Sealing Connector Lock Piece Segmentation for Assembly Reliability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing connector designs face issues with assembly reliability of the sealing structure, particularly when a waterproof rubber ring is integrated with the seal member, leading to potential unlocking of the lock piece and rear wall portion due to resilient deformation and inward displacement of the lock piece.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a housing with a lock piece projecting rearward, a lock portion on the tip side, and a rear seal portion with a lock-side seal hole, where the lock piece is arranged in a through hole of the rear wall portion, allowing the lock portion to strongly lock with a lock receiving portion on the inner surface, maintaining the seal between the housing and rear wall portion even under inward deformation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the waterproof rubber ring is integrated with the seal member, then the number of components can be reduced, but the seal member may be resiliently deformed inwardly and the lock piece may be inadvertently unlocked

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of componentsVSAvoidassembly reliability of sealing structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lock piece is divided into two functional parts: a lock portion on the tip side that engages with the lock receiving portion, and a base end side that passes through the seal member. This segmentation allows the lock portion to remain unaffected by inward deformation of the seal member, preventing inadvertent unlocking while maintaining integration of the waterproof rubber ring with the seal member.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lock receiving portion is positioned on the inner surface of the through hole at a location distant from the sealing surface, creating a spatial separation in the axial dimension. This dimensional arrangement ensures that even when the seal member deforms inwardly, the lock portion maintains its engagement with the lock receiving portion, preserving locking reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Device complexity

If the base end side of the lock piece is arranged through the hole of the seal member, then the lock structure can be simplified, but the lock piece may be displaced inwardly when the mating housing is strongly held in close contact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelock structure complexityVSAvoidposition stability of lock piece

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

Different parts of the lock piece have different functional qualities: the tip side contains the lock portion with locking protrusions for engagement, while the base end side is designed to pass through the seal member hole. This local differentiation allows the lock piece to achieve both simplification and stability, as the lock portion remains engaged while the base end passes through without interfering with sealing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If the lock portion is locked to the rear wall portion, then the sealing structure can be secured, but the resilient deformation of the seal member may cause unintended unlocking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelocking reliabilityVSAvoidresilient deformation effect

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lock receiving portion is designed with a specific geometry that prevents the lock portion from disengaging. The lock portion includes locking protrusions that fit into the lock receiving portion, creating a mechanical interlock that resists the harmful effect of resilient deformation. This preliminary design feature counteracts the potential unlocking force before it can cause failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

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

This configuration enhances the assembly reliability of the sealing structure by ensuring stable locking and sealability, preventing unintended unlocking and maintaining a satisfactory seal between the housing and rear wall portion.

Implementation Method 1

a rear seal portion made of resin or rubber and having a sealing surface to be held in close contact with a mating housing (mating connector) on an outer peripheral side

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the lock piece includes a lock portion on a tip side, the rear seal portion includes a lock-side seal hole to be held in close contact with a base end side of the lock piece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMechanical Fastening: Mechanical Fastener

Data Source

PatentUS11322879B2Sealing connector

Publication Date: 2022.05.03 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector is provided with a rear seal portion to be arranged to face a rear surface of a housing, and a rear wall portion to be arranged to face a rear surface of the rear seal portion. The housing includes a lock piece projecting rearward from the rear surface and the lock piece includes a lock portion on a tip side. The rear seal portion includes a lock-side seal hole to be held in close contact with a base end side of the lock piece and a sealing surface to be held in close contact with a mating housing on an outer peripheral side. The rear wall portion includes a lock receiving portion to be locked by the lock portion on an inner surface of a through hole. Out of an outer part and an inner part, the lock receiving portion is provided on the inner part.