PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9033739-B2
Application Number: US-201213608332-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Techniques for shielding connectors that allow for conformal coating against corrosion

Abstract:
An electronic device including a connector. The connector includes a housing defining a cavity for receiving a mating connector. The housing includes a contact support member. The connector also includes contacts supported by the contact support member, the contacts including protruding portions that protrude outside of the cavity. The connector may also include a shielding element disposed over the protruding portion of at least some of the contacts. A moisture sealant may be disposed within a gap located between the contacts and the shielding element. In one embodiment, a cap may be provided between the housing and the shielding. The cap and the housing may each include an aperture for viewing a moisture indicator, and at least one of the cap and the housing may include cutouts for holding a transparent element.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity having an opening for receiving a mating connector, the housing including a contact support member for supporting a plurality of contacts and a rear surface located opposite the opening; 
 a plurality of contacts supported by the contact support member, the plurality of contacts including protruding portions that protrude outside of the cavity; 
 a shielding element disposed over the protruding portion of at least some of the contacts and disposed over at least a portion of the rear surface of the housing defining a gap between the shielding element and the housing; and 
 a cap disposed within the gap, the cap being operable to reduce moisture ingress through the connector and to insulate the plurality of contacts from the shielding element. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the shielding element is not disposed over at least one of the contacts. 
     
     
       3. The connector of  claim 1 , wherein the housing includes a top surface arranged perpendicular to the rear surface, the plurality of contacts extend along a portion of the rear surface of the housing and the protruding portions protrude from the rear surface in a direction opposite the cavity, and the shielding element extends along the rear surface of the housing in a direction from the top surface of the housing. 
     
     
       4. The connector of  claim 3 , wherein the shielding element includes portions that terminate before reaching the protruding portions of a first subset of the contacts and includes portions that extend over the protruding portions of a second subset of the contacts. 
     
     
       5. The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the portions of the shielding element that extend over the protruding portions of the second subset of contacts are equally spaced from one another. 
     
     
       6. The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the portions of the shielding element that extend over the protruding portions of the second subset of contacts are disposed over contacts that communicate information at a higher data rate than other contacts. 
     
     
       7. The connector of  claim 4 , wherein the shielding element includes a pair of recesses located at opposite sides of each portion of the shielding element that extends over a protruding portion of a contact. 
     
     
       8. The connector of  claim 4 , wherein portions of the shielding element that terminate before reaching the protruding portions of contacts are located between portions of the shielding element that extend over protruding portions of contacts. 
     
     
       9. A connector comprising:
 a housing defining a cavity for receiving a mating connector, the housing including a contact support member for supporting a plurality of contacts and further including a rear surface located opposite to surfaces defining the cavity; 
 a shielding element disposed over at least a portion of the rear surface of the housing and defining a gap between the shielding element and the housing; 
 a plurality of contacts, a first portion of the plurality of contacts being supported by the contact support member, and a second portion of the plurality of contacts extending adjacent the rear surface of the housing and within the gap; and 
 a moisture sealant disposed within the gap, the moisture sealant sealing at least portions of the gap between the contacts and the shielding element. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 9 , further comprising a cap arranged between the housing and the shielding element, the cap being operable to reduce moisture ingress through the connector and insulate the contacts from the shielding element. 
     
     
       11. The connector of  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the cap and the housing includes a channel for receiving at least some of the moisture sealant. 
     
     
       12. The connector of  claim 11 , wherein the housing includes a top surface arranged perpendicular to the rear surface and an aperture for receiving the first portion of the contacts, and the channel is located between the top surface and the aperture. 
     
     
       13. The connector of  claim 11 , wherein the channel extends along a direction in which the contacts are arranged. 
     
     
       14. The connector of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the moisture sealant is disposed within the channel. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a display for displaying information to a user; 
 an input element for receiving inputs from the user; 
 a connector for electrically connecting to other electronic devices, the connector including:
 a housing defining a cavity for receiving a mating connector, the housing including a contact support member for supporting a plurality of contacts, the housing further including a rear surface located opposite to surfaces defining the cavity and a top surface arranged perpendicular to the rear surface; 
 a plurality of contacts supported by the contact support member, the plurality of contacts including a first portion supported by the contact support member, a second portion extending along the rear surface of the housing, and a third portion extending from the second portion in a direction away from the cavity; 
 a shielding element including a first portion disposed over the top surface of the housing and a second portion extending from the top surface of the housing and over the second portion of the contacts, the second portion including portions that terminate before the third portion of the contacts and including portions that extend over the third portion of the contacts; and 
 a moisture sealant arranged between the second portion of the contacts and the shielding element, and a cap arranged between the shielding element and portions of the rear surface of the housing over which the second portion of the contacts does not extend. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The connector of  claim 15 , wherein the housing includes an aperture passing through the rear surface of the housing and the cap includes an aperture aligned with the aperture of the housing, and the aperture of the cap includes a portion sized larger than the aperture of the housing for receiving a transparent element. 
     
     
       17. The connector of  claim 1  further comprising a moisture indicator bonded to the cap such that a surface of the moisture indicator is exposed to an aperture of the cap, the moisture indicator being operable to provide an indication of moisture infiltration in response to contact with moisture. 
     
     
       18. The connector of  claim 17  further comprising an aperture disposed in the housing for viewing the moisture indicator via the cavity and at least one of the housing and the cap includes cutouts for holding a transparent element. 
     
     
       19. The connector of  claim 10  further comprising a moisture indicator bonded to the cap such that a surface of the moisture indicator is exposed to an aperture of the cap, the moisture indicator being operable to provide an indication of moisture infiltration in response to contact with moisture. 
     
