Connector insert having a cable crimp portion with protrusions and a receptacle having label in the front

A magnetic connector system having a durable and reliable construction and a reduced height while maintaining sufficient holding strength. A connector insert may utilize a crimping piece to crimp a braiding of a cable. The crimping piece may be fixed to an attraction plate and a board in the insert for mechanical reliability. Retention clips may be used to fix a shell to the attraction plate. A connector receptacle may employ a magnetically conductive label to improve holding strength.

BACKGROUND

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, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices have become ubiquitous.

These devices often receive power and share data using various cables. These cables may have connector inserts, or plugs, on each end. The connector inserts may plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals and power.

These connector inserts and connector receptacles may be magnetic. That is, a magnetic insert may be magnetically attracted to a magnet receptacle, and the two may be held in place in at least one direction by the magnetic attraction.

Conventional magnetic connectors have been fairly large in size. But the devices they connect to have often become much thinner, that is, they have a reduced height. This, in turn, leads to a desire for a thinner connector. But when a conventional connector is made thinner, it may not have sufficient holding power to maintain a connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle.

Also, these connectors may be connected and disconnected thousands of times during a device's lifetime. This may cause a cable to become disconnected from a plug, or it may lead to other mechanical failure. For example, a shell or other housing may become detached from other parts of a plug or connector insert.

Thus, what is needed are magnetic connector systems having a durable and reliable construction and a reduced height while maintaining sufficient holding strength.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide magnetic connector systems having a durable and reliable construction and a reduced height while maintaining sufficient holding strength.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides a connector insert having a robust and durable construction. This connector insert may include a crimping piece crimped over an end of a cable. The crimping piece may include fingers in a direction of a length of the cable that attach to a printed circuit board. The crimping piece may further include protrusions that extend at right angles from the fingers. These protrusions may be fixed to the back of an attraction plate. These features may form a secure, robust connection between a cable and an attraction plate.

This connector insert may also include retention clips on sides of an attraction plate. These retention clips may retract when a shell is slid over the attraction plate, and may relax when they reach a cutout in the shell. This may fix the shell in place relative to the attraction plate in a reliable, easily manufactured manner.

This connector insert may also have a light-emitting diode attached to a printed circuit board. The connector may further include a light pipe attached to the printed circuit board, and the light pipe may be angled to pass above the light-emitting diode, and further angled to pass light to an opening in the shell.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector insert having a reduced height. To maintain sufficient magnetic holding strength with the reduced height, the connector insert may be made wider. This may, in turn, increase a surface area of an attraction plate, thereby increasing connector insert holding strength.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle. This connector receptacle may have a pleasing appearance from a front. Specifically, a front of a housing forming a mesa may be oversized, and the housing may be slid into an opening in a label, such that a seam between the housing and label may not be visible to a user.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having a magnetically conductive label. This magnetically conductive label may increase the holding power of magnets behind the label. The label may be attached to a shield that has a lower magnetic conductivity. To reduce lost flux, the overlap between the label and the shield may be reduced by cutting out a portion of the label.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector system where a connector insert may be “blind mated” to a connector receptacle. That is, the connector insert and connector receptacle may be configured such that when the connector insert is brought into close proximity to the connector receptacle in approximately a correct orientation, the magnetic attraction between the connector insert and the connector receptacle is such that the connector insert may be pulled into contact with the connector receptacle. As part of this blind mating, the physical features of the connector insert and the connector receptacle may be such that they do not pose an obstacle to the formation of this connection. This may provide an easy way for a user to make a connection of a cable to a device. Specifically, the user merely brings the connector insert in approximately a correct orientation and into proximity of the connector receptacle. From there, the magnetic attraction between the connector insert and the connector receptacle brings them into contact. Also, the physical features are such that there may be no obstacles to the formation of the connection.

Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a magnetic connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims.

The illustrated magnetic connector system may include connector insert110and connector receptacle120. Connector receptacle120may be located in enclosure130, which may be an enclosure for a portable computing device, tablet, desktop, or all-in-one computer, cell, smart, or media phone, storage device, portable media player, navigation system, monitor or other device.

