Patent Description:
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 communicating or power transferring electronic devices. Prior art connectors according to the preamble of claim <NUM> are known from document <CIT>. Other prior art connector are known from documents <CIT> and <CIT>.

These connector receptacles can be located at a surface of device enclosure of an electronic device. The device enclosure can be conductive and grounded. The connector receptacles can include ground contacts and shielding that can also be grounded. But improper or insufficient grounding of the device enclosure or connector receptacle can generate signal noise. This noise can limit a data rate of signals conveyed by the connector receptacles. This signal noise can also cause electromagnetic interference and data transmission errors. For improved performance, it can be desirable that the device enclosure and connector receptacles be properly grounded.

These electronic devices can include circuits, such as central processing units, graphics processing circuits, and other circuits. These circuits can consume large amounts of power and dissipate a great deal of heat. This heat can compromise device performance. For example, this heat can shorten circuit lifetime and can slow the circuits of the electronic devices. It can therefore be desirable that the device enclosure allow this heat to escape. That is, it can be desirable to provide device enclosures having improved ventilation.

The appearance of these device enclosures and connector receptacles can be perceived to reflect upon the quality and value of the electronic devices. A poor appearance can give a user a poor impression. In contrast, an aesthetically pleasing appearance can provide a user with a sense of quality and value.

Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles and device enclosures that can provide proper grounding, improved ventilation, and have an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Accordingly, there is provided an apparatus as set out in appended claim <NUM> that provides a proper grounding, improved ventilation, and has an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

An illustrative embodiment of the present invention provides connector receptacles and device enclosures that are properly grounded. A device enclosure for an electronic device provides an enclosure wall having openings through which plugs or connector inserts can be inserted into corresponding connector receptacles. The enclosure wall includes a sleeve for some or all of the connector receptacles. These sleeves extend from the enclosure wall into the electronic device. The connector receptacles can have front ends that can each be inserted in a corresponding sleeve. The front ends of the connector receptacles can be at least partially shielded. Shielding is electrically connected to the sleeve by a conductive structure. The shielding can further be electrically connected to traces or pads of a board or other appropriate substrate on which the connector receptacles are mounted. This ground path from the enclosure wall, through the sleeve, conductive structure, connector receptacle shielding, and board ground plane provides a proper ground path for the connector receptacles and device enclosures.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the enclosure wall and sleeves are integrally formed. In unclaimed examples, the enclosure wall and sleeves can be formed separately. The sleeves can then be attached to the enclosure wall, for example by soldering, laser or spot welding, or other technique.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the conductive structure can be a compliant or pliable structure to provide a good contact force between the sleeve and the connector insert shielding. For example, the conductive structure can be a gasket, O-ring, or other structure. The conductive structure can encircle a front end of the connector receptacle. The conductive structure can instead be formed in sections around the front end of the connector receptacle. The conductive structure can have a sloped leading edge or otherwise be shaped to facilitate the insertion of the conductive structure and connector receptacle front end into a corresponding sleeve. A conductive adhesive can secure the conductive structure in place. The conductive adhesive can be a pressure-sensitive adhesive, heat-activated adhesive, temperature-sensitive adhesive, or other type of adhesive. The conductive structure can be formed of a conductive material or it can have a conductive layer over all or some of its surface.

These and other embodiments of the present invention provide device enclosures having improved ventilation. For example, an enclosure wall can be formed as a mesh or other non-solid surface. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the enclosure wall can be formed to have the appearance of being a mesh. The enclosure wall includes a pattern of perforations or holes to allow the passage of air to improve ventilation. For example, a pattern of holes can be formed in the enclosure wall to give the enclosure wall a mesh-like appearance.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the sleeves can be arranged to help to improve air flow though the mesh of the enclosure wall. The enclosure wall has an opening for a connector receptacle. A sleeve has a front opening or front aperture aligned with the enclosure wall opening. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the front aperture can have a minimum width to accept a corresponding connector insert. The sleeve can have a thickness that is limited to at least approximately the thickness of the mesh of the enclosure wall. This limited profile for a connector receptacle front end can improve ventilation through the enclosure wall.

