PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10566715-B2
Application Number: US-201815935742-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Reduced net force electrical connectors

Abstract:
Electronic devices are disclosed that include a housing and a display coupled to the housing by an adhesive. The display includes an antenna component. The device includes a casing coupled to the display, a circuit board positioned within the housing, a wireless communication component coupled to the circuit board. The device includes a receptacle connector coupled to the housing and an electrical contact electrically coupled to the wireless communication component. The device further includes a plug connector that electrically connects the antenna component to the wireless communication component. The plug connector includes a first portion electrically coupled to the antenna component, positioned within the casing and translatable within the casing along a first axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first portion. The plug connector includes a second portion electrically coupled to the first portion, extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the electrical contact of the receptacle connector.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wearable electronic device comprising:
 a housing; 
 a display mechanically coupled to the housing by an adhesive, the display including an antenna component configured to operate as at least a portion of a wireless antenna; 
 a casing mechanically coupled to the display, the casing defining a cavity having a predetermined size; 
 a circuit board positioned within the housing; 
 a wireless communication component coupled to the circuit board; 
 a receptacle connector mechanically coupled to the housing and having a longitudinal axis extending along a depth of the receptacle connector, the receptacle connector including an electrical contact that is electrically coupled to the wireless communication component; and 
 a plug connector that electrically couples the antenna component to the wireless communication component, the plug connector comprising:
 a first portion electrically coupled to the antenna component and positioned within the casing, the first portion sized and shaped such that it is translatable within the casing along a first axis and a second axis each of which is orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector; and 
 a second portion extending away from and electrically coupled to the first portion and extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the electrical contact of the receptacle connector. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the second portion extends through an opening in the casing, the opening allowing translation of the first portion within the casing. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second portions are integrally formed. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle connector forms a portion of the housing. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the casing comprises a spring member positioned therein configured to exert a normal force on a first side of the first portion in a direction opposite of a normal force exerted by a bottom surface of the casing on a second side of the first portion. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein forces along the first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first and longitudinal axes are balanced at the second portion of the plug connector when the second portion mates with the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal axis of the first portion is spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the casing when the second portion mates with the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the plug connector is configured to route an antenna feed signal between the display and the wireless communication component when the plug connector mates with the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the wearable electronic device comprises an electronic watch. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein the plug connector imparts a net zero force on the adhesive mechanically coupling the display of the electronic watch to the housing of the electronic watch. 
     
     
       11. An electronic device comprising:
 a first component; 
 a second component that includes a casing and a receptacle connector positioned within the casing, the receptacle connector comprising: 
 a coil spring; 
 a guide member extending around a periphery of the coil spring, wherein the coil spring and the guide member are translatable relative to the casing along a first axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector; and 
 a plug connector that electrically connects the first and second components, the plug connector comprising: 
 a first portion coupled to the first component; and 
 a second portion extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the coil spring; wherein the coil spring and the guide member are translatable relative to the casing along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector. 
 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the coil spring is translatable from a first position wherein a longitudinal axis of the coil spring is spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the plug connector during initial placement of the plug connector into the receptacle connector to a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the coil spring is aligned with longitudinal axis of the plug connector when the second portion mates with the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein the coil spring expands radially outward against the guide member as the second portion is translated into the receptacle connector. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the first component comprises a display and the second component is coupled to a housing of the electronic device. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 14 , wherein the display of the electronic device is secured to the housing of the electronic device with an adhesive. 
     
     
       16. An electronic device comprising:
 a first component; 
 a second component that includes a first casing and a receptacle connector positioned within the first casing, the receptacle connector comprising: 
 a coil spring positioned within a second casing that extends around a periphery of the coil spring, the receptacle connector translatable within the first casing along a first axis and a second axis each of which is orthogonal to a third axis; and 
 a plug connector that electrically connects the first and second components, the plug connector comprising: 
 a first portion coupled to the first component; and 
 a second portion extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the coil spring, the second portion having a longitudinal axis parallel with the third axis. 
