CN-122000724-A - Reinforced connector system

Abstract

An electrical interconnect system is described having an adapter mounted in an opening in a connector interface of a panel of an electronic enclosure. The sealing member may be used to prevent foreign matter (such as liquid, gas or dust particles) from entering the chassis and into the mating area between the adapter and the mating plug connector. The sealing member may include a base and a sidewall configured to surround an outer boundary of the adapter. The sealing member may be configured to form a first sealing interface with the panel and a second sealing interface with the plug connector. The first and second seal interfaces may be orthogonal to each other. The sealing member may be made of an elastic material.

Inventors

• K. Maddens
• T. Goosens

Assignees

• 富加宜（美国）有限责任公司

Dates

Publication Date

20260508

Application Date

20181008

Priority Date

20171005

Claims (20)

1. 1. A panel connector configured to be attached to a board connector and mated with a plug connector such that, when mated, the panel connector and the plug connector are attached to a panel, the panel connector comprising: At least one housing portion; An overmolded outer housing encapsulating the at least one housing portion, and A first plurality of mating contacts supported by the at least one housing portion, the first plurality of mating contacts configured to electrically contact a second plurality of mating contacts supported by the plug connector.
2. 2. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing portion is a first housing portion and further comprising a second housing portion, wherein the overmolded outer housing encapsulates the second housing portion, and wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are manufactured separately.
3. 3. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the mating contacts extend in a first direction, and wherein the first housing portion and the second housing portion are offset relative to each other in the first direction.
4. 4. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing portion includes a protrusion configured to engage an opening formed on an overmolded outer housing.
5. 5. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing portion includes a plurality of channels, wherein a first plurality of mating contacts pass through the plurality of channels.
6. 6. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of mating contacts have respective ends supported by and exposed in an exterior surface of the overmolded outer housing.
7. 7. The panel connector of claim 6, wherein the first plurality of mating contacts are stamped to form respective shoulders and shafts, wherein the exposed ends are defined in the shoulders, and wherein the shoulders engage corresponding flanges formed in at least one housing portion.
8. 8. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the at least one housing portion is a first housing portion and further comprising a second housing portion, wherein the overmolded outer housing encapsulates the second housing portion, and wherein the first housing portion comprises a first protrusion configured to engage with the overmolded outer housing, and wherein the second housing portion comprises a second protrusion configured to engage with the overmolded outer housing.
9. 9. The panel connector of claim 1, wherein the overmolded outer housing includes a protrusion extending away from at least one housing portion supporting a corresponding end of the first plurality of mating contacts.
10. 10. The panel connector of claim 1, further comprising a potting element encapsulated by the overmolded outer housing surrounding the first plurality of mating contacts.
11. 11. The panel connector of claim 10, wherein the potting element is made of silicone rubber or epoxy.
12. 12. A method of manufacturing a panel connector configured to be attached to a board connector and mated with a plug connector such that upon mating, the panel connector and plug connector are attached to a panel, the method comprising: manufacturing at least one housing part using an insulating material; inserting a plurality of mating contacts into at least one housing portion, and The outer housing is manufactured by over-molding the at least one housing portion with a plurality of mating contacts inserted therein such that respective ends of the plurality of mating contacts are exposed in an exterior surface of the outer housing.
13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein fabricating at least one housing portion includes forming a plurality of channels through the at least one housing portion, and wherein inserting a plurality of mating contacts into the at least one housing portion includes: such that a plurality of mating contacts pass through the plurality of channels.
14. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the at least one housing portion is a first housing portion, and wherein the method further comprises: manufacturing a second housing part, and Inserting a plurality of mating contacts into the second housing portion; Wherein manufacturing the outer housing further comprises over-molding the second housing portion.
15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the plurality of mating contacts extend in a first direction, and wherein the first and second housing portions are offset from each other along the first direction.
16. 16. The method of claim 12, wherein fabricating the outer housing further comprises forming a cavity such that the plurality of mating contacts are at least partially disposed within the cavity.
17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising filling at least a portion of the cavity with a potting material.
18. 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the potting element is made of silicone rubber or epoxy.
19. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein inserting the plurality of mating contacts into the at least one housing portion comprises seating a widened portion of the plurality of mating contacts on a flange of the at least one housing portion.
20. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein over-molding at least one housing portion includes seating ends of a plurality of mating contacts on protrusions formed in an outer housing.