Connector insert110and connector receptacle120may be magnetic connectors. That is, connector insert110may be held in place relative to connector receptacle120in at least one direction by a magnetic force. For example, one or both of connector insert110and connector receptacle120may include one or more magnets, or magnetic elements or structures. These magnets may attract other magnets or magnetic structures in the other. For example, connector receptacle120may include one or more magnets which are attracted to an attraction plate in connector insert110. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, connector receptacle120includes four magnets arranged to have alternating or opposing polarities which are attracted to an attraction plate made of a ferromagnetic material in connector insert110. In another specific embodiment of the present invention, connector receptacle120may include three magnets arranged to have alternating polarities. In still other embodiments of the present invention, connector receptacle120may include one, two, or more than four magnets.

This magnetic connector system may be used to convey power, data, or other voltages or types of signals or information. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic connector system conveys power to a device housed by device enclosure130. In this embodiment, connector insert110may be connected to a power adapter via cable112. This power adapter may receive power from a wall outlet, vehicle charger, or other power source. Connector insert110may also include circuitry for communicating with the power adapter. Examples of this may be found in co-pending U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/482,195, titled TIME-DOMAIN MULTIPLEXING OF POWER AND DATA, which is incorporated by reference. Connector insert110may further include circuitry for determining whether a valid connection to a connector receptacle has been made, and may provide an indication of such a connection using light-emitting diode opening114.

Connector insert110may be held in place in a Y direction relative to connector receptacle120using magnetic force. Connector insert110may align in X and Z directions relative to connector receptacle120through physical features on connector insert110, connector receptacle120, and device enclosure130. These physical features are arranged such that connector insert110is not physically bound to connector receptacle120. This allows connector insert110to be removed by a non-axial force, that is, forces in directions other than those in the Y direction may remove connector insert110. An attraction plate on connector insert110may have an outside edge designed to fit in an opening in enclosure130. The attraction plate on connector insert110may have an opening designed to accept a mesa on connector receptacle120. Contacts on connector insert110may be arranged to mate with contacts on connector receptacle120to form electrical pathways. These features are shown in various figures below.

Again, many electronic devices, such as portable media players, portable media devices, and laptop, netbook, and tablet computers are becoming thinner. That is, their height is being reduced. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide magnetic connector systems having a reduced height. Unfortunately, this reduced height may make it easier for connector insert110to be inadvertently disconnected from connector receptacle120.

Specifically, as described above, connector insert110may be held in place relative to connector receptacle120in a Y direction using magnetic force. Since the thickness of connector insert110is reduced in a Z direction, a small force in this direction may dislodge connector insert110. That is, due to the reduced thickness, the moment arm in the Z direction needed to disconnect the connector insert from the connector receptacle is reduced. Accordingly, a surface area of an attraction plate in connector insert110may be made correspondingly large. This, in turn, may increase the holding strength of the connector insert. An example is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 2illustrates a connector insert110according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector insert110may include an attraction plate210, shield or cover220, cable230, and strain relief240. Attraction plate210may include front surface212. Front surface212may include opening260for contacts250,252,254,256, and258. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, contacts250and258may convey ground, contacts252, and256may convey power, while contact254may be used to detect that a connection has been formed. In this specific example, ground contacts250and258protrude in front of the other contacts, such that ground paths are formed before power is applied when connector insert110is mated with a corresponding connector receptacle.

Again, connector insert110may be relatively thin, that is, it may have a reduced height in the Z direction. To increase the magnetic hold between connector insert110and connector receptacle120, front surface area212of attraction plate210may be increased. For example, this may be done by making connector insert110wider. By making connector insert110wider, front surface area212of attraction plate210is increased, thereby increasing the holding power of connector insert110.

Again, connector insert110may be inserted and disconnected several thousand times during the lifetime of a device. Therefore, it may be desirable that connector insert110be robust and durable. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention employ several features to increase robustness and durability. For example, the physical connections between a cable and an attraction plate, and a shell and the attraction plate, may be enhanced. Examples are shown in the following figures.

