Removable cable connector
Inventors
Schneider, Robert • Mack, Adam Mekeel • Silvestri, Ryan • Hyde, Timothy A. • Fischman, Jason
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-11978976-B2
Publication Date
2024-05-07
Expiration Date
Abstract
A removable cable connector engages with an electronic device such that the removable cable connector removably yet securely attaches to the electronic device. In some embodiments, the electronic device includes a plate configured to guide an electronic plug of the removable cable connector toward an electronic receptacle of the electronic device. The plate may be further configured to include one or more locators for holding the electronic receptacle of the electronic device in place. The removable cable connector may include a molded housing formed using a two-shot overmolding process to form a first overmolded strain relief portion and a second overmolded strain relief portion which cover fasteners that fasten a face plate to the connector.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an electronic device having a body with a cavity at an end of the body, where one of an electronic connector receptacle or a corresponding electronic connector plug is accessible via the cavity. A plate is positioned within the cavity, and the plate includes one or more locators positioned on a surface facing away from the cavity. The locators are configured to maintain a position of the electronic connector receptacle or the electronic connector plug within the body.
The invention further provides an electronic device together with a removable cable connector. The electronic device includes a cavity located at a first end of the body, and one or more cable connector engagement members positioned on one or more interior lateral surfaces of the cavity, with one of an electronic connector receptacle and a corresponding electronic connector plug positioned within the cavity. The removable cable connector includes a housing with the other of the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug positioned on the removable cable connector, and the removable cable connector is configured so that, when inserted in the cavity, the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug connect to one another.
The invention also characterizes guided alignment and releasable retention using a plate opening geometry and cavity/connector interface features. In an electronic device with a plate recessed within the cavity and forming a base of the cavity, the plate has an opening through the plate aligned with one of the electronic connector receptacle and the corresponding electronic connector plug. The front side of the opening has a larger cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the back side of the opening to guide the other of the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug toward the connector portion on the electronic device.
Claims Coverage
The independent claims are clm-00001, clm-00008, and clm-00017, covering three inventive features: connector-position maintaining plate locators in a cavity, complementary removable cable connector engagement and connection in an electronic device cavity, and guided connector alignment using a recessed plate opening with a larger front-side cross-sectional area.
Connector-position maintaining plate locators in a cavity
An electronic device comprising a body having a cavity at an end of the body, one of an electronic connector receptacle or a corresponding electronic connector plug accessible via the cavity, and a plate positioned within the cavity having one or more locators on a surface facing away from the cavity, the one or more locators configured to maintain a position the electronic connector receptacle or the electronic connector plug within the body.
Complementary removable cable connector engaging and connecting to an electronic device cavity
An electronic device and a removable cable connector comprising an electronic device with a body and a cavity located at a first end of the body, one or more cable connector engagement members positioned on one or more interior lateral surfaces of the cavity, one of an electronic connector receptacle and a corresponding electronic connector plug positioned within the cavity, and a removable cable connector including a housing where the other of the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug is positioned on the removable cable connector such that, when inserted in the cavity, the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug connect to one another, and one or more cavity engagement members positioned on the cable connector housing configured to engage with the cable connector engagement members to releasably hold the cable connector to the electronic device body.
Guided connector alignment using a recessed plate opening with larger front-side area
An electronic device and removable cable connector comprising an electronic device including a body with a cavity at a first end configured to receive a removable cable connector, a plate recessed within the cavity and forming a base of the cavity with an opening through the plate aligned with one of an electronic connector receptacle and a corresponding electronic connector plug, and a removable cable connector with a housing removably received in the cavity and having the other of the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug configured to connect to the one of the electronic connector receptacle and the corresponding electronic connector plug, wherein a front side of the opening through the plate has a larger cross-sectional area than a cross-sectional area of the back side of the opening to guide the other of the electronic connector receptacle and the electronic connector plug on the removable cable connector toward the one of the electronic connector receptacle and the corresponding electronic connector plug on the electronic device.
Across the independent claims, the document focuses on maintaining connector position within a cavity using a plate with outward-facing locators, enabling a removable cable connector to connect to an electronic connector receptacle/plug when inserted, releasably holding the removable connector using cavity/cable connector engagement members, and guiding connector alignment using a recessed plate opening with a larger front-side cross-sectional area.
Stated Advantages
Releasably holds the cable connector to the electronic device body.
Guides the electronic connector receptacle and electronic connector plug toward correct alignment to connect to one another when the removable cable connector is inserted.
Documented Applications
The electronic device is a portable ultrasound machine.
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