Patent Publication Number: US-10763612-B1

Title: Electronic connector sealing system

Description:
GOVERNMENT INTERESTS 
     This invention was made with Government support under Contract No.: DE-NA0002839 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic circuits often include electronic connectors having pins and a connector gasket at the base of the pins. The electronic connectors are typically capped or masked as the electronic circuits are cleaned via surface mount aqueous cleaning, spray cleaning, and the like. Such cleaning often involves a cleaning solution and/or high pressure spray, which infiltrates around the cap or mask, resulting in unintended removal, dislodging, or delamination of the connector gasket. Cleaning solutions also cause pin damage and internal corrosion of and undesirable material interactions with the electronic connectors. The pins can also be damaged from electric shocks generated by static buildup (e.g., via tribocharging) in insulating features such as rubber gaskets. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention solve the above-mentioned problems and other problems. More particular, the invention provides an electronic connector sealing system that more effectively protects a connector gasket and pins of an electronic connector of an electronic circuit as the electronic circuit is being cleaned and prevents electrical shocks to the pins. 
     An embodiment of the present invention is an electronic connector sealing system for sealing a female end of an electronic connector. The electronic connector sealing system broadly includes a holder, a gasket frame, a gasket, a top plate, a plurality of inner fasteners, and a plurality of outer fasteners. 
     The holder includes a top surface, a bottom surface, a ledge, an open slot, and left and right anchor holes. The holder may be U-shaped for positioning the electronic connector in the open slot in cradling engagement with the holder. The top surface contacts the gasket frame and may be substantially flat with the left and right anchor holes extending downward from the top surface. 
     The ledge extends at least partially around the open slot and contacts or abuts bottom surfaces of flanges of the electronic connector so as to at least partially surround a lower section of the electronic connector. The ledge may be a flange, a protrusion, a shelf, a boss, or any other suitable structure. A thickness of the ledge (i.e., a distance between a top of the ledge and the bottom surface of the holder) may be slightly smaller than a distance between the bottom surfaces of the flanges and a lower surface of the electronic connector so that a cleaning solution can pass between the holder and a printed circuit board (PCB) or printed wafer board (PWB) and interact with solder joints electronically connecting the electronic connector to the PCB or PWB. 
     The left and right anchor holes extend downward from the top surface of the holder for receiving distal ends of the outer fasteners therein. The left and right anchor holes may have helical threads for tightening bolts, screws, or the like. 
     The gasket frame includes a central aperture, a number of inner fastener through-holes, and left and right outer fastener through-holes. The gasket frame is configured to abut the top surface of the holder and may be a flat plate, a tab, a ring, or any other suitable structure. 
     The central aperture may be a large rectangular through-hole configured to receive at least a portion of the connector skirt of the electronic connector (and/or at least a portion of the gasket) at least partially therethrough. The central aperture may be slightly smaller than the gasket so that outer portions of the gasket overlay the gasket frame while the gasket covers the central aperture. 
     The inner fastener through-holes align with inner fastener through-holes of the top plate for receiving the inner fasteners therethrough. The spacing and positions of the inner fastener through-holes ensure that the gasket is evenly pressed between the gasket frame and the top plate. The outer fastener through-holes align with the anchor holes of the holder and outer fastener through-holes of the top plate for receiving the outer fasteners therethrough. 
     The gasket may be a rubber seal such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe rubber and may be substantially rectangular. The gasket may be slightly larger than the aperture of the gasket frame so that outer portions of the gasket overlay the gasket frame while the gasket covers the central aperture. The gasket engages a female connector skirt of the electronic connector and forms a seal therewith. 
     The top plate includes a gasket recess, a number of inner fastener through-holes, and left and right outer fastener through-holes. The top plate is configured to abut the gasket frame opposite the holder and may be a flat plate, a tab, a cap, or any other suitable structure. 
     The gasket recess extends into a lower surface of the top plate and at least partially receives the gasket therein. The gasket recess aligns the gasket over the central aperture of the gasket frame. To that end, the gasket recess may have a similar shape as the gasket. 
     The inner fastener through-holes of the top plate align with the inner fastener through-holes of the gasket frame and may be threaded for anchoring top ends of the inner fasteners. The spacing and positions of the inner fastener through-holes of the top plate ensure that the gasket is evenly pressed between the gasket frame and the top plate. The outer fastener through-holes of the top plate align with the outer fastener through-holes of the gasket frame and the anchor holes of the holder for receiving the outer fasteners therethrough. 
