PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9991616-B2
Application Number: US-201615158389-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: SMT connection of rigid and flexible printed circuit boards

Abstract:
The described embodiments relate generally to methods and apparatus for securely and efficiently joining components together. In some embodiments, a flexible printed circuit board and a rigid printed circuit board can be electrically coupled together by soldering electrical contacts distributed on the flexible printed circuit board to electrical contacts distributed on the rigid printed circuit board. The electrical contacts can be arranged and sized as desired to provide a desired amount of data and power transfer bandwidth.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic assembly, comprising:
 a flexible printed circuit board (PCB), comprising a first array of electrical pads arranged at a first end of the flexible PCB, the first array of electrical pads being distributed along three or more sides of a notch defined by the first end of the flexible PCB; and 
 a rigid PCB; 
 an electrical component mounted to a surface of the rigid PCB and extending through the notch; and 
 a second array of electrical pads arranged along the surface of the rigid PCB adjacent to the electrical component, the first array of electrical pads being soldered directly to corresponding ones of the second array of electrical pads. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first array of electrical pads comprises a first electrical pad and a second electrical pad substantially larger than the second electrical pad. 
     
     
       3. The electronic assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid PCB comprises an edge connector. 
     
     
       4. The electronic assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the edge connector of the rigid PCB is a tongue portion of an input/output port. 
     
     
       5. The electronic assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid PCB is a first rigid PCB and wherein the electronic assembly further comprises a second rigid PCB electrically coupled with a second end of the flexible PCB. 
     
     
       6. The electronic assembly of  claim 5 , wherein an entirety of the first end extends over the surface of the rigid PCB. 
     
     
       7. An electronic device, comprising:
 a device housing comprising a housing wall defining an opening extending through the housing wall, the opening including a data plug receptacle portion; 
 a first printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the device housing and comprising a connector; 
 a second PCB having a first portion protruding into the data plug receptacle portion of the opening, the second PCB comprising a first array of electrical contacts arranged in a first pattern on a second portion of the second PCB disposed within the device housing; 
 a flexible multi-layer connector disposed within the device housing and electrically coupling the first PCB to the second PCB, the flexible multi-layer connector comprising:
 a first end comprising a second array of electrical contacts soldered directly to the first array of electrical contacts; and 
 a second end opposite the first end and electrically coupled to the connector of the first PCB. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the flexible multi-layer connector comprises a polyimide substrate. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the flexible multi-layer connector is releasably coupled with the connector of the first PCB. 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein the first array of electrical contacts comprises a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact substantially larger than the first electrical contact. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10 , wherein the second electrical contact is configured to transfer high voltage power between the second PCB and the flexible multi-layer connector. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11 , wherein the second electrical contact has a channel extending therethrough to allow gases generating during an SMT process to dissipate.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/310,621, filed Mar. 18, 2016, and entitled “SMT CONNECTION OF RIGID AND FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARDS”, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The described embodiments relate generally to electrical connectors. More particularly, the present embodiments are directed towards robust connections between flexible and rigid printed circuit boards. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Manufacturers of portable electronic devices consistently struggle to reduce wasted space within the devices so that the devices can be made increasingly smaller and/or include greater amounts of functionality. Board to board connectors provide a practical way of connecting a flexible printed circuit board to a rigid printed circuit board. Unfortunately, because there is no solid connection (i.e. soldered connection) between the connector and receptacle of a board to board connector, the design of a board to board connector can be undesirably large in order to provide an efficient enough coupling to pass a sufficient amount of power and data through the board-to-board connector. 
     SUMMARY 
     This disclosure describes various embodiments that relate to methods and apparatus for electrically coupling a flexible PCB to a rigid PCB. 
     An electronic assembly is disclosed and includes a flexible printed circuit board having a first array of electrical pads arranged at a first end of the flexible printed circuit board. The electronic assembly also includes a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) having a second array of electrical pads arranged along an exterior surface of the rigid PCB. The first array of electrical pads are soldered directly to corresponding ones of the second array of electrical pads. 
