Multi-connector assembly

Abstract

This describes in general the techniques used for multiple individual connectors in a single connector assembly. The individual connectors can be suitable connectors of any type of mating, such as USB connectors and similar connectors. The connector assembly can be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. The connection between the plug and socket of the connector assembly can be made by threads, pressure, snap-fit ​​mechanisms, screws, or other compatible mechanisms. Off-the-shelf individual connectors can be fitted with module adapters and then inserted into correspondingly shaped internal portions of a housing, and held in place by a latching mechanism or similar mechanism. Alternatively, the connector assembly can be formed from the individual connectors, and wiring can subsequently be added. In some instances, post retainers or rear housing retainers can be implemented in conjunction with the plug connector.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Unless otherwise stated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims of this application and are not acknowledged as prior art simply because they are included in this section.

[0002] Connectors are electromechanical components that provide the exchange of electrical or communication signals between different electrical installations and systems. A typical connector system consists of a plug and a socket, mechanically assembled to provide one or more electrical connections. The mechanical part can include various forms of couplings, such as threaded couplings, snap-fit ​​couplings, pressure-fit couplings, and similar couplings. Depending on the application and functionality of the connector system, a variety of materials can be used, such as plastics, metals, ceramics, etc. Connectors may include additional functionalities such as environmental protection, heat resistance, electromagnetic shielding, etc. Some connector systems are standardized, with size, dimensions, signal levels, and even materials defined by industry or government standards. Other connector systems may be proprietary. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure generally describes multiple connector assemblies that combine multiple individual connectors into one assembly.

[0004] A connector assembly is described based on some examples. The connector assembly may include a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly. The plug assembly may include: a first housing; a first insulating portion arranged to be fitted inside the first housing, the first insulating portion having two or more cavities; two or more module adapters arranged to be fitted into the two or more cavities of the first insulating portion; and two or more plug connectors comprising multiple electrical connections, wherein each plug connector is enclosed in a cavity of the first insulator by a module adapter of the plug assembly, and at least one plug connector floats relative to a mating surface of the plug assembly along one or more axes. The receptacle assembly may include: a second housing; a second insulating portion arranged to be fitted inside the second housing, the second insulating portion having two or more cavities; two or more module adapters arranged to be fitted into the two or more cavities of the second insulating portion; and two or more receptacle connectors comprising a plurality of electrical connections, wherein each receptacle connector is enclosed by a module adapter of the receptacle assembly within a cavity of the second insulating portion, at least one receptacle connector is configured to float relative to a mating surface of the receptacle assembly along one or more axes, and portions of two or more plug connectors protrude from the mating surface of the plug assembly to mate with corresponding receptacle connectors of the receptacle assembly.

[0005] According to other embodiments, the connector assembly may further include a latching mechanism within the first insulating portion to secure one of two or more plug connectors. The latching mechanism may include finger latches made of the same material as the first insulating portion or retaining clips made of a different material; and the connector assembly may further include an insertion opening on the mating surface of the plug assembly for inserting a removal tool to release the latching mechanism. The plug connectors may be electrically isolated from each other; and / or the receptacle connectors may be electrically isolated from each other. Two or more plug connectors and two or more receptacle connectors may be hardwired to corresponding circuit boards, wired to individual cables, or wired to cables bundled together for use in the plug assembly or receptacle assembly. The plug assembly and receptacle assembly may be configured to mate via an O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and a corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing.

[0006] According to another example, the plug assembly and receptacle assembly may be configured to engage via mating threaded sets on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing, or via sets of screws for holding the first and second housings together. The material and shape of one or more of the first housing, second housing, first insulating portion, second insulating portion, or two or more module adapters may be selected such that the plug assembly and / or receptacle assembly are robust, environmentally sealed, or electromagnetically shielded. Two or more plug connectors and two or more receptacle connectors may comprise Universal Serial Bus (USB) version 3.0 (or higher) Category C connectors, USB version 2.0 Category B mini connectors, USB version 2.0 or version 3.0 Category B mini connectors, or High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connectors arranged parallel, perpendicular, or at a predefined angle to each other.

[0007] According to other examples, a connector assembly is described. The connector assembly may include a plug assembly and a receptacle assembly. The plug assembly may include: a first housing; a first insulating portion arranged to be fitted within the first housing; and two or more plug connectors partially within the first insulating portion, wherein the first insulating portion is molded over the two or more plug connectors, each plug connector including multiple electrical connections, and each plug connector being electrically isolated from the other plug connectors. The receptacle assembly may include: a second housing; a second insulating portion arranged to be fitted within the second housing; and two or more receptacle connectors within the second insulating portion, wherein the second insulating portion is molded over the two or more receptacle connectors, each receptacle connector including multiple electrical connections, each receptacle connector being electrically isolated from the other receptacle connectors, and portions of the two or more plug connectors protruding from the surface of the plug assembly to mate with corresponding receptacle connectors of the receptacle assembly.

[0008] According to some examples, the connector assembly may further include an elastomer or mechanical spring configured to: surround a portion of each plug connector; seal the first housing; and provide a preload between the first housing and two or more receptacle connectors. The connector assembly may also include a rear insulator anchored to the first insulator portion via one or more post and retainer clips. The connector assembly may further include a rear shell mechanically coupled to the first housing and configured to retain the rear insulator. The plug assembly and connector assembly may be configured to mate via: an O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and a corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing; a mating set of threads on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing; or a set of screws for holding the first housing and the second housing together.

