NL2021198B1

NL2021198B1 - Liquid resistant shroud

Info

Publication number: NL2021198B1
Application number: NL2021198A
Authority: NL
Inventors: Smithson Stephen; Schwartz Howell; Yun Phillip
Original assignee: Illumina Inc
Priority date: 2018-06-07
Filing date: 2018-06-28
Publication date: 2019-12-13

Abstract

A connector assembly includes a housing having an end surface, one or more contact pins extending through the end surface, and a shroud having a seal surface and one or more holes extending through the seal surface, in Which each hole is associated With a different contact pin. Each pin includes a first portion having a first transverse dimension and a second portion having a second transverse dimension, in Which the second transverse dimension is less than the first transverse dimension. The first portion and at least part of the second portion of each contact pin are disposed outside the housing. Each contact pin extends through its associated hole in the shroud, such that a perimeter of the hole is disposed at the second portion of the contact pin.

Description

BACKGROUND [0001] Various assay protocols for clinical and molecular processes are implemented in fluidic devices having channels that hold and direct fluid for mixing, processing, reaction, detection, etc. One example of such protocol is DNA sequencing, in which a fluid sample of library molecules are loaded into a fluidic device that is loaded into a processing instrument, e.g., a sequencer, where the library molecules are converted into clusters via a sequence of operations for conducting, detecting, and analyzing designated reactions, such as conducting and detecting a polymerase chain reaction through electrochemical detection.

[0002] To perform all the sequence of operations, the processing instrument typically communicates electronically with the fluidic device through an electrical connector to exchange electrical power and data. However, fluidic devices often leak liquids, such as a salt-containing buffer solution, resulting in fluid impingement on the electrical connector and the underlying surface of the instrument, such as a printed circuit board (PCB). In those instances, the leaking fluid deteriorates the physical integrity of the electrical connector and corrodes the PCB of the instrument. In addition, the leaking fluid may collect along the surface of the connector to form conductive puddles that short-circuit individual conductor contacts disposed in the electrical connector, thereby impairing the operation of the instrument.

[0003] Thus, there is a need for improved connector assemblies and methods that provide a liquidtight seal around each of the conductor contacts of the electrical connec tor so that fluid is prevented from impinging the PCB of the instrument. Moreover, there is a need for improved connector assemblies and methods that facilitate the transfer of liquid away from the conductor contacts of the electrical connector to prevent short circuiting amongst the conductor contacts disposed in the electrical connector housing.

SUMMARY [0004] The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects described herein. This summary is not an extensive overview of the claimed subject matter. It is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of the claimed subject matter nor delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to a connector assembly. The connector assembly can comprise a housing comprising an end surface. The connector assembly may comprise one or more contact pins extending through the end surface. Each pin can comprise a first portion having a first transverse dimension and a second portion having a second transverse dimension. The first portion and at least part of the second portion of each contact pin may be disposed outside the housing. The second transverse dimension can be less than the first transverse dimension. The connector assembly preferably comprises a shroud comprising a seal surface and one or more holes extending through the seal surface, wherein each hole can be associated with a different contact pin. Each contact pin may extend through its associated hole in the shroud, such that a perimeter of the hole is disposed at the second portion of the contact pin, and a transverse dimension of the associated hole is less than the first transverse dimension of the contact pin.

[0006] The seal surface can be spatially separated from the end surface when the shroud is coupled to the one or more contact pins. The seal surface can be shaped so as to prevent liquid from puddling on top of the seal surface. The seal surface can be angled or dome-shaped or includes one or more grooves to channel fluid off of the seal surface. The transverse dimension of the associated hole can be less than the second transverse dimension of the contact pin so that an engagement between the perimeter of the hole and the second portion provides a hermetic seal around each contact pin.

[0007] The housing can comprise a base disposed opposite to the end surface and one or more walls extending from the base to the end surface, and the base comprises a groove circumscribing the one or more contact pins, and the connector assembly further comprises a gasket received in the groove. The shroud can further comprise a skirt projecting from a peripheral edge of the seal surface. The skirt can extend substantially parallel to the one or more walls and may be spatially separated from the one or more walls by a gap when the shroud is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

[0008] Each contact pin can be comprised of an electrically conducting material. The shroud can be comprised of an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material can be a synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene-based material. The shroud can be comprised of an elastic material configured to stretch so that the transverse dimension of each hole can be expanded to at least the first transverse dimension to permit the first portion of the associated pin to be pushed through the hole and then retracts to a transverse dimension that is less than the first transverse dimension when the second portion of the pin is disposed within the associated hole.

[0009] Each contact pin comprises a shaft, the first portion is a tip disposed at a first end of the shaft, and the second portion is an annular groove that is axially spaced from the tip. The shaft of each contact pin may comprise a second end projecting through a base of the housing, and wherein the base can be disposed opposite to the end surface. Each contact pin can be biased for movement in an axial direction with respect to the housing, and the shroud to move with the one or more contact pins in the axial direction with respect to the housing when coupled to the one or more contact pins.

