Connector receptacle shell that forms a ground contact

Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. These receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a housing, as well as a second number of contacts. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its sides and top. The tongue may cover edges of at least some contacts to prevent marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. The shell of the connector receptacle may be formed around a portion of the connector receptacle to assist in fitting the receptacle in a device enclosure.

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 and provide power and data using various cable assemblies. These cable assemblies may include connector inserts, or plugs, on one or more ends of a cable. The connector inserts may plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals and power.

The connector receptacles may be formed of housings that typically at least partially surround, and provide mechanical support for, a number of contacts. These contacts may be arranged to mate with corresponding contacts on the connector inserts or plugs to form portions of electrical paths between devices.

The numbers of these receptacles that are manufactured for some electronic devices can be very large. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide connector receptacles that are simple to assemble and manufacture.

As a further complication, the data rates of some signals conveyed by these connector receptacles have increased over time. To be able to handle these signals, it may be desirable that the connector receptacles do not degrade signal quality significantly. An important aspect of providing good signal quality is to provide a good ground path and shielding for the connector receptacle and corresponding connector insert. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide connector receptacles that provide a good ground path. It may also be desirable to provide connector receptacles that may avoid marring during use, and are arranged to fit in a device enclosure.

Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide a good ground contact path, avoid marring of both inserts and receptacles, and can be arranged to fit in a device enclosure.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may simplify assembly by providing a connector receptacle having a number of contacts in a subassembly. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert-molded in a subassembly housing. A second number of contacts may be added to the subassembly. The subassembly may be inserted into a hollow tongue portion of the connector receptacle. The hollow tongue may protect portions of the first and second numbers of contacts.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may improve signal quality by providing a connector receptacle having a good ground connection. In various embodiments of the present invention, ground contacts may be located on a tongue of the connector receptacle. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, ground contacts may be located on sides of a tongue. Various numbers of contacts may be further included on a top of the tongue as well.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle that avoids marring of both the connector receptacle and connector insert. A specific embodiment of the present invention accomplishes this by inert molding at least some contacts such that no sharp edges are exposed or come into contact with a connector insert during insertion.

Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle that is arranged to fit in a device enclosure. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a shell may be formed around a portion of a connector receptacle, such as the sides and bottom, while being substantially absent from its top. In this embodiment, a partial top piece may be included. The partial top piece may be connected to the shell and include fingers for contacting a portion of a device enclosure.

Embodiments of the present invention may be used to improve various connector receptacles, such as those compatible with the various Universal Serial Bus interfaces and standards, including USB, USB2, and USB3, as well as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, and other types of interfaces and standards. These connector receptacles may be utilized in many types of 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.

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 portion of an electronic 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.

This figure shows a portion of an electronic device having connector receptacle100located in device housing180. Connector receptacle100may include tongue120having openings130for a first number of contacts140. Tongue120may further include other openings for other contacts, including ground contacts that are not shown in this figure.

Again, it may be desirable that connector receptacle100does not become marred after repeated insertions of a connector insert. Also, may be desirable that connector receptacle100does not mar the connector insert. Accordingly, connector receptacle100may include tongue120that is configured to not become marred, and to not mar a connector insert. For example, openings130in tongue120may be such that edges of the first number of contacts140are not exposed. This prevents the first number of contacts140from marring a connector insert, or from getting caught, or snagged by, and damaged by a connector insert.

Device housing180may be representative of many types of 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.

To improve signal quality in connector receptacle100, it may be desirable that connector receptacle100include robust ground paths. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having ground contacts in tongue120. An example is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 2illustrates an oblique front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle100may include receptacle housing100, which may in turn include tongue120. Tongue120may have two side openings for side ground contacts210, and two top openings for top ground contacts220. In other embodiments of the present invention, other numbers of contacts, and contacts in other positions, may be utilized. Connector receptacle100may further include ground contacts230in a bottom of receptacle housing110. These various ground contacts may provide ground paths as well as retention features, that is, features that may hold a connector insert in place, for connector receptacle100.

