Shielded Connector Bolt Cap Structure for Waterproof Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors with screw-locking structures experience a decrease in axial force due to the co-fastening part of the bolt cap, leading to water penetration between the shield shell and mating face, compromising waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a bolt cap with a cap main body that hides the bolt head, a holding body inserted into a holding hole of the fixing part, and a connector body connecting the cap main body and holding body, which improves waterproof performance by sealing the gap between the inner peripheral face and holding body.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a co-fastening part is added to the bolt cap to fasten it to the shield shell, then the bolt cap can be securely fixed, but the axial force of the bolt is decreased allowing water to penetrate between the shield shell and mating face
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt cap is divided into two separate functional parts: a cap main body that covers the bolt head, and a holding body that inserts into the holding hole of the fixing part. This segmentation allows each part to perform its function independently without interfering with the bolt's axial force, thus maintaining waterproof performance while achieving secure fixation.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding body acts as an intermediary element that provides the fastening function between the bolt cap and the shield shell. Instead of using a co-fastening part that interferes with the bolt's axial force, the holding body inserts into the holding hole to securely fix the bolt cap in position without compromising the waterproof seal.
2Device complexity
If a conventional bolt cap design is used, then the structure is simple, but water can expose the bolt head and penetrate through the connection interface
Solution Approach 1:
The bolt cap is segmented into a cap main body for covering the bolt head and a holding body for fixation. This segmentation enables the cap main body to effectively shield the bolt head from water exposure while the holding body provides secure attachment, achieving both waterproof protection and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The holding body is nested within the fixing part by inserting into the holding hole. This nested configuration allows the bolt cap to be securely fixed to the shield shell while maintaining a compact structure that prevents water from reaching the bolt head connection interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes: a terminal fitting; a housing that houses the terminal fitting and allows a protruded part to protrude from a wall face of a metallic mating wall body; a shield shell that includes a shield main body that is placed over the protruded part, and a fixing part that has a bolt insertion hole formed coaxially with a female screw part of the mating wall body; a metallic bolt that is inserted into the bolt insertion hole to screw-fix the fixing part; and a bolt cap. The bolt cap includes: a cap main body that is placed over a head part to hide the head part; a holding body that is inserted into a holding hole of the fixing part to be closely fitted and held to the holding hole; and a connector body that connects the cap main body and the holding body.