[0010] The present disclosure also includes a method for sealing one or more contact pins extending through an end surface of a housing. Each pin may have a first portion with a first transverse dimension and a second portion having a second transverse dimension, and the second transverse dimension is less than the first transverse dimension. The method can comprise aligning each of one or more holes extending through a seal surface of a shroud with an associated one of the one or more contact pins, wherein a transverse dimension of the hole is less than first transverse dimension of the first portion of the associated pin. The method can comprise inserting the first portion of each associated contact pin through its corresponding hole of the shroud. The method can comprise pressing the seal surface toward the end surface of the housing until the perimeter of each hole is disposed at the second portion of each associated contact pin.

[0011] Other features and characteristics of the subject matter of this disclosure, as well as the methods of operation, functions of related elements of structure and the combination of parts, and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts in the various figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form part of the specification, illustrate the subject matter of this disclosure. In the drawings, like reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements.

[0013] FIG. 1 is an expanded, top perspective view of a connector assembly with one or more shrouds decoupled from one or more contact pins.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a connector assembly with one or more shrouds coupled to one or more contact pins.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a connector assembly with a gasket inserted into a bottom surface of the housing.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly with one or more shrouds coupled to one or more contact pins along line II-II in FIG. 2.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the connector assembly with one or more shrouds coupled to one or more contact pins, and with the main barrel of the contact pin omitted from the figure, along line Ill-Ill in FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a partial cross-sectional perspective view of the connector assembly with one or more shrouds coupled to one or more contact pins, and with the main barrel of the contact pin omitted from the figure, along line III-Ill in FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 7A is a side view of a contact pin.

[0020] FIG. 7B is a partial view of a first end member of the contact pin.

[0021] FIG. 8 is a perspecti ve view of a shroud.

[0022] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the shroud.

[0023] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the shroud along line A-A in FIG. 9.

[0024] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the connector assembly with a protective cover decoupled from the housing.

[0025] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly with the protective cover coupled to the housing.

[0026] FIG. 13 s a cross-sectional view of the connector assembly with the protective cover coupled to the housing.

[0027] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the connector assembly with the installation tool. [0028] FIG. 15 is a flow chart of a method for sealing one or more contact pins extending through an end surface of a housing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0029] Unless defined otherwise, all terms of art, notations and other technical terms or terminology used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. If a definition set forth in this section is contrary to or otherwise inconsistent with a definition set forth in the patents, applications, published applications, and other publications that are herein incorporated by reference, the definition set forth in this section prevails over the definition that is incorporated herein by reference.

[0030] Unless otherwise indicated or the context suggests otherwise, as used herein, “a” or “an” means “at least one” or “one or more.” [0031] This description may use relative spatial and/or orientation terms in describing the position and/or orientation of a component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof. Unless specifically stated, or otherwise dictated by the context of the description, such terms, including, without limitation, top, bottom, above, below, under, on top of, upper, lower, left of, right of, in front of, behind, next to, adjacent, between, horizontal, vertical, diagonal, longitudinal, transverse, radial, axial, etc., are used for convenience in referring to such component, apparatus, location, feature, or a portion thereof in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting.

[0032] Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, any specific dimensions mentioned in this description are merely representative of tin exemplary implementation of a device embodying aspects of the disclosure and are not intended to be limiting.

[0033] The use of the term “about” applies to all numeric values specified herein, whether or not explicitly indicated. This term generally refers to a range of numbers that one of ordinary skill in the art would consider as a reasonable amount of deviation to the recited numeric values (i.e., having the equivalent function or result) in the context of the present disclosure. For example, and not intended to be limiting, this term can be construed as including a deviation of ±10 percent of the given numeric value provided such a deviation does not alter the end function or result of the value. Therefore, under some circumstances as would be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art a value of about 1% can be construed to be a range from 0.9% to 1.1%.

[0034] As used herein, the term “adjacent” refers to being near or adjoining. Adjacent objects can be spaced apart from one another or can be in actual or direct contact with one another. In some instances, adjacent objects can be coupled to one another or can be formed integrally with one another.

[0035] As used herein, the terms “substantially” and “substantial” refer to a considerable degree or extent. When used in conjunction with, for example, an event, circumstance, characteristic, or properly, the terms can refer to instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs precisely as well as instances in which the event, circumstance, characteristic, or property occurs to a close approximation, such as accounting for typical tolerance levels or variability of the embodiments described herein.

[0036] As used herein, the terms “optional” and “optionally” mean that the subsequently described, component, structure, element, event, circumstance, characteristic, property, etc. may or may not be included or occur and that the description includes instances where the component, structure, element, event, circumstance, characteristic, property, etc. is included or occurs and instances in which it is not or does not.

