Flat flexible cable seal and method

Abstract

A seal assembly (100) for a flat flexible cable (10), comprising: a subassembly (250) having a cable opening (117) sized to receive a flexible flat cable (10) therethrough, and having a cover (110), a housing (120), a flexible flat cable (10), and a cable seal member (200) having a central cavity (215); a header (130) selectively connectable with the subassembly (250) and configured to, when connected, deform the cable sealing member (200), thereby forming an impermeable seal around the flexible flat cable (10). The cable sealing member (200) may be provided with a sealing reinforcement, such as a polymer of varying hardness at a sealing rib (222) or corner, for improving compliance against the periphery of the flexible flat cable (10), thereby providing a reliable and predictable seal for the flexible flat cable connector.

Description

[0001] Cross - reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims the benefit of the filing date of Indian Patent Application No. 202441004245, filed on January 22, 2024, under 35 U.S.C.§119(a)-(d). Technical field

[0003] The present subject matter relates to electrical devices, and more particularly, to seals for flat flexible cables. Background art

[0004] A flat flexible cable (FFC) or flat flexible circuit is an electrical component composed of at least one conductor (such as a metal foil conductor) embedded within a thin flexible insulating tape. Due to the advantages of flat flexible cables over traditional "round wire" cables, they are becoming increasingly popular in many industries. Specifically, in addition to having a smaller form factor and lighter weight, FFCs can achieve large circuit paths much more easily compared to round - wire - based architectures. Thus, FFCs are being considered for many complex and / or high - volume applications, including wire harnesses, such as those used in automotive manufacturing.

[0005] Key obstacles hindering the implementation of FFCs in these applications include the need to develop fast, robust, and low - resistance termination techniques that enable FFCs to mate with various components. Additionally, these applications typically subject FFCs and their associated connectors to harsh environmental contaminants such as dirt and moisture. Thus, reliably terminating FFCs includes sealing their connectors against these elements. However, reliably forming a seal around an FFC and sealing its associated mating connector has proven challenging. In particular, forming a fluid - impermeable seal against the entire surface profile on a portion of the FFC, especially where the narrow edges of a thin FFC are to be sealed and a seal that can reliably conform to the seal around the narrow edges is required, has proven difficult.

[0006] Therefore, a cost - effective and reliable solution for reliably sealing FFC assemblies is desired. Summary of the invention

[0007] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a seal assembly for a flat flexible cable (FFC) is provided. The seal assembly includes a cover, a housing, a header, and a seal made of an elastomeric body that defines a central cavity through which the FFC can be guided and sealed. The seal is configured to be retained within the other component parts and is compressed during assembly of the assembly to provide a predictable seal by conforming the seal against the periphery of the FFC. In addition to the FFC, the seal is also used to provide an impermeable seal by pressing against and sealing with each of the cover, the housing, and the header. In an embodiment, the seal body includes seal enhancement features, such as release wells, or seal zones that are more compliant than the remainder of the seal body. The seal zone can be a gel-filled hollow region of the seal body or a softer durometer material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0009] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary FFC cable that can be used to describe embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0010] Figure 2A is an exploded perspective view of a connector assembly utilizing an FFC seal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0011] Figure 2B is Figure 2A a reverse perspective exploded view of the connector assembly of;

[0012] Figure 3A is Figure 2A a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the FFC seal of;

[0013] Figure 3B is Figure 3A a reverse perspective view of the FFC seal of;

[0014] Figure 4 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of an FFC seal according to the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 5 is an exemplary embodiment of the seal having seal zones adjacent to each side of the central cavity; and

[0016] Figure 6A and Figure 6B and Figure 6C are cross-sectional views of the FFC assembly 100 depicting the process of forming an effective FFC seal, wherein Figure 2A the exemplary seal of is installed within the connector sub-assembly and then the header is placed within the FFC assembly. Specific Embodiments

[0017] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals represent like elements. However, the present disclosure may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.