The sleeve can act as a shield at the front of the connector receptacle. This can allow a shield around the connector receptacle to be pulled back away from the enclosure wall thereby allowing a narrower sleeve front aperture. This narrow front end to the sleeve can help to further improve ventilation and prevent air flow through the enclosure wall from being blocked by the sleeves and connector receptacles.

A sleeve can taper to a rear aperture away from the enclosure wall and inside the electronic device. The rear aperture can be wider or larger than the front aperture and it can be wide enough to accept a front end of a connector receptacle. The sleeve can widen in steps from the front aperture to the rear aperture. The sleeve can instead widen in a line or curve from the front aperture to the rear aperture. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the sleeve can have other widening contours. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the sleeves can maintain their width, they can have narrowing portions, or they can have other contours. The conductive structure can be located between the connector receptacle front end and the sleeve and away from the enclosure wall. This can allow additional narrowing of the sleeve near the enclosure wall for further improved ventilation.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and device enclosures having an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example, even though an enclosure wall can have a number of holes or perforations for a mesh appearance, the connector receptacles might only be visible to a limited extent. For example, tapered sleeves can provide a minimal front aperture for an improved appearance. The tapered sleeves can limit the visibility of the connector receptacles and their structures as viewed from outside the electronic device. The tapered sleeves can further effectively hide the conductive structures used to connect the sleeves and connector receptacles. Locating the conductive structures between the connector receptacle front ends and the sleeves and away from the enclosure wall can allow the conductive structures to be set further back into the electronic device, thereby making the connector receptacles less visible. Some or all of the enclosure walls, sleeves, and connector receptacle shields can be darkened to absorb light and reduce reflections. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, portions of connector receptacle tongues or other structures can similarly be darkened to absorb light, reduce reflections, and match an enclosure wall. Some of all of these structures can be darkened using a conductive black PVD (physical vapor deposition) process, cosmetic tape, paint, pad printing, plating, laser darkening, or other process or material. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a printed circuit board supporting the connector receptacles can be colored to match one or more of the enclosure wall, sleeves, and connector receptacle. For example, these structures can each be colored black, though they can have other colors as well. This can give the connector receptacles at openings in the enclosure wall the appearance that they are floating in the mesh of the enclosure wall.

These enclosure walls and sleeves can be formed in various ways in these and other embodiments of the present invention. For example, they can be formed by machining, such as by using computer numerical controlled machines, stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, micro-machining, <NUM>-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These enclosure walls and sleeves can be formed of various materials. For example, they can be formed of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, bronze, or other material. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a material having good electrical and thermal conductivity can be chosen.

In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground pads, enclosure walls, sleeves, shields, and other portions of connector receptacles and device enclosures can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, <NUM>-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. Other portions, such as connector receptacle housings and other structures can be formed using injection or other molding, <NUM>-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. These portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials.

Connector receptacles and device enclosures can be located in, or can connect to, various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, smart 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 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, 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.

<FIG> illustrates 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.

In this example, an electronic system can include desktop computer <NUM> that is in communication with monitor <NUM>. Desktop computer <NUM> can include a Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCIe) card or computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) having enclosure wall <NUM>. Desktop computer <NUM> can be housed in a device enclosure including case <NUM> and enclosure wall <NUM>. Desktop computer <NUM> can use computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> to provide graphics information over cable <NUM> to monitor <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, computer expansion cards such as computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> can provide graphics, sound, networking, and other functions for desktop computer <NUM>.

Cable <NUM> can be one of a number of various types of cables. For example, it can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable such as a USB Type-A cable, USB Type-C cable, HDMI, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, Lightning, or other type of cable. Cable <NUM> can include compatible connector inserts <NUM> that plug into connector receptacle <NUM> on desktop computer <NUM> and a connector receptacle (not shown) on monitor <NUM>. Computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> can include additional connector receptacles, audio jacks, or other connectors along with connector receptacle <NUM>.

In other embodiments of the present invention, either or both desktop computer <NUM> and monitor <NUM> can instead be portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, smart phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, or other devices.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, enclosure wall <NUM> of computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) can be located in case <NUM>. Additional enclosure walls <NUM> and <NUM> can also be located in case <NUM>. Additional enclosure walls <NUM> and <NUM> can be standalone covers or they can be enclosure walls for other computer expansion cards or electronic devices. Enclosure walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can be held in place by horizontal frame portions <NUM>. Tabs <NUM> on enclosure walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can pass through openings <NUM> in case <NUM>.

