Connection system

A connection system. The connection system includes a connection receptacle comprising a first component coupled to a chassis and a second component coupled to the first component. The first and second components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position. According to the system and method disclosed herein, implementing the receptacle as two separate components allows for a compact connection system.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to computers, and more particularly to a connection system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Connection systems are well known and include electrical contacts that enable devices to communicate with other devices. For example, connection systems may include Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, FireWire ports, RJ-11 ports, and RJ-45 ports.

Mobile devices such as notebook computers are becoming increasingly thinner. As a result, connections systems need to be reduced in size to accommodate smaller form factors. A problem when reducing the size of a connection system is that the reduction is limited by the size of the largest port. For example, RJ-45 ports are relatively large and thus may be a challenge to accommodate.

Accordingly, what is needed is an improved connection system. The present invention addresses such a need.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A connection system is disclosed. The connection system includes a connection receptacle comprising a first component coupled to a chassis and a second component coupled to the first component. The first and second components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position. According to the system and method disclosed herein, implementing the receptacle as two separate components allows for a compact connection system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to computers, and more particularly to a connection system. 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 connection system is disclosed. The connection system includes a connection receptacle that is implemented as two separate components. One of the components is fixed in that it is coupled to the chassis, and the other component is rotatable or coupled to a moving mechanism. The combination of the fixed and rotating components are adapted to receive a plug when the connection receptacle is in an open position, and the fixed and rotating components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position. This collapsing function enables a substantial reduction in the size of the connection system and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connection system. To more particularly describe the features of the present invention, refer now to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures.

Although the present invention disclosed herein is described in the context of notebook computers, the present invention may apply to other types of devices, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1is a block diagram of a mobile device50that is connected to another device52, in accordance with the present invention. The mobile device50includes a connection system60that couples to an external cable62, which couples to a connection system70of the device52.

FIGS. 2A and 2Bare perspective-view diagrams of a mobile device100, which may be used to implement the mobile device50ofFIG. 1, in accordance with the present invention. The mobile device100includes a connection system110that has a stowed or closed position (FIG. 2A) and an open position (FIG. 2B). When in an open position, the connection system110is configured to couple one or more external cables (e.g., the external cable62ofFIG. 1) to an internal cable (not shown) and/or a printed circuit board (not shown).

FIG. 3is a perspective-view diagram of a connection system120, which may be used to implement the connection system110ofFIG. 2, in accordance with the present invention. The connection system120includes multiple connector receptacles, or ports, such as an RJ-45 port122, a universal serial bus (USB) port124, a FireWire port126etc.FIGS. 4,5, and6are perspective-view diagrams of a conventional RJ-45 port132, a conventional USB port134, and a conventional FireWire port136, which may be used to implement the RJ-45, USB, and FireWire ports122,124, and126ofFIG. 3, respectively. The specific number of ports and the specific types of port will vary, depending on the specific implementation. For example, another implementation may also include an RJ-11 port (not shown).

Referring again toFIG. 3, the ports maintain their original form whether the connection system120is in an open or in a closed position. When the connection system110swings to the closed or stowed position (FIG. 2A), the ports (e.g.,122-126) also swing into a stowed position such that they are flush with the mobile device chassis. Although the present invention disclosed herein is described in the context of multiple ports integrated into the connection system120, the present invention may apply to other configurations, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each port (e.g., the RJ-45 port122) can be separate from other ports such that a single port can be moved into open and closed positions independent from other ports.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare perspective-view diagrams of a connection system140, which may be used to implement the connection system110ofFIGS. 2A and 2B, in accordance with the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, the connection system140includes a connector receptacle142that is implemented as two separate components: a fixed component144that is coupled to a portion of the mobile device chassis145and a rotating component146that is coupled to a connection system frame148. In this specific embodiment, the connector receptacle142is implemented as an RJ-45 port. The connector receptacle142is accessible to a user when the connection system140is in an open position (FIG. 7A) such that an external cable (i.e., a plug of a cable) may be inserted into the connector receptacle142. The connector receptacle142is in a closed or stowed position when the connection system140is in a closed position.FIG. 7Bshows the connector receptacle142in a partially closed position to show the movement of the rotating component146relative to the fixed component144.FIGS. 8A and 8Bare perspective-view diagrams of the connection receptacle142ofFIGS. 7A and 7B, where the connection receptacle142is in an open position, and in a closed position, respectively, in accordance with the present invention.

As described above, although the present invention disclosed herein is described in the context of multiple ports integrated into the connection system140, the present invention may apply to other configurations, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, each port (e.g., the RJ-45 port142, as well as the USB and FireWire ports described below) can be separate from other ports such that a single port can be moved into open and closed positions independent from other ports.

The fixed component144of the connector receptacle142houses electrical contacts150, which provide an interconnected electrical path into the mobile device, without any required service loop, since the electrical component of the connector receptacle142is static. In an alternative embodiment, the connector receptacle can be positioned such that the rotating component146houses the electrical contacts150.

In accordance with the present invention, as the connection receptacle142swings towards a closed position (FIG. 8B), the rotating component146folds into the fixed component144. More specifically, the rotating component146moves toward the fixed component144such that a cavity160, which is adaptable to receive a plug, contracts. As a result, when the connection receptacle142is in a closed position, the fixed and rotating components144and146are collapsed into a compact configuration. Accordingly, the amount of space used by the connector receptacle142is substantially reduced.

In accordance with the present invention, as the connection receptacle142swings towards an open position (FIG. 8A), the rotating component146rotates away from the fixed component144. More specifically, the rotating component146moves away from the fixed component144such that the cavity160expands to a shape where the cavity160is adapted to receive a plug. As a result, the fixed and rotating components144and146are adapted/positioned to receive a plug when the connection receptacle142is in an open position.

