Gaskets for sealing spring-loaded contacts

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2020099162-A1
Application number	US-201816194260-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 16, 2018
Priority date	Sep 24, 2018
Publication date	Mar 26, 2020
Grant date	—

Abstract

Structures and methods for connector assemblies and their spring-loaded contacts that may resist corrosion, consume a minimal volume in an electronic device, and are readily manufactured.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A connector assembly comprising:
a connector assembly housing having a first passage and a second passage; a first spring-loaded contact in the first passage; a second spring-loaded contact in the second passage, wherein each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact comprise:
a barrel having a bottom surface at a first end and a front opening at a second end;
a plunger in the barrel and having a contacting portion extending from the front opening of the barrel and a top surface of the connector assembly housing; and
a spring between the bottom surface of the barrel and a back surface of the plunger; and
a first gasket around the plunger of the first spring-loaded contact; and a second gasket around the plunger of the second spring-loaded contact, wherein each of the first gasket and the second gasket comprises:
an outer ring located on the top surface of the connector assembly housing; and
an inner ring around the plunger of a corresponding spring-loaded contact.

2 . The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein each of the first gasket and the second gasket further comprise a bellows between the outer ring and the inner ring.

3 . The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the first gasket and the second gasket further comprise a recessed portion between the outer ring and the inner ring.

4 . The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact further comprise a barb around an outside surface of the barrel.

5 . The connector assembly of claim 2 wherein the plunger for each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact comprises a circumferential groove to accept the inner ring of the corresponding gasket.

6 . The connector assembly of claim 1 wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are formed of silicone.

7 . An electronic device comprising:
a device enclosure at least partially housing the electronic device; a connector assembly housing located in the device enclosure and having a first passage and a second passage; a first spring-loaded contact in the first passage; a second spring-loaded contact in the second passage, wherein each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contacts comprise:
a barrel having a bottom surface at a first end and a front opening at a second end;
a plunger in the barrel and having a contacting portion extending from the front opening of the barrel, a top surface of the connector assembly housing, and a surface of the device enclosure; and
a spring between the bottom surface of the barrel and a back surface of the plunger; and
a first gasket around the plunger of the first spring-loaded contact; and a second gasket around the plunger of the second spring-loaded contact, wherein each of the first gasket and the second gasket comprises:
an outer ring located on the top surface of the connector assembly housing; and
an inner ring around the plunger of a corresponding spring-loaded contact.

8 . The electronic device of claim 7 wherein the device enclosure substantially houses the electronic device.

9 . The electronic device of claim 8 wherein each of the first gasket and the second gasket further comprise a bellows between the outer ring and the inner ring.

10 . The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the first gasket and the second gasket further comprise a recessed portion between the outer ring and the inner ring.

11 . The electronic device of claim 8 wherein each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact further comprise a barb around an outside surface of the barrel.

12 . The electronic device of claim 8 wherein the plunger for each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact comprises a circumferential groove to accept the inner ring of the corresponding gasket.

13 . The electronic device of claim 7 wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are formed of silicone.

14 . A connector assembly comprising:
a connector assembly housing having a first passage; a first spring-loaded contact in the first passage, wherein the first spring-loaded contact comprises:
a barrel having a bottom surface at a first end and a front opening at a second end;
a plunger in the barrel and having a contacting portion extending from the front opening of the barrel and a top surface of the connector assembly housing; and
a spring between the bottom surface of the barrel and a back surface of the plunger; and
a first gasket around the plunger of the first spring-loaded contact, wherein the first gasket comprises:
an outer edge located on the top surface of the connector assembly housing;
an inner edge around the plunger of a corresponding spring-loaded contact; and
a recess between the outer edge and the inner edge.

15 . The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein the connector assembly housing further comprises a second passage, and further comprising:
a second spring-loaded contact in the second passage and comprising a plunger in a barrel.

16 . The connector assembly of claim 15 further comprising a second gasket around the plunger of the second spring-loaded contact.

17 . The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein the first gasket and the second gasket are formed of silicone.

18 . The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact further comprise a barb around an outside surface of the barrel.

19 . The connector assembly of claim 16 wherein the plunger for each of the first spring-loaded contact and the second spring-loaded contact comprises a circumferential groove to accept the inner edge of the corresponding gasket.

20 . The connector assembly of claim 14 wherein the recess comprises a bellows.

Assignees

• Apple Inc

Inventors

• Tziviskos George

Classifications

• H01R13/521 Primary

  Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert · CPC title

• H01R13/2421

  using coil springs · CPC title

• H01R13/17 Primary

  with spring member on the pin · CPC title

• H01F7/02

  Permanent magnets {[PM]} · CPC title

• H01R13/15

  Pins, blades or sockets having separate spring member for producing or increasing contact pressure · CPC title