PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10348048-B2
Application Number: US-201715698589-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Use and application method of dielectric lubricant in an electrical connector

Abstract:
A method of applying a dielectric lubricant to an electrical connector of a consumer electronic device. The method includes inserting a dielectric lubricant delivery device apertures for delivering the dielectric lubricant to the electrical connector into a receptacle of the electronic device; applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the apertures and deposit on contacts of the electrical connector; and pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the receptacle and the electrical connector.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of applying a dielectric lubricant to an electrical receptacle connector of a consumer electronic device to prevent corrosive damage, the receptacle connector including a body that defines a first cavity, a second cavity fluidly coupled to the first cavity and a plurality of electrical contacts each of which includes an end portion that extends into the first cavity and that translates within the second cavity, the method comprising:
 inserting a dielectric lubricant delivery device into the first cavity of the receptacle connector of the electronic device, the lubricant delivery device comprising a plurality of apertures formed through a surface of the dielectric lubricant delivery device, wherein each of the plurality of apertures aligns with one of the plurality of electrical contacts when the dielectric delivery device is fully inserted into the receptacle connector; 
 applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the plurality of apertures and deposit around the end portion of each of the plurality of contacts of the electrical connector and within the second cavity; and 
 pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the electrical receptacle connector; 
 wherein, the dielectric lubricant remaining in the electrical receptacle connector acts as a physical barrier between liquid that enters the electrical receptacle connector and portions of the plurality of contacts. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric lubricant is a silicon dielectric grease. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein the dielectric lubricant is optically clear. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the dielectric lubricant is LS1246. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 removing the lubricant delivery device from the receptacle of the electronic device after pulling vacuum; and 
 wiping remaining excess lubricant from the electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  further comprising visually inspecting the first cavity of the electronic device to confirm that excess lubricant has been removed. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein applying pressure to the chamber comprises applying a predetermined amount of pressure for a predetermined amount of time so as to dispense a volume of dielectric lubricant necessary to fill the receptacle of the electronic device. 
     
     
       8. A method of applying a dielectric lubricant to an electrical receptacle connector of a consumer electronic device to prevent corrosive damage, the receptacle connector including a body that defines a first cavity, a second cavity fluidly coupled to the first cavity and a plurality of electrical contacts each of which includes an end portion that extends into the first cavity and that translates within the second cavity, the method comprising:
 inserting a dielectric lubricant delivery device into the first cavity of the receptacle connector of the electronic device, the lubricant delivery device having a plug portion that extends from a housing and a plurality of apertures formed through a surface of the plug portion, wherein each of the plurality of apertures aligns with one of a plurality of contacts in the electrical receptacle connector when the dielectric delivery device is fully inserted into the receptacle connector; 
 delivering the dielectric lubricant to the electrical receptacle connector by applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the plurality of apertures and deposit on the plurality of contacts of the electrical receptacle connector; 
 pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the receptacle and the electrical connector; and 
 thereafter, removing the dielectric delivery device from the receptacle connector; 
 wherein, the dielectric lubricant remaining in the receptacle acts as a physical barrier that keeps liquid from causing corrosive damage to the electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8  wherein applying pressure to the chamber comprises applying a predetermined amount of pressure for a predetermined amount of time so as to dispense a volume of dielectric lubricant necessary to fill the receptacle of the electronic device. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8  further comprising wiping remaining excess lubricant from the electrical connector. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8  wherein the dielectric lubricant is a silicon dielectric grease. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8  wherein the dielectric lubricant is optically clear. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein the dielectric lubricant is LS1246. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 8  wherein:
 the receptacle connector includes a first plurality of contacts disposed at a first interior surface of the receptacle connector and a second plurality of contacts disposed at a second interior surface of the receptacle connector opposite the first interior surface; 
 the lubricant delivery device includes a first plurality of apertures formed through a first exterior surface of the plug portion and a second plurality of apertures formed through a second exterior surface of the plug portion opposite the first exterior surface; and 
 when the electrical receptacle connector when the dielectric delivery device is fully inserted into the receptacle connector, each of the first plurality of apertures aligns with one of the first plurality of contacts and each of the second plurality of apertures aligns with one of the second plurality of contacts. 
 
     
     
       15. The method of  claim 8  wherein the apertures in the lubricant delivery device are spaced apart, shaped and sized to match electrical contacts of a plug connector that mates with the electrical connector such that when dielectric lubricant is dispensed through the apertures the dielectric lubricant precisely covers the electrical contacts of the electrical connector. 
     
     
       16. A method of applying a dielectric lubricant to a receptacle connector of a consumer electronic device to prevent corrosive damage, the receptacle connector including a body that defines a first cavity, a first plurality of contacts disposed at a first interior surface of the receptacle connector and a second plurality of contacts disposed at a second interior surface of the receptacle connector opposite the first interior surface, wherein each of the first plurality of contacts includes an end portion that extends into the first cavity and translates during a mating event into a recess in the body and each of the second plurality of contacts includes an end portion that extends into the first cavity and translates during a mating event into a recess in the body, the method comprising:
 inserting a plug portion of a dielectric lubricant delivery device into the receptacle connector between the first and second pluralities of contacts, the lubricant delivery device comprising a first plurality of apertures formed through a first exterior surface of the plug portion and a second plurality of apertures formed through a second exterior surface of the plug portion opposite the first exterior surface, wherein each of the first plurality of apertures aligns with one of the first plurality of contacts and each of the second plurality of apertures aligns with one of the second plurality of contacts when the plug portion of the dielectric lubricant delivery device is fully inserted into the receptacle connector; 
 applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the apertures and deposit on contacts of the electrical connector; and 
 pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the receptacle and the electrical connector; 
 wherein, the dielectric lubricant remaining in the receptacle acts as a physical barrier that keeps liquid from causing corrosive damage to the electrical connector. 
 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16  wherein the dielectric lubricant is a silicon dielectric grease. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 16  wherein the dielectric lubricant is optically clear.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/399,177, filed Sep. 23, 2016, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The described embodiments relate generally to electronic connectors such as audio and data connectors for electronic devices and methods and systems for applying lubricants to electronic connectors for electronic devices. 
     Handheld electronic devices typically have electronic connectors for connecting the devices to other devices for transmitting and receiving audio, video, energy, and/or data. Often, electronic connectors of the handheld electronic devices are disposed in receptacles that receive plug connectors which mate with the electronic connectors in the receptacles to allow this communication with other devices. Because the receptacles are generally open to receive plug connectors, liquid electrolytes (e.g. sweat, water from the ocean or a pool, beverages, etc.) may enter via the receptacle and come in contact with the metal contacts of the electronic connectors in the receptacle. These metal contacts are known to corrode in the presence of liquid electrolytes, particularly when held at an electrical bias. In the case of water resistant handheld electronic devices even more liquid is typically exposed to the receptacles and the potential for corrosion presents an increased risk to the functionality of the device. For example, if the contacts that are used to charge the device fully corrode away due to liquid electrolytes, complete loss of device functionality may result. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of applying a dielectric lubricant to an electrical connector disposed in a receptacle of a consumer electronic device to prevent corrosion of the contacts of the electrical connector. A lubricant delivery device with a size and shape to match the receptacle and apertures designed for delivering the dielectric lubricant to the electrical connector may be inserted into the receptacle and the dielectric lubricant may be deposited in the receptacle and on the contacts of the electrical connector via the apertures. The dielectric lubricant may remain in the receptacle and on the electrical connector during use of the device and act as a physical barrier keeping liquid electrolytes out of the receptacle and away from the contacts of the electrical connector. 
     In some embodiments, a method of applying a dielectric lubricant to an electrical connector of a consumer electronic device is provided. The method includes inserting a dielectric lubricant delivery device into a receptacle of the electronic device housing the electrical connector, the lubricant delivery device comprising apertures for delivering the dielectric lubricant to the electrical connector; applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the apertures and deposit on contacts of the electrical connector; and pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the receptacle and the electrical connector. 
     According to some embodiments, a method of applying a dielectric lubricant to an electrical receptacle connector of a consumer electronic device to prevent corrosive damage to the contacts of the receptacle connector is provided. The method includes inserting a dielectric lubricant delivery device into a receptacle of the electronic device housing the electrical connector, the lubricant delivery device having a plug portion that extends from a housing and a plurality of apertures formed through a surface of the plug portion, wherein each of the plurality of apertures aligns with one of a plurality of contacts in the electrical receptacle connector when the dielectric delivery device is fully inserted into the receptacle connector; delivering the dielectric lubricant to the electrical receptacle connector by applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the plurality of apertures and deposit on the plurality of contacts of the electrical receptacle connector; pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the receptacle and the electrical connector; and thereafter, removing the dielectric delivery device from the receptacle connector. 