[0009] According to another example, a method for manufacturing a connector assembly is described. The method may include forming a plug assembly by: forming a first insulator portion having two or more cavities and a first mating surface; forming a first module adapter arranged to be fitted into one of the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion; encapsulating a plug connector containing a plurality of electrical connections with the first module adapter; fitting two or more first module adapters having corresponding plug connectors into the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion such that portions of the plug connectors protrude from the first mating surface of the plug assembly, and at least one of the plug connectors floats relative to the first mating surface along one or more axes; and fitting the first insulator portion having two or more first module adapters into a first housing. The method may further include forming a receptacle assembly by: forming a second insulator portion having two or more cavities and a second mating surface; forming a second module adapter arranged to be fitted into one of the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion; encapsulating a receptacle connector containing a plurality of electrical connections with the second module adapter; fitting two or more second module adapters having corresponding receptacle connectors into the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion such that the receptacle connectors are aligned with corresponding orifices on the second mating surface to mate with corresponding plug connectors of a plug assembly, and at least one of the receptacle connectors floats relative to the second mating surface along one or more axes; and fitting the second insulator portion having two or more second module adapters into a second housing.

[0010] According to some examples, the method may further include forming a latching mechanism within the first insulator portion to secure the first module adapter by: forming a finger latch made of the same material as the first insulator portion or a retaining clip made of a different material from the first insulator portion; and forming an insertion opening on the first mating surface for inserting a removal tool to release the latching mechanism. The method may further include one or more of the following operations: hardwiring the plug connector and receptacle connector to corresponding circuit boards, wiring the plug connector and receptacle connector to separate cables, or wiring the plug connector and receptacle connector to cables bundled together for use in a plug assembly or receptacle assembly. The method may also include forming one or more of the following: an O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and a corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing to mate the plug assembly and receptacle assembly; forming a mating thread set on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing to mate the plug assembly and receptacle assembly; or forming a screw hole set on the first housing and the second housing to hold the plug assembly and receptacle assembly together.

[0011] According to other examples, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) connector assembly is described. The USB connector assembly may include a plug assembly comprising: a first housing; a first insulating portion arranged to be fitted within the first housing, the first insulating portion having two or more cavities; two or more module adapters arranged to be fitted into the two or more cavities of the first insulating portion; and two or more USB plug connectors arranged parallel, perpendicular, and / or angled to each other, wherein each USB plug connector is enclosed by a module adapter of the plug assembly within a cavity of the first insulating portion, floats relative to a mating surface of the plug assembly along one or more axes, and protrudes from the mating surface of the plug assembly. The USB connector assembly may also include a receptacle assembly comprising: a second housing; a second insulating portion arranged to be fitted within the second housing, the second insulating portion having two or more cavities; and two or more USB receptacle connectors arranged to be fitted into the two or more cavities of the second insulating portion, wherein the USB receptacle connectors are aligned with orifices on the mating surface of the receptacle assembly to mate corresponding two or more USB plug connectors and USB receptacle connectors.

[0012] According to another example, the USB connector assembly may further include: a latching mechanism within a first insulating portion for securing two or more USB plug connectors, the latching mechanism comprising finger latches made of the same material as the first insulating portion or retaining clips made of a different material from the first insulating portion; and an insertion opening on a mating surface of the plug assembly for inserting a removal tool to release the latching mechanism. The plug assembly and connector assembly may be configured to mate via: an O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and a corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing; a mating threaded assembly on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing; or a set of screws for holding the first housing and the second housing together.

[0013] The foregoing overview is merely illustrative and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, other aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent from the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The foregoing and other features of this disclosure will become more fully clear from the following description and the appended claims in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that these drawings depict only a few embodiments according to this disclosure and are therefore not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which will be described with additional features and details using these drawings, wherein:

[0015] Figure 1 Various views of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly combining two USB type connectors are shown;

[0016] Figure 2A Example configurations of various USB connectors are shown in a single connector assembly;

[0017] Figure 2B Example configurations of different types of connectors are shown in a single connector component;

[0018] Figure 3 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly is shown;

[0019] Figure 4 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly is shown, illustrating the retention details of one configuration;

[0020] Figure 5 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of the plug of an example connector assembly is shown, revealing retention details of another configuration;

[0021] Figure 6 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair with post retainers is shown; and

[0022] Figure 7 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly with a rear housing retainer is shown.

[0023] All of these are arranged according to at least some of the embodiments described herein. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Reference is made in the following detailed description to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this document. In the drawings, similar symbols generally identify similar parts unless the context otherwise requires. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not intended to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented herein. Various different configurations can be arranged, substituted, combined, separated, and designed as generally described herein and shown in the figures, all of which are expressly covered herein.

[0025] This disclosure generally relates, in particular, to manufacturing methods, apparatus, systems and / or devices associated with multiple connector assemblies that combine multiple individual connectors into a single assembly.

[0026] In simple terms, this describes the technology for multiple individual connectors in a single connector assembly. The individual connectors can be suitable connectors of any type of mating, such as USB connectors and similar connectors. The connector assembly can be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. The connection between the plug and socket of the connector assembly can be made by threads, pressure, snap-fit ​​mechanisms, screws, or other compatible mechanisms. Off-the-shelf individual connectors can be fitted with module adapters and then inserted into correspondingly shaped internal portions of the housing and held in place by latching mechanisms or similar mechanisms. Alternatively, the connector assembly can be formed from individual connectors, and wiring can be added subsequently. In some instances, post retainers or rear housing retainers can be implemented in conjunction with the plug connector.

