Patent Grant
11450999
The number and types of electronic devices available to consumers have increased tremendously the past few years and this increase shows no signs of abating. Devices such as portable computing devices, tablets, desktops, all-in-one computers, smart phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, and other devices have become ubiquitous.
These electronic devices can transfer power and data using cables or other structures that can have connector inserts on each end. The connector inserts can plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for power, data, or both power and data.
But these connector inserts and connector receptacles can be relatively large. A sizeable connector receptacle can consume an undesirably large space in an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. This can reduce the functionality that can be provided by the electronic device, it can increase the size of the electronic device, or a combination of both.
The connection between a connector insert and an electronic device can undergo various forces during use. The connector insert can be twisted, turned, or bent relative to the device enclosure. This can cause the connector insert and connector receptacle to disconnect from each other. In some circumstances, it can cause either or both the connector insert and connector receptacle to be damaged. But in some systems, it can be useful for the connector insert to be able to move relative to the electronic device housing the connector receptacle. That is, it can be desirable that the connector insert and a connector receptacle in the electronic device be connected throughout these movements.
Thus, what is needed are connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor and where after a connector insert and connector receptacle are mated, the connector insert can move relative to an electronic device housing the connector receptacle.
Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor and where after a connector insert and connector receptacle are mated, the connector insert can rotate and articulate relative to an electronic device housing the connector receptacle.
An illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor. The connector inserts can be reduced in size by limiting a number of contacts that they have. For example, a number of contacts can be reduced by combining data and power. Data and power signals can be combined and transmitted or received using contacts on the connector inserts. The connector insert can further be reduced in size by utilizing a connector tongue as the connector insert. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a connector insert can be formed as a tongue having a top side and a bottom side. Two contacts can be located on each of the top and bottom sides. These two contacts can each convey a differential signal. A power supply, ground, or both can be combined with either or both of these differential signals. A ground ring to convey a ground and to provide shielding can be located or formed around a front and sides of the tongue.
The connector receptacles can be reduced in size by employing contacts that wrap over (or under) themselves in a space-saving configuration. For example, a connector receptacle can have two contacts having contacting portions in a top of an opening in a housing and two contacts having contacting portions in a bottom of an opening in a housing, where the contacting portions can physically and electrically connect to contacts on the connector insert tongue. These contacts can have contact tails that wrap underneath the contacting portions. The contact tails can include through-hole portions to be inserted into and soldered to holes in a board, posts for connecting to wires, or surface mount portions to be soldered to contacts on a board, where the board can be a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. The contacts can further include barbs that can be inserted in a housing of the connector receptacle. These barbs can extend laterally from the contacting portions to further save space.
An illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles for electronic devices, where when a connector insert and connector receptacle are mated, the connector insert and connector receptacle can rotate together about an axis relative to an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. The connector receptacle can be a portion of a connector receptacle assembly that can be located in the electronic device. The connector receptacle assembly can also include a front housing attached to the connector receptacle, where the front housing can have an opening for the connector insert. The opening in the front housing can be at a surface of a device enclosure that at least partially houses the electronic device. The front housing can ride on a ring or bearing, where the ring or bearing is fixed in this rotational direction. The front housing can rotate in the bearing, thereby allowing the connector receptacle assembly to rotate relative to the device enclosure through a rotation angle. The rotation angle can be plus and minus 180 degrees, plus and minus 120 degrees, plus and minus 90 degrees, plus and minus 45 degrees, or it can have another magnitude. Also, the magnitude can be different for each direction of rotation.
In order to maintain a connection between the rotating connector receptacle and nonrotating portions of the connector receptacle assembly, a flexible circuit board can be used to connect the connector receptacle to other portions of the connector receptacle assembly. One example can provide a connector receptacle having contacts, where each contact has a contacting portion at a first end and a post at a second end, and where the posts are connected to a first end of a flexible circuit board. A second end of the flexible circuit board might remain fixed while the connector receptacle rotates. The flexible circuit board can include an excess length or slack that can form a loop between the first end and the second end of the flexible circuit board. This slack can allow the first end of the flexible circuit board to rotate with the connector receptacle while maintaining a connection to other portions of the connector receptacle assembly via the second end of the flexible circuit board.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles for electronic devices, where when a connector insert and connector receptacle are mated, the connector insert and connector receptacle can articulate together in a plane relative the electronic device. The bearing that supports the front housing can pivot about a pivot axis, thereby allowing the front housing, the attached connector receptacle and other portions of the connector receptacle assembly, as well as the connector insert, to articulate through a plane defined by the pivot axis of the bearing. This articulation can have various magnitudes. The articulation can be in one or more directions, and it can be through articulation angles of 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, or other angle. The articulation can be in one direction or two opposing directions, and the magnitude of possible articulation can be different in each direction.
