Patent Publication Number: US-10790608-B2

Title: Apparatuses for improved cable-to-board connections

Description:
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD 
     Example embodiments of the present invention relate generally to cable connection systems and, more particularly, to ensuring retention of cable-to-board connectors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Communication systems often rely on connections between components of various types in order to provide efficient data transfer. By way of example, connections between cable connectors (e.g., wired elements) and printed circuit boards (PCBs) (e.g., board elements) are often required. To provide these connections, cable-to-board, wire-to-board, and/or micro-coaxial connectors (such as CABLINE® connectors produced by I-PEX) may be used. In order to provide increased data transmission rates, increased bandwidth density, enhanced capacity, and the like in datacenters and other related communications systems, consistent connection of these cable-to-board connections is desired. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Apparatuses, systems, and associated methods are described for securing a cable connection to a printed circuit board (PCB). For example, a retention clip is provided that is configured to secure a cable connection to a printed circuit board (PCB). The retention clip may include a bottom support member and a top support member. The retention clip may further include a hinge element attached to the top support member and the bottom support member that may be configured to allow movement of the retention clip between a locked position and an unlocked position. The retention clip may also define an opening that may be configured to receive a cable connection therethrough. In the locked position, the top support member may be folded about the hinge element so as to engage the bottom support member and secure the cable connection disposed within the opening to the PCB. 
     In some embodiments, the bottom support member may further define one or more snap tabs extending from a first surface of the bottom support member. In such an embodiment, the one or more snap tabs may extend substantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom support member. In some cases, in the locked position, the one or more snap tabs are configured to be received by one or more corresponding cut-outs of the PCB. In other instances, the top support member further defines one or more corresponding notch features configured to, in the locked position, receive the one or more snap tabs of the bottom support member engaged therewith. 
     In some embodiments, in the locked position, the first surface of the bottom support member is configured to be located proximate a corresponding bottom surface of the PCB. Similarly, in some embodiments, a first surface of the top support member is configured to be located proximate a corresponding top surface of the PCB in the locked position. 
     In some cases, the hinge element is biased towards the unlocked position. 
     In other embodiments, the opening may be formed between the top support member, the bottom support member, and the hinge element. 
     In some embodiments, the opening may be further configured to receive two cable connections such that, in the locked position, a first cable connection is attached to a corresponding first connector supported by a top surface of the PCB and a second cable connection is attached to a corresponding second connector supported by a bottom surface of the PCB. 
     The above summary is provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example embodiments to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that the above-described embodiments are merely examples and should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the invention in any way. It will be appreciated that the scope of the invention encompasses many potential embodiments in addition to those here summarized, some of which will be further described below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms above, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings. The components illustrated in the figures may or may not be present in certain embodiments described herein. Some embodiments may include fewer (or more) components than those shown in the figures. 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a printed circuit board (PCB) that includes a connector for use with some embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of an example cable connection configured to engage the PCB connector of  FIG. 1  for use with some embodiments described herein; 
         FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of an example cable connection engaged with a corresponding connector of the PCB for use with some embodiments described herein; 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective views of an example retention clip in an unlocked position according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the retention clip of  FIGS. 2A-2B  according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the retention clip of  FIGS. 2A-3  in a locked position according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an example retention clip and associated opening receiving one or more cable connections according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of an example retention clip in an unlocked position in conjunction with a cable connection and PCB according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the retention clip of  FIG. 7  in a locked position securing the cable connection to the PCB according to an example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting a method of manufacturing a retention clip according to an example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Overview 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, terms such as “front,” “rear,” “top,” etc. are used for explanatory purposes in the examples provided below to describe the relative position of certain components or portions of components. Furthermore, as would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” indicate that the referenced element or associated description is accurate to within applicable engineering tolerances. 
