Circular connector in integrated in hinge

Connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high-speed data transfers, can be reliably manufactured, can be durable and have good wear performance, and can be positioned in nonstandard locations in an electronic device. One example can provide connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity by utilizing a comprehensive grounding scheme. These connector receptacles can be located in a hinge of an electronic device.

BACKGROUND

Power and data can be provided from one electronic device to another over cables that can include one or more wires, fiber optic cables, or other conductors. Connector inserts can be located at each end of these cables and can be inserted into connector receptacles in the communicating or power transferring electronic devices.

Given the large amounts of data that can be transferred among connected devices, it can be desirable that these connector receptacles be capable of supporting high data rates. That is, it can be desirable that these connector receptacles provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high-speed data transfers between electronic devices.

Some of these electronic devices become tremendously popular. As a result, electronic devices having these connector receptacles can be sold in very large quantities. Therefore, it can be desirable that these connector receptacles be readily manufactured.

Users can connect and disconnect these connector inserts and connector receptacles many times during a devices' lifetime. On occasion, a wrong connector insert can be inserted a connector receptacle. That is, a connector insert of a first type of connector system can be inserted into a connector receptacle of a second type of connector system. It this connector receptacle breaks or shows signs of wear prematurely, it can reduce user satisfaction and reflect poorly on the device.

These connector receptacles can be located along a side or edge of an electronic device. But some devices can be very thin to a point where it can be difficult to find a location for a connector receptacle. Therefore, it can be desirable that these connector receptacles be able to be positioned in nonstandard locations in an electronic device.

Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers, can be reliably manufactured, can be durable and have good wear performance, and can be positioned in nonstandard locations in an electronic device.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high-speed data transfers, can be reliably manufactured, can be durable and have good wear performance, and can be positioned in nonstandard locations in an electronic device.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity by utilizing a comprehensive grounding scheme. The connector receptacle assembly can include robust ground connections. For example, a tongue of the connector receptacle can include a grounded center plate. The tongue can support ground contacts that extend from a housing towards a front edge of the tongue. The ground contacts can be folded back underneath themselves near the front edge of the tongue. The ground contacts can terminate in connecting plates. The connecting plates can be soldered, spot or laser welded, or otherwise attached to the center plate. This can provide a good ground path between the ground contacts and the center plate. The tongue of the connector receptacle can also support ground pads on its top and bottom sides. These ground pads can connect to the center plate for further improvement in grounding.

These connector receptacles can also be well-grounded to their electronic devices. For example, the connector receptacle assembly can be mated with an endcap, where the endcap provides a connector tunnel or opening for a corresponding connector insert to enter when the corresponding connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle. The ground pads can be connected to, or be formed with, a backplate behind a portion of the housing. The ground pads can also be connected to, or formed along with, side tabs on a side of the housing, or the side tabs can be extensions of the center plate. The backplate and housing can include openings for fasteners. The fasteners can be inserted through the openings in the backplate and housing and into the endcap, thereby grounding the backplate to the endcap. The side tabs can also connect to the endcap thereby providing another ground path. The endcap can be grounded to a portion of a device enclosure, such as a portion of a hinge, using a gasket formed of conductive fabric over foam or other ground connection. The endcap can be held in place using a conductive or nonconductive adhesive, such as a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, a conductive temperature-sensitive or heat-activated adhesive, or other adhesive layer.

These connector receptacles can also be well-grounded with corresponding connector inserts when the connector receptacles are mated with the corresponding connector inserts. For example, a shield of the connector insert can connect to the connector tunnel of the endcap. Side ground contacts in the connector insert can contact side ground contacts on sides of the connector receptacle tongue. The side ground contacts on sides of the connector receptacle tongue can be located in notches in the tongue and can be formed by edges of the center plate. Front ground contacts in the connector insert can mate with the ground pads on the tongue of the connector receptacle, and ground contacts in the connector insert can connect to ground contacts on the tongue of the connector receptacle.

These and other embodiments can provide connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured. For example, a connector receptacle consistent with an embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured using primarily stamping and injection molding steps.

These and other embodiments can provide connector receptacles that can be durable and have good wear performance. On occasion, a user can plug a connector insert for a first type of connector system into a connector receptacle of a second type of connector system. These inadvertent insertions can damage a portion of a connector receptacle. Such damage can reduce a functionality of an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. One type of damage that can occur can be the lifting of a pin from a housing or a tongue of the connector receptacle. This lifting can cause the pin to be damaged by being pushed back into the connector receptacle.