[0018] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. However, it will be apparent that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown schematically in order to simplify the drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 An exemplary portion (i.e., an end segment) of the FFC 10 is shown. The exemplary FFC 10 includes a plurality of conductors 12 embedded within an insulating material 14. The conductors 12 may include metal sheets or foils, such as copper foil, and may be patterned in any desired configuration. The insulating material 14 (such as a polymeric insulating material) may be applied to either side of the conductors 12 via an adhesive, thereby creating an embedded conductor arrangement. One or more portions or windows of the insulating material 14 may be removed (or may not be initially applied) in selected areas to expose segments of the otherwise embedded conductors 12. In an exemplary embodiment, a portion of the top surface 19 of the insulating material 14 has been removed to define a single continuous window 18 that exposes the ends on the top side of each of the conductors 12, while the bottom portion 20 of the insulating material 14 remains present to increase stability and strength. A plurality of openings 22 may optionally be formed through the FFC 10 between each pair of adjacent conductors 12. In such an embodiment, the size and location of the openings 22 may be set to receive a locking clip or latch of an electrical terminal to be attached to the FFC 10.

[0020] Referring to Figure 2A , an FFC assembly 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an FFC 10 electrically connected to a plug housing 120. The plug housing is adapted to be selectively connected to a mating connector or header 130. To seal the FFC / plug interface, a seal 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is fitted over the FFC 10.

[0021] The FFC assembly 100 also includes a cover 110, which may include an integral polymeric element formed via a molding process. Exemplary cover 110 defines at least one resilient latch 112 that extends along a mating direction for engaging a corresponding latch 132 formed on the head base 130 and selectively securing the cover 110 to the head base. In one embodiment, a pair of resilient latches 112 are present on the cover 110 for securing to corresponding latches 132 positioned on opposite surfaces of the head base 130, as referenced Figure 2A as visible. Cover 110 also defines a slotted opening 117 at its front end portion, the slotted opening 117 sized to receive the FFC 10 therethrough, and cover 110 also has a rear opening 118 adapted to receive the head base 130. See Figure 6A -C. When assembled, the outer sealing ribs 212 of the seal 200 abut or sealingly engage the inner wall defining the opening in the head base 130 around its periphery, as referenced Figure 6B as visible. Under a compressive force maintained by the engaged latches 112 on the cover 110 and the latches 132 on the head base 130, an axially facing surface 221 of the seal 200 (see Figure 3B ) engages the cover 110, with the opposite side engaging or abutting the plug housing 120, as Figure 6A and 6B shown.

[0022] It should be understood that Figure 2A and Figure 2B the connector assemblies shown in are merely representative, and the FFC seals and methods of manufacturing thereof described herein may be used in any other suitable application without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0023] As shown, the seal 200 may be provided with sealing features (e.g., ribs) that face outward (outward-facing rib 212) to engage a portion of the connector (e.g., the interior of the header 130) and face inward (inward-facing rib 222) to engage the surface of a cable (e.g., FFC 10). However, adequate sealing of a thin, flexible FFC may require additional sealing features because the seal must be able to reliably conform to the narrow side edges of the ribbon cable. As will be discussed, an effective seal 200 can be molded by varying different properties of the seal in the area around or adjacent to the edge of the cable (e.g., controlling the properties of the material, including stiffness or hardness, or providing a release well or slit, etc.), which is more likely to conform to the outer profile of the FFC 10 when the FFC 10 is compressed within the FFC assembly 100. For example, the present invention provides a seal that can conform to the main flat surfaces on the top and bottom of a flexible flat cable and can also adequately seal against relatively narrow edges that form minor surfaces extending the thin sides of the FFC, which can pose a challenge. In an embodiment of the present invention, an effective seal against the minor surface of the FFC can be provided by compressing the seal 200 in the manner described herein, wherein the seal compression can be applied in multiple stages or forms; for example, staged compression can be applied in stages implemented coherently, or alternatively, the seal compression can be applied in multiple ways and substantially simultaneously when connecting the components of the FFC assembly 100. In an embodiment, the compression of the seal can be generated by securing the seal around the FFC in a plurality of zones corresponding to the portion of the seal 200 located between: the lid and the housing; and / or between the header and the housing; and / or between the lid, the housing, and the header. In various embodiments, as will be discussed, the seal 200 may also be provided with features that provide enhanced sealing around the FFC, particularly at the narrow edges of the cable, where the seal must conform around the narrow thickness dimension of the FFC in a tightly curved manner to reliably provide adequate sealing at the outer side edges of the FFC.