[0037] The term reagent for reaction, means one or more reagents or components necessary or desirable for use in one or more reactions or processes, for example, one or more components that in any way affect how a desired reaction can proceed. The reagent for reaction can comprise a reactive component. However, it is not necessary that the reagent participate in the reaction. The reagent for reaction can comprise a non-reactive component. The reagent for reaction can comprise a recoverable component comprising for example, a solvent and/or a catalyst. The reagent for reaction can comprise a promoter, accelerant, or retardant that is not necessary for a reaction but affects the reaction, for example, affects the rate of the reaction. The reagent for reaction can comprise one or more of a solid reagent for reaction and a fluid reagent for reaction. The term reaction component is used synonymous with the term reagent for reaction, as herein defined.

The reagent for reaction can comprise one or more of a fluid and a solid. A retainment region can be pre-loaded with one or more reagents for reaction.

[0038] Suitable reactions or processes can comprise one or more of a sample preparation process, a washing process, a sample purification process, a pre-amplification process, a pre-amplified product purification process, an amplification process, an amplified product purification process, a separation process, a sequencing process, a sequencing product purification process, a labeling process, a detecting process, or the like. Processing components can comprise sample preparation components, purification components, pre-amplification reaction components, amplification reaction components, sequencing reaction components, or the like. The skilled artisan can readily select and employ suitable components for a desired reaction or process, without undue experimentation.

[0039] Processing or reaction components can be disposed in one or more retainment regions, channels, or fluid processing passageways, using any methods known in the art. For example, components can be sprayed and dried, delivered using a diluent, injected using a capillary, a pipette, and/or a robotic pipette, or otherwise disposed in the regions or fluid processing passageways.

[0040] A fluidic device may comprise one or more fluid processing passageways that can comprise one or more elements, for example, one or more of a channel, a branch channel, a valve, a flow splitter, a vent, a port, an access area, a via, a bead, a reagent containing bead, a cover layer, a reaction component, any combination thereof, and the like. Any element can be in fluid communication with another element.

[0041] As used herein, the term fluid communication means either direct fluid communication, for example, two regions can be in fluid communication with each other via an unobstructed fluid processing passageway connecting the two regions or can be capable of being in fluid communication, for example, two regions can be capable of fluid communication with each other when they are connected via a fluid processing passageway that can comprise a valve disposed therein, wherein fluid communication can be established between the two regions upon actuating the valve, for example, by dissolving a dissolvable valve disposed in the fluid processing passageway.

[0042] As used herein, the term “hermetic seal” refers to an interface between engaged edges of two surfaces that is impervious to fluid such that fluid is not capable of passing through the interface between the engaged edges.

[0043] As used herein, the term “elastic material” refers to a material that may be elastically strained, thinned, or deformed by application of force and returns or substantially returns to its previous size, shape, or configuration upon removal of force.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a connector assembly as disclosed herein is indicated by reference number 10 and comprises a housing 100, one or more pins 200, and one or more shrouds 300. The connector assembly 10 is configured to be coupled to a fluidic device (e.g., flow cell, not shown) and operatively engage a PCB of an instrument (not shown) such that the contact pins 200 of the connector assembly 10 establishes electrical communication between the fluidic device and the instrument. When operatively engaged with the PCB of the instrument, the connector assembly 10 can be configured to allow electrical power and data communication to be exchanged between the fluidic device and the instrument.

[0045] The housing 100 can comprise a base 110, an end surface 120 disposed opposite to the base 110, and one or more walls 130-136 extending between base 110 and the end surface 120. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the base 110 may project transversely beyond the walls 130-136 and may comprise one or more mounting holes 111 located outside of the walls 130-136. Each mounting hole 111 is configured to receive an appropriate fastener (e.g., bolt, screw, or rivet) such that the base 110 may be directly connected to the fluidic device (not shown). The base 110 may further comprise one or more alignment pins 115 projecting from a bottom surface 114 and configured to be inserted into a slot of the fluidic device to ensure that the housing 100 is properly placed along the fluidic device.

[0046] Shown in FIG. 1, the housing 100 can comprise a pair of end surfaces 120 disposed opposite to the base 110 by a first height and a pair of intermediate surfaces 140 disposed opposite to the base 110 by a second height, whereby the intermediate surfaces 140 are located between the end surfaces 120 and the base 110. The intermediate surfaces 140 extend substantially parallel with respect to the end surfaces 120. As shown in FIGS. 1,5, and 6, each end surface 120 may extend between a pair of longitudinal sides 124 and a pair lateral sides 126 interconnecting the longitudinal sides 124 such that end surface 120 is rectangular-shaped.

[0047] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the housing 100 comprises a first set of walls 130-132 that extend from the base 110 to the end surfaces 120 and a second set of walls 133-136 that extend from the intermediate surface 140 to the end surface 120 such that housing 100 encloses a chamber 150 defined between the base 110 and the end surface 120. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pair of end surfaces 120 are separated by a trough 145 provided between walls 135, 136 and extending over the intermediate surface 140.

