(19)
(11)EP 3 063 836 B1

(12)EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45)Mention of the grant of the patent:
02.12.2020 Bulletin 2020/49

(21)Application number: 14857609.3

(22)Date of filing:  31.10.2014
(51)International Patent Classification (IPC): 
H01R 13/6588(2011.01)
H01R 13/6599(2011.01)
H01R 13/6464(2011.01)
H01R 13/7195(2011.01)
H01R 13/66(2006.01)
H01R 107/00(2006.01)
(86)International application number:
PCT/US2014/063408
(87)International publication number:
WO 2015/066464 (07.05.2015 Gazette  2015/18)

(54)

VERY LOW INDUCTANCE FLEXIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR INSERT

FLEXIBLER STROMSTECKEREINSATZ MIT SEHR NIEDRIGER INDUKTIVITÄT

INSERT FLEXIBLE À TRÈS FAIBLE INDUCTANCE POUR CONNECTEUR ÉLECTRIQUE


(84)Designated Contracting States:
AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR

(30)Priority: 01.11.2013 US 201361898927 P

(43)Date of publication of application:
07.09.2016 Bulletin 2016/36

(73)Proprietor: Quell Corporation
Albuquerque, NM 87109 (US)

(72)Inventors:
  • GODANA, Ken
    Albuquerque, NM 87122 (US)
  • ERVEN, Dusty
    Albuquerque, NM 87112 (US)
  • FOREMAN, Kevin
    Durango, CO 81303 (US)
  • MILLER, Paul
    Hesperus, CO 81326 (US)

(74)Representative: Van Breda, Jacobus 
Octrooibureau Los & Stigter B.V. Weteringschans 96
1017 XS Amsterdam
1017 XS Amsterdam (NL)


(56)References cited: : 
EP-A1- 0 287 349
EP-A2- 0 643 445
US-A- 3 982 320
US-A- 4 494 092
US-B1- 6 716 063
EP-A1- 0 889 678
US-A- 3 648 002
US-A- 4 079 343
US-A- 4 791 391
US-B2- 7 249 971
  
      
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION


    Field of the Invention (Technical Field):



    [0001] The present invention relates to inserts installed into an existing or new electrical connector to reliably add electrical circuitry to the system and concomitant methods of use and construction.

    Description of Related Art:



    [0002] The disclosure primarily relates to an insert installed into an existing or new electrical connector to reliably add electrical circuitry to the system. Current technology in this field uses either standard circuit board technology or EESeal® silicone inserts. The circuit board technology corrupts the existing environmental seal of the connector, and so is unsuitable for high-reliability connectors. The EESeal technology is made primarily from silicone elastomer, and so does not corrupt the existing seal. However, the filament wire interconnects within the insert introduce unwanted stray inductance and are labor intensive to construct. The additional stray inductance limits EESeal effectiveness at frequencies above 100 MHz. Both technologies incorporate discrete surface mount devices, primarily capacitors, whose stray inductance is typically a minimum of 0.5nH. The stray inductance of the surface mount devices also limits high frequency performance. Document US4079343 discloses a connector filter assembly of the prior art, exhibiting the features of the preamble of the appended claim 1.

    BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION



    [0003] The present invention is defined in claim 1, and relates to a connector insert comprising one or more layers of conductive elastomer. Preferably, the layers have a volume resistivity less than about 0.010 ohms-cm.

    [0004] The present disclosure is additionally of a concomitant method of employing a connector insert, the method comprising the steps of: fabricating one or more layers of conductive elastomer as an insert; and placing the insert into a connector. The layers preferably have a volume resistivity less than about 0.010 ohms-cm. The connector may be an existing connector. Holes are formed in the insert for the pins of the connector, and the insert provides at least a connector shell contact, a ground plane, and a pin contact for the connector. A capacitor may be formed in the insert, preferably wherein the capacitor comprises a plurality of layers of conductive elastomer, with separation provided by at least one layer of non-conductive material, and most preferably wherein the at least one layer of non-conductive material comprises non-conductive elastomer. One or more electrical components may be formed in the insert, and one or more of the electrical components may comprise elastomer.

