Waterproof board-to-board connectors
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorsMakiko K. Brzezinski, Tyler S. Bushnell, David I. Nazzaro
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Board-to-board connectors that may provide durable and reliable connections, may save board space, and may be easy to manufacture. One example may provide board-to-board connectors that provide durable connections by providing a seal between board-to-board plugs and receptacles. The seal may be an O-ring, gasket, or other seal. The seal may protect contacts on the board-to-board connectors from exposure to fluids, such as water or other corrosive fluids. This seal may provide a level of redundancy with one or more seals protecting a device from external fluids, such as a seal at or in the device enclosure.
Claims18
A board-to-board connector comprising:
- a board-to-board connector insert comprising a first plurality of contacts and a frame, wherein the frame has an upper surface, a surface perpendicular to the upper surface, and a notch in the surface perpendicular to the upper surface;
- a board-to-board connector receptacle comprising a corresponding second plurality of contacts, wherein the board-to-board connector receptacle is configured to be inserted into the frame of the board-to-board connector insert;
- and
- a seal between the board-to-board connector insert and the board-to-board connector receptacle, wherein the seal is an O-ring and the O-ring is located in the notch of the board-to-board connector insert.
An electronic device comprising:
- a first board comprising a first plurality of traces;
- a board-to-board receptacle attached to the first board, the board-to-board receptacle comprising a first plurality of contacts electrically connected to the first plurality of traces;
- a board-to-board insert inserted in the board-to-board receptacle, the board-to-board insert comprising a second plurality of contacts electrically connected to the first plurality of contacts;
- a seal between the board-to-board receptacle and the board-to-board insert, wherein the seal is a pressure-sensitive adhesive;
- and
- a second board attached to the board-to-board insert, the second board comprising a second plurality of traces electrically connected to the second plurality of contacts.
A method of manufacturing a board-to-board connector, the method comprising:
- molding a housing for a board-to-board connector at least partially around a plurality of contacts to form a board-to-board connector plug;
- forming a silicone ring on a shell;
- attaching the shell to the board-to-board connector plug;
- and
- piercing the silicone ring with contacts on a board-to-board connector receptacle to connect the board-to-board connector plug to the board-to-board connector receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.