Accordingly, these and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacle tongues where leading edges of contacts on the tongue are covered with an overmold. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the leading edges of the tongue contacts can be angled towards the tongue. Some or all of the tongue can be covered with an overmold. The overmold can be located over the leading edges of the tongue contacts. This can prevent the contacts from being separated from the tongue and damaged when a connector insert for a first type of connector system is inserted into a connector receptacle for a second type of connector system.

These and other embodiments can provide connector receptacles that can be located in nonstandard locations in an electronic device. For example, some devices, such as keyboards or portable computing devices, can be very thin and might not be able to support a connector receptacle on a side of the device. Accordingly, these and other embodiments can provide connector receptacles that can be located in a hinge of an electronic device. In this example, the endcap and the housing for the connector receptacle can have a circular profile or cross-section. The connector tunnel of the endcap can provide access to a tongue of the connector receptacle assembly at an end of a cylindrical hinge near a side of the device. The connector receptacle assembly can be attached to the endcap using fasteners and the endcap can be attached to an inside surface of the hinge using a conductive or nonconductive adhesive, such as a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, a conductive temperature-sensitive or heat-activated adhesive, or other adhesive layer. The hinge can connect to a top portion and a bottom portion, where the top portion can rotate about the hinge and move relative to the bottom portion. The bottom portion can be a base, a bottom support, a bottom portion of a stand, a base of a stand, lower portion, foundation, pedestal, or other portion of an electronic device. The top portion can be a lid, a top support, a top portion of a stand, an upright portion, upright portion of a stand, an upright support, an upper portion, upper piece, upper support, or other portion of an electronic device.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, various components can be located in either of both of the bottom portion (base) and top portion (lid) of an electronic device housing a connector receptacle. For example, either or both the bottom portion and the top portion can house or support various electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices. These electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices can connect to, and can be powered by, the connector receptacle. For example, electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices can be located in either or both the bottom portion or top portion and can include a keyboard, connectors, battery, touchpad, trackpad, display, touchscreen, user input devices, user input controls, or other electronic components or combination thereof. Either or both the top portion and bottom portion can also or instead include one or more magnets, support structures, or recesses for supporting or holding one or more electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices such as cell phones, tablet computers, handheld computing devices, or other devices or combination thereof. Either or both the top portion and bottom portion can also or instead include one or more connectors in or near the one or more magnets, support structures, or recesses or elsewhere for connecting to these electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices. These one or more connectors can be connected to a connector receptacle connection. This connection can provide pathways for power and data between the connector receptacle and electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices. Where these electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices includes a battery, power can be provided from the battery to an external device via the connector receptacle. Where these electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices includes a battery, charging power can be received by the battery from an external source via the connector receptacle.

While embodiments of the present invention can be useful in Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention can be used as connector receptacles in other types of connector systems. For example, they can be used in a charging USB-Type-C connector where some or all of the high-speed data contacts are omitted.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the center plate, ground pads, contacts, ground contacts, backplate, side tabs, endcap, and other conductive portions of the connector receptacle can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, forging, lathing, coining, deep drawing, or other manufacturing process.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the center plate, ground pads, contacts, ground contacts, backplate, side tabs, endcap, and other conductive portions of the connector receptacle can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, palladium nickel, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. The center plate, ground pads, contacts, ground contacts, backplate, side tabs, and endcap can be plated or coated with nickel, bright nickel, gold, or other material.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the housings and other nonconductive portions and other structures of the connector receptacle can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the housings and other nonconductive portions and other structures of the connector receptacle can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon or other thermoplastic, polymers, such as liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can be located in, and can connect to, various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, keyboards, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles can provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant or compatible with various standards such as one of the 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 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 interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles 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.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates an electronic device 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.

Electronic device100can include a bottom portion or base110and a top portion or lid120. Base110and lid120can be joined by hinge130. Lid120can rotate about hinge130, thereby moving relative to base110. Both lid120and base110can be narrow or thin and it can be difficult to position a connector receptacle along their sides. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide a connector receptacle140that can be positioned in hinge130. This connector receptacle140can have a circular (as shown) profile or cross-section, or it can have other shapes.

Connector receptacle140can include an endcap150that can be located at an end of hinge130. Endcap150can be fixed to an inside surface of hinge130using a conductive or nonconductive adhesive, such as a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, a conductive temperature-sensitive or heat-activated adhesive, or other adhesive layer (not shown.) Endcap150can be grounded to hinge130through electromagnetic interference (EMI) gasket158. Endcap150can include a connector tunnel152that provides access to tongue210of a connector receptacle assembly200(shown further inFIG. 2.) Connector tunnel152can allow access to tongue210by a corresponding connector insert (not shown) when in the connector insert is mated with connector receptacle140. Endcap150can be attached to connector receptacle assembly200using fasteners620(shown inFIG. 6.) Endcap150can help to provide protection for connector receptacle assembly200when electronic device100is dropped, when a cable having a connector insert inserted in connector receptacle140is pulled on, and at other times.

Base110of electronic device100can house or support various electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112. These electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112can connect to, and can be powered by, connector receptacle140. For example, electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112in base110can include a keyboard, connectors, battery, touchpad, trackpad, display, touchscreen, user input devices, user input controls, or other electronic components or combination thereof. Base110can also or instead include one or more magnets, support structures, or recesses115for supporting or holding one or more electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112such as cell phones, tablet computers, handheld computing devices, or other devices or combination thereof. Base110can also include one or more connectors113in or near the one or more magnets, support structures, or recesses115or elsewhere for connecting to these electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112. These one or more connectors113can be connected to connector receptacle140via connection114. Connection114can provide pathways for power and data between connector receptacle140and electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112either directly or via connector113. Where electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112includes a battery, power can be provided from the battery to an external device via connector receptacle140. Where electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112includes a battery, charging power can be received by the battery from an external source via connector receptacle140.

Lid120of electronic device100can house or support various electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122. These electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122can connect to, and can be powered by, connector receptacle140. For example, electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122in lid120can include a keyboard, connectors, battery, touchpad, trackpad, display, touchscreen, user input devices, user input controls, or other electronic components or combination thereof. Lid120can also or instead include one or more magnets, support structures, or recesses125for supporting or holding one or more electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122such as cell phones, tablet computers, handheld computing devices, or other devices or combination thereof. Lid120can also include one or more connectors123in or near the one or more magnets, support structures, or recesses125or elsewhere for connecting to these electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122. These one or more connectors123can be connected to connector receptacle140via connection124. Connection124can provide pathways for power and data between connector receptacle140and electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122, either directly or via connectors123. Where electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122includes a battery, power can be provided from the battery to an external device via connector receptacle140. Where electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122includes a battery, charging power can be received by the battery from an external source via connector receptacle140.

As one example, connector receptacle assembly200can be connected to connector123in lid120via connection124. Connection124can include a number of conductors (not shown) that are connected between contacts222and ground contacts224in connector receptacle assembly200(shown inFIG. 2) and contacts (not shown) in connector123. Connector123can be connected to electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122, such as a tablet computer, attached to lid120(for example by magnets.) In this way, power and data received at connector receptacle140can be provided to the tablet computer.

As another example, connector receptacle assembly200can be connected to electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122in base110via connection114. Connection114can include a number of conductors (not shown) that are connected between contacts222and ground contacts224in connector receptacle assembly200(shown inFIG. 2) and electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices122. Connection114can be connected to electronic components, circuits, or electronic devices112, such as a keyboard, in or attached to base110. In this way, power and data (such as firmware updates) received at connector receptacle140can be provided to the keyboard.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, base110can be a bottom portion, a bottom support, a bottom portion of a stand, a base of a stand, lower portion, foundation, pedestal, or other portion of an electronic device. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, lid120can be a top portion, a top support, a top portion of a stand, an upright portion, upright portion of a stand, an upright support, an upper portion, upper piece, upper support, or other portion of an electronic device.

FIG. 2illustrates a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle assembly200can include housing240supporting tongue210. Tongue210can include front edge211. Tongue210can support a number of contacts222on its top and bottom sides. Contacts222can extend from housing240towards front edge211of tongue210. Tongue210can also support ground contacts224on its top and bottom sides. Ground contacts224can extend from housing240towards front edge211of tongue210. Side ground contacts214can be located in notches212on sides of tongue210. Side ground contacts214can be formed by edges of center plate216, which can be located in a center of tongue210. Overmold260can cover leading edges of contacts222and ground contacts224, as well as a front edge211of tongue210. Overmold260can be formed as a double-shot molding over a portion of tongue210.

Ground pads244can be located top and bottom sides of tongue210. Ground pads244can connect to, or be formed with, side tabs218on sides of housing240, or side tabs218can be formed as extensions of center plate216. Backplate245can be attached to ground pads244, ground contacts224, center plate216, and side tabs218. Backplate245and housing240can include openings242. Housing240can also support alignment feature246. Contacts222and ground contacts224on a top of tongue210can be supported by housing250. Contacts222and ground contacts224(not shown) on a bottom of tongue210can be supported by housing230. Housing240and housing230can fit together as shown inFIG. 3.