 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16 , wherein the first component comprises a display and the second component is coupled to a housing. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 17 , wherein the display and housing are mechanically coupled together by an adhesive.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/565,451, filed Sep. 29, 2017, titled “REDUCED NET FORCE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS”, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to electronic devices. More particularly, the described embodiments relate to electrical connectors that impart a net zero or low force on an interface between two components of an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices are often provided with wireless communications capabilities. To satisfy consumer demand for small form factor wireless devices, manufacturers are continuing to strive to implement wireless communications circuitry such as antenna components using smaller or compact structures. As the size of such antenna components (e.g., antenna radios) are reduced or minimized, the more detrimental impedance losses may become to antenna performance. For example, using flex or cable connections for routing antenna feed signals between two components of a small form factor electronic device may not be possible as the required service loops may be too detrimental to antenna performance. Direct, rigid electrical contacts or connectors may provide the necessary performance and small form factor to route antenna feed signals between components of such an electronic device. However, force (e.g., normal, shear) from such connectors in any direction (e.g., during installation or attachment of a first component to a second component) may result in creep failure of an adhesive interface between the components. As such, there remains a need for improved electrical contacts or connectors for small form factor electronic devices, and in particular, smaller or shorter plug connectors that provide an electrical connection between two components of an electronic device while imparting a net zero or low force on an interface between the components. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure describes several improvements related to electrical contacts or connectors that impart a net zero or low force upon an interface between two components of an electronic device while maintaining an electrical connection or antenna feed between the components. Such electrical connectors can, for example, impart a net zero force or significantly reduced force on an interface between such components by counteracting a push force needed for electrical connection with a pull-back force equal or greater to the push force. In some embodiments, electrical connectors are provided that allow free translation of one or more of the components such that placement tolerances do not impart a net force on an interface between the components. In yet further embodiments, a constant electrical connection force is maintained despite relative translation or placement variations between the components. Imparting a net zero force or low force between the components can reduce or eliminate a potential for failure of adhesive interfaces sensitive to creep that join surfaces of the components together. Further, such electrical connectors can be sized accordingly for maintaining a small form factor of an electronic device they are positioned within. Additionally, such electrical connectors also provide an electrical connection between the components. 
     Electronic devices are disclosed that include a housing and a display mechanically coupled to the housing by an adhesive. The display includes an antenna component configured to operate as at least a portion of a wireless antenna. The device includes a casing mechanically coupled to the display, a circuit board positioned within the housing, and a wireless communication component coupled to the circuit board. The device further includes a receptacle connector mechanically coupled to the housing. The receptacle connector includes an electrical contact that is electrically coupled to the wireless communication component. The device further includes a plug connector that electrically couples the antenna component to the wireless communication component. The plug connector includes a first portion electrically coupled to the antenna component and positioned within the casing and translatable within the casing along a first axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first portion. The plug connector includes a second portion electrically coupled to the first portion and extending into the receptacle. 
     In some embodiments, the first portion is translatable within the casing along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and the longitudinal axis. In certain embodiments, the second portion extends through an opening in the casing and the opening allows translation of the first portion within the casing. The first and second portions may be integrally formed. In other embodiments, the receptacle connector forms a part of the housing. 
     The plug connector may include a spring member positioned within the casing that exerts a normal force on a first side of the first portion in a direction opposite of a normal force exerted by a bottom surface of the casing on a second side of the first portion. In certain embodiments, the forces along the first axis and a second axis orthogonal to the first and longitudinal axes are balanced at the second portion of the plug connector when the second portion mates with the receptacle connector. In some embodiments, the longitudinal axis of the first portion is spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the casing when the second portion mates with the receptacle connector. In yet further embodiments, the plug connector is configured to route an antenna feed signal between the display and the wireless communication component when the plug connector mates with the receptacle connector. The electronic device may be an electronic watch. The plug connector may impart a net zero force on an adhesive securing a display of the electronic watch to a housing of the electronic watch. 
     In other aspects of the invention, electronic devices are disclosed that include a first component. The first component includes a casing. The electronic devices include a second component that includes a receptacle connector. The electronic devices can further include a plug connector that electrically connects the first and second components. The plug connector can include a first portion positioned within the casing and translatable within the casing along a first axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first portion. The plug connector can also include a second portion extending into the receptacle connector and contacting an electrical contact of the receptacle connector. 
     In another aspect of the invention, an electronic device is disclosed that includes a first component and a second component. The second component includes a casing and a receptacle connector positioned within casing. The receptacle connector includes a coil spring and a guide member extending around a periphery of the coil spring. The coil spring and guide member are translatable relative to the casing along a first axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector. The electronic device further includes a plug connector that electrically connects the first and second components. The plug connector includes a first portion coupled to the first component and a second portion extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the coil spring. 
     In some embodiments, the coil spring and the guide member are translatable relative to the casing along a second axis orthogonal to the first axis and the longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector. The coil spring may be translatable from a first position wherein a longitudinal axis of the coil spring is spaced apart from a longitudinal axis of the plug connector during initial placement of the plug connector into the receptacle connector to a second position wherein the longitudinal axis of the coil spring is aligned with longitudinal axis of the plug connector when the second portion mates with the receptacle connector. The coil spring may expand radially outward against the guide member as the second portion is translated into the receptacle connector. The first component may include a display and the second component is coupled to a housing of the electronic device. The display of the electronic device may be secured to the housing of the electronic device with an adhesive. 