[0024] Referring to Figure 3A , Figure 3B and Figure 6A , Figure 6B, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a seal 200 having internal sealing features, such as one or more ribs 222, which can cause each of the internal sealing features to conform to the flat surface and side edges of the FFC respectively. Specifically, the seal 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a body 210, and the body 202 defines an internal cavity 215 therethrough. The body 210 may be formed of a flexible polymer material (such as silicone rubber, nitrile rubber, or polyurethane, fluoroelastomer, ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber, chloroprene, perfluoroelastomer, or fluorosilicone, as non-limiting examples) having a relatively low Shore hardness (e.g., 70 - 85A).

[0025] The body 210 defines a plurality of different sealing portions or zones. A first sealing portion of the seal body 210 is formed around the outer contour, and an outer sealing rib 212 extends around its outer periphery. In an exemplary embodiment, each sealing rib 212 tapers in a radially outward direction for defining a sealing surface or end. Another sealing portion of the seal body 210 is disposed on a second axial face 225 of the body 210, as an opening configured to circumferentially or only partially surround the internal cavity in a rectangular shape, wherein the body 210 defines a cavity 214 therein that opens in the axial direction. The cavity 214 is adapted to receive a portion of a connector component therein, such as the housing 120 (see Figure 6A -C), providing structural support and positioning functions for the seal 200.

[0026] Yet another sealing portion or zone is formed inside the seal body 210, within the internal cavity 215. As shown, the internal cavity 215 is provided with inward-facing sealing ribs 222 (e.g., extending entirely along the lining of the internal cavity) extending around the internal cavity 215, wherein the internal sealing ribs 222 are smaller in size than the sealing ribs 212, but are now similarly provided in the form of a plurality of inward-facing sealing ribs 222, and each sealing rib 222 tapers radially toward the internal cavity through which the FFC is to pass.

[0027] In addition, each axial-facing surface of the seal body 210 provides additional other sealing portions or zones; the first axial-facing surface 221 of the seal 200 engages the cover 110, and the second axial-facing surface 225 engages or abuts the plug housing 120, and a rectangular protrusion on the housing 120 is received in the corresponding cavity 214 of the second axial-facing surface 225, as Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C shown.

[0028] As Figure 3A and Figure 3BAs shown, the seal 200 is generally defined as a hollow rectangular shape with substantially semi-circular ends, where a linear portion extends between the ends. However, it should be understood that other seal cross-sections or shapes may be incorporated without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0029] Now referring to Figure 6A , a subassembly 250 is depicted prior to the introduction of the head mount 130. As shown, the subassembly 250 includes a seal 200 mounted against the housing 120, and the seal 200 is also mounted within the Figure 2A cover 110 of, and a portion of the FFC 10 passes through an opening (central cavity 215) in the seal body 210. The housing 120 includes at least one protrusion 114 extending axially towards the seal 200, and the protrusion 114 engages at least one cavity 214 of the second axial face 225, thereby securing the seal 200 to the housing 120. This arrangement also isolates the sealing surfaces defined by the respective sealing ribs 212, 222 from each other, thereby allowing their relatively independent operation. The seal 200 creates a receiving space 115 within the cover 110 that extends around the perimeter of the seal. The receiving space 115 is sized to receive an end portion of the head mount 130, by way of example only, and creates a seal with the inner wall of the head mount 130 via the sealing rib 212 (as Figure 6B shown and more particularly shown in Figure 6C ). An inwardly facing sealing rib 222 disposed on the perimeter of the inner cavity 215 is aligned with the slotted opening 117 of the cover 110 for receiving the FFC 10 passing therethrough. In the subassembly 250, the first axial facing surface 221 is oriented in a direction that seals against the inner surface of the cover 110 adjacent thereto. The cover 110 may optionally provide at least one protruding pin 310 extending axially inwardly away from the cover 110 in the direction towards the housing 120, as visible with reference to Figure 2A . As shown, in one embodiment, a pair of rearwardly protruding pins are provided, each pin being in the shape of a tapered semi-circular prism, and the pair of rearwardly protruding pins may be guided through corresponding release openings 330 in the seal body 210 and received within corresponding receiver openings provided in the housing 120 at a location that will ensure proper alignment when the cover 110 and the housing 120 are brought close to each other, and hold the seal 200 against the cover 110 in position, such as within the subassembly 250 prior to engagement with the head mount 130.