[0027] This document discloses connector assemblies that combine multiple individual connectors into a single component. Example connector assemblies may contain two or more connectors that retain their form and function while providing multiple connection paths between two or more devices. For example, an example connector assembly may include four (Universal Serial Bus) USB connectors in a single connector body, thereby allowing four different USB connections through a single connector assembly. Individual connectors may be coupled to cables and / or electrical circuit boards. While USB connectors are used as illustrative examples to describe some instances, the embodiments are not limited to USB-type connectors. Any standardized or proprietary connectors can be combined in a connector assembly using the principles described herein.

[0028] USB connectors are connectors that conform to various USB standards defined by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Originally designed for computer-to-computer and computer-to-peripheral device connections, USB connectors have proven effective in providing electrical connections between a large number of diverse devices through widespread adoption. The size and shape of various USB connectors depend on the applicable standard, and different connectors are named according to the applicable standard, such as USB-A, USB-B, and USB-C. Different sizes, such as mini and micro, can exist under each standard. As data speeds have increased, the versions of the standards limiting the number of connections and signal types for individual connections have also changed, resulting in different versions, such as USB 2.0 and USB 3.0.

[0029] Figure 1 Various views of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly combining two USB-type connectors arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein are shown.

[0030] Figure 1 Figure 100A in Figure A shows a side view of a plug 102 including two USB plug connectors and their individual cables 106, and a mating socket 104 including two USB receptacle connectors. Figure 100B shows a front view of the plug 102 with two USB connectors 108 and a rear view of the mating socket 104 with two mating USB receptacles 112 terminating in corresponding circuit boards 114, within a housing 110. Figure 100C shows a front perspective view of the mating socket 104, a front view of a USB receptacle 118 within a housing 116, and a rear view of a USB plug 120 terminating in a corresponding cable.

[0031] With the proliferation of computing devices and peripherals, the variety and number of interconnect mechanisms, including various power and communication cables, have increased dramatically. The trend in interconnects is towards smaller sizes, denser connectors, and cables carrying higher data speeds. However, a challenge inherent to this is managing the ever-increasing number of connections. While wireless connectivity is becoming increasingly popular, some environments (e.g., high electromagnetic noise environments, secure communication requirements, etc.) still require wired connections. Wired connection integration modules combining multiple connectors offer a solution, but they are often cumbersome and unsuitable for environments requiring robustness (e.g., military, mobile, hazardous environments, etc.).

[0032] Example embodiments provide multiple individual connectors within a single connector assembly (housing), wherein the wiring of the individual connectors may be combined into a bundle or comprise separate individual cables. The individual connectors can be suitable connectors of any type of mating, such as USB connectors and similar connectors. Each individual connector may contain multiple electrical connections for power, data, and other telecommunications communication, and these connections are electrically isolated from each other. Therefore, individual connectors are functionally distinct connectors that are mechanically connected to their mating counterparts simultaneously via the connector assembly. In some instances, electrical connections such as grounding and shielding may be shared among the individual connectors through the construction of the connector assembly.

[0033] Connector assemblies (housings) can be circular, oval, rectangular, or other shapes. The connection between the plug and socket of the connector assembly can be made by threads, pressure, snap-fit ​​mechanisms (e.g., the use of latches), screws, or other compatible mechanisms. In some instances, off-the-shelf individual connectors can be fitted with modular adapters and then inserted into correspondingly shaped internal portions of the housing, and held in place by a latching mechanism or similar mechanism. In this modular example, the connector assembly can be designed for a predefined number of individual connectors (e.g., 6), but some space can be left empty (e.g., 2), resulting in a connector assembly with the desired number of individual connectors. In other instances, the connector assembly can be formed from individual connectors, and wiring can be added subsequently. Various connector features, such as environmental insulation, robustness, shielding, etc., can be incorporated into the housing and / or individual connectors. In some instances, individual connectors can include pins or intermediate plates with tongues that can be directly coupled to the wires of a cable (e.g., individual connector 108). In other instances, circuit boards (e.g., circuit board 114) can be used to terminate the wires of the cable and connect to the pins or intermediate plate tongues. Alternatively, the circuit board (or pins) can also be hardwired to another circuit board in the device.

[0034] Figure 2A Example configurations of various USB-type connectors in a single connector assembly arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein are shown.

[0035] Figure 2A The example configurations include configuration 202 with two USB plugs 208 arranged parallel to each other, configuration 204 with three USB plugs 208 arranged parallel to each other, and configuration 206 with six USB plugs 208 arranged in two groups of three parallel to each other. The example configurations further include configuration 210 with four USB plugs 208 arranged parallel to each other, configuration 212 with four USB plugs 208 arranged perpendicular to each other, and configuration 216 with six USB plugs 208 arranged in groups of parallel to each other. Figure 2AAnother example includes configuration 214, in which six USB plugs are arranged parallel to each other, and six additional USB plugs are arranged at an angle along the inner periphery of the connector assembly.