     In another aspect of the invention, an electronic device is disclosed that includes a first component and a second component. The second component includes a first casing and a receptacle connector positioned within the first casing. The receptacle connector includes a coil spring positioned within a second casing that extends around a periphery of the coil spring. The receptacle connector is translatable within the first casing. The electronic device further includes a plug connector that electrically connects the first and second components. The plug connector includes a first portion coupled to the first component and a second portion extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the coil spring. The first component may include a display and the second component may be coupled to a housing. 
     In another aspect of the invention, an electronic device is disclosed that includes a first component and a second component. The second component includes a receptacle connector. The receptacle connector includes a coil spring positioned within a casing that extends around a periphery of the coil spring. The coil spring is translatable within the casing along first and second axes orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the receptacle connector. The electronic device also includes a plug connector that electrically connects the first and second components. The plug connector includes a first portion coupled to the first component a second portion extending into the receptacle connector and contacting the coil spring. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows an electronic device configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross-sectional side view of the electronic device of  FIG. 1  configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  shows a portion of an electronic device with an electrical connector configured in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 4A-4B  shows a portion of an electronic device with an electrical connector configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 5A-5B  shows a portion of an electronic device with an electrical connector configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 6A-6G  shows a portion of an electronic device with an electrical connector configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIGS. 7A-7B  shows a portion of an electronic device with an electrical connector configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  shows a portion of an electronic device with an electrical connector configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure describes various embodiments of electrical connectors or contacts that impart a net zero or low force on an interface (e.g., an adhesive) joining or securing two components (e.g., display and housing) of an electronic device together while maintaining a required electrical connection or antenna fee between the components. 
     Certain details are set forth in the following description and in  FIGS. 1-8  to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Other details describing well-known structures and systems often associated with electronic devices, wireless communications circuitry, input-output circuitry, control circuitry, antennas, adhesives, displays, etc., however, are not set forth below to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Many of the details, dimensions, angles and other features shown in  FIGS. 1-8  are merely illustrative of particular embodiments of the present disclosure. Accordingly, other embodiments can include other details, dimensions, angles and features without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. In addition, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that further embodiments of systems described herein can be practiced without several of the details described below. Various embodiments of the present disclosure can also include structures other than those illustrated in the Figures and are expressly not limited to the structures shown in the Figures. Moreover, the various elements and features illustrated in the Figures may not be drawn to scale. In the Figures, identical reference numbers identify identical or at least generally similar elements. 
     An electronic device such as electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1  may be provided with wireless circuitry. The wireless circuitry may include antennas or other antenna components. Antennas such as cellular telephone antennas and wireless local area network and satellite navigation system antennas may be formed from electrical components such as displays, touch sensors, near-field communications antennas, wireless power coils, peripheral antenna resonating elements, and device housing structures. 
     Electronic device  10  may be a computing device such as a laptop computer, a tablet computer, an electronic display, a cellular telephone, a media player, a wristwatch device, a pendant device, a headphone, an earpiece device, a device embedded in an eyeglass, a gaming device, a navigation device, a health tracking device, a fitness device, or other wearable, handheld, or portable electronic device. With reference to  FIG. 1 , device  10  is a portable device such as a wristwatch. In other embodiments, device  10  can be another type of electronic device. 
     Electronic device  10  includes a first component (e.g., a display) having a side, surface, interface, or portion attached (e.g., coupled, mounted) to a side, surface, interface, or portion of a second component (e.g., a housing) with, for example, an adhesive interface (e.g., a pressure sensitive adhesive, a heat sensitive adhesive). As described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 2-8 , some embodiments of the disclosure provide a direct, electrical connector that electrically connects the first component to the second component while imparting a net zero force or significantly reduced force on the adhesive. For example, such connectors according to embodiments of the present disclosure can reduce a force to an amount (e.g., to net zero or a significantly low force) upon the adhesive during installment, assembly, or connection of the first and second components that reduces instances of failure of the adhesive or other coupling mechanism (e.g., by tensile and/or shear creep failures). The connector can allow translation of mating portions such that placement tolerances (e.g., misalignment) do not impart a net force or significantly high force between the components (e.g., during installation, assembly, or when installed) while maintaining a constant electrical connection between the components despite translation or placement variations (e.g., misalignment) between the components. 