In order to maintain a connection between the articulating connector receptacle assembly and circuits and components in the electronic device, a junction box can be used to connect first wires that are connected to contacts on the second end of the flexible circuit board to second wires that connect to circuits and components in the electronic device. The junction box can either be fixed relative to the device enclosure or the junction box can articulate with other portions of the connector receptacle assembly.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles for electronic devices, where when a connector insert and connector receptacle are mated, the connector insert can both rotate about an axis and articulate in a plane relative the electronic device. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert and connector receptacle can rotate about an axis and articulate through a plane together relative to the electronic device. This flexibility can be provided by using both the flexible circuit board and junction box as described above. This flexibility can be particularly advantageous in electronic devices such as audio headphones. Connector inserts can be located at each end of a headband, where the connector inserts are each inserted into a connector receptacle in a corresponding earcup. The rotation and articulation provided by an embodiment of the present invention can allow the two earcups to be comfortably positioned against sides of a listener's head.
In some circumstances, it can be disadvantageous for a connector insert to be able to easily disconnect from a connector receptacle. To guard against an inadvertent disconnection, these and other embodiments of the present invention can provide a locking mechanism to secure a connector insert in place in a connector receptacle assembly. For example, a connector receptacle assembly can include a locking mechanism that locks a connector insert in place when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle assembly. The connector insert can have a sliding or otherwise movable control mechanism that can be actuated to effect a release of the connector insert from the connector receptacle assembly.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide other locking mechanisms where a locking mechanism locks a connector insert in place when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle assembly. To release the connector insert, the connector insert can be rotated beyond an expected range (overturned) whereupon the connector insert can be released.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide other locking mechanisms where a locking mechanism uses a locking mechanism to lock a connector insert in place when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle assembly. To release the connector insert, a sliding mechanism can be actuated to move the locking mechanism, whereupon the connector insert can be released. These locking mechanisms can be particularly useful in devices such as audio headphones. For example, a locking mechanism can prevent an inadvertent disconnection between a headband and an earcup of the audio headphones, which could otherwise be caused by a listener's activity, such as running or working out.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector structures that can be implemented in both a connector receptacle and a connector insert. This dual utilization can reduce tooling and design costs since one contact structure can be used for both a connector insert and a corresponding connector receptacle. These connector structures can be symmetrical or otherwise configured such that two such structures can mate when they are placed in opposition and one structure is rotated relative to the other, for example by 90 degree, 180 degrees, or other angle.
The contacts of these dual-use connector structures can have various configurations. Contacts in a connector can mate with corresponding contacts in a corresponding connector, where the contacts and corresponding contacts have mating features such that they form an electrical connection when the connector and corresponding connector are mated. These mating features can be interlocking features, mating surface features, or other features that provide an electrical connection between contacts. For example, contacts formed as pins or prongs in a connector can mate by interlocking with forked contacts in a corresponding connector. In another example, contacts formed as pins or prongs in a connector can mate with contacts having recessed surfaces in corresponding connector.
These different contacts can be symmetrically located in connector structures that are used in both a connector insert and a connector receptacle. The different contacts can be arranged in an alternating fashion in an array, radially, or in another configuration. For example, a connector structure can have contacts in a two-by-two array or radial configuration, where contacts having first mating features are located in opposing corners of the array or radial configuration, and contacts having second mating features are located in the remaining corners of the array or radial configuration. Where contacts having the first interlocking features have a different size than contacts having the second interlocking features, the overall size of the connector structure can be reduced by placing these two types of contacts in this or other alternating manner.
In one example, a connector structure can include two contacts formed as pins or prongs can be placed in opposing corners, while two forked contacts can be placed in the remaining corners. In another example, a connector structure can include two contacts formed as pins or prongs can be placed in opposing corners, while two contacts having mating recesses can be placed in the remaining corners. Such a connector structure can be mated with an identical connector structure when they are placed in opposition and one is rotated 90 degrees relative to the other.
In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground rings, shields, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle assemblies and connector inserts can be formed by stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper-titanium, phosphor-bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the housings and other structures can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials.
Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles, connector receptacle assemblies, and connector inserts that can be located in, or can connect to, various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices such as smart watches, headphones, earbuds, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, audio devices, video delivery systems, adapters, styluses, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts can provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that can be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these connector receptacles and connector inserts can be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information.
Various embodiments of the present invention can incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention can be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.
