Waterproof Connector Annular Members Elastic Deformation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof connector structures face issues with excessive load on housings during fitting, potential plastic deformation due to dimension differences or foreign matter, leading to compromised waterproof performance, and require additional space for rubber packing, making them bulky.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof connector design featuring annular members with protrusion parts that interlock and deform elastically upon fitting, eliminating the need for rubber packing and minimizing the connector's size by ensuring direct contact and controlled deformation within the elastic limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber packing is mounted in the inner housing to prevent water infiltration, then waterproof performance is improved, but the outer diameter dimension of the connector is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the rubber packing from the connector structure and replaces it with a waterproof film, thereby eliminating the space requirement for the packing and reducing the outer diameter dimension while maintaining waterproof performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the waterproofing mechanism from mechanical compression of rubber packing to a barrier approach using a waterproof film, fundamentally altering how waterproofing is achieved to reduce dimensional requirements
2Reliability
If the male housing abuts on the seal plate to ensure waterproofness, then waterproof performance is improved, but excessive load may cause plastic deformation of the housing
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the seal plate component entirely and replaces it with a waterproof film that integrates with the housing structure, eliminating the load concentration issue that caused plastic deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a waterproof film as a flexible barrier that prevents water infiltration without requiring rigid seal plates, thereby reducing structural load and preventing housing deformation
3Reliability
If a resin seal plate is provided in the female housing to prevent water infiltration, then waterproof performance is improved, but the connector size is increased due to additional space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the waterproofing function into the existing housing structure using a waterproof film, eliminating the need for separate seal plate components and reducing overall connector volume
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and removes the seal plate component from the connector assembly, replacing its waterproofing function with a thinner waterproof film solution that reduces volume
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design enhances waterproof performance by preventing water infiltration, reduces the risk of plastic deformation, and miniaturizes the connector while improving assembly operability and stability against vibrations.
Implementation Method 1
the annular member is a resin member and is formed to have a spring property... the at least one annular member includes a protrusion part which is an annular protrusion part protruding toward the other annular member and has a top part which is pressed by a surface of the other annular member at the time of fitting
Data Source
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AI summary
In order to prevent water from entering openings (47, 77) of cavities (29, 69) which accommodate terminals (21, 23), this waterproof structure for a connector has a pair of housings (17, 19) including resin-made annular members (51, 81) that project in a fitting direction so as to surround the openings. One (81) of the annular members has a projection (105) formed on the entire circumference between the tip and the base thereof. The projection is formed to have a top section (107) that presses, when the pair of housings are fitted to each other, the inner circumferential surface or outer circumferential surface of the other annular member (51).