     As illustrated with respect to certain embodiments, the first component can be a display  14 . The second component can be a housing  12 . Display  14  is mounted in or to housing  12 . Housing  12 , which may be referred to as an enclosure or case, may be formed of plastic, glass, ceramic, fiber composite, metal (e.g., stainless steel, aluminum, etc.), or other suitable materials, or a combination of any two or more of these materials. Housing  12  may have metal sidewalls or sidewalls formed from other materials. Device  10  may include a strap  16 . Strap  16  may be used to hold device  10  against a user&#39;s wrist. In some embodiments, strap  16  includes first and second lugs (not shown) at opposing ends of the strap and housing  12  includes first and second recesses (also not shown) on opposing sides of the housing that enable the strap to be removeably connected to the housing. Each lug can lock into one of the recesses to secure strap  16  to the housing and the housing may include a locking release mechanism that, when activated, enables the lugs to be disconnected from housing. 
     Display  14  may be a touch screen display that incorporates a layer of conductive capacitive touch sensor electrodes or other touch sensor components (e.g., resistive touch sensor components, acoustic touch sensor components, force-based touch sensor components, light-based touch sensor components, etc.) or may be a display that is not touch-sensitive. Display  14  may include an array of display pixels. Display  14  may also be protected by a transparent display cover, such as cover  17  shown in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is a simplified cross-sectional side view of device  10  of  FIG. 1  illustrating certain components of the device  10  and how they are positioned or connected in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Display  14  can be mounted to housing  12  with an adhesive  22  or other suitable coupling mechanism. In some embodiments, display  14  has a bottom surface  15  that defines a generally rectangular shape in the in the X and Y dimensions and adhesive  22  is positioned between display  14  and housing  12  along the entire perimeter of the bottom surface. Display  14  can include one or more layers of display structures  18  under display cover  17 , which can be sapphire, strengthened glass or another appropriate material. Display structures  18  can include, for example, a touch sensor display, display panel, near-field communications antenna, or other suitable circuitry. In some embodiments display structures  18  can be fused to, or otherwise bonded to, display cover  14  forming a single, attached display unit. 
     As discussed above, device  10  may include an antenna  24  configured to transmit or receive wireless signals along with a wireless communication chip (not shown) and other components necessary to implement wireless communication between device  10  and another electronic device (not shown). One or more components of antenna  24  may be embedded into, coupled to, or formed out of portions of a first component (e.g., the display  14 ) of device  10  as described in more detail below. A second component (e.g., the housing  12 ) of device  10  may include one or more wireless communication components  19  (e.g., a receiver, transmitter, transceiver, wireless communication chip, or other device that enables wireless communication). For example, the housing  12  may include a circuit board  25  (e.g., printed circuit board, flex circuit) positioned therein with one or more of the wireless communication components  19  coupled thereto. Signals (e.g., antenna feed) between the antenna  24  and the one or more wireless communication components  19  may be transmitted or otherwise routed via a direct, electrical connector  20 . As such, wireless signals received over or transmitted by the antenna  24  may be transmitted or sent between the display  14  and the wireless communication component(s)  19  within the housing  12  by the connector  20 . Device  10  can include other circuitry (e.g., printed circuits  26 ) to convey other signals (e.g., display data, touch sensor signals) between display  14  and housing  12  (e.g., printed circuit board  25 ). 
     Electrical connector  20  configured in accordance with embodiments described herein (e.g., as described in more detail below with reference to  FIGS. 3-8 ) provides an electrical connection configured to route the wireless signals (e.g., antenna feed signals) transmitted or received by the antenna  24  between first and second components of an electronic device (e.g., between the housing  12  and display  14  (e.g., any of display structures  18 )). For example, as discussed above, such signals may be transmitted between the display  14  (e.g., antenna  24  coupled to the display) and the housing  12  (e.g., one or more wireless communication components  19  positioned within the housing  12 ) via the electrical connector  20 . As illustrated, the electrical connector  20  may include, for example, a first connector portion  20   a  coupled to the display  14  and a second connector portion  20   b  coupled to the housing  12 . In some embodiments, first connector portion  20   a  is configured as a plug or pin connector and second connector portion  20   b  as a receptacle connector configured to receive first portion  20   a . Second connector portion  20   b  may be mechanically coupled or secured to an inner sidewall or bottom surface of housing  12  or secured to another component positioned within housing  12  (e.g., circuit board  25 ). In some embodiments, second connector portion  20   b  may form a portion of or be integrated with housing  12 . Additional features of connector  20  are described in more detail below with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-8 . While illustrated as routing antenna feed signals between two components, electrical connector  20  can electrically connect two components of device  10  for transmitting other signals or for other purposes (e.g., electrical grounding for high frequencies or other suitable applications that require short electrical connection paths). 