In this example, connector insert 300 can be inserted into connector receptacle assembly 105 in electronic device 100. That is, connector insert 300 can mate with connector receptacle 500 of connector receptacle assembly 105 of electronic device 100. Connector receptacle assembly 105 can be located in device enclosure 110 of electronic device 100. Device enclosure 110 can partially, substantially, or completely house electronic device 100. Connector receptacle assembly 105 can include front housing 120 and connector receptacle housing 520. Front housing 120 can include extensions 125 that can fit in slots 524 of connector receptacle 500. Slots 524 can be located between shield 530 and connector receptacle housing 520. Connector receptacle housing 520 can include cavity 522. Connector receptacle housing 520 can support a plurality of contacts 510 (shown in
Connector insert 300 can be inserted into connector receptacle 500 via passage 122 in front housing 120. When connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 are mated, connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 can rotate together relative to electronic device 100. Connector receptacle assembly 105 can ride on ring or bearing 150 and rotate relative to device enclosure 110. Ring or bearing 150 can have a circular inside surface 152. Front housing 120 can have a circular outside surface 121 to mate with inside surface 152 of ring or bearing 150 and can rotate relative to ring or bearing 150 through rotational angle 301. Ring or bearing 150 can be supported at axis 127 that can be fixed relative to device enclosure 110, either directly or through one or more structures.
In these and other embodiments of the present invention, rotational angle 301 can have various magnitudes. The amount of possible rotation can be plus and minus 180 degrees, plus and minus 120 degrees, plus and minus 90 degrees, plus and minus 45 degrees, or it can have another magnitude. The amount of rotation can be different depending on the direction of rotation. For example, connector insert 300 and connector receptacle assembly 105 can have a normal or resting position. Connector insert 300 and connector receptacle assembly 105 can rotate through a first angle in a first direction and a second angle in a second opposite direction. The first angle and the second angle can have the same or different magnitudes, such as 10, 20, 30, 40, 45, 60, 75, 90, 120, 150, 180, or other angle.
In this example, front housing 120 can interface with device enclosure 110 at opening 112. Front housing 120 can rotate relative to device enclosure 110 at opening 112. Opening 112 can be sealed to prevent moisture leakage or other ingress into electronic device 100. Contacts 510 of connector receptacle 500 can be connected to wires, a flexible circuit board 1670 (shown in
When connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 are mated, connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 can articulate together about axis 127 relative to electronic device 100. The articulation can be in one or more directions. The articulation can be through an articulation angle 303. This articulation angle 303 can be an angle of 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 35 degrees, 45 degrees, or it can be another angle. This articulation can be through a plane that is normal to axis 127.
Bearing 150 can tilt or articulate about axis 127. This allows connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 to also articulate about axis 127. Connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 can also rotate about their axis identified as rotational angle 301. The amount of possible articulation can vary depending on the angle of rotation of connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500.
The flexibility provided by the ability of connector insert 300 and connector receptacle 500 to rotate and articulate can be particularly advantageous in electronic devices such as audio headphones. Connector inserts 300 can be located at each end of a headband (not shown), where connector inserts 300 are each inserted into connector receptacle 500 in a corresponding earcup (not shown.) The rotation and articulation provided by an embodiment of the present invention can allow the two earcups to be comfortably positioned against sides of a listener's head.
Again, front housing 120 can interface with device enclosure 110 at opening 112. Front housing 120 can articulate relative to device enclosure 110 at opening 112. Opening 112 can be sealed to prevent moisture leakage or other ingress into electronic device 100.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts, such as connector insert 300, and connector receptacles, such as connector receptacle 500, that can have a reduced size. This can help to save space inside of electronic device 100. Saving space in electronic device 100 can allow electronic device 100 to be smaller, include more functionality, or combination of both. Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts having a reduced size by limiting the number of contacts that they have. The size of the connector inserts can be further reduced by forming the connector inserts as a tongue. In the following example, a connector insert can be formed as a tongue having top and bottom sides, with two contacts on each of the top and bottom sides. Each pair of contacts can convey a differential signal. A power supply can be combined with a differential signal and provided on the contacts. For example, a power supply can be added to each side of a first differential signal while ground can be added to each side of a second differential signal. In this way, two contacts on a first side of a connector insert can convey a power supply and a first differential signal, while two contacts on a second side of the connector insert can convey ground and a second differential signal. This arrangement can provide a connector inset having a reduced number of contacts that can still convey high-speed data signals and power. An example is shown in the following figure.
