1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a waterproof electrical connector and method for making the same, and more particularly to a waterproof electrical connector having better waterproof function.
2. Description of Related Arts
Universal Serial Bus (USB) interfaces are widely used in various electronic devices. In recent years, a micro USB interface is introduced to meet miniaturization requirement of electronic devices. Japan Patent No. 4875130 discloses an electrical connector comprising a metallic shell, a plurality of terminals received in the metallic shell and an insulative housing insert-molded with the metallic shell and the terminals. The metallic shell defines a passageway for inserting a mating connector. The insulative housing comprises a base portion, a tongue portion extending from the base portion and forwardly into the passageway of the metallic shell, and a cover portion extending forwardly from end edges of the base portion for covering the metallic shell by insert-molding. Each terminal includes a contact portion retained to while exposing out of the tongue portion. To make the electrical connector, firstly, a first mold is inserted in the passageway along an insertion direction to resist against one end of the contact portion for fixing the terminal. Secondly, a second mold is inserted in the passageway along an extraction direction opposite to the insertion direction to resist against another end of the contact portion for fixing the terminal. Then, the insulative housing is insert-molded with the metallic shell and the terminals. Waterproof/sealing effect of the electrical connector thus made need be improved; besides, the insulative housing might crack at a rear end of the tongue portion.
It is desired to have a waterproof electrical connector, and method for making the same, which has improved waterproof/sealing effect.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof electrical connector and method for making the same, which has better waterproof/sealing effect and is easy to make.
To achieve the above object, a waterproof electrical connector includes a number of terminals, a metallic shell and an insulating housing molding outside of the metal shell defining a passageway. The insulating housing includes a base portion and a tongue portion extending forwardly from the base portion. The base portion includes at least one mold cavity for inserting a mold. The mold cavity and the passageway are spaced apart from each other along the insertion/extraction direction for having better waterproof function.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
In the first embodiment of the present invention, a method for making the waterproof electrical connector 100 are made as described below.
First is to provide the metallic shell 1 and the plurality of terminals 2. The contacting portions 21 of the terminals 2 are inserted in the passageway 10 from the rear end of the metasllic shell 1 along the extraction direction. Each contacting portion 21 of the terminal 2 defines an upper surface 211, a lower surface 212, and a side surface 213 (shown in
Secondly, provide at least one first mold (not shown) to press against the upper surface 211, the side surface 213, and the lower surface 212 of the contacting portion 21. The first mold is located at the rear end of the contacting portion 21. And then insert at least one second mold (not shown) in the passageway 10 along the insertion direction for pressing against the upper surface of the end portion 210 and the lower surface of the contacting portion 21. In the first embodiment of the present invention, the contacting portion 21 defines a contacting region 24 pressing against the first mold. The first mold is used for positioning the rear end of the contacting portion 21. The second mold is used for positioning the front end of the contacting portion 21 and preventing the end portion 210 of the contact portion 21 from warping.
Thirdly, provide at least one third mold (not shown), and optionally a peripheral mold (not shown), for positioning the metallic shell 1. The insulative housing 3 is formed by insert-molding. The material strips (not shown) of the metallic shell 1 and the terminals 2 are cut off Lastly, remove the first mold, the second mold, and the third mold (and the peripheral mold if there is), thereby defining the mold cavity 331.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The main difference between the waterproof electrical connectors 100′, 100 in the first and second embodiments is that: the first mold presses against the upper surface 211′, the side surface 213′ of the contacting portion 21′, and a rear surface of the retaining portion 22′ (shown in
The second embodiment of the present invention also discloses a method for making the waterproof electrical connector 100′ comprising the steps described below.
S1, providing the metallic shell 1′ and the plurality of terminals 2′. The contacting portions 21′ of the terminals 2′ are inserted in the passageway 10′ from the rear end of the metallic shell 1′ along the extraction direction. Each contacting portion 21′ of the terminal 2′ defines an upper surface 211′, a lower surface 212′, and a side surface 213′ (shown in
S2, inserting at least one first mold (not shown) through the mold hole 112′ along the first direction perpendicular to the top wall 11′. The first mold presses against the upper surface 211′ of the contacting portion 21′, the rear surface 221′ of the retaining portion 22′, and the side surface 213′ of the contacting portion 21′ or/and the lateral surface of the retaining portion 22′. The first mold is located at the rear end of the contacting portion 21′. At least one second mold (not shown) is inserted in the passageway 10′ along the insertion direction for pressing against the upper surface 211′ of the end portion 210′, the side surface 213′ of the end portion 210′, and the lower surface of the contacting portion 21. In the second embodiment of the present invention, the contacting portion 21′ defines a 7-shaped contacting region 24′ pressed against by the first mold. The first mold is used for positioning the rear end of the contacting portion 21′. The second mold is used for positioning the front end of the contacting portion 21′ and preventing the end portion 210′ of the conatact portion 21′ from warping.
S3, providing at least one third mold (not shown) and/or a peripheral mold (not shown) for positioning the metallic shell 1′. The insulative housing 3′ is formed by insert-molding. Material strips are cut off the metallic shell 1′ and the terminals 2′. Lastly, the first mold, the second mold, and the third mold (and the peripheral mold if present) are removed to thereby define the mold cavity 331′.
Referring to
Referring to
In the first and second embodiments of the present invention, The passageway 10, 10′ is jointly formed by the top wall 11, 11′, the bottom wall 12, 12′, the pair of side walls 13, 13′, and the base portion 33, 33′ of the insulative housing 3, 3′ for inserting a mating connector.
While a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention has been shown and described, equivalent modifications and changes known to persons skilled in the art according to the spirit of the present invention are considered within the scope of the present invention as described in the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2013 1 01351161 | Apr 2013 | CN | national |
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Number | Date | Country |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20140315421 A1 | Oct 2014 | US |