PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11283219-B2
Application Number: US-201916537975-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Connectors with high retention force

Abstract:
Mechanisms that may help to secure connector inserts in place when they are plugged into a connector receptacle on an electronic device. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a friction mechanism to provide friction between a connector insert and a connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle. Other examples may provide a connector receptacle having a locking mechanism to hinder or prevent extraction of a connector insert.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a passage, the passage defining a front opening in the connector receptacle; 
 a tongue in the passage of the housing; 
 a plurality of contacts having contacting portions located on the tongue; and 
 a locking mechanism comprising: 
 a switch having a locked position and an unlocked position; 
 a cam supporting a friction wheel, the friction wheel to engage a connector insert; and 
 a cam lock wherein, when the switch is in the locked position, the switch engages the cam lock with the friction wheel, and the cam and the friction wheel rotate in a first direction when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, and the cam lock hinders the cam and the friction wheel from rotating in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, and when the switch is in the unlocked position, the switch disengages the cam lock from the friction wheel, and the cam and friction wheel rotate in the first direction when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle and the cam and the friction wheel rotate in the second direction when the connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the cam lock is lifted away from the cam when the switch is in the unlocked position. 
     
     
       3. The connector receptacle of  claim 2  further comprising a spring to apply a force by the cam lock against the cam when the switch is in the locked position. 
     
     
       4. The connector receptacle of  claim 3  further comprising a second friction wheel concentrically located around the cam. 
     
     
       5. The connector receptacle of  claim 4  wherein the friction wheel is formed of silicone rubber and the cam is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       6. The connector receptacle of  claim 4  wherein the switch is a sliding switch that is user actuated. 
     
     
       7. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle. 
     
     
       8. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a passage, the passage defining a front opening in the connector receptacle; 
 a tongue in the passage of the housing; 
 a plurality of contacts having contacting portions located on the tongue; and 
 a locking mechanism comprising: 
 a switch having a locked position and an unlocked position; 
 a gear supporting a first friction wheel, the first friction wheel to engage a connector insert, the gear having a plurality of ratchet teeth; and 
 a gear lock having a tooth to engage the ratchet teeth on the gear such that, when the switch is in the locked position, the gear lock allows the gear to rotate in a first direction when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, and the gear lock hinders the gear from rotating in a second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, and when the switch is in the unlocked position, the gear lock is disengaged from the gear and the gear rotates in the first direction when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle and in the second direction when the connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle. 
 
     
     
       9. The connector receptacle of  claim 8  wherein the gear lock is lifted away from the gear when the switch is in the unlocked position. 
     
     
       10. The connector receptacle of  claim 9  further comprising a spring to apply a force by the gear lock against the gear when the switch is in the locked position. 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  further comprising a second friction wheel concentrically located around the gear. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle of  claim 11  wherein the switch is a sliding switch that is user actuated. 
     
     
       13. The connector receptacle of  claim 8  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle. 
     
     
       14. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a passage, the passage defining a front opening in the connector receptacle; 
 a tongue in the passage of the housing; 
 a plurality of contacts having contacting portions located on the tongue; 
 a first friction mechanism; and 
 a second friction mechanism separate from the first friction mechanism, 
 wherein each of the first friction mechanism and second friction mechanism comprises a high-friction surface at least partially around an axle, the axle having a central axis, the high-friction surface to provide a friction force against an outside surface of a connector insert, wherein when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, the connector insert applies a rotational force in a direction to the friction mechanism such that the friction mechanism rotates in the direction about the central axis, and when the connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle, the connector insert applies a rotational force in an opposite direction to the friction mechanism such that the friction mechanism rotates in the opposite direction about the central axis, 
 wherein when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, the first friction mechanism and the second friction mechanism provide a first resistance to the insertion of the connector insert, and 
 wherein when the connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle, a binding force is generated that provides a second resistance to the extraction of the connector insert from the connector receptacle, the second resistance higher than the first resistance. 
 
     
     
       15. The connector receptacle of  claim 14  wherein each of the first friction mechanism and the second friction mechanism comprises a friction wheel. 
     
     
       16. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a passage, the passage defining a front opening in the connector receptacle; 
 a tongue in the passage of the housing; 
 a plurality of contacts having contacting portions located on the tongue; 
 a friction mechanism comprising a high-friction surface at least partially around an axle, the axle having a central axis, the high-friction surface to provide a friction force against an outside surface of a connector insert, wherein when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, the connector insert applies a rotational force in a first direction to the friction mechanism such that the friction mechanism rotates in the first direction about the central axis and the friction mechanism provides a first resistance to the insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle, and when the connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle, the connector insert applies a rotational force in a second direction to the friction mechanism such that the friction mechanism rotates in the second direction about the central axis, thereby generating a binding force that provides a second resistance to the extraction of the connector insert from the connector receptacle, the second resistance higher than the first resistance; and 
 a locking mechanism comprising: 
 a switch having a locked position and an unlocked position; and 
 a lock to engage the axle such that, when the switch is in the locked position, the lock allows the friction mechanism to rotate in the first direction when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, and the lock generates the binding force and hinders the friction mechanism from rotating in the second direction, the second direction opposite the first direction, and when the switch is in the unlocked position, the lock is disengaged from the axle and the friction mechanism rotates in the first direction when the connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle and in the second direction when the connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle. 
 
