Waterproof Connector With Overhead Small Receptacle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional connectors used in vehicle interiors are not waterproof, leading to potential water penetration, which requires a double structure and sealing member, resulting in a larger size, whereas a compact and waterproof connector is needed to prevent water ingress without the need for additional sealing components.

Innovation Solution

A connector design featuring a male and female configuration where the female connector has a small receptacle covering the tip of the male connector, combined with guiding ribs and grooves for alignment, allowing for a compact structure that prevents water penetration by directing it away from the connection area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a connector is designed to be waterproof using a double structure receptacle and sealing member, then water penetration is prevented, but the connector size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewaterproof performanceVSAvoidconnector size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The connector is divided into a main body and a separate water prevention component (small receptacle or cap) that can be attached only when needed. This segmentation allows the connector to maintain a compact size during normal use while providing waterproof protection when required, resolving the contradiction between small size and waterproof performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The water prevention component extends in a direction perpendicular to the main connector body, covering the receptacle opening from above. This dimensional approach creates an overhead shield that prevents water penetration without requiring the receptacle itself to be enlarged or doubled in structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Volume of stationary object

If a simple single-structure receptacle is used, then the connector size is small, but water can penetrate through clearances

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector sizeVSAvoidwaterproof performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of stationary objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A small receptacle or cap acts as an intermediary component between the external environment and the main connector receptacle. This intermediate structure blocks water from directly contacting the clearance areas, providing waterproof protection while allowing the main connector to remain simple and compact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If guiding structures are added to ensure proper alignment, then connection reliability improves, but the structure becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvealignment accuracyVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of adding complex guiding structures to the main connector body, the invention uses the water prevention component itself (small receptacle or cap) to provide alignment guidance. The outer peripheral surface of this component serves as the guiding surface, inverting the traditional approach where the main body would provide guidance. This reduces overall structural complexity while maintaining alignment accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10374351B2Connector

Publication Date: 2019.08.06 SUMITOMO WIRING SYSTEMS LTD

AI summary

A connector is composed of a male connector including a receptacle and a female connector including a body portion to be fit into the receptacle, the body portion being fit into the receptacle in a horizontal direction. The female connector is provided with a small receptacle disposed outside the receptacle in a connected state to the male connector to cover an upper part of a tip of the receptacle.