FIG. 3illustrates an exploded view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure includes an attraction plate310. Attraction plate310may be made of ferromagnetic or other magnetic material. In other embodiments of the present invention, attraction plate310may be formed of one or more magnets.

Retention clips320may be located on sides of attraction plate310. Retention clips320may be used to secure shell380relative to attraction plate310. Specifically, shell380may slide over attraction plate310, pushing retention clips320against attraction plate310. When edge323reaches cutout, groove, or slot portion382of shell380, retention clip320may snap back, thereby holding shell380in place.

Housing330may be formed of a non-conducting or insulating material. Contacts335may be located in passages332in housing330. Contacts335may attach to circuit board340at contacts343. Circuit board340may include one or more LEDs342. Light from LEDs342may be guided by light pipe345to opening384in shell380.

Braiding in cable360may be pulled back and held in place by crimp piece350. Crimp piece350may include wings or protrusions352. Wings352may be spot-welded or otherwise fixed to a back of attraction plate310to hold cable360in place relative to attraction plate310. Strain relief370may protect cable360. Shell380may be placed over these components and part of attraction plate310.

Shell380may provide a surface that may be manipulated by a user during insertion and extraction of connector insert110. Shell380may be plastic, brushed aluminum, or other material. Shell380may include openings382on one or both sides. These openings may be filled with epoxy or other clear or colored material to prevent debris from entering opening382.

A connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention may be assembled in various ways. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, contacts335may be inserted into housing330. Contacts335may then be attached to printed circuit board340. Crimp piece350may be used to crimp cable360. The resulting cable may be attached to printed circuit board340. Specifically, fingers (not shown) may be soldered or otherwise fixed to printed circuit board340. This assembly may be inserted in attraction plate310. Crimp piece wings352may be fixed to a back of attraction plate310. Strain relief370may be slid over cable360and wings352. Light pipe345may be attached to printed circuit board340. Retention clips320may be attached to attraction plate310. Shell380may slide over attraction plate310until retaining chips320lock in place in notch382.

FIG. 4illustrates a cable crimped by a crimp piece according to an embodiment of the present invention. Cable360may include a braid and center conductor362. Center conductor362may be used to convey power, while the braid may be used to convey ground. The braid may be folded back and covered by crimp piece350. Crimp piece350may be crimped to form a secure connection to cable360. Crimp piece350may include protrusions or wings352and fingers354. Wings352may be spot welded or otherwise attached to the back of an attraction plate. Fingers354may be soldered to a printed circuit board. These connections may provide a secure connection between cable360and a connector insert.

FIG. 5illustrates a partial assembly of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Contacts351,353,355,357, and359may be located in housing330. These contacts may also be attached to printed circuit board340. Printed circuit board340may include LEDs342. Fingers354of crimp piece350may be attached to printed circuit board340.

FIG. 6illustrates another partial assembly of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, light pipe345has been placed above LEDs342. Light pipe345acts as a light guide to transfer light from LEDs342to opening384in shell380. Light pipe345may attach to the printed circuit board. Light pipe345may be angled to pass above light-emitting diodes342, and further angled to pass light to an opening in the shell.

FIG. 7illustrates a side view of the partial assembly ofFIG. 6. Again, light pipe345guides light emitted by diodes342into opening382and shell380. Light pipe345may attach to printed circuit board340at346and extend across LEDs342. Portion347may be flat to present light to opening382in shell380.

FIG. 8illustrates a back side of the partial assembly shown inFIG. 6. The backside may also include LEDs342A and light pipe345A. Contacts351,353,355,357, and359may be soldered to printed circuit board340, as shown.

FIG. 9illustrates a back side of a partial assembly of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, protrusions or wings352may be spot or laser welded, or otherwise fixed, to attraction plate310. This, along with the attachment of fingers354to printed circuit board340, provides a robust mechanical support between cable360and attraction plate310.