     
     
       17. The connector receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the axle further comprises a gear having a plurality of ratchet teeth and the lock comprises a tooth to engage the ratchet teeth on the gear. 
     
     
       18. The connector receptacle of  claim 17  wherein the lock is lifted away from the axle when the switch is in the unlocked position. 
     
     
       19. The connector receptacle of  claim 18  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/735,162, filed on Sep. 23, 2018, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Power and data may be provided from one electronic device to another over cables that may include one or more wires, fiber optic cables, or other conductors. Connector inserts may be located at each end of these cables and may be inserted into connector receptacles in communicating or power transferring electronic devices. 
     Unfortunately, these connector inserts may inadvertently become detached or extracted from the connector receptacles. For example, a device in an electronic system may be moved, and a cable plugged into the device may become disconnected. In other situations, a cable plugged into the moved device may pull on a second cable connected to a second device. This may cause the second cable to become disconnected from the second device. Vibrations and other forces may also cause a disconnection over time. 
     Such inadvertent disconnections may not be immediately noticed. This may cause confusion on the part of a user who is using the electronic system. It may interrupt the charging of a device, leaving the disconnected electronic device with a discharged battery after a period of time. These disconnections may also interrupt ongoing processes, such as a data backup or complicated graphics rendering process, that are being performed by the electronic system. This may have unfortunate consequences, such as when a user may not notice that the processing has stopped or where such processing can&#39;t be easily restarted. 
     The connector receptacles may also be in an out-of-the way or difficult place to reach. An undesired connector insert extraction may be difficult to correct in such a situation. A user may have to crawl under a desk or move heavy furniture or equipment to plug the connector insert back into the connector receptacle. 
     Further, even when a connector insert is not extracted enough to be disconnected, it may move relative to the connector receptacle. That is, it may wiggle. Once this occurs, connections between individual contacts in the connectors may become intermittent or unreliable. 
     Thus, what is needed are mechanisms that may help to secure connector inserts in place when they are plugged into a connector receptacle on an electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide mechanisms that may help to secure connector inserts in place when they are plugged into a connector receptacle on an electronic device. 
     An illustrated embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having a friction mechanism to provide friction between a connector insert and a connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle. The friction mechanism may be located in the connector receptacle and may include a friction pad that physically contacts a shield or other portion of a connector insert when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated. The friction mechanism may further include an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism may increase a force applied by the friction pad against the connector insert shield when the engagement mechanism comes into contact with the connector insert shield. These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide one or more friction mechanisms in a connector receptacle. For example, a connector receptacle may include two friction mechanisms, one on each lateral side of a connector receptacle opening. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having two friction mechanisms, one on each side of a connector receptacle opening near lateral sides of a connector receptacle tongue. The friction mechanisms may include a friction pad. As a connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, a shield or other portion of the connector insert may come into contact with friction pads on the friction mechanisms on each lateral side of the connector receptacle. As the connector insert continues to be inserted, the connector insert shield may encounter engagement mechanism front sides on each of the friction mechanisms. This may cause the friction mechanism to rotate, slide, or otherwise move, thereby bringing the friction pads into more forceful contact with the connector insert shield. For example, the friction mechanism may rotate thereby pushing an engagement mechanism backside against a spring associated with the friction mechanism. The resulting increase in force by the friction pad against the connector insert shield may increase an insertion force needed by the user for the remainder of the connector insert insertion. However, as the connector insert is inserted, the shield pushes against the engagement mechanism front sides such that the engagement mechanism front sides rotate away from the connector insert shield. This prevents the increase in insertion force from being excessively large and thereby improves the user experience. As the connector insert is extracted, the connector insert shield pulls on the engagement mechanism front sides such that they rotate into the connector insert shield. This greatly increases the required extraction force needed to extract the connector insert from the connector insert. This may help to prevent side-to-side movement and accidental extraction of the connector insert while it is inserted in the connector receptacle. As the connector insert continues to be extracted, it may disengage from the engagement mechanisms on the friction mechanisms. The friction pads may continue to provide a reduced force preventing extraction as the connector insert is withdrawn from the connector receptacle. The spring associated with the friction mechanism may rotate the friction mechanism back in place. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having a locking mechanism to hinder or prevent extraction of a connector insert. These locking mechanisms may have a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking mechanisms may be manually toggled between locked and unlocked states using a switch, a slider, a touch switch, or other structure. The locking mechanisms may be electronically toggled between locked and unlocked states using electronic signals driving switches, relays, or other electronic, mechanical, or electro-mechanical components. 