[0048] Referring to FIGS. 3-6, the housing 100 comprises one or more through holes 122 disposed along each end surface 120 and one or more through holes 112 disposed along the bottom surface 114 of the base 110, whereby each through hole 122 is generally aligned with a respective through hole 112. Shown in FIGS 1-6, the housing 100 may comprise two rows of fifteen through holes 122 disposed along each end surface 120 such that a total of thirty through holes 122 are disposed along each end surface 120 and a total of sixty through holes 112 are disposed along the bottom surface 114 of the base 110.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 3, the housing 100 can comprise a groove 116 disposed along the bottom surface 114 of the base 110 and circumscribing the through holes 112. The housing 100 may comprise a gasket 118 received in the groove 116 to provide a hermetic seal between the bottom surface 114 of the base 110 and a mating surface of the fluidic device. The gasket 118 can be comprised of an elastic material (e.g., elastomer, rubber) such that gasket 118 may be inserted into the groove 116 by stretching the gasket 118 to the orientation of the groove 116.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the one or more contact pins 200 are received in the housing 100 such that each contact pin 200 extends through a respective through hole 122 disposed along the end surface 120 and a corresponding through hole 112 disposed along the bottom surface 114 of the base 110. Each contact pin 200 can be comprised of an electrically conducting material (e.g., copper, gold) such that the connector assembly 10 is capable of establishing electrical communication between contact by a first electrical conductor (not shown) at the end surface 120 and contact by a second electrical conductor at the bottom surface 114 of the housing 110. In the present context, the term “electrical communication” refers to a substance in which charged carriers (e.g., electrons) move with negligible resistance from atom to atom by the application of voltage such that a current may flow easily through the substance.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 7A, each contact pin 200 may comprise a barrel 210, a first end member 220 received in a first end 212 of the barrel 210, and a second end member 230 received in a second end 214 of the barrel 210, whereby the first end member 220 and the second end member 230 are generally aligned along a longitudinal axis of the barrel 210. The first end member 220 and the second end member 230 are disposed in sliding engagement with an interior surface of the barrel 210, whereby both the first end member 220 and the second end member 230 are configured to slide axially along the longitudinal axis of the barrel 210.

[0052] The contact pin 200 can be biased for movement in an axial direction with respect to the housing 100. In FIGS. 4 and 5, the contact pin 200 can comprise a spring 240 (e.g., a coil spring) received in the barrel 210 and secured between the first end member 220 and the second end member 230 such that the first end member 220 is biased in the axial direction to extend beyond the first end 212 of the barrel 210 and the second end member 230 is biased in the axial direction to extend beyond the second end 214 of the barrel 210. As shown in FIG. 7, the first end member 220 and the second end member 230 are biased to extended positions such that first end member 220 protrudes through the first end 212 of the barrel 210 and the second end member 230 protrudes through the second end 214 of the barrel 210.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 7B, the first end member 220 of the contact pin 200 can comprise a shaft

222, a tip 224 disposed at an end of the shaft 222, and an annular groove 226 disposed around the shaft 222 and axially spaced from the tip 224 by a first portion 225. When the contact pin 200 is received in the housing 100, the tip 224 and at least a portion of the groove 226 are disposed outside the housing 100. As shown in FIG. 7B, the first portion 225 of the contact pin 200 can be located at the tip 224 comprises a first transverse dimension A, which corresponds to the maximum diameter of the conical tip 224. , A second portion 227 of the contact pin 200 located along the groove 226 can comprise a second transverse dimension B, which corresponds to a diameter of the shaft 222. As shown in FIG. 7B, the second transverse dimension B is less than the first transverse dimension A such that first portion 225 of the contact pin 200 projects beyond the second portion 227 of the contact pin 200 in the transverse, or radial direction.

[0054] The shroud 300 can be configured to be coupled to the contact pins 200. Referring to FIGS. 8-10, the shroud 300 may comprise a seal surface 310 and a skirt 320 projecting from a peripheral edge 311 of the seal surface 310. The seal surface 310 and the skirt 320 may comprise a thickness ranging from about 0.00635cm to about 0.01905cm (0.0025 to about 0.0075 inches) such that the shroud is ETFE RoHS2 compliant. As shown in FIG. 10,, the skirt 320 may flare outwardly at angle with respect to a vertical axis extending transverse to the seal surface 310. The skirt 320 can flare outwardly at an angle of about 4° or in a range of about 2° to about 10° from the vertical axis.

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, the shape of the seal surface 310 corresponds to the shape of the end surface 120 such that the peripheral edge 311 is generally aligned with the longitudinal sides 124 and lateral sides 126 of the end surface 120 when the shroud 300 is coupled to the contact pins 200. Accordingly, the seal surface 310 is configured to cover substantially the entire end surface 120. The length of the seal surface 310 can range from about 2.54 cm to 3.81 cm (1 inch to 1.5 inches), and the width ofthe seal surface 310 ranges from about 0.381 cm to 0.4572 cm (0.15 inches to about 0.18 inches).