     An electronic device is disclosed and includes a first printed circuit board including a connector. The electronic device also includes a second printed circuit board having a first array of electrical contacts arranged in a first pattern. A flexible connector has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end has a second array of electrical contacts arranged in a second pattern complementary to the first pattern, which is soldered directly to the first array of electrical contacts. A device housing at least partially encloses the first and second printed circuit boards and the flexible connector. 
     A method for electrically coupling a flexible printed circuit board to a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) is disclosed. The method includes attaching a first array of electrical contacts to the flexible printed circuit board. The attaching can be performed by carrying out a material deposition operation. A second array of electrical contacts can be attached to the rigid PCB. The first array of electrical contacts can be soldered directly to the second array of electrical contacts during an SMT process. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosure will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate like structural elements, and in which: 
         FIGS. 1A-1B  depict upper and lower perspective views of a portable computing device suitable for use with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of a rigid printed circuit board and two connector assemblies; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a close-up view of one of the connector assemblies depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 2C  shows a close-up view of another one of the connector assemblies depicted in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIGS. 3A-3B  show perspective views of an alternative connector assembly in which one end of the connector assembly is arranged to extend around an obstruction; 
         FIG. 3C  shows a top view of a PCB having an alternative arrangement of electrical contacts; 
         FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a PCB module suitable for use with the described embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  depicts electronic pads arranged along a surface of a flexible printed circuit board; 
         FIG. 6  shows the flexible PCB coupled to the PCB module; and 
         FIG. 7  shows a flow chart, which depicts a method for forming a robust electrical connection between a flexible PCB and a rigid PCB. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Representative applications of methods and apparatus according to the present application are described in this section. These examples are being provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of the described embodiments. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described embodiments. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting. 
     In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in accordance with the described embodiments. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described embodiments, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; such that other embodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
     A flexible printed circuit board (“flex”) is an electronic circuit printed on a flexible polymer substrate that can be utilized to construct a flexible connector in applications where flexibility, space savings, or other production constraints prevent traditional connectors, such as wires from being utilized. In some embodiments, a flex can be utilized to construct a flexible printed circuit board assembly that connects a first component to a second component. For example, the flexible printed circuit board assembly can interconnect a first electrical component to a second electrical component. The components can then communicate with each other over signals transmitted by the flex. The signals can be transmitted by a number of electrically conductive pathways that can take the form of leads and traces embedded within the flex. The electrically conductive pathways can handle discrete routing of a number of signals between the first and second electrical components. It should be noted that the electrically conductive pathways can be distributed across a number of different layers that make up the flex. 
     One disadvantage of using a flexible printed circuit board construction is that connections between the flexible printed circuit board and a rigid printed circuit board (PCB) generally take the form of board-to-board or zero insertion force connectors. While these connectors have the advantage of allowing convenient separation of the flexible PCB from the rigid PCB, the footprint taken up on the board tends to be substantial when high speed data and/or high voltage power is being transmitted through the connector. The size of these connectors is relatively large as a consequence of the electrical coupling generated by the connectors not being a solid connection but instead taking the form of multiple contacts being pressed together. This construction increases the amount of resistance inherent to the connector. The increased resistance resulting from the lack of a solid connection reduces the amount of power that can be transferred and also degrades the signal integrity of data passing through the connector. Consequently, a substantially greater amount of surface area is needed in these types of connectors to achieve robust power and data transmission pathways than would otherwise be needed for a solid connection along the lines of a soldered connection. 
     One solution to this problem is to solder contacts distributed along a surface of the flexible PCB directly to pads on the rigid PCB. In some embodiments, the soldering can be carried out by a Surface-Mount Technology (SMT) process in which solder is applied between the contacts and then the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB are heated to solidify the connections between the contacts. This construction type has the following major advantages over conventional flexible to rigid PCB connectors: (1) each of the connections between the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB is a continuous connection formed by solder solidified between the contacts and the pads during an SMT process; (2) each pad and contact can be precisely sized and shaped to accommodate the amount of power and/or data desired to pass between the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB; and (3) the contacts and pads can be distributed in a pattern configured to conform with space available on the rigid PCB. For example, the pads can be arranged around another component or obstruction that cannot be moved on account of various design requirements. In some embodiments, the flexible PCB can have customized geometries suitable for supporting a non-conventional connector footprint. For example, a number of protrusions can extend from one end of the flexible PCB so that the flexible PCB can be prevented from interfering with areas with obstructions. 
