Apple Patent Describes Vacuum Seals for Waterproofed Lightning Connectors

Apple has been granted three patents that detail methods to prevent water damage to accessories and connected devices that use Lightning connectors. As with other patents, it is not given that the company will introduce these features in consumer facing devices - instead, they just show a research direction the company chose to pursue and patent. The first of these three patents detail a method to seal accessories themselves; the second details a way to seal the connector, while the third, perhaps the least feasible, involves creating a vacuum sealed connector complete with a vacuum generator and pistons.

The three Apple patents, which were granted on Thursday by the US Patent & Trademark Office (USPTO) and applied for back in March 2017 (first applied for in September 2016), were first spotted by Patently Apple.

Let's start with the first - Sealed Accessories for Electronic Devices. Apple details how accessories for electronic devices like the iPhone are sealed and include a connector having a wedge-shaped deformable seal positioned on it such that when the connector is mated to the electronic device a liquid-tight seal is formed between the accessory and the electronic device. The company notes that such accessories have functions that are useful in "moist, wet and/or dirty environments."

Example of a sealed accessory
Photo Credit: Apple/ USPTO

The second patent - Sealed Electronic Connectors for Electronic Devices - deals with wedge-shaped deformable seal for connectors, the purpose of which has been described above. The company further adds that a "seal may also be positioned within a receptacle connector cavity of the electronic device such that it forms a liquid-tight seal to a plug connector when the plug connector is mated to the electronic device."

The wedge-shaped seal seen on the Lightning connector
Photo Credit: Apple/ USPTO

As you can see with the above descriptions, the introduction of such a wedge-shaped connector would require bringing a redesigned Lightning connector with a deformable seal to market, and, in some cases, redesigning the port (receptacle) to include a seal on the electronic device itself. That's a big ask, considering the limited use cases of the technology, when electronic devices like the iPhone are already highly water-resistant (IP67 rated), and have been so for a couple of generations.

The sealed Lightning connector receptacle (port)
Photo Credit: Apple/ USPTO

Finally, the third, and perhaps most ambitious patent, describes a Vacuum Sealed Connector for Electronic Devices. Apple details the basic concept, "A vacuum generator [or pump] is included within an accessory or an electronic device and generates a vacuum seal within mated connectors of the accessory and the electronic device to protect against ingression of moisture and/or debris. A vacuum release valve is used to break the vacuum seal and allow the accessory to be demated from the electronic device. A sensor is used to monitor the vacuum level."

The main attraction: a vacuum generator and seal
Photo Credit: Apple/ USPTO

Here, two types of designs have been detailed - one where a piston-type vacuum pump is used, and the other, where a diaphragm type vacuum pump is used. The electric motor that powers the vacuum generator or vacuum pump can also be used as a vibration device, the inventors helpfully add. Apple further suggests that the deactivation of the vacuum seal to disconnect the connected devices is performed via a software interface.