These and other embodiments of the present invention provide device enclosures, such as enclosure wall <NUM>, having improved ventilation. For example, enclosure wall <NUM> can be formed as a mesh or other non-solid surface. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, enclosure wall <NUM> can be formed to have the appearance of being a mesh. Enclosure wall <NUM> includes a pattern of holes or perforations <NUM> to allow the passage of air to improve ventilation. For example, a pattern of holes or perforations <NUM> can be formed in enclosure wall <NUM> to give enclosure wall <NUM> a mesh-like appearance.

Accordingly, enclosure walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> have a mesh-like appearance. That is, holes or perforations <NUM> are be formed in enclosure walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, enclosure walls <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> can instead be formed already having holes or perforations <NUM>. These holes or perforations <NUM> allow improved ventilation for computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> inside case <NUM>. In this example, enclosure wall <NUM> further includes openings <NUM> for one or more connector receptacles <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Openings <NUM> can have a minimal size or front aperture <NUM> while still being able to accept a corresponding connector insert (not shown. ) Openings <NUM> can be surrounded by an enclosure opening ring <NUM> having a thickness that is limited to at least approximately the thickness of the mesh, where the thickness of the mesh is the lateral thickness of the mesh of enclosure wall <NUM> between adjacent holes or perforations <NUM>. The reduced size of enclosure opening ring <NUM> can help to preserve the mesh appearance at the surface of enclosure wall <NUM>. This reduced size can also help to improve ventilation for computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> by reducing the size of structures that can otherwise block holes or perforations <NUM> in enclosure wall <NUM>. Further details of enclosure walls <NUM>, including their structure, methods of manufacturing, and the materials that can be used, can be found in document <CIT>.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, ventilation is further improved by employing sleeves <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) as front openings for connector receptacles <NUM>. These sleeves <NUM> are integrally formed with enclosure wall <NUM>. In unclaimed examples, these sleeves <NUM> can be formed separately from enclosure wall <NUM> and then attached to enclosure wall <NUM> by soldering, spot or laser welding, or other method. Sleeves <NUM> can further help to reduce the size of structures that can otherwise block holes or perforations <NUM> in enclosure wall <NUM>. Sleeves <NUM> can also allow structures to be positioned away from enclosure wall <NUM> further into the electronic device such that ventilation is further improved. Examples of these sleeves <NUM> are shown in the following figures.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a computer expansion card or other electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle <NUM> in <FIG> can correspond to a combination of sleeve <NUM> and connector receptacle <NUM>. Sleeves <NUM> extend from enclosure wall <NUM>. Sleeves <NUM> can progressively widen away from enclosure wall <NUM>. Sleeves <NUM> can have a front aperture <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) that can align with opening <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Sleeves <NUM> can have a wider, rear aperture <NUM> away from enclosure wall <NUM>. In this example, sleeves <NUM> can progressively widen in steps <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, sleeves <NUM> can be tapered following a straight line, curve, or other contour. An example of this is shown in <FIG>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, sleeves <NUM> can have other widening contours. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, sleeves <NUM> can maintain their width, they can have narrowing portions, or they can have other contours.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, sleeves <NUM> can be arranged to help to improve air flow though the mesh of enclosure wall <NUM>. For example, enclosure wall <NUM> has an opening <NUM> for connector receptacle <NUM>. Sleeve <NUM> has a front opening or front aperture <NUM> aligned with enclosure wall opening <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, front aperture <NUM> can have a minimum width to accept a corresponding connector insert (not shown. ) Sleeve <NUM> can have a thickness that is limited to at least approximately the thickness of the mesh of enclosure wall <NUM>. This limited profile for a connector receptacle front end can improve ventilation through the enclosure wall.

Sleeve <NUM> can also act as a shield at the front of connector receptacle <NUM>. This can allow shielding for connector receptacle <NUM>, such as front portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of front shield <NUM> (shown in <FIG>), to be pulled back away from enclosure wall <NUM>, thereby allowing a narrower front aperture <NUM> of sleeve <NUM>. This further narrowing can help to further improve ventilation and can prevent air flow through enclosure wall <NUM> from being blocked by sleeves <NUM> and connector receptacles <NUM>.

