Waterproof Connector Sealing Structure for Compact Electronics
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing waterproof structures for electronic devices, such as mobile phones, require a thick and bulky cover with an O-ring, which limits the design flexibility, increases manufacturing costs, and reduces the available space in the device housing, making it difficult to create thinner and more compact devices with increased circuit density and battery size.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof structure featuring a connector with a cylindrical case and a sealing material that includes a first convex stripe along its inner circumference, which contacts the cover and plug, allowing for a thinner cover and closer connector placement, thereby increasing the housing space and improving design flexibility, while also using a second convex stripe for additional sealing and a softer resin for enhanced durability and ease of insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a thick cover with an O-ring is used for waterproofing, then waterproofing performance is improved, but the housing thickness increases and available space is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the O-ring from the cover structure and relocates it to the connector body. The cover is reduced to a simple protective plate without the need for thick sealing structures, as the sealing function is now performed by the protruding seal portion integrated into the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function with the connector body by integrating a protruding seal portion directly into the connector structure. This eliminates the need for a separate O-ring and cover assembly, reducing the number of components and overall housing thickness.
2Reliability
If a thick cover with O-ring is used for waterproofing, then waterproofing performance is improved, but manufacturing cost increases and yield decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the sealing function with the connector body by integrating a protruding seal portion directly into the connector structure. This eliminates the need for a separate O-ring and cover assembly, reducing the number of components and overall housing thickness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the expensive O-ring and multi-layer cover assembly with a simple integrated seal structure that is easier and cheaper to manufacture. The protruding seal portion is formed as part of the connector molding process, eliminating separate sealing component procurement and assembly steps.
3Reliability
If the connector is placed deeper in the housing to accommodate the thick cover, then waterproofing is maintained, but the remaining space for circuit board and battery is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the O-ring from the cover structure and relocates it to the connector body. The cover is reduced to a simple protective plate without the need for thick sealing structures, as the sealing function is now performed by the protruding seal portion integrated into the connector.
4Reliability
If a cover with recessed groove for O-ring is used, then waterproofing is achieved, but the cover structure becomes complex and requires additional assembly steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the O-ring from the cover structure and relocates it to the connector body. The cover is reduced to a simple protective plate without the need for thick sealing structures, as the sealing function is now performed by the protruding seal portion integrated into the connector.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the sealing function with the connector body by integrating a protruding seal portion directly into the connector structure. This eliminates the need for a separate O-ring and cover assembly, reducing the number of components and overall housing thickness.
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
This solution allows for a thinner and more compact electronic device housing, increased circuit density, and larger battery capacity, while reducing manufacturing costs and improving the durability and ease of insertion of the connector, while maintaining effective waterproofing.
Implementation Method 1
a sealing material that is arranged in the vicinity of the end of the case on a plug insertion side so as to protrude to the plug insertion side, and that is formed around an outer circumference of the case, wherein a first convex stripe is formed along an inner circumference of the protruding section of the sealing material
Implementation Method 2
the first convex stripe is formed so as to be pressed against and brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface of a part of a cover to be inserted
Data Source
Figure 1(A)~1(B)
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3
AI summary
Provided is a connector of an electronic device, in which a remaining space in a housing of the electronic device can be enlarged, the degree of freedom in designing the layout of a circuit board and wiring therefor can be improved, the number of circuits to be mounted can be increased, a battery can be made larger, and the housing of the electronic device can be made thinner and more compact. The connector (1) of the electronic device is provided with: a substantially cylindrical case (2); connector-side terminals introduced into the case (2); and a sealing material (6) that is formed in the vicinity of the end of the case (2) on a plug insertion side so as to protrude to the plug insertion side, and that is formed around the outer circumference of the case (2), wherein a first convex stripe (63) is formed along the inner circumference of the protruding section of the sealing material (6), and the first convex stripe (63) is formed so as to be circumferentially pressed against and brought into contact with an outer circumferential surface of a part of a cover (13) to be inserted.