     
       20. The connector of  claim 19  further comprising an aperture disposed within the shielding element for viewing the moisture indicator.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/532,651, filed Sep. 9, 2011, and entitled “ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a receptacle (female) or plug (male) connector. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a connector with EMI or other interference shielding and/or a moisture infiltration indication system that may be incorporated into electronic devices, cables for connecting electronic devices, etc. 
     Numerous types of electrical connectors for interconnecting electronic devices exist in the art. Such connectors typically include two connectors that may mate with one another, such as a receptacle connector and a plug connector. The plug connector may engage the receptacle connector for establishing an electrical connection between pin-shaped contacts arranged in each connector. The connectors may be used in a variety of products. For example, a cable may have both a receptacle connector and a plug connector located at opposite ends of the cable. For another example, an electronic device may include one or more of a receptacle connector and a plug connector. 
     With increasing speeds of data being communicated via the contacts, the susceptibility of the data being communicated over the contacts to errors due to electromagnetic or other types of radiation received at the connector is also increasing. Similarly, with the increasing density and complexity of electronic devices to which connectors are embedded, the susceptibility of other components of the electronic devices to error as a result of electromagnetic radiation emitted from the connector is also increasing. 
     Further, electronic devices (and sometimes cables) are often highly sensitive to moisture. A common destructive point of entry for moisture into the device (or cable) is often at the connector since the contacts typically provide a direct path to moisture-sensitive circuitry located within the device. Although electronic devices are highly sensitive to moisture infiltration, it is difficult to determine, after a device becomes inoperable, whether the device failure is due to moisture infiltration or some other reason. It is often important to determine whether the device failure is due to moisture infiltration as such a cause of failure may render a manufacturer&#39;s warranty void. 
     It would therefore be desirable to provide connectors (male or female, provided in electronic devices or elsewhere) that reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI) and/or other types of interference, increase the resilience of the device or cable to moisture exposure, and provide an ability to detect moisture infiltration. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the present invention generally concern connectors, where the connector may be included in a portable electronic device. The connector may include a housing that defines a cavity for receiving a mating connector (e.g., where the connector is a male connector, the housing may define a cavity for receiving a female connector, and where the connector is a female connector, the housing may define a cavity for receiving a male connector). The housing may also include a tongue that protrudes into the cavity. The connector may also include a plurality of contacts for establishing communications with corresponding contacts of the mating connector. The contacts may be operable to communicate electrical, optical, or other types of signals. The contacts may include a portion that is supported by the tongue and physically contact the corresponding contacts of the mating connector when the connectors are engaged with one another. The contacts may include another portion that extends outside of the cavity and which may be bonded to a printed circuit board of the electronic device, or may be bonded to wires bound together in a cable. 
     In some embodiments, the connector may also include a shielding element extending entirely over only some of the contact portions that extend outside of the cavity. By extending entirely over some of the contact portions, an amount of electromagnetic or other types of radiation emitted from and induced onto the contacts may advantageously be reduced. Further, by not extending over some of the contact portions, a liquid moisture sealant may advantageously be wicked up a gap located between the pins and the shielding element so as to subsequently prevent ingress of moisture from the cavity defined by the housing into the electronic device or cable. 
     In one embodiment, the connector may include a cap arranged between the housing and the shielding element. The cap may advantageously electrically insulate the contacts from the shielding element, and may prevent moisture ingress. 
     In another embodiment, the connector may include a channel disposed proximate to the tongue of the housing. The channel may extend along at least some portions of the housing in the same direction in which the pins are arranged in the housing. By providing such a channel, when liquid moisture sealant is wicked into a gap located between the contacts and the shielding element, excess amounts of liquid moisture sealant may advantageously be wicked into the channel rather than onto a portion of the contact extending along the tongue of the housing. 
     For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of embodiments of the present invention, reference should be made to the ensuing detailed description and accompanying drawings. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and detailed description that follows. However, the scope of the invention will be fully apparent from the recitations of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a portable electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 1C  is an exploded perspective view showing components of the portable electronic device of  FIG. 1A . 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a top view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 2C  is a rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A . 
         FIG. 3A  shows a cross section along line A of the connector shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  shows a cross section along line A of the connector shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 3C  shows a cross section along line A of the connector shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 3D  shows a cross section along line A of the connector shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 3E  shows a cross section along line A of the connector shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 4A  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing a channel for receiving moisture sealant according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 4B  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing a channel for receiving moisture sealant according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 4C  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing a channel for receiving moisture sealant according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 5A  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5B  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 5C  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 5D  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 5E  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 5F  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a sixth embodiment. 
         FIG. 5G  is a simplified rear view of the connector shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of a shielding element relative to contacts according to a seventh embodiment. 
         FIG. 6A  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 6B  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a second embodiment. 
         FIG. 6C  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a third embodiment. 
         FIG. 6D  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a fourth embodiment. 
         FIG. 6E  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a fifth embodiment. 
         FIG. 6F  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a sixth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 6F . However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only as embodiments of the invention extend beyond these limited embodiments. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an electronic device  100  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Device  100  may be any suitable electronic device having an electrical connector. For example, device  100  may be a cellular phone, a media player (e.g., music player and/or video player), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a camera, a game player, a remote control, a global positioning system (GPS), a laptop computer, a netbook, a booklet, a slate, a convertible notebook, etc. In some embodiments, device  100  may be a hybrid of one or more of the aforementioned devices (such as a combination GPS and cellular phone). In one embodiment, device  100  may be cable having an electrical connector. For example, device  100  may be a cable having one or more wires, where one or more of the wires may be individually insulated and bundled together within an additional insulating sheath. One or more of the wires may be bonded (e.g., soldered) to the electrical connector, and the insulating sheath may also surround portions of the electrical connector. 
