# US 6,796,813 B1 · Data storage or recording device and process for hermetically connecting a data recording and storage cartridge and receptacle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,796,813 B1 - Document ID: US6796813B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/588,728 - Filed: 2000-06-07 - Granted: 2004-09-28 - Earliest claimed: 1999-06-07 - Assignees: Enertec - Inventors: Jean-Louis L'Hermet - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6796813B1 ## CPC - H01R 13/2421: {using coil springs} - H01R 12/714: {with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit} - H01R 12/83: connected with pivoting of printed circuits or like after insertion - H01R 13/641: by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract The invention is data recording (and storage) device for use in a severe environment. A connection is made between a cartridge 40 comprising a data recording and storage means on its receptacle 30 by contact and not by insertion, and the contact is made for each electrical contact by the cooperation of a plug 10, mounted elastically by a means 11 on receptacle 30 and a stud 12, 16 or 18 mounted on cartridge 40. The invention also comprises a process for cartridge-receptacle engagement which ensures self-cleaning of contacts. The device is intended for use on airliners, combat aircraft, ships, helicopters, combat vehicles such as, for example, armored vehicles, spacecraft and similar equipment. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A data storage or recording device suitable for use in a severe environment, comprising a cartridge having a stud hermetically mounted on the cartridge and a receptacle having a plug, wherein, the cartridge is engageable in the receptacle, the receptacle is suspended by a shock absorber mounted in a box with a hood, and when engaged, the cartridge and the receptacle are electrically connected by the cooperation of the plug and the stud, said plug and said stud being connected by point contact and without lateral contact, wherein opening the hood disengages the shock absorber by engaging a means for temporarily and automatically locking the movement of the receptacle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge (40) comprises a data support. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the data support is a hard disk. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is suspended by multidirectional shock absorbers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising a plurality of plug and stud pairs, each plug and stud pair corresponding to one electrical contact between the cartridge and the receptacle. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the studs have a surface shape selected from concave, planar and convex. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the plugs (10) have a head with a rounded shape at the top. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a cushioning means (11), wherein the plugs are mounted elastically on the receptacle (30) by the cushioning means. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The device of claim 8, wherein the cushioning means (11) comprises a spring or a piston. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the plug is positioned in a plate (95) on the receptacle (30). ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the stud is positioned in a plate (95) on the cartridge (40). ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, comprising several zones of corresponding plugs and studs that are opposite each other when the cartridge is engaged in the receptacle. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the stud comprises a rod (45), the stud being mounted and positioned by said rod in an opening in a wall of the cartridge (40) by glass welding (4). ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The device of claim 13, further comprising a mold of protective material (60) deposited around a head (46) of the stud. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The device of claim 14, wherein the protective material comprises a resin. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the stud comprises a metal or an electrically-conducting alloy. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, further comprising a metal coating on the stud. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the metal coating comprises gold. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the cartridge (40) further comprises an integral clip (100), said clip comprising a groove (105) and wherein the receptacle (30) further comprises a protuberant part (120) that is integral with a U-shaped engagement piece (110, 140) which is integral with the receptacle (30), said groove and said protuberant part cooperating to form a tight fit when the cartridge is engaged in the receptacle. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The device of claim 19, wherein the clip engages the U-shaped engagement piece. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the protuberant part (120) is a cylindrical pin and the groove (105) is a semi-cylindrical groove adapted to tightly receive said pin. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The device according to claim 19, wherein the cartridge and the receptacle are engaged by resting the protuberant part (120) on the edge of the groove (105) and movement of the cartridge to contact the stud with the plug causes the protuberant part to roll in to the center of the groove. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the contact surfaces of the plug and the stud are self cleaned during engagement of the cartridge in the receptacle. ### Claim 24 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein said receptacle being suspended in said box engages said absorber according to a movement of said hood. ### Claim 25 (depends on 1) The device according to claim 1, wherein the return force for the plugs (10) by the cushioning means (11) is about 1 N for each plug. ### Claim 26 (depends on 24) The device according to claim 24, further comprising a means for automatically cutting the electrical power supply to the cartridge when hood (70) is open. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The device according to claim 26, wherein the means for cutting the power supply comprises an opening detection contact means mounted on the hood (70) and on a portion of the box that contacts the hood and contains the receptacle (30). ### Claim 28 A data storage or recording device for a severe environment comprising a cartridge (40) and a suspended receptacle (30), wherein the cartridge and receptacle are electrically connected by the cooperation of a plug (10) mounted elastically on the receptacle (30) and a stud (12, 16, or 18) hermetically mounted on the cartridge (40) said plug (10) and said stud (12, 16, or 18) connected by contact and not by insertion, wherein the connection between cartridge (40) and receptacle (30) is made by a plurality of pairs of plugs (10) and studs (12, 16, or 18); said plugs (10) extending through the wall of the of the receptacle (30) and presenting a protuberant portion having a rounded shape; said plugs being mounted on a shock absorption and return means (11); said studs (12, 16, or 18) protruding through the walls of the cartridge (40) and presenting a slightly protuberant part; said cartridge (40) and said receptacle (30) further comprising engagement means capable of positioning said plugs (10) and said studs (12, 16, 18) opposite each other so as to make an effective electrical contact and to ensure the mechanical hold of the cartridge (40) in the receptacle (30); said plugs (10) and said studs (12, 16, or 18) generically adapted to cooperate and create an effective electrical contact when the receptacle (30) and cartridge (40) are engaged with one another; and wherein opening a hood (70) disengages a shock absorber (300) by engaging a means for temporarily and automatically locking the movement of the receptacle (30). ### Claim 29 (depends on 28) The device of claim 28, wherein each plug and stud pair corresponds to one electrical contact between the cartridge and the receptacle. ### Claim 30 (depends on 28) The device of claim 28, wherein the studs have a shape selected from concave, planar and convex. ### Claim 31 A process for hermetically connecting a data recording and storage cartridge (40) and a receptacle (30) for use in a severe environment, comprising contacting, without inserting a plug (10) mounted elastically on the receptacle (30) with a stud (12, 16, or 18) hermetically sealed on the cartridge (40) to form an electrical connection between said stud and said plug, wherein said receptacle (30) disengages a shock absorber (300) when a hood (70) is opened by engaging a means for temporarily and automatically locking the movement of the receptacle (30). ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The process according to claim 31, wherein the rod (45) of the stud is mounted and positioned in an opening in a wall of the cartridge (40) by glass welding (4). ### Claim 33 (depends on 31) The process of claim 31, wherein a mold of protective material (60) is deposited around a head (46) of the stud. ### Claim 34 (depends on 33) The process of claim 33, wherein the protective material comprises a resin. ### Claim 35 (depends on 31) The process of claim 31, wherein the contact is made during an engagement of the cartridge (40) into the receptacle (30). ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) The process according to claim 35, wherein the engagement comprises slidingly engaging a clip (100) comprising a groove (105) integral with the cartridge (40) into a U-shaped opening of an engagement piece (110, 140) of the receptacle (30), said engagement piece comprising a protuberant part (120), descendingly engaging the groove (105) to a position slightly askew of the protuberant part (120), positioning a contact face of the cartridge (40) with a contact face of the receptacle (30), and tightly fitting the protuberant part (120) into the groove (105). ### Claim 37 (depends on 36) The process according to claim 36, wherein the protuberant part (120) rests on an edge of the groove (105) after positioning the contact face of the cartridge (40) with the contact face of the receptacle (30), and the contacting of said stud and said plug causes the pin to roll in the center of the groove. ### Claim 38 (depends on 36) The process according to claim 36, wherein the engagement results in a self-cleaning of the surfaces of the pug and the stud.