     When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state, a connector insert may be inserted into and extracted from the connector receptacle with a conventional or near convention force. When the locking mechanism is in the locked state, a connector insert may be inserted into the connector receptacle with a somewhat higher amount of force, though the increase in necessary force may not be noticeable. When the locking mechanism is in the locked state, a high amount of force may be necessary to extract the connector insert. The amount of force may be sufficiently high that the connector insert may appear to be locked in the connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a connector receptacle may include a locking mechanism may include a cam that may be in contact with a portion of a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted and extracted from the connector receptacle. A cam lock may be engaged with the cam when a switch is in a locked position and the cam lock may be disengaged from the cam when the switch is in an unlocked position. When the switch is in the unlocked state, the switch may push the cam lock away from the cam. The cam may then rotate freely when a connector insert is inserted into and extracted from the connector receptacle. When the switch is in the locked position, the cam lock may be in contact with the cam. The cam may rotate in a first direction when a connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle. In this direction, the cam lock may provide a limited amount of force thereby allowing a user to insert a connector insert even while the connector receptacle is locked. When the switch is in the locked position, the cam may try to rotate in a second direction when a connector insert is extracted from the connector receptacle. This may cause the cam to bind with the cam lock, thereby preventing rotation of the cam in the second direction. The connector insert may thus appear to be locked in place in the connector receptacle. 
     These and other embodiments may provide a locking mechanism having a gear that includes a number teeth to engage a tooth on a gear lock when a switch or other mechanism is in the locked state. The gear teeth may be angled to allow the gear to rotate in a first direction when a connector insert is inserted and to lock in place against the gear lock tooth when a connector insert is extracted. This ratcheting may allow insertion of a connector insert while hindering or preventing its extraction. 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful as USB Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used as connector receptacles in other types of connector systems. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground pads, springs, shields, cams, cam locks, gear, gear locks, and other portions of a connector receptacle may be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These portions may be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. Other portions, such as housings, friction wheels, and other structures may be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions may be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that may be located in, and may 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 may 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 may provide connector receptacles that may be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a transparent side view of a friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates another friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a simplified connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a graph illustrating forces required for an insertion and extraction of a connector insert into and out of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates another friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a locking connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is another side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded diagram of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a locking connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 20  is a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 21  is an exploded diagram of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of 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 example illustrates monitor  131  that may be in communication with computer  100 . Computer  100  may be substantially housed in device enclosure  102 . Computer  100  may provide video or other data over cable  123  to monitor  131 . Video data may be displayed on the video screen  133  of monitor  131 . Computer  100  may similarly include a screen  104 . In other embodiments the present invention, other types of devices may be included, and other types of data and power may be shared or transferred among the devices. For example, computer  100  and monitor  131  may 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, and other devices. 
     Cable  123  may be one or a number of various types of cables. For example, it may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable such as a USB Type-C cable, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, Lightning, or other type of cable. Cable  123  may include compatible connector inserts  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) that plug into connector receptacle  110  on the computer  100  and connector receptacle  135  on monitor  131 . 
     It may be desirable that connector inserts  210  on cable  123  are not inadvertently disconnected or extracted from connector receptacles  110  and  135 . It may also be undesirable that these connector inserts  210  be able to move relative to the connector receptacles  110  and  135 . That is, it may desirable if they are not able to wiggle. When connector inserts  210  are able to move relative to connector receptacles  110  and  135 , connections between individual contacts in the connectors may become intermittent or unreliable. 
