Patent Application
20100124847
The present invention relates generally to a USB connector and more specifically to a USB connector which can accommodate a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA).
USB connectors are utilized in a variety of environments for connecting devices to computer systems or other types of processing systems. A common USB connector utilizes a printed circuit board, with all core and discrete components soldered onto one or both sides.
In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,094,074, entitled “Manufacturing Methods for Ultra-Slim USB Flash-Memory Card with Supporting Dividers or Underside Ribs,” issued Aug. 22, 2006, discloses an ultra slim device without a metal shield. All core and discrete components are soldered on a PC board and then enveloped in a plastic casing composed of top and bottom casing parts. This is not a standard USB connector and so it oftentimes has to be specifically adapted to the computer system.
Another manufactured device without a standard USB connector with a metal shield is disclosed with the core components in an unpackaged die form-factor with an intent to reduce the size. The PC board substrate is composed of such dies and discrete components soldered onto the PC board encapsulated in resin finishing. Then the device is covered by an external plastic casing.
The absence of a USB connector with metal shield causes high wear-out durability and quality issues. Also, if the device is too long, it will not be as rigid and sturdy. When the plastic is used for casing, and the device is inserted and extracted repeatedly by the user into the female USB port, there is increased wear. This results in loosened or weakened inserted when the thickness of the plastic is such that when the device wear out.
In addition, with all of these prior art systems, there is a need for some kind of encapsulation process, such as resin encapsulation or the like, which is utilized to protect the part. This resin encapsulation costs money and requires longer manufacturing time and there are still reliability and quality issues.
Accordingly, what is needed is a system and method that overcomes the above-identified issues. The system should be cost-effective, easily adaptable, minimizing the length of the device, and utilized with USB-connector type systems. The present invention addresses such a need.
A special USB connector which can accommodate PCBA with discrete components soldered on the frontal portion of PCBA is disclosed. The components can be positioned inside the USB connector. A carrier is utilized for PCBA support within a special USB connector used for compact USB devices and sliding motion.
The present invention relates generally to a special USB connector and more specifically to a USB connector which can accommodate a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA). The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and is provided in the context of a patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiments and the generic principles and features described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features described herein.
A USB connector in accordance with the present invention can house a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) with four metal contacts on one side, and discrete components on the other inside of the PCB. This PCBA extends all the way to the front of the connector, where its frontal edge rests on the connector's frontal support(s).
Referring to
The process of assembly of the connectors 100 and 200 described in conjunction with flow chart 5B. First, a PCBA with all components is inserted into the rear of the USB connector with plastic internal part, via step 502. Next, two metal prongs fit on the perimeter of the PCBA and are soldered on for anchorage, via step 504. Then, a PCBA with the USB connector is slipped into plastic PCBA carrier and snapped in place, via step 506. Then, the assembly is placed into the external casing and sonic welded, via step 508.
The assembly process is as follows, in accordance with a flow chart shown in
The operation of the connectors 100, 200 and 300 of
A retractable memory drive in accordance with the present invention comprises a top casing, a middle carrier, an electronic device such as a USB thumb drive, and a bottom casing. A positioning device on the middle carrier has a portion that protrudes outside the casing and operates like a button. The location of the positioning device where the button is located has two key attributes. First, there is a protrusion that acts as a lock with the casing. Second, the area below the button is not rigid and so it gives way when pressure is applied to the button.
The top and bottom casings provide a casing structure which includes two detents. One detent is for locking the device with the connector in the extended position, and one detent for locking the device with the connector in the in position. This allows for just one press of the extended portion of the positioning device to unlock it from its present position. When the device reaches its new position it will automatically lock. There are also guide rails that allow the middle carrier to remain in an appropriate position. The embodiment of the USB connector has the same, but with a plastic rib attached to the metal shield's inside the frontal edge of the USB connector's metal shield to augment the two bends for PCBA support.
The special USB connector, along with sliding carrier mechanism for higher reliability and quality of device, allows for the following advantages.
1. The use of a specially designed USB connector with metal shield that improves and enhances the Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electrostatic discharge (ESD) of the present invention. The metal shield enables the placement of discrete components under the USB connector's four contact pins in a protected way. Strong PCBA support is now achieved by the metallic frontal supports and plastic support blocks placed within the metal shield.
2. The use of a PCBA carrier will not only render a sliding lock mechanism, but also provide for frontal PCBA support and protection for discrete components placed on the PC Board on the opposite side of the PCBA under the USB connector's four contact pins. Such a device simply strengthens the device's insertion area, and increases durability and quality of device.
Although the present invention has been described in accordance with the embodiments shown, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that there could be variations to the embodiments and those variations would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, although the present invention is disclosed in conjunction with a USB connector one of ordinary skill in the art readily recognizes that the present invention could be utilized with a variety of connectors and that use would be within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, many modifications may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