[0056] The shroud 300 can comprise one or more holes 330 extending through the seal surface 320. As shown in FIGS 1 and 2, each hole 330 is associated with a different contact pin 200 such that the number of holes 330 corresponds to the number of pins 200 and each contact pin 200 extends through its associated hole 330 in the shroud 300. Referring to FIG. 5when the shroud 300 is coupled to the contact pins 200, a perimeter 332 of each hole 330 is received in the groove 226 and disposed against the second portion 227 of the contact pin 200, whereby the tip 224 of the contact pin 200 is disposed outside the shroud 300.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 10, each hole 330 at a rested state can comprise a transverse dimension C, which corresponds to the diameter ofthe hole 330. In the present context, the term “rested state” refers to the state in which no substantial force is applied to the shroud 300 to expand, strain, or stretch the seal surface 310. The transverse dimension C of each hole 330 at the rested state can be less than the first transverse dimension A of the first portion 225 of the contact pin 200 or a base of the conical tip 224.

[0058] The shroud 300 can be comprised of an elastic material such that the seal surface 310 is configured to stretch by the application of force so that the transverse dimension of each hole 330 can be expanded radially to at least the first transverse dimension A, thereby permitting the tip 224 and the first portion 225 of the contact pin 200 to be pushed through the hole 330. Once the first portion 225 of the contact pin 200 is inserted through the hole 330, the elastic material of the shroud 300 allows each hole 330 to retract to a relaxed state such that the transverse dimension C of each hole 330 is less than the first transverse dimension A and the annular groove 226 and the second portion 227 of each contact pin 200 are received within the associated hole 330. The transverse dimension of the associate hole 330 at the relaxed state can be less than the second transverse dimension B so that an engagement between the perimeter 332 of the hole 330 and the second portion 227 of the contact pin 200 provides a hermetic seal around each contact pin 200. [0059] The shroud 300 can be comprised of an electrically insulating material (e.g., a polymer blended material such as synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene-based material) to minimize electrical crosstalk between adjacent contact pins 200. In the present context, an “electrically insulating material·’ refers to a composition in which charged carriers (e.g., electrons) move with significant resistance from atom to atom by the application of voltage such that a recognizable current is not capable of flowing through the composition. In the present context, the term “electrical crosstalk” refers to the unintended capacitive, inductive, or conductive coupling between adjacent contact pins 200.

[0060] The shroud 300 can be comprised of a material having a low plate bending stiffness to minimize mechanical crosstalk between adjacent contact pins 200, thereby allowing some independent movement of the pins 200, while still ensuring that the perimeter 332 of each hole 330 remains engaged with the contact pin 200. In the present context, a “low plate bending stiffness” refers to a material having a relatively low modulus of elasticity such that material has a sufficient amount of flexibility to absorb deflections. In the present context, “mechanical crosstalk” refers to unintended application of force or deflection by the seal surface 310 against adjacent contact pins 200. The shroud 300 can be comprised of a copolymer material comprising tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene (e.g., Tefzel® fluoropolymer film, Types LZ, CLZ, AND CLZ-20), which provides the shroud 300 the elastic, electrically insulating, and low plate bending stiffness characteristics described herein.

[0061] The shape of the seal surface 310 can be configured to prevent liquid from puddling on top of the seal surface 310. Seal surface 310 can be angled or dome-shaped such that a central portion

312 of the seal surface 310 is displaced from the peripheral edge 311 in the axial direction with respect to the housing 100. Accordingly, if any liquid is received on the central portion 312 of the seal surface 310 or proximate to the perimeter 332 of a respective hole 330, liquid will be propelled by gravity to flow off of the seal surface 310 and away from the holes 320. The shroud 300 may further comprise fluid channels or grooves formed on the seal surface 310 (not shown) to facilitate the transfer of liquid such that any liquid received on the seal surface 310 does not conductively bridge adjacent contact pins 200.

[0062] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, when the shroud 300 is coupled to the contact pins 200, the seal surface 310 is spatially separated from the end surface 120 of the housing 120 by a clearance 315. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, when the shroud 300 is coupled to the contact pins 200, the skirt 320 overhangs the housing 100 and extends substantially parallel to the walls 130-136, whereby the skirt 320 is spatially separated from the walls 130-136 by a gap 325. The clearance 315 between the seal surface 310 and the end surface 20 and the gap 325 between the walls 130-136 and the skirt 320 allows the shroud 300 to move with the contact pins 200 in the axial direction with respect to the housing 100 when coupled to the contact pins 200. Accordingly, if force is applied to the contact pin 200 against the bias of spring 240, then the shroud 300 can be configured to move with the contact pin 200 as the first end member 220 slides into the barrel 210.