     These and other embodiments are discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 1A-7 ; however, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. 
       FIGS. 1A-1B  depict upper and lower perspective views of a portable computing device  100  suitable for use with the described embodiments.  FIG. 1A  shows how portable computing device  100  can include top case  102  and bottom case  104 , which cooperate to form an internal volume. In some embodiments, top case  102  and bottom case  104  can be attached to each other by threaded fasteners, adhesive, snap attachments or some combination of the aforementioned attachment features. Circuitry for supporting the functionality of I/O ports  108  can be disposed within the internal volume defined by top case  102  and bottom case  104 . In some embodiments, portable computing device  100  can be a laptop that includes hinged display assembly  106 . Top case  102  can include user accessible ports  108  for transferring data and/or power into and out of portable computing device  400 . In some embodiments, user accessible ports  108  can include any number of the following types of ports: power, USB 2.0, USB 3.0, audio, DisplayPort, High Definition Media Input, and camera media cards. In some embodiments, user accessible ports  108  can take the form of reversible USB-C ports having tongues formed of PCB material and extending into a receptacle cavity configured to receive a connector plug. In  FIG. 1B  a better view of bottom case  104  is provided as well as a view of a lower portion of hinged assembly  106 . 
       FIG. 2A  shows a perspective view of an electronic assembly  200 , which includes a rigid printed circuit board (PCB)  202 . Rigid PCB  202  can be configured to utilize multiple connector assemblies for communicating with other internal components or alternatively for connection to input/output ports. Connector assemblies  204  and  206  are depicted being coupled to one side of rigid PCB  202 . In some embodiments, processor  208  can be coupled with electrically conductive traces of rigid PCB  202 . These electrically conductive traces can put processor  208  into electrical communication with one or more of connector assemblies  204  and  206 . In this way, processor  208  can send instructions to components not directly attached to rigid PCB  202 . 
       FIG. 2B  shows a close-up view of connector assembly  204 . In particular, connector assembly  204 , which includes at least flexible PCB  210  and rigid PCB  212 , is shown in a disconnected state so that pads  214  and contact  216  can be depicted. In some embodiments, both pads  214  and contacts  216  can be formed by depositing thin layers of copper onto both flexible PCB  210  and rigid PCB  212 . In some embodiments, the thin layers of copper can have a thickness of about 30 microns. Arrow  217  shows a direction in which flexible PCB  210  can be moved to place pads  214  into contact with contacts  216 . By applying solder to pads  214  and positioning contacts  216  against that solder, flexible PCB  210  and rigid PCB  212  can be electrically coupled without a large board-to-board connector or ZIF connector. It should be noted that the other end of connector assembly  204  can include a non-SMT connector  220 . Non-SMT connector  220  can be configured to allow for a releasable coupling between connector assembly  204  and rigid PCB  202 . While non-SMT connector  220  is depicted as a board-to-board connector configured to mate with connector  222 , a zero-insertion force connector or other releasable connector is also possible. This configuration can be helpful when it is desirable to replace connector assembly  204  without replacing rigid PCB  202 . In this way, replacing a faulty connector assembly  204  would only involve the replacement of flexible PCB  210  and rigid PCB  212 . In some embodiments, rigid PCB  212  can also include edge connector contacts  218  configured to provide a conduit for offloading signals passed across flexible PCB  210 . 