     Electronic device  100  as shown in  FIG. 1A  includes a housing  112 . Housing  112 , which is sometimes referred to as a case, may be formed of any suitable materials including, plastic, glass, ceramics, metal, or other suitable materials, or a combination of these materials. Device  100  may also have a display  116 . Display  116  may be a liquid crystal diode (LCD) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, or any other suitable display. The outermost surface of display  116  may be formed from one or more plastic or glass layers. If desired, touch screen functionality may be integrated into display  116  or may be provided using a separate touch pad device. 
     Device  100  may include input-output devices in addition or alternatively to display  116 . For example, electronic device  100  may have user input control devices such as button  119 , and input-output components such as receptacle connector  120  and one or more input-output jacks (e.g., for audio and/or video). Openings  122  and  124  may, if desired, form speaker and microphone ports. Opening  123  may also form a speaker port. 
     Receptacle connector  120 , which may sometimes be referred to as a port, dock connector, 30-pin data port connector, input-output port, or bus connector, may be used as an input-output port (e.g., when connecting device  100  to a mating dock connected to a computer or other electronic device). Receptacle connector  120  may contain pins for receiving data and power signals. Receptacle connector  120  may include power pins to recharge a battery within device  100  or to operate device  100  from a direct current (DC) power supply, data pins to exchange data with external components such as a personal computer or peripheral, audio-visual jacks to drive headphones, a monitor, or other external audio-video equipment, a subscriber identity module (SIM) card port to authorize cellular telephone service, a memory card slot, etc. 
       FIG. 1B  is a schematic diagram of the portable electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1A . As shown in  FIG. 1B , device  100  may include storage  134 . Storage  134  may include one or more different types of storage such as hard disk drive storage, nonvolatile memory (e.g., flash memory or other electrically-programmable-read-only memory), volatile memory (e.g., battery-based static or dynamic random-access-memory), etc. 
     Device  100  may also include processing circuitry  136 , which may be used to control the operation of device  100 . Processing circuitry  136  may be based on a processor such as a microprocessor and other suitable integrated circuits. With one suitable arrangement, processing circuitry  136  and storage  134  are used to run software on device  100 , such as internet browsing applications, voice-over-internet-protocol (VOIP) telephone call applications, email applications, media playback applications, operating system functions, etc. Processing circuitry  136  and storage  134  may be used in implementing suitable communications protocols, such as internet protocols, wireless local area network protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.11 protocols—sometimes referred to as Wi-Fi.RTM.), etc. 
     Device  100  may also include input-output devices  138 , which may be used to allow data to be supplied to device  100  and to allow data to be provided from device  100  to external devices. Display  116 , button  119 , microphone port  124 , speaker port  122 , and receptacle connector  120  are examples of input-output devices  138 . Other input-output devices  138  may include user input-output devices such as buttons, touch screens, joysticks, click wheels, scrolling wheels, touch pads, key pads, keyboards, microphones, cameras, etc; display devices such as liquid-crystal display (LCD) screens or other screens, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and other components that present visual information and status data; audio devices such as speakers and other devices for creating sound; and wireless communications devices such as radio-frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry, power amplifier circuitry, passive RF components, antennas, and other circuitry for handling RF wireless signals, etc. 
       FIG. 1C  is an exploded perspective view showing components of the portable electronic device  100  of  FIG. 1A . Assembly portion  160  (shown in its unassembled state in  FIG. 1C ) may include components such as cover  162 , touch sensitive sensor  164 , display unit  166 , and frame  168 . Cover  162  may be formed of glass or other suitable transparent materials (e.g., plastic, combinations of one or more glasses and one or more plastics, etc.). Display unit  166  may be, for example, a color liquid crystal display. 
     Assembly portion  170  (shown in its unassembled state in  FIG. 1C ) may include housing  112 . Housing  112  may be formed of plastic and/or other materials such as metal (e.g., metal alloys). Assembly portion  170  may also include one or more printed circuit boards such as printed circuit board (PCB)  172 . Assembly portion  170  may also include components such as microphone  176  for microphone port  124 , speaker  178  for speaker port  122 , and receptacle connector  120 , integrated circuits, a camera, ear speaker for port  123 , audio jack, buttons, SIM card slot, etc. 
     Device  100  contains numerous electronic components such as PCB  172 , integrated circuits (ICs) mounted on PCB  172 , display unit  166 , touch sensor  164 , a camera, etc. Various electronic components of device  100  are located in a close proximity to receptacle connector  120 , and thus in a close proximity to pin contacts arranged within receptacle connector  120 . Accordingly, electromagnetic radiation (or other types of radiation, such as optical radiation) from components such as those mounted on PCB  172  may interfere with currents (or information-carrying light or sound waves), and thus data, being communicated via the contacts arranged within receptacle connector  120 . Further, electromagnetic radiation (or other types of radiation) from currents (or other types of communication mediums, such as light waves or sound waves) being communicated via such contacts may also generate electromagnetic radiation (or other types of radiation) that may interfere with the operation of other components of device  100 , such as those mounted on PCB  172 . 
     It may also be apparent that while the components of device  100  are integrated into a single unit, receptacle connector  120  provides a relatively large opening in which moisture may infiltrate device  100 . Moisture that infiltrates device  100  via receptacle connector  120  may traverse along the contacts of receptacle connector  120  to contact internal components of the device  100  such as components mounted on PCB  172 . Such moisture infiltration may consequently render the device  100  inoperable, and be difficult to detect after the moisture has dried. 
     Electronic device  100  in certain embodiments includes various components such as a storage element  134 , processing circuitry  136 , and one or more input/output devices  138 . However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the electronic device could operate equally well by having fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in  FIGS. 1A to 1C . Thus, the depiction of electronic device  100  in  FIGS. 1A to 1C  should be taken as being illustrative in nature, and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 2A  is a profile view of a connector  200  according to an embodiment. Connector  200  may be any suitable type of connector for mechanically engaging another device or element and for communicating signals between the devices/elements. In one embodiment, signals may be communicated electrically. For example, connector  200  may be operable to receive electrical inputs and/or provide electrical outputs. In other embodiments, signals may be communicated optically. For example, connector  200  may be operable to receive optical inputs and/or provide optical outputs. In some embodiments, connector  200  is one or more of a video connector (e.g., BNC, DisplayPort™, DVI-D, HDMI, HD15, etc.), an audio connector (e.g., ¼ inch, 3.5 mm, banana plug, etc.), a USB connector (A-type, B-type, micro, etc.), a firewire connector (e.g., 4 pin, 6 pin, 9 pin, etc.), etc. In yet other embodiments, signals may be communicated using a combination of signal types. For example, connector  200  may be operable to communicate both electrical and optical signals. 