[0036] Figure 2A The configurations shown are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the embodiments. The number of individual connectors (e.g., USB plugs or sockets) can be any practical number, depending on the size and function of each connector. For example, in a USB connector, 10-20 may be a practical range for implementation purposes. Another consideration in selecting the number of individual connectors to be combined may be practical design considerations and / or standard-specified size and clearance requirements. Additional features of connector assemblies, such as shielding, heat resistance, and insulation, can also influence the number of connectors to be combined by imposing limitations on the size and material type of the connector assembly.

[0037] Figure 2B Example configurations of different types of connectors in a single connector assembly arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein are shown.

[0038] Figure 2A The individual connector shown indicates, for example, a USB standard version 3.0 (or higher) Category C connector. Figure 2B Examples of other types of connectors that can be combined in connector assemblies according to different illustrative configurations are shown. Example configuration 222 includes two USB version 2.0 Category B mini connectors 224 arranged parallel to each other. Example configuration 226 includes three USB version 2.0 or version 3.0 Category B mini connectors 228 arranged parallel to each other. Example configuration 232 includes four USB version 2.0 Category B connectors 234 arranged perpendicular to each other. Example configuration 236 includes three High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) connectors arranged parallel to each other. Type connector 238.

[0039] Example configuration 242 includes one of them combined into a single connector assembly. Connector 238, one USB version 2.0 Category B connector 234, two USB version 3.0 Category C connectors 208, and three USB version 2.0 Category B miniature connectors 224. Therefore, different types and / or numbers of connectors can be combined in a single connector assembly. As discussed above, in USB type connectors, 10-20 can be a practical range for implementation purposes. For smaller size connectors,

[0040] A higher number of individual connectors can be combined, while a smaller number of individual connectors can be combined for larger connectors. The common feature of the various types of individual connectors discussed herein is that they contain multiple electrical connections and are electrically isolated from each other when combined in a connector assembly according to exemplary embodiments.

[0041] Individual connectors are paired plug and receptacle connectors. In some instances, a portion of the plug connector protrudes from the mating surface of a plug assembly comprising multiple plug connectors and mates with a portion of the receptacle connector that protrudes from the mating surface of a mating receptacle assembly. In other instances, the protruding portion of the individual plug connector mates with a receptacle connector that is fitted with a receptacle assembly and can be accessed through an aperture (not protruding) on ​​the mating surface of the receptacle assembly.

[0042] Figure 3 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly arranged according to at least some of the embodiments described herein is shown.

[0043] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view 300A shows two individual USB connectors arranged in parallel within a molded insulating portion 314 of a plug connector assembly housing 302. Each individual plug connector includes a conductive housing 312 and electrical terminals within the conductive housing 312. A module adapter 310 may be overlaid, coupled, or mechanically attached to each individual plug connector. The insulating portion 314 may include latching sections 306 on opposite sides of the individual plug connectors, the latching sections being configured to latch onto corresponding portions of the module adapter 310. Cross-sectional view 300A also shows a receptacle connector assembly housing 304 housing two mating USB receptacle connectors 318 arranged in parallel within a molded insulating portion 322. The receptacle connectors 318 may include corresponding circuit boards 320 for electrical connection to a circuit board via cable or hardwire to an electrical device.

[0044] In some instances, the module adapter 310 may be made of a thermoplastic elastomer and include an integral O-ring for sealing the individual plug connector. In other instances, an insertion opening may be designed in front of the latching section 306 of the insulating portion 314 to allow the use of a connector removal tool to release the latching mechanism and remove the individual plug connector from the plug connector assembly. In yet another instance, a damping material (e.g., rubber) may be added to the latching section 306 to prevent accidental release of the individual plug connector or to allow for smoother insertion. In still other instances, the O-ring and / or spiral ring in the recess 316 may be used to stabilize the connection between the connector assembly plug and the connector assembly receptacle. The O-ring and / or spiral ring in the recess 316 may also be used to provide enhanced electrical connection in the case of shielded connector assemblies for shielding purposes or to provide a seal in environmentally insulated connector assemblies.

[0045] Figure 3 Cross-sectional view 300B shows a plug and receptacle connector assembly, with two USB connectors viewed from different angles. On the receptacle connector assembly, a recess 324 is shown in the proximal portion of the housing 304. The recess 324, along with a spiral ring inside the plug connector assembly (in recess 316), can serve as a latching mechanism for the connector assembly, thereby holding the connector assembly together in a separable manner, which may further include electromagnetic shielding. A chamfer 328 is introduced to aid in guiding the corresponding plug connector into the receptacle connector. The chamfer can be designed at a selected angle, such as 45 degrees or other angles. The "floating" feature of the plug connector, previously described in conjunction with the chamfer design on the receptacle connector, can provide enhanced alignment when the plug and receptacle assemblies each mate with multiple connectors.

[0046] Figure 4 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein is shown, illustrating retention details of one configuration.

[0047] Figure 4 The diagram shows a plug connector assembly 402 and a receptacle connector assembly 404. The plug connector assembly 402 includes two USB-type plug connectors 408 arranged parallel to each other. The plug connectors 408 can be fitted into a module adapter 410 and inserted into an insulating portion 414 of the plug connector assembly 402. The conductive housing 412 of the plug connectors protrudes from the module adapter 410 (and the front surface of the plug connector assembly 402). The insulating portion 414 may also include two (or more) latching mechanisms 406 to hold the module adapter 410 (and thus the plug connectors 408) in place. The latching mechanisms 406 may include finger mechanisms or similar mechanisms made of the same material as the insulating portion 414. An insertion opening 416 in front of the latching mechanisms 406 of the insulating portion 414 allows the use of a connector removal tool to release the latching mechanisms and remove the individual plug connectors from the plug connector assembly 402.