     Antenna  24  may be formed using any suitable antenna types. For example, antenna  24  may include antennas with resonating elements that are formed from loop antenna structures, patch antenna structures, inverted-F antenna structures, slot antenna structures, planar inverted-F antenna structures, helical antenna structures, monopole antennas, dipoles, hybrids of these designs, etc. Further, in compact or small form-factor electronic devices where space is at a premium, it may be desirable to implement antennas in device  10  using portions of electrical components that would otherwise not be used as antennas and that support additional device functions. For example, it may be desirable to induce antenna currents in components such as display  14 , so that display  14  and/or other electrical components (e.g., any of display structures  18 ) can serve as an antenna for certain frequencies (e.g., cellular) without the need to incorporate bulky antenna structures in device  10 . As described above, this may require a direct, electrical connector  20  as described herein to maintain required antenna performance and small form-factor for device  10 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2-8 , various features and configurations of electrical connector  20  and related components are illustrated that can be provided with electronic devices (e.g., electronic device  10  of  FIG. 1 ) configured in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, electrical connectors (e.g., connector  20 ) described herein can include or be configured as a plug connector (e.g., a pin or other suitable male connector). For example, connector  10  can include a plug connector  320  as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In other embodiments, the electrical connectors described herein can also include other types of suitable electrical connectors (e.g., receptacle connectors as described in more detail below). Plug connector  320  electrically connects first and second components (e.g., display and housing) of an electronic device (e.g., device  10 ) to, for example, route antenna feed signals between the first and second components or components coupled to the first and second components (e.g., between antenna  24  and wireless communication components  19 ) or to provide grounding. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , first component  314  is or forms a portion of a display (e.g., display  14 ) of electronic device  10 . Second component  312  is coupled to a housing (e.g. housing  12 ) or component (e.g., circuit board  25 ) positioned within the housing of electronic device  10 . In some embodiments, the opposite may be true (e.g., first component  314  coupled to a housing and second component  312  is a display). In some embodiments, the first component  314  can be coupled to the display of an electronic device or second component  312  can form a portion of the housing of an electronic device. The second component  312  can be made from an electrically insulating material (e.g., plastic or other suitable material). 
     Plug connector  320  includes a first portion moveably coupled to the first component  314  (e.g., display  14 ). As discussed above, second component  312  is coupled to housing (e.g., housing  12 ) or housing component (e.g., circuit board  25 ) of an electronic device (e.g., electronic device  10 ). For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a first portion  326  (e.g., a head portion) of plug connector  320  is positioned or disposed within a casing  330  (e.g., a plug connector casing, shell, can, housing, frame, body) of a display  14 . Plug connector  320  includes a second portion  328  (e.g., a shaft or pin portion) extending into a receptacle connector  336  (e.g., cavity, bore, hole, pocket, hollow portion) of second component  312 . The second portion  328  can contact an electrical contact  338  of the receptacle connector  336  electrically coupled to a wireless communication component (e.g., one or more wireless communication components  19 ) as discussed in more detail below. The first and second portions  326 ,  328  can be made from metal or other electrically conductive material. In other embodiments, first portion  326  is coupled to second component  312  and second portion  328  is coupled to first component  314 . For example, in some embodiments, first component  314  includes a receptacle connector for receiving second portion  328  and second component  312  includes a casing that first portion  326  is moveably positioned within. 
     Plug connector  320  can impart a net zero force or significantly reduced force at or on an interface (e.g., an adhesive interface  22 ) joining or securing display  14  and housing  12  together, for example, during installation or assembly of the display to the housing. In an exemplary embodiment, x, y, and z-axis forces are balanced such that there is a net zero or significantly reduced force. For example, a first portion  326  of plug connector  320  is positioned between upper and lower sides of casing  330 . A spring member  332  pushes first portion  326  against lower side of casing  330  to provide a balanced z-axis or normal force (e.g., as indicated by opposing arrows Z) on plug connector  320  within casing  330 . Lower side of casing  330  includes an opening  334  that second portion  328  extends through. An area of opening  334  is greater than an area of second portion  328  such that first portion  326  of plug connector  320  is unconstrained (e.g., free to translate, slide, move) along, for example, x and y-axes, within casing  330 . For example, a coefficient of friction between casing  330  and first portion  326  is sufficiently low such that the first portion  326  can slide along x-axis and y-axis relative to casing  330 . While first portion  326  is described herein as slidable or unconstrained along x-axis and y-axis, this includes along and/or at an angle (e.g., obliquely) to the x and y-axes (e.g., within an x-y plane). 