     An illustrated embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having one or more friction mechanisms to provide friction between a connector insert and a connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle. Two friction mechanisms may be located in opposite sides of the connector receptacle. They may each include a friction pad that physically contacts a shield on a connector insert when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated. The friction mechanisms may further include an engagement mechanism. The engagement mechanism may increase a force applied by the friction pad against the connector insert shield when the engagement mechanism comes into contact with the connector insert shield. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of a portion of a connector receptacle 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 other the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     In this figure, connector insert  210  is partially inserted into connector receptacle  110 . Connector insert  210  may be inserted into housing  150  of connector receptacle  110  through a front opening formed by passage  154 . Connector receptacle  110  may include tongue  120  supporting a number of contacts  122  and ground pads  124  on a top and bottom side. Connector receptacle  110  may further include shield  130  having side ground spring  132 . Side ground spring  132  may include contacting portion  134  to electrically connect to shield  220  on connector insert  210 . Connector insert  210  may further include contacts (not shown) to mate with contacts  122  and ground pads  124  on tongue  120  in connector receptacle  110 . 
     Connector receptacle  110  may further include one or more friction mechanisms  140 . Friction mechanisms  140  may be located on each side of passage  154  in housing  150 . Friction mechanisms  140  may include a high friction surface or friction pad  144 . As connector insert  210  is inserted into connector receptacle  110 , shield  220  may encounter friction pad  144 . Friction pad  144  may increase a resistance that the user needs to overcome to insert connector insert  210  into connector receptacle  110 . Friction mechanism  140  may be free to at least partially rotate about an axis defined by cam  142 . Friction mechanism  140  may further include an engagement mechanism having an engagement mechanism front side  146  and an engagement mechanism backside  148 . Engagement mechanism backside  148  may be located against an inside surface of side ground spring  132 . As connector insert  210  is further inserted into connector receptacle  110 , shield  220  may encounter engagement mechanism front side  146 . This may cause friction mechanism  140  to at least try to rotate (counter clockwise in the drawing) such that engagement mechanism front side  146  provides a reduced force against shield  220 . This rotation may help to limit and insertion force required to insert connector insert  210  into connector receptacle  110 . 
     As connector insert  210  is extracted from connector receptacle  110 , the extraction may cause friction mechanism  140  to at least try to rotate (clockwise in the drawing) such that engagement mechanism front side  146  is driven into shield  220  of connector receptacle  110 . This may increase an extraction force required by a user to extract connector insert  210  from connector receptacle  110 . As shield  220  passes engagement mechanism front side  146 , friction pad  144  may provide a decreasing amount of friction against shield  220  as connector insert  210  is further extracted. Spring  138  may push against engagement mechanism backside  148  to return friction mechanism  140  to its original position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a transparent side view of a friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  110  may include housing  150  having passage  154 . Passage  154  may accept corresponding connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Connector receptacle  110  may include shielding  130 . Side ground spring  132  may extend from shielding  130  and may include contacting portion  134  at opening  156  in the side of housing  150 . Contacting portion  134  may engage a shield of connector insert  210  when connector insert  210  is inserted into connector receptacle  110 . Connector receptacle  110  may also include one or more friction mechanisms  140 . Friction mechanisms  140  may include friction pad  144  and engagement mechanism front side  146  at opening  152  in a side of housing  150 . Cam  142  may allow friction mechanism  140  to at least try to rotate in opening  152  during insertion and extraction of connector insert  210 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  110  may include housing  150  having passage  154 . Tongue  120  may support a number of contacts  122  and ground pads  124  on top and bottom sides and may be located in passage  154 . Connector receptacle  110  may include shield  130 . Side ground springs  132  may extend from shield  130  and may include contacting portions  134 . Contacting portions  134  may engage a shield of connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) when connector insert  210  is inserted into this connector receptacle. Connector receptacle  110  may further include rear shield  410 . Rear shield  410  may include tabs  412 . Tabs  412  may be inserted into openings in a printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate (not shown) to connect shields  130  and  410  to ground. Contacts  122  may include contacting portions between ground pads  124  and a front opening in housing  150  defined by passage  154 . Contacts  122  may further include tail portions  127 , which may be inserted into openings to connect to traces and pads in the printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate. Connector receptacle  110  may further include friction mechanisms  140 . A friction mechanism  140  may be located on each of the lateral sides of tongue  120  inside openings in housing  150 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  110  may include housing  150  having a passage  154 . Connector receptacle  110  may further include shield  130  supporting side ground springs  132  and contacting portions  134 . Friction mechanisms  140  may be located in side openings in housing  150 . Engagement mechanism backsides  148  may rest against side ground springs  132 