Abstract:
A submersible electrical connector assembly ( 300 ) includes an electrical connector ( 301 ) mounted to a first substrate ( 309 ) where a second substrate ( 311 ) adjoins the first substrate ( 309 ). The second substrate ( 311 ) is comprised of a pliable material that acts as a seal. The first substrate and second substrate are positioned within a compartmentalized area of an electrical device housing for preventing water or other fluid from entering an aperture within the housing. Although water may inadvertently enter the electrical connector ( 301 ), the connector assembly ( 300 ) is substantially submersible since water is prevented from entering the housing ( 400 ) as used for an electronic device.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to electrical connectors and more particularly to audio connector assemblies that work to prevent the entry of water into an electronic device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Electrical connectors used with electronic devices such as cellular telephone, radio and MP3 players are typically used for connecting the device to various types of peripheral equipment and accessories. However, water intrusion though these electrical connectors into the device is a major mechanical issue leading to field returns of these products. Prior art  FIGS. 1 and 2 , illustrate a side sectional view of standard electrical connector assembly  100  where a connector body  101  is used in connection with a housing  103 . As best seen in  FIG. 1 , a dust cover or plug  104  is used to cover the opening in the housing  103  when not in use. A portion of the plug frictionally engages within the opening to prevent entry of dirt, dust, fluids or other airborne debris. 
         [0003]    As seen in prior art  FIG. 2 , when a male connector  105  or other jack is used with the connector body  101 , a gap  107  can be created between the body  101  and housing  103 . Moreover a space  109  may also open between the connector body  101  and the plug  105 . In the event the device were accidentally or intentionally submerged, this will directly expose any internal electronics  111  of the device so as to make the device inoperable. 
         [0004]    Those skilled in the art will also recognize that many differing types of connectors have been used which attempt to prevent the entry of liquids into electronic devices. Prior art  FIG. 3  illustrates a side sectional view of a connector assembly  200  and its association with the equipment housing. A connector body  201  is typically mounted within a housing  203 . A plug or cover  205  is used to seal an aperture  207  between the connector body  201  and the housing  203 . The connector body  201  is over-molded so as to create a seal  209  when the connector body is frictionally mounted within the housing  203 . One problem associated with this type of configuration is that these types of over molded connectors are costly to manufacture. Moreover, although this over molding process prevents water from contacting internal components through the use of a seal  209 , the over molded type of seal has a poor long term reliability especially when submerged in water or other fluids. If the electronic device is intentionally or accidentally submerged, water is likely to breach the seal  209  leading to an inoperative device. 
         [0005]    Thus, the problem with many of the approaches used in the prior art is that the connector are not intended to be submerged. Additionally, without an accompanying jack or plug, the opening in the connector will not prevent water from directly entering the electronic device. Accordingly, the need exists to provide a connector which overcomes these shortcomings that will act to prevent the entry of water and other liquids when directly submerged. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0006]    The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  are side sectional views of an electrical connector as used in the prior art. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is side sectional view of an alternative electrical connector as used in the prior art. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of submersible electrical connector assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the submersible electrical connector assembly as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the compartment and aperture used in connection with the submersible electrical connector assembly. 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the submersible electrical connector assembly installed in the compartment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of submersible electrical connector assembly with a cover over the cavity and loaded against the assembly. 
           [0014]      FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the submersible electrical connector assembly as shown in  FIG. 4  with a male connector inserted in the assembly. 
       
    
    
       [0015]    Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0016]    Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a submersible electrical connector assembly. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
         [0017]    In this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises . . . a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. 
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of submersible electrical connector assembly  300  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The electrical connector assembly  300  includes body or housing  301  connected with a cylindrical ring  303  forming an aperture  305 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that although the electrical connector as depicted in  FIG. 4  is a standard 9 mm connector, commonly used in the industry, any type of printed circuit (PC) mount connector having a similar configuration can be used. The connector assembly further includes one or more solder pads  307  which are electrically connected to traces (not shown) on a substrate  309  which may be standard FR-4 board or the like. 
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a bottom perspective view of the submersible electrical connector assembly as shown in  FIG. 4 . Under the substrate  309 , a adhesive type pad  311  is mounted to the surface of the substrate  309 . A material having a very high bonding capability is preferable for this type of application. The pad  311  is cut into a configuration allowing access to one or more pads  313  positioned on the substrate  309 . As shown herein, contact pins or other electrical connectors may be used to connect the pads  313  to electrical circuitry. 
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective view of the compartment and aperture used in connection with the submersible electrical connector assembly of the present invention. In order to prevent the entry of water through the connector assembly, an electrical device housing  400  includes a compartment  401  with is configured into a side portion  403  of the housing  400 . In this example, the compartment  401  is configured into a substantially cubical like configuration having a plurality of walls  405  surrounding a substantially flat bottom surface  407 . An aperture  409  is positioned within the bottom surface  407  which exposes one or more contacts  411  for connecting to pads  313  as seen in  FIG. 5 . It will be evident to those skilled in the art that any type of flex or zebra strip type connectors can be used to connect with the pad  313  to make an electrical connection. 
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the submersible electrical connector assembly  300  installed in the compartment  401 . In this configuration the adhesive  311  is sealed around the aperture  409  such that the connector body  301  and cylindrical ring  303  is positioned so that it faces though the opening in the compartment  401 . This allows the user of the device easy access to the submersible electrical connector assembly when connecting a peripheral device or accessory. 
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a top perspective view of submersible electrical connector assembly with a cover  413  over the compartment  401  and loaded against the walls  405  and bottom surface  407 . The cover  413  works to isolate the housing  301  and provide an attractive fit and finish for the device. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the cover  413  is not intended to seal the compartment  401  but merely acts as a cover to protect against dust or other debris from contacting the electrical connector assembly  300 . 
         [0023]    Finally,  FIG. 9  is a side sectional view of the submersible electrical connector assembly as shown in  FIGS. 6-8 . The side sectional view illustrates the compartment  401  formed with the walls  407  and bottom surface  407 . With a plug  500  connected within the housing  301 , even if the device were submerged in water, the water can enter the compartment  401  but would be prevented from entering the aperture  409  in view of the sealed connection between the adhesive pad  311  and the surface  407 . This would prevent water contacting both contact  411  or electrical components  413 . In addition, the perimeter seal  415  works to prevent water from entering around the perimeter of the housing of the electronic device. When the plug  500  is removed, then the dust cover  417  can be reinserted in the aperture formed in the side portion  403 . 
         [0024]    Thus, the present invention takes an off the shelf connector assembly and places it into a separate carrier board. The carrier board contains contacts pads opposite to the connector. An adhesive pad is used to attached this subassembly to the sealed radio. A cover is then placed over the subassembly for keeping the adhesive pad sealed to the radio. Contact is made to the subassembly via a standard compression connector (z-axis pad or battery style contacts). Although water is allowed to enter the electrical device housing, the water will not breach the housing of the device allowing the water to effect internal electronics. 
         [0025]    In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.