Again, these sleeves <NUM> can taper to a rear aperture <NUM> away from enclosure wall <NUM>. Rear aperture <NUM> can be wider or larger than front aperture <NUM> and it can be wide enough to accept front end <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM>. Conductive structures <NUM> are located between a portion of connector receptacle front end <NUM> and sleeve <NUM> and away from enclosure wall <NUM>. This can allow further narrowing of sleeve <NUM> near enclosure wall <NUM> for still further improved ventilation.

Connector receptacles <NUM> are attached to board <NUM>. Front ends <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM> can be inserted into sleeves <NUM>. Connector receptacles <NUM> can include ground contacts <NUM>, ground springs, <NUM>, or other grounding features. The widening configuration of sleeves <NUM> can provide room for these ground contacts <NUM>, side ground contacts <NUM>, and other grounding features.

Connector receptacles <NUM> include shields <NUM>. Shields <NUM> are electrically connected to sleeves <NUM> via conductive structures <NUM> and front shield <NUM>. Conductive structures <NUM> can be compliant or pliable structures such that they provide adequate contacting force between sleeves <NUM> and front shield <NUM>. Conductive structures <NUM> can be conductive gaskets, O-rings, or other structures. Conductive structures <NUM> can encircle portions of front ends <NUM> of connector receptacle <NUM>. Conductive structures <NUM> can instead be placed in sections around front ends <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM>. Conductive structures <NUM> can have sloped leading edges or otherwise be shaped to facilitate the insertion of conductive structures <NUM> and connector receptacle front ends <NUM> into a corresponding sleeves <NUM>. A conductive adhesive (not shown) can secure each conductive structure <NUM> in place. The conductive adhesive can be a pressure sensitive adhesive, heat-activated adhesive, temperature-sensitive adhesive, or other type of adhesive. Conductive structures <NUM> can be formed of a conductive material or they can have a conductive layer over all or some of their surfaces. Further details of these conductive structures, such as conductive structures <NUM>, can be found in document <CIT>.

Shields <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM> can include tabs <NUM>. Tabs <NUM> can be soldered, for example using wave, reflow, or other solder techniques, in through holes in board <NUM> to form electrical connections with one or more ground planes (not shown) in board <NUM>. In this way, a ground path from enclosure wall <NUM> and sleeve <NUM>, through conductive structure <NUM>, front shield <NUM>, shield <NUM>, tabs <NUM>, and a ground plane (not shown) in board <NUM> is formed.

Specifically, these and other embodiments of the present invention provide connector receptacles <NUM> and enclosure walls <NUM> that are properly grounded. A device enclosure for an electronic device can provide enclosure wall <NUM> having openings <NUM> through which connector inserts (not shown) can be inserted into corresponding connector receptacles <NUM>. Enclosure wall <NUM> includes a sleeve <NUM> for some or all of connector receptacles <NUM>. These sleeves <NUM> extend from the enclosure wall <NUM> into the electronic device. Connector receptacles <NUM> can have front ends <NUM> that can be inserted in the sleeve <NUM>. Front ends <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM> can be partially shielded by front shields <NUM>. Shields <NUM> are electrically connected to sleeves <NUM> by conductive structures <NUM> and front shields <NUM>. Shields <NUM> are further electrically connected to traces or ground planes (not shown) of board <NUM> or other appropriate substrate on which connector receptacles <NUM> are mounted. This ground path from the enclosure wall <NUM>, through the sleeve <NUM>, conductive structure <NUM>, front shield <NUM>, connector receptacle shield <NUM>, tabs <NUM>, and board ground planes in board <NUM> provides a proper ground path for computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM>.

