Connector With Rubber Plug And Holder For Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to effectively prevent the intrusion of foreign matters, which can cause short circuits, and are often bulky due to the need for overlapping receptacles and additional sealing mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a rubber plug for sealing between the wire and receptacle, a holder to retain the second connector housing, and an engaging projection that reduces the need for a lock hole and overlapping receptacles, thereby preventing foreign matter intrusion and maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a lock hole is provided in the receptacle to lock the lock arm, then the connector can be securely locked, but foreign matter can intrude through the lock hole to short terminal fittings
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the lock hole from the receptacle structure entirely. Instead of providing an opening that could allow foreign matter intrusion, the locking mechanism is redesigned so that the lock arm engages with the locking projection through the wall of the receptacle, eliminating the need for a through-hole and thus preventing foreign matter from entering through the locking mechanism.
2Reliability
If receptacles are overlapped to provide waterproof sealing, then the connector becomes watertight, but the connector housings are enlarged in width direction
Solution Approach 1:
The invention places the second receptacle inside the first receptacle in a nested arrangement, rather than overlapping them side by side. The second receptacle is positioned within the internal space of the first receptacle, allowing the sealing function to be achieved without increasing the overall width of the connector housing.
3Reliability
If waterproof rubber is disposed between overlapping receptacles to seal, then the connector becomes watertight, but the structure becomes more complex and larger
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses a rubber plug as a flexible sealing element that is inserted into the recess of the first receptacle to seal around the wire. This flexible sealing approach replaces the need for complex overlapping receptacle structures with waterproof rubber, achieving waterproofing through a simpler, more compact design.
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 solution effectively prevents short circuits by sealing the second connector housing and retains the components securely, while maintaining a smaller size by eliminating the need for a lock hole and overlapping receptacles, thus enhancing assembly ease and reducing the connector's overall dimensions.
Implementation Method 1
A rubber plug is configured to seal between an outer peripheral surface of the wire and an inner peripheral surface of the receptacle
Implementation Method 2
A holder is configured to retain the second connector housing and the rubber plug in the receptacle by being engaged with an engaging projection provided on an outer surface of the first connector housing
Data Source
AI summary
A connector 10 includes a first connector 11 including a first connector housing 20 provided with a receptacle 23 having an opening 23A on one end side and configured to accommodate a first terminal fitting 13 on a back end of the receptacle 23, and a second connector 15 to be connected to the first connector 11. The second connector 15 includes a second connector housing 40 to be accommodated into the receptacle 23, a second terminal fitting 17 to be accommodated into the second connector housing 20, connectable to the first terminal fitting 13 and having a wire W connected thereto, a rubber plug 60 configured to seal between an outer peripheral surface of the wire W and an inner peripheral surface of the receptacle 23 on a rear side of the second connector housing 20, and a holder 70 configured to retain the second connector housing 20 and the rubber plug 60 in the receptacle 23 by being engaged with an engaging projection 25 provided on an outer surface of the first connector housing 20 and mounted on the receptacle 23.