       FIG. 2C  shows a close-up view of connector assembly  206 . Connector assembly  206  includes flexible PCB  222 , which is configured to be SMT′d to both rigid PCB  202  and rigid PCB  224 . Such a configuration can be beneficial where space is at a premium on PCB  202  and PCB  202  is a component in a part which is either unsuitable for rework or connector assembly  206  and PCB  202  tend to fail at the same time. It should be noted that while all of the depicted exemplary embodiments show flexible PCB to rigid PCB connections, flexible PCB to flexible PCB connections are also possible and could be desirable in certain circumstances. 
       FIGS. 3A-3B  show perspective views of an alternative connector configuration in which one end of the connector is arranged to connect to a portion of a PCB having an obstruction. While a more conventional connector assembly would have a rectangular layout, the custom designs allowable by custom placement of electrical connectors wherever they fit, allows a relatively large footprint connector to be distributed across two or more areas.  FIG. 3A  shows an obstructing component  302  positioned on PCB  304  in a location that could otherwise preclude the attachment of a flexible PCB  306 . In this embodiment, the end of flexible PCB  306  can be adjusted so that electrical contacts  308  are distributed to either side of obstructing component  302 . Flexible PCB  306  can be altered to define a notch sized to accommodate protruding component  302 . It should be noted that while the opposite side of flexible PCB  306  is depicted including a board to board connector for attachment to PCB  310 . 
       FIG. 3C  shows a top view of PCB  304  having an alternative arrangement of electrical contacts  308 . In particular,  FIG. 3C  shows how an array of electrical contacts  308  can include electrical contacts  308  having many different sizes and shapes and how they can be arranged along the surface of PCB  304  in varying patterns. For example, circular electrical contacts  308 - 1  could be configured to carry data only, while larger rectangular contacts  308 - 2  can be configured to carry power. In some embodiments, electrical contacts  308 - 2  can be configured to carry 5V of power. Electrical contacts  308 - 3  can have oval geometries and be configured to carry larger power voltages. For example, electrical contacts  308 - 3  could be configured to carry 12V of power. PCB  304  can also include grounding strips  312 , which border electrical contacts  308 . When grounding strips  312  are coupled with grounding strips arranged along flexible PCB  306 , grounding strips  312  can be configured to act as an EMI shielding barrier that prevents signals being passed through electrical contacts  308  from being interfered with.  FIG. 3C  also shows PCB  304  being used as indicated above as a tongue for I/O port  108  and how contacts  218  are positioned within the receptacle defined by top case  102 . PCB  304  is shown being electrically coupled to PCB  310  by flexible PCB  306 . It should be noted that while flexible PCB  306  would normally obscure view of electrical contacts  308  it has been left transparent to maintain visibility of electrical contacts  308  and to show the position of electrical contacts  308  relative to obstructing component  302 . Processor  208 , previously depicted in  FIG. 2A  is also depicted on PCB  310 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of a PCB module  400  suitable for use with the described embodiments. In particular, PCB module  400  includes rigid PCB  402 , which acts as a substrate for connecting the other portions of PCB module  400 . Rigid PCB  402  includes tongue portion  404 , which protrudes from one end of rigid PCB  402 . In some embodiments, rigid PCB  402  can be formed from a low dielectric constant (low DK) material, which can increase both the electrical and mechanical performance of rigid PCB  402 . Tongue portion  404  can include a number of electrical contacts  406  configured to form a high-speed input/output (I/O) port along the lines of a USB-C port. Such a port could take the form of I/O Port  108  as depicted in FIGS.  1 A- 1 B. Rigid PCB  402  also provides a flat surface along which numerous electrical contacts or pads can be arranged in a desired pattern. In the depicted embodiment, numerous smaller data pads  408  are depicted arranged in a series of rows. Each data pad  408  can correspond to a discrete pathway for carrying data associated with a particular process or component within a device associated with PCB module  400 . Data pads  408  can be configured to receive data from corresponding data pads on a flexible PCB with minimal effect on signal integrity on account of the solid soldered connection that joins the data pads. For this reason, the array of data pads  408  can take up a substantially smaller footprint than would otherwise be needed for board to board or ZIF type connectors that take up more space in order to account for signal integrity degradations caused by discontinuities in the connector interface. 