     In the embodiment discussed with reference to  FIG. 2A , connector  200  is a receptacle connector operable to receive a 30 pin connector such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,776,660, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to receptacle connectors nor connectors that are operable to receive a 30 pin connector. Rather, embodiments of the invention include plug connectors as well as other types of electrical connectors operable to communicate information over a variety of types of signals. In some embodiments, connector  200  is a dual-orientation connector such as any of those described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/556,692, filed Nov. 7, 2011, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/565,372, filed Nov. 30, 2011, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/694,423, titled “DUAL ORIENTATION ELECTRONIC CONNECTOR”, filed Aug. 29, 2012 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/357,200, titled “CONNECTORS FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICES”, filed Sep. 7, 2012 all of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety for all purposes. Connector  200  may also, in some embodiments, be an RS232 serial connector, a USB connector, an S-video connector, a VGA connector, an SDI connector, etc. 
     Connector  200  as shown in  FIG. 2A  includes a housing  202  defining a cavity for receiving a male connector. Connector  200  (and housing  202 ) may include a front surface  204  for receiving a male connector, side surfaces  206  arranged perpendicular to front surface  204  and disposed opposite one another, top surface  208  arranged perpendicular to front surface  204  and side surfaces  206 , bottom surface  210  arranged opposite top surface  208 , and rear surface  212  arranged opposite front surface  204 . Housing  202  may include a protruding portion or tongue (not shown) that extends into the cavity of the housing from rear surface  212 . 
     Housing  202  may be made of any suitable material, including conductive and/or non-conductive materials, and may be made from a single component or multiple components. In one embodiment, housing  202  is made from plastic or other solid material having low electrical conductivity. 
     Housing  202  may include a window  214  for viewing a moisture indicator (not shown). In one embodiment, window  214  is an aperture extending from the cavity through the rear surface  212  of the housing. In other embodiments, window  214  is an aperture extending from the cavity through one or more other surfaces of the housing, such as bottom surface  210 . Window  214  may have any suitable shape, including square, rectangular, circular, oval, etc., and may be of any suitable size to view the moisture indicator, such as 1 mm 2 , 2 mm 2 , 3 mm 2 , the range of 1 mm 2  to 3 mm 2 , less than 1 mm 2 , or greater than 3 mm 2 . 
     Connector  200  may also include a shielding element  216  for reducing the susceptibility of a connector (not shown) engaged with connector  200  to interference from radiation emitted by other components such as electrical components integrated on PCB  172  and/or reducing the amount of radiation emitted by connector  200  as a result of an electrical connection with an engaged male connector. 
     Shielding element  216  may be made of any suitable material for reducing interference from radiation emitted by other components. For example, shielding element  216  may be a sheet metal, a metal screen, a large crystalline grain structure foil or sheet metal, and/or a nanocrystalline grain structure ferromagnetic metal, and may be made of one or more suitable conductive and/or magnetic materials such as metals (e.g., copper, nickel, etc.), metal alloys (e.g., a nickel-iron alloy, a nickel-iron-copper-molybdenum alloy, etc.), etc. In some embodiments, shielding element  216  may also or alternatively be opaque or have light-absorbing properties. 
     Shielding element  216  may be shaped to substantially surround housing  202 . For example, shielding element  216  may cover substantial portions of side surfaces  206 , top surface  208 , bottom surface  210 , and rear surface  212 . By surrounding housing  202 , a resistance to interference from other components and the amount of radiation emitted from connector  200  may be significantly reduced. 
     Shielding element  216  may include various cutouts for exposing various portions of housing  202 . For example, shielding element  216  may include cutout  218  aligned with window  214  of housing  202 . Cutout  218  is an aperture extending through the body of shielding element  216 , and may extend through any suitable surface of shielding element  216  such as a top, side, rear, or bottom surface. Cutout  218  may be of any suitable size and shape, similar to window  214 , and may be arranged on a surface of housing  202  similar to window  214 . For example, cutout  218  may be shaped and sized so that at least a portion of window  214  is not covered by shielding element  216  or is otherwise exposed. In this fashion, a moisture indicator (not shown) may be arranged on a side of shielding element  216  opposite the cavity and proximate cutout  218  and window  214  so that the moisture indicator may be viewed from the cavity through housing  202  and through shielding element  216 . 
     Connector  200  may also include a plurality of contacts for engaging receptacle contacts of a mating connector. In one embodiment, the contacts may be in the shape of a pin, although other shapes as known in the art may be used. The contacts may be operable to communicate information therethrough using, for example, electricity, light, sound waves, or other communication medium. The contacts may be made of any suitable material for communicating different types of signal, such as a metal (e.g., copper, bronze, gold, etc.), metal alloy, glass, ceramic, etc. The contacts may each include a portion (not shown) supported by the protruding portion or tongue (not shown) of the housing  202 , and may also include an exposed portion  220  extending from the rear surface  212  of the housing  202 . A bottom surface of the exposed portion  220  of each contact may be communicatively coupled to (e.g., bonded to, contacted with, etc.) other electrical (or optical, etc.) components of the portable electronic device  100  such as PCB  172 . The exposed portion  220  of the contacts may be particularly susceptible to outside interference such as EMI and generate relatively large amounts of radiation such as electromagnetic radiation. 
     Shielding element  216  may extend along the rear surface  212  of the housing  202  to different lengths from the top surface  208 . In some portions, shielding element  216  may extend to but not over or past the exposed portion  220  of the contacts. In other portions, shielding element  216  may extend over and/or past the exposed portion  220  of the contacts. By extending over/past the exposed portion  220  of at least some of the contacts, the amount of radiation communicated by connector  200  is reduced, and the amount of interference induced onto the contacts of connector  200  is also reduced. 
       FIG. 2B  is a top view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A . From the top view, it is apparent that that shielding element  216  extends flush along the rear surface  212  of housing  202 . However, for portions of the shielding element  216  that extend over or past protruding portions of the contacts of the connector  200 , the shielding element  216  may include a portion  222  that extends away from rear surface  212 . Portion  222  of shielding element  216  may allow the shielding element  216  to extend over or past protruding portions of the contacts where the protruding portions of the contacts extend from the rear surface  212  of the housing  202 . 
       FIG. 2C  is a rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A . From the rear view, it is apparent that portions of shielding element  216  such as first portion  216   a  may extend from the top surface  208  of housing  202  and terminate before reaching the exposed portion  220  of some of the contacts, other portions of the shielding element such as second portion  216   b  may extend from the top surface  208  of housing  202  and terminate over the exposed portion  220  of some of the contacts, and yet other portions of the shielding element such as third portion  216   c  may extend from the top surface  208  of housing  202  past the exposed portion  220  of some of the contacts. Accordingly, from the rear view of the connector  200 , some of the contacts may be visible or at least partially visible while others may not be visible at all. 