Again, retention clips320may be attached to attraction plate310. Shell380may slide over this assembly, thereby pressing retention clips320flat against the sides of attraction plate310. A notch or cutout in shell380may allow retention clips320to snap back, thereby holding shell380in place relative to attraction plate310. An example is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 10illustrates a rear view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector insert may include shell380that partially covers attraction plate310. Retention clips320may be relaxed and protruding in cutout382. This may prevent shell380from being slid backward off attraction plate310during use. This, in turn, holds shell380in place relative to attraction plate310, and thereby increases the durability of connector insert110.

In order to reduce the size of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention, it may be desirable to limit the tolerance of the location of the contacts relative to a front surface of attraction plate. This, in turn, allows shorter contacts to be used, and may therefore reduce the length of a connector insert. An example is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 11illustrates a cutaway view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the tolerance between leading edge353of pin350and front edge311of attraction plate310may be determined by tolerances in a limited number of very short distances. By limiting the number of factors and their lengths, the overall tolerance may be reduced. Specifically, this tolerance is the difference between a sum of the distance D1from a front edge311of attraction plate310to a front of housing330plus a thickness D2of a front of housing330, and a length of a protruding part D3of pin350.

FIG. 12illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown inFIG. 1, receptacle120may be inserted or attached to device enclosure130. Specifically, a bottom of receptacle120may rest on an interior surface of enclosure130, and tab1280may fit in a notch in enclosure130. This may allow for a simple mechanical alignment of connector receptacle120in device enclosure130.

Connector receptacle120may include one or more magnets1240. For example, connector receptacle120may include four, fewer than four, or more than four magnets1240. Magnets1240may be covered by label1210. Label1210may be made of ferromagnetic steel or other magnetically conductive material. Label1210may attach to shield1260. Shield1260may be formed of non-magnetically conductive steel. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, label1210may be low-carbon steel, such as 10-10 steel. This may be plated with nickel, and then plated with platinum nickel.

Label1210may attach at tabs1214defined by cutout1212in shield1260. Cutout1212may reduce the overlap between label1210and shield1260in order to reduce magnetic losses. Contacts1230may be arranged on a mesa formed by housing1220. Housing1220may attach to housing1270. Housing1270may have openings for contacts1250. The mesa may have sloped edges to provide a non-binding fit when inserted inside opening260in attraction plate210of connector insert110.

FIG. 13illustrates an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle120may include contacts1250, housing1220, label1210, magnets1240, spacers1292and1294, shield1260, and housing1270. Contacts1250may be inserted in housing1220and bent at a right angle, as shown. Housing1220may pass through label1210, magnets1240, and spacers1292and1294. By having housing1220fit over label1210, seams between housing1220and label1210may not be visible to a user. Housing1270may include openings1272for contacts1250. This assembly may then be placed in shield1260. Tabs1214on shield1210may be spot welded or otherwise fixed to shield1260.

Label1210may be formed of a ferromagnetic material or other magnetically conductive material. This may increase the magnetic attraction of magnets1240. To reduce wasted magnetic flux, label1210may be notched by cutout1212. More information on labels, and other labels that may be used for or instead of label1210, may be found in co-pending U.S. provisional application No. 61/522,620, titled LABEL FOR MAGNETIC CONNECTOR, filed Aug. 11, 2011, which is incorporated by reference. Magnets1240may be arranged in an alternating South-North configuration such that magnetic field lines originating in one magnet may terminate in an adjoining magnet.

FIG. 14illustrates housing1220. Housing1220may include notches1222to receive corresponding protrusions on housing1270. Specifically, protrusions on housing1270may fit in notches1222to secure the position of housing1270relative to housing1220. Housing1220may include an oversized front portion1224.

FIG. 16illustrates another connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector receptacle, or other connector receptacles according to embodiments of the present invention, may be used as connector receptacle120inFIG. 1, and is labeled here as120A. As shown inFIG. 1, receptacle120may be inserted or attached to device enclosure130. Specifically, a bottom of receptacle120may rest on an interior surface of enclosure130, and tab1680may fit in a notch in enclosure130. This may allow for a simple mechanical alignment of connector receptacle120in device enclosure130.

