# US 2026/0100532 A1 · 3D Printed Connector With Interlocking Seal > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2026/0100532 A1 - Document ID: US20260100532A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 18/905,269 - Filed: 2024-10-03 - Published: 2026-04-09 - Earliest claimed: 2024-10-03 - Assignees: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH - Applicants: TE Connectivity Solutions GmbH - Inventors: Xiaoming LUO; Kevin Michael THACKSTON; Andrew MORRIS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260100532A1 ## CPC - H01R 13/111: {co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section} - H01R 43/18: for manufacturing bases or cases for contact members - B29C 45/1676: {using a soft material and a rigid material, e.g. making articles with a sealing part} - B33Y 10/00: Processes of additive manufacturing - B33Y 80/00: Products made by additive manufacturing - H01R 13/03: characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials - H01R 13/514: composed as a modular blocks or assembly, i.e. composed of co-operating parts provided with contact members or holding contact members between them - H01R 13/5221: {having cable sealing means} - H01R 13/5202: {Sealing means between parts of housing or between housing part and a wall, e.g. sealing rings} - H01R 13/521: {Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert} - H01R 13/5216: {characterised by the sealing material, e.g. gels or resins} - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS - B29C: SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING (making preforms B29B11/00; making laminated products by combining previously unconnected layers which become one product whose layers will remain together B32B37/00 - B32B41/00) - B33Y: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING, i.e. MANUFACTURING OF THREE-DIMENSIONAL [3D] OBJECTS BY ADDITIVE DEPOSITION, ADDITIVE AGGLOMERATION OR ADDITIVE LAYERING, e.g. BY 3D PRINTING, STEREOLITHOGRAPHY OR SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING ## Abstract An electrical connector assembly having a printed housing having a first end and a second end. One or more elastomer receiving recesses are provide in the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end. Elastomer material is provided in the one or more elastomer receiving recesses. The elastomer is interlocked with the one or more elastomer receiving recesses and the printed housing creating interlocking joints. The interlocking joints between the elastomer material and the housing permanently attach the elastomeric material to the housing. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An electrical connector assembly comprising: a printed housing having a first end and a second end; one or more elastomer receiving recesses provide in the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end; elastomer material provided in the one or more elastomer receiving recesses, the elastomer being interlocked with the one or more elastomer receiving recesses and the printed housing creating interlocking joints; wherein the interlocking joints between the elastomer material and the housing permanently attach the elastomeric material to the housing. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more elastomer receiving recesses include one or more slots. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more slots have a T-shape, with narrow portions extending from the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end, and wide portions extending from the narrow portion. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 3, wherein shoulders are provided where the narrow portions intersects the wide portions. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 4, wherein the shoulders extend in a plane which is essentially parallel to the plane of the first end. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the one or more slots are positioned proximate an outer circumference of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the one or more slots include a continuous circular slot which extends about the longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 8 (depends on 5) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 5, wherein the one or more slots include a center elastomer or slot positioned along a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material has a first portion which abuts the first end of the housing and a second portion which abuts the second end of the housing. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the elastomeric material is a silicone rubber. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more elastomer receiving recesses are passages extend from the first end to the second end. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 11, wherein the elastomeric material has a first portion which abuts the first end of the housing, a second portion which abuts the second end of the housing, and a third portion which is provided in the passages. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing has a first raised portion which extends from the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end, the one or more elastomer receiving recesses provided in the first raised portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 13, wherein the one or more slots have a C-shape, with a shoulder which extends in a plane which is essentially parallel to a plane of the first surface. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 14, wherein the first raised portion and the one or more elastomer receiving recesses are positioned proximate the outer circumference of the housing. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein a second raised circular portion which extends from the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end, the one or more elastomer receiving recesses provided in the second raised portion. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 15, wherein the second raised portion extends about a longitudinal axis of the housing. ### Claim 18 (depends on 2) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein the one or more slots has an arcuate shape, with a narrow portion extending from the first end, and a wide portion extending from the narrow portion in a direction away from the first end, projections are provided at the narrow portion proximate the first surface. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the one or more elastomer receiving recesses are provide proximate the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end, the one or more elastomer receiving recesses are positioned below the surface of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The electrical connector assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein a longitudinal axis of the one or more elastomer receiving recesses extends in a plane which is essentially parallel to the plane of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end, at least one opening extends from the one or more elastomer receiving recesses through the of the first end, the second end, or both the first end and the second end.