     Connector  200  in certain embodiments includes various components such as a housing  202 , contacts  220 , and a shielding element  216 . However, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the connector could operate equally well by having fewer or a greater number of components than are illustrated in  FIGS. 2A to 2C . Thus, the depiction of electrical connector  200  in  FIGS. 2A to 2C  should be taken as being illustrative in nature, and not limiting to the scope of the disclosure. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a cross section along line A of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a first embodiment. Connector  200  may have any suitable cross-section of a connector. The shape of the cross-section may be suitably shaped and sized to receive a mating connector. In some embodiments, a housing of the connector will, at least in part, define a cavity for receiving the mating connector. Further, the connector  200  may include at least one contact that extends into the cavity through the housing such that a portion of the contact located inside of the cavity may establish an electrical, optical, or other type of connection with the mating connector and a portion of the contact located outside of the cavity may establish an electrical, optical, or other type of connection with other portions of electronic device  100 . 
     Housing  202  according to one embodiment defines a cavity  224  for receiving a mating connector (in this case, a male connector), and includes a contact support member or tongue  202   a  that protrudes into a portion of the cavity  224 . Tongue  202   a  protrudes from the rear surface  212  of the housing  202  any suitable amount and may also define cavity  224 . Cavity  224  may be shaped to receive protruding components of the mating connector. Housing  202  may also include an aperture  202   b  extending from the rear surface  212  of the housing to the cavity  224  and shaped to receive a contact. In some embodiments, aperture  202   b  may be shaped to receive more than one contact  226 , and in some embodiments, multiple apertures  202   b  may be provided (e.g., one for each contact  226 ). 
     Connector  200  may further include one or more contacts  226  as previously discussed. Contacts  226  may be operable to electrically, optically, or otherwise contact corresponding contacts of a mating connector (not shown) when the mating connector is engaged with connector  200 . Contacts  226  may include a first portion  226   a  extending into cavity  224  and being supported by contact support member  202   a . First portion  226   a  may contact corresponding contacts of the mating connector (not shown) when the mating connector is engaged with the connector  200  and, in some embodiments, may extend through aperture  202   b  of housing  202 . In some embodiments, first portion  226   a  may contact tongue  202   a  of housing  202  as a result of a friction fit with housing  202 , and in some cases first portion  226   a  may be bonded to contact support member  202   a  using any suitable bonding technique. 
     Contacts  226  may also include a second portion  226   b  that extends from aperture  202   b  toward the bottom surface  210  of housing  202 . Although in this embodiment second portion  226   b  is shown to extend past bottom surface  210 , in other embodiments, second portion  226   b  extends to bottom surface  210  or terminates before reaching bottom surface  210 . Further, in this embodiment, second portion  226   b  extends along the rear surface  212  of housing  202 . In some embodiments, second portion  226   b  may contact rear surface  212  of housing  202  as a result of a friction fit with housing  202 , and in some cases second portion  226   b  may be bonded to rear surface  212  using any suitable bonding technique. 
     Contacts  226  may further include a third portion  226   c  (e.g., a leg, tab, or base of the contact) extending from the second portion  226   b  in a direction away from cavity  224 . For example, third portion  226  may extend in a direction perpendicular to rear surface  212 . Third portion  226  may extend any suitable amount from rear surface  212 . For example, third portion  226  may extend from rear surface  212  a distance of 0.1 mm, 0.2 mm, 0.3 mm, a range between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm, less than 0.1 mm or greater than 0.3 mm. Third portion  226  may have any suitable shape. While  FIG. 3A  shows third portion  226  having a substantially rectangular cross section, third portion  226  may be square, oval, circular, etc. In some embodiments, bottom surface  228  of contacts  226  may be mechanically bonded (e.g., soldered) to other components of an electronic device, such as to the previously discussed PCB  172  of portable electronic device  100  ( FIG. 1C ). The bonding (e.g, soldering) may establish an electrical connection between the contact  226  and a bonding pad of PCB  172 . In other embodiments, bottom surface  228  of contacts  226  may be optically coupled (e.g., by fusing) to other components of an electronic device. The coupling (e.g., fusing) may establish an optical connection between the contact  226  and a optical coupler of PCB  172 . One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize other types of coupling based on the communication medium used, and all such other types are within the scope of the inventions discussed herein. 
     Shielding element  216 , as previously discussed, is formed over top surface  208 , rear surface  212 , and some portions of contacts  226 . Shielding element  216  may be bonded to top surface  208  using any suitable bonding technique, such as by laser welding. In this embodiment, shielding element  216  extends over both second portion  226   b  and third portion  226   c  of at least one contact  226 . By extending over both second portion  226   b  and third portion  226   c  of contact  226 , radiation emitted from and/or induced onto contact  226  may advantageously be reduced. 
       FIG. 3B  shows a cross section  300  along line A of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a second embodiment. The embodiment of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 3B  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 3A , except that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3B  further includes a moistures sealant  234 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3A , as shielding element  216  is spaced apart from contact  226 , a gap  230  is formed between shielding element  216  and the contact  226 . In this embodiment, connector  200  further includes a moisture sealant  234  disposed within gap  230 . Moisture sealant  234  may be any suitable material that prevents ingress of moisture from cavity  224  into electronic device  100 . For example, moisture sealant  234  may be a polymer, a plastic, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. In some embodiments, moisture sealant  234  may also be operable to bond to the surfaces of which it contacts. For example, moisture sealant  234  may be an epoxy. Moisture sealant  234  may establish a water-resistant bond to contact  226  and shielding element  216 . In one embodiment, moisture sealant  234  may be also be made of an electrically insulative material. By being made of an electrically insulative material, moisture sealant  234  may operate to electrically insulate contact  226  from shielding element  216 . 
     Moisture sealant  234  may extend between any suitable portions of shielding element  216  and contact  226 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3B , moisture sealant  234  may extend from bottom surface  228  of contact  226  to a location below aperture  202   b . For another example (not shown), moisture sealant  234  may extend from bottom surface  228  to a location at or past aperture  202   b . For yet another example (not shown), moisture sealant  234  may extend from a location above bottom surface  228  to a location below aperture  202   b . In some embodiments, as previously discussed, shielding element  216  may extend along rear surface  212  to different lengths from top surface  208 . Moisture sealant  234  may, in some cases, also extend along rear surface  212  to different lengths corresponding to the different lengths of shielding element  216 . By extending over surfaces of contact  226 , moisture sealant  234  may advantageously provide protection for the contact  226  against corrosion. 