     As discussed herein, the example embodiment may be described with reference to a micro-coaxial cable such as a CABLINE® cable and associated connector produced by I-PEX as a suitable cable connection. However, the present disclosure may be equally applicable for use with other cable-to-board connections, wire-to-board connections, or the like. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1A , a printed circuit board (PCB)  100  is illustrated for use with some embodiments of the present invention. The PCB  100  may include connections, electrical elements, or other features supported by or attached to a first surface  101  of the PCB  100 . Similarly, the PCB  100  may also include connections, electrical elements, or other features supported by or attached to a second surface  103  of the PCB  100 , opposite the first surface  101 . The first surface  101  of the PCB  100  may support a first connector  102  that is configured to receive a cable connection attached thereto (e.g., cable connection  104  in  FIG. 1B ). As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the first connector  102  may be a horizontal mating connector configured to receive a corresponding cable connection such that data (e.g., electrical signals) may be transferred between the cable connection and the PCB  100 . Furthermore, while not illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the second surface  103  of the PCB  100  may also include a second connector (not shown) for receiving a cable connection (e.g., cable connection  104  in  FIG. 1B ). As described hereafter with reference to  FIGS. 2A-3  and  FIGS. 6-7 , the PCB  100  may also include one or more cut-outs  105  configured to receive corresponding elements of an example retention clip. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1B , an example cable connection (e.g., a micro-coaxial cable) configured to engage a connector  102  of the PCB  100  of  FIG. 1A  is illustrated. As shown, the cable connection  104  may include a cable bundle  106  that terminates at an end  107  configured to be mated with the connector  102  (shown detached from PCB  100  in  FIG. 1B ). In operation, this connection between the end  107  and the connector  102  may allow data to be transmitted between the PCB  100  supporting the connector  102  and electronic devices located at one or more opposite ends (not shown) of the cable bundle  106 . The example cable connection  104  shown in  FIGS. 1B-1C  may also include a lever arm  108  that, in operation, is folded in the direction of the PCB  100  to be located adjacent the connector  102  and PCB  100 . In this way, traditional features for securing cable-to-board connections (e.g., shown in  FIG. 1C ) only attempt to prevent movement of the first end  107  with respect to the connector  102  in a single direction. Said differently, movement of the cable connection  104  in a direction substantially perpendicular with respect to the PCB  100  supporting the connector  102  is not prevented by the lever arm  108 . As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, movement of cable connections attached to PCBs is frequently experienced during operation. PCBs may be moved in the process of attaching additional connections, in response to relocating or shifting a housing for the PCB, and/or for other reasons such that disengagement of traditional cable connections and associated PCBs can be prevalent. As such, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a retention clip that secures a cable connection to a PCB so as to prevent spontaneous disengagement (and associated loss of data transmission and other inefficiencies). 
     Retention Clip 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3 , an example retention clip  200  of the present disclosure is illustrated. As shown, the retention clip  200  includes a top support member  202 , a bottom support member  204 , and a hinge element  206  attached to the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204 . The top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  may define substantially rectangular elements that, via the hinge element  206 , are attached to one another. The retention clip  200  may further include an opening  208  that is configured to receive a cable connection therethrough (e.g., a cable connection  104  for engaging a connector  102  of the PCB  100 ). In some embodiments, the opening  208  may be formed between the top support member  202 , the bottom support member  204 , and the hinge element  206 , as shown. The present disclosure contemplates that the opening  208  may be dimensioned (e.g., sized and shaped) so as to accommodate cable connections of various types or sizes. 
     The hinge element  206  may be configured to allow movement of the retention clip  200  between an unlocked position (e.g., shown in  FIGS. 2A-3 ) and a locked position (e.g., shown in  FIG. 4 ). In  FIGS. 2A-3 , the retention clip  200  is illustrated in an unlocked position such that the retention clip  200  is removable from the PCB  100  and cable connection  104  of  FIGS. 1A-1C . As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the unlocked position, the retention clip  200  may receive one or more cable connections  104  via the opening  208 . The hinge element  206  may, in some embodiments, include two (2) flexible members connecting the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  at two locations. In such an embodiment, the opening  208  is formed in the space between the two (2) flexible hinge elements  206 . While described with reference to flexible hinge elements, the present disclosure contemplates that the hinge element(s)  206  may include any number of elements located at any location between the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  so long as the retention clip  200  may be moved about the hinge element(s)  206  between an unlocked position and a locked position. 
     With reference to  FIG. 3 , the retention clip  200  is illustrated in an unlocked position such that the opening  208  is clearly shown. In the unlocked position of  FIG. 3 , the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  are complimentary in shape (notwithstanding the snap tabs  210  and corresponding notch features  212  described hereafter). While the unlocked position is illustrated in  FIG. 3  as the full extension of the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  (e.g., where the top support member and the bottom support member are positioned in the same plane), the present disclosure contemplates that the unlocked position may refer to any position of the retention clip  200  in which the top support member  202  and/or bottom support member  204  are not engaged with one another, thereby allowing a cable connection  104  to be moved into or out of the opening  208 . 
     In order for the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  to engage with one another in the locked position, the bottom support member  204  may define one or more snap tabs  210  extending from a first surface  214  of the bottom support member  204 . In some embodiments, the one or more snap tabs  210  may be positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom support member  204  (e.g., they may extend in a direction of the top support member  202  in the locked position). Similarly, the top support member  202  may define one or more corresponding notch features  212  configured to, in the locked position, receive the one or more snap tabs  210  of the bottom support member  204 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the retention clip  200  is illustrated in the locked position in which the snap tabs  210  of the bottom support member  204  are engaged with the notch features  212  of the top support member  202 . As shown, the snap tabs  210  may define hook shaped ends that, in the locked position, extend beyond the top support member  202 . These hooked ends may extend at least partially over the notch features  210  of the top support member  202  so as to limit the rotation of the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  about the hinge element  206 . In order to engage the snap tabs  210  and prevent the retention clip  200  from returning to an unlocked position, the notch features  212  may define a ridged edge of the top support member  202  that engages (e.g., connects with, links to, or otherwise contacts) the snap tabs  210 . 