     According to some embodiments a method of applying a dielectric lubricant to a receptacle connector of a consumer electronic device that includes a receptacle connector having a first plurality of contacts disposed at a first interior surface of the receptacle connector and a second plurality of contacts disposed at a second interior surface of the receptacle connector opposite the first interior surface is provided. The method includes inserting a plug portion of a dielectric lubricant delivery device into the receptacle connector between the first and second pluralities of contacts, the lubricant delivery device comprising a first plurality of apertures formed through a first exterior surface of the plug portion and a second plurality of apertures formed through a second exterior surface of the plug portion opposite the first exterior surface, wherein each of the first plurality of apertures aligns with one of the first plurality of contacts and each of the second plurality of apertures aligns with one of the second plurality of contacts when the plug portion of the dielectric lubricant delivery device is fully inserted into the receptacle connector; applying pressure to a chamber including the dielectric lubricant, the chamber being fluidly coupled to the apertures of the lubricant delivery device such that the pressure causes the lubricant to enter the receptacle via the apertures and deposit on contacts of the electrical connector; and pulling vacuum using the lubricant delivery device to remove excess dielectric lubricant from the receptacle and the electrical connector. 
     According to embodiments of the disclosure, dielectric lubricant remaining in the receptacle connector after the delivery device is removed acts as a physical barrier that keeps liquid from causing corrosive damage to the electrical connector and its contacts. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present disclosure. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evident to the contrary from the description, where elements in different figures use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a receptacle connector according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a simplified top view of a plug connector and receptacle connector according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  are simplified cross-sectional views of the mating process of a plug connector and receptacle connector according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a simplified isometric view of a lubricant delivery device according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  is a simplified side view of a lubricant delivery device delivering lubricant according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  is a simplified bottom view of apertures of a plug portion of a lubricant delivery device according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  is a simplified cross-sectional view of lubricant delivery device delivering lubricant to a receptacle connector according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing a method of applying a lubricant to an electrical connector according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 9  is a simplified cross sectional view of a receptacle connector according to some embodiments of the disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  is a simplified side view of a lubricant delivery device delivering lubricant according to some embodiments of the disclosure; 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to electronic connectors such as audio and data connectors for electronic devices and to methods and systems for applying lubricants to electronic connectors for electronic devices to protect the connectors from corrosion. 
       FIG. 1  is a front plan view of a receptacle connector  140  according to embodiments of the disclosure. Receptacle connector  140  may be included in an electronic device to enable an accessory having a plug connector (e.g., plug connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2 ) to be physically coupled to the electronic device. As shown in  FIG. 1 , receptacle connector  140  may include eight contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) that are spaced apart in a single row. Contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) may be compatible with contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 ) of plug connector  200  such that audio, video, data, and/or power may be transmitted between contacts  146  and contacts  201  as will be described below with reference to  FIG. 2 . Receptacle connector  140  may also include two contacts  148 ( 1 ) and  148 ( 2 ) that are positioned slightly behind the row of contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) and can be used to detect when connector  200  is inserted within receptacle connector  140 . Contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) and contacts  148 ( 1 )-( 2 ) are positioned within a cavity  147  that is defined by a housing  142 . 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified top view of a plug connector  200  and receptacle connector  140  according to embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments plug connector  200  may be a Lightning plug available from Apple Inc. of Cupertino Calif. but embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any particular connector standard. As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , plug connector  200  may have a contact portion  202  on which contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 ) are spaced apart in a single row, and a distal end  203  which is inserted into cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140 . Contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 ) are spaced apart to match the spacing of contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) so that when plug  200  is inserted into cavity  147 , the contacts align and couple to each other, allowing for transfer of audio, video, data, and/or power as desired. Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , it will be understood that in some embodiments, plug connector  200  may have two contact portions  202  disposed on opposite ends of connector  200  with corresponding contacts  201  disposed thereon to allow insertion and connection in multiple orientations. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  are simplified cross-sectional views of the mating process of a plug connector  200  and receptacle connector  140  according to embodiments of the disclosure.  FIG. 3A  shows the plug connector  200  and receptacle connector  140  prior to insertion of the plug connector  200  into cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140 , and  FIG. 3B  shows the plug connector  200  fully inserted within cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140  such that the distal end  203  is in contact with the stopping surface  150  of cavity  147 . As can be seen in  FIG. 3B , contact portion  202  (which has contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 )) is in contact with contacts  146  of receptacle connector when plug connector  200  is fully inserted within cavity  147 . As can also be seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , electrical connector  146  of receptacle connector  140  may be designed to have a spring bias such that it is in an elevated position when plug connector  200  is not inserted, and it is pushed downwards to a second position (shown in  FIG. 3B ) when plug connector  200  is inserted. This bias may aid in maintaining contact between contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) and contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 ) throughout the life of receptacle connector  140 . 