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector insert  210  has been partially inserted into connector receptacle  110 . Shield  220  may encounter contacting portion  134  of side ground spring  132 , which may be an extension of shield  130 . Shield  220  may also encounter friction pad  144  of friction mechanism  140 . This encounter may cause friction mechanism  140  to at least try to rotate about cam  142  such that friction pad  144  provides a reduced force against shield  220 . This may help to reduce an amount of force needed by user to insert connector insert  210  into connector receptacle  110 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector insert  210  has been more fully inserted into connector receptacle  110 . At this point, contacting portion  134  of side ground spring  132 , friction pad  144 , and engagement mechanism front side  146  are each in contact with shield  220 . As connector insert  210  is pushed into connector receptacle  110 , friction mechanism  140  may at least try to rotate about cam  142  such that engagement mechanism front side  146  provides a reduced force against shield  220 . Engagement mechanism backside  148  may push against side ground spring  132 , thereby reducing a force provided by contacting portion  134  against shield  220 . 
     As connector insert  210  is extracted from connector receptacle  110 , friction mechanism  140  may at least try to rotate about cam  142  such that engagement mechanism front side  146  is pushed more forcefully into shield  220 . This may increase an extraction force that is necessary to extract connector insert  210  from connector receptacle  110  as compared to the required insertion force. Returning to  FIG. 6 , as connector insert  210  is fully withdrawn from connector receptacle  110 , friction pad  144  may continue to provide a decreasing force against shield  220 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Friction mechanism  140  may include cam  142 , friction pad  144 , engagement mechanism front side  146 , and engagement mechanism backside  148 . In this and other embodiments of the present invention, various surfaces of friction mechanism  140  may be coated with polytetrafluoroethylene or other low-friction material to decrease an amount of friction that may be provided during an insertion of connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Other various surfaces of friction mechanism  140  may be coated or formed of rubber to increase an amount of friction that may be provided during an extraction of connector insert  210 . In this example, surface portion  810  of engagement mechanism front side  146  may have a higher friction substance at its surface, while surface portion  820  may have a lower friction substance at its surface. This may help to reduce friction against connector insert  210  as it is being inserted while increasing friction against connector insert  210  as it is being extracted. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates another friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Friction mechanism  940  may include cam  942 . Cam  942  may include a cam feature  943 . A first side of friction mechanism  940  may have a low-friction surface  945 , while a second side may have a high-friction surface  944 . As connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) is inserted, it may ride against a low-friction surface  945 , thereby reducing a required insertion force. As connector insert  210  is extracted, friction mechanism  940  may rotate such that high-friction surface  944  engages a shield of connector insert  210  and increases a required extraction force. This is shown further in the following figure. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a simplified connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, shield  220  of connector insert  210  may be inserted into connector receptacle  110 . As it is inserted, shield  220  may encounter low-friction surface  945 . This may make it relatively easy to insert connector insert  210 . As connector insert  210  is extracted, it may act to rotate friction mechanism  940  such that high-friction surface  944  engages shield  220 . This may increase an extraction force required to extract connector insert  210  from connector receptacle  110 . Cam feature  943  on cam  942  may push against side ground spring  132 , thereby further increasing the force applied to shield  220  during an extraction. 
       FIG. 11  is a graph illustrating forces required during an insertion and extraction of a connector insert into and out of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, moving left to right, a connector insert is inserted and then extracted from connector receptacle. As the connector insert is inserted, a relatively low force shown as line segment  1110  is required. During extraction, a higher force shown by line segment  1120  may be necessary. 
     In regards to  FIG. 8 , as a connector insert engages friction pad  144 , the insertion force required may begin to increase as shown as line segment  1130 . As engagement mechanism front side  146  is engaged, the insertion force required may stay relatively level, as shown as line segment  1110 . During extraction, friction mechanism  140  may rotate such that engagement mechanism front side  146  increases its force against the connector shield, shown as line segment  1120 . As the shield is extracted past engagement mechanism front side  146 , friction pad  144  may provide a reducing amount of friction, shown as line segment  1140 . Again, the extraction force may be higher relative to the insertion force by providing a surface portion  810  having a higher friction than surface portion  820 . 