In this example, enclosure wall <NUM> is shown as being solid, that is, without holes or perforations <NUM> of the present invention (shown in <FIG>. ) In these and other examples, enclosure wall <NUM> can be solid, it can have a mesh like appearance, or it can have other forms.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> can be a computer expansion card or a portion of an electronic device. Enclosure wall <NUM> can be a portion of an enclosure for a computer expansion card, or it can be a portion of a device enclosure housing an electronic device. Board <NUM> can be a board for a computer expansion card, a main logic board, or other type of board. It can be a printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate. Board <NUM> can be formed of FR4 or other material.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a computer expansion card or other electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, sleeves <NUM> extend from enclosure wall <NUM> in computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM>. Front ends <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM> can be inserted into sleeves <NUM>. Conductive structures <NUM> electrically connect sleeves <NUM> to shields <NUM> of connector receptacles <NUM> via front shields <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Tabs <NUM> can extend from shields <NUM> and can be inserted into through holes in board <NUM> to form electrical connections with one or more ground planes (not shown) in board <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates a portion of a computer expansion card or other electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacles <NUM> have been mated with sleeves <NUM>, which can extend from enclosure wall <NUM>. Connector receptacles <NUM> are mounted on board <NUM> in computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a cutaway side view of a portion of a computer expansion card or other electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle <NUM> can include tongue <NUM>. Tongue <NUM> can include contacting portions <NUM> of a number of contacts (not shown) on its top and bottom sides. These contacts can terminate in through-hole tails <NUM>, which can be through-hole contacting portions that can be inserted into through holes (not shown) in board <NUM>. Through-hole tails <NUM> can be soldered in the through holes in board <NUM>, for example using wave, reflow, or other solder techniques. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, through-hole tails <NUM> can be replaced by surface-mount contacting portions.

Tongue <NUM> can be located in opening <NUM> in enclosure wall <NUM>. Sleeve <NUM> is integrally formed with, and extends from, enclosure wall <NUM>. In unclaimed examples, sleeve <NUM> can be formed separately from enclosure wall <NUM> and then attached to enclosure wall <NUM>, for example by soldering or spot or laser welding. Sleeve <NUM> can be contoured such that it is wider away from enclosure wall <NUM>. Enclosure wall <NUM> further includes holes or perforations <NUM> to give enclosure wall <NUM> a mesh-like appearance. Front end <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of connector receptacle <NUM> can be inserted into sleeve <NUM>. Front end <NUM> of connector receptacle <NUM> can include nonconductive housing <NUM> and front portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of front shield <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Shield <NUM> is electrically connected to sleeve <NUM> via conductive structure <NUM> and front shield <NUM>. Front shield <NUM> can be pulled back from enclosure wall <NUM>. This can allow sleeve <NUM> to be narrower, thereby improving ventilation as well as device appearance. Shield <NUM> can further connect to center ground plane <NUM> in connector receptacle <NUM>. Tabs <NUM> can extend from shield <NUM> and can be soldered in a through hole in board <NUM>.

In this example, a connector receptacle having a tongue, such as a USB Type-C connector receptacle, is shown. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other types of connector receptacles, such as USB Type-A, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Digital Visual Interface, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning, and other connector receptacles, can be included on computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM>.

<FIG> is a more detailed view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle <NUM> can include front end <NUM>, which can further include housing <NUM> and front portion <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) of front shield <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Housing <NUM> can include front opening <NUM> for tongue <NUM>. Tongue <NUM> can support contacting portions <NUM> of contacts (not shown) on a top and bottom side. These contacts can terminate in through-hole tails <NUM>. Through-hole tails <NUM> can be inserted into through holes (not shown) in printed circuit board <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Housing <NUM> can include slot <NUM> that supports side ground contacts <NUM>. Side ground contacts <NUM> can include center tab <NUM>, which can electrically connect to front shield <NUM>. Conductive structure <NUM> can encircle front portion <NUM> of front shield <NUM>. Connector receptacle <NUM> can be shielded by shield <NUM>, which may be spot or laser-welded to front shield <NUM>, though shield <NUM> and front shield <NUM> may be formed as a single piece in these and other embodiments of the present invention. Shield <NUM> can include tabs <NUM>. Tabs <NUM> can be inserted into openings in board <NUM>. Tabs <NUM> and through-hole tails <NUM> can be soldered, for example using wave, reflow, or other solder techniques, in corresponding through holes (not shown) in board <NUM> to form electrical connections with one or more ground or power planes, signal traces, or other conductive paths (not shown) in board <NUM>. Posts <NUM> can provide alignment to board <NUM> for connector receptacle <NUM>. Posts <NUM> can be inserted into openings (not shown) in board <NUM>.

