Protective connector and applications thereof
A protective connector includes a core assembly structure, mating pins and a mating coupling structure. The core assembly structure has circuitry mounted therein. The mating coupling structure substantially encases the core assembly structure and mates with another connector such that the mating pins of the protective connector are electrically coupled to pins of the other connector. The mating coupling structure is mechanically free-moving with respect to the core assembly structure such that forces applied to the mating coupling structure to mate the protective connector to the other connector are not applied to the circuitry within the core assembly structure.
1. A wireless drive unit comprises:
circuitry that enables the wireless drive unit to wirelessly communicate with a portable computing device and to directly communicated with circuitry of farm equipment; and
a protective connector having a core assembly structure, mating pins, and a mating coupling structure, wherein the circuitry is mounted within the core assembly structure, wherein the mating coupling structure substantially encases the core assembly structure and mates with a connector of the farm equipment such that the mating pins of the protective connector are electrically coupled to pins of the connector of the farm equipment, and wherein the mating coupling structure is mechanically free-moving with respect to the core assembly structure such that forces applied to the mating coupling structure to mate the protective connector to the connector of the farm equipment are not applied to the circuitry within the core assembly structure.
2. The wireless drive unit of claim 1 , wherein the core assembly structure comprises:
an end cap;
a circuitry housing; and
a circuitry mounting and mating connection piece, wherein the circuitry is mounted to the circuitry mounting and mating connection piece, wherein the mating pins are within the circuitry mounting and mating connection piece and electrically coupled to the circuitry, wherein the circuitry housing mechanically couples to the circuitry mounting and mating connection piece to substantially encircle the circuitry, and wherein the end cap mechanically couples to an end of the circuitry housing.
3. The wireless drive unit of claim 2 , wherein the end cap comprises one or more of:
a non-conductive material that substantially passes wireless communication signals of the wireless drive unit and of the portable computing device; and
end cap graphics affixed to the end cap.
4. The wireless drive unit of claim 1 , wherein the mating coupling structure comprises:
an outer housing; and
an align, twist, and locking piece, wherein the outer housing fits over the core assembly structure and is mechanically coupled to the align, twist, and locking piece, wherein the outer housing and the align, twist, and locking piece freely rotates around to the core assembly structure.
5. The wireless drive unit of claim 4 , wherein the outer housing and the align, twist, and locking piece each comprises:
one or more materials from a list of materials that includes aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, carbon fiber.
6. The wireless drive unit of claim 1 , wherein the circuitry comprises:
an interface operable to provide a communication interface with the farm equipment;
a processor;
a transceiver operable to provide wireless communication with the portable computing device;
memory;
a power source; and
a printed circuit board on which one or more of the interface, the processor, the transceiver, the memory, and the power source are mounted.
7. A protective connector comprises:
a core assembly structure;
mating pins; and
a mating coupling structure, wherein circuitry is mounted within the core assembly structure, wherein the mating coupling structure substantially encases the core assembly structure and mates with another connector such that the mating pins of the protective connector are electrically coupled to pins of the other connector, and wherein the mating coupling structure is mechanically free-moving with respect to the core assembly structure such that forces applied to the mating coupling structure to mate the protective connector to the other connector are not applied to the circuitry within the core assembly structure.
8. The protective connector of claim 7 , wherein the core assembly structure comprises:
an end cap;
a circuitry housing; and
a circuitry mounting and mating connection piece, wherein the circuitry is mounted to the circuitry mounting and mating connection piece, wherein the mating pins are within the circuitry mounting and mating connection piece and electrically coupled to the circuitry, wherein the circuitry housing mechanically couples to the circuitry mounting and mating connection piece to substantially encircle the circuitry, and wherein the end cap mechanically couples to an end of the circuitry housing.
9. The protective connector of claim 8 , wherein the end cap comprises one or more of:
a non-conductive material that substantially passes wireless communication signals of the wireless drive unit and of a portable computing device; and
end cap graphics affixed to the end cap.
10. The protective connector of claim 7 , wherein the mating coupling structure comprises:
an outer housing; and
an align, twist, and locking piece, wherein the outer housing fits over the core assembly structure and is mechanically coupled to the align, twist, and locking piece, wherein the outer housing and the align, twist, and locking piece freely rotates around to the core assembly structure.
11. The protective connector of claim 10 , wherein the outer housing and the align, twist, and locking piece each comprises:
one or more materials from a list of materials that includes aluminum, stainless steel, plastic, carbon fiber.