[0048] In some instances, the module adapter 410 and latching mechanism 406 may be configured to allow the plug connector 408 to “float,” meaning that the conductive housing 412 of the plug connector 408 can move slightly along two or three axes to facilitate mating with the corresponding receptacle connector in the receptacle connector assembly 404. For example, the conductive housing 412 may move between 0 and 3 degrees along two orthogonal axes parallel to the mating surface 415 of the plug connector assembly 402. Thus, if one or more orifices on the front surface 430 of the receptacle connector assembly 404 do not perfectly match the position of the conductive housing, then when the two assemblies are pressed together, one or more conductive housings can easily enter their corresponding orifices by moving along the axes. In other instances, the plug connector may also move along a third axis perpendicular to the two axes defining the mating surface 415. The mobility of the plug connector is intended to facilitate mating between the plug connector assembly and the receptacle connector assembly. Therefore, the example range of movement (0 to 3 degrees) is intended as an illustrative example. Smaller or slightly larger ranges may also be used. Movement along the third axis allows for full mating between the plug connector assembly and the receptacle connector assembly, even if one (or more) conductive housings cannot be fully inserted into their corresponding receptacle connectors. For example, if a conductive housing has a 0.1-inch excess length, movement along the third axis allows it to be pulled back by 0.1 inches, and the mating surfaces of the plug connector assembly and the receptacle connector assembly can still be in full contact with each other.

[0049] The floating movement of the plug connector can be achieved through the size and material of the module adapter 410 and / or the latching mechanism 406. For example, the module adapter 410 may be made of a semi-flexible material, thereby allowing the plug connector to move in place. In another example, the size and shape of the module adapter may be selected such that the plug connector does not release from the plug connector assembly, but is able to move slightly while the connector assembly is mating. In yet another example, the latching mechanism 406 may provide a small space for floating movement to the module adapter (and thus to the plug connector). Figure 4 As shown, the latching mechanism 406 allows axial movement within tolerances when the plug connector and receptacle connector are mated together. The module adapter 410 also allows a minimum amount of horizontal and vertical floating within the insulating portion 414 of the housing to allow for any misalignment in the horizontal and vertical directions, as indicated by the chamfer 428 on the mating receptacle connector. The floating mechanism is described below. Figure 5 A similar approach works, but using the same method as... Figure 4 The molded latch in the middle is opposite to the stamped retaining clip.

[0050] Figure 4It also includes a receptacle connector assembly 404 having a USB-type receptacle connector 418 and a circuit board 420 for terminating the wires of the receptacle connector 418. An intermediate plate having a tongue 426 can be fitted into an aperture on the front surface 430 of the receptacle connector assembly 404, wherein the aperture may include an introduction chamfer 428.

[0051] In some instances, the module adapter 410 may be overlaid with a molded seal to add sealing capability to the plug connector assembly. By using a molded insulator portion design with a latching mechanism cavity, off-the-shelf housings can be used for the plug connector assembly. That is, different insulator portions can be used with the same housing for different plug connector types and configurations. The insulator portion can be made of a variety of plastics or similar materials. For example, high-temperature nylon can be used to enhance connector strength. Other example materials may include… Polyester and similar materials. By selecting the materials for the insulating components or adding other materials, plug and socket connector assemblies can be robust (vibration-resistant, abrasion-resistant), environmentally friendly (heat, dust, humidity, etc.), and / or shielded against electromagnetic and / or electrostatic interference.

[0052] Figure 5 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of the plug of an example connector assembly arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein is shown, illustrating retention details of another configuration.

[0053] Figure 5 The example plug connector assembly 500 shown includes two USB-type plug connectors 504 arranged in parallel. The plug connectors 504 are enclosed in a module adapter 502 and inserted into an insulating portion 514 of the plug connector assembly. The module adapter 502 (and thus the plug connectors 504) can be held in place by a pair of retaining clips 510 for each plug connector. Each retaining clip may be made of a stamped spring material (e.g., metal or a similar rigid material) and can be fitted into a recess 532. Each plug connector may include an exposed tip portion 503 that contains a spring pin 512 in an orifice to receive a contact of a corresponding receptacle. Each of the spring pins 512 can be connected to a wiring pin 506 on the opposite side of the plug connector. Wires may be soldered or coiled to the wiring pin 506 inside the sheath 505 of the plug connector.

[0054] Similar to Figure 4 As described in the mechanism, the exposed tip portion 503 of the plug connector 504 can also move along two axes and / or along a third axis perpendicular to the plane defining the mating surface 507 of the plug connector assembly 500. This movement can be achieved by the shape, material, and / or size of the module adapter 502 and / or the retaining clip 510.