[0030] Referring to Figure 6B , the head mount 130 is depicted as having been assembled onto the housing 120 and engaged with Figure 6Ais joined to the sub - assembly 250 and urged towards the cover 110, where the end of the head - seat 130 is guided into the receiving space 115. Then, when the elastic latch 112 of the cover 110 is selectively engaged with one or more latches 132 ( Figure 2A as shown in) provided on the main surface of the head - seat 130, the head - seat 130 can be mechanically fixed to the cover 110. The engagement of the elastic latch 112 with the latch 132 can maintain the compressive force applied against the seal 200 between the cover 110, the housing 120, and the head - seat 130, and thereby also cause the seal 200 to closely conform against the FFC 10.

[0031] Thus, the joining of the head - seat 130 to the seal sub - assembly 250 will cause the seal 200 to be compressed to a greater extent than Figure 6A provided in, and as Figure 6B shown, cause the seal 200 to seal in multiple sealing zones, as described herein. In this way, the seal body 210 will be urged into a sealing configuration because the sub - assembly 250 will apply compression in multiple zones of the seal 200 as described when assembled with the head - seat 130, in order to achieve an effective seal around the FFC 10 within the head - seat 130, the housing 120, and the cover 110.

[0032] First, referring to the sub - assembly 250 of Figure 6A , the seal 200 is arranged to compress around the FFC cable 10, which is guided through the slotted opening 117 of the cover 110, and the FFC passes through the internal cavity 215 of the seal 200. As shown, at least one of the inward - facing ribs 222 is shown in contact with the outer contour of the FFC 10 guided through the internal cavity 215 and may optionally deform against the outer contour of the FFC 10. During this sub - assembly compression stage of the seal 200, as Figure 6A depicted in, any of the outward - facing ribs 212 will not be compressed against any other components of the sub - assembly 250, but the outward - facing ribs will at least partially extend into the receiving area 115. It is contemplated that in an alternative embodiment, all of the inward - facing ribs 222 can be in contact with the FFC provided within the sub - assembly 250, and some or all of the inward - facing ribs 222 can be further optionally compressed against the FFC provided within the sub - assembly 250. As depicted in Figure 6AAs depicted, before the introduction of the head seat 130, the first axial sealing surface 221 of the seal 200 can contact the inner axial surface of the cover 110, but is not urged tightly against and does not conform to the inner axial surface of the cover 110. Similarly, the second axially facing surface 225 of the seal 200 can also contact the vertically axially facing surfaces of the housing 120, but does not conform tightly against these surfaces. Similarly, the protrusion 114 of the housing 120 is shown extending into the cavity 214, but the seal 200 does not deform fully against the protrusion 114, as indicated by the gap retained within the cavity 214, even though the protrusion 114 extends therein.

