Vehicle Charging Connector Ventilation Duct Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Humidity accumulation and condensation in electrical connector cavities of vehicle charging systems can lead to dangerous short circuits, particularly due to differing pressure and humidity rates on either side of the vehicle wall, necessitating effective ventilation to prevent moisture ingress and condensation.
Innovation Solution
The electrical connector housing incorporates a ventilation duct extending from the front side to the rear side, formed by a shared wall portion between the connector body and multicontact rear body, which allows for air flow and moisture removal without requiring specific attachment features, using a design that can be molded or stamped and provides precise positioning for electrical contacts and duct delimitation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If ventilation ducts are added to dry the cavities, then humidity control is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ventilation duct function into the existing connector body structure. The ducts are integrated as internal pathways within the housing itself, combining the protective enclosure function with the ventilation function in a single unified structure, thereby avoiding additional separate components and reducing overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The hermetic shutter serves multiple functions: it provides liquid water protection, acts as a structural element of the housing, and works in conjunction with the ventilation ducts to enable vapor escape. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components, simplifying the overall device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If drainage holes are used for ventilation, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but precise positioning of electrical contacts is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-forming the ventilation ducts as integral parts of the connector body during the molding process, before the electrical contacts are installed. The ducts are created with precise dimensions and positions in the housing structure itself, ensuring that subsequent contact installation is not affected and precise positioning is maintained.
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
This solution effectively dries the connector cavities, preventing short circuits by ensuring that moisture is directed from the front side to the rear side atmosphere, thus maintaining a dry environment for the electrical contacts and enhancing the reliability of the vehicle charging system.
Implementation Method 1
The ventilation duct is configured to extend from the front side to the rear side of the connector body... allowing for air flow and moisture removal
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
Electrical connector housing, comprising: a connector body including a fixation element adapted to attach the connector housing to a panel such that the connector housing comprises a front side adapted to extend on one side of the panel and a rear side adapted to extend on the opposite side of the panel; the connector body being adapted to receive a plurality of electrical contacts. A multi contact rear body attached to the connector body and comprising a plurality of stopping surfaces contributing each to hold one of the electrical contacts; at least one ventilation duct (37) extending from the front side to the rear side. The ventilation duct comprises a shared portion delimited by a portion of the multicontact rear body (15) and by a portion (36) of the connector body.