Floating Connector Housing Assembly for Offset-Tolerant Sealing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connector sealing structures fail to accommodate large offsets between connectors, preventing successful mating due to a fixed housing that cannot float axially and radially.
Innovation Solution
A connector housing assembly with a flange portion and connecting member that allows axial and radial movement, featuring a sealing ring for compression between the flange and mounting panel, enabling the housing to float and accommodate offset mismatches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the housing is fixed to the mounting panel by bolts compressing a sealing ring, then a secure seal is achieved, but the housing cannot accommodate large offsets between connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The flange portion is designed to be movable relative to the connecting member through a floating structure, allowing the housing to dynamically adjust its position axially and radially to accommodate offsets between connectors while maintaining sealing through the compressible sealing ring
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing ring utilizes elastic deformation to change its compression state, allowing it to maintain sealing pressure across varying positions of the flange portion as it moves to accommodate connector offsets
2Stability of the object's composition
If the housing is fixed to the mounting panel, then stable positioning is achieved, but mating fails when offset between connectors is large
Solution Approach 1:
The floating structure enables the flange portion to move dynamically within a controlled range while maintaining stable connection to the mounting panel, allowing the housing to adapt to offset variations without compromising connection stability
Solution Approach 2:
The connection structure is segmented into a fixed mounting panel, a movable flange portion, and a connecting member, allowing independent functions of stable mounting and adaptive positioning to be achieved through separate components
3Reliability
If the sealing ring is compressed between the flange portion and mounting panel, then sealing is formed, but the flange portion cannot move axially and radially
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing ring is designed as a flexible elastic component that can deform under compression, allowing the flange portion to move axially and radially while the sealing ring continuously adapts its shape to maintain effective sealing contact
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
Enables successful mating of connectors with large offset mismatches by allowing the housing to float axially and radially, ensuring a secure seal and reliable connection.
Implementation Method 1
The sealing ring is axially compressed between the flange portion and the mounting panel
Data Source
AI summary
A connector housing assembly comprises a housing, a connecting member, and a sealing ring. The housing includes a flange portion formed with mounting holes. The connecting member passes through the mounting hole and is adapted to connect the flange portion to a mounting panel. The sealing ring is provided on the flange portion and is adapted to form a seal between the flange portion and the mounting panel. The connecting member is adapted such that, when the flange portion is connected to the mounting panel, the sealing ring is axially compressed between the flange portion and the mounting panel. The flange portion is movable axially and radially relative to the connecting member such that the housing is floatable axially and radially relative to the mounting panel.