SELF-WARNING SYSTEM FOR UNLOCKED CONNECTORS
First Claim
1. An electrical connector system comprising:
- a sealing gasket disposed between a header surface and a connector surface; and
a plurality of thin film force sensing elements coupled with the sealing gasket, connected in a series electrical network, and configured to form a conductive path through the series electrical network in response to forces applied to predetermined locations of the sealing gasket exceeding a threshold.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A sealing gasket for an electrical connector system includes a resilient element configured to seal an interface between a header surface and a connector surface. The sealing gasket further includes thin-film sensing elements in contact with the resilient element that are configured to define a resistance of an electrical network based on a force applied to the sealing gasket. In some configurations, the sensing elements are arranged in a series electrical network and establish a conductive path when the force is greater than a predetermined force at each of the sensing elements. The thin-film sensing elements may be coupled to a controller that is configured to output a diagnostic based on a state of the electrical network.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical connector system comprising:
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a sealing gasket disposed between a header surface and a connector surface; and a plurality of thin film force sensing elements coupled with the sealing gasket, connected in a series electrical network, and configured to form a conductive path through the series electrical network in response to forces applied to predetermined locations of the sealing gasket exceeding a threshold. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electrical connector sealing gasket comprising:
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a resilient element configured to seal an interface between a header surface and a connector surface; and a thin film including a plurality of force sensing elements in contact with the resilient element and configured to define an electrical network having a resistance that is defined by a compression force applied to the sealing gasket. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. An electrical connector system comprising:
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a sealing gasket disposed between a header surface and a connector surface; and a plurality of thin film force sensing elements coupled to and arranged at predetermined locations of the sealing gasket, and configured to change resistance in response to changes in forces applied at each of the predetermined locations. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification