Abstract:
Multi-axis electrical connectors for use within electronic devices such as radiotelephones are provided that may reduce the risk of electrical circuit breaks caused by impacts and/or vibrations. Multi-axis electrical connectors are configured to electrically communicate with electronic modules via multi-axis electrical interfaces. Electrical contact between a first set of contacts and an electrical interface along a direction can be maintained when a force is applied along a transverse direction. Conversely, electrical contact between a second set of contacts and another portion of the electrical interface along another direction can be maintained when a force is applied along a transverse direction.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to electronic devices, and more particularly to electrical connectors for use in electronic devices. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     An electronic device, such as a radiotelephone, may include one or more removable modules. For example, a radiotelephone may include a removable battery module that supplies electrical power to the radiotelephone. Radiotelephones generally refer to communications terminals which provide a wireless communications link to one or more other communications terminals. Radiotelephones may be used in a variety of different applications, including cellular telephone, land-mobile (e.g., police and fire departments), and satellite communications systems. 
     Electrical connectors with in-line, spring-actuated contacts are often used as an interface between radiotelephones and removable battery modules because the spring-actuated contacts may allow for easy engagement and disengagement of the battery modules. However, because radiotelephones may be subjected to impact shocks (e.g., a radiotelephone may be dropped) and vibrations during operation, conventional electrical connectors having in-line, spring-actuated contacts may experience momentary breaks in electrical continuity if a force is in a direction transverse to a direction of the in-line contacts. A break in electrical continuity between a radiotelephone and a battery module may result in a loss of power to the radiotelephone which, in turn, may result in dropped calls and/or lost data. 
     Plug and socket-types of connectors may provide a reliable electrical interface between a radiotelephone and a battery module, even in the presence of impacts and vibrations. Unfortunately, these types of electrical connectors are generally considered less desirable for use in connecting a battery module with a radiotelephone because they may be difficult to engage and disengage. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the above discussion, electrical connectors for use within electronic devices such as radiotelephones are provided that may reduce the risk of electrical circuit breaks caused by impacts and/or vibrations. In particular, a multi-axis electrical connector is configured to electrically communicate with an electronic module via a corresponding multi-axis electrical interface. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a multi-axis electrical connector includes a housing having opposite end portions. One end portion of the housing includes first and second walls that are oriented transversely to each other in a substantially perpendicular, intersecting configuration. A plurality of first apertures are formed within the first wall in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, and a plurality of second apertures are formed in the second wall in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. The opposite end portion of the housing includes a third wall having a plurality of third apertures formed therein in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship. 
     A plurality of first and second conductive members are disposed within the housing in respective sets of pairs. End portions of these conductive members extend outwardly from the respective apertures along respective directions. A portion of one end of each of the first conductive members extends outwardly from a respective one of the first apertures and serves as a first electrical contact. A portion of the opposite end of each of the first conductive members extends outwardly from a respective one of the third apertures and serves as a second electrical contact. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first and second electrical contacts may have an arcuate configuration. 
     Each of the first electrical contacts is configured to be elastically deflected towards the first wall when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module. Similarly, each of the second electrical contacts is configured to be elastically deflected towards the third wall when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module, substrate, printed circuit board (PCB), or other component. 
     A portion of one end of each of the second conductive members extends outwardly from a respective one of the second apertures and serves as a third electrical contact. A portion of the opposite end of each of the second conductive members extends outwardly from a respective one of the third apertures and serves as a fourth electrical contact. 
     Each of the third electrical contacts is configured to be elastically deflected towards the second wall when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module. Similarly, each of the fourth electrical contacts is configured to be elastically deflected towards the third wall when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module, substrate, printed circuit board (PCB), or other component. 
