Connector Housing Opening Geometry for Tilted Waterproof Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors attached to a case housing a substrate may tilt during use, allowing water to enter the case through an opening in the housing.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a housing with a fitting portion for a mating connector and terminal fittings extending rearward, where the inner side wall of the housing includes an opening with inclined lower and upper surfaces, preventing water from entering the case even when the connector is tilted.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the housing wall is provided with an opening for cable passage, then cable installation is enabled, but water can enter the case when the connector is tilted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecable installationVSAvoidwaterproof performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The opening peripheral surfaces are formed with inclined surfaces rather than horizontal surfaces. The lower surface and upper surface of the opening are inclined downward toward the outside of the case, preventing water from flowing into the case through the opening when the connector is tilted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The opening is designed with different surface orientations at different locations. The lower surface and upper surface have specific inclination angles (5-15 degrees) to create local water drainage paths, while other parts of the housing maintain their structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of manufacture

If the opening has horizontal peripheral surfaces, then cable passage is facilitated, but water flows into the case along the horizontal surfaces when tilted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveopening formationVSAvoidwater intrusion
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The opening peripheral surfaces are formed with inclined surfaces rather than horizontal surfaces. The lower surface and upper surface of the opening are inclined downward toward the outside of the case, preventing water from flowing into the case when the connector is tilted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having horizontal surfaces that naturally guide water inward, the surfaces are inverted to incline outward, reversing the water flow direction to drain away from the case interior.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

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 inclined surfaces of the opening in the connector's housing effectively prevent water from entering the case, ensuring the connector remains watertight even when tilted.

Implementation Method 1

a lower surface that is included in peripheral surfaces that define the opening is inclined downwards in a direction towards an outside of the case

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentUS20250070489A1connector
Publication Date: 2025.02.27 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD
  • US20250070489A1 patent drawing
  • US20250070489A1 patent drawing
  • US20250070489A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A connector 10 that is attached to a substrate 11 that is housed in a case C includes: a housing including a fitting portion 20 for a mating connector 50, the fitting portion 20 being open forward; and terminal fittings 13 that include substrate connection portions 15 that extend rearward from the housing 12, wherein a wall 24 of the housing 12 on an inner side of the case C includes an opening 30 that passes through the wall 24 in a thickness direction thereof, and a lower surface 32 that is included in peripheral surfaces that define the opening 30 is inclined downwards in a direction towards an outside of the case C.