Again, it may be desirable that connector receptacles be configured to fit in specific device enclosures. It may also be desirable to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to a user. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having a housing that does not substantially have a top portion. Instead, the top portion of the connector receptacle may be formed by a portion of the device enclosure. This arrangement may also provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Accordingly, housing110of connector receptacle100has sides, a bottom, and a back, but does not substantially have a top. Similarly, shell240covers connector receptacle100along its bottom, rear, and sides, but does not cover its top. Top piece250may be included along a back portion of the top and electrically connected to shell240. Top piece250may include one or more fingers252for electrically contacting a device enclosure, or other structure inside the device enclosure. Shield240may include one or more tabs242, which may be soldered, or otherwise fixed or connected to, a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

FIG. 3illustrates another front oblique view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As before, tongue120may include openings130for a first number of contacts140. Tongue120may further include a second number of openings160for a second number of contacts150. In this example, the first number of contacts140may be between the second number of contacts150and a front of tongue120. As before, shield240may include a number of tabs242, which may be soldered or otherwise electrically connected to a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

In this specific example, connector receptacle100may be a USB3 compatible connector receptacle. In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of connector receptacles may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention. These may include the other USB standards, as well as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, and other types of interfaces and standards.

Also in this example, a first a number of contacts140may be contacts added for USB3 compatibility, while a second number of contacts160may be legacy USB contacts.

FIG. 4illustrates a top oblique view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, tongue120may include one or more openings on its sides for ground contacts210, and openings in its top for ground contacts220. Contacts220may be connected by crosspiece222. Crosspiece222may be grounded by being spot or laser welded to top piece250.

Housing110may include openings along its bottom for ground contacts230. Shield240may surround connector receptacle100along its bottom and sides. Top piece250may include fingers252, which may contact a device enclosure, or other structure inside, or otherwise associated with, a device enclosure.

Again, during the production of a popular device, many of these connector receptacles may be manufactured. Accordingly, it may be desirable that connector receptacles according to embodiments of the present invention be readily manufactured, that is, it may be desirable that they are easily assembled. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that include a subassembly that may be inserted into hollow tongue120. An example of such a subassembly is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 5illustrates a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This subassembly may include a first number of contacts140and a second number of contacts150joined together by housing510. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a first number of contacts140are insert molded into housing510. That is, first contacts140are held in place, and housing510is formed around portions of these contacts. Second contacts150are then inserted into housing510. For example, portions152of contacts150may be pushed into housing510. Once in place, flanges154may expand and hold contacts150in place in housing510.

FIG. 6illustrates a rear view of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to embodiments of the present invention. Again, this subassembly may include a first number of contacts140and a second number of contacts150that are held together by housing510.

During assembly, subassembly500may be inserted into a back of housing110. This may allow subassembly500to slide into location inside of hollow tongue120in housing110.

FIG. 7illustrates a rear view of a connector receptacle housing according to an embodiment of the present invention. Housing110may include a rear opening710. This opening may allow access to the inside of the hollow tongue120. Openings130and160in hollow tongue120may provide access to the first number of contacts and second number of contacts, respectively.

FIG. 8illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Side contact210may connect to a rear of shell240via portion212. Top contacts220may be joined via piece222as a single unit. Piece222, may be, as was shown inFIG. 4, spot or laser welded to top piece250. Ground contacts230may be joined by piece232. Piece232may be laser or spot welded to shield240. Shield240may include tabs242, which again may electrically connect to ground connections in a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Shield240may electrically connect to top piece250. Top piece252may include fingers252which form electrical connections with a device enclosure, or other structure is inside the device enclosure.

FIG. 9illustrates another cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As before, side contacts210may connect to a rear of shield240via portion212. Top ground contacts220may join together though piece222, which may electrically connect to top piece250. Bottom ground contacts230may join together via piece232and be laser or spot welded to shell240at point234. Top piece250may electrically connect to shell240. Shield240may be grounded through tabs242. Top piece250may be grounded through fingers252.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles having good ground connections to improve signal quality. Another example is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 10illustrates another connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle1000may include housing1110having tongue1120. Side ground contacts1210and top contacts1220may be used to form ground connections. In this specific example, four top contacts1220are shown, though in other embodiments of the present invention, other numbers of top contacts may be used. Top contacts1220and side contacts1210may provide ground paths, as well as retention force to keep a connector insert in place when it is inserted into connector receptacle1000.