       FIG. 3C  shows a cross section  300  along line A of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a second embodiment. The embodiment of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 3C  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 3A , except that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3C  further includes a cap  236 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3A , as shielding element  216  is spaced from rear surface  212  of housing  202 , a gap  232  is formed between rear surface  212  of housing  202  and shielding element  216 . In this embodiment, connector  200  further includes a cap  236  disposed within gap  232 . Cap  236  may be any suitable material that prevents ingress of moisture from cavity  224  into electronic device  100 . For example, cap  236  may be a polymer, a plastic, polyethylene terephthalate, etc. In some embodiments, cap  236  may be bonded to rear surface  212  of housing  202  and to shielding element  216 . In one embodiment, cap  236  may be also be made of an electrically insulative material. By being made of an electrically insulative material, moisture cap  236  may operate to electrically insulate contact  226  from shielding element  216 . 
     Cap  236  may extend between any suitable portions of shielding element  216  and rear surface  212  of housing  202 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3C , cap  236  may extend from top surface  208  of housing  202  to a location above aperture  202   b . For another example (not shown), cap  236  may extend from top surface  208  to a location at or past aperture  202   b . For yet another example (not shown), cap  236  may extend from a location below top surface  208 . In some cases, cap  236  may also be arranged between other surfaces of housing  202  and shielding element  216 . For example, cap  236  may be arranged between top surface  208  of housing  202  and shielding element  216 . In other cases, instead of forming cap  236 , portions of housing  202  may take the form of cap  236 . For example, housing  202  at locations above aperture  202   b  may extend from cavity  224  all the way to shielding element  216  such that rear surface  212  of housing  202  contacts shielding element  216 . 
       FIG. 3D  shows a cross section  300  along line A of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a fourth embodiment. The embodiment of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 3D  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 3B , except that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3D  further includes a channel  202   c.    
     With reference to  FIG. 3B , in one embodiment, moisture sealant  234  may be formed by spraying a liquid sealant over at least a portion of connector  200  after providing connector  200  with housing  202 , contacts  226 , and shielding element  216 . Once liquid sealant has been sprayed, the liquid may solidify and consequently bond to the surfaces it is contact with. Moisture sealant  234 , as a liquid, may wick up and into gap  230  ( FIG. 3A ) from bottom surface  228 . According to one embodiment, housing  202  includes a channel  202   c  formed therein, where channel  202   c  is operable to receive at least some portion of moisture sealant  234 . Channel  202   c  may advantageously prevent or reduce an amount of liquid moisture sealant  234  from wicking not only into gap  230  but also over and onto contact surface  235  of contact  226 . Where contact  226  operates to communicate signals electrically, wicking of liquid moisture sealant  234  onto contact surface  235  of contact  226  may be undesirable since liquid moisture sealant  234  may reduce the electrical conductivity between contact  226  and a corresponding contact of a mating connector. 
     In one embodiment, channel  202   c  is a cutout from rear surface  212  of housing  202 . Channel  202   c  may be cutout from any suitable location along rear surface  212 . For example, channel  202   c  may be cutout from a location immediately adjacent to aperture  202   b . For another example, channel  202   c  may be cutout from a location between aperture  202   b  and top surface  208  of housing  202 . As later discussed with reference to  FIGS. 4A to 4C , channel  202   c  may extend along a direction in which contacts  226  are provided, and housing  202  may include one or more channels  202   c . Further, channel  202   c  may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3D , channel  202   c  may have a square cross-section. In other embodiments, however, channel  202   c  may have a rectangular, circular, oval, or other suitably shaped cross-section. 
       FIG. 3E  shows a cross section  300  along line A of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2C  according to a fifth embodiment. The embodiment of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 3E  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 3D , except that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3E  further includes a channel  236   a  and cap  236 . 
     Instead of having channel  202   c  arranged within housing  202 , connector  200  includes a channel  236   a  formed within cap  236 , where channel  236   a  is operable to receive at least some portion of moisture sealant  234 . Channel  236   a , like channel  202   c , may advantageously prevent or reduce an amount of liquid moisture sealant  234  from wicking not only into gap  230  ( FIG. 3A ) but also over and onto contact surface  235  of contact  226 . 
     Channel  236   a  may be cutout from any suitable location along a surface of cap  236  facing gap  230 . For example, channel  236   a  may be cutout from a surface of cap  236  facing contact  226 . Channel  236   a  may also be cutout from a surface of cap  236  in contact with shielding element  216  and/or a surface of cap  236  in contact with rear surface  212  of housing  202 . As later discussed with reference to  FIGS. 4A to 4C , channel  236   a  may extend along a direction in which contacts  226  are provided, and housing  202  may include one or more channels  236   a . Further, channel  236   a  may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3E , channel  236   a  may have a square cross-section. In other embodiments, however, channel  236   a  may have a rectangular, circular, oval, or other suitably shaped cross-section. 
       FIG. 3E  also shows an embodiment where shielding element  216  and moisture sealant  234  do not extend all the way to bottom surface  228  of contact  226 . Rather, both shielding element  216  and moisture sealant  234  extend to a location between aperture  202   b  and bottom surface  228 . 
     It should be appreciated that the specific features illustrated in  FIGS. 3A to 3E  provide particular examples of improved connectors. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize and appreciate many variations, modifications, and alternatives. For example, the moisture sealant  234  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3B  may be provided together with cap  236  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3C . For another example, the moisture sealant  234  and channel  202   c  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3D  may be provided together with cap  236  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3C . Other variations, modifications, and alternatives would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 4A  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing a channel  240  for receiving moisture sealant according to a first embodiment. As discussed with reference to  FIGS. 3D and 3E , a channel may be formed in one or more of housing  202  and cap  236 . Channel  240  corresponds to channel  202   c  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3D  and/or channel  236   a  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3E . 
     Channel  240  extends along a width W of connector  200  or, in other words, extends along a direction in which contacts  226  are arranged. Channel  240  may extend any suitable amount along width W. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , channel  240  my extend along width W approximately the same amount as the arrangement of contacts  226 . In this fashion, moisture sealant  234  ( FIG. 3B ) may be prevented from wicking over a contact surface of any of contacts  226 . However, in other embodiments, channel  240  may extend along width W a distance less than (or more than) that which the arrangement of contacts  226  extend. Further, channel  240  may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in  FIG. 4A , channel  240  may have a rectangular cross-section. In other embodiments, however, channel  240  may have a square, circular, oval, or other suitably shaped cross-section. 
     In one embodiment, channel  240  may be sized to substantially increase an intended moisture sealant  234  deposition volume. The intended deposition volume may be a volume in which it is desired to deposit moisture sealant  234  so as to increase the resilience of the connector to moisture ingress. For example, with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 3A , the intended deposition volume may be defined by side surfaces  206 , gap  230 , and the space between contacts  226  (e.g., second portion  226   b  of contacts  226 ) and shielding element  216 . Channel  240  may have a volume that is 50%, 100%, or 150% the size of the intended deposition volume, or in the range of 50% to 150%, or less than 50%, or greater than 150%. 