     In regards to  FIG. 9 , during insertion a connector shield may engage low-friction surface  945 , thereby providing proving friction as shown by line segment  1130 . As the connector insert shield fully engages friction mechanism  940 , the insertion force required may be relatively low, as shown as line segment  1110 . During extraction, friction mechanism  940  may rotate about cam  942  thereby placing high-friction surface  944  against the connector insert shield. This may require a high extraction force be applied to remove the connector insert from the connector receptacle, shown as line segment  1120 . As the connector shield passes high-friction surface  944 , the extraction force may taper off as shown by line segment  1140 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates another friction mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. Friction mechanism  1240  may include cam  1242  having cam feature  1243 . Friction mechanism  1240  may include low friction surfaces  1245  for engaging a shield of connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) during insertion, and high friction surfaces  1244  for engaging shield of connector insert  210  during an extraction. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having a locking mechanism to hinder or prevent extraction of a connector insert. These locking mechanisms may have a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking mechanisms may be manually toggled between locked and unlocked states using a switch, a slider, a touch switch, or other structure. The locking mechanisms may be electronically toggled between locked and unlocked states using electronic signals. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a locking connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1310 , which may be used as connector receptacle  110  or  135  above, may include housing  1350  having a passage  1354  to accept corresponding connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Tongue  1320  may be located in passage  1354 . Tongue  1320  may support a plurality of contacts and ground pads as shown in the above examples. Housing  1350  may include a second opening  1356 . Switch  1370  may be located in opening  1356  of housing  1350 . In this example, switch  1370  may be a sliding switch having a locked position and an unlocked position. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, switch  1370  may be another type of switch. For example, switch  1370  may be a push-push button switch that may unlock when the button is pushed and released, and may lock when the button is pushed and released again. Switch  1870  may be a push button switch, which may unlock when the button pushed in and may lock when the button is pushed again. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, switch  1870  may be another type of electrical, electromechanical, or mechanical switch. For example, switch  1870  may be a touch switch, toggle switch, or other switch. In this particular figure, switch  1370  is a slider switch that is shown in the locked position. 
     Connector receptacle  1310  may further include cam  1340 , which may rotate about axis  1342  and may be held in place in cutout  1352  in housing  1350  by spring  1332 . In this example, two friction wheels  1344  may be concentrically located around cam  1340 . Friction wheels  1344  may engage a shield or other portion of connector insert  210  when connector insert  210  is inserted into passage  1354 . Movement of connector insert  210  relative to connector receptacle  1310  may cause friction wheels  1344  and cam  1340  to rotate about axis  1342 . Cam lock  1360  may include lever arm  1362 , which may contact cam  1340 . The lever arm  1362  may be pushed against cam  1340  by spring  1330 . Cam lock  1360  may rotate about axis  1364  and may be held in place and cutout  1358  in housing  1350  by spring  1334 . A user may slide switch  1370  to the right as shown in the figure, thereby lifting lever arm  1362  away from cam  1340  with ramp  1372  to unlock connector receptacle  1310 . 
     When switch  1370  is in the unlocked position, ramp  1372  may lift lever arm  1362  away from cam  1340 . At this time, a user may insert connector insert  210  into passage  1354 . Cam  1340  may freely rotate about axis  1342 , and the user may experience only a minor increase in a necessary insertion force. Similarly, when user extracts connector insert  210  from passage  1354 , cam  1340  may again rotate freely about axis  1342 , and a user may experience only a minor increase in a necessary extraction force. 
     When switch  1370  is in the locked position, lever arm  1362  may be against cam  1340 . When a user inserts connector insert  210  into passage  1354 , cam  1340  may rotate with only a minor increase in friction due to lever arm  1362 , and the user may experience only minor increase in necessary insertion force, though in various embodiments of the present invention, this force may be higher than when switch  1370  is in the unlocked position. When a user extracts connector insert  210  from passage  1354 , cam  1340  may bind with cam lock  1360  and prevent rotation of cam  1340 . This may effectively lock connector insert  210  in place in connector receptacle  1310 . 
     When switch  1370  is in the locked position, spring  1330  may provide a downward force through cam lock  1360  and lever arm  1362  to push down on cam  1340 , thereby increasing a force from friction wheels  1344  against connector insert  210  in passage  1354 . This force may act to hold connector insert  210  in place. 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1310  may include passage  1354  in housing  1350 . Connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be inserted into passage  1354  and may make electrical contact with contacts and pads on tongue  1320 . Housing  1350  may include a second opening  1356  for switch  1370 . Switch  1370  may include ramp  1372  that may separate lever arm  1362  from cam  1340 , thereby unlocking connector receptacle  1310 . When the connector receptacle is locked, ramp  1372  may be moved out of the way allowing of lever arm  1362  to engage cam  1340 . Cam  1340  may rotate about axis  1342  and may include friction wheels  1344 . Friction wheels  1344  may engage a shield or a portion of connector insert  210  when connector insert  210  is inserted into passage  1354  in housing  1350 . Cam  1340  may be held in place in cutout  1352  in housing  1350  by spring  1332 . Cam lock  1360  may rotate about axis  1364  and may be held in place in cutout  1358  in housing  1350  by spring  1334 . Spring  1330  may apply a force F 1  that may push lever arm  1362  against cam  1340 . Force F 1  may then generate a force F 2  pushing cam  1340  downward. 
       FIG. 15  is a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Housing  1350  may include passage  1354  for accepting connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Connector insert  210  may engage contacts and ground pads on tongue  1320 . Housing  1350  may include a second opening  1356  for switch  1370 . Switch  1370  may be slid back and forth in opening  1356  by a user. Switch  1370  may include ramp  1372 . 