[0055] According to some examples, a connector assembly can be formed by forming a plug assembly and a socket assembly. A plug assembly can be formed by forming an insulator portion having two or more cavities and a mating surface. A plug module adapter can then be formed to fit into one of the two or more cavities of the insulator portion, and each plug connector can be encapsulated by the plug module adapter. The plug connector may contain multiple electrical connections that are electrically isolated from each other. Two or more plug module adapters having corresponding plug connectors can be fitted into two or more cavities of the insulator portion such that portions of the plug connector protrude from the mating surface of the plug assembly. The insulator portion having two or more plug module adapters can be inserted into the plug assembly housing. Similarly, a socket assembly can be formed by forming another insulator portion having two or more cavities and a mating surface. A socket module adapter can then be formed to fit into one of the two or more cavities of the insulator portion, and each socket connector can be encapsulated by the socket module adapter. The socket connector may contain multiple electrical connections that are electrically isolated from each other. Two or more receptacle module adapters with corresponding receptacle connectors can be assembled into two or more cavities of the insulator portion, such that the corresponding orifices on the mating surfaces of the receptacle connectors and the receptacle assembly are aligned to mate with the corresponding plug connectors of the plug assembly. The insulator portion with two or more receptacle module adapters can be inserted into the receptacle assembly housing.

[0056] Figure 6 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly with post retainers arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein is shown.

[0057] exist Figure 6 Figure 600A shows a partial plug connector assembly with two USB-type plug connectors but without a housing. The plug connector assembly includes a plug connector 601 and its conductive housing 606, an insulating portion 602 of the connector assembly, and a module adapter 604. Figure 600A further includes a rear insulator 605, an elastomer or mechanical spring 608, a post 610, and a retainer clip 612. Figure 600B shows the same plug connector assembly inside a housing 603.

[0058] Figure 600C shows a mating receptacle connector assembly with two USB receptacle connectors and without a housing. A receptacle connector 626, having its opening 628 and intermediate plate 624, is secured inside the insulating portion 622 of the receptacle connector assembly. Figure 600D shows the same receptacle connector assembly inside a housing 620.

[0059] In the example configuration shown, an elastomer or mechanical spring 608 is used for sealing and provides preload between the housing 603 and the mating receptacle connector 626. A module adapter 604 may be molded or mechanically attached to the housing 603 and may be assembled into an insulating portion 602, which itself may be conductive. A rear insulator 605 is anchored to the insulating portion 602 by a post 610 and held by a clip 612. When the plug connector and receptacle connector are mated together, the conductive housing 603 may abut against the mating receptacle 626 at its bottom. Any axial tolerances may be accommodated by the elastomer or mechanical spring 608 and transferred to the rear insulator 605 via the post 610 and the retaining clip 612.

[0060] In some instances, off-the-shelf plug and socket connectors may be fitted with module adapters and inserted into correspondingly shaped insulating portions of housings 603, 620. Therefore, the housings may also be off-the-shelf. Individual connectors in their respective module adapters may be held in place by latching mechanisms. Alternatively, the insulating portions may be molded around individual connectors. One or both of the plug or socket connectors may be hardwired to a circuit board. The plug or socket connectors may also be provided with wires. In the case of wires, depending on the implementation, the wires of the individual connectors within the connector assembly may be in separate bundles (e.g., with mating connectors at the other end of the cable) or in a single cable bundle.

[0061] Figure 7 A cross-sectional perspective mounting view of a plug-receptacle pair of an example connector assembly with rear housing retention, arranged according to at least some embodiments described herein.

[0062] Similar to Figure 6 , Figure 7 Figure 700A shows a partial plug connector assembly with two USB-type plug connectors and without a housing. The plug connector assembly includes a plug connector 701 and its conductive housing 706, an insulating portion 702 of the connector assembly, and a module adapter 704. Figure 700A further includes a rear insulator 705 and an elastomer or mechanical spring 708. Figure 600B shows the same plug connector assembly inside a housing 703 and a rear housing 713.

[0063] Figure 700C shows a mating receptacle connector assembly with two USB-type receptacle connectors and without a housing. A receptacle connector 726, having its opening 728 and intermediate plate 724, is secured inside the insulating portion 722 of the receptacle connector assembly. Figure 700D shows the same receptacle connector assembly inside a housing 720.

[0064] exist Figure 7In the configuration shown, the rear insulator 705 is held by the rear housing 713. The rear insulator 705, held by the rear housing 713, allows the washer to compress in the axial direction (i.e., occupying axial tolerance) and keeps the plug connector 701 flush with the mating socket connector 726. For simplicity, Figure 7 Not shown in the middle Figure 6 The column and retaining clamp.

[0065] The currently disclosed connector assembly offers numerous advantages. For example, the connector assembly disclosed herein allows for robust and reliable multiple connections between, for example, a computer and various peripheral devices. Modular configuration allows for selection, either in the field or at manufacturing, of different connector types and / or numbers to be combined in a single connector assembly. For example, combining... Figure 3 and 4 Some example embodiments of the latching mechanism described herein allow for the simple removal of the plug connector. Furthermore, by selecting materials and / or configuring the insulating portions, or by adding other materials, the connector assembly can be robust, environmentally insulated, and / or electromagnetically shielded. Multiple individually electrically isolated connectors can simultaneously mate through a single connector assembly, which not only enhances the practicality of using multiple connectors but also provides enhanced protection even in harsh environments.

[0066] This disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, which are intended as illustrative of various aspects. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure. In addition to the methods and apparatuses listed herein, functionally equivalent methods and apparatuses based on the foregoing description are also possible. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. This disclosure is limited only by the terms of the appended claims and the full scope of their equivalents. The terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be restrictive.

