portion of the outer contact to seal gaps between the contact pin and housing, and between the housing and outer contact, allowing for improved waterproof performance and reliability by providing a coaxial connection between plug connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gaps between components are left unsealed to simplify manufacturing, then ease of manufacture is improved, but waterproof performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is pre-installed on the outer contact before the housing is assembled, creating a waterproof barrier in advance. This preliminary action ensures that when the housing is later attached to the outer contact, the gaps are already sealed, achieving both ease of manufacture and waterproof performance
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary element between the housing and outer contact. It fills and seals the gaps formed by press-fitting these components together, preventing water ingress while maintaining the simplicity of the press-fit assembly process
2Reliability
If sealing members are added to seal gaps between components, then waterproof performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member serves multiple functions simultaneously: it seals gaps between the housing and outer contact, prevents water ingress into the contact pin assembly, and maintains electrical insulation. This multi-functionality achieves waterproof performance without proportionally increasing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member is designed as a flexible ring-shaped component that can easily conform to the gap between the housing and outer contact. This simple ring structure provides effective sealing without adding complex multi-component assemblies
3Device complexity
If conventional electrical connector design is used without sealing, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability deteriorates due to water ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member is pre-installed on the outer contact before final assembly, ensuring waterproof protection is established in advance. This simple preliminary step significantly improves connection reliability by preventing water ingress without requiring complex redesign of the connector structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes a contact pin, an insulating housing including a cylindrical holding portion for holding the contact pin therein and a cylindrical protruding portion protruding from a tip end surface of the holding portion toward a tip side, an outer contact including a cylindrical base portion for holding the holding portion of the housing therein, a first cylindrical portion linearly extending from a tip end surface of the base portion toward the tip side, and a second cylindrical portion linearly extending from the base portion toward a base side, and a first sealing member provided in the second cylindrical portion of the outer contact to seal a gap between the contact pin and the housing and a gap between the housing and the outer contact.