     When switch  1370  is in an unlocked position, ramp  1372  may lift lever arm  1362  of cam lock  1360  away from cam  1340  thereby allowing cam  1340  to rotate freely about axis  1342 . When switch  1370  is in a locked position, lever arm  1362  may contact cam  1340 . At this time, when connector insert  210  is inserted into passage  1354 , connector insert  210  may encounter friction wheel  1344 . The insertion may cause cam  1340  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as shown in the figure. When cam  1340  rotates in a counterclockwise direction, cam  1340  may engage location  1368  on cam lock  1360 . This may act to push lever arm  1362  up away from cam  1340  such that cam  1340  may more easily rotate about axis  1342 . During extraction, cam  1340  may try to rotate in a clockwise direction. When this occurs, cam  1340  may again engage location  1368  on lever arm  1362 . The clockwise rotation of cam  1340  may drive lever arm  1362  into cam  1340  thereby hindering or preventing its rotation. This may further hinder or prevent extraction of connector insert  210  from passage  1354 . 
       FIG. 16  is another side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, cam  1340  may include friction wheel  1344 . Friction wheel  1344  may be circumferentially located around a length of cam  1340 . Connector insert  210  may be inserted into passage  1354  of housing  1350 . Friction wheel  1344  may engage shield  220  of connector insert  210 . Connector insert  210  may further include housing  222 . Contacts (not shown) in connector insert  210  may engage contacts  122  and ground pads  124  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) on tongue  1320 . 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded diagram of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1310  may include housing  1350 . Housing  1350  may include passage  1354  for accepting connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Housing  1350  may further include a second opening  1356  for switch  1370 . Cam  1340  may rotate about axis  1342  and may include angled surfaces  1346 . Angled surfaces  1346  may secure friction wheels  1344  in place. Cam  1340  may be held in place in cutouts  1352  in housing  1350  by springs  1332 . Cam lock  1360  may include lever arm  1362 . Cam lock  1360  may rotate about axis  1364  and may be held in place in cutouts  1358  in housing  1350  by springs  1334 . Spring  1330  may provide a force to cam lock  1360  to push lever arm  1362  against cam  1340  when connector receptacle  310  is in the locked position. Connector receptacle  310  may be unlocked by a user sliding switch  1370  such that lever arm  1362  is separated from cam  1340 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a locking connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1810 , which may be used as connector receptacle  110  and  135  above, may include housing  1850  having a passage  1854  to accept corresponding connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Tongue  1820  may be located in passage  1854 . Tongue  1820  may support a plurality of contacts and ground pads as shown in the above examples. Housing  1850  may include a second opening  1856 . Switch  1870  may be located in opening  1856  of housing  1850 . In this example, switch  1870  may be a sliding switch having a locked position and an unlocked position. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, switch  1870  may be another type of switch. For example, switch  1870  may be a push-push button switch that may unlock when the button is pushed and released, and may lock when the button is pushed and released again. Switch  1870  may be a push button switch, which may unlock when the button pushed in and may lock when the button is pushed again. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, switch  1870  may be another type of electrical, electromechanical, or mechanical switch. For example, switch  1870  may be a touch switch, toggle switch, or other switch. In this particular figure, switch  1870  is a slider switch shown in the locked position. 
     Connector receptacle  1810  may further include gear  1840 , which may rotate about axis  1842  and may be held in place in cutout  1852  in housing  1850  by spring  1832 . In this example, two friction wheels  1844  may be concentrically located around gear  1840 . Friction wheels  1844  may engage a shield or other portion of connector insert  210  when connector insert  210  is inserted into passage  1854 . Movement of connector insert  210  relative to connector receptacle  1810  may cause friction wheels  1844  and gear  1840  to rotate about axis  1842 . Gear  1840  may include a number of ratchet teeth  1849  (shown in  FIG. 19 .) Gear lock  1860  may include lever arm  1862  that may support tooth  1869  (shown in  FIG. 19 .) Teeth  1849  on gear  1840  may engage tooth  1869  on lever arm  1862 . The lever arm  1862  may be pushed against gear  1840  by spring  1830 . Gear lock  1860  may rotate about axis  1864  and may be held in place and cutout  1858  in housing  1850  by spring  1834 . A user may slide switch  1870  to the right as shown in the figure, thereby lifting lever arm  1862  away from gear  1840  with ramp  1872  and disengaging tooth  1869  from teeth  1849 . 
     When switch  1870  is in the unlocked position, ramp  1872  may lift lever arm  1862  away from gear  1840  thereby disengaging tooth  1869  from teeth  1849 . At this time, a user may insert connector insert  210  into passage  1854 . Gear  1840  may freely rotate about axis  1842 , and the user may experience only a minor increase in a necessary insertion force. Similarly, when user extracts connector insert  210  from passage  1854 , gear  1840  may again rotate freely about axis  1842 , and a user may experience only a minor increase in a necessary extraction force. 
