Connector Housing Water Discharge Path for PCB Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors fail to effectively prevent water from flowing towards the circuit board after entering the connector, potentially causing damage.
Innovation Solution
The connector design includes a first housing with an inclined section that forms a gap with the second housing, allowing water to be discharged through this gap, and a second wall that shields the circuit board, preventing water from reaching it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a waterproofing member is attached to the outer periphery of the control cable to prevent water from entering the case, then waterproofing performance is improved, but water may still flow from inside the case toward the circuit board through insertion holes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a waterproof member that extends from the rear surface of the housing toward the inclined section, creating an intermediate barrier that blocks water flow paths. This waterproof member acts as a mediator between the waterproofing requirement and the circuit board protection requirement, preventing water from reaching the circuit board through insertion holes while maintaining the overall waterproofing structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new spatial dimension to water protection by extending the waterproof member in the depth direction from the rear surface toward the inclined section. This dimensional extension creates multiple protection layers, blocking water flow paths that would otherwise reach the circuit board through insertion holes, thereby addressing the limitation of conventional single-layer waterproofing
2Object-generated harmful factors
If the inclined section forms a gap with the second housing to discharge water, then water discharge capability is improved, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The inclined section serves multiple functions: it provides a water discharge path through the gap with the second housing, maintains the waterproofing structure, and guides water flow away from the circuit board. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional dedicated water discharge components, thereby improving water discharge capability without significantly increasing structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the water discharge function with the existing inclined section structure that is already part of the housing. By forming a gap between the inclined section and the second housing, the design combines structural support and water discharge functions into a single integrated feature, avoiding the need for separate water discharge mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes a first housing and a second housing, which are fittable to each other. The first housing has a fitting section in which the second housing is accommodated, the fitting section being open forward in a fitting direction in which the first housing is fitted to the second housing. Of walls of the first housing that demarcate the fitting section, a first wall located on a lower side has, in a wall surface facing an interior of the fitting section, an inclined section that is inclined downward while extending forward and forms a gap (water discharge path) with the second housing accommodated in the fitting section. A second wall intersecting and adjacent to the first wall is positioned so as to shield the circuit board and the inclined section from each other on a side facing a board surface of the circuit.