Connector receptacle120A may include one or more magnets1640. For example, connector receptacle120A may include three, fewer than three, or more than three magnets. These magnets may be covered by label1610. Label1610may be made of ferromagnetic steel or other magnetically conductive material. Label1610may attach to shield1660at points1614, by laser or spot welding, or other appropriate method. Shield1660may be formed of non-magnetically conductive steel. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, label1610may be low-carbon steel, such as 10-10 steel. This may be plated with nickel, and then plated with platinum nickel.

Contacts1630may be arranged on a mesa formed by housing1620. The mesa may have sloped edges to provide a non-binding fit when inserted inside opening260in attraction plate210of connector insert110. Tabs1679on a second housing may fit in openings on a top of shield1660to provide mechanical support.

FIG. 17illustrates another view of the connector receptacle ofFIG. 16. Contacts1650may be through-hole contacts, as shown, or they may be surface mount or other types of contacts. Contacts1650may connect to contacts on a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Again, tab1680may fit in a notch in enclosure130. Tabs1662and posts1678may fit in openings in a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

FIG. 18illustrates an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle120A may include contacts1650, housing1620, label1610, magnets1640, spacer1694, shield1660, and housing1670. Contacts1650may be inserted in housing1620and bent at a right angle, as shown. Housing1620may pass through label1610, magnets1640, and spacer1694. By having housing1620fit over label1610, seams between housing1620and label1610may not be visible to a user. Housing1670may include openings1672for contacts1650. This assembly may then be placed in shield1660. Tabs1614on shield1610may be spot welded or otherwise fixed to shield1660.

Label1610may be formed of a ferromagnetic material or other magnetically conductive material. This may increase the magnetic attraction of magnets1640. More information on labels, and other labels that may be used for or instead of label1610, may be found in co-pending U.S. provisional application No. 61/522,620, titled LABEL FOR MAGNETIC CONNECTOR, filed Aug. 11, 2011, which is incorporated by reference. The three magnets1640may be arranged in an alternating South-North-South, or North-South-North configuration such that magnetic field lines originating in one magnet may terminate in an adjoining magnet. The middle magnet in magnets1640may include a passage for housing1620to pass through.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector system where a connector insert may be “blind mated” to a connector receptacle. That is, the connector insert and connector receptacle may be configured such that when the connector insert is brought into close proximity to the connector receptacle in approximately a correct orientation, the magnetic attraction between the connector insert and the connector receptacle is such that the connector insert may be pulled into contact with the connector receptacle.

This may provide an easy way for a user to make a connection of a cable to a device. Specifically, the user may simply bring the connector insert in approximately a correct orientation and into proximity of the connector receptacle. From there, the magnetic attraction between the connector insert and the connector receptacle may bring them into contact.

To facilitate this blind mating, the physical features on the connector insert and connector receptacle may be such that there may be no obstacles to the formation of the connection. For example, opening260on attraction plate210of connector insert110may be such that it readily accepts mesa1220or mesa1620on connector receptacles. Similarly, attraction plate210of connector insert110may be such that it readily fits in an opening in device130.

FIG. 19illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector insert may include attraction plate1910, shield or cover1920, cable1930, and strain relief1940. As before, attraction plate1910may include a front surface (not shown) having an opening for contacts (not shown). These contacts may include contacts for ground and power. One or more other contacts may be used to detect that a connection with a connector receptacle has been formed, or for other purposes. As before, ground contacts may protrude in front of the other contacts of this connector such that ground paths are formed before power is applied when this connector insert is mated with a corresponding connector receptacle.

As before, this connector insert may be relatively thin. That is, it may have a reduced height. To compensate for this, that is, to increase magnetic attraction between this connector insert and a corresponding connector receptacle, an area of the front surface of attraction plate1910may be increased. For example, this may be done by making the connector insert wider. By making the connector insert wider, the area of the front surface of attraction plate1910may be increased, which may increase the holding power of the connector insert.