     When switch  1870  is in the locked position, lever arm  1862  may be against gear  1840  and tooth  1869  may engage teeth  1849 . When a user inserts connector insert  210  into passage  1854 , gear  1840  may rotate with only a minor increase in friction due to the angled ratchet teeth  1849 , and the user may experience only minor increase in necessary insertion force, though in various embodiments of the present invention, this force may be higher than when switch  1870  is in the unlocked position. When a user extracts connector insert  210  from passage  1854 , teeth  1849  may be locked in place by tooth  1869  to prevent rotation of gear  1840 . This may effectively lock connector insert  210  in place in connector receptacle  1810 . 
     When switch  1870  is in the locked position, spring  1830  may provide a downward force through gear lock  1860  and lever arm  1862  to push down on gear  1840 , thereby increasing a force from friction wheels  1844  against connector insert  210  in passage  1854 . This force may act to hold connector insert  210  in place. 
       FIG. 19  is a side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1810  may include passage  1854  in housing  1850 . Connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be inserted into passage  1854  and may make electrical contact with contacts  122  and ground pads  124  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) on tongue  1820 . Housing  1850  may include a second opening  1856  for switch  1870 . Switch  1870  may include ramp  1872  that may separate lever arm  1862  from gear  1840 , thereby disengaging teeth  1849  from tooth  1869  and unlocking connector receptacle  1810 . When the connector receptacle is locked, ramp  1872  may be moved out of the way allowing of lever arm  1862  to engage gear  1840 . Gear  1840  may rotate about axis  1842  and may include friction wheels  1844 . Friction wheels  1844  may engage a shield or a portion of connector insert  210  when connector insert  210  is inserted into passage  1854  in housing  1850 . Gear  1840  may be held in place in cutout  1852  in housing  1850  by spring  1832 . Gear lock  1860  may rotate about axis  1864  and may be held in place in cutout  1858  in housing  1850  by spring  1834 . Spring  1830  may apply a force F 1  that may push lever arm  1862  against gear  1840 . Force F 1  may then generate a force F 2  pushing gear  1840  downward. 
       FIG. 20  is another side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, gear  1840  may include friction wheel  1844 . Friction wheel  1844  may be circumferentially located around a length of gear  1840 . Connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may be inserted into passage  1854  of housing  1850 . Friction wheel  1844  may engage shield  220  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) or other portion of connector insert  210 . Contacts (not shown) in connector insert  210  may engage contacts  122  and ground pads  124  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) on tongue  1820 . 
     When switch  1870  is in an unlocked position, ramp  1872  may lift lever arm  1862  of gear lock  1860  away from gear  1840  thereby disengaging teeth  1849  from tooth  1869  and allowing gear  1840  to rotate freely about axis  1842 . When switch  1870  is in a locked position in opening  1856 , lever arm  1862  may contact gear  1840  and tooth  1869  may engage teeth  1849 . At this time, when connector insert  210  is inserted into passage  1854 , connector insert  210  may encounter friction wheel  1844 . The insertion may cause gear  1840  to rotate in a counterclockwise direction as shown in the figure. When gear  1840  rotates in a counterclockwise direction, the angled ratchet teeth  1849  may move relative to tooth  1869 . During extraction, gear  1840  may try to rotate in a clockwise direction. When this occurs tooth  1869  may engage angled teeth  1849  and hold gear  1840  in place, thereby hindering or preventing its rotation. This may further hinder or prevent extraction of connector insert  210  from passage  1854 . 
       FIG. 21  is an exploded diagram of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1810  may include housing  1850 . Housing  1850  may include passage  1854  for accepting connector insert  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Housing  1850  may further include a second opening  1856  for switch  1870 . Gear  1840  may rotate about axis  1842  and may include angled surfaces  1846 . Angled surfaces  1846  may secure friction wheels  1844  in place. Gear  1840  may be held in place in cutouts  1852  in housing  1850  by springs  1832 . Gear lock  1860  may include lever arm  1862 . Gear lock  1860  may rotate about axis  1864  and may be held in place in cutouts  1858  in housing  1850  by springs  1834 . Spring  1830  may provide a force to gear lock  1860  to push lever arm  1862  against gear  1840  when connector receptacle  310  is in the locked position. Connector receptacle  310  may be unlocked by a user sliding switch  1870  such that lever arm  1862  is separated from gear  1840 . 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful as USB Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used as connector receptacles in other types of connector systems. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground pads, springs, shields, cams, cam locks, gear, gear locks, and other portions of a connector receptacle may be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. These portions may be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. Other portions, such as housings, friction wheels, and other structures may be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions may be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that may be located in, and may 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 may provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Digital Visual Interface, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning, Joint Test Action Group, test-access-port, Directed Automated Random Testing, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters, 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 may provide connector receptacles that may be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20190812
Publication Date: 20220322
Grant Date: 20220322
Priority Date: 20180923
Inventors: AMINI, MAHMOUD R.
ZHOU, RUI
HERZOG, ADAM H.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/629", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/639", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/639", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 69883845