Sealant-filled electrical connector and method for forming the same
AssigneeTyco Electronics Corporation
InventorsStephen Craig Tucker, David Michael King, Michael Ryan Stallings
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A sealant-filled connector assembly includes a socket having a plug cavity adapted to receive a connector plug and an environmental sealant (e.g., a gel). The connector assembly is provided with a passageway to facilitate installation of the sealant, a sealant reservoir to protect electrical leads thereof, a sealant trough to protect wire ends of an associated device connector, and/or specially configured interior cavity walls or a cavity engagement member to enhance adhesion between the sealant and the cavity. Specially configured interior cavity walls may include textured walls, bumps and/or ribs.
Claims14
A connector assembly for use with a connector plug and an environmental sealant, said connector assembly comprising:
- a socket including a plug cavity formed therein adapted to receive the plug, said plug cavity having first and second opposed interior side walls and first and second raised, inwardly projecting patterns on said first and second interior side walls, respectively, wherein said first and second raised patterns are adapted to enhance adhesion between the sealant and said socket.
A connector assembly for use with a connector plug and an environmental sealant, said connector assembly comprising a socket including:
- a plug cavity formed therein adapted to receive the plug, said plug cavity having an interior wall;
- and
- an engagement member separately formed from and mounted on said interior wall, said engagement member formed of a material providing enhanced adhesion with the sealant as compared to the material of said interior wall.
A connector assembly for use with a connector plug and an environmental sealant, said connector assembly comprising:
- a socket including:
- a plug cavity formed therein adapted to receive the plug along an insertion direction, said plug cavity having an interior wall and a plug cavity depth along said insertion direction;
- and
- a plurality of inwardly projecting, raised bumps on said interior wall, wherein each of said raised bumps extends transversely to said insertion direction and has a depth extent along said insertion direction that is less than said plug cavity depth.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.