[0063] Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the connector assembly 10 may further comprise a cover 160 configured to he removably coupled to the housing 100 and enclose the tips 224 of the contact pins 200 and the shroud 300 such that the cover 160 shields contact pins 200 from unintended contact. The cover 160 can comprise a top surface 161, a pair of sidewalls 162, and a pair of end walls 163, whereby the top surface 161 is generally aligned with the seal surface 310 and the sidewalls 162 and end walls 163 extend along the skirt 320 when the cover 160 is coupled to housing 100. The cover 160 can further comprise a leg 164 projecting from the top surface 161 and extending substantially parallel to the sidewalls 162. As shown in FIG. 11, each end wall 163 includes a notch 165, whereby the leg 164 extends along the top surface 161 between the notches 165 of the end walls 163. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, the cover 160 can comprise one or more pegs 166 projecting from an end surface of the leg 164, and the housing 100 may comprise one or more holes 142 disposed along the intermediate surface 140 and configured to receive a respective peg 166. To couple the cover 160 to the housing 100, the leg 164 and the pegs 166 of the cover 160 are configured to be received in the trough 145 disposed between the second set of walls 133-136 of the housing 100. When the cover 160 is coupled to the housing 100, the sidewalls 162 and end walls 163 are spatially separated from the skirt 320 of the shroud 320 and the walls 130-136 of the housing 100 by a gap such that the top surface 161 is prevented from contacting pins 200.

[0064] , An installation tool 170 can be configured to press the seal surface 310 of the shroud 300 over the tips of the pins 200 and toward the end surface 120 of the housing. In FIG. 14, the installation tool 170 can comprise a press member 172 comprising a shape or size that overlies the seal surface 310 of both shrouds 300 such that the press member 172 is configured to contact substantially the entire surface area of the seal surface 310 of each shroud 300 in a single motion. The installation tool 170 can comprise a leg 174 projecting from a bottom surface 173 of the press member 172 and configured to be received in the trough 145 disposed between walls 135 and 136 of the housing 100. The installation tool 170 can comprise a protrusion 176 disposed at an end of the press member 172 and configured to be inserted in a second trough 146 disposed between wall 134 and a boss 148 projecting from the intermediate surface 140 of the housing. Accordingly, when used to press the seal surface 310 of each shroud 300, the installation tool 170 may be properly aligned with the shrouds 300 by inserting the leg 174 in trough 145 and the protrusion 176 in the second trough 146 such that the bottom surface 173 of the press member 172 is superimposed over the seal surface 310 of each shroud 300.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 14, the installation tool 170 may further comprise a plurality of through holes 178 corresponding to the number of contact pins 200 extending through the end surface 120 of the housing 100. Each through hole 178 may comprise a diameter that is at least equal to or greater than the first transverse dimension A of the first portion 225 of the contact pin 200. Each through hole 178 is configured to receive the tip 224 of an associated contact pin 200 such that the bottom surface 173 of the press member 172 becomes substantially flush with the seal surface 310 of each shroud 300 when pressing the shroud 300 toward the end surface 120. Accordingly, the installation tool 170 is configured to engage substantially the entire surface area of the seal surface 310 of each shroud, including portions of the seal surface 310 proximate the holes 330, thereby allowing each tip 224 of the contact pin 200 to be inserted through each hole 330 simultaneously. [0066] The installation tool 170 is thereafter pushed down, toward the end surface 120 of the housing 100, and the press member 172 presses down on the seal surface 310. As the pins 200 enter the through holes 178, the pins 200 are also advanced into the holes 330 of the shroud 300. As the pins 200 are advanced to where the holes 330 pass over the base of tip 224 and onto the first portion 225 of each pin 200, each hole 330 is elastically stretched radially to a diameter of at least the first transverse dimension A. Further advancing of the press member 172 forces the hole 330 over the first portion 225 and into groove 226, at which point the seal surface 310 material elastically relaxes such that a diameter of each hole 330 contracts to about the second transverse dimension B. The bottom of leg 174 contacts the bottom of the trough 145 to restrict the movement of the press member 172 tow'ard the end surface 120, thereby ensuring proper spacing between the seal surface seal surface 310 and the end surface 120.

[0067] FIG. 15 illustrates a method 400 for sealing one or more contact pins 200 extending through the end surface 120 of a housing 100. Each pin 200 may comprise a first portion 225 with a first transverse dimension A and a second portion 227 with a second transverse dimension B, in which the second transverse dimension B is less than the first transverse dimension A. As shown in FIG. 15, the method 400 comprises a process 410 of aligning each of the one or more holes 330 extending through the seal surface 310 of the shroud 300 with an associated one of the one or more contact pins 200. A transverse dimension C of the hole 330 can be less than the first transverse dimension A of the first portion 225 of the associated contact pin 200.

[0068] Referring to FIG. 15, the method 400 may comprise a process 420 of inserting the first portion 225 of each associated contact pin 200 through its corresponding hole 330 of the shroud 300. The first portion 225 can be located at a portion of the tip 224 such that the tip 224 of each associated contact pin 200 is inserted through its corresponding hole 330 of the shroud 330. The process 420 may further comprise stretching the seal surface 310 such that the transverse dimension of each hole 310 is expanded to at least the first transverse dimension A of the first portion 225.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 15, the method 400 comprises a process 430 of pressing the seal surface 310 toward the end surface 120 of the housing 100 until the perimeter 332 of each hole 330 is disposed at the second portion 227 of each associated contact pin 200. The second portion 227 can be located at a portion of the groove 226 disposed around the shaft 222 such that the perimeter of each hole 330 is received in the groove 226 and engaged against the shaft 222 of the first end member 220. Accordingly, the engagement between the perimeter 332 of the hole 330 and the second portion 227 provides a hermetic seal around each contact pin 200. The process 420 may comprise using an installation tool to apply force against the seal surface 310 such that the perimeter 332 of each hole 330 is simultaneously pressed towards the second portion 227 of the contact pin 200.

