USB Type-C Connector Waterproof Rear Sealing Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional USB Type-C connectors lack a waterproof structure at the rear, allowing moisture to enter and potentially damage electronic devices by affecting circuit board operations.
Innovation Solution
The electrical receptacle connector features a metallic shell with a recess and passage structure for filling a sealing member, which forms a waterproof glue block to prevent moisture ingress, and includes a dual orientation design with upside-down terminal arrangements for flexible insertion orientations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional USB Type-C connector structure is used, then the connector achieves basic electrical connection functionality, but the rear of the connector lacks waterproof structure allowing moisture to penetrate and damage electronic devices
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into functional zones: the front portion for electrical connection and the rear portion with recess structure for waterproofing. The recess structure is further segmented into multiple recesses that can be filled with sealing members to create comprehensive waterproof barriers at different locations.
Solution Approach 2:
A sealing member (waterproof glue block) is introduced as an intermediary substance to fill the recess structure and passage structure, creating a waterproof barrier between the front insertion opening and the rear electronic device components. This intermediary element effectively blocks moisture penetration without requiring fundamental redesign of the connector's electrical connection function.
2Ease of manufacture
If the rear of the plastic core is left open without sealing structure, then the connector structure remains simple and manufacturing is easier, but gaps are formed allowing moisture to enter and damage the circuit board
Solution Approach 1:
The recess structure is pre-formed in the plastic core during the molding process, creating ready-made cavities that guide the placement of sealing members. This preliminary structural preparation ensures that waterproofing is integrated into the manufacturing process rather than added as a separate complex assembly step.
Solution Approach 2:
Waterproofing measures are applied locally at the rear portion of the plastic core where moisture penetration would cause damage, rather than requiring complete waterproofing of the entire connector. The recess structures are strategically positioned to block moisture paths to critical areas like the circuit board while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
3Reliability
If a sealing structure is added to the rear of the connector, then waterproof performance is improved, but the volume of sealing material required increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of filling the entire rear portion of the connector with sealing material, only specific recess structures and passage structures are filled. This partial action approach provides sufficient waterproof protection by blocking critical moisture paths while minimizing the volume of sealing member required.
Solution Approach 2:
The recess structures are designed to nest within the existing connector housing structure, utilizing available void spaces rather than adding external bulk. The sealing members are nested within these recesses, creating an integrated waterproof solution that doesn't significantly increase the overall connector volume or material consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical receptacle connector includes a metallic shell, an insulated housing, a plurality of first receptacle terminals, a plurality of second receptacle terminals, a recess structure, and a passage structure. The insulated housing is received in the receiving cavity. The first receptacle terminals and the second receptacle terminals are respectively disposed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the insulated housing. The recess structure and the passage structure are formed at the rear of the insulated housing, so that a sealing member can be filled in the recess structure and the passage structure to cover and shields the rear of the insulated housing.