Board 340 can include contacts 342 and ground contact 343 on either or both a top and bottom side. Contacts 342 can be connected through traces or planes (not shown) on board 340 to contacts 310 via contacts 318 and contacting portions 312. Contacts 342 can be soldered or otherwise connected to wires or conduits in a cable or other connector portion (not shown), where the connector portion can be flexible or rigid conduit. Ground contacts 343 can be connected through traces or planes (not shown) on board 340 to ground ring 330 via ground contact 346 and ground springs 344. Ground contacts 343 can be soldered or otherwise connected to a shield or other ground in a cable or other connector portion (not shown), where the connector portion can be a flexible or rigid conduit.
Again, these and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts, such as connector insert 300, and connector receptacles, such as connector receptacle 500, that can have a reduced size. This can help to save space inside of electronic device 100 (shown in
The connector receptacles can be reduced in size by employing contacts that wrap over (or under) themselves in a space-saving configuration. For example, a connector receptacle can have two contacts having contacting portions in a top of an opening or cavity in a housing and two contacts having contacting portions in a bottom of an opening or cavity in a housing, where the contacting portions can physically and electrically connect to contacts on a connector insert tongue when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle. These contacts can have contact tails that wrap underneath the contacting portions. The contact tails can include through-hole portions to be inserted into and soldered to holes in a board, posts for connecting to wires, or surface mount portions to be soldered to contacts on a board, where the board can be a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. The contacts can further include barbs that can be inserted in a housing of the connector receptacle to secure the contacts to the connector receptacle housing. These barbs can extend laterally from the contacting portions to further save space. Examples of connector receptacles that can be used as connector receptacle 500 are shown in the following figures.
Contacts 510 can include surface mount contacting portions 512 and contacting portions 514. Contacting portions 514 can physically and electrically connect to contacts 310 on connector insert 300 when connector insert 300 (shown in
Connector receptacle 800 can include connector receptacle housing 820 shielded by shield 830. Shield 830 can be spot or laser welded to itself at points 836. Connector receptacle 800 can include tabs 834 over slot 824. Slots 824 can hold extensions 125 of front housing 120 (shown in
Connector receptacle 900 can include contacts 910 having contacting portions 914 in opening or cavity 922 of connector receptacle housing 920. Connector receptacle housing 920 can be shielded by shield 930. Contacts 910 can further include posts 912. Posts 912 can be soldered or otherwise connected to wires or other flexible conduit, which can connect to circuitry in electronic device 100 (shown in
Contacts 910 can include contacting portions 914. Contacting portions 914 can physically and electrically connect to contacts 310 on connector insert 300 when connector insert 300 is mated with connector receptacle 900. Post 912 can be soldered or otherwise attached to wires or other flexible conduit to connect contacts 910 to circuitry of electronic device 100 (shown in
Contacts 910, as with contacts 510, 710, 810, and the other contacts shown herein, can be formed of various materials. For example, they can be formed of titanium-copper, stainless steel, steel, copper, phosphor-bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated with gold or other material. They can have an underplate formed of silver, electroless nickel, nickel, or other material.
Board 1240 can include contacts 1242 and contacts 1243 on either or both a top and bottom side. On each side of board 1240, contacts 1242 can be connected through traces or planes (not shown) on board 1240 to contacts 1210 via contacts 1218 and contacting portions 1212. Contacts 1242 can be soldered or otherwise connected to wires or conduits in a cable or other connector portion (not shown), where the connector portion can be flexible or rigid conduit. On either or both a top and bottom of board 1240, contacts 1243 can be connected through traces or planes (not shown) on board 1240 to ground ring 1230 via ground contact 1246 and ground springs 1244. Contacts 1243 can be soldered or otherwise connected to a shield or other ground in a cable or other connector portion (not shown), where the connector portion can be flexible or rigid conduit. The arrangement of contacts 1242 and contacts 1243 can provide terminations for a cable where a differential signal is conveyed by conduits soldered to contacts 1242 while power and ground conduits or shields are positioned on each side of the differential signal to provide shielding and are terminated at contacts 1243.
Again, connector insert 300 along with connector receptacle assembly 105 (shown in
Flexible circuit board 1670 can include loop 1671 and an excess length, or slack, shown here as loop 1673, between first end 1677 and second end 1679. Housing 1620 and shield 1630 of connector receptacle 1600 can rotate about their central axis. Conversely, second end 1679 of flexible circuit board 1670, along with contacts 1672 and stiffener or cowling 1690, can be nonrotating. Accordingly, the amount of slack in loop 1673 can increase or decrease depending on a direction of rotation of connector receptacle housing 1620 and shield 1630. Examples are shown below.
