Wire-Sealing Connector Cover to Prevent Rubber Plug Displacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors face issues with water ingress due to deformation of rubber plugs around electric wires, leading to gaps and compromised waterproofing when subjected to external forces.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a cover with a slit narrower than the electric wire diameter, restricting displacement and incorporating a through hole with slits to prevent wire movement, coupled with a locking mechanism to ensure proper fitting and sealing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a rubber plug is used to close the gap between the opening and electric wire, then waterproofing is achieved, but the rubber plug deforms under external force causing gaps and losing waterproofing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from soft rubber to hard resin material for the cover, which maintains shape stability under external forces while still achieving waterproofing through the sealing interaction between the cover and housing
Solution Approach 2:
The cover is designed with a predetermined shape that preliminarily prevents wire displacement before external forces are applied. The cover's rigid structure pre-establishes the wire position and prevents deformation that would occur with flexible rubber plugs
2Reliability
If the cover restricts wire displacement completely, then waterproofing is maintained, but the cover structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into the cover: it provides waterproof sealing, restricts wire displacement, and protects the internal structure. By combining these functions into a single integrated component rather than separate elements, the overall device complexity is reduced while maintaining reliability
Data Source
AI summary
A connector includes: a housing having a terminal accommodating chamber therein; an electric wire drawn out to an outside through an opening connected to the terminal accommodating chamber; a water stop component disposed to close a gap between an inner surface of the opening and an outer surface of the electric wire; and a cover attached to the housing on an outer side of the water stop component. The cover includes: a restriction portion disposed to face the water stop component and configured to restrict displacement of the water stop component to the outer side; a through hole provided in the restriction portion and through which the electric wire is inserted; and a slit extending in a predetermined direction from a hole edge of the through hole and communicating with the outside of a peripheral edge of the restriction portion.