As before, connector receptacle1000may be arranged to fit in a device enclosure. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the device enclosure may be relatively thin. For this reason, it may be desirable to make connector receptacle1000correspondingly thin. Accordingly, connector receptacle1000may include housing1110that may form sides and a bottom of connector receptacle1000, while connector receptacle1000may be substantially without a top. Shield1240may similarly be located on sides and a bottom of connector receptacle1000. Bottom side contacts1242may contact a shell of a connector insert when is inserted into connector receptacle1000. Bottom piece contacts1021may be used for mechanical support and to contact a device enclosure, printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. This connection may also be grounded. Top piece1250may cover a portion of a top of connector receptacle1000. Top piece1250may include fingers1252and tabs1254. Fingers1252may contact a device enclosure or other structure associated with device enclosure. In other embodiments, Fingers1252may contact other structures that may or may not be associated or connected to the device enclosure. Tabs1254may be used for mechanical support, and may connect to grounds in a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

Accordingly, connector receptacle may be well supported mechanically and well grounded. Again, fingers1252may contact a device enclosure, or structure associated or not associated or connected to the device enclosure. Bottom piece contacts1021may contact a device enclosure, flexible circuit board, or printed circuit board. These physical connections on the top and bottom of connector receptacle1000may ensure that connector receptacle1000is mechanically secure in the device housing. Also, either or both of these contacts may be grounded to improve signal quality.

As can be seen, this embodiment of the present invention provides excellent grounding. Specifically, side ground contacts1210and top ground contacts1220on tongue1120may contact an inside of a shell of a connector insert when it is inserted into connector receptacle1000. Bottom contacts1242may contact an outside of the connector insert shell. Bottom piece contacts1021, fingers1252, and tabs1254, may be connected to ground on a device enclosure, flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrates.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may simplify assembly by providing a subassembly that may be inserted into a hollow tongue. An example of such a subassembly is shown in the following figures.

FIG. 12illustrates a subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. This subassembly may include housing1510. Housing1510may provide support for a first number of contacts1140, and a second number of contacts1150.

FIG. 13illustrates another view of the subassembly ofFIG. 12. Again, housing1510may provide support for a first a number of contacts1140and a second number of contacts1150. The first number of contacts1140may have first through-hole contacting portions1142, while the second number of contacts1150may have second through-hole contacting portions1152.

Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector that may be relatively simple to assemble. An example of the assembly one such connector is shown in the following figures.

FIG. 14illustrates an assembly of a subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Housing1510may be formed around a first number of contacts having through-hole contacting portions1142. Housing1510may be formed using injection molding or other appropriate technique. A second number of contacts1150may be inserted into openings1512in housing1510. Flanges1154may contract during insertion, and then expand once inside openings1512to hold the second number of contacts1150in place. Once the second number of contacts1150are in place, through-hole contacting portions1142may be bent in a downward direction, as shown.

Again, using injection molding around the first number of contacts may protect edges of the contacts from being exposed and marring a connector insert during insertion and extraction.

FIG. 15illustrates an attachment of top contacts to a subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, top contacts1220may be provided. Top contacts1220may be joined by crosspiece1222, which may be attached to bent portion1224. Crosspiece1222may include openings1226. Openings1226may be arranged to accept posts1512on housing1510.

FIG. 16illustrates the insertion of a subassembly into a tongue of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, subassembly housing1510and top side contacts1220may be inserted into tongue1120of housing1110. Contacts1220may be aligned to fit in openings1121in tongue1120.

FIG. 17illustrates the attachment of a through-hole guide piece to a connector receptacle portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, through-hole guide piece1710may include openings1712for accepting through-hole contacting portions1142. Through-hole guide piece1710may further include notch1714for aligning to and mating with bent portion1124.

FIG. 18illustrates the insertion of side ground contacts into a hollow tongue of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, side ground contacts1210may be inserted into openings1810in housing1110. Tabs1211may align with a back portion of housing1110.

FIG. 19illustrates the attachment of a shell to a connector receptacle portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, shell1240may be attached to housing1110. Opening1942on shell1240may align with protrusion1944on housing1110, while notch1946on shell1240may align with protrusion1948on housing1110. Posts1988may be inserted into corresponding openings in a main-logic board or other appropriate substrate for mechanical stability.

FIG. 20illustrates an attachment of a bottom piece to a connector receptacle portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, tabs2012on bottom piece1020may fit in openings2014of housing1110. Bottom piece1020may include tabs2016. Tabs2016may be connected to ground of a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Bottom piece1020may further include bottom piece contacts1021. Top piece1250may be spot or laser welded, or otherwise fixed to, shell1240and tabs1211.

FIG. 21illustrates an attachment of a top piece to a connector receptacle portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. Openings2110in top piece1250may align with protrusions2112on housing1240. Fingers1252may contact a device enclosure or other structure associated with a device enclosure. In other embodiments, Finger1252may contact other structures that may or may not be associated with or connected to the device enclosure. Tabs1254may be connected to a ground on a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

FIG. 22illustrates another subassembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Subassembly2200may be used as subassembly1200inFIG. 12, or as other subassemblies in other embodiments of the present invention. This subassembly may include housing2210. Housing2210may provide support for a first number of contacts2240, and a second number of contacts2250. Contacts2250may have an added bend just behind the point of electrical contact at2251. Contacts2250may further include a stiffening gusset2252down the primary axis. The bend at point2251and stiffening gusset2252may aid in the connection to USB inserts where contact pads are flush with plastic or other material that is supporting the contacts.