[0033] As Figure 6B depicted, the extension of the head seat 130 on the housing 120 is shown, where the cover 110 is fixed to the head seat 130 by an elastic latch 112 that latches onto a latch 132. As Figure 6B shown, the end portion of the head seat 130 is guided over and past the outward-facing rib 212 of the seal 200, which in turn will cause the seal body 210 to enter a second compression stage, characterized by providing an impermeable seal at more zones or areas when compared to the embodiment Figure 6A depicted. As Figure 6B shown, as the head seat 130 occupies the void space 115 adjacent to the outer rib 212, each of the outward-facing ribs 212 contacts and deforms against the inner surface of the head seat, as Figure 6A depicted. In the case where the head seat 130 deforms against all the outer sealing ribs 212 and an impermeable seal is created by the deformation of all the outer sealing ribs 212, the seal body 210 will undergo compression such that at least one cavity 214 of the seal deforms tightly against or is urged against the protrusion 114 of the housing 120 (as Figure 6C shown). Additionally, the advanced compression stage of the seal body 210 will cause all the inward-facing sealing ribs 222 to deform against the FFC to form a reliable, impermeable seal in the area of the seal 200 that contacts the outer surface of the portion of the FFC 10, as Figure 6C depicted. Additionally, the cover 110 will be urged towards the head seat 130 (in the direction of the arrow), and then the cover and the head seat can be fixed relative to each other by the engagement of the elastic latch 112 and the latch 132, such that the first axially facing surface 221 now tightly and sequentially abuts the inner axial surface of the cover 110, as Figure 6CAs shown. Similarly, the second axially facing surface 225 will be compressed against the vertical surface of the housing 120. In this way, an impermeable seal will be created at multiple interfaces within the FFC assembly 100, including the interface between the internal sealing rib 222 and the FFC 10; the interface between the external sealing rib 212 and the header 130; the interface between the protrusion 114 and the cavity 214; the interface between the first axially facing surface 221 and the cover 110; and the interface between the second axially facing surface 225 and the housing 120. With an impermeable seal formed and maintained at each of these interfaces, the FFC assembly 100 according to the present invention ensures that the connection of the FFC 10 for carrying electrical signals is moisture-proof and dirt-proof.

[0034] Optionally, and as Figure 2A shown, the cover 110 may have at least one positioning pin, depicted as a tapered pin 310 extending axially away from the face of the cover 110 in the direction towards the housing 120, where at least one tapered pin 310 may be received within a positioning opening 330 provided in the seal 200, as Figure 3A and 3B shown. Figure 2A Each of the pins 310 of Figure 2B may be received within a corresponding receiving hole 312 provided in the face of the housing 120, as Figure 2A and Figure 2BAs depicted, in one embodiment, there are two tapered pins 310 positioned on either side of the elongated slotted opening 117 of the cover 110. As the tapered pins 310 are further passed through the positioning opening 330 in the seal body 210, the narrower portion of the pins 310 enters first, and as the tapered pins 310 are further inserted through the release opening, the size of the pins gradually increases, and the final portion of the pins closest to the cover 110 may transition to a non-tapered portion (e.g., a straight semi-cylindrical prism) such that the positioning opening will conform around the pins and not be driven away from the cover 110 in a sliding manner. In this way, the seal 200 will tend to remain fixed in place, where the positioning opening 330 surrounds and clamps against the perimeter of the non-tapered base of the positioning pin. It is further contemplated that after passing the positioning pin through the positioning opening 330 of the seal body 210, the tapered pins 310 may be received within corresponding receiving holes 312 provided in the housing 120. In this way, the (multiple) tapered pins 310 of the cover 110 will be used to hold the seal body 210 in place within the subassembly 250, ensuring the proper positioning of the cover 110 and the housing 120 relative to each other, and further may physically engage the cover 110 to the housing 120, e.g., where the pins 310 are frictionally fitted within the corresponding receiving holes 312 in the housing 120. Still further, in the case where the pins 310 are received within the corresponding receiving holes 312 of the housing 120, introducing the head seat 130 into the receiving space 115 of the subassembly 250 will not tend to displace or expel the cover 110 from the housing 120.

