Sealed electronic connectors for electronic devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10128608-B2
Application number	US-201715471697-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 28, 2017
Priority date	Sep 6, 2016
Publication date	Nov 13, 2018
Grant date	Nov 13, 2018

Abstract

A plug connector for an electronic device has a deformable seal positioned on it such that when the plug connector is mated to the electronic device a liquid-tight seal is formed between the plug connector and the electronic device. A seal may also be positioned within a receptacle connector cavity of the electronic device such that it forms a liquid-tight seal to a plug connector when the plug connector is mated to the electronic device.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A plug connector comprising:
a body;
an outer shell encasing at least a portion of the body;
a connector tab extending away from the body beyond the outer shell; and
a seal positioned at least partially between the outer shell and the connector tab, the seal fully surrounding a cross-sectional portion of the connector tab at a location where the connector tab extends out of the body and wherein the seal further includes a protruding portion that extends towards a distal end of the connector tab.

2. The plug connector of claim 1 wherein the connector tab forms a portion of an axisymmetric connector that can be mated with a receptacle connector in a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein the second orientation is rotated 180 degrees along an axis of symmetry from the first orientation.

3. The plug connector of claim 1 wherein the connector tab includes a first surface having a plurality of external contacts and a second surface opposite the first surface.

4. The plug connector of claim 1 further comprising one or more retention features that secure the plug connector to a corresponding receptacle connector in a mated position.

5. The plug connector of claim 1 wherein the seal is positioned to form a liquid-tight seal to an enclosure of an electronic device when the plug connector is mated to a receptacle connector of the electronic device.

6. The plug connector of claim 1 wherein the seal is formed from a silicone material.

7. The plug connector of claim 1 wherein the seal extends away from the body a distance between 0.25 and 2 millimeters.

8. A plug connector comprising:
a body having a first face;
an outer shell encasing at least a portion of the body;
a connector tab extending from a base portion positioned at the first face to a distal end, the connector tab including a first surface having a plurality of contacts and a second surface opposite the first surface; and
a deformable seal positioned around a perimeter of the base portion of the connector tab, the seal including a protruding portion that extends towards a distal end of connector tab forming a step positioned along the first and second surfaces of the connector tab.

9. The plug connector of claim 8 wherein the deformable seal is in direct contact with both the body and the connector tab.

10. The plug connector of claim 8 wherein the deformable seal is positioned at least partially between the outer shell and the connector tab.

11. The plug connector of claim 8 wherein the deformable seal is disposed across a majority of the first face.

12. The plug connector of claim 8 wherein the deformable seal is secured to the body with an adhesive.

13. The plug connector of claim 8 wherein the deformable seal is formed from an elastomeric material having a hardness in a range between 5 and 80 Shore A.

14. The plug connector of claim 8 wherein the deformable seal extends away from the first face a distance between 0.25 and 2 millimeters.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Kasar Darshan R
• Stanley Craig M
• Flamholz David B
• Qian Phillip
• Lang Matthew E
• Toting Ferdinand S
• Jol Eric S
• Do Trent K
• Yamasaki Joel C
• Esmaeili Hani
• Van Nortwick Nathan A
• Blanco Richard J
• Lorman Jonathan C
• Wagman Daniel
• Huo Edward S

Classifications

• H01R24/00

  Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure (contact members H01R13/02; securing contact members in or to a base or case or insulating of contact members H01R13/40; bases or cases H01R13/46; means for supporting coupling part when not engaged H01R13/60; means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement H01R13/62; means for preventing, inhibiting or avoiding incorrect coupling H01R13/64) · CPC title

• H01R13/6691

  with built-in signalling means (H01R13/717 takes precedence) · CPC title

• H01R24/28

  Coupling parts carrying pins, blades or analogous contacts and secured only to wire or cable · CPC title

• H01R13/6683

  with built-in sensor · CPC title

• H01R13/717

  with built-in light source · CPC title