     Furthermore, to promote the engagement of the snap tabs  210  with the notch features  212 , in some embodiments, the hinge element  206  may be biased towards the unlocked position (e.g., shown in  FIGS. 2A-3 ). When the retention clip  200  is located in the locked position, the hinge element  206  may urge the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  away from one another (e.g., urging movement in opposite directions about the hinge element  206 ) so as to promote contact between the notch features  212  and the snap tabs  210 . This biasing feature may be provided via material selection (e.g., selection of an elastic or flexible material configured to return to a predefined unlocked position), via inclusion of separate spring-loaded features (not shown), or any other biasing mechanism. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 5-7 , stages of installing the retention clip  200  are illustrated with  FIGS. 5-6  showing the retention clip in unlocked positions and  FIG. 7  showing the retention clip in a locked position. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the retention clip  200  may be configured to receive one or more cable connections  104  via the opening  208 . These cable connections  104  extend through the opening  208  so as to engage corresponding connectors of the PCB as shown in  FIG. 6 . With reference to  FIG. 6 , the cable connections  104  are engaged with the connectors  102  of the PCB  100 . As described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1C , the first end  107  of the cable connection  104  may engage with the connector  102  so as to allow data to pass therebetween. Furthermore, in some embodiments in which the cable connection  104  includes a lever arm  108 , the lever arm may be folded in the direction of the PCB  100  and located adjacent the connector  102  and the PCB  100 , as shown in  FIG. 6 . The snap tabs  210  of the bottom support member  204  are inserted into the corresponding cut-outs  105  of the PCB  100 . These cut-outs  105  operate to allow the retention clip  200  to be secured (over the cable connections  104 ) to the PCB  100 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 7 , the top support member  202  is folded about the hinge element  206  such that the retention clip  200  is moved to the locked position. As shown, the snap tabs  210  of the bottom support member  204  engage the notch features  212  of the top support member  202 . In this way, a first surface of the top support member  202  (e.g., first surface  216  in  FIG. 2A ) is located proximate the top surface  101  of the PCB  100 . Similarly, a first surface of the bottom support member  204  (e.g., first surface  214  in  FIG. 2A ) is located proximate the bottom surface  103  of the PCB  100 . This engagement of the notch features  212  and the snap tabs  210  operates to secure the cable connection  104  with the connector  102  of the PCB, such as by sandwiching the cable connection  104  between the top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204 . As is evident by the two (2) cable connections in  FIG. 5 , in some embodiments, the opening  208  may be further configured to receive two cable connections  104  such that, in the locked position, a first cable connection is attached to a corresponding first connector  102  supported by a top surface  101  of the PCB  100  and a second cable connection is attached to a corresponding second connector (not shown) supported by a bottom surface  103  of the PCB  100 . Therefore, the retention clip  200  may operate to simultaneously secure two (2) cable connections  104  with the PCB  100 . 
     As would be evident to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present disclosure, the retention clip  200  may transition from the locked position to the unlocked position by disengaging the snap tabs  210  from the notch features  212 , such as by moving the snap tabs  210  outward with respect to the bottom support member  204 . The top support member  202  and the bottom support member  204  may then fold about the hinge element  206  to return to an unlocked position. Thereafter, the cable connection(s)  104  may be removed from the connector(s)  102  of the PCB  100  and withdrawn from the opening  208 . While the retention clip  200  is illustrated herein as a single, integral body, the present disclosure contemplates that embodiments of the retention clip  200  may also be formed as separate, distinct elements (e.g., modular components). Furthermore, the retention clip  200  may be formed by any process known in the art such as by additive manufacturing (e.g., 3D printing), injection molding, machining, or the like without limitation. 
     Example Method of Manufacture 
     With reference to  FIG. 8 , a method of manufacturing a retention clip configured to secure a cable connection to a printed circuit board (PCB) according to embodiments of the invention is illustrated. The method (e.g., method  800 ) may include the step of providing a bottom support member at Block  802  and providing a top support member at Block  804 . As described above, the top support member and the bottom support member may be complimentary in shape such that in an unlocked position the top support member and the bottom support member may be positioned in the same plane. In some embodiments, providing the bottom support member may further include providing one or more snap tabs extending from a first surface of the bottom support member. In some embodiments, the one or more snap tabs may be positioned substantially perpendicular with respect to the bottom support member. Similarly, in some embodiments, providing the top support member may further include providing one or more corresponding notch features configured to, in the locked position, receive the one or more snap tabs of the bottom support member. 
     The method  800  may also include providing a hinge element attached to the top support member and the bottom support member at Block  806 . As described above, the hinge element may be configured to allow movement of the retention clip between an unlocked position and a locked position. The hinge element may, in some embodiments, include two (2) flexible members connecting the top support member and the bottom support member at two locations. In such an embodiment, providing the hinge element(s) may form an opening in the space between the two (2) flexible hinge elements. While described with reference to flexible hinge elements, the present disclosure contemplates that providing the hinge element(s) may include providing any number of elements located at any location between the top support member and the bottom support member so long as the retention clip may be moved about the hinge element(s) between an unlocked position and a locked position. 
     Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.