     The first and third electrical contacts extend outwardly along substantially transverse (e.g., “X” and “Y”) directions. As such, electrical contact may be maintained between the first electrical contacts and an electrical interface of an electronic module when electrical contact is lost between the third electrical contacts and the electrical interface. Conversely, electrical contact may be maintained between the third electrical contacts and an electrical interface of an electronic module when electrical contact is lost between the first electrical contacts and the electrical interface. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, each conductive member includes an intermediate portion that is configured to restrain movement within the housing when various forces are applied to the conductive member ends. 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, an electrical connector includes a housing having opposite first and second end portions. First and second electrically conductive members are disposed within the housing. The first electrically conductive member has opposite first and second ends, and a portion of the first end extends from the housing first end portion. The first end can be elastically deflected along a first direction when a force is applied to the first end. The second end extends from the housing second end portion. 
     The second electrically conductive member has opposite third and fourth ends, and a portion of the third end extends from the housing first end portion. The third end can be elastically deflected along a second direction transverse to the first direction when a force is applied to the third end. The fourth end extends from the housing second end portion. The first and second directions may be substantially perpendicular to each other, such as “X” and “Y” directions in a Cartesian coordinate system. 
     The first electrically conductive member second end and the second electrically conductive member fourth end are in adjacent spaced-apart relationship. Preferably, the second end of the first electrically conductive member can be elastically deflected along a third direction when a force is applied to the second end, and the fourth end of the second electrically conductive member can be elastically deflected along the third direction when a force is applied to the fourth end. The third direction may be transverse to the first and/or second directions. 
     Electrical connectors according to the present invention may be particularly well suited for use within a variety of electronic devices including radiotelephones that may be subjected to impacts and vibrations during operation. Arranging electrical contacts transversely to each other in a substantially perpendicular configuration may reduce, and preferably eliminate, the possibility of breaks in electrical continuity caused by vibrations or shock. In addition, electrical connectors according to the present invention can be small in size which may save internal radiotelephone space and which may lead to manufacturing cost savings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of an electrical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a section view of the electrical connector of FIG. 1 taken along lines  2 — 2  illustrating the position of a pair of first and second conductive members within the electrical connector housing. 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the first conductive member of the electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the second conductive member of the electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary electronic module configured to be removably secured to an electronic device and electrically connected thereto via the electrical connector of FIG. 1 
     FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the electronic module of FIG. 4 taken along lines  5 — 5  being moved along the “X” direction and towards engagement with the electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the electronic module of FIG. 4 taken along lines  5 — 5  engaged with the electrical connector of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged section view of the electronic module and electrical connector of FIG. 6 illustrating elastic deflection of the respective ends of the first and second conductive members caused by contact with the electronic module, with the undeflected positions of the conductive members illustrated in phantom line. 
     FIGS. 8A-8B are perspective views of an electronic device that utilizes the electrical connector of FIG. 1 for electrically connecting an electronic module. The electronic module is illustrated in an uninstalled condition in FIG.  8 A and in an installed condition in FIG.  8 B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the thickness of lines, layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     Referring initially to FIGS. 1-2, a multi-axis electrical connector  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated electrical connector  10  includes a housing  12  having opposite first and second end portions  12   a ,  12   b . The housing first end portion  12   a  includes first and second walls  14 ,  16  that are oriented transversely to each other in a substantially perpendicular, intersecting configuration. A plurality of first apertures  18  are formed within the first wall  14  in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, and a plurality of second apertures  20  are formed in the second wall  16  in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, as illustrated. 
     The housing second end portion  12   b  also includes a third wall  22  having a plurality of third apertures  24  formed therein in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, as illustrated. The second and third walls  16 ,  22  are oriented transversely to each other in a substantially perpendicular, intersecting configuration, as illustrated. As such, the first and third walls  14 ,  22  are generally parallel with each other. However, it is understood that the first, second, and third walls  14 ,  16 ,  22  need not be oriented as illustrated. For example, the first and second walls  14 ,  16  need not be perpendicular and the second and third walls  16 ,  22  need not be perpendicular. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of first electrically conductive members  26  and a plurality of second electrically conductive members  40  are disposed within the housing  12  in pairs, as illustrated. As will be described below, end portions of these first and second conductive members  26 ,  40  extend outwardly from the respective apertures  18 ,  20 ,  24  along respective directions or axes. 