     The electronic connector sealing system forms a seal with the female connector skirt of the electronic connector via the gasket so as to prevent aqueous cleaner and/or high pressure spray from removing, dislodging, or delaminating the connector gasket or damaging pins of the electronic connector. The electronic connector sealing system also allows for surface mount cleaning around the electronic connector via the vertical gap below the holder. The electronic connector sealing system can also be used with electronic connectors of different sizes and shapes. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments and the accompanying drawing figures. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES 
       Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an electronic connector sealing system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a bottom perspective view of the electronic connector sealing system of claim  1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a front cutaway elevation view of the electronic connector sealing system of claim  1 ; and 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective exploded view of the electronic connector sealing system of claim  1 . 
     
    
    
     The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following detailed description of the invention references the accompanying drawings that illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe aspects of the invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. Other embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. 
     In this description, references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” mean that the feature or features being referred to are included in at least one embodiment of the technology. Separate references to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, or “embodiments” in this description do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and/or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For example, a feature, structure, act, etc. described in one embodiment may also be included in other embodiments, but is not necessarily included. Thus, the current technology can include a variety of combinations and/or integrations of the embodiments described herein. 
     Turning now to the drawing figures, an electronic connector sealing system  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is illustrated. The electronic connector sealing system  10  broadly comprises a holder  12 , a gasket frame  14 , a gasket  16 , a top plate  18 , a plurality of inner fasteners  20 A-D, and a plurality of outer fasteners  22 A,B. 
     The electronic connector sealing system  10  may be used to seal an electronic connector  100  having a lower section  102 , an upper section  104 , left and right flanges  106 A,B, a plurality of connector pins  108 , and a connector gasket  110 . The lower section  102  may include a lower surface  112 , a circumferential groove  114 , and a pin bed  116 . The lower surface  112  may be positioned near a PCB, a PWB, another electronic connector, or the like. The circumferential groove  114  may engage with clips, fasteners, solder, securement geometry, and the like. The pin bed  116  anchors the connector pins  108  and may be recessed from the lower surface  112 . 
     The upper section  104  may include a female connector skirt  118  that encircles the connector pins  108 . The female connector skirt  118  may be substantially rectangular, trapezoidal, or any other suitable shape. Alternatively, socketed pins may be used. 
     The flanges  106 A,B extend laterally from left and right sides of the electronic connector  100  and each includes a fastener through-hole  120  and a bottom surface  122  that will be abutted by a ledge of the holder  12  as described below. 
     The connector pins  108  extend vertically from below the lower section  102  into the upper section  104  so as to be encircled by the connector skirt  118 . The connector pins  108  are configured to be electronically connected to circuit leads, circuit traces, and/or vias on the PWB or PCB, wires, or other electronic connectors. In one embodiment, the electronic connector  100  includes 51 connector pins although any number of connector pins, electronic contacts, and the like may be used. 
     The connector gasket  110  surrounds the connector pins  108  in the upper section  104  and may be Silicone or any other suitable non-conductive material. The connector gasket  110  protects the connector pins  108  and helps keep them separated. The connector gasket  110  may also have electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding properties. The connector gasket  110  may be secured in place via an adhesive such as RTV  732  sealant or the like. 
     The holder  12  includes a top surface  24 , a bottom surface  26 , a ledge  28 , an open slot  30 , and left and right anchor holes  32 A,B. The holder  12  may be U-shaped for positioning the electronic connector  100  in the open slot  30  in cradling engagement with the holder  12 . The top surface  24  contacts the gasket frame  14  and may be substantially flat with the left and right anchor holes  32 A,B extending downward from the top surface  24 . The bottom surface  26  opposes the top surface  24 . 
     The ledge  28  extends at least partially around the open slot  30  and contacts or abuts the bottom surfaces  122  of the flanges  106 A,B of the electronic connector  100  so as to at least partially surround the lower section  102  of the electronic connector  100 . The ledge  28  may be a flange, a protrusion, a shelf, a boss, or any other suitable structure. A thickness of the ledge  28  (i.e., a distance between a top of the ledge  28  and the bottom surface  26  of the holder  12 ) may be slightly smaller than a distance between the bottom surfaces  122  of the flanges  106 A,B and the lower surface  112  of the electronic connector  100  so that a cleaning solution can pass between the holder  12  and the PCB or PWB and interact with solder joints electronically connecting the electronic connector  100  to the PCB or PWB. That is, when the holder  12  is cradling the electronic connector  100 , the lower surface  112  of the electronic connector  100  extends below the bottom surface  26  of the holder  12 . In one embodiment, a vertical gap of approximately 0.025 inches is formed below the holder  12  when it cradles the electronic connector  100 . 
     The open slot  30  receives the electronic connector  100  from a front side or a top of the holder  12 . The open slot  30  may be at least partially shaped complementary to a shape of the electronic connector  100  or may have a universal shape for receiving electronic connectors of various shapes. 
     The left and right anchor holes  32 A,B extend downward from the top surface  24  of the holder  12  for receiving distal ends of the outer fasteners  22 A,B therein. The left and right anchor holes  32 A,B may have helical threads for tightening bolts, screws, or the like. Although only one anchor hole is shown for each side, any number of anchor holes may be used. 