Again, these connector inserts may be inserted and disconnected several thousand times during the lifetime of the device. Therefore, it may be desirable that this connector insert be robust and durable. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may employ several features to increase robustness and durability. For example, the physical connections between cable1930and attraction plate1910, as well as shell1920and attraction plate1910, may be enhanced. Examples are shown in the following figures.

FIG. 20illustrates an exploded view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure includes attraction plate2010. Attraction plate2010may be made of a ferromagnetic or other magnetic material. In other embodiments of the present invention, attraction plate2010may be formed of one or more magnets, such as rare-earth magnets.

Retention clips2020may be located on sides of attraction plate1910. Retention clips2020may be used to secure shell2080relative to attraction plate2010. Specifically, retention clips2020may be biased away from attraction plate2010. Shell2080may slide over attraction plate2010, pushing retention clips2020against attraction plate2010. When edge2023reaches a cutout (not shown) inside of shell2080, retention clip2020may snapback, thereby holding shall2080in place.

Housing2030may be formed of a non-connecting or insulating material. Contacts2035may be located in passages in housing2030. Contacts2035may attach to circuit board2040. Circuit board2040may include one or more LEDs2042. Light emitted from LEDs2042may pass through light pipes or diffuser2860to opening2084in shell2080. Braiding 2062 in cable2060may be pulled back and held in place by crimp piece2050. Crimp piece2050may include wings or protrusions2052. Wings2052may be spot or laser welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed, to a back of attraction plate2010to hold cable2060in place relative to attraction plate2010. Strain relief2070may protect cable2060. Shell2080may be placed over these components and at least part of attraction plate2010.

Shell2080may provide a surface that may be manipulated by a user during insertion and extraction of the connector insert. Shell2080may the plastic, brushed aluminum, or other material. Shell2080may include openings2084on one or more sides. These openings may be filled with epoxy or other clear or colored material to prevent debris from entering opening2084. Again, connector inserts according to embodiments of the present invention may be assembled in various ways. A specific example is shown in the following figures.

FIG. 21illustrates the assembly of a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Diffuser2086may be attached to shell2080such that the diffuser covers opening2084. Strain relief2070may be inserted in shell2080.

FIG. 22illustrates the assembly of another portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Here strain relief2070and shell2080are slid over an end of cable2060. The end of cable2060may be stripped, and the braiding of the cable pulled back over the cable. Crimping piece2050may be placed over the end of cable2060and crimped. Conductor2062may be flattened to assist in its connection to a printed circuit board in the connector insert, as is shown below.

FIG. 23illustrates the assembly of another portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Contacts2035may be inserted into openings2032in housing2030. LEDs2042and other circuitry2046may be placed on printed circuit board2040. Tail portions2037of contacts2035may be soldered to corresponding contacts (not shown) on circuit board2050, thereby attaching housing2030and contacts2035to printed circuit board2040.

Printed circuit board2040may include ground contacts2047and power contact2048. Ground contact2047and power contact2048may be spot or laser welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed, to crimping piece2050and conductor2026, respectively, as is shown below.

FIG. 24illustrates the assembly of another portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Retention clips2020may be attached to attraction plate2010. Specifically, retention clips2020may be attached to attraction plate2010by spot or laser welding, soldering, or other appropriate method, at location2024.

FIG. 25illustrates the assembly of another portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, crimping piece2050may be laser or spot welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed to contact2047. Similarly, conductor2026may be laser or spot welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed, to contact2048on printed circuit board2040.

FIG. 26illustrates the assembly of another portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, wings or protrusions2052of crimping piece2050may be spot or laser welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed, to a back of attraction plate2010.

FIG. 27illustrates the assembly of another portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, wings or protrusions2052may be spot or laser welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed to a back of attraction plate2010. Housing2080may be slid over attraction plate2010. Again, leading edges2023of retention clips2020may be biased away from attraction plate2010. As shell2080is slid over attraction plate2010, retention clips2020may be pressed against attraction plate2010, then released as a slot or cutout (not shown) on the side of shell2080is reached. At this point, leading edge2023may snap back, thereby holding shell2080in place relative to attraction plate2010.