    [0005] The disclosure is further of a capacitor for a connector insert, the capacitor comprising a plurality of layers of elastomer, with separation provided by at least one layer of non-conductive material.

    BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS



    [0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

    Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a discrete capacitor connector insert with planar conductive elastomer construction according to the invention;

    Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a conductive elastomer capacitor;

    Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a conductive elastomer capacitor integrated into a connector insert according to the invention;

    Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a conductive elastomer "perimeter" capacitor integrated into a connector insert according to the invention;

    Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a discrete capacitor connector insert with planar conductive elastomer construction integrated into a connector assembly; and

    Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of an insert according to the invention placed into a pre-existing connector (retrofit).


    DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION



    [0007] The present invention employs planar conductive layers rather than the wire interconnects within a connector insert, which provides a number of advantages. The conductive layers can be conductive elastomer or other conductive element(s) such as a thin metal sheet, but the preferred construct is conductive silicone elastomer, with a volume resistivity preferably less than about 0.010 ohms-cm. Electrically opposing conductive layers are insulated from each other by the non-conductive elastomer. A surface mount device, such as a 0402 sized capacitor, transient voltage suppressor, or resistor, is connected between the two conductive layers. This planar arrangement of the conductors greatly reduces unwanted stray inductance. Further, a small capacitor can be formed by overlapping the opposing conductors and separating them with a thin layer of non-conductive elastomer, or other non-conductive material with high dielectric constant, such as polypropylene. A relative permittivity greater than 2 is preferred for any of these non-conductive layers. The planar construction of this integrated capacitor, and the elimination of a discrete capacitor, yields ultra-low stray inductance, providing effective filtering well into the GHz frequencies. An insert can employ a discrete device and/or an integral capacitor to achieve a parallel configuration, with the discrete device providing filtering at lower frequencies and the integral capacitor taking over at higher frequencies.

    [0008] In addition to being installed at the mating interface of a connector pair in a retrofit manner, this assembly can be built into a single connector half, creating a filtered connector. Two capacitive inserts, separated by an inductive element, can be built into a connector, thereby creating a Pi filter. A "T" or "L" type filter can be similarly configured.

    [0009] This type of electronic circuit construction, utilizing flexible conductive elastomer interconnections between circuit elements and external electrical contacts, has application in fields other than electrical connectors, such as medical and consumer electronics where the circuitry is required to be compressed or flexed.

    [0010] Turning to the figures, Fig. 1 shows one possible construction of a discrete capacitor connector insert 10 with planar conductive elastomer layers, comprising conductive elastomer shell contact 12, conductive elastomer ground plane 14, capacitor 16, conductive elastomer pin contact 18, non-conductive elastomer 20, and pin holes 22. This insert would typically be installed over the pins of a high reliability circular connector to provide EMI filtering.

    [0011] Contact to each pin is made using a layer of conductive elastomer with a hole therein. The diameter of the hole is preferably smaller than the pin diameter, so that when the pin is inserted, the conductive elastomer stretches to accommodate it. This stretching of the conductive elastomer results in a tight fit around the pin, and electrical contact from the pin to the conductive elastomer is thereby achieved. One end of a surface mount device, e.g., a 0402 SMD capacitor, is placed so that it makes contact to the conductive elastomer pin contact. The other end of the capacitor makes contact with the planar conductive elastomer ground plane. The pin contact and the ground plane are separated from each other with a layer of non-conductive elastomer placed between them. The conductive ground plane is exposed around the periphery of the insert and along the top surface periphery. Its outside diameter is slightly larger than the connector shell's inside diameter, so that it is compressed when installed, achieving electrical contact with the connector shell. It can also make contact to the mating connector shell along the top surface periphery. The resulting planar construction of the insert results in a very low stray inductance, and much better filtering performance, as compared to existing technology.

    [0012] Fig. 2 shows an example of a capacitor 16 created using conductive elastomer and non-conductive elastomer, comprising dielectric non-conductive elastomer 20, conductive elastomer first terminal 24, and conductive elastomer second terminal 26. A capacitor comprises a plurality of conductive plates separated by an insulating material. The value of the capacitor is determined by the overlapping surface area of the plates, the distance between the plates, and the dielectric constant of the insulating material.