[0035] In an embodiment, the seal body 210 may optionally be provided with at least one seal enhancer configured to improve the ability of the seal body 210 to conform to the entire outer profile of the FFC 10 as the FFC 10 is guided through the internal cavity 215. In an embodiment, the at least one seal enhancer is used to increase the deformability of the seal body 210 at least in a local area, specifically, by providing greater compliance for each area of the seal body 210 adjacent to the end of the internal cavity 215 to allow the seal body 210 to more easily deform in these areas and reliably conform against the narrow edges of the FFC 10, thereby ensuring a reliable seal around the narrow sides of the FFC 10. In Figure 3A and Figure 3B and Figure 4In the illustrated embodiment, the seal body 210 may include one or more grooves or recesses in the seal body, and the one or more grooves or recesses are provided as release wells 320 for increasing the ability of the seal body 210 to release the deformation and compression pressure in the seal body 210 in a local area, thereby minimizing local stress (as the head seat 130 is introduced into the subassembly 250 and the seal 200 conforms to each of the cover 110, the housing 120, the head seat 130, and the FFC 10, local stress may accumulate and cause unpredictable deformation), so as to provide an impermeable seal for the FFC assembly 100.

[0036] As Figure 3A and 3B and Figure 4 shown, the seal body 210 may be provided with one or more exemplary partial thickness release wells, which may be cuts or slits, shown as release wells 320 disposed near the positioning opening 330 and at each end of the internal cavity 215 at the target location, so as to enhance the flexibility and compliance of the seal body 210 in the target area. The partial thickness release cuts may be provided on only one or both of the first axially facing surface 221 and the second axially facing surface 225 of the seal 200. It is contemplated that in an exemplary embodiment, the release well 320 provided on the first axially facing surface 221 may be a mirror version of the release well provided on the second axially facing surface 225. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, it is contemplated that the release well 320 provided on one axially facing surface may be different from the release well provided on the opposite axially facing surface. In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the release well may be provided on only one of the first axially facing surface 221 or the second axially facing surface 225.

[0037] Specific reference is made to Figure 3A and Figure 3B, in the illustrated embodiment, the release wells 320 can be provided on each of the first axially facing surface 221 and the second axially facing surface 225 of the seal 200, and can be different on each surface. The release wells 320 are used to provide greater flexibility and compliance in the target area of the seal body 210, wherein the provided release portion is a formed recess or hollow portion provided in the seal body 210, and the release well provides a reduction in the thickness of the material of the seal body 210 relative to the surrounding area of the seal body. The thinner profile of the material in the release wells 320 will stretch more easily when deformed relative to the non-thinned portion of the seal, and furthermore, when the seal 200 is compressed, the release provided within the wells 320 will allow the surrounding material to shift into the release portion. Thus, the release wells 320 are configured to allow the seal body 210 to flex more easily and deform predictably in order to better conform to the FFC 10 when the FFC 10 passes through the internal cavity 215, particularly at the narrow edges of the FFC. Additionally, the release wells 320 can thus release at least some of the pressure caused by the deformation of the material of the seal body 210 when compressed within other components of the FFC assembly 100 (e.g., the head seat 130, the housing 120, the cover 110, and the FFC 10), thereby minimizing irregular or unpredictable deformations when the material of the seal 200 is compressed and deformed and allowing the material of the seal 200 to shift into the open area created within the release wells 320.

[0038] In an embodiment, the release wells 320 can be created after molding of the seal body 210 by cutting and removing specific material from the seal body 210 after molding in order to create a release cut, e.g., by cutting or milling away; or alternatively, the release wells can be integrated into the mold or provided when the material for the seal body 210 is initially formed (e.g., injection molded, milled, or cast) into the desired form.

[0039] In Figure 3A and Figure 3B the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the release wells 320 are shown as partial thickness release cuts or openings that allow for easier deflection of the narrow band remaining between the end of the internal cavity 215 and the corresponding positioning openings 330. As shown, in the exemplary embodiment, the release wells 320 can be in the form of generally circular grooves formed as recesses into the seal body 210 ( Figure 3A ), and generally having no sharp corners or edges within the recess; or alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the release wells 320 can be angled recesses provided in the seal body 210 ( Figure 4 ), characterized by having planar surfaces that converge at an intersection line, and the recess having different corners within the recess.