       FIG. 4B  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing a channel  240  for receiving moisture sealant according to a second embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4B  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 4A , except that in this case a plurality of channels  240   a ,  240   b ,  240   c , and  240   d  are provided. The plurality of channels may be formed in the same component of connector  200  (e.g., housing  202 ), or may be formed in different components of connector  200  (e.g., housing  202  and cap  236 ). The channels may be of the same or different size and shape, and may be arranged at the same or different locations and orientations with respect to contacts  226 . 
       FIG. 4C  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing a channel  240  for receiving moisture sealant according to a third embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 4C  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 4B , except that in this case a plurality of channels  240   e ,  240   f  are provided for multiple groups of contacts  226  including a first group of contacts  226   d  and a second group of contacts  226   e . In one embodiment and as shown in  FIG. 4C , each channel is formed over a corresponding group of contacts. In this fashion, moisture sealant  234  ( FIG. 3B ) may be prevented from wicking over a contact surface of any of contacts  226 . However, in other embodiments, a channel  240   e  or channel  240   f  may extend along a width W greater than that which the corresponding group of contacts extend, or along a width W less than that which the corresponding group of contacts extend. 
     It should be appreciated that the specific features illustrated in  FIGS. 4A to 4C  provide particular examples of improved connectors. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize and appreciate many variations, modifications, and alternatives. For example, the first group of contacts  226   d  and the second group of contacts  226   e  discussed with reference to  FIG. 4C  could be provided with the contacts  226  extending across the width W of connector  200  discussed with reference to  FIG. 4A . Other variations, modifications, and alternatives would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 5A  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a first embodiment. According to this embodiment, a bottom surface  242  of shielding element  216  extends from top surface  208  of housing  202  ( FIG. 3A ) past bottom surface  228  of all contacts  226 . By extending past bottom surface  228  of all contacts  226 , an amount of EMI emitted from and induced onto contacts  226  may advantageously be reduced. 
       FIG. 5B  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a second embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5B  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5A , except in this case bottom surface  242  includes portions  242   a  that each extend past bottom surface  228  of a corresponding contact  226 , and includes portions  242   b  that terminate before reaching bottom surface  228 . For example, the surface of contacts  226  shown in  FIG. 5B  may correspond to a rear surface (e.g., a surface facing away from cavity  224 ) of the third portion  226   c  of contact  226  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3A . In this case, the bottom surface of portion  242   b  of shielding element  216  may terminate before reaching the third portion  226   c  of contact  226 , whereas a bottom surface of portion  242   a  extends past third portion  226   c . Further in this embodiment, a distance between portions  242   a  is the same, and the number of contacts  226  arranged between portions  242   a  is also the same. 
     In some embodiments, as previously discussed with reference to  FIG. 3D , moisture sealant  234  may be formed by spraying a liquid sealant over at least a portion of connector  200 , where moisture sealant  234  may wick up and into gap  230  ( FIG. 3A ). Portions that terminate before reaching the bottom surface of a contact (e.g., portions  242   b ) may advantageously increase a wicking of moisture sealant  234  into a gap  230  for that contact, whereas portions that extend past the bottom surface of a contact (e.g., portions  242   a ) may reduce the wicking of moisture sealant  234  into the gap  230  for that contact. Thus, in some embodiments, portions  242   a  may be sized and/or spaced with respect to one another to allow the sprayed liquid sealant to uniformly coat contacts  226  along the width of the connector. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5B , portions  242   a  may be uniformly spaced with respect to one another. 
       FIG. 5C  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a third embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5C  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5B , except in this case the distance between portions  242   a  is not equal, and the number of contacts  226  arranged between portions  242   a  is also not equal. 
       FIG. 5D  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a fourth embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5D  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5C , except in this case each of at least some of portions  242   a  extend past the bottom surface  228  of more than one contact  226 . For example, portion  242   a  may extend past the bottom surface  228  of three adjacent contacts  226 . 
       FIG. 5E  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a fifth embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5E  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5D , except that in this case, shielding element  216  may include portions that terminate at different locations along contacts  226 . For example, the surface of contacts  226  shown in  FIG. 5E  may correspond to a rear surface (e.g., a surface facing away from cavity  224 ) of the third portion  226   c  of contact  226  discussed with reference to  FIG. 3A . Portion  242   c  of shielding element  216  may extend past the bottom surface  228  of contact  226 , whereas portion  242   d  of shielding element  216  may terminate before bottom surface  228  but somewhere along the rear surface of the third portion  226   c  of contact  226 . In this fashion, shielding element  216  may cover the entire rear surfaces of some contacts  226  and only a portion of the rear surfaces of some other contacts  226 . 
     Further, shielding element  216  may include recessed portions  244  that extend in a direction toward a top surface  246  of shielding element  216 . Recessed portions  244  may be arranged beside one or more contacts  226  such that they are located between contacts  226 . Recessed portions  244  may be disposed proximate to portions  242   c , as shown in  FIG. 5E , or proximate other portions of shielding element  216 , such as portions  242   d . Recessed portions  244  may have any suitable shape. For example, as shown in  FIG. 5E , recessed portions  244  may be have a curved shape. In other examples, recessed portions  244  may be square, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. By including recessed portions  244 , a wicking of moisture sealant  234  ( FIG. 3B ) into gap  230  ( FIG. 3A ) may advantageously be increased. 
       FIG. 5F  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a sixth embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5F  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5E , except that in this case, portions  242   c  of shielding element  216  that extend past bottom surface  228  of contacts  226  are provided adjacent to recessed portions  244 , and portions  242   f  of shielding element  216  that extend past bottom surface  228  of contacts  226  are not provided adjacent to recessed portions  244 . 
       FIG. 5G  is a simplified rear view of the connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2A  showing an arrangement of shielding element  216  relative to contacts  226  according to a seventh embodiment. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 5G  is similar to that discussed with reference to  FIG. 5F , except that in this case, portions  242   d  terminate along the rear surface of the third portion  226   c  of contact  226  ( FIG. 3A ), whereas portions  242   c  terminate at a location at or after bottom surface  228  of contacts  226 . 