[0067] The topics described herein sometimes refer to different components contained within or connected to different other components. Such depicted architectures are merely examples, and many other architectures can actually be implemented to achieve the same functionality. Conceptually, any arrangement of components that achieves the same functionality is actually “associated” to enable the desired functionality. Therefore, any two components combined in this document to achieve a particular functionality can be considered “associated” with each other to enable the desired functionality, regardless of the architecture or intermediate components. Similarly, any two such associated components can also be considered “operably connected” or “operably linked” to each other to achieve the desired functionality, and any two components that can be suchly associated can also be considered “operably linked” to each other to achieve the desired functionality. Specific examples of operationally linked components include, but are not limited to, components that can be physically connected and / or physically interact, and / or components that can interact wirelessly and / or wirelessly, and / or components that logically interact and / or can logically interact.

[0068] In relation to the general use of plural and / or singular terms herein, those skilled in the art can convert plural to singular and / or singular to plural as appropriate to the context and / or application. For clarity, various singular / plural permutations may be explicitly described herein.

[0069] Generally, the terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., the body of the appended claims), are intended to be “open-ended” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, the term “having” should be interpreted as “at least having”, the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to”, etc.). Those skilled in the art will further understand that if a particular number of introduced claim statements are desired, this intention will be explicitly stated in the claims, and if no such statements are present, this intention does not exist. For example, to aid understanding, the appended claims may contain the use of introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim statements. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed as implying that a claim statement introduced by the indefinite article “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such an introduced claim statement to containing only one embodiment of such a statement, even when the same claim contains introductory phrases such as “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and / or “an” should be interpreted as meaning “at least one” or “one or more”); the same applies to the use of definite articles used to introduce claim statements. Furthermore, even if a specific number of introduced claim statements are explicitly stated, those skilled in the art will recognize that such statements should be interpreted as meaning at least that number (e.g., the explicit statement “two statements” without other modifiers means at least two statements or two or more statements).

[0070] Furthermore, in cases where conventions such as "at least one of A, B, and C" are used, generally, those skilled in the art will understand the meaning of the convention and anticipate such constructions (e.g., "a system having at least one of A, B, and C" would include, but is not limited to, systems having only A, only B, only C, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and / or A, B, and C together, etc.). Those skilled in the art should further understand that any disjunctive words and / or phrases that in fact represent two or more alternative terms, whether in the specification, claims, or drawings, should be understood to cover the possibility of including one, any, or both of the stated terms. For example, the phrase "A or B" should be understood to include the possibility of "A" or "B" or "A and B".

[0071] For any and all purposes, such as providing a written description, all scopes disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subscopes and combinations thereof. Any enumerated scope is readily identifiable by sufficient description and is capable of being decomposed into at least two, three, four, five, ten, etc., identical parts. As a non-limiting example, each scope discussed herein is readily decomposed into a lower third, a middle third, and an upper third, etc. Those skilled in the art will also understand that all language, such as “up to,” “at least,” “more than,” “less than,” etc., includes the enumerated number and refers to a scope that can subsequently be decomposed into subscopes as discussed above. Finally, a scope includes each individual member. Thus, for example, a group having 1-3 units means a group having 1, 2, or 3 units. Similarly, a group having 1-5 units means a group having 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 units, and so on.

[0072] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments are also possible. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not intended to be limiting, wherein the true scope and spirit are indicated by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector assembly comprising: The plug assembly includes: First shell; A first insulator portion is arranged to be assembled inside the first housing, the first insulator portion having two or more cavities; Two or more module adapters are arranged to be fitted into the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion; Two or more plug connectors comprising multiple electrical connections, wherein each plug connector is enclosed in a cavity of the first insulator portion by a module adapter of the plug assembly, and at least one plug connector floats relative to the mating surface of the plug assembly along one or more axes; A latching mechanism, located within the first insulator portion, for securing one of the two or more plug connectors, the latching mechanism comprising a finger latch made of the same material as the first insulator portion or a retaining clip made of a different material from the first insulator portion; An insertion opening, said insertion opening on the mating surface of the plug assembly, for inserting a removal tool to release the latching mechanism; and The socket assembly includes: Second shell; A second insulator portion is arranged to be assembled inside the second housing, the second insulator portion having two or more cavities; Two or more module adapters are arranged to fit into the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion; and Two or more receptacle connectors comprising multiple electrical connections, wherein each receptacle connector is enclosed in a cavity of the second insulator portion by a module adapter of the receptacle assembly, at least one receptacle connector is configured to float relative to a mating surface of the receptacle assembly along one or more axes, and portions of the two or more plug connectors protrude from the mating surface of the plug assembly to mate with corresponding receptacle connectors of the receptacle assembly.

2. The connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein The plug connectors are electrically isolated from each other; and / or The socket connectors are electrically isolated from each other.

3. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more plug connectors and the two or more socket connectors: Hardwire to the corresponding circuit board. Connect to a separate cable, or Connect the wires to the cables bundled together for use in the plug assembly or the socket assembly.

4. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug assembly and the socket assembly are configured to engage via an O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and a corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing.

5. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the plug assembly and the socket assembly are configured to engage via a mating thread set on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing or a screw set for holding the first housing and the second housing together.

6. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the material and shape of the first housing, the second housing, the first insulating portion, the second insulating portion, or one or more of the two or more module adapters are selected such that the plug assembly and / or the receptacle assembly are robust, environmentally sealed, or electromagnetically shielded.

7. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more plug connectors and the two or more socket connectors comprise a Universal Serial Bus (USB) version 3.0 category C connector, a USB version 2.0 category B miniature connector, a USB version 2.0 or version 3.0 category B miniature connector, or a high-definition multimedia interface connector arranged parallel to, perpendicular to, or at a predefined angle to each other.

