Waterproof Electrical Connector for Module Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for module devices, such as vehicle-mounted cameras, face challenges in withstanding harsh environmental conditions like vibration and liquids while maintaining reliable and stable connections, and require improved assembly performance and compactness.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connection structure featuring a mounting hole in the module housing for a cable connector, with a terminal pressed and connected to the module device side, and a connector housing that provides airtight and watertight properties through the use of a sealant and a retainer for supporting terminals, allowing direct connection to the module device while preventing moisture ingress.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional electrical connector design is used, then the connection can be established, but the connector cannot withstand harsh environmental conditions (vibration, liquids) reliably
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple protective functions into a unified connector structure. The connector housing combines terminal accommodation, sealing, and vibration resistance features into a single integrated component that directly mounts to the module housing, eliminating the need for separate protective elements and ensuring comprehensive environmental protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a sealing member (gasket) that creates a flexible barrier between the connector housing and module housing. This sealing element prevents liquid penetration while accommodating thermal expansion and vibration, maintaining the waterproof seal under harsh environmental conditions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection terminals are used for the module device, then the electrical connection capability is improved, but the assembly complexity and difficulty of securing flatness and parallelism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The retainer is designed as a multi-functional component that simultaneously performs multiple tasks: it holds multiple terminals in precise positions, maintains flatness and parallelism, and provides a unified mounting interface. This single component replaces what would otherwise require multiple separate fixtures or assembly steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The retainer structure is designed to automatically maintain terminal alignment and spacing through its inherent geometry and elastic properties. The terminals are held in predetermined positions by the retainer's structure itself, eliminating the need for additional alignment fixtures or complex positioning mechanisms during assembly.
3Reliability
If the terminal is connected to the module device through a mounting substrate, then the electrical connection is established, but the number of assembly steps increases and the connection structure becomes less compact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates the mounting substrate by directly integrating the terminal connection to the module housing. The connector housing with terminals mounts directly to the module housing, creating a streamlined connection path that reduces the number of components and assembly steps while maintaining connection stability.
4Ease of manufacture
If the cable connector is mounted through the housing, then the assembly is simplified, but moisture can enter the housing through ventilation or cable interior
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member (gasket) acts as a flexible barrier that prevents moisture penetration through the mounting hole and cable interior. It creates a continuous seal around the cable and connector assembly, blocking moisture while allowing the simplified direct-mount configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing member serves as an intermediary element between the connector housing and module housing. It mediates the connection by providing a waterproof interface that allows the simplified direct-mount structure to function while preventing moisture ingress through the mounting penetration.
Data Source
AI summary
An object is to provide an electrical connection structure between a module device and outside having high reliability of electrical connection and excellent assembling performance. There is provided the electrical connection structure of a module device, wherein a housing accommodating the module device has a mounting hole for mounting a cable connector electrically connected with an external device, a contact of the module device side is disposed inside a housing positioned in the mounting hole, the structure includes a terminal pressed and connected to the contact of the module device side, and a connector housing that accommodates and holds the terminal, the terminal is held in the connector housing so as to have airtight and watertight properties from a connection portion between the terminal and a core wire of a cable to a covering portion of the cable, and the cable connector and the housing are connected so as to have the watertight property.