Housing portions 1623 and 1625 can each support two contacts 1610 having contacting portions 1614. Tabs 1627 on housing portion 1625 can fit in openings (not shown) in an underside of housing portion 1623. Contacts 1610 on housing portion 1623 can terminate in posts 1618. Posts 1618 can fit in, and be soldered to, openings 1675 on flexible circuit board 1670, thereby forming an electrical connection from contacts 1610 of housing portion 1623 to traces (not shown) of flexible circuit board 1670. Similarly, contacts 1610 of housing portion 1625 can terminate in posts 1616, which can fit in, and be soldered to, openings 1675 of flexible circuit board 1670. In this way, contacts 1610 of housing portion 1625 can electrically connect to traces (not shown) of flexible circuit board 1670. Further, contacts 1610 of connector receptacle 1600 can connect to corresponding contacts 1672 on second end 1679 (shown in
Contacts 1610 of housing portion 1623 and contacts 1610 of housing portion 1625 can fit in rear openings 1621 in housing 1620. Bracket 1660 can fit behind housing portion 1623 and housing portion 1625. Bracket 1660 can include side ground contacts 1662, which can fit in openings 1624 of housing 1620. Shield 1630 can include slot 1636 to allow passage of flexible circuit board 1670. A back side 1638 of shield 1630 can be soldered to a back portion 1664 of bracket 1660 at locations 1639 (shown in
Contacting portions 1614 of contacts 1610 can mate with contacts 1210 of connector insert 1200 when connector insert 1200 is inserted into connector insert 1300. This arrangement can be particularly useful in devices such as audio headphones. Data and power can be shared among two or more of the earcups (not shown) and headband (not shown) of the headphones. For example, power received at or stored in a battery in a first earcup can be provided to a second earcup. Data can also be transferred between the first and second earcups.
Housing 1620, housing portion 1623, and housing portion 1625 can be formed of plastic, nylon, or other nonconductive material. Contacts 1610, bracket 1660, and shield 1630 can be formed of copper, steel, bronze, or other conductive materials. One or more of these structures can be plated to protect against corrosion.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide a connector receptacle having contacts where the contacts have contacting portions at a first end, and where the contacting portions mate with corresponding contacts of a corresponding connector insert when the connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle. The contacts can further have posts at second ends, where the posts are connected to a first end of a flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board can terminate at a second end, where the second end supports contacts that can be soldered to wires. The wires can extend from contacts at the second end of the flexible circuit board to a junction box, where the junction box can be connected to conduits or wires that further connect to circuits and components in the electronic device housing the connector receptacle.
The contacts, connector receptacle, and first end of the flexible circuit board can rotate relative to the device enclosure, while the second end of the flexible circuit board does not rotate. An amount of slack or excess length can be provided in the flexible circuit board between the first end of the flexible circuit board and the second end of the flexible circuit board. As the first end of the flexible circuit board rotates, the slack can be increased or decreased, depending on the direction of rotation. This can allow connections between contacts in the connector receptacle and the electronic device to be maintained as the connector receptacle rotates relative to the device enclosure.
The contacts, connector receptacle, flexible circuit board, and junction box can articulate relative to the device enclosure. An amount of slack can be provided in the wires between the junction box and the circuits and components in the electronic device. As the connector receptacle articulates, the slack in the wires can vary, depending on the direction of articulation. This can allow connections between contacts in the connector receptacle and circuits and components in the electronic device to be maintained as the connector receptacle articulates relative to the device enclosure. An example is shown in the following figure.
Again, shield 1630 along with housing 1620 (shown in
In some circumstances, it can be disadvantageous for a connector insert to be able to easily disconnect from a connector receptacle. To guard against such an inadvertent disconnection, these and other embodiments of the present invention can provide a locking mechanism to secure a connector insert in place in a connector receptacle assembly. These locking mechanisms can be particularly useful in devices such as audio headphones. For example, a locking mechanism can prevent an inadvertent disconnection between a headband and an earcup of the audio headphones, which could otherwise be caused by a listener's activity, such as running or working out.
For example, a connector receptacle assembly can include a locking mechanism that locks a connector insert in place when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle assembly. The connector insert can have a sliding or otherwise movable control mechanism that can be actuated to effect a release of the connector insert from the connector receptacle assembly. Examples are shown in the following figures.
In this implementation, connector insert 2200 can include tongue 2205, which can support contacts (not shown) for mating with contacts 1610 in connector receptacle 1600. Connector insert 2200 can further include board 2241 and contacts 2243. Conductors 2240 can be soldered to contacts 2243. Connector insert 2200 can be partially encased by shell 2250. Shell 2250 can have various widths or diameter along its length. For example, shell 2250 can have a diameter 2281 along a front portion, followed by a wider diameter 2283 at step 2252. Sliding portion 2260 can be placed around a rear portion of shell 2250. Spring 2270 can bias sliding portion 2260 against step 2252 of shell 2250. Sliding portion 2260 can include a front end 2262 having diameter 2285.
