Waterproof Connector Tab Positioning for Seal Lip Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing waterproof connectors face issues with improper deformation of seal hole lips due to interference from long, narrow male terminal fitting tabs, leading to compromised sealing effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
The design features male terminal fittings with a tab positioned higher than the terminal body's center, accommodated in housing chambers with seal holes and through holes positioned lower than the chambers, ensuring the tab avoids lip interference and maintains coaxial alignment with the wire, allowing for effective sealing by inclining the wire and maintaining lip contact over the circumference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tab is positioned higher than the center of the terminal body to avoid interference with lips, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the tab may still interfere with upper parts of the lips during mounting
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is positioned lower than the terminal accommodation chamber in the vertical dimension, creating a height difference that allows the tab (extending from the terminal body) to pass through the through hole without contacting the lips formed on the seal hole. This dimensional separation resolves the interference problem while maintaining proper sealing geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The through hole acts as an intermediary structure that guides the tab through the assembly process. By positioning the through hole lower than the terminal accommodation chamber, it provides a clearance path that mediates between the tab's upward extension and the lips' position, preventing direct contact and interference during mounting.
2Reliability
If the tab extends forward from the terminal body for wire connection, then electrical connectivity is improved, but the tab interferes with lips causing improper deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is positioned at a lower height than the terminal accommodation chamber, creating vertical separation. This allows the tab (which extends forward from the terminal body for wire connection) to pass through the through hole clearance without contacting the lips, thus maintaining both electrical connectivity function and preventing lip deformation.
3Reliability
If the terminal body is accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber for sealing, then sealing effectiveness is improved, but the tab positioned higher than the chamber center may contact the lips
Solution Approach 1:
The through hole is positioned lower than the terminal accommodation chamber in the vertical dimension. When the terminal body is accommodated in the chamber for sealing, the tab extends upward from the terminal body but passes through the lower-positioned through hole, which provides vertical clearance. This dimensional separation prevents the tab from contacting and interfering with the lips while maintaining the sealing function of the terminal body in the chamber.
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof connector includes tabs (22) extending forward from terminal bodies (21) of male terminal fittings (20) with their centers higher than centers (21C) of the terminal bodies (21) in a height direction. A housing (10) has terminal accommodation chambers (12) for accommodating the terminal bodies (21) and connecting portions (23). A one-piece rubber plug (40) is in a rear part of the housing (10) and has seal holes (41). A rear holder (60) is behind the rubber plug (40) and has through holes (61) communicating with the seal holes (41). Inner peripheral lips (43F, 43R) on an inner periphery of each seal hole (41) closely contact an outer periphery of a wire (30) in a liquid-tight manner with the terminal body (21) and a front part (30F) of the wire (30) accommodated in the terminal accommodation chamber (12). The axes of through holes (61are lower than the axes of terminal accommodation chambers (12).