     Referring now to FIGS. 2-4, the first and second electrically conductive members  26 ,  40  will be described in detail. Each first conductive member  26  includes opposite first and second ends  26   a ,  26   b . In the illustrated embodiment, first and second ends  26   a ,  26   b  have an arcuate configuration. However, it is understood that the first and second ends  26   a ,  26   b  of the first conductive member  26  are not limited to the illustrated arcuate configurations. Various configurations, arcuate and/or non-arcuate, may be utilized without limitation. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of first end  26   a  of each of the first conductive members  26  extends outwardly from a respective one of the first apertures  18  and serves as a first electrical contact  28 . A portion of second end  26   b  of each of the first conductive members  26  extends outwardly from a respective one of the third apertures  24  and serves as a second electrical contact  30 . Electrical contacts  28  and  30  are configured to establish electrical communications between a contact interface of an electronic module having substantially perpendicular or “multi-axis” contacts or patches, as will be described in detail below. 
     Each of the illustrated first conductive members  26  has a generally slender configuration. Furthermore, first end  26   a  of each of the first conductive members  26  (which serves as a first electrical contact  28 ) is configured to be elastically deflected towards the first wall  14  when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module. (See FIG.  7 ). Similarly, second end  26   b  of each of the first conductive members  26  (which serves as a second electrical contact  30 ) is configured to be elastically deflected towards the third wall  22  when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module, substrate, printed circuit board (PCB), or other component. 
     Each of the second conductive members  40  includes opposite third and fourth ends  40   a ,  40   b . In the illustrated embodiment, the third and fourth ends  40   a ,  40   b  of each of the second conductive members  40  have an arcuate configuration. It is understood, however, that the third and fourth ends  40   a ,  40   b  of a second electrically conductive member  40  according to the present invention are not limited to the illustrated arcuate configurations. Various configurations may be utilized without limitation. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, a portion of third end  40   a  of each of the second conductive members  40  extends outwardly from a respective one of the second apertures  20  and serves as a third electrical contact  42 . A portion of fourth end  40   b  of each of the second conductive members  40  extends outwardly from a respective one of the third apertures  24  and serves as a fourth electrical contact  44 . Fourth end  40   b  of a second electrically conductive member  40  and second end  26   b  of a first electrically conductive member  26  both extend outwardly from a respective one of the third apertures  24  in adjacent, spaced-apart relationship, as illustrated in FIG.  1 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, a conductive material  47  is disposed on the first and second ends  26   a ,  26   b  of the first conductive members  26  and on the third and fourth ends  40   a ,  40   b  of the second conductive members  40 . As would be understood by those of skill in the art, this conductive material can enhance electrical contact between the respective first, second, third, and fourth ends  26   a ,  26   b ,  40   a ,  40   b  and electrical contacts and/or circuitry that come in contact therewith. 
     Each of the illustrated second conductive members  40  has a generally slender configuration. Furthermore, third end  40   a  of each of the second conductive members  40  (which serves as a third electrical contact  42 ) is configured to be elastically deflected towards the second wall  16  when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module. (See FIG.  7 ). Similarly, fourth end  40   b  of each of the second conductive members  40  (which serves as a fourth electrical contact  44 ) is configured to be elastically deflected towards the third wall  22  when a force is applied thereto by an electrical contact of an electronic module, substrate, printed circuit board (PCB), or other component. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B, each first conductive member  26  includes an intermediate portion  50  between the opposite arcuate first and second ends  26   a ,  26   b , that is configured to restrain movement of the first conductive member  26  within the housing  12  when forces are applied to the first and second ends  26   a ,  26   b . Similarly, each second conductive member  40  includes an intermediate portion  60  between the opposite arcuate third and fourth ends  40   a ,  40   b , that is configured to restrain movement of the second conductive member  40  within the housing  12  when forces are applied to third and fourth ends  40   a ,  40   b.    