Connector insert 2200 can be inserted into opening 2221 in front housing 2220. Contacts on tongue 2205 can physically and electrically connect to contacts 1610 in housing 1620 of connector receptacle 1600 when connector insert 2200 is mated with connector receptacle 1600. Canted spring 2210 can be located in slot or groove 2222 in front housing 2220. Housing 1620 can be shielded by shield 1630.
As connector insert 2200 is inserted into connector receptacle 1600, canted spring 2210 can first encounter shell 2250. Since canted spring 2210 is in the relaxed state and not compressed radially in a constrained groove, only a nominal insertion force is needed to insert connector insert 2200 into connector receptacle 1600. Step 2252 of shell 2250 can then encounter canted spring 2210, thereby stretching canted spring 2210 over the larger diameter 2283 and compressing radially. Once canted spring 2210 reaches narrowed front end 2262 of sliding portion 2260, connector insert 2200 is fully inserted into connector receptacle 1600. At this position, canted spring 2210 enters a constrained groove and can provide a significant resistance to an extraction of connector insert 2200. This state is shown further in the following figure.
Connector insert 2200 can be extracted from connector receptacle 1600 by sliding portion 2260 away from step 2252. This can allow canted spring 2210 to relax to the diameter of 2287 into a larger groove shaped to allow the cant-direction to flip upon extraction and cause canted spring 2210 to provide only a nominal resistance to the extraction of connector insert 2200 from connector receptacle 1600. Once connector insert 2200 has been fully extracted from connector receptacle 1600, canted spring 2210 can be in a relaxed state and can provide a nominal resistance to the next insertion of connector insert 2200.
In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a sliding mechanism can move an interference structure into a position where it interferes with an extraction of a connector insert from a connector receptacle. An example is shown in the following figure.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide other locking mechanisms where a locking mechanism locks a connector insert in place when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle assembly. To release the connector insert, the connector insert can be rotated beyond an expected range (overturned) whereupon the connector insert can be released. Examples are shown in the following figures.
Bearing 2720 can pivot about axis 2724 relative to device enclosure 110 (shown in
Connector insert portion 2790 can have a front tapered edge 2792 that can deflect interference portion 2736 of clip 2730, thereby allowing an insertion of connector insert portion 2790. Once locked in place, clip 2730 can act to retain connector insert portion 2790 in place in connector receptacle locking assembly 2700. To remove connector insert portion 2790, connector insert portion 2790 can be rotated until wide portion 2734 of clip 2730 reaches stop 2722 of bearing 2720. A further rotation (referred to as an overturn) beyond this point can cause clip 2730 to distort and can cause interference portion 2736 to be pulled out of the slot or groove in connector insert portion 2790, thereby allowing connector insert portion 2790 to be extracted from connector receptacle locking assembly 2700. Examples of this are shown in the following figures.
Connector receptacle locking assembly 2700 can further include bearing 2720 having passage 2723 for accepting front housing 2710. Bearing 2720 can further include stop 2722. Clip carrier 2740 can include raised features 2742 and 2746 separated by gaps 2745 and 2747. Clip 2730 can be placed on clip carrier 2740 and spot or laser welded to clip carrier 2740 as shown in
As before, clip 3030 can be spot or laser-welded to clip carrier 3040. Clip 3030 can include a wide portion 3034 and interference portion 3036. Joining portions 3035 and 3037 of clip 3030 can fit in gaps between raised features 3042 and 3046 on clip carrier 3040. Interference portion 3036 can fit in a groove or slot on a connector insert (not shown) via cutout 3012 in front housing 3010 to help to retain the connector insert in connector receptacle locking assembly 3000.
Bearing 3020 can pivot about axis 3024 relative to device enclosure 110 and front housing 3010 can rotate axially in bearing 3020 relative to device enclosure. This arrangement allow a connector insert, such as connector insert 1200 in
Front housing 3010 can include flat portion 3015 that can mate with flat portion 3045 of clip carrier 3040. As a connector insert (not shown) that is inserted into connector receptacle locking assembly 3000 is rotated, wide portion 3034 of clip 3030 can reach stop 3022 of bearing 3020. As the connector insert is rotated beyond this point, clip 3030 can distort. As before, this can cause interference portion 3036 to extract from the slot in the connector insert, thereby allowing the connector insert to be extracted from connector receptacle locking assembly 3000.