     Second portion  328  of plug connector  320  extends into receptacle connector  336  such that second portion of plug connector  320  is unconstrained along the z-axis within receptacle connector  336  (e.g., during insertion). Receptacle connector  336  can include an electrical contact such as coil  338  (e.g., a coil spring, canted coil spring, or other suitable metal spring) configured to receive and mate with second portion  328  such that x-axis and y-axis forces (e.g., as indicated by opposing arrows X-Y) are balanced on plug connector  320  within or at receptacle connector  336 . Coil  338  can be retained within a groove in receptacle connector  336 . Further, electrical contact or coil  338  can be electrically coupled to a wireless communication component (e.g., one or more wireless communication components  19 ) 
     Configuring plug connector  320  in such a manner balances forces (e.g., providing a net zero or significantly reduced force) at an interface joining, for example, a housing  12  and display  14  of an electronic device, during for example, installation or assembly of the first and second components  314 ,  312  while providing or maintaining an electrical connection between the components. Further, by allowing plug connector  320  to be unconstrained (e.g., along x, y, and/or z-axes as described above), forces are balanced or significantly reduced and electrical connection is maintained despite minor placement or translation variation or tolerances (e.g., misalignment) between portions of first component  312  and second component  314  to be joined. 
     For example, as illustrated, a central longitudinal axis  340  of receptacle connector  336  (e.g., or connector  320 ) is misaligned from a central longitudinal axis  342  of casing  330  (e.g., or opening  334 ). However, first portion  326  of plug connector  320  is unconstrained (e.g., along x-axis and y-axis) while forces along x-axis and y-axis at the second portion  328  are balanced such that an electrical connection can be maintained with a net zero or significantly reduced force. Similarly, second portion  328  of plug connector  320  is unconstrained (e.g., along the z-axis) as described above, while forces at the first portion  326  are balanced. 
     Accordingly, in some embodiments, the electronic device  10  can include a connector configured in accordance with features illustrated in  FIG. 3 . For example, the device  10  can include a housing  12  and a display  14  coupled to the housing  12  with an adhesive  22  as described above. Further, the display  14  includes an antenna component (e.g., antenna  24 ) configured to operate as at least a portion of a wireless antenna. The device includes a casing  330  mechanically coupled to the display  14  as discussed above. The device  10  further includes a circuit board  25  positioned within the housing  12  and one or more wireless communication components  19  coupled to the circuit board  25 . The device  10  includes a receptacle connector  336  mechanically coupled to the housing  12 . The receptacle connector  336  includes an electrical contact (e.g., coil  338 ). The electrical contact is electrically coupled to the wireless communication component  19  (e.g., via cable or flex). The device  10  further includes a plug connector  320  that electrically connects the antenna component to the wireless communication component  19 . The plug connector  320  includes a first portion  326 , as described above, electrically coupled to the antenna component and positioned within the casing  330 . The portion  326  is translatable within the casing  330  along a first axis orthogonal to a longitudinal axis of the first portion  326 . The plug connector  320  includes a second portion  328  electrically coupled to the first portion and extending into the receptacle connector  336  and contacting the electrical contact of the receptacle connector  336 . In other embodiments, the electronic device  10  can include a connector configured in accordance with the other embodiments as described herein. 
       FIGS. 4A-4B  illustrate a plug connector  420  configured in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure. Plug connector  420  is similarly configured as plug connector  320  and includes first and second portions connecting a second component  412  to a first component  414 . First and second components  414 ,  412  may be, form a part of, or be coupled to a display or housing of an electronic device as described above with respect to first and second components  314 ,  312 . Plug connector  420  includes a first portion  426 . First portion  426  is formed out of one or more spring tabs  433  (e.g., spring fingers, stamped metal pieces) that extend around and along a stiffener portion  429  (e.g., shaft or pin body portion). Stiffener portion  429  extends away from head portion  426  towards the second end. Similar to spring  333 , spring tabs  433  resiliently push or bias against opposing sides of a casing  430  such that they provide a balanced z-axis or normal force on first portion  426  of plug connector  420  within casing  430 . Lower side of casing  430  includes an opening  434  that stiffener portion  429  extends through. An area of opening  434  is greater than an area of stiffener portion  429  such that first portion of plug connector  420  is unconstrained along the x-axis and y-axis (e.g., parallel and/or oblique to the x-axis and y-axis within an x-y plane) within casing  430  (e.g., as indicated by arrows A). 