Connector receptacle140can be well-grounded to its electronic device. For example, fasteners620(shown inFIG. 6), such as screws, bolts, or other fasteners, can be inserted through openings242into a backside of endcap150(shown inFIG. 6.) This can allow fasteners620to connect endcap150to backplate245. Alignment feature246can fit in a recess in the backside of endcap150, thereby aligning connector receptacle assembly200to endcap150. An inside surface of endcap150can engage side tabs218, thereby providing an additional ground path. Endcap150can be electrically connected to hinge130(shown inFIG. 1) by one or more sections of conductive fabric covered foam, shown inFIG. 1as EMI gasket158, or other grounding structure.

EMI gasket158can be formed of a compliant material that is at least partially covered by a conductive layer. The compliant material can be foam or foam rubber, such as silicon rubber open cell foam, silicon rubber, polyurethane foam, or other compressible material. The conductive layer can be a conductive film, such as tin-plated polyimide film, a conductive fabric, or other conductive layer. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, EMI gasket158can be formed of conductive foam. EMI gasket158can be attached to endcap150or other connector receptacle portions using a conductive adhesive, such as a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, a conductive temperature-sensitive or heat-activated adhesive, or other adhesive layer.

Connector receptacle140can also be well-grounded to a corresponding connector insert when the corresponding connector insert is mated with connector receptacle140. For example, a shield of the corresponding connector insert (not shown) can physically and electrically connect to connector tunnel152in endcap150. Side ground contacts in the connector insert can physically and electrically connect to side ground contacts214on tongue210. Front ground contacts in the connector insert can physically and electrically connect to ground pads244on top and bottom sides of tongue210. Ground contacts in the connector insert can physically and electrically connect to ground contacts224on top and bottom sides of tongue210.

Connector receptacle assembly200can also be internally well-grounded. This is shown further in the following figures.

FIG. 3illustrates a partially exploded view of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle assembly200can include housing240. Housing240can support a center plate216. Center plate216can include contacting areas217. Housing240can also support ground pads244. Ground pads244can also be connected to, or formed as a piece, with side tabs218, or side tabs218can be formed as extensions of center plate216. Center plate216and ground pads244can connect to, or be formed with, backplate245. Openings242can provide a passage for fasteners620(shown inFIG. 6) through housing240and backplate245. These fasteners620can then connect backplate245to endcap150.

Contacts222and ground contacts224on a top side of tongue210(shown inFIG. 2) can be supported by front portion251of housing250. Housing250can be insert molded around contacts222and224. Ground contacts224can extend from housings240and250and can be folded back on itself as folded portion226. Connecting plate225can extend from folded portion226. During assembly, connecting plate225can be soldered, spot or laser welded, or otherwise fixed to contacting areas217of center plate216.

Notch252of housing250can accept tab232on housing230. Notches234on housing230can accept tabs (not shown) on an underside of housing250. Tab236on housing230can fit in notch256on housing250. Tab238on housing230can fit in a notch (not shown) on the underside of housing250. Contacts222and ground contacts224(not shown) on a bottom side of tongue210can be supported by front portion231of housing230. Contacts222and ground contacts224can terminate in through-hole contact portions227.

FIG. 4illustrates a partial view of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown, housing250can be attached to housing230and front portions251and231(shown inFIG. 3) of housing250and housing230have been fit through openings in housing240between center plate216and ground pads244, thereby substantially forming connector receptacle assembly200. Connecting plates225have been fixed to contacting areas217of center plate216. Contacts222can include a front-tapered portion223near a front edge211of tongue210.

On occasion, a user can insert an incompatible connector insert into connector receptacle140(shown inFIG. 1.) This incompatible connector insert can encounter and provide force against tongue210. Without more, some of the contacts222and ground contacts224can be pushed back and away from tongue210, thereby damaging connector receptacle assembly200. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide overmold260(shown inFIG. 2.) This overmold260can protect front edges of ground contacts224such as folded portion226and connecting plates225. Overmold260can also protect front-tapered portion223of contacts222. This can help to prevent contacts222and ground contacts224from being separated from tongue210during an inadvertent insertion of an incompatible connector insert into connector receptacle140.

FIG. 5illustrates a close-up view of a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground contact224can terminate in folded portion226. Connecting plate225can extend at a right angle from folded portion226. Connecting plate225can be soldered, spot, or laser welded to contacting area217of center plate216.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can provide a high signal quality or signal integrity by utilizing a comprehensive grounding scheme. This is shown further in the following figure.