     While the design of receptacle connector  140  described above improves the mating connection between plug connector  200  and receptacle connector  140 , it can be seen that the receptacle may have a cavity  105  that allows the translation of electrical connector  146 . It will be understood that during normal operation of a device employing receptacle connector  140 , e.g., when no plug connector  200  is within receptacle connector  140 , cavities  147  and  105  may provide an ingress path for foreign materials. For example, a user&#39;s sweat, liquid from a pool or ocean, liquids from a beverage, or other liquids, may easily enter cavity  147  and further settle into cavity  105 , surrounding electrical connector  146  and the contacts thereof. As noted above, such liquid electrolytes may cause extensive corrosive damage to electrical connector  146  and the contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ). If the liquids fully corrode contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ), the device may not be functional, as it may not be connected to a power source to charge. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide physical barriers to prevent such liquid electrolytes or other corrosive substances to be in contact with electrical connector  146 . 
     In some embodiments, dielectric lubricants may provide a physical barrier that keeps liquid from damaging electrical contacts. Accordingly, it may be desirable to apply such lubricants to the electrical connector  146 . Specifically, it may be desirable in some embodiments to apply dielectric lubricants to an electrical connector prior to any use of the connector to make sure no foreign materials enter the receptacle. Thus, it may be desirable to apply the dielectric lubricants at the time of manufacture, and prior to testing and use of a device with a receptacle connector such as receptacle connector  140 . In many embodiments, electrical connectors such as electrical connector  146  are attached to device components using reflow soldering. Such reflow soldering exposes the connectors to temperatures close to 250° C. While it may be easier to apply dielectric lubricants prior to this soldering when the connectors are separate components, many desirable dielectric lubricants cannot withstand the high temperatures of reflow soldering, often beginning to break down and lose their beneficial properties at temperatures close to 205° C. Accordingly, in some embodiments, dielectric lubricants may be applied after reflow soldering and assembly, but before testing. Devices and methods for applying the dielectric lubricants will be described with reference to  FIGS. 4-8  below. 
       FIG. 4  is a simplified isometric view of a lubricant delivery device  400  according to embodiments of the disclosure. As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , lubricant delivery device  400  may have a housing  401  from which a plug portion  402  extends. Plug portion  402  may have the same general geometry as plug connector  200 , which, as described above, may be a Lightning plug available from Apple Incorporated of Cupertino Calif. Although described in terms of plug connector  200  and receptacle connector  140 , it will be understood that embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to such and plug portion  402  may be designed to have the same geometry as any plug connector that mates with the receptacle connector that device  400  is being used with, to allow appropriate insertion as will be described below. 
     Housing  401  may have a chamber  403  and plug portion  402  may have a chamber  404  that is fluidly coupled to chamber  403 . In some embodiments, chamber  403  may have a dielectric lubricant loaded therein that may travel from chamber  403  to chamber  404 . Although shown as open, it will be understood that chamber  403  may have any suitable enclosure that allows for loading of dielectric lubricant. Plug portion  402  may include a number of apertures or ports  405  that extend from chamber  404  to the bottom surface  406  of plug portion  402 . As depicted herein, plug portion  402  has eight apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ) to match the number of electrical contacts of plug connector  200  and receptacle connector  140 . Apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ) may define the exit path for the dielectric lubricant from device  400 . In order to ensure that the electrical contacts are covered with dielectric lubricant to protect from corrosion, the geometry, including the shape, size, and spacing, of apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ) may match the geometry of contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 ) of plug connector  200 . 
     In order to control the flow of lubricant within device  400 , lubricant delivery device  400  may be coupleable to a pressure source and/or a vacuum source. The pressure source may be configured to apply a desired amount of pressure to chamber  403  to force dielectric lubricant therein to chamber  404  and out of device  400  through apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ). In some embodiments, the pressure applied and duration of pressure may be precisely controlled to deposit a desired volume of lubricant. In some embodiments, controlled volumetric dispensing may be accurate to ±0.2 mm 3 . The vacuum source may be configured to pull vacuum so as to draw excess lubricant surrounding plug portion  402 . As with pressure source, the vacuum source may be controlled to desired parameters to draw the desired amount of lubricant, in some embodiments. 