     The pattern of electrical contacts can also include power contact  410 . Power contact  410  can be sized to accommodate the total amount of power deliverable through the I/O port associated with tongue portion  404 . While a rectangular power contact is shown it should be appreciated that any size or shape could be used and that increasing the total area of power contact  410  correspondingly increases the maximum amount of power that can be safely routed through it. It should be appreciated that in some electrical contact arrays numerous power contacts  410  could be desirable. For example, numerous power contacts could be used to carry electrical power of varying voltages. The electrical contact array can also include contacts  412 , which can be configured to carry both power and data. This could be desirable for carrying data and supplying power for certain types of legacy signal types. Finally, the electrical contact array can also include grounding strips  414 . Grounding strips  414  can help to both provide robust grounding pathways for a flexible PCB attached to the electrical contact array and also help shield the data passing into the contacts from receiving or giving off electrical radiation. In this way, grounding strips  414  can effectively act as an EMI shield. 
     Rigid PCB  402  can also include numerous fastener opening  416 . Fastener openings  416  can be sized to allow the securing of rigid PCB  402  to another component such as a device housing. In this way, tongue portion can be secured in place in a manner that prevents shifting or unwanted movement during use of an I/O port associated with tongue portion  304 . Rigid PCB  402  can also include numerous smaller opening  418 . Smaller openings  418  can be configured to help precisely position PCB module  400  on an SMT fixturing device to achieve precise positioning during the SMT process. Small alignment pins from the SMT fixturing device can extend through smaller openings  418  to precisely position PCB module  400  with respect to the SMT fixturing device. PCB module  400  can also include a traditional EMI shield  420 . EMI shield  320  can be used to cover conventional components. In some embodiments, the components beneath EMI shield  320  can take the form of signal boosting components for improving signals arriving and leaving PCB module  400 . PCB module  400  can also include stiffeners  422 , which can be operative to add strength to tongue portion  404 . Stiffeners  422  can be arranged on both sides of tongue portion  404 . Flanged features of stiffeners  422  can also be configured to align PCB module  400  with an interior facing surface of a device associated with PCB module  400 . Stiffeners  422  can also define openings  424 , which can each be used to receive a fastener for securing stiffeners  422  to rigid PCB  402 . In some embodiments, a fastener can extend through openings  424  of both stiffeners  422 . 
     Finally a close-up view of electrical pad  410  includes a channel  426  extending from one side of electrical pad  410  to the other. Channel  426  can be configured to establish a path along which any gases generated during an SMT process can escape without interfering with the SMT process. The release of these types of gases is commonly referred to as outgassing and the gases can be generated by the evaporation of materials within the solder. If given no avenue of escape, these gases could create bubbles between the flexible PCB and electrical pad  410 , which could reduce the quality of the bond created during the SMT process. In some embodiments, channel  426  can have a depth of about 30 microns and be defined by simply leaving a gap between two portions of electrical pad  410 . While a single channel  426  is depicted it should be appreciated that channels having different geometries can also be employed to create escape paths for gases generated during an SMT process. 
       FIG. 5  depicts flexible PCB  500 . Flexible PCB  500  includes a multi-layer polymeric substrate  502  configured to carry signals and power in various layers of polymeric substrate  502 . In some embodiments, polymeric substrate  502  can take the form of a multi-layer polyimide film. Electrically conductive pathways can be arranged on each layer of the multi-layer polyimide film to route a desired number of signals through multi-layer polymeric substrate  502 . Flexible PCB  500  can have an array of electrical contacts  504  complementary to the one depicted in  FIG. 4 . The array of electrical contacts  504  can be attached to flexible PCB  500  using a material deposition process. Flexible PCB  500  also defines multiple openings  506  configured to accept alignment pins, so that during an SMT processing operation the electrical contacts of flexible PCB  500  can stay precisely aligned with the electrical contacts of PCB module  400 . In some embodiments, flexible PCB  500  can include exterior surface layers formed of electrically conductive material such as copper, which can help shield the signals carried by flexible PCB  500  from interference. The electrically conductive material (i.e. shielding material) in the outer layer of the flexible PCB can also cooperate with grounding strips  508  to form an EMI shield that shields electrical contacts  504  from interference when flexible PCB  500  is coupled with another device along the lines of PCB module  400 , which is shown in more detail in  FIG. 6  below. 