<FIG> is an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Nonconductive housing <NUM> can include slot <NUM> for supporting side ground contacts <NUM>. Side ground contacts <NUM> can include center tab <NUM>. Center tab can be joined to contacting portions <NUM> by arms that can include looped portions <NUM>. Contacting portions <NUM> can physically and electrically connect to a shield of a corresponding connector insert (not shown) when the connector insert is mated with connector receptacle <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) Conductive structure <NUM> can wrap around or encircle front portion <NUM> of front shield <NUM>. Front shield <NUM> can shield at least a portion of front end <NUM>. Front shield <NUM> can include tabs <NUM>, which can be inserted and soldered into openings in board <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) using wave, reflow, or other solder techniques. Tongue <NUM> can be supported by tongue attachment portion <NUM>. Central ground plane <NUM> can be located between top housing portion <NUM> and bottom housing portion <NUM>. Central ground plane <NUM> can include tabs <NUM>, which can be inserted and soldered into openings in board <NUM>, using wave, reflow, or other solder techniques. Top housing portion <NUM> can support contacts (not shown) that can include contacting portions <NUM> and through-hole tails <NUM>. Bottom housing portion <NUM> can support contacts having contacting portions <NUM> and through-hole tails <NUM>. Posts <NUM> can extend from a bottom housing portion <NUM>. Shield <NUM> can be spot or laser welded to front shield <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, shield <NUM> and front shield <NUM> can be formed as a single piece. Shield <NUM> can include tabs <NUM>. Tongue attachment portion <NUM> can include tabs (not shown) that can fit into notch <NUM> on top housing portion <NUM> and a corresponding notch (not shown) on bottom housing portion <NUM>.

In these and other embodiments of the present invention, portions of connector receptacle <NUM> can be visible through holes or perforations <NUM> in enclosure wall <NUM> (shown in <FIG>. ) For example, portions of front shield <NUM> and tongue attachment portion <NUM> can be metallic and as a result, can be noticeable. To further the appearance that connector receptacles <NUM> are floating in the mesh formed by holes or perforations <NUM>, these surfaces can be covered or colored to have a reduced visibility. In this example, cosmetic tape <NUM> can be attached to front shield <NUM> and cosmetic tape <NUM> can be attached around tongue <NUM> and front of tongue attachment portion <NUM>. Cosmetic tape <NUM> and <NUM> can have a color that is similar to a color of enclosure wall <NUM>. Cosmetic tape <NUM> and <NUM> can have a dark color, such as black, to provide a less noticeable appearance. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a conductive black PVD process can be used to give these and other surfaces a less noticeable appearance. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, these and other surfaces can be painted, pad printed, plated, laser darkened, or other colored in other ways to be less noticeable.

<FIG> illustrates a front view of a portion of a computer expansion card or other electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Enclosure wall <NUM> can include a number of holes or perforations <NUM>. Enclosure wall <NUM> can further include a number of openings <NUM> for connector receptacles <NUM>. In this example, each connector receptacle <NUM> can include tongue <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, one or more connector receptacle <NUM> might not have a tongue <NUM>. For example, one or more connector receptacle <NUM> can be Lightning connector. Connector receptacles <NUM> can be mounted on board <NUM>.

These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles <NUM> and enclosure walls <NUM> having an aesthetically pleasing appearance. For example, even though enclosure wall <NUM> can have a number of holes or perforations <NUM> for a mesh appearance, connector receptacles <NUM> might only be visible to a limited extent. For example, tapered sleeves <NUM> can provide a minimal front aperture <NUM> for an improved appearance. Tapered sleeves <NUM> can limit the visibility of connector receptacles <NUM> and their structures as viewed from outside the electronic device. Tapered sleeves <NUM> can further effectively hide conductive structures <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) used to connect sleeves <NUM> and connector receptacles <NUM>. Locating conductive structures <NUM> between connector receptacle front ends <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) and sleeves <NUM> and away from the enclosure wall <NUM> can allow conductive structures <NUM> to be set further back into the electronic device, thereby making the connector receptacles <NUM> less visible. Some or all of enclosure walls <NUM>, sleeves <NUM>, connector receptacle shields <NUM>, front shields <NUM>, and tongue attachment portion <NUM> can be darkened to absorb light and reduce reflections. For example, cosmetic tape <NUM> can be used to darken or change the appearance of front shield <NUM> while cosmetic tape <NUM> can be used to darken or change the appearance of tongue attachment portion <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, portions of connector receptacle tongues <NUM> or other structures can similarly be darkened to absorb light, reduce reflections, and match an enclosure wall. Some of all of these structures can be darkened using a conductive black PVD process, cosmetic tape, paint, pad printing, plating, laser darkening, or other process or material. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, printed circuit board <NUM> can be colored to match one or more of enclosure wall <NUM>, sleeves <NUM>, and connector receptacle <NUM>. For example, these structures can each be colored black, though they can have other colors as well. This can give connector receptacle openings <NUM> in enclosure wall <NUM> the appearance that they are floating in the mesh.