FIG. 6illustrates a partially exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle assembly200can include robust ground connections. For example, tongue210of connector receptacle140can include a grounded center plate216(shown inFIG. 3.) Tongue210can support ground contacts224that extend from housing240towards a front edge211of tongue210. Ground contacts224can be folded back underneath themselves to form folded portions226(shown inFIG. 5) near front edge211of tongue210. Ground contacts224can terminate in connecting plates225(shown inFIG. 5.) Connecting plates225can be soldered, spot or laser welded, or otherwise attached to center plate216. This can provide a good ground path between ground contacts224and center plate216. Tongue210of connector receptacle140can also support ground pads244on its top and bottom sides. These ground pads244can be attached to, or formed with, shielding610. Shielding610can be spot or laser welded to center plate216at points612for further improvement in grounding. Ground pads244can be formed with, or attached to, shielding610and backplate245. Shielding610can also be formed with, or attached to, side tabs218, or side tabs218can be extensions of center plate216. More specifically, there can be a ground pad244attached to, or formed along with, shielding610and backplate245on a top and bottom side of tongue210. Shielding610on the top and bottom of tongue210can be spot or laser welded to center plate216at points612. Side tabs218can be extensions of center plate216or they can be formed from shielding610.

These connector receptacles140can also be well-grounded to their electronic devices, such as electronic device100(shown inFIG. 1.) For example, connector receptacle assembly200can be mated with endcap150, where endcap150provides an opening or connector tunnel152for a corresponding connector insert (not shown) to enter when the corresponding connector insert is mated with connector receptacle140. Ground pads244can be connected to, or be formed with, backplate245behind a portion of housing240. Ground pads244can also be connected to, or formed along with, side tabs218on a side of housing240. Backplate245and housing240can include openings242for fasteners620. Fasteners620can be inserted through openings242in backplate245and housing240and into endcap150(in holes near location157), thereby grounding endcap150to backplate245. Side tabs218can also connect to endcap150(near points159) thereby providing another ground path. Endcap150can be grounded to a portion of a device enclosure, such as an inside surface632of hinge tube630, using EMI gasket158. EMI gasket158can be formed of conductive fabric over foam or other ground connection. Endcap150can be held in place in hinge tube630(which can be a portion of hinge130shown inFIG. 1) using a conductive or nonconductive adhesive, such as a conductive pressure-sensitive adhesive, a conductive temperature-sensitive or heat-activated adhesive, or other adhesive layer (not shown.)

These connector receptacles140can also be well-grounded with corresponding connector inserts (not shown) when the connector receptacles140are mated with the corresponding connector inserts. For example, a shield (not shown) of the connector insert can connect to connector tunnel152of endcap150. Side ground contacts in the connector insert can contact side ground contacts214on sides of connector receptacle tongue210. The side ground contacts214on sides of the connector receptacle tongue can be formed by edges of center plate216. Front ground contacts (not shown) in the connector insert can mate with ground pads244on tongue210of connector receptacle140, and ground contacts (not shown) in the connector insert can connect to ground contacts224on tongue210of connector receptacle140.

While embodiments of the present invention can be useful as USB Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention can be used as connector receptacles in other types of connector systems. For example, they can be used in a charging USB-Type-C connector where some or all of the high-speed data contacts are omitted. The examples here illustrate a USB Type-C connector receptacle where contacts for high-speed differential signals have been omitted. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the contacts for the high-speed differential signals can be included. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other contacts can be included or omitted.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, center plate216, ground pads244, contacts222, ground contacts224, backplate245, side tabs218, endcap150, and other conductive portions of connector receptacle140can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, forging, lathing, coining, deep drawing, or other manufacturing process.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, center plate216, ground pads244, contacts222, ground contacts224, backplate245, side tabs218, endcap150, and other conductive portions of connector receptacle140can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, palladium nickel, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. Center plate216, ground pads244, contacts222, ground contacts224, backplate245, side tabs218, endcap150, and other conductive portions of connector receptacle140can be plated or coated with nickel, bright nickel, gold, or other material.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, housing230, housing240, housing250, and other nonconductive portions and other structures of connector receptacle140can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, housing230, housing240, housing250, and other nonconductive portions and other structures of connector receptacle140, can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon or other thermoplastic, polymers, such as liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials.

Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can be located in, and can connect to, various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles can provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant or compatible 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 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 interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles can be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information.