Waterproof Electrical Connector Assembly with Nested Rubber Seals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electrical connector assemblies lack a waterproof design between the socket and plug connectors, leading to potential short circuits and safety hazards when exposed to water in outdoor or wet environments.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a gasket between the socket and plug connectors to enhance sealing and prevent water ingress, ensuring a secure and safe electrical connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional electrical connector assembly structure is used without waterproof design, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but reliability deteriorates due to water infiltration causing short circuits

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against water infiltrationVSAvoidconnector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a nested waterproof structure where the first waterproof rubber sleeve is positioned within the housing cavity, and the second waterproof rubber sleeve extends from the housing to cover the plug connector. This nested arrangement provides multi-layer protection against water infiltration while maintaining a compact connector structure, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible waterproof rubber sleeves as sealing elements. These elastic waterproof components can deform to accommodate the connector assembly while maintaining water tightness. The flexible nature of the rubber sleeves provides effective sealing without adding significant structural complexity, thus improving reliability while minimizing device complexity increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If waterproof components are added to the electrical connector assembly, then reliability improves through prevention of water ingress, but ease of manufacture deteriorates due to additional assembly steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprotection against water infiltrationVSAvoidassembly process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the first waterproof rubber sleeve within the housing cavity before final assembly, and the second waterproof rubber sleeve is pre-positioned to cover the plug connector. These preliminary positioning actions ensure that the waterproof components are already in place during the docking process, reducing the need for additional assembly steps and maintaining ease of manufacture while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20230307867A1Electrical connector assembly, socket electrical connector cable assembly, and plug electrical connector cable assembly
Publication Date: 2023.09.28 KIM WELL ELECTRONICS INT CO LTD
  • US20230307867A1 patent drawing
  • US20230307867A1 patent drawing
  • US20230307867A1 patent drawing

AI summary

An electrical connector assembly includes a socket electrical connector cable assembly and a plug electrical connector cable assembly. The socket electrical connector cable assembly includes a socket connector, a socket front housing, a socket rear housing, a socket outer molding, and a socket cable. The socket rear housing covers the front side of the socket connector. The socket outer molding is positioned on the outer side of the socket connector. The socket cable is connected to the socket terminal. The plug electrical connector cable assembly includes a plug connector, a plug outer molding, and a plug cable. The plug outer molding is positioned on the rear side of the plug connector and has a plug outer molding waterproof portion. A socket terminal of the socket electrical connector cable assembly is connected to a plug terminal of the plug electrical connector cable assembly.