     The illustrated first conductive member intermediate portion  50  includes a pair of prongs  52   a ,  52   b that are configured to engage an internal wall  54  within the housing  12  (FIG. 2) so as to limit movement of the first conductive member  26  along the “X” direction. Similarly, the illustrated second conductive member intermediate portion  60  includes a pair of prongs  62   a ,  62   b that are configured to engage an internal wall  56  within the housing  12  (FIG. 2) so as to limit movement of the second conductive member  40  along the “Y” direction. It is understood that lateral movement (i.e., movement along the “Z” direction) of the first and second conductive members  26 ,  40  is restrained by the housing  12 . Accordingly, when an electronic module is inserted within an electronic device incorporating an electrical connector  10  according to the present invention, the conductive members  26 ,  40  can be limited, and preferably restrained, in movement within the housing. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, an electronic module  70 , such as a battery module, configured to be removably secured to an electronic device and electrically connected thereto via an electrical connector  10  according to the present invention, is illustrated. The illustrated electronic module  70  includes a contact interface  72  having a plurality of first and second contacts or patches  74 ,  76 . The first and second contacts  74 ,  76  are oriented transversely to each other in a substantially perpendicular, intersecting configuration for engagement with the plurality of first and third electrical contacts  28 ,  42  of the electrical connector  10 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, the electronic module  70  of FIG. 4 is moving along the “X” direction towards engagement with the electrical connector  10 . In FIG. 6, the electronic module  70  is engaged with the electrical connector  10 . 
     Referring now to FIG. 7, engagement of an electronic module  70  with an electrical connector  10  according to the present invention is illustrated in greater detail. When the electronic module  70  is engaged with the electrical connector  10 , an electrical interface first contact  74  applies a force to the first end  26   a  of a respective first conductive member  26  and elastically deflects the first end  26   a  from an initial undeflected state (represented in phantom line) in a direction towards the first wall  14 . Similarly, when the electronic module  70  is engaged with the electrical connector  10 , an electrical interface second contact  76  applies a force to the third end  40   a  of a respective second conductive member  40  and elastically deflects the third end  40   a  in a direction towards the second wall  16 . The first conductive member first end  26   a  and the second conductive member third end  40   a  deflect elastically and thus act as spring connectors to maintain contact with the respective electrical interface first and second contacts  74 ,  76 , as would be understood by those of skill in the art. 
     By arranging electrical contacts  28 ,  42  transversely with respect to each other, the possibility of breaks in an electrical circuit (i.e., electrical continuity) between the electrical connector  10  and the electronic module  70  may be reduced, and preferably eliminated. For example, when an impact force is applied to an electronic device incorporating an electrical connector  10  according to the present invention along the “X” direction, the electrical contact  26  of the first conductive member preferably maintains electrical contact with respective interface contact  74 . Similarly, when an impact force is applied to an electronic device incorporating an electrical connector  10  according to the present invention along the “Y” direction, the electrical contact  42  of the second conductive member preferably maintains electrical contact with respective interface contact  76 . 
     Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8B, an exemplary use for the electrical connector  10  of the present invention is illustrated. The illustrated electrical connector  10  is used to electrically connect a removable electronic module  70  such as a battery module, with an electronic device  80 , such as a wireless communications device. The electronic module  70  is illustrated in an uninstalled condition (FIG. 8A) and an installed condition (FIG.  8 B). Respective first and third ends  26   a ,  40   a  of the first and second conductive members  26 ,  40  are exposed in FIG. 8A to receive the respective first and second contacts of an electrical interface (not shown) in the removable module  70  as described above. Opposite second and fourth ends  26   b ,  40   b  (not shown) of the respective first and second conductive members  26 ,  40  are in electrical communication with electronic circuitry and/or components within the electronic device  80 , as would be understood by one of skill in the art. 
     It is understood that electrical connectors according to the present invention may be utilized within various types of electronic devices and are not limited to wireless communications devices, such as radiotelephones. 
     The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. Therefore, it is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications to the disclosed embodiments, as well as other embodiments, are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.