Connector Assembly Clip Abutment Angle for Waterproof Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector assemblies with metal shielding shells and plastic inner and outer shells suffer from openings due to loose fitting, leading to poor waterproof characteristics and dust ingress, which affects the product's functionality and appearance.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design with an enlarged contact range between the clip portion and the second fixing portion, where the clip portion abuts two surfaces at an included angle less than 180 degrees, ensuring stable abutment and preventing movement away from the connector module, thus eliminating openings between the shells.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the supporting portion is used to prevent openings between shells, then waterproof characteristics are improved, but the contact range is small causing the supporting portion to slide out after multiple plugging and inserting operations
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is designed to extend in multiple directions (first direction and second direction) rather than a single linear path, creating a two-dimensional contact area. This dimensional expansion ensures the clip portion remains engaged with the groove even after multiple plugging and inserting operations, preventing slide-out while maintaining waterproof characteristics.
2Productivity
If the inner shell and outer shell are injection molded outside the shielding shell, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but openings are easily generated between shells
Solution Approach 1:
The groove acts as an intermediary structural feature between the shielding shell and the injection-molded shells. By providing this intermediate engagement structure, the patent enables the injection molding process to proceed efficiently while simultaneously preventing opening generation through the mechanical interlocking provided by the groove-clip portion assembly.
3Stability of the object's composition
If the clip portion abuts two surfaces at an included angle less than 180 degrees, then the clip portion is constrained from moving away from the connector module, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The groove is integrated directly into the shielding shell structure rather than being a separate component. This merging of the groove with the existing shielding shell reduces overall structural complexity while still providing the necessary multi-directional constraints to prevent the clip portion from moving away from the connector module.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector assembly includes a connector module, a first shell located outside the connector module, and a second shell injection-molded outside the first shell. The first shell has a first slot and a second slot in communication with each other, and a first fixing portion relatively close to the connector module and a second fixing portion. The second fixing portion has a first abutting surface forming a portion of the first slot and a second abutting surface forming a portion of the second slot. The second shell has at least a clip portion filled in the first slot and the second slot. The clip portion abuts the first abutting surface and the second abutting surface simultaneously. An included angle between a direction of the clip portion abutting the first abutting surface and a direction of the clip portion abutting the second abutting surface is less than 180 degrees.