Advanced panel mount connector and method
First Claim
1. A panel mount connector for installation in an opening that is defined by a panel of sheet material having first and second opposing major sides and a thickness therebetween, said panel mount connector comprising:
- a connector shell assembly including a main connector shell body having a panel mount end and an opposing, free end with the panel mount end receivable directly in said opening for fixed mounting to the panel such that the panel mount end extends through the panel, the main connector shell body defining a through passage extending between the panel mount end and the free end;
a flexible circuit board supported substantially within the through passage and defining a first external connection interface at a first end thereof for external electrical access from the free end of the main connector shell body and defines a second external connection interface at an opposing, second end of the flexible circuit board for external access from the panel mount end of the main connector shell body with the second external connection interface including at least one of an electrical connection interface for external electrical communication and an optical converter interface for external optical communication and at least the first external connection interface is supported proximate to the free end of the main connector shell body for independent movement relative to the connector shell main body for independent movement relative to the connector shell main body wherein the main connector shell body defines a first entrance opening at the free end from which the first external connection interface is accessed when the flexible circuit board is received in the through passage; and
a retainer ring is configured for removably fixed engagement with the main connector shell body at the first entrance opening and the retainer ring is further configured for capturing the first external connection interface for said independent movement.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A panel mount connector and method involve a connector shell assembly that is configured to be received in an opening that is defined by a panel with the connector shell defining a through passage. A flexible circuit board is supported within the through passage and defines a first external connection interface at one end for external electrical access from one side of the panel when the connector shell assembly is installed in the panel and at least the first external connection interface is supported for independent movement relative to the connector shell.
48 Citations
59 Claims
-
1. A panel mount connector for installation in an opening that is defined by a panel of sheet material having first and second opposing major sides and a thickness therebetween, said panel mount connector comprising:
-
a connector shell assembly including a main connector shell body having a panel mount end and an opposing, free end with the panel mount end receivable directly in said opening for fixed mounting to the panel such that the panel mount end extends through the panel, the main connector shell body defining a through passage extending between the panel mount end and the free end; a flexible circuit board supported substantially within the through passage and defining a first external connection interface at a first end thereof for external electrical access from the free end of the main connector shell body and defines a second external connection interface at an opposing, second end of the flexible circuit board for external access from the panel mount end of the main connector shell body with the second external connection interface including at least one of an electrical connection interface for external electrical communication and an optical converter interface for external optical communication and at least the first external connection interface is supported proximate to the free end of the main connector shell body for independent movement relative to the connector shell main body for independent movement relative to the connector shell main body wherein the main connector shell body defines a first entrance opening at the free end from which the first external connection interface is accessed when the flexible circuit board is received in the through passage; and a retainer ring is configured for removably fixed engagement with the main connector shell body at the first entrance opening and the retainer ring is further configured for capturing the first external connection interface for said independent movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A method for producing a panel mount connector for installation in an opening that is defined by a panel of sheet material having first and second opposing major sides and a thickness therebetween, said method comprising:
-
configuring a connector shell assembly to include a main connector shell body having a panel mount end and an opposing, free end with the panel mount end receivable directly in said opening for fixed mounting to the panel such that the panel mount end extends through the panel and the main connector shell body defines a through passage extending between the panel mount end and the free end; and supporting a flexible circuit board substantially within the through passage and defining a first external connection interface at one end thereof for external electrical access from the free end when installed in the connector shell assembly and defining a second external connection interface at an opposing end of the flexible circuit board for external access from the panel mount end when installed in the connector shell assembly with the second external connection interface including at least one of an electrical connection interface for external electrical communication and an optical converter interface for external optical communication and supporting at least the first external connection interface proximate to the free end of the main connector shell body for independent movement relative to the connector shell main body and further configuring the main connector shell body to define a first entrance opening from which the first external connection interface is accessed at the free end when the flexible circuit board is received in the through passage; and removably engaging a retainer ring with the main connector shell body at the first entrance opening to cooperate with the main connector shell body to capture the first external connection interface for said independent movement. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52)
-
-
53. A method for producing a panel mount connector for installation in an opening that is defined by a panel of sheet material having first and second opposing major sides and a thickness therebetween, said method comprising:
-
configuring a connector shell assembly to include a main connector shell body having a panel mount end and an opposing, free end with the panel mount end receivable directly in said opening for fixed mounting to the panel such that the panel mount end extends through the panel and the main connector shell body defines a through passage extending between the panel mount end and the free end; supporting a flexible circuit board substantially within the through passage and defining a first external connection interface at one end thereof for external electrical access from the free end when installed in the connector shell assembly and defining a second external connection interface at an opposing end of the flexible circuit board for external access from the panel mount end when installed in the connector shell assembly with the second external connection interface including at least one of an electrical connection interface for external electrical communication and an optical converter interface for external optical communication and supporting at least the first external connection interface proximate to the free end of the main connector shell body for independent movement relative to the connector shell main body wherein the connector shell assembly includes a central axis and the method includes configuring the flexible circuit board to include an elongated length that is folded along the central axis between the first external connection interface and the second external connection interface and to include a middle circuit section having first and second flexible extensions extending from the middle section to the first external connection interface and the second external connection interface, respectively, and arranging the first and second flexible extensions to cooperate to support the middle circuit section transversely oriented to the central axis. - View Dependent Claims (54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59)
-
Specification