In some circumstances, it can be desirable to increase a force necessary to overturn front housing 3010 and distort clip 3030. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide structures that increase friction as this overturning occurs. Examples are shown in the following figures.
Again, this example utilizes an increasing friction force to limit the overturning of a connector insert in a connector receptacle assembly. Instead of friction, these and other embodiments can use other forces, such as a spring force. An example is shown in the following figure.
Bearing 3320 can pivot about axis 3324 relative to device enclosure 110 and front housing 3310 can rotate axially in bearing 3320 relative to device enclosure. This arrangement allow a connector insert, such as connector insert 1200 in
This spring resistance can be provided by springs 3362 and spring limiters 3326. Spring limiters 3326 can be tabs or projections from a rear surface of bearing 3320. As before, as the connector insert is overturned, wide portion 3334 of clip 3330 can reach stop 3322 of bearing 3320. Further overturning can distort clip 3330, thereby forcing interference feature 3336 out of a slot or groove on the connector insert, thereby allowing the connector insert to be removed from connector receptacle locking assembly 3300. Also as the connector insert is overturned, a spring force provided by springs 3362 can increase. In this way, a deliberate effort can be required to remove the connector insert from connector receptacle locking assembly 3300.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide other locking mechanisms that use a locking mechanism such as a latch to lock a connector insert in place when a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle assembly. To release the connector insert, a sliding mechanism can be actuated to move the latch, whereupon the connector insert can be released. Examples are shown in the following figures.
Pulling on cable 3560 can lift point 3552 of latch 3550 in an upward direction as shown to the open position, thereby allowing a connector insert, such as connector insert 1200 (shown in
Bearing 3520 can pivot about axis 3524 relative to device enclosure 110 and front housing 3510 can rotate axially in bearing 3520 relative to device enclosure. This arrangement can allow a connector insert, such as connector insert 1200, to move relative to device enclosure 110 (shown in
In these and other embodiments of the present invention, cable 3560 can be attached to a sliding mechanism on a device enclosure for an electronic device that also supports connector receptacle locking assembly 3500. An example is shown in the following figure.
These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector structures that can be implemented in both a connector receptacle and a connector insert. This dual utilization can reduce tooling and design costs since one structure can be used for both the connector receptacle and the connector insert. These connector structures can be symmetrical or otherwise configured such that two such structures can mate when they are placed in opposition and one structure is rotated relative to the other, for example by 90 degree, 180 degrees, or other angle.
The contacts of these dual-use connector structures can have various configurations. Contacts in a connector can mate with corresponding contacts in a corresponding connector, where the contacts and corresponding contacts have mating features such that they form an electrical connection when the connector and corresponding connector are mated. These mating features can be interlocking features, mating surface features, or other features that provide an electrical connection between contacts. For example, contacts formed as pins or prongs in a connector can mate by interlocking with forked contacts in a corresponding connector. In another example, contacts formed as pins or prongs in a connector can mate with contacts having recessed surfaces in corresponding connector.
These different contacts can be symmetrically located in connector structures that are used in both a connector insert and a connector receptacle. The different contacts can be arranged in an alternating fashion in an array, radially, or in another configuration. For example, a connector structure can have contacts in a two-by-two array or radial configuration, where contacts having first mating features are located in opposing corners of the array or radial configuration, and contacts having second mating features are located in the remaining corners of the array or radial configuration. Where contacts having the first interlocking features have a different size than contacts having the second interlocking features, the overall size of the connector structure can be reduced by placing these two types of contacts in an alternating manner.
In one example, a connector structure can include two contacts formed as pins or prongs can be placed in opposing corners, while two forked contacts can be placed in the remaining corners. In another example, a connector structure can include two contacts formed as pins or prongs can be placed in opposing corners, while two contacts having mating recesses can be placed in the remaining corners. Such a connector structure can be mated with an identical connector structure when they are placed in opposition and one is rotated 90 degrees relative to the other. Examples of such connector structures are shown in the following figures.
Connector insert 3800 can be mated with connector receptacle 3900 by inserting shell 3850 of connector insert 3800 into opening 3952 in housing 3950 of connector receptacle 3900. Shell 3850 can be conductive and can electrically connect to ground contacts 3954 in housing 3950. In this way, shell 3850 can form a ground path from a first electronic device (not shown) supporting connector insert 3800 to a second electronic device (not shown) housing connector receptacle 3900.
