Connector Plug With Flexible Hook and Stopper for Watertight Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for protecting electrical and mechanical devices in hard-to-reach locations from adverse weather and contaminants are ineffective and difficult to use, as they often require disassembly of the housing for maintenance and do not provide a reliable watertight seal.

Innovation Solution

A connector plug system that allows for easy coupling and decoupling of cables to electrical or mechanical components within a housing without disassembling the housing, creating a watertight seal by using a flexible connector plug with a hook, stopper, and ridges that can be inserted and removed while maintaining the integrity of the housing's opening, allowing for maintenance access and protection from moisture.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the housing is sealed to protect devices from adverse weather and contaminants, then protection reliability is improved, but maintenance accessibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection reliabilityVSAvoidmaintenance accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The connector plug is divided into separate components (plug body, cable, sealing elements) that can be independently inserted and removed through the sealed housing opening, allowing maintenance without compromising the overall seal integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The cable and connector components can be extracted from the housing through the sealed opening by removing the connector plug, enabling maintenance access while maintaining the housing's protective seal when not in use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the housing is disassembled to access cables for maintenance, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but device complexity and time loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connector plug with integrated sealing elements is pre-configured to fit the housing opening, allowing cables to be connected and disconnected without requiring housing disassembly or complex sealing operations during maintenance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The connector plug serves as an intermediary component that provides cable access through the sealed housing opening, eliminating the need to disassemble the housing while maintaining protection integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If a connector plug system is implemented to allow cable access through sealed housing, then maintenance accessibility is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidsealing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connector plug incorporates flexible sealing elements (such as gaskets or elastomeric components) that conform to the housing opening geometry, creating a watertight seal that maintains protection integrity while allowing repeated insertion and removal operations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The connector plug utilizes composite construction combining rigid structural components with flexible sealing materials, achieving both mechanical strength for cable support and effective sealing against moisture and contaminants

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

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

Enables easy maintenance and protection of devices in difficult locations by providing a watertight seal without disassembling the housing, allowing for quick replacement of faulty cables and connectors, and simplifying the service process.

Implementation Method 1

a seal member made of elastic material and sealingly engaging an inner surface of the cavity and an outer surface of the wire

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3067994B1Connector plug system
Publication Date: 2019.04.10 TECHNOLOGIES HOLDINGS CORP
  • EP3067994B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3067994B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3067994B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A connector plug comprises a hook with flexible edges. The hook has a first beveled surface and a second flat surface. A stopper is coupled to the flat surface of the hook by a first barrel portion of the connector plug. The stopper is coupled to a plurality of ridges with flexible edges by a second barrel portion. The plurality of ridges are also coupled to each other by the second barrel portion. A via extends through the connector plug from one end of the connector plug to the other end of the connector plug.