Connector Fitting Structure for Automotive Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof connectors in automobiles face issues with sealability deterioration due to shaky fitting, which can occur when the male housing is inclined during assembly, leading to potential gaps between the male housing and the sealing plate or rubber packing, resulting in compromised water-tightness, especially when high-voltage cables are bent.
Innovation Solution
The connector design incorporates step portions on the outer and inner surfaces of the housings, along with ribs and grooves, to provide axial support and guide the housings' relative movement, preventing shaky fitting and maintaining sealability by ensuring consistent contact between annular resin members or rubber packing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If resin sealing plate is used instead of rubber packing, then shaky fitting is reduced, but the sealing plate may be plastically deformed when housings fit in inclined state leading to deterioration of sealability
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing surface is specifically formed on the rear surface of the outer circumferential surface of the inner housing, separated from the front surface by the first step portion. This local quality differentiation ensures that the sealing plate or packing engages only at the properly aligned rear surface, preventing plastic deformation while maintaining sealability even during shaky fitting.
2Productivity
If male housing is inserted in shaky fitting state, then assembly is completed, but gaps are formed between male housing and sealing plate resulting in deterioration of sealability
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the outer circumferential surface into front and rear surfaces with step portions, the invention separates the insertion path from the sealing engagement. This allows the male housing to be inserted even during shaky fitting while ensuring that the sealing surface remains properly aligned, preventing gap formation and maintaining sealability.
Data Source
AI summary
A fitting structure of a connector which fits a pair of housings to each other, the fitting structure is provided with a first step portion and a second step portion on at least a part of an outer circumferential surface of one housing, and a third step portion and a fourth step portion on at least a part or an inner circumferential surface of the other housing. The first step portion extends in an axial direction. The second step portion protrudes more highly than the first step portion and is positioned on a rear side of the first step portion and extends in the axial direction. The third step portion is in contact with the first step portion and extends in the axial direction. The fourth step portion is in contact with the second step portion and extends in the axial direction.