While conventional connection systems often have hatches that cover or hide the ports, typically for cosmetic reasons, the connection system has a valuable function of stowing the connector receptacle142and any other mounted ports. Because the fixed and rotating components144and146of the connector receptacle142can collapse, less space inside the mobile device chassis is required when the fixed and rotating components144and146are in a stowed position. By minimizing the space requirements of the stowed position, larger ports such as standard RJ-45 ports no longer limit the potential reduction in connection systems. Accordingly, this collapsing function enables a substantial reduction in the size of the connection system and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connection system. For example, a notebook computer may have a highly tapered chassis shape.

Referring again toFIGS. 8A and 8B, to compensate for tolerance, the rotating component146has side components170and172that continuously overlap components of the fixed component144. The side components170and172function as guides to center the rotating component146relative to the fixed component144as the rotating component146moves toward or away from the fixed component144. This ensures that the fixed and rotating components144and146are properly aligned to receive a plug. The fixed component144is preferably not fully fastened until the side components170and172center the fixed component144.

FIG. 9is a flow chart showing a method of providing the connection receptacle142ofFIGS. 8A and 8B, in accordance with the present invention. Referring toFIGS. 9,8A, and8B, together, the process begins in a step202where the connector receptacle142is provided. The connector receptacle142includes the fixed component144and the rotating component146. In a step204, the fixed component144is coupled to a mobile device chassis. In a step206, the rotating component146is coupled to the connection system frame. Alternatively, the rotating component is movably coupled to the chassis. The steps204and206are not order dependent. In a step208, the fixed component144and the rotating component146are positioned to receive a plug when the connection receptacle142is in an open position. In a step210, the fixed and rotating components144and146are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle142is in a closed position. The steps208and210are not order dependent.

In accordance with the present invention, the position of the fixed and rotating components144and146relative to a pivot point250of the connection receptacle142are such that when the connection receptacle142is in a closed position (FIG. 8B), the rotating component146is substantially parallel to exposed portions of the electrical contacts150of the fixed component144. This ensures that the electrical contacts150, being fragile, are not damaged by the rotating component146when the connection receptacle142closes. The specific position of the pivot point250may vary and will depend on the specific implementation. For example, the pivot point250may be positioned anywhere within the connector cavity160as shown inFIGS. 8A and 8B. Alternatively, the pivot point250may be positioned elsewhere outside of the connector cavity160.FIG. 8Cis a perspective-view diagram of a connection receptacle where the pivot point250is positioned outside of the connector cavity160, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In a specific embodiment, the connector system also includes an integral rejection component for rejecting certain types of plugs such as RJ-11 plugs.

Although the present invention disclosed herein is described in the context of an RJ-45 port, the present invention may apply to other types of ports, and still remain within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the connector receptacle142described above would also apply to an RJ-11 port such that when the connector receptacle is in an open position, the connector receptacle is configured to receive an RJ-11 plug.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bare perspective-view diagrams of a connection receptacle260, which may be used in the implementation of the connection system110ofFIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 10A and 10Billustrate the connection receptacle260in an open position and in a closed position, respectively. The connection receptacle260functions similarly to the connection receptacle142ofFIGS. 7A to 9except that connection receptacle260is applied to a USB port instead of an RJ-45 port. Also, in this specific embodiment, the connection receptacle260is implemented as three separate components: a fixed component262that is coupled to a portion of a mobile device chassis, an insulator post264, and a rotating component266that is coupled to a connection system frame. In one embodiment, the insulator post264is also coupled to the mobile device chassis or alternately to the fixed component262. In another embodiment, the insulator post264is coupled to the connection system frame or alternatively to the rotating component266. The insulator post264preferably floats as the first and second components262and266move toward the compact configuration. Alternatively, the insulator post264may also be in a fixed position as the fixed and rotating components262and266move towards the compact configuration. Electrical contacts may be coupled to either the insulator post264, the fixed component262, or the rotating component266.

FIGS. 11A and 11Bare perspective-view diagrams of a connection receptacle270, which may be used in the implementation of the connection system110ofFIG. 2, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.FIGS. 11A and 11Billustrate the connection receptacle270in an open position and in a closed position, respectively. The connection receptacle270functions similarly to the connection receptacle142ofFIGS. 7A to 9except that connection receptacle270is applied to a FireWire port instead of an RJ-45 port. Also, in this specific embodiment, the connection receptacle270is implemented as three separate components: a first component272that is coupled to a portion of the mobile device chassis, an electrical post274having electrical contacts275, and a second component276that is coupled to the connection system frame. In one embodiment, the electrical post274is also coupled to the mobile device chassis or alternatively to the first component272. In another embodiment, the electrical post274is coupled to the connection system frame or alternatively to the second component276. The electrical post274preferably floats as the first and second components move toward the compact configuration. The electrical post274may alternatively be in a fixed position as the first and second components move toward the compact configuration. If the electrical post274is fixed, both the first component272and the second component276preferable move toward the electrical post274as the first and second components274and276move toward the compact configuration. Alternatively, one of the first and second components274and276may remain in a fixed position as the first and second components274and276move toward the compact configuration.

According to the system and method disclosed herein, the present invention provides numerous benefits. For example, the collapsing function of the connection receptacle enables a substantial reduction in the size of a connection system and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connection system.

A connection system has been disclosed. The connection system includes a connection receptacle that is implemented as two separate components. One of the components is fixed in that it is coupled to the chassis, and the other component is rotatable. The combination of the fixed and rotating components are adapted to receive a plug when the connection receptacle is in an open position, and the fixed and rotating components are collapsed into a compact configuration when the connection receptacle is in a closed position. This collapsing function enables a substantial reduction in the size of the connection system and thereby enables a substantial reduction in the form factor of a device implementing the connection system.

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 that any variations 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.