8. The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the two or more plug connectors and the two or more socket connectors comprise a Category C connector of a version higher than Universal Serial Bus (USB) version 3.0, a Category B miniature connector of USB version 2.0, a Category B miniature connector of USB version 2.0 or 3.0, or a high-definition multimedia interface connector arranged parallel to, perpendicular to, or at a predefined angle to each other.

9. A connector assembly comprising: The plug assembly includes: First shell; A first insulator portion is arranged to be assembled inside the first housing; Two or more plug connectors, partially within the first insulating portion, wherein the first insulating portion is molded over the two or more plug connectors, each plug connector comprising multiple electrical connections, and each plug connector being electrically isolated from the other plug connectors; An elastic body or mechanical spring, which is configured as follows: A portion surrounding each plug connector; Seal the first housing; Provide a preload between the first housing and the two or more socket connectors; and The rear insulator, which is anchored to the first insulator portion via one or more posts and retainer clips; and The socket assembly includes: Second shell; The second insulator portion is arranged to be assembled inside the second housing; and Two or more receptacle connectors are located within a second insulating portion, wherein the second insulating portion is molded over the two or more receptacle connectors, each receptacle connector comprising multiple electrical connections, each receptacle connector being electrically isolated from the other receptacle connectors, and portions of the two or more plug connectors protrude from the surface of the plug assembly to mate with corresponding socket connectors of the socket assembly.

10. The connector assembly of claim 9, further comprising: The rear housing is mechanically connected to the first housing and configured to retain the rear insulator.

11. The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein the plug assembly and the connector assembly are configured to mate by: The O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and the corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing; The matching thread set on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing; or A set of screws for holding the first housing and the second housing together.

12. A method for manufacturing a connector assembly, the method comprising: The plug assembly is formed through the following operations: Forming a first insulator portion having two or more cavities and a first mating surface; A first module adapter is formed, which is arranged to be fitted into one of the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion; The first module adapter encapsulates a plug connector containing multiple electrical connections; Two or more first module adapters having corresponding plug connectors are assembled into the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion, such that portions of the plug connectors protrude from the first mating surface of the plug assembly, and at least one of the plug connectors floats relative to the first mating surface along one or more axes. A latching mechanism is formed within the first insulator portion to secure the first module adapter by the following operation: Form a finger latch made of the same material as the first insulator portion or a retaining clip made of a different material than the first insulator portion; as well as An insertion opening is formed on the first mating surface for inserting a removal tool to release the latching mechanism; as well as The first insulator portion having the two or more first module adapters is assembled into the first housing; as well as The socket assembly is formed through the following operations: Forming a second insulator portion having two or more cavities and a second mating surface; Forming a second module adapter arranged to be fitted into one of the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion; The second module adapter encapsulates a socket connector containing multiple electrical connections; Two or more second module adapters having corresponding socket connectors are assembled into the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion such that the socket connectors are aligned with corresponding orifices on the second mating surface to mate with corresponding plug connectors of the plug assembly, and at least one of the socket connectors floats relative to the second mating surface along one or more axes. as well as The second insulator portion having the two or more second module adapters is assembled into the second housing.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising: One or more of the following operations: Hardwire the plug connector and the socket connector to the corresponding circuit board. Connect the plug connector and the socket connector to a separate cable, or Connect the plug connector and the socket connector to a cable bundled together for use with the plug assembly or the socket assembly.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising: Form one or more of the following: The O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and the corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing are used to mate the plug assembly and the socket assembly. The mating thread sets on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing enable the plug assembly and the socket assembly to mate; or The first housing and the second housing have screw holes to hold the plug assembly and the socket assembly together.

15. A universal serial bus connector assembly, comprising: The plug assembly includes: First shell; A first insulator portion is arranged to be assembled inside the first housing, the first insulator portion having two or more cavities; Two or more module adapters are arranged to be fitted into the two or more cavities of the first insulator portion; Two or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) plug connectors are arranged parallel, perpendicular and / or at an angle to each other, wherein each USB plug connector is enclosed in a cavity of the first insulator portion by a module adapter of the plug assembly, floats relative to the mating surface of the plug assembly along one or more axes, and protrudes from the mating surface of the plug assembly. A latching mechanism, located within the first insulator portion, for securing the two or more Universal Serial Bus plug connectors, the latching mechanism comprising a finger latch made of the same material as the first insulator portion or a retaining clip made of a different material from the first insulator portion; An insertion opening, on the mating surface of the plug assembly, for inserting a removal tool to release the latching mechanism; and The socket assembly includes: Second shell; A second insulator portion, arranged to be assembled inside the second housing, the second insulator portion having two or more cavities; and Two or more Universal Serial Bus (USB) socket connectors are arranged to fit into the two or more cavities of the second insulator portion, wherein the USB socket connectors are aligned with orifices on mating surfaces of the socket assembly to mate corresponding USB plug connectors with the USB socket connectors.

16. The Universal Serial Bus connector assembly of claim 15, wherein the plug assembly and the connector assembly are configured to mate by: The O-ring on the inner surface of the first housing and the corresponding groove on the outer surface of the second housing; The matching thread set on the inner surface of the first housing and the outer surface of the second housing; or A set of screws for holding the first housing and the second housing together.

Images