    [0013] By using elastomers for both the conductive and insulating components of a capacitor, the resulting part can change shape through compression, distension, flexure and other external forces while maintaining its electrical performance and mechanical integrity.

    [0014] This type of capacitor can be incorporated into a connector insert as shown in Fig. 3, comprising non-conductive elastomer 20, pin holes 22, conductive elastomer pin contact plate 28, and conductive elastomer ground plane 30. In this example, the conductive elastomer pin contact plate is positioned above the conductive elastomer ground plate and separated by a thin layer of non-conductive elastomer. The overlapping area of the two conductive elastomers, thickness of the non-conductive elastomer layer, and the dielectric constant of the insulating material determine the value of the resulting capacitor. Since no discrete device is used, the resulting filter is extremely low inductance and provides effective filtering well into the 10's of GHZ.

    [0015] Instead of using overlapping layers, this type of capacitor can also be created using the perimeter of the conductive elastomer pin contact as one plate, the surface of the conductive elastomer ground plane around the pin contact as the other plate, and the gap between these surfaces filled with a non-conductive elastomer as the dielectric as shown in Fig. 4. This embodiment comprises conductive elastomer shell contact 12, conductive elastomer ground plane 14, conductive elastomer pin contact 18, non-conductive elastomer 20, and pin holes 22. The perimeter of the conductive elastomer pin contact can be any shape, but the preferred shape is a circle. The surface area of the perimeter of the conductive elastomer pin contact, the thickness of the gap filled with the non-conductive elastomer and the dielectric constant of the non-conductive elastomer determine the value of the resulting capacitor. Since no discrete device is used, the resulting filter is extremely low inductance and provides effective filtering well into the 10's of GHZ.

    [0016] With minor dimensional modifications, the embodiments described above can also be made an integral part of a connector as shown in Fig. 5, instead of an insert between a connector pair. This embodiment comprises conductive elastomer ground plane 14, capacitor 16, conductive elastomer pin contact 18, non-conductive elastomer 20, o-ring 32, interfacial seal 34, connector shell 36, pins 38, and connector insert 40. One example involves placing the assembly between the connector insert and the interfacial seal. This permits the necessary contact with the pins and the connector shell while preserving the mating and sealing features of a standard connector pair. With further modifications to a standard connector, the filter assembly can be installed elsewhere within the connector as well.

    [0017] Fig. 6 illustrates placement of an insert 10 according to the invention into a pre-existing connector, thereby providing a retrofit improvement to the connector, Insert 10 is shown as installed over pins 38 and as oriented with respect to interfacial seal 34, o-ring 32, and connector shell 36.


    Claims

    1. A flexible connector insert (10) for adding circuitry within the shell (36) and around the at least one pin (38) of an existing connector or mating pair of connectors, said connector insert (10) comprising layers of flexible and compressible conductive (14, 18) and non-conductive (20) elastomers that provide all electrical connections and paths throughout said insert (10) and all electrical insulation and isolation throughout said insert (10), the one or more layers of conductive (14) and non-conductive (20) elastomer comprising a perimeter to fit inside the perimeter of the existing connector shell (36), and at least one opening for fitting around the at least one pin (38) of the existing connector, characterized in that the connector insert (10) is unitary and is placeable at an interface of a mating pair of existing connectors such that an environmental seal (34) is created.
     
    2. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein said conductive elastomer creates a ground plane (14) to make an electrical connection between embedded electrical components (16) and/or from one or more of said embedded electrical components (16) to the existing connector shell (36) and wherein said ground plane (14) comprises a perimeter larger than the inside perimeter of the existing connector shell (36) when the connector insert (10) is not in contact with the existing connector shell (36), but which compresses to comprise a perimeter equal to the inside perimeter of the existing connector shell (36) when the connector insert (10) is fit into the existing connector shell (36), wherein the connector insert (10) maintains continuous mechanical and electrical contact around the perimeter of the existing connector shell (36).
     
    3. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening of said conductive elastomer (14, 18) comprises a perimeter smaller than the perimeter of the at least one pin (38) of the existing connector when the connector insert (10) is not in contact with the pin (38), but which expands to comprise a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the pin (38) when the connector insert (10) is fit to the pin (38), wherein the connector insert (10) maintains mechanical and electrical contact around the perimeter of the pin (38), said conductive elastomer (14, 18) makes an electrical connection between the pin (38) and at least one other pin and/or embedded electrical components and/or the connector shell (36), and said conductive elastomer may conduct current between two or more pins.
     
