Connector Seal Ring Inner Bulge Locking Waterproofing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connector designs suffer from poor waterproof properties and increased size due to the need for locking claws and holes on the outer side, which allow water ingress and require additional space.

Innovation Solution

A seal ring with an annular main body and fixing portions, including bulges with locks that engage with locking holes on the inner side of the housing, eliminating the need for outer locking holes and allowing the seal ring to adhere to the mounting member near bolt positions, enhancing waterproofing and miniaturization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If locking claws and locking holes are formed on the outer side of the packing, then the packing can be fixed to the housing, but water can easily enter and waterproof property deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof propertyVSAvoidwater ingress

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The locking structure is inverted from the conventional outer-side configuration to an inner-side configuration. The locking claws are formed on the inner peripheral side of the packing's main body, and the locking holes are formed on the inner surface of the flange, reversing the traditional arrangement to prevent water ingress while maintaining fixing functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The locking structure transitions from a two-dimensional outer surface arrangement to a three-dimensional inner cavity configuration. By moving the locking claws and holes into the internal space of the packing and flange, the design eliminates external openings that would allow water entry while preserving the mechanical interlocking function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If locking claws and locking holes are formed on the outer side of the packing, then the packing can be fixed to the housing, but additional space is required and the connector becomes larger

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidconnector size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The locking structure is nested within the internal cavity of the packing and flange assembly. The locking claws and holes are positioned in the inner space rather than occupying external volume, allowing the fixing mechanism to be contained within the existing structural envelope and eliminating the need for additional outer space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

By inverting the locking structure to the inner side, the design eliminates the need for external locking protrusions and holes that would increase the connector's external dimensions. The fixing mechanism is reversed to use internal surfaces, thereby reducing overall size while maintaining fixing reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Reliability

If the seal ring adheres to the mounting member near the bolt, then sealing is improved, but the seal ring may detach from the connector when the connector is detached

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesealing performanceVSAvoidseal ring attachment stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The seal ring is designed with non-uniform properties: the inner peripheral side features bulges with locking claws for strong attachment to the connector, while the outer peripheral side has a smooth sealing surface for adhering to the mounting member. This local differentiation allows the seal ring to simultaneously maintain secure attachment and effective sealing without detachment risk.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The seal ring is segmented into functionally distinct zones: an inner fixing portion with bulges and locking claws for connector attachment, and an outer sealing portion for mounting member contact. This segmentation allows each zone to optimize its specific function while working together as a unified component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8167634B2Connector with a sealing ring having a bulge at its inner peripheral side of its main body

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector has a housing (40) including a terminal mounting portion (41), a receptacle (55) and a mounting flange (61) between the terminal mounting portion (41) and the receptacle (55). A seal ring (150) is mounted on a surface of the mounting flange (61) to be held in contact with a mounting wall (20) for sealing between the mounting flange (61) and the mounting wall (20). The seal ring (150) includes a ring main body (151) surrounding the outer periphery of the terminal mounting portion (41) and fixing portions (160) for fixing the ring main body (151) to the mounting flange (61). Each fixing portion (160) includes a bulge (161) at an inner peripheral side of the ring main body (151). A lock (165) projects from the bulge (161) toward a side opposite to a sealing surface and engages a locking hole (67) in the housing (40).