       FIG. 5  is a simplified side view of a lubricant delivery device  400  delivering lubricant  500  according to embodiments of the disclosure. As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , lubricant may exit device  400  from the bottom surface  406  via apertures  405 .  FIG. 6  is a simplified bottom view of apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ) of a plug portion  402  of a lubricant delivery device  400  according to embodiments of the disclosure. As can be seen, apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ) may have openings that are shaped, sized, and spaced apart in the same way as contacts  201 ( 1 )-( 8 ) of plug connector  200  shown in  FIG. 2 . This may ensure that lubricant is deposited directly over electrical contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ) when device  400  is inserted in cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140 . In some embodiments, the length  407  of apertures may be approximately 1.48 mm, and the width  408  of apertures may be approximately 0.30 mm. 
       FIG. 7  is a simplified cross-sectional view of lubricant delivery device  400  delivering lubricant to a receptacle connector  140  according to embodiments of the disclosure. As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , when plug portion  402  is received in cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140 , apertures  405 ( 1 )-( 8 ) may be aligned with electrical contacts  146 ( 1 )-( 8 ). When pressure source  701  is activated, dielectric lubricant in chamber  403  may pass through chamber  404  and apertures  405  down to electrical connector  146  and cavity  105 , as shown by the path of arrow  702 . In some embodiments, a particular volume of dielectric lubricant corresponding to/or determined based on the volume of cavity  105  may dispensed by precise control of the pressure of pressure source  701  and/or the duration of pressure applied. In some embodiments, the volume deposited may be approximately 6.7 mm 3 . To the extent excess dielectric lubricant may be deposited on the tip of electrical connector  146  such that lubricant would be visible outside the receptacle and otherwise interfere with the use of receptacle connector  140 , vacuum source  701  may be used to precisely draw such excess lubricant as desired. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow chart showing a method  800  of applying a lubricant to an electrical connector according to embodiments of the disclosure. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the order of the steps may be switched, some of the steps may be combined, and/or some of the steps may be optional. The flowchart of  FIG. 8  is one example of the method and is not intended to be limiting. Thus, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other operation(s) disclosed in this application may be used instead of those shown in  FIG. 8 . The steps will now be described with reference to  FIG. 8 . 
     At step  810 , a lubricant delivery device such as device  400  described above may be inserted into cavity  147  of receptacle connector  140 . Device  400  may be inserted fully so that apertures  405  are aligned with electrical contacts  146 . Device  400  may be preloaded with dielectric lubricant within chamber  403 . The dielectric lubricant should be sufficiently viscous that the lubricant remains in place in the receptacle connector and the properties of the lubricant should prevent it from melting at expected operating temperatures of any device that the receptacle connector is included within. In some embodiments the dielectric lubricant is a silicon lubricant compound. One suitable such lubricant is Loctite® Dielectric Grease manufactured by Henkel Corp. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to use an optically clear dielectric lubricant for cosmetic purposes. For example, the dielectric lubricant may be LS1246 available from NuSil Technology LLC. 
     At step  820 , pressure may be applied to the chamber of delivery device with dielectric lubricant in it. As described above, the pressure and time of application of pressure source  701  may be precisely controlled to control the volume of dielectric lubricant deposited. The pressure may cause dielectric lubricant to exit via apertures  405  onto electrical contacts  146 . The lubricant may act as a physical barrier to prevent corrosion of the electrical contacts. 
     At step  830 , a slight vacuum may be pulled on the receptacle from device  400  to remove excess lubricant from cavity  147  and/or electrical connector  146 . Removing excess lubricant at this step may ensure that the device  400  may be removed with minimal contamination of receptacle connector  140 , and that lubricant is generally not visible to users from outside of receptacle connector  140 . 
     At step  840 , device  400  may be removed from cavity  147 . Once removed, at step  850 , the receptacle may be cosmetically inspected for remaining excess lubricant, and at step  860 , any remaining excess lubricant may be wiped from receptacle and surrounding areas. In some embodiments, a particular device may be used to wipe the receptacle. For example, a wiping device with a plug portion shaped to enter the receptacle but made of a spongy absorbable material may be inserted and removed to wipe excess lubricant. The device may be shaped so as not to remove lubricant from the portions of the receptacle and/or electrical connector on which lubricant is desired. 