    4. The connector insert of claim 1 wherein the at least one opening of said non-conductive (20) elastomer comprises a perimeter smaller than the perimeter of the at least one pin (38) of the existing connector when the connector insert (10) is not in contact with the pin (38), but which expands to comprise a perimeter equal to the perimeter of the pin (38) when the connector insert (10) is fit to the pin (38), wherein the connector insert (10) maintains mechanical contact and electrical insulation around the perimeter of the pin (38).
     
    5. The connector insert of any one of claims 1-4 additionally comprising a capacitor (16), preferably wherein said capacitor (16) comprises a plurality of layers of conductive (14, 18) elastomer with separation provided by at least one layer of non-conductive (20) material, more preferably wherein said non-conductive material comprises flexible, non-conductive elastomer.
     
    6. The connector insert of claim 5 wherein said non-conductive (20) elastomer of said capacitor (16) has a dielectric constant greater than 1.
     
    7. The connector insert of claim 6 wherein said non-conductive (20) elastomer of said capacitor (16) has a dielectric constant greater than 10.
     
    8. The connector insert of claim 5 additionally comprising one or more other electrical components, wherein electrical continuity between one terminal of each of said one or more other electrical components and at least one pin (38) of the existing connector is achieved using said conductive (14, 18) elastomer, electrical continuity between a second terminal of said other component and a different pin of the existing connector and/or the existing connector shell is achieved using said conductive (14, 18) elastomer, and the conductive elastomer connecting to the various component terminals is electrically isolated using said non-conductive (20) elastomer.
     
    9. The connector insert of claim 1 placeable internal to an existing connector such that an interface between the existing connector and an existing mating connector is not altered.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Flexibler Verbindereinsatz (10) zum Hinzufügen einer Schaltungsanordnung im Gehäuse (36) und um den mindestens einen Stift (38) eines vorhandenen Verbinders oder zusammenpassenden Paares von Verbindern herum, wobei der Verbindereinsatz (10) Schichten aus flexiblen und kompressiblen leitfähigen (14, 18) und nicht leitfähigen (20) Elastomeren umfasst, die alle elektrischen Verbindungen und Wege im gesamten Einsatz (10) sowie alle elektrischen Isolationen und Isolierungen im gesamten Einsatz (10) bereitstellen, wobei die eine oder die mehreren Schichten aus leitendem (14) und nichtleitendem (20) Elastomer einen Umfang umfassen, um in den Umfang des vorhandenen Verbindergehäuses (36) zu passen, und mindestens eine Öffnung zum Anpassen um den mindestens einen Stift (38) des vorhandenen Verbinders, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verbindereinsatz (10) einstückig ist und an einer Schnittstelle eines zusammenpassenden Paares vorhandener Verbinder derart angeordnet werden kann, dass eine Umgebungsdichtung (34) erzeugt wird.
     
    2. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 1, wobei das leitfähige Elastomer eine Masseebene (14) erzeugt, um eine elektrische Verbindung zwischen eingebetteten elektrischen Komponenten (16) und/oder von einer oder mehreren der eingebetteten elektrischen Komponenten (16) zu dem bestehenden Verbindergehäuse (36) herzustellen, und wobei die Masseebene (14) einen Umfang umfasst, der größer ist als der Innenumfang des bestehenden Verbindergehäuses (36), wenn der Verbindereinsatz (10) nicht in Kontakt mit dem bestehenden Verbindergehäuse (36) ist, aber der zusammengedrückt wird, um einen Umfang zu umfassen, der gleich dem Innenumfang des bestehenden Verbindergehäuses (36) ist, wenn der Verbindereinsatz (10) in das bestehende Verbindergehäuse (36) eingepasst wird, wobei der Verbindereinsatz (10) einen kontinuierlichen mechanischen und elektrischen Kontakt um den Umfang des bestehenden Verbindergehäuses (36) herum aufrechterhält.
     
