Waterproof Connector Potting Reservoir With Visual Fill Indicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Miniaturization of connectors with smaller signal contacts poses challenges in achieving sufficient waterproofing due to the difficulty in accurately injecting a controlled amount of potting agent into small potting reservoirs, leading to potential inadequacies in waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
A connector design incorporating a first potting reservoir with a visual indicator to ensure the correct amount of potting agent is injected, featuring a recessed area around the contact parts and using indicators such as grooves or stairs to prevent over or under-injection, allowing for efficient waterproofing even with small-diameter signal contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the connector is miniaturized with smaller signal contacts, then the connector size is reduced, but it becomes difficult to achieve sufficient waterproofing due to the small potting reservoir size
Solution Approach 1:
The potting reservoir includes a visual indicator that allows operators to self-check the injection status of the potting agent without external inspection equipment. The indicator automatically displays whether the reservoir is filled to the appropriate level, enabling self-service quality control during the potting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual indicator utilizes color changes or visual contrast to indicate the fill level of the potting agent in the reservoir. When the potting agent reaches the indicator, a visible change occurs, providing clear feedback on the injection status and ensuring proper waterproofing without requiring complex measurement systems.
2Reliability
If a highly accurately controlled amount of potting agent is injected into a small potting reservoir, then sufficient waterproof performance is achieved, but it becomes difficult to control the injection amount accurately
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator provides immediate feedback during the potting agent injection process. As the potting agent fills the reservoir, the indicator becomes visible or changes state, giving real-time feedback to the operator or injection system to stop at the correct level, thereby ensuring precise control of the injection amount.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-checking through the visual indicator, which automatically shows when the correct amount of potting agent has been injected. This eliminates the need for complex external measurement and control systems, achieving precise injection control through self-service indication.
3Reliability
If too much potting agent is injected into the potting reservoir, then waterproofing is ensured, but assembly in subsequent processes is adversely affected
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicator provides feedback to prevent over-injection of the potting agent. When the indicator shows that the reservoir is filled to the appropriate level, the injection process can be stopped, preventing excess potting agent from interfering with subsequent assembly operations while still ensuring adequate waterproofing.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector comprises a waterproof structure including a first potting reservoir, a first visual indicator, and a potting agent injected into the first potting reservoir. The first potting reservoir is recessed in an area including an edge of a contact part of a plurality of connector components coming into contact with one another. The first indicator identifies a desired amount of the potting agent to be injected into the potting reservoir.