     It will be understood that once the dielectric lubricant is in place, it may act as a physical barrier keeping liquids and other foreign material away from the electrical contacts of electrical connector  146 . When an actual plug  200  is inserted, the lubricant may naturally wipe away from the contacts to allow connection between contacts  201  and  146 , and when the plug  200  is removed, the lubricant may naturally return to cover contacts of electrical connector  146 . Thus, reapplication of the dielectric lubricant may not be necessary to continue to prevent corrosion. 
     In some embodiments, it may be desirable to modify the receptacle connector components to prevent corrosion.  FIG. 9  is a simplified cross sectional view of a receptacle connector  900  according to embodiments of the disclosure. Receptacle connector  900  may be similar to receptacle connector  140 , except that cavity  105  may be partially filled with a compliant material  910 . For example, in some embodiments, cavity  105  described above may be minimized by affixing compliant material  910  to the bottom of electrical connector  905 . In some embodiments, material  910  may be a silicone or other polymer molded to electrical connector  905 . This may have the benefit of keeping electrical connector  905  in position which may reduce or eliminate the opening to cavity  105  such that liquids cannot enter as easily and come in contact with the electrical contacts of electrical connector  905 . The material  910  may be compliant to allow electrical connector to deflect slightly when a plug connector is received. In some embodiments, to further protect from corrosion, some or all of electrical connector  905  may be made of material that has increased corrosion resistance properties. For example, some or all of electrical connector  905  may be made of materials that do not corrode as easily. As one example, Paliney 7, an alloy available from Deringer-Ney Incorporated, or other similar materials, may be used for some or all of electrical connector  905 . For example, the electrical contact portion of electrical connector  905  may be made of Paliney 7 to improve corrosion resistance. Alternatively, some or all of electrical connector  905  may be coated using electrophoretic deposition to make electrical connector  905  more resistant to corrosion. It will be understood that electrophoretic deposition may allow the coating to be thin enough to be applied to electrical contacts without causing other issues. 
     Additionally, in some embodiments the receptacle connector may include contacts on opposing sides (for example, upper and lower contacts) of the receptacle connector. Some embodiments of the disclosure pertain to a lubricant delivery device that can simultaneously deliver lubricant to both the upper and lower contacts. For example,  FIG. 10 , which is a simplified side view of a lubricant delivery device  1000  according to some embodiments of the disclosure. Lubricant delivery device  1000  includes a plug portion  1002  that extends from a housing  1001  similar to delivery device  500  discussed above with respect to  FIG. 5 . Lubricant delivery device  1000 , however, is able to deliver lubricant  500  through apertures  1005   a  formed at a top surface  1004  and through apertures  1005   b  formed at a bottom surface  1006  of plug  1002 . The lubricant can be delivered through both sets of apertures  1005   a ,  1005   b  using the same delivery method discussed above with respect to  FIG. 8 , and each set of apertures  1005   a ,  1005   b  can be similar to apertures  405 ( 1 )- 405 ( 8 ) described above or can include any number of apertures having an appropriate shape, size and spacing for the particular receptacle connector that lubricant delivery device  1000  is to be used with. 
     In the foregoing specification, embodiments of the disclosure have been described with reference to numerous specific details that may vary from implementation to implementation. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. The sole and exclusive indicator of the scope of the disclosure, and what is intended by the applicants to be the scope of the disclosure, is the literal and equivalent scope of the set of claims that issue from this application, in the specific form in which such claims issue, including any subsequent correction. The specific details of particular embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner without departing from the spirit and scope of embodiments of the disclosure. For example, while embodiments of the disclosure are described above with respect to an eight contact connector that conforms to the Lightning connector pinout developed by Apple Inc., embodiments of the disclosure are not limited to any specific connector standard and can be used with connectors having fewer or more than eight contacts and connectors that comply with standards or pinouts different than the Lightning connector. Additionally, spatially relative terms, such as “bottom or “top” and the like may be used to describe an element and/or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) and/or feature(s) as, for example, illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use and/or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as a “bottom” surface may then be oriented “above” other elements or features. The device may be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170907
Publication Date: 20190709
Grant Date: 20190709
Priority Date: 20160923
Inventors: Esmaeili, Hani
SLOEY, JASON S.
JOL, ERIC S.
WAGMAN, Daniel C.
Ardisana, II, John B.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5216", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5216", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/26", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/5216", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61687308