Waterproof Flat Cable Connector With Elastic Protruding Cover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional waterproof flat cable connectors face issues with low waterproofness due to detachment or cracking when the flat cable is bent, as the molded parts do not follow the cable's curvature, leading to potential exposure of junctions.
Innovation Solution
A waterproof flat cable connector design featuring an insulative covering part with a protruding section that extends from the connector housing towards the cable's direction of bend, made from a material with higher elasticity than the housing, and incorporating a taper part for reduced thickness, allowing the connector to follow the cable's curvature without detaching or cracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the molded part is fixed to the connector housing through a rubber plug, then the connector housing can be assembled, but the molded part cannot follow the flat cable when bent, causing detachment or cracking
Solution Approach 1:
The insulative covering part is designed to be movable relative to the connector housing, allowing it to dynamically follow the cable's bending motion. The protruding part extends beyond the housing end, and the insulative covering part can shift position along the cable length, maintaining contact and seal during flexing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The insulative covering part functions as a flexible protective shell that conforms to the cable's shape during bending. Its elongated structure with the protruding part allows it to act as a flexible barrier that maintains waterproofing while adapting to the cable's curved configuration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the insulative covering part is made with high elasticity, then it can follow the cable bend, but the connector housing structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The insulative covering part and connector housing are integrated into a unified structure where the housing is molded directly onto the covering part. This merging eliminates the need for separate mounting mechanisms while the protruding part of the covering part extends beyond the housing to provide the necessary flexibility and cable-following capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution adds dimensional extension by making the protruding part of the insulative covering part longer than the housing in the direction of cable extension. This dimensional change allows the covering part to extend beyond the housing, providing the necessary travel distance to follow cable bends without requiring complex internal mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the protruding part has reduced thickness with taper part, then it can better follow cable bend, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness of the protruding part is varied along its length, with the thickness being greatest at the base and gradually reducing toward the distal end. This parameter change creates a tapered geometry that naturally follows the cable's curvature during bending, with the thinner distal end providing greater flexibility and conformability to the cable shape.
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 design enhances waterproofness by maintaining the seal even when the cable is bent, as the insulative covering part moves away from the connector housing, preventing detachment or cracks from reaching the junctions, thus improving the connector's durability and sealing effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the insulative covering part is formed of a material whose elasticity is higher than that of the connector housing
Data Source
AI summary
A waterproof flat cable connector includes a flexible flat cable which has a conductive wire and an insulative film which covers the conductive wire, a terminal which is connected to the conductive wire, an insulative covering part integrally molded with the flat cable to cover a junction part of the conductive wire and the terminal, and a connector housing which is fitted with a connection mating connector to connect the terminal with a connection mating terminal. The connector housing is integrally molded with a surface of the insulative covering part. The insulative covering part has a protruding part which protrudes from an attached side end of the connector housing, which is at a side attached to the flat cable, toward an extending direction of the flat cable.