Waterproof Connector Annular Seal Bracket Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
The cylindrical portion of the cover member in existing waterproof connectors increases the dimension of the housing connector hole, leading to a larger circumferential length of the outer seal member, which compromises the waterproof performance.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof connector design featuring an annular seal member that surrounds the connector main body and is pressed against both the connector and housing sealing surfaces by a bracket, reducing the housing connector hole dimension and circumferential seal length, thereby enhancing waterproof performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If the cylindrical portion of the cover member is inserted into the housing connector hole, then the connector structure is completed, but the dimension of the housing connector hole is increased and the circumferential length of the outer seal member is increased, leading to lowered waterproof performance
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and removes the cylindrical portion from the cover member structure. Instead of having the cover member include a cylindrical portion that inserts into the housing connector hole, the design simplifies the cover member to only include the flange-shaped portion, thereby eliminating the problem of increased connector hole dimension and seal member circumferential length while maintaining structural completeness through alternative sealing mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The invention segments the sealing function from the structural support function. The flange-shaped portion of the cover member provides structural support while a separate annular seal member provides the sealing function. This segmentation allows the seal member to be positioned optimally without being extended by a cylindrical portion, maintaining short circumferential length for good waterproof performance while completing the connector structure
2Ease of manufacture
If the circumferential length of the outer seal member is increased to cover the gap, then the seal member can close the gap between the flange-shaped portion and the housing, but the waterproof performance is lowered due to the increased dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the sealing function from the cover member's cylindrical portion and assigns it to a dedicated annular seal member. This allows the seal member to be positioned precisely where needed without requiring excessive circumferential length, as it only needs to seal the gap between the flange-shaped portion and the housing flange, not extend along a cylindrical insertion path
Solution Approach 2:
The annular seal member acts as an intermediary element between the cover member's flange-shaped portion and the housing. This dedicated sealing component provides effective gap closure with minimal circumferential length, as it is positioned directly at the sealing interface rather than being stretched along an extended path
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a waterproof connector, with which waterproof performance can be improved. The waterproof connector includes a connector main body, which is mounted on a circuit board provided inside a housing, and is to be inserted into a housing connector hole formed in the housing; an annular seal member, which is provided outside the housing, and surrounds the connector main body; a bracket, which is provided to the housing, and is configured to presses the annular seal member against the housing; and fasteners configured to fix the bracket to the housing. The annular seal member is held in contact with a connector main body sealing surface and a housing sealing surface to close a gap between the housing and the connector main body.