    3. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 1, wobei die mindestens eine Öffnung des leitfähigen Elastomers (14, 18) einen Umfang aufweist, der kleiner ist als der Umfang des mindestens einen Stifts (38) des vorhandenen Verbinders, wenn der Verbindereinsatz (10) nicht in Kontakt mit dem Stift (38) ist, der sich jedoch ausdehnt, um einen Umfang zu umfassen, der gleich dem Umfang des Stifts (38) ist, wenn der Verbindereinsatz (10) auf den Stift (38) aufgesetzt wird, wobei der Verbindereinsatz (10) einen mechanischen und elektrischen Kontakt um den Umfang des Stifts (38) herum aufrechterhält, wobei das leitfähige Elastomer (14, 18) eine elektrische Verbindung zwischen dem Stift (38) und mindestens einem anderen Stift und/oder eingebetteten elektrischen Komponenten und/oder dem Verbindergehäuse (36) herstellt, und wobei das leitfähige Elastomer Strom zwischen zwei oder mehr Stiften leiten kann.
     
    4. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 1, wobei die mindestens eine Öffnung des nicht-leitfähigen (20) Elastomers einen Umfang aufweist, der kleiner ist als der Umfang des mindestens einen Stifts (38) des vorhandenen Verbinders, wenn der Verbindereinsatz (10) nicht in Kontakt mit dem Stift (38) ist, der sich jedoch ausdehnt, um einen Umfang zu umfassen, der gleich dem Umfang des Stifts (38) ist, wenn der Verbindereinsatz (10) auf den Stift (38) aufgesetzt wird, wobei der Verbindereinsatz (10) einen mechanischen Kontakt und eine elektrische Isolation um den Umfang des Stifts (38) herum aufrechterhält.
     
    5. Verbindereinsatz nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, zusätzlich umfassend einen Kondensator (16), wobei der Kondensator (16) vorzugsweise mehrere Schichten aus leitfähigem (14, 18) Elastomer mit einer Abtrennung durch mindestens eine Schicht aus nicht-leitfähigem (20) Material umfasst, wobei das nicht-leitfähige Material noch bevorzugter ein flexibles, nicht-leitfähiges Elastomer umfasst.
     
    6. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 5, wobei das nicht-leitfähige (20) Elastomer des Kondensators (16) eine Dielektrizitätskonstante größer als 1 aufweist.
     
    7. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 6, wobei das nicht-leitfähige (20) Elastomer des Kondensators (16) eine Dielektrizitätskonstante größer als 10 aufweist.
     
    8. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 5, zusätzlich umfassend eine oder mehrere andere elektrische Komponenten, wobei eine elektrische Kontinuität zwischen einem Anschluss jeder der einen oder der mehreren anderen elektrischen Komponenten und mindestens einem Stift (38) des vorhandenen Verbinders unter Verwendung des leitfähigen (14, 18) Elastomers erreicht wird, wobei eine elektrische Kontinuität zwischen einem zweiten Anschluss der anderen Komponente und einem anderen Stift des vorhandenen Verbinders und/oder des vorhandenen Verbindergehäuses unter Verwendung des leitfähigen (14, 18) Elastomers erreicht wird, und wobei das leitfähige Elastomer, das mit den verschiedenen Komponentenanschlüssen verbunden ist, unter Verwendung des nicht-leitfähigen (20) Elastomers elektrisch isoliert ist.
     
    9. Verbindereinsatz nach Anspruch 1, der innerhalb eines vorhandenen Verbinders platziert werden kann, so dass eine Schnittstelle zwischen dem vorhandenen Verbinder und einem vorhandenen dazupassenden Verbinder nicht verändert wird.
     


    Revendications

    1. Garniture de connecteur (10) flexible destinée à ajouter des circuits à l'intérieur de la coque (36) et autour de l'au moins une broche (38) d'un connecteur existant ou d'une paire de connecteurs homologues, ladite garniture de connecteur (10) comprenant des couches d'élastomères flexibles et compressibles conducteurs (14, 18) et non conducteurs (20) qui fournissent toutes les connexions et trajets électriques à travers ladite garniture (10) et toute l'isolation électrique à travers ladite garniture (10), la ou les couche(s) d'élastomères conducteurs (14) et non conducteurs (20) comprenant un périmètre destiné à s'insérer dans le périmètre de la coque (36) de connecteur existante, et au moins une ouverture destinée à s'ajuster autour de l'au moins une broche (38) du connecteur existant, caractérisée en ce que la garniture de connecteur (10) est unitaire et peut être placée à une interface d'une paire de connecteurs homologues existants de sorte à créer un dispositif d'étanchéité au milieu ambiant (34).
     
