Waterproof Connector Recess Locking Lance Creepage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors lack a waterproof structure, leading to potential water ingress and reduced connection reliability, and existing waterproof solutions increase costs.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a resiliently deformable locking lance and a recess in its base end, allowing water to enter and travel along the lance before reaching the terminal fitting, thereby extending the creepage distance and enhancing waterproof properties without compromising the locking mechanism's resilience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a sealing member is mounted in the housing to achieve waterproof property, then waterproof reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the sealing function from a separate sealing member and integrates it into the housing structure itself through the recess formation. The recess in the base end part of the locking lance creates a water collection area that prevents water from reaching the terminal fitting, eliminating the need for additional sealing components while maintaining waterproof reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves its own waterproofing needs through the recess design. The recess automatically collects and contains water that enters through the deformation space opening, using the housing's own geometric features rather than requiring external sealing members or additional protective components.
2Ease of operation
If the locking lance is made resiliently deformable for locking function, then ease of operation is improved, but structural strength deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural qualities to different parts of the locking lance. The base end part contains a recess that provides localized structural reinforcement, while the rest of the lance maintains its resilient deformability for locking operations. This local quality differentiation allows the lance to be strong where needed (base end) and flexible where required (locking portion).
Solution Approach 2:
The recess in the base end part acts as a cushioning structure that absorbs and distributes stress before it reaches the terminal fitting. By providing this预先 reinforcement zone, the structure prevents stress concentration that would otherwise compromise the lance's strength during repeated deformation cycles.
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 design provides a simple and effective waterproof structure that improves the connector's waterproof properties while maintaining smooth deformation and locking functionality, ensuring reliable connections without the need for additional sealing members.
Implementation Method 1
A resiliently deformable locking lance projecting forward from an inner surface of the cavity and deformation space for the locking lance forms an opening in the front surface of the housing. The locking lance deforms toward the deformation space with a base end thereof as a support in the process of inserting the terminal fitting into the cavity and resiliently restores to retain the terminal fitting in the cavity
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof connector has a deformation space (35) for a locking lance (30) that opens in the front surface of a housing (10). A wall surface (41) of a base end part of the locking lance (30) is located at a back side of the deformation space (35). In the process of inserting a terminal fitting (90) into a cavity (26), the locking lance (30) is resiliently deformed toward the deformation space (35) with a base end thereof as a support. When the terminal fitting (90) is inserted properly into the cavity (26), the locking lance (30) resiliently returns to retain the terminal fitting (90) in the cavity (26). A recess (42) is formed in the wall surface (41) of the base end portion of the locking lance (30).