In connector insert 3800, housing 3830 can support contacts 3810 and contacts 3820. Contacts 3810 can include wire terminals 3814. Wires (not shown) from the first electronic device supporting connector insert 3800 and can be crimped, soldered, or otherwise fixed to wire terminals 3814. Contacts 3810 can further include a contacting portion 3812. In this example, contacting portion 3812 can be a mating feature having a prong or pin shape. Contacts 3820 can include wire terminals 3824. Wires (not shown) from the first electronic device supporting connector insert 3800 can be crimped soldered, or otherwise fixed to wire terminals 3824. Contacts 3820 can further include contacting portions (not shown), which can be the same as contacting portions 3922 of contacts 3920.
In connector receptacle 3900, housing 3930 can support contacts 3910 and contacts 3920. Contacts 3910 can include wire terminals 3914. Wires (not shown) from the second electronic device housing connector receptacle 3900 can be crimped, soldered, or otherwise fixed to wire terminals 3914. Contacts 3910 can further include a contacting portion 3912. In this example, contacting portion 3912 can be a mating feature having a prong or pin shape. Contacts 3920 can include wire terminals 3924. Wires (not shown) from the second electronic device supporting connector receptacle 3900 can be crimped soldered, or otherwise fixed to wire terminals 3924. Contacts 3920 can further include contacting portions 3922, which can be a mating feature having a forked shape.
In this example, when connector insert 3800 is mated with connector receptacle 3900, the prong or pin-shaped contacting portions 3812 of contacts 3810 can fit in and contact with forked-shaped contacting portions 3922 of contacts 3920. Contacting portions 3812 of contacts 3810 can access contacting portions 3922 of contacts 3920 via passages 3932 in housing 3930. Similarly, the prong or pin-shaped contacting portions 3912 of contacts 3910 can fit in and contact with forked-shaped contacting portions (not shown) of contacts 3820. In this way, data, power, and other electronic signals can be shared between the first electronic device and the second electronic device through a path including wires in the first electronic device, contacts 3810 and contacts 3820, contacts 3910, contacts 3920, and wires in the second electronic device. An example is shown in the following figure.
Contacting portions 3812 can fit in and mate with contacting portions 3922 of contacts 3920, which in this example can have fork-shaped mating portions. Contacts 3920 can further include wire terminals 3924. Wire terminals 3924 can be connected to wires (not shown) in a second electronic device housing connector receptacle 3900. Connector receptacle 3900 can further include housing 3950, which can support housing 3930. Housing 3930 can be formed around and can support contacts 3910.
Connector insert 3800 can further include contacts 3820, which can be the same as or similar to contacts 3920 in connector receptacle 3900. Similarly, connector receptacle 3900 can further include contacts 3910, which can be the same or similar to contacts 3810 in connector insert 3800.
In this example, housing 3830 can support contacts 3810 and contacts 4020. Housing 3830 can be formed of plastic, nylon, or other nonconductive material. Housing 3830 can be insert or injection molded around contacts 3810 and contacts 4020. Contacts 3810 and contacts 4020 can be formed of copper, brass, steel, or other conductive material. Contacts 3810 can be plated, for example to improve conductivity and reduce corrosion. Contacts 3810 can include wire terminals 3814 and contacting portions 3812 having a prong or pin shaped mating feature. Contacts 4020 can include wire terminal portions 4024 and contacting portion 4022, again having a recessed mating feature. A corresponding contact in a corresponding connector portion can mate with contacting portion 4022 of contact 4020 via opening 3832 in housing 3830. The insertion of a prong-shaped mating feature into opening 3832 can provide friction to help to secure a connector insert in place in a corresponding connector receptacle.
In this example, contacting portions 4012 and 3812 can be arranged in a two-by-two array, which can be the same as contacting portions 4012 and 3812 being radially placed 90° from each other. As shown, a cross-section area of contacting portion 3812 can be smaller than a cross-section of contacting portion 4012. This reduced cross-section area can allow a spacing 4120 between opposing contacting portions to be reduced while maintaining spacing 4010 between adjacent contacting portions. This can provide for connector portions having a smaller cross-sectional area as compared to a connector portion having four contacting portions 4022.
In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground rings, shield, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacles and connector inserts can be formed by stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper-titanium, phosphor-bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with electroless nickel, nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the housings and other structures can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials.
Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles, connector receptacle assemblies, and connector inserts that can be located in, or can connect to, various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices such as smart watches, headphones, earbuds, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, audio devices, video delivery systems, adapters, styluses, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts can provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface®, Digital Visual Interface, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group, test-access-port, Directed Automated Random Testing, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters, clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that can be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these connector receptacles and connector inserts can be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information.
It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users.
The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.
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| 20050234521 | Balsells | Oct 2005 | A1 |
| 20100279558 | Leon | Nov 2010 | A1 |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20220085560 A1 | Mar 2022 | US |
