Connector Shell Integrating Rear Holder to Prevent Seal Dislodgement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors experience a reduction in waterproofness when electric wires are bent due to the transmission of force to rubber plugs, leading to deformation and compromised sealing, and existing solutions complicate the configuration and increase the size of the connector.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a housing with a locking portion, an annular seal material, a rear holder with through holes, and a shell that accommodates the housing and rear holder, with locking portions that prevent dislodgement of the seal material and support the electric wire, ensuring the shell covers the rear holder to maintain waterproofness without additional complexity or size increase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rear holder is provided to hold electric wires and prevent force transmission to rubber plugs, then waterproofness is maintained, but the configuration becomes complex and size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the rear holder and shell into a single integrated component. The shell directly performs both the function of holding the electric wires and providing the locking structure, eliminating the need for a separate rear holder. This merging maintains waterproofness while simplifying the overall configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The shell is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as both the rear holder (holding electric wires and preventing force transmission) and the locking mechanism (with locking portions that engage with the housing). This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a rear holder with locking means is added to secure seal material, then waterproofness is improved, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the rear holder and shell into one component, eliminating the need for additional space that would be required for a separate locking mechanism. The shell's integrated locking portions engage directly with the housing, maintaining security without increasing overall connector volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking portions of the shell are designed to nest within or engage with corresponding features in the housing, allowing the locking mechanism to be compact. The shell accommodates the housing and rear holder in its interior, creating a nested structure that minimizes overall size.
Data Source
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AI summary
A reduction in waterproofness that would occur when electric wires are bent is prevented. There is provided a connector (1) comprising a housing (5) comprising a locking portion (11) and an insertion hole (19) into which an electric wire (17) is inserted, a seal material (7) through which the electric wire is inserted and which is inserted into the insertion hole in the housing, a rear holder (3) comprising a through hole (31) through which the electric wire penetrates and a locking portion which is brought into engagement with the locking portion of the housing and provided integrally on the housing with the locking portion locked on the locking portion of the housing so as to prevent the seal material inserted in the insertion hole in the housing from being dislodged from the housing, and a shell (9) comprising an accommodating portion (37) which accommodates the housing in an interior thereof and a locking portion (15) which is brought into engagement with the locking portion of the housing and provided integrally on the housing with the locking portion locked on the rear holder and the locking portion of the housing.