Integrated Connector Housing and Shield Shell Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors require a larger body size at the fitting location due to the need for a synthetic resin layer between the shield shell and the sealing member, which increases the size orthogonal to the tubular axis direction.
Innovation Solution
A connector design where the shield shell has an annular connecting wall surface and sealing surface exposed, allowing a sealing member to be directly attached to the shield shell without a synthetic resin layer, reducing the size by integrating the shield shell with the housing and using a tubular sealing member between the connectors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a synthetic resin layer is provided between the shield shell and the sealing member, then the sealing property is improved, but the size of the connector body in the direction orthogonal to the tubular axis direction increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and shield shell are integrated into a single component, eliminating the need for a separate synthetic resin layer between them. The sealing member is directly attached to the integrated housing-shield shell assembly, reducing the overall size while maintaining sealing effectiveness through the direct contact interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The synthetic resin layer that was previously required between the housing and shield shell is completely removed. The sealing function is achieved through the integrated structure's own geometry and the sealing member's direct attachment, eliminating the intermediate material layer and reducing connector body size.
2Strength
If the shield shell is fully covered by the housing, then the structural integrity is improved, but the sealing member cannot be directly attached to the shield shell, increasing the body size
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and shield shell are integrated such that the shield shell is covered by the housing except at the end portion where the sealing member needs to be attached. This local exposure allows direct attachment of the sealing member to the shield shell while maintaining structural integrity through the integrated design, optimizing both strength and size requirements.
3Ease of manufacture
If the sealing member is attached to the housing rather than the shield shell, then the assembly process is simplified, but the size of the connector body increases due to the stacked structure
Solution Approach 1:
The housing and shield shell are merged into an integrated component, allowing the sealing member to be directly attached to the integrated assembly. This eliminates the need for separate attachment steps to different components while reducing the overall body size by removing the intermediate housing layer between the shield shell and sealing member.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a female terminal; a female housing; a shield shell which is formed in a tubular conductive material in which both ends are opened, the shield shell being integrated with the female housing in a state in which at least one of an outer circumferential side and an inner circumferential side of an end portion on an insertion direction side to the male connector is exposed as an annular exposed surface, and the female terminal and/or the electric wire being disposed inside the shield shell; and a sealing member which has a tubular sealing portion interposed between the male housing of the fitted male connector or the shield shell and the exposed surface as a seal side exposed surface opposed to the male housing or the shield shell, and suppresses entry of liquid therebetween by the sealing member.