These enclosure walls <NUM> and sleeves <NUM> can be formed in various ways in these and other embodiments of the present invention. For example, they can be formed by machining, such as by using computer numerical controlled machines, stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, micro-machining, <NUM>-D printing, or other manufacturing process. Enclosure wall <NUM> and sleeves <NUM> can be integrally formed, or they can be formed separately and then attached. Enclosure walls <NUM> can be formed of plastic, for example by injection molding, while sleeves <NUM> can be formed of metal, for example using a deep-drawn process. These enclosure walls <NUM> and sleeves <NUM> can be formed of various materials. For example, they can be formed of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, bronze, or other material. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a material having good electrical and thermal conductivity can be chosen.

Boards <NUM> in computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> can be a printed circuit board, which can be made of FR4, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate.

<FIG> illustrates a computer expansion card or other electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> can be a PCIe card. Connector receptacles <NUM> can have front ends <NUM> (shown in <FIG>) inserted into sleeves <NUM>. Sleeves <NUM> extend from enclosure wall <NUM>. Board <NUM> can include one, two, three, or more tabs <NUM> to fit in a socket on a second board (not shown), such as a main logic board for a computer system. A number of contacts <NUM> can be electrically connected to electronic circuits <NUM> and connector receptacles <NUM>. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, tabs <NUM> and contacts <NUM> can be omitted, for example where computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> is not a computer expansion card but is instead another type of electronic device.

Embodiments of the present invention can be employed in computer expansion cards, such as computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM>. These can be employed in other electronic devices or as other parts of electronic devices. For example, enclosure wall <NUM> can be a cover for computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM> while board <NUM> can be a board for computer expansion card or other electronic device <NUM>. In other embodiments of the present invention, enclosure wall <NUM> can be a different portion of a device enclosure for an electronic device. For example, enclosure wall <NUM> can be a device enclosure that substantially houses an electronic device. Board <NUM> can be a main logic board or other board in the electronic device.

In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground pads, enclosure walls, sleeves, shields, and other portions of connector receptacle and device enclosures can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, <NUM>-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. Other portions, such as connector receptacle housings, and other structures can be formed using injection or other molding, <NUM>-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. These portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers, ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials.

Claim 1:
A computer expansion card for an electronic device, the computer expansion card comprising:
an enclosure wall (<NUM>) having an opening (<NUM>),
a sleeve (<NUM>) integrally formed with the enclosure wall (<NUM>), the sleeve (<NUM>) having a front aperture (<NUM>) aligned with the opening in the enclosure wall (<NUM>), the sleeve (<NUM>) extending into the electronic device from the enclosure wall (<NUM>), wherein the sleeve (<NUM>) and the enclosure wall (<NUM>) are conductive;
a board (<NUM>) comprising a plurality of pads along a first edge, the board further comprising a ground plane;
a connector receptacle (<NUM>) mounted on the board (<NUM>) and comprising:
a tongue (<NUM>) located in the sleeve (<NUM>);
a plurality of contacts having contacting portions on the tongue (<NUM>) and contact tails attached to the board (<NUM>); and
a shield (<NUM>) around a portion of the connector receptacle (<NUM>) and electrically connected to the ground plane;
an electronic
circuitry located on the board and electrically connected to a pad on the board (<NUM>) and a contact in the connector receptacle (<NUM>), characterized in that the enclosure wall (<NUM>) comprises a plurality of perforations to allow improved ventilation for the computer expansion card and in that the computer expansion card further comprises a conductive structure (<NUM>) between the shield (<NUM>) and the sleeve (<NUM>) forming an electrical connection between the shield (<NUM>) and the sleeve (<NUM>).