Connector Protection End Cover With Flange-Locked Sealing Ring

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing connectors for laser radar require a screw-connected end cap for sealing rings, which increases manufacturing costs and connector volume.

Innovation Solution

A protection end cover with flanges that engage with the housing to prevent the sealing ring from being pulled out, reducing the need for screw connections and simplifying the structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a screw-connected end cap is used to prevent the sealing ring from being pulled out, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost and connector volume increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidconnector structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the end cap and the protection end cover into a single integrated component. The protection end cover serves both as the end cap that prevents the sealing ring from being pulled out and as a protective cover, eliminating the need for separate screw connections and reducing overall connector complexity while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The protection end cover performs multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a stopper to prevent the sealing ring from being pulled out, provides protective coverage for the insertion hole, and serves as a structural element that requires no additional fastening mechanisms. This multi-functionality reduces the number of parts and simplifies the connector structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a screw-connected end cap is used to prevent the sealing ring from being pulled out, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the end cap and the protection end cover into a single integrated component. The protection end cover serves both as the end cap that prevents the sealing ring from being pulled out and as a protective cover, eliminating the need for separate screw connections and reducing overall connector complexity while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the screw connection mechanism from the design, eliminating the need for separate end caps with threaded holes and screw fasteners. The integrated protection end cover achieves the same functional result through its structural design alone, simplifying manufacturing processes and reducing costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If a screw-connected end cap is used to prevent the sealing ring from being pulled out, then the sealing reliability is improved, but the connector volume increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing reliabilityVSAvoidconnector volume

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the end cap and the protection end cover into a single integrated component. The protection end cover serves both as the end cap that prevents the sealing ring from being pulled out and as a protective cover, eliminating the need for separate screw connections and reducing overall connector complexity while maintaining sealing reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of adding a separate end cap component that increases volume, the patent inverts the approach by making the protection end cover itself serve as the retaining structure. This eliminates the need for additional volumetric components while maintaining the same sealing and protective functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS12519267B2Protection end cover, connector and connector assembly

Publication Date: 2026.01.06 TYCO ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY (SIP) CO LTD

AI summary

A protection end cover for a sealing ring includes a body having a first end insertable into an insertion hole of a housing of a connector and a second end positioned outside the housing, a first flange on a first outer peripheral surface of the first end of the body, and a second flange on a second outer peripheral surface of the second end of the body. The first flange engages with a blocking part of the housing to prevent the protection end cover from being pulled out of the insertion hole. The second flange abuts against an outer end surface of the housing to limit the protection end cover at a predetermined insertion position.