[0070] The method 400 may further include a process of inserting the gasket 118 into the groove 116 located disposed along the bottom surface 114 of the base 110. After coupling the shroud 300 to the contact pins 200 and inserting the gasket 118 into the groove 116, the method 400 may further include a process of coupling the connector assembly 10 to a fluidic device by mounting the base 110 of the housing 100 to a mating surface of the fluidic device. After coupling the shroud 300 to the contact pins 200, the method 400 may further include the process of coupling the cover 160 to the housing 100 such that the cover 160 encloses the tips 224 of the contact pins 200 and the shroud 300.

[0071] All possible combinations of elements and components described in the specification or recited in the claims are contemplated and considered to be part of this disclosure. It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein.

[0072] In the appended claims, the term “including” is used as the plain-English equivalent of the respective term “comprising.” The terms “comprising” and “including” are intended herein to be open-ended, including not only the recited elements, but further encompassing any additional elements. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third, etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format While the subject matter of this disclosure has been described and shown in considerable detail with reference to certain illustrative examples, including various combinations and sub-combinations of features, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate other examples and variations and modifications thereof as encompassed within the scope of the present disclosure. Moreover, the descriptions of such examples, combinations, and sub-combinations is not intended to convey that the claimed subject matter requires features or combinations of features other than those expressly recited in the claims.

The disclosure also includes the following clauses:

1. A connector assembly comprising:

a housing comprising an end surface;

one or more contact pins extending through the end surface, each pin comprising a first portion having a first transverse dimension and a second portion having a second transverse dimension, wherein the first portion and at least part of the second portion of each contact pin are disposed outside the housing, and wherein the second transverse dimension is less than the first transverse dimension; and a shroud comprising a seal surface and one or more holes extending through the seal surface, wherein each hole is associated with a different contact pin;

wherein each contact pin extends through its associated hole in the shroud, such that a perimeter of the hole is disposed at the second portion of the contact pin, and wherein a transverse dimension of the associated hole is less than the first transverse dimension of the contact pin.

2. The connector assembly of clause 1, wherein the seal surface is spatially separated from the end surface when the shroud is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

3. The connector assembly of clause 1 or 2 , wherein the seal surface is shaped so as to prevent liquid from puddling on top of the seal surface.

4. The connector assembly of clause 3, wherein the seal surface is angled or dome-shaped or includes one or more grooves to channel fluid off of the seal surface.

5. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses wherein the transverse dimension ofthe associated hole is less than the second transverse dimension ofthe contact pin so that an engagement between the perimeter of the hole and the second portion provides a hermetic seal around each contact pin.

6. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses wherein the housing comprises a base disposed opposite to the end surface and one or more walls extending from the base to the end surface, and wherein the base comprises a groove circumscribing the one or more contact pins, and the connector assembly further comprises a gasket received in the groove.

7. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses wherein the shroud further comprises a skirt projecting from a peripheral edge of the seal surface.

8. The connector assembly of clause 7, wherein the skirt extends substantially parallel to the one or more walls and is spatially separated from the one or more walls by a gap when the shroud is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

9. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses , wherein each contact pin is comprised of an electrically conducting material.

10. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses wherein the shroud is comprised of an electrically insulating material.

11. The connector assembly of clause 10, wherein the electrically insulating material is a synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene-based material.

12. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses wherein the shroud is comprised of an elastic material configured to stretch so that the transverse dimension of each hole can be expanded to at least the first transverse dimension to permit the first portion of the associated pin to be pushed through the hole and then retracts to a transverse dimension that is less than the first transverse dimension when the second portion of the pin is disposed within the associated hole.

13. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses , wherein each contact pin comprises a shaft, the first portion is a tip disposed at a first end of the shaft, and the second portion is an annular groove that is axially spaced from the tip.

14. The connector assembly of clause 13, wherein the shaft of each contact pin comprises a second end projecting through a base of the housing, and wherein the base is disposed opposite to the end surface.

15. The connector assembly of any of the preceding clauses wherein each contact pin is biased for movement in an axial direction with respect to the housing, and the shroud is moveable with the one or more contact pins in the axial direction with respect to the housing when coupled to the one or more contact pins.

16. A method for sealing one or more contact pins extending through an end surface of a housing, wherein each pin has a first portion with a first transverse dimension and a second portion having a second transverse dimension, and wherein the second transverse dimension is less than the first transverse dimension, the method comprising:

aligning each of one or more holes extending through a seal surface of a shroud with an associated one of the one or more contact pins, wherein a transverse dimension of the hole is less than first transverse dimension of the first portion of the associated pin;

inserting the first portion of each associated contact pin through its corresponding hole of the shroud; and pressing the seal surface toward the end surface of the housing until the perimeter of each hole is disposed at the second portion of each associated contact pin.