     A second portion of plug connector  420  (e.g., stiffener portion  429 ) is received into a receptacle connector  436  of second component  412  such that second portion of plug connector  420  is unconstrained along the z-axis within receptacle connector  436  (e.g., during insertion). Receptacle cavity  436  can include an electrical contact or insert  439  (e.g., a coil spring, canted coil spring, molded sheet metal spring, or other suitable contact) configured to receive second portion such that x-axis and y-axis forces are balanced on second portion of plug connector  420  within receptacle connector  436 . As described above with respect to plug connector  320 , configuring plug connector  420  in such a manner, balances forces (e.g., imparting a net zero or significantly reduced force between first and second components of an electronic device, for example, a housing and display of an electronic device and maintains an electrical connection between the components despite minor placement or translation variation or tolerances between or when installing, for example, first component  412  to second component  414  and/or a housing to a display of an electronic device. 
       FIGS. 5A-5B  illustrate a plug connector  520  configured in accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, plug connector  520  includes first and second portions. First portion  526  is attached to a first component of an electronic device (e.g., a display  514 ). Second portion  528  is positioned between upper and lower sides of a casing  530 . A spring member  532  pushes second portion  528  upward against upper side of casing  530  to provide a balanced z-axis or normal force on plug connector  520  within casing  530 . Balanced z-axis or normal force is illustrated by upward and downward arrows encircled in broken lines. A shoulder portion  531  is resiliently pushed upward against an upper side portion of casing  530  by spring member  532 . Upper side portion of casing  530  pushes downward against shoulder portion  531  providing a balanced z-axis or normal force (e.g., net zero or significantly reduced force). Casing  530  is pivotally attached to a second component of an electronic device (e.g., a housing  512 ) at a fixed pivot  535  (e.g., hinge, joint) such that only forces along a z-axis are balanced in this embodiment. For example,  FIG. 5B  illustrates that as casing  530  pivots about pivot  535  relative to housing  512 , plug connector  520  is unconstrained or can translate along or at an angle (e.g., obliquely to) the z-axis (e.g., as identified by arrows Z). Further, z-axis or normal forces are balanced (e.g., within the casing  530 ) such that a net zero or significantly reduced force is imparted between the first and second components (e.g., housing  512  and display  514 ). First and second components may form a part of or be attached to a display or housing of an electronic device as described above with respect to first and second components of  FIGS. 3-4B . 
       FIGS. 6A-6E  illustrate a plug connector  620  configured in accordance with other embodiments of the present disclosure. Plug connector  620  includes a first portion  626  (e.g., a head) attached (e.g., rigidly) to a first component  614  (e.g., a display  14 ) and a second portion  621  (e.g., a shaft or pin portion) attached to a second component  631  of an electronic device. The second component  631  can form a portion of, be positioned within, and/or be attached to a housing (e.g., housing  12 ) or component positioned within a housing of an electronic device. Second component  631  includes a casing  630  (e.g., plug casing, housing, shell, body, frame) and a receptacle connector  637  positioned within the casing  630 . The casing  630  can be attached to, form a portion of, or be positioned within a housing (e.g., housing  12  of an electronics device). In other embodiments, second portion  621  is attached to the first component  614  and the first portion  626  to the second component  631 . 
     An electrical connection between the first and second components  614 ,  631  (e.g., a display and housing) is provided by the plug connector  620  when second portion  621  extends into contact with the receptacle connector  637 . In some embodiments, receptacle connector  637  includes a guide  623  (e.g., disc member) extending around a coil spring  625  (e.g., a canted coil spring or other suitable spring). The guide  623  and spring  625  are positioned within the casing  630 . Second portion  621  of plug connector  620  is configured to be inserted through an opening  634  (e.g., in casing  630 ) into electrical contact with coil spring  625  to electrically connect the first and second components.  FIG. 6E  illustrates an embodiment of the coil spring  625  (e.g., a canted coil spring) that can be used with the plug connectors herein. 