[0040] Specific referenceFigure 3A , the release well 320 includes a secondary release incision positioned between the outer edges of the seal body 210 and extending toward the positioning opening 330, and the secondary release incision is longitudinally positioned along a plane extending through the elongated central cavity 215. Figure 3A The release well 320 of also includes a pair of transverse groove recesses, each transverse groove recess being positioned on either side of the central cavity, outside the edge of the oblong cavity 214 on either side, and extending across the corresponding positioning opening 330, wherein the incision is positioned perpendicular to the plane extending through the central cavity 215.

[0041] Specific reference Figure 3B , the release well 320 includes a secondary release incision that is longitudinally positioned along the plane of the central cavity 215 and extends almost from the outer edge of the seal body 210 and extends across the corresponding positioning opening 330 until it encounters one of the laterally oriented release wells 320. As shown, each lateral release well 320 is oriented perpendicular to the plane extending through the central cavity 215 and is positioned between the corresponding positioning opening 330 and the corresponding end of the central cavity 215, wherein the release well extends laterally across almost the entire dimension of the seal body 210 with respect to the plane of the central cavity 215. Figure 3A and Figure 3B The lateral release incision 320 of can be generally tapered toward the centerline of the incision and have a rounded end, as shown.

[0042] Reference Figure 4 , in another exemplary embodiment, the seal enhancer can be a plurality of release wells 320 that are provided as recesses in the form of three-dimensional tapered wedge-shaped slits, for example, as shown, which extend and taper at approximately 45 degrees with respect to the plane passing through the central cavity by narrowing in the direction of the corners at each of the ends remote from the central cavity 215. In Figure 4 the embodiment of, a pair of release wells 320 positioned approximately centrally along the length of the central cavity 215 can be further provided, wherein each of these release incisions is tapered and extends in a lateral direction from the central cavity 215 and extends approximately half the distance from the central cavity to the outer periphery of the seal body 210.

[0043] In another embodiment, as Figure 5As shown, the seal enhancement feature can be in the form of a seal zone 340 provided at each end of the seal 200", in the region adjacent to each end of the elongated central cavity 215. In an exemplary embodiment, the seal zone 340 is characterized by a material having different properties from the remainder of the seal 200". For example, the seal zone 340 can have a more compliant material than the remainder of the seal 200". Providing a more compliant seal zone 340 can be achieved, for example, by providing such a region of the seal body 210" at each end of the central cavity, which is formed of a material such as a polymer that has less rigid material properties and a lower Shore hardness (e.g., <80A) compared to the remainder of the seal body 210", such that the seal zone 340 will more easily deform around the side edges of the ribbon FFC 10 passing through the central cavity 215 and conform to the abutting side edges, as previously discussed. In one embodiment, the seal zone 340 can be formed by any suitable manufacturing or molding process, such as an injection molding process utilizing overmolding techniques, to provide an integral seal body 210" having regions of different hardnesses in an integral body.

[0044] In an alternative embodiment, it is contemplated that the seal zone 340 can be provided as a hollow region formed within the seal body 210", and the hollow portion can be filled or injected with a compliant gel material such that the gel of the gel-filled region can be physically displaced within the seal zone 340 to adapt and conform to the FFC guided through the central cavity 215 in the manner previously described. In this way, when the FFC 10 is guided through the central cavity 215 and the edge of the FFC encounters the corresponding seal zone, the flowable gel material can be displaced and cause the gel-filled interior of the seal zone within the seal body 210" to easily conform to the narrow dimensions of the side edge of the FFC 10 to provide a seal against the edge of the FFC. In an embodiment, the seal zone 340 of the seal body 210" can contain a viscoelastic gel that substantially fills the hollow interior portion of the seal zone 340, and the viscoelastic gel can conform to the portion of the FFC guided through the central cavity, but will seek to return to its original shape if the FFC is removed from the central cavity 215.

[0045] In Figure 5In any of the embodiments, as depicted, the provided seal area 340 can be a semi-circular shaped area that is adjacent to each end of the central cavity 215 and has a radius that is substantially the same as the distance from the central plane of the central cavity 215 to the outer edge of the oblong cavity 214 that is positioned above or below the central plane. It is contemplated that alternative shapes of the seal area can be provided without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure, and by way of non-limiting example, include any suitable shape, such as a crescent shape, square, triangle, or rectangular seal area, or regular or irregular polygons or curved shapes.

Claims

1. A seal assembly for a flat flexible cable, comprising: A sub - assembly (100) having a cable opening (117) sized to receive a flexible flat cable (10) therethrough, and the sub - assembly (100) having a cover (110), a housing (120), the flexible flat cable (10), and a cable sealing member (200) having a central cavity (215); A head base (130) capable of selectively connecting to the sub - assembly (100) and configured to deform the cable sealing member (200) upon connection to form an impermeable seal around the flexible flat cable (10).

2. The seal assembly according to claim 1, wherein, The cable sealing member (200) includes a plurality of outer sealing ribs (212) extending around the outside of the cable sealing member (200), and a plurality of inner sealing ribs (222) extending around the central cavity (215).

3. The cable seal assembly according to claim 2, wherein, The cable sealing member (200) further includes a first axial face (221) positioned in the direction facing the cover (110), and a second axial face (225) positioned in the direction facing the housing (120).

4. The cable seal assembly according to claim 3, wherein, The housing (120) has a protrusion (114) disposed around the cable - sized opening (117), and the cable sealing member (200) has a cavity (214) in the second axial face (225) configured to receive at least a portion of the protrusion (114) therein.

5. The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The cross - section of the protrusion (114) of the housing (120) is tapered and is oblong, and the cavity (214) in the second axial face (225) is a tapered and oblong cavity in cross - section.

6. The cable seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The cover (110) has at least one positioning pin (310), the cable sealing member (200) has at least one positioning opening (330), and the housing (120) has at least one receiving hole (312) such that the positioning pin (310) passes through the positioning opening (330) and is at least partially received within the receiving hole (312).

7. The cable seal assembly according to claim 6, wherein, The positioning pin (310) is a tapered semi - circular pin with a non - tapered base, and the positioning pin (310) is fixed to the cover (110) at the non - tapered base.

8. The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The head base (130) includes at least one latch (132), and the cover (110) includes at least one catch (112) configured to engage with the latch (132) to fix the cover (110) to the head base (130).

9. The seal assembly according to claim 8, wherein, The fixing of the cover (110) to the head base (130) causes the cable sealing member (200) to seal in multiple zones.

10. The seal assembly according to claim 9, wherein, The plurality of regions includes a first region, a second region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region includes the interface between the outer sealing rib (212) and the inner surface of the head seat (130). The second region includes the interface between the first axial surface (221) and the cover (110). The third region includes the interface between the second axial surface (225) and the housing (120). And the fourth region includes the interface between the inner sealing rib (222) and the flexible flat cable (10).

11. The seal assembly according to claim 10, wherein, The third region further includes the interface between the protrusion (114) of the housing (120) and the cavity (214) of the second axial surface (225).

12. The seal assembly according to claim 4, wherein, The cable sealing member (200) further includes at least one sealing enhancer selected from the group consisting of a release well (320) and a sealing zone (340).

13. The seal assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The at least one sealing enhancer includes a plurality of release wells (320), and each of the plurality of release wells is selected from the group consisting of a grooved recess having a circular feature and a three-dimensional tapered wedge slot.

14. The seal assembly according to claim 12, wherein, The at least one sealing enhancer includes a plurality of sealing zones (340), and each of the plurality of sealing zones is positioned at each end of the central cavity (215) and includes a material having a lower rigidity hardness than the remainder of the cable sealing member (200).

15. The seal assembly according to claim 14, wherein, The sealing zone (340) includes a hollow region therein having a viscoelastic gel material.

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