Back to results
US 11,114,781 B1Granted
Sealed flexible printed circuit connector
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsEric B. Wankoff, Mahmoud R. Amini, Peter J. Cameron
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Connectors for connecting traces on one or more flexible circuit boards to traces on a printed circuit board. These connectors can include gaskets, potting material, and other structures or materials to seal electrical connections in the connector from moisture ingress to prevent damage. The connectors can be locked to secure the one or more flexible circuit board in place in the connector. The connectors can be unlocked and then opened to remove the flexible circuit boards to remove components or to rework the electronic device.
Claims24
A connector comprising:
- a plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end;
- a housing having a top surface, the top surface having one or more openings, the contacting portion for each of the plurality of contacts extending through the one or more openings and above the top surface;
- a gasket on the top surface of the housing and laterally surrounding the one or more openings in the top surface;
- a shell having a first arm extending along a first side and a second arm extending along a second side, the first arm terminating in a first prong, the second arm terminating in a second prong, the first prong and the second prong near a front of the connector, the shell further comprising a first raised portion;
- and
- a cover having a first arm, the first arm having a first dimple to fit in a first detent on a first side of the housing and a second arm, the second arm having a second dimple to fit in a second detent on the second side of the housing, the cover further having a first tab to fit under the first prong of the shell when the cover is in a locked position and a second tab to fit under the second prong of the shell when the cover is in the locked position, the cover further having a first extension to fit under the first raised portion when the cover is in the locked position.
3 more elements
A connector comprising:
- a plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end;
- a housing having a top surface, the top surface having one or more openings, the contacting portion for each of the plurality of contacts extending through the one or more openings and above the top surface;
- a gasket on the top surface of the housing and laterally surrounding the one or more openings in the top surface;
- a shell having a first arm extending along a first side and a second arm extending along a second side, the first arm terminating in a first prong, the second arm terminating in a second prong, the shell further comprising a first raised portion;
- and
- a cover having a first arm, the first arm having a first pivot structure, and a second arm, the second arm having a second pivot structure, wherein the first pivot structure and the second pivot structure allow the cover to rotate relative to the housing, the cover further having a first tab to fit under the first prong of the shell when the cover is in a locked position and a second tab to fit under the second prong of the shell when the cover is in the locked position, the cover further having a first extension to fit under the first raised portion when the cover is in the locked position.
3 more elements
A connector comprising:
- a first plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end;
- a second plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end;
- a housing having a top surface, the top surface having one or more first openings, the contacting portion for each of the first plurality of contacts extending through the one or more first openings and above the top surface, the top surface further having one or more second openings, the contacting portion for each of the second plurality of contacts extending through the one or more second openings and above the top surface;
- a first gasket on the top surface of the housing and laterally surrounding the one or more first openings in the top surface;
- a second gasket on the top surface of the housing and laterally surrounding the one or more second openings in the top surface;
- a shell having a first arm extending along a first side and a second arm extending along a second side, the first arm terminating in a first prong, the second arm terminating in a second prong, the first prong and the second prong near a front of the connector;
- and
- a cover having a first arm, the first arm having a first pivot structure, and a second arm, the second arm having a second pivot structure, wherein the first pivot structure and the second pivot structure allow the cover to rotate relative to the housing, the cover further having a first tab to fit under the first prong of the shell when the cover is in a locked position and a second tab to fit under the second prong of the shell when the cover is in the locked position,
- wherein the first pivot structure is a first dimple and the second pivot structure is a second dimple.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.