     The gasket frame  14  includes a central aperture  34 , a number of inner fastener through-holes  36 A-D, and left and right outer fastener through-holes  38 A,B. The gasket frame  14  is configured to abut the top surface  24  of the holder  12  and may be a flat plate, a tab, a ring, or any other suitable structure. The gasket frame  14  may have left and right tapered ends. 
     The central aperture  34  may be a large rectangular through-hole configured to receive at least a portion of the electronic connector (and/or at least a portion of the gasket  16 ) at least partially therethrough. The central aperture  34  may be slightly smaller than the gasket  16  so that outer portions of the gasket  16  overlay the gasket frame  14  while the gasket  16  covers the central aperture  34 . 
     The inner fastener through-holes  36 A-D align with inner fastener through-holes of the top plate  18 . Although four inner fastener through-holes are shown, any number of inner fasteners (and hence any number of inner fastener through-holes) may be used. The inner fastener through-holes  36 A-D ensure that the gasket  16  is evenly pressed between the gasket frame  14  and the top plate  18 . This prevents leak points from forming around the gasket  16 . In one embodiment, the inner fastener through-holes  36 A-D are countersunk from below for receiving upward facing countersunk fasteners. 
     The outer fastener through-holes  38 A,B align with outer fastener through-holes of the top plate  18  and the anchor holes  32 A,B of the holder  12  for receiving the outer fasteners  22 A,B therethrough. Although only two outer fastener through-holes are shown, any number of outer fasteners (and hence any number of outer fastener through-holes) may be used. 
     The gasket  16  may be a rubber seal such as electrostatic discharge (ESD) safe rubber and may be substantially rectangular. The gasket  16  may be slightly larger than the aperture  34  of the gasket frame  14  so that outer portions of the gasket  16  overlay the gasket frame  14  while the gasket  16  covers the central aperture  34 . 
     The top plate  18  includes a gasket recess  40 , a number of inner fastener through-holes  42 A-D, and left and right outer fastener through-holes  44 A,B. The top plate  18  is configured to abut the gasket frame  14  opposite the holder  12  and may be a flat plate, a tab, a cap, or any other suitable structure. The top plate  18  may have left and right tapered ends. 
     The gasket recess  40  extends into a lower surface of the top plate  18  and at least partially receives the gasket  16  therein. The gasket recess  40  aligns the gasket  16  over the central aperture  34  of the gasket frame  14 . To that end, the gasket recess  40  may have a similar shape as the gasket  40 . 
     The inner fastener through-holes  42 A-D align with the inner fastener through-holes  36 A-D of the gasket frame  14 . The inner fastener through-holes  42 A-D may be threaded for anchoring top ends of the inner fasteners  20 . Although four inner fastener through-holes are shown, any number of inner fasteners (and hence any number of inner fastener through-holes) may be used. The inner fastener through-holes  42 A-D ensure that the gasket  16  is evenly pressed between the gasket frame  14  and the top plate  18 . This prevents leak points from forming around the gasket  16 . 
     The outer fastener through-holes  44 A,B align with the outer fastener through-holes  38 A,B of the gasket frame  14  and the anchor holes  32 A,B of the holder  12  for receiving the outer fasteners  22 A,B therethrough. Although only two outer fastener through-holes are shown, any number of outer fasteners (and hence any number of outer fastener through-holes) may be used. 
     The inner fasteners  20 A-D are configured to be inserted upward through the inner through-holes  36 A-D of the gasket frame  14  and into the inner through-holes  42 A-D of the top plate  18  so as to secure the gasket frame  14 , the gasket  16 , and the top plate  18  together. The inner fasteners  20 A-D may be countersunk bolts, screws, pins, clips, or any other suitable fasteners. 
     The outer fasteners  22 A,B are configured to be inserted downward through the outer fastener through-holes  44 A,B of the top plate  18  and the outer fastener through-holes  38 A,B of the gasket frame  14 , and into the anchor holes  32 A,B of the holder  12 . The outer fasteners  22 A,B may be bolts, screws, pins, clips, or any other suitable fasteners. 
     The above-described electronic connector sealing system  10  provides several advantages. For example, the electronic connector sealing system  10  forms a seal with the female connector skirt  118  of the electronic connector  100  via the gasket  16  so as to prevent aqueous cleaner and/or high pressure spray from removing, dislodging, or delaminating the connector gasket  110  or damaging the pins  108 . The electronic connector sealing system  10  also allows for surface mount cleaning around the electronic connector  100  via the vertical gap below the holder  12 . The electronic connector sealing system  10  can also be used with electronic connectors of different sizes and shapes. The electronic connector sealing system  10  also reduces static buildup and thus prevents electrical shock damage to the connector pins  108 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims. 
     Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: