Waterproof Electrical Connector with Interfering Contact Seals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors, such as USB type C connectors, suffer from poor waterproofing, allowing liquid to penetrate and potentially damage equipment.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector design featuring an insulative housing with a base portion and mating portion, including contact receiving slots and a fixing member with projections, along with a waterproof member and shell configuration that prevents liquid ingress by interfering surfaces and projections, ensuring effective sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional USB type C connector structure is used, then the device complexity is low, but the waterproof performance is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into multiple functional components: insulative housing with base portion and mating portion, fixing member with projections, waterproof member, and shell. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the waterproofing function to be improved without completely redesigning the entire connector structure.
Solution Approach 2:
A fixing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the contacts and the insulative housing. This fixing member with projections engages with both the contacts and the housing, providing a mechanism to seal the gaps and prevent liquid ingress while maintaining electrical connectivity.
2Ease of manufacture
If the insulative housing includes a mounting slot and contact receiving slots, then the ease of manufacture is improved, but the waterproof performance deteriorates due to potential liquid penetration paths
Solution Approach 1:
A waterproof member is introduced that can flexibly adapt to the housing structure with mounting slots and contact receiving slots. This waterproof member seals around the contacts and filling members, preventing liquid penetration through the slots while allowing the housing to maintain its simple manufactured structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The waterproof member and filling member are positioned in advance to block potential liquid penetration paths before liquid can enter through the mounting slots and contact receiving slots. This preliminary sealing action prevents liquid ingress while maintaining the ease of manufacturing the housing structure.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a number of mating contacts fixed in the insulative housing and a shell covering the insulative housing. The insulative housing includes a base portion and a mating portion extending from the base portion. The base portion includes a mounting surface perpendicular to the mating portion. The base portion defines a mounting slot recessed from the mounting surface. The base portion includes two rows of contact receiving slots located at two sides of the mounting slot. The contact receiving slot includes an inner surface and two opposite side surfaces. The mating contact is inserted into the contact receiving slot and interfered with the side surfaces. The electrical connector also includes a fixing member mounted into the mounting slot. The fixing member has a number of fixing projections to engage with two rows of contacts, respectively.