17. The method of clause 16, further comprising inserting a gasket into a groove disposed along a base of the housing, wherein the base is disposed opposite to the end surface, and wherein the groove circumscribes the one or more contact pins.

18. The method of clause 16 or 17 , wherein the housing comprises one or more walls extending from the base to the end surface, and the shroud comprises a skirt projecting from a peripheral edge of the seal surface, and the skirt extends substantially parallel to the one or more walls and is spatially separated from the one or more walls by a gap when the shroud is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

19. The method of any of the clauses 16-18 wherein the seal surface is spatially separated from 5 the end surface when the seal surface engages the second portion of each contact pin.

20. The method of any of the clauses 16-19 wherein the seal surface is shaped so as to prevent liquid from puddling on top of the seal surface.

21. Method according to any of the clauses 16-20 utilizing a connector assembly according to any of the clauses 1-15.

Claims

CONCLUSIONS

A connector assembly comprising:

a housing comprising an end surface;

one or more contact pins extending through the end surface, each pin having a first part with a first transverse dimension and a second part with a second transverse dimension, wherein the first part and at least a portion of the second part of each contact pin are placed are outside the housing, and wherein the second transversal dimension is smaller than the first transversal dimension; and a shell (shroud) comprising a sealing surface and one or more openings through the sealing surface, wherein each opening belongs to a different contact pin;

wherein each contact pin extends through the associated opening in the enclosure such that a perimeter of the opening is arranged at the second part of the contact pin, and wherein a transverse dimension of the associated opening is smaller than the first transverse dimension of the contact pin.

Connector assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sealing surface is spatially separated from the end surface when the sheath is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

Connector assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the sealing surface is formed to prevent fluid from puddling on top of the sealing surface.

Connector assembly according to claim 3, wherein the sealing surface is oblique or dome-shaped or comprises one or more grooves to guide fluid from the sealing surface.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the transversal dimension of the associated opening is smaller than the second transversal dimension of the contact pin such that an engagement between the perimeter of the opening and the second part provides a hermetic seal around each contact pin.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the housing comprises a base arranged opposite the end surface and one or more walls extending from the base to the end surface and wherein the base comprises a groove surrounding one or more contact pins and the connector assembly further comprises a gasket received in the groove.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheath further comprises a sheath protruding from a peripheral edge of the sealing surface.

Connector assembly according to claim 7, wherein the sheath extends substantially parallel to the one or more walls and is spatially separated on the one or more walls by a gap when the sheath is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each contact pin comprises an electrically conductive material.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheath comprises an electrically insulating material.

The connector assembly of claim 10, wherein the electrically insulating material is a synthetic polytetrafluoroethylene-based material.

A connector assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheath comprises an elastic material configured to be stretched so that the transverse dimension of each aperture can be increased to at least the first transversal dimension to enable the first part of the associated pin to be pushed through the aperture and then returned to a transverse dimension that is smaller than the first transversal dimension when the second part of the pin is arranged within the corresponding aperture.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each contact pin comprises a shaft, the first part is an end arranged at at least a first end of the shaft and the second part is an annular groove axially spaced from the end .

A connector assembly according to claim 13, wherein the axis of each contact pin has a second end protruding through a base of the housing and into which the base is arranged opposite the end surface.

Connector assembly according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each contact pin is biased for movement in an axial direction relative to the housing and wherein the sheath is adapted to move with the one or contact pins in the axial direction relative to the housing when coupled to the one or more contact pins.

16. A method for sealing one or more contact pins extending through an end surface of a housing, wherein each pin has a first part with a first transverse dimension and a second part with a second transversal dimension and wherein the tw ' The transversal dimension is smaller than the first transversal dimension, the method comprising:

aligning each of one or more apertures extending through a sealing surface of a housing with associated one or more contact pins, wherein a transversal dimension of the aperture is smaller than the first transversal dimension of the first part of the associated pin;

inserting the first portion of each associated contact pin through the associated opening of the casing; and pushing the sealing surface toward the end surface of the housing until the perimeter of each opening is arranged at the second part of each associated contact pin.

The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting a gasket into a groove disposed along a base of the housing, wherein the base is positioned opposite the end surface and wherein the groove surrounds the one or more contact pins.

A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the housing comprises one or more walls extending from the base to the end surface and the casing comprises a jacket protruding from a peripheral edge of the sealing surface and the jacket substantially parallel extending with the one or more walls and spatially separated from the one or more walls by a gap when the sheath is coupled to the one or more contact pins.

The method of any one of claims 16-18, wherein the sealing surface is spatially separated from the end surface when the sealing surface engages the second part of each contact pin.

The method of any one of claims 16-19, wherein the sealing surface is formed to prevent fluid from puddling on top of the sealing surface.

A method according to any one of claims 16-20, wherein use is made of a

Connector assembly according to any of claims 1-15.

1/13 ¹⁰ >

115

200

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300

224 224 224 224 224 224 224

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