       FIGS. 6A-6C  show a series of views illustrating various stages of insertion of the second portion  621  of the plug connector  620  through the opening  634  and into electrical contact with the coil spring  625 , and  6 D- 6 F show a series of corresponding close-up views of the insertion of the plug connector  620  in  FIGS. 6A-6C . As illustrated, there can be misalignment between second portion  621  (e.g., a central longitudinal axis C 1  identified in broken lines) and opening  634  (e.g., a central longitudinal axis C 2  identified in broken lines) or coil spring  625  when initially inserting second portion  621  into contact with coil spring  625  due to placement and/or translation variances or tolerances as described above. As second portion  621  is inserted further through opening  634  and into further contact with coil spring  625 , it shifts (e.g., translates) spring  625  such that C 1  and C 2  align. Because coil spring  625  is not substantially compressed during initial insertion, such shifting or translation along an x-axis and y-axis can occur. Coil spring  625  and guide  623  are initially unconstrained within casing  630  (e.g., translatable along and/or at an oblique angle to x and y axes within an x-y plane, both axes being orthogonal to longitudinal axes C 1  and C 2 ). As second portion  621  translates or is inserted along a z-axis direction, coil spring  625  and guide  623  shift or translate (as shown by arrows in  FIG. 6E ) within casing  630  such that C 2  aligns with C 1  of second portion  621 . Further translation (e.g., insertion) of second portion  621  compresses coil spring  625  and expands coil spring  625  radially outward against guide  623 . Spring  625  is compressed against guide  623  until guide  623  and spring are constrained relative to casing  630 . Such a configuration allows mechanical centering of the plug connector  620  even with misalignment or other variances/tolerances during installation and/or removes or reduces residual x and y stresses or forces. Net force is significantly reduced or reduced to zero. The second portion  621  is unconstrained along a z-axis (e.g., during insertion) and coil spring  625  is unconstrained along x and y-axes during initial installment until alignment and electrical connection is obtained. 
       FIGS. 7A-7B  illustrate another plug connector  720  configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Similar to connector  620 , plug connector  720  includes a first portion  726  (e.g. a head) which can be attached (e.g., rigidly) to a first component  714  (e.g., a display  14  of an electronic device) and a second portion  721  (e.g., a pin) extending into a receptacle connector  737  of a second component  731  (e.g., a housing  12 ) or attached to, for example, a housing  12 . In some embodiments, second component  731  forms a portion of a housing of an electronic device. In other embodiments, second portion  721  is attached to the first component  714  and first portion  726  to the second component  731 . Second component  731  can include a first casing  744  (e.g., an outer plastic casing) with the receptacle connector  737  positioned within the casing  744 . The receptacle connector  737  includes a second casing  730  (e.g., a metal inner casing) extending around a coil spring  725  (e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 7B ). 
     Coil spring  725  can be a canted coil spring or other suitable spring. Second casing  730  can “float” (e.g., is unconstrained) along and/or obliquely to x, y, and z-axes within the first outer casing  744  to reduce or minimize any residual stresses or forces during installation or assembly of the first component  714  to the second component  741 . A direct electrical connection between the first and second components is provided by the plug connector  720  when second portion  721  extends into the receptacle connector  737  and into contact with the coil spring  725 . As described above with respect to plug connector  620 , in some embodiments, as second portion  721  is inserted into second casing  730 , spring  725  can shift or translate second casing within first casing such that a central longitudinal axis of connector  720  aligns with a central longitudinal axis of the second casing or spring if the axes are initially misaligned. Further, spring  725  can push or move second casing  730  within first casing  744  as it expands. Because casing  730  is unconstrained within outer casing  744 , residual stresses are removed or reduced. An antenna feed signal of antenna  712  can be routed via the electrical connection provided by the plug connector  720  between the first and second components. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another plug connector  820  configured in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Plug connector  820  includes one or more features in whole or in part similar to plug connector  720 . However, in this embodiment, plug connector  820  does not include an outer plastic casing (e.g., casing  744 ). Plug connector  820  includes a casing  830  (e.g., a metal casing) surrounding a coil spring  825  (e.g., a canted coil spring or other suitable spring.) In contrast to plug connector  720 , the casing  830  is large enough such that coil spring  825  is unconstrained along and/or obliquely to x and y-axes within an x-y plane (e.g., as identified by arrows x,y) directly within the casing  830  to reduce residual stresses or forces during installation or assembly. In some embodiments, casing  830  forms a part of a housing or is attached to a housing of an electronic device. 
     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the various embodiments of the invention. Further, while various advantages associated with certain embodiments of the invention have been described above in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such advantages, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such advantages to fall within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims. 
     References throughout the foregoing description to features, advantages, or similar language do not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment. 
     Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the present invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present invention. 
     Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or,” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20180326
Publication Date: 20200218
Grant Date: 20200218
Priority Date: 20170929
Inventors: PANDYA, SAMEER
BRZEZINSKI, MAKIKO K.
PERKINS, RYAN C.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "G04G17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/114", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/1427", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/111", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/187", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/045", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04R60/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/045", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/7076", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/7076", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/91", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/045", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K7/1427", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01Q1/273", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/111", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G17/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/114", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0017", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/7076", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04R60/06", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/91", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/187", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G04G21/08", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/163", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 65896799