    2. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ledit élastomère conducteur crée un plan de masse (14) pour établir une connexion électrique entre les composants électriques intégrés (16) et/ou un ou plusieurs desdits composants électriques intégrés (16) à la coque (36) de connecteur existante et dans laquelle ledit plan de masse (14) comprend un périmètre plus grand que le périmètre intérieur de la coque (36) de connecteur existante lorsque la garniture de connecteur (10) n'est pas en contact avec la coque (36) de connecteur existante, mais se comprime afin de comprendre un périmètre égal au périmètre intérieur de la coque (36) de connecteur existante lorsque la garniture de connecteur (10) est insérée dans la coque (36) de connecteur existante, la garniture de connecteur (10) maintenant un contact mécanique et électrique continus autour du périmètre de la coque (36) de connecteur existante.
     
    3. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'au moins une ouverture dudit élastomère conducteur (14, 18) comprend un périmètre plus petit que le périmètre de l'au moins une broche (38) du connecteur existant lorsque la garniture de connecteur (10) n'est pas en contact avec la broche (38), mais se dilate pour comprendre un périmètre égal au périmètre de la broche (38) lorsque la garniture de connecteur (10) est adaptée à la broche (38), dans laquelle la garniture de connecteur (10) maintient le contact mécanique et électrique autour du périmètre de la broche (38), ledit élastomère conducteur (14, 18) effectue une connexion électrique entre la broche (38) et au moins une autre broche et/ou des composants électriques intégrés et/ou la coque (36) de connecteur, et ledit élastomère conducteur peut conduire le courant entre deux broches ou plus.
     
    4. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'au moins une ouverture dudit élastomère non conducteur (20) comprend un périmètre plus petit que le périmètre de l'au moins une broche (38) du connecteur existant lorsque la garniture de connecteur (10) n'est pas en contact avec la broche (38), mais se dilate pour comprendre un périmètre égal au périmètre de la broche (38) lorsque la garniture de connecteur (10) est ajustée à la broche (38), dans laquelle la garniture de connecteur (10) maintient le contact mécanique et l'isolation électrique autour du périmètre de la broche (38).
     
    5. Garniture de connecteur selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, comprenant en outre un condensateur (16), de préférence dans laquelle ledit condensateur (16) comprend une pluralité de couches d'élastomère conducteur (14, 18) dotées d'une séparation fournie par au moins une couche de matériau non conducteur (20), plus préférablement dans laquelle ledit matériau non conducteur comprend un élastomère flexible non conducteur.
     
    6. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 5, dans laquelle ledit élastomère non conducteur (20) dudit condensateur (16) présente une constante diélectrique supérieure à 1.
     
    7. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle ledit élastomère non conducteur (20) dudit condensateur (16) présente une constante diélectrique supérieure à 10.
     
    8. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 5, comprenant en outre un ou plusieurs autre(s) composant(s) électrique(s), dans laquelle la continuité électrique entre une borne de chacun desdits un ou plusieurs autre(s) composant(s) électrique(s) et au moins une broche (38) du connecteur existant est obtenue au moyen dudit élastomère conducteur (14, 18), la continuité électrique entre une seconde borne dudit autre composant et une broche différente du connecteur existant et/ou de la coque de connecteur existante est réalisée en utilisant ledit élastomère conducteur (14, 18), et l'élastomère conducteur se connectant aux différentes bornes des composants est isolé électriquement à l'aide dudit élastomère non conducteur (20).
     
    9. Garniture de connecteur selon la revendication 1, pouvant être placée à l'intérieur d'un connecteur existant de sorte qu'une interface entre le connecteur existant et un connecteur homologue existant n'est pas modifiée.
     




    Drawing


























    Cited references

    REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION



    This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.

    Patent documents cited in the description