Bottom piece contacts1021may rest on a frame, device enclosure, main-logic board, or other appropriate substrate. Ground contacts1242may contact a shield or shell2399of a connector insert2398. Noise may be present on this shield or shell2399, either from noise on the ground line itself, or from signals on conductors in the connector insert2398. For example, noisy signals may be conveyed over a cable connected to the connector insert2398. This noise may couple to the shell or shield2399of the connector insert2398. This noise may then couple to ground contact1242.

Since bottom piece contacts1021may be directly connected to ground contacts1242, noise on ground contacts1242may couple to the device enclosure. This noise may then couple to other circuits housed in the device enclosure. Accordingly, in various embodiments of the present invention, bottom piece contacts1021may be insulated to keep noise at ground contacts1242from coupling onto the device enclosure. An example is shown in the following figure.

FIG. 23illustrates a connector receptacle having one or more insulating pieces to electrically isolate a connector receptacle ground from a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. As before, connector receptacle1000may include housing1110, tongue1120, topside ground contacts1220, shell1240, and top piece1250.

Connector receptacle1000may further include ground contact1242and bottom piece contacts1021. Again, without more, noise on a connector insert may couple to ground contact1242, to bottom piece contacts1021, to the device enclosure. Noise on the device enclosure may then couple to other circuits in the device enclosure. For example, this noise may couple to an antenna for a wireless transceiver, or other electronic circuitry.

Accordingly, connector receptacle1000may further include insulators2310. Insulators2310may include cross piece2312and end pieces2314that fit over ends or corners of bottom piece ground contacts1021. These pieces may be made of a nonconductive material, such as rubber, nylon, plastic, or liquid crystal polymers (LCPs) that effectively increase the impedance between bottom piece contacts1021and the device enclosure.

Again, connector receptacle1000may include ground contacts1242. Ground contacts1242may be used in place of ground contacts such as dimpled ground contacts or bottom ground contacts230inFIG. 2. Specifically, ground contacts, such as dimpled contacts or bottom ground contacts230inFIG. 2, may be arranged to fit in a pocket2397in a shield2399of a connector insert2398. This arrangement may provide a retention force for the connector insert. However, a bottom ground contact230may lose contact with a shield2399of the connector insert2398, for example, if it resides in a center of the pocket on the shield of the connector insert2398. This loss of a ground connection may lead to an increase in ground noise, with a resulting interference with proper signal transmission through the connector. Moreover, bottom ground contact230may provide a sharp point. This sharp point may mar or cut a groove in the plug or connector insert2398over time. Also, bottom ground contact230may provide only a single contact point to ground between connector receptacle1000and connector insert2398.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may employ ground contacts1242. Ground contacts1242may be split into different numbers of contact portions. In this example, ground contact1242is split into five sections. By splitting ground contact1242in this way, several points along ground contact1242may make contact with a shield of a connector insert. Also, ground contact portions1242A and1242B may be arranged to fit in openings or pockets in the connector insert shield, thereby providing a retention force. The sections of ground contact1242may be split by very fine separations to provide an attractive appearance for the connector receptacle. Ground contact1242may provide a smoother edge for a connector insert in order to help avoid marring of the connector insert. Ground contact1242may be connected to a first shell portion or ground feature1240.

Ground contact1242may be located under tongue1120. Ground contact1242may have a front sloping portion2322, where the front sloping portion2322slopes from a front bottom of the connector receptacle1000upwards to a back of the connector receptacle1000. The front sloping portion2322may form a ridge2326that may contact a shield of a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle1000. The front sloping portion2324may have a downward, tapered bottom edge2324. This downward, tapered bottom edge2324may help to prevent the ground contact1242from becoming snagged and damaged when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle1000.

FIG. 24illustrates another connector receptacle having one or more insulating pieces to electrically isolate a connector receptacle ground from a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, connector receptacle1000includes a shell1240, top piece1250, and contacts1140and1160. Bottom ground pieces1021may connect to shell1240via bottom piece1020. Insulator2310may electrically isolate grounds of connector receptacle1000from a device enclosure housing connector receptacle1000.