       FIG. 6  shows flexible PCB  500  coupled to PCB module  400 . Flexible PCB  500  is configured to be arranged with numerous bends, as depicted. The depicted bends can help to provide room to accommodate a longer overall polymeric substrate  502 , which allows an installer to maneuver PCB module  400  around more easily during installation of the module within a portable electronic device such as portable electronic device  100 . In some embodiments, polymeric substrate can be pre-bent in order to help polymeric substrate  502  to lie down securely in place after installation of PCB module  400 .  FIG. 6  also shows how alignment openings  506  do not need to include fasteners to secure flexible PCB  500  to PCB module  400  since the solder connecting the electrical contacts of both objects securely joins flexible PCB  500  to PCB module  400 . 
       FIG. 7  shows a flow chart  700 , which depicts a method for creating an electrical connection between a flexible PCB and a rigid PCB. At  702 , a number of electrical pads are arranged along one side of the flexible PCB in a first pattern. The electrical pads can be generated by a deposition process in which copper is deposited in the first pattern. Because electrical pads have low manufacturing costs, customizing the electrical pads to have a particular size, shape and arrangement can involve minimal cost expenditures. At  704 , a number of similar electrical pads are arranged along a surface of the rigid PCB in a second pattern substantially the same as the first pattern. In some embodiments, the electrical pads can be formed of copper material and coupled with electrically conductive pathways of both the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB. Because the layout of the pads can be adjusted as desired, certain electrical pads can be maneuvered to help in routing signals within both the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB. This flexibility can minimizes signal routing complexity, which can reduce cost and improve signal strength. At  706 , solder paste is arranged on the electrical contacts of the flexible PCB and/or the electrical contacts of the rigid PCB. In some embodiments, the solder paste can be applied to the electrical contacts by a stencil printing process. At  708 , the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB are aligned and run through an SMT process. The SMT process involves subjecting the flexible PCB and rigid PCB to high temperature convection reflow to form a solder joint between the arrays of electrical pads. The flexible PCB and the rigid PCB can be aligned by a fixturing device that includes one or more alignment pins during the SMT process. The alignment pins can be arranged through openings in both the flexible PCB and the rigid PCB so that precise alignment of corresponding electrical contacts can be achieved. The fixturing device is made up of high temperature materials that also function to hold both the rigid PCB and flexible PCB flat together during the SMT process. After the SMT process is complete the two components are both electrically and mechanically coupled together by a solidified solder joint. After achieving the electrical and mechanical connection of the electrical contacts the alignment pins can be removed. 
     The various aspects, embodiments, implementations or features of the described embodiments can be used separately or in any combination. Various aspects of the described embodiments can be implemented by software, hardware or a combination of hardware and software. The described embodiments can also be embodied as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling manufacturing operations or as computer readable code on a computer readable medium for controlling a manufacturing line in which the described SMT processing takes place. The computer readable medium is any data storage device that can store data which can thereafter be read by a computer system. Examples of the computer readable medium include read-only memory, random-access memory, CD-ROMs, HDDs, DVDs, magnetic tape, and optical data storage devices. 
     The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the specific details are not required in order to practice the described embodiments. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the described embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20160518
Publication Date: 20180605
Grant Date: 20180605
Priority Date: 20160318
Inventors: AXELOWITZ, Corey N.
TASHMAN, WILLIAM A.
YAP, James Y.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R43/0256", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/147", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/721", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/094", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/363", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/721", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/0256", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/62", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/09063", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/147", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/094", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/363", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/62", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K2201/0154", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K1/147", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1613", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/3494", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K3/3485", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 59069292