Description

Reinforced connector system The present application is a divisional application of the application patent application No. 202210872296.0, which is filed on the date of application of 2018, 10, 8 and entitled "reinforced connector system", and the application patent application No. 202210872296.0 is a divisional application of the application patent application No. 201811167433.0, which is filed on the date of application of 2018, 10, 8 and entitled "reinforced connector system". Cross Reference to Related Applications The present application is based on 35U.S. c. ≡119 (e) claiming priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/568695 entitled "RUGGEDIZED PLUG CONNECTOR" filed on attorney docket number A1156.70287US00 at 5, 10, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present application is based on 35U.S. c. ≡119 (e) claiming priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/597886 entitled "RUGGEDIZED CONNECTOR SYSTEM" filed under attorney docket No. A1156.70287US01 at 12/2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The present application is based on 35U.S. c. ≡119 (e) claiming priority from U.S. provisional patent application 62/629740 entitled "RUGGEDIZED CONNECTOR SYSTEM" filed on attorney docket number A1156.70287US01 at 13, 2 nd of 2018, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field This patent application relates generally to interconnect systems, such as those that include electrical connectors for interconnecting electronic components. Background Electrical connectors are used in many electronic systems. It is often easier and more cost-effective to manufacture the system as separate electronic components (such as printed circuit boards, PCBs) that can be joined together using electrical connectors. Connectors may be used to interconnect printed circuit boards and to interconnect other types of devices (such as cables) to printed circuit boards. Some connectors are designed for use in harsh environments. For example, electrical components mounted in the outdoor enclosure, such as may be used to house cellular communication devices, may receive power or control signals through the connector. The connector may be mounted in an opening of the housing. In order to protect the equipment inside the housing, the connector should prevent dust and moisture from entering the housing when mounted in the opening. Disclosure of Invention Some embodiments relate to an adapter connector configured to mate with a plug connector such that when mated, the adapter connector and the plug connector are attached to a panel. The adapter connector may include an insulative housing, a first plurality of mating contacts supported by the insulative housing, the first plurality of mating contacts configured to electrically contact a second plurality of mating contacts supported by the plug connector, and a resilient member having first and second sealing elements. The resilient member may be configured to form a first sealing interface with the panel and a second sealing interface with the plug connector, the first and second sealing interfaces being orthogonal to each other. The first sealing element may be configured to engage with the panel and the second sealing element is configured to engage with the plug connector. In some embodiments, the resilient member includes a base and a sidewall configured to surround an outer boundary of the adapter connector. In some embodiments, the first sealing element is disposed at the base and the second sealing element is disposed at the sidewall. In some embodiments, the first sealing element extends in a direction parallel to the mating direction of the adapter connector and the plug connector. In some embodiments, the first sealing element includes a rib configured to engage a corresponding groove formed in the panel. In some embodiments, the second sealing element includes a rib configured to engage a corresponding groove formed in the plug connector. In some embodiments, the adapter connector is attached to the panel by a plurality of screws. In some embodiments, the plurality of screws pass through respective openings formed in the resilient member. In some embodiments, the insulative housing includes a body having a top surface and an angled surface disposed at an edge of the top surface, and the first plurality of mating contacts extend through the top surface. In some embodiments, the first sealing element is positioned to form a first sealing interface with the panel. In some embodiments, the second sealing element is positioned to form a second sealing interface with the plug connector. In some embodiments, the second sealing element has an upper edge. In some embodiments, the upper edge of the second sealing element is below the angled surface. In some embodiments, the insulating housing includes a slot and the resilient member includes ribs extending into the slot