Sealed Connector Rubber Plug Structure to Prevent Turn-Up
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing connector design requires multiple components, including a liquid-tight ring and a vibration-resistant ring, increasing complexity and risking the front end part of the integrated rubber ring from turning up due to friction when connected with a mating connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector design incorporating a rubber plug with an annular water stop portion, a tubular vibration resistance portion, and a turn-up suppressing portion to prevent the rubber plug from turning up rearward, using a single integrated rubber ring that suppresses rattling and vibration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single integrated rubber ring is used to replace the liquid-tight ring and vibration resistant ring, then the number of components is reduced and structure is simplified, but the front end part of the rubber ring may turn up due to friction force when connectors are connected
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber plug is divided into three functional portions: water stop portion, vibration resistance portion, and turn-up suppressing portion. Each portion has a specific shape and function, with the turn-up suppressing portion having a front surface and rear surface that create a hooking structure to prevent upward movement while maintaining liquid tightness and vibration resistance
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the rubber plug have different shapes and properties tailored to their specific functions. The water stop portion has a first shape for sealing, the vibration resistance portion has a second shape for absorbing vibrations, and the turn-up suppressing portion has a third shape with specific front and rear surfaces for preventing upward movement. This localized optimization resolves the contradiction by giving each region its specialized structure
2Ease of operation
If the connector and mating connector are connected, then electrical connection is established, but friction force causes the rubber plug to turn up rearward
Solution Approach 1:
The turn-up suppressing portion is designed in advance with a front surface and rear surface that create a hooking structure before connection occurs. This preliminary structure prevents the upward movement caused by friction during connection, counteracting the harmful effect before it can occur
Solution Approach 2:
The solution addresses the upward movement problem by introducing a dimensional constraint through the turn-up suppressing portion's geometry. The front and rear surfaces create a three-dimensional hooking structure that restricts movement in the vertical dimension while allowing horizontal insertion
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 the rubber plug from turning up and reduces vibration, maintaining a stable connection by integrating the liquid-tight and vibration-resistant functions into a single component, thereby simplifying the connector structure.
Implementation Method 1
a vibration resistance portion extending forward along the outer peripheral surface of the tower portion from the water stop portion
Implementation Method 2
a turn-up suppressing portion bridged in a front end part of the vibration resistance portion for suppressing the rubber plug from being turned up rearward by being caught by a front end part of the tower portion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector of the present disclosure is connectable to a mating connector including a mating receptacle and includes a housing including a tower portion fittable into the mating receptacle and a rubber plug to be externally fit to the tower portion. The rubber plug includes an annular water stop portion to be arranged between an outer peripheral surface of the tower portion and an inner peripheral surface of the mating receptacle with the tower portion fit in the mating receptacle, a tubular vibration resistance portion extending forward along the outer peripheral surface of the tower portion from the water stop portion and a turn-up suppressing portion bridged in a front end part of the vibration resistance portion for suppressing the rubber plug from being turned up rearward by being caught by a front end part of the tower portion.