     It should be appreciated that the specific features illustrated in  FIGS. 5A to 5G  provide particular examples of improved connectors. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize and appreciate many variations, modifications, and alternatives. For example, recessed portions  244  may be included in portions of shielding element  216  that do not extend entirely over contacts  226 . For another example, recessed portions  244  may be provided with portions of shielding element  216  such as portions  242   c  discussed with reference to  FIG. 5E , where instead of extending across only one contact  226 , portion  242   c  may extend across two or more contacts  226 . For yet another example, portions of shielding element  216  that extend along or past surfaces of the contacts (e.g., portions  242   a  and  242   c ) may be chosen to extend along surfaces of a contact based on the characteristic of the contact. For example, these portions may be chosen to extend along surfaces of a contact known to be operating at a higher electrical voltage and/or data rate than other contacts. Other variations, modifications, and alternatives would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
       FIG. 6A  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a first embodiment. However, according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 6A , there is no shielding element  216  provided. 
     In the moisture infiltration system shown in  FIG. 6A , housing  202  includes an aperture  248  extending from cavity  224  ( FIG. 3C ) to rear surface  212  of housing  202 . Cap  236  also includes an aperture  250  extending through cap  236 , where aperture  250  is aligned with aperture  248 . Cap  236  is also provided with cutouts  252 . In one embodiment, cutouts  252  are cutout from a surface of cap  236  in contact with housing  202 . In other embodiments, cutouts  252  may be cutout of any other suitable surface of cap  236 . 
     Connector  200  may include a transparent element  254 . Transparent element  254  may be made of any suitable solid material that is transparent, such as plastic, glass, ceramic, etc. Transparent element  254  may have any suitable shape, such as square, rectangular, circular, oval, etc. Transparent element  254  may also have any suitable size. In some embodiments, transparent element  254  is sized to have a height H larger than a height H of apertures  248  and  250 . Transparent element  254  may be disposed within cutouts  252  and, by bonding of cap  236  to housing  202 , transparent element  254  may be pressed up against portions of housing  202 , thereby providing a seal that prevents or reduces moisture ingress from cavity  224 . 
     Connector  200  may also include a moisture indicator  256 . Moisture indicator  256  may be provided on a surface of cap  236  opposite that which transparent element  254  is provided. Moisture indicator  256  may be bonded to the surface of cap  236  using any suitable bonding technique, such as by chemical bonding using an epoxy. Further, moisture indicator  256  may be any suitable moisture indicator, including any of those described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2009/0273480, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Moisture indicator  256  may be operable to provide an indication of moisture infiltration in response to contact with moisture. 
     By providing transparent element  254  within the assembly of housing  202  and cap  236  and providing moisture indicator  256  on a side of transparent element  254  opposite cavity  224 , a resilience of connector  200  to moisture infiltration may advantageously be increased. 
       FIG. 6B  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a second embodiment. The moisture infiltration system of  FIG. 6B  is similar to that of  FIG. 6A , except that in this case cap  236  does not include cutouts  252  but rather housing  202  includes cutouts  258 . Similar to cutouts  252 , cutouts  258  may be any of suitable size and shape and provided at any suitable location in housing  202 . For example, cutouts  258  may be cutout from a surface of housing  202  in contact with cap  236 . Further, transparent element  254  may be disposed within cutouts  258  rather than cutouts  252 . 
       FIG. 6C  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a third embodiment. The moisture infiltration system of  FIG. 6C  is similar to that of  FIG. 6B , except that in this case instead of cutout  258  being from a surface of housing  202  in contact with cap  236 , cutouts  258  are located within housing  202  at a location between the surface in contact with cap  236  and a surface located opposite the surface in contact with cap  236 . 
       FIG. 6D  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a fourth embodiment. The moisture infiltration system of  FIG. 6D  is similar to that of  FIG. 6C  except that in this embodiment, there is no cap  236 . Rather, housing  202  extends from cavity  224  ( FIG. 3C ) to moisture indicator  256 . Similar to the embodiment discussed with reference to  FIG. 6C , housing  202  includes cutouts  258  for receiving transparent element  254 . 
       FIG. 6E  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a fifth embodiment. The moisture infiltration system of  FIG. 6E  is similar to that of  FIG. 6D  except that in this embodiment, a plurality of transparent elements  254  are provided. A first transparent element  254   a  may be provided in a first set of cutouts  258   a , and a second transparent element  254   b  may be provided in a second set of cutouts  258   b . In some embodiments, a cap  236  may be provided, and in some cases may also include a transparent element and/or one or more of transparent elements  258   a  and  258   b.    
       FIG. 6F  shows an expanded portion of location B of the electrical connector shown in  FIG. 3C  and including a moisture infiltration system according to a sixth embodiment. The moisture infiltration system of  FIG. 6F  is similar to that of  FIG. 6A  except that in this embodiment, shielding element  216  is provided between moisture indicator  256  and cap  236 . Shielding element  216  may also include an aperture  260  aligned with apertures  248  and  250 , and may be formed and shaped similar to apertures  248  and  250 . In this embodiment, moisture indicator  256  may be provided on a surface of shielding element  216  opposite that which cap  236  is provided. Moisture indicator  256  may be bonded to the surface of shielding element  216  using any suitable bonding technique, such as by chemical bonding using an epoxy. 
     It should be appreciated that the specific features illustrated in  FIGS. 6A to 6F  provide particular examples of improved connectors. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize and appreciate many variations, modifications, and alternatives. For example, moisture indicator  256  need not be bonded to a rear surface of layer such as cap  236  as discussed with reference to  FIG. 6C , but rather moisture indicator  256  may be included in cutouts of cap  236  (or any other suitable layer such as housing  202  or shielding element  216 ). In such cases, transparent element  254  may also be included and provided at a location closer to cavity  224  than moisture indicator  256 . Other variations, modifications, and alternatives would be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. 
     Various embodiments for improved electronic devices and connectors according to the present invention have been described. While these inventions have been described in the context of the above specific embodiments, many modifications and variations are possible. The above description is therefore for illustrative purposes and is not intended to be limiting. Also, references to top or bottom, or front and back of the various structures described above are relative and are used interchangeably depending on the point of reference. Similarly, dimensions and sizes provided throughout the above description are for illustrative purposes only and the inventive concepts described herein can be applied to structures with different dimensions. Accordingly, the scope and breadth of the present invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments described above and should instead be determined by the following claims and their full extend of equivalents.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20120910
Publication Date: 20150519
Grant Date: 20150519
Priority Date: 20110909
Inventors: SLOEY JASON S.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/465", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6594", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S439/936", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6461", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5219", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5202", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/02", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6461", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5219", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S439/936", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H04M1/0274", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6594", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/465", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49157392