Compact Connector Waterproofing via Nested Insulating Cap
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connectors for coaxial cables lack sufficient waterproofing, leading to moisture infiltration, and increasing the size of connectors to address this issue compromises their insertion and extraction performance.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a hollow outer conductor with an insulating intermediate cavity, a central conductor with a contact arm, and a cap made of insulating material, along with a seal member made of elastomer, which integrates with the outer and central conductors to provide a watertight seal while maintaining a compact size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional connector structure is used, then the connector can be manufactured with simple structure, but waterproof property is insufficient and moisture infiltration occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The cap integrates multiple functions: it closes the rear end of the outer conductor, provides a mounting surface for the seal member, and structurally connects the outer conductor to the central conductor. This merging of functions achieves waterproofing without adding separate complex components.
Solution Approach 2:
A seal member made of elastomer (flexible material) is attached to the cap to provide waterproofing. The flexible seal member effectively prevents moisture infiltration while maintaining a compact structure that doesn't compromise insertion/extraction performance.
2Reliability
If the size of the connector is increased to improve waterproofing, then waterproof property is enhanced, but insertion and extraction performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The connector uses a nested structure where the central conductor is housed within the outer conductor, and the cap integrates both structural and sealing functions. This nested design achieves effective waterproofing while maintaining a compact overall size that preserves insertion and extraction performance.
3Reliability
If a seal member is added to improve waterproofing, then waterproof property is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cap integrates multiple functions: it closes the rear end of the outer conductor, provides a mounting surface for the seal member, and structurally connects the outer conductor to the central conductor. This merging of functions achieves waterproofing without adding separate complex components.
Data Source
AI summary
A connector is provided that has high waterproof property and insertion/extraction performance, and increased reliability while being small in size.