Waterproof Electrical Connector Glue Wall Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing USB connectors are prone to fluid ingress due to gaps between components, which can damage contacts and lead to connector failure.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with a groove for glue to fill gaps between the housing and shielding shell, forming a glue wall for water resistance, along with terminals and a metal sheet for secure mounting on a printed circuit board.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If gaps are left between insulative housing and shielding shell for assembly ease, then ease of manufacture is improved, but water resistance deteriorates due to fluid ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary substance (sealant or adhesive) to fill the gaps between the insulative housing and shielding shell. This mediator allows the components to be assembled with clearance for ease of manufacturing while simultaneously providing waterproof sealing to prevent fluid ingress, thus resolving the contradiction between assembly ease and water resistance.
2Reliability
If tight fit is achieved between insulative housing and shielding shell for water resistance, then water resistance is improved, but device complexity increases due to precise manufacturing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant or adhesive acts as a mediator that compensates for manufacturing tolerances. Instead of requiring tight fits between the insulative housing and shielding shell, the intermediary material fills any gaps, providing reliable waterproof sealing without demanding high manufacturing precision, thus reducing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sealing approach from relying on dimensional parameters (tight fit) to relying on material properties (sealant/adhesive characteristics). This parameter change allows for easier manufacturing while maintaining water resistance, as the sealant can accommodate variations in component dimensions.
3Ease of operation
If gaps exist between components, then ease of assembly is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to contact damage from fluid ingress
Solution Approach 1:
The sealant or adhesive serves as a protective intermediary that seals the gaps between components during assembly. This allows maintainers to assemble the device easily with normal clearances while the sealant prevents fluid from reaching and damaging the contacts, thus protecting reliability without compromising assembly ease.
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
The glue wall effectively seals the connector, preventing fluid ingress and enhancing reliability by filling gaps between the insulative and shielding components, thus protecting the contacts from damage.
Implementation Method 1
a glue wall formed by glue flowing from the guiding hole through the groove to seal up a gap between the insulative housing and the shielding shell
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector, mounted upon a printed circuit board, includes an insulative housing, a number of terminals disposed in the insulative housing, a shielding shell attached to the housing, and a glue wall formed by glue. The housing defines a third base portion and a groove located at an upper surface in a rear end and for receiving glue. The terminals has a number of first contacts and a number of second contacts. Each first contact has a first soldering portion and each second contact has a second soldering portion. The shielding shell defines a guiding hole for flowing the glue. The glue wall flows from the guiding hole through the groove to seal up a gap between the insulative housing and the shielding shell.