PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9461403-B2
Application Number: US-201414542667-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Robust magnetic connector

Abstract:
Connector inserts and receptacles that are robust, easily manufactured, and provide an improved connector performance. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a power contact located in a ground surface. An insulating layer may be placed between the power contact and the ground surface. The ground surface may be curved or flat, or it may have other shapes. Another example may provide a robust connector insert. This connector insert may include a crimping piece that fits over a cable braiding and is crimped. The crimping piece may then be attached to an attraction plate. A cover or shell may be attached to provide further reinforcement. Another example may provide a connector system having a ground contact and a power contact, where the ground contact is a make-first-break-last contact.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a plurality of magnets arranged at a face of the connector receptacle; 
 a ground return at the face of the connector receptacle and covering the plurality of magnets such that the ground return is between a connector insert and the plurality of magnets when the connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle; 
 a depressible power contact having a first end extending beyond the face of the connector receptacle and a second end extending behind the plurality of magnets; 
 a spring at the second end of the depressible power contact and fixed relative to the ground return, and 
 a stop positioned to limit a distance the depressible power contact can be depressed. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of magnets comprises at least four magnets, the at least four magnets arranged to have opposing polarities. 
     
     
       3. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of magnets comprises three magnets, the three magnets arranged to have opposing polarities. 
     
     
       4. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the ground return is formed as part of a shield around the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       5. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the ground return is curved. 
     
     
       6. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the ground return is substantially planar. 
     
     
       7. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the ground return is formed of a material having a low magnetic conductivity. 
     
     
       8. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the power contact is formed of a highly conductive material. 
     
     
       9. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the stop is attached to the spring. 
     
     
       10. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the spring substantially forms an elongated loop. 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the spring compresses when the power contact is depressed relative to the ground return. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle of  claim 11  wherein the stop is located on the spring. 
     
     
       13. A connector insert comprising:
 a cable having braiding and a power conductor, where the power conductor emerges from a first end of the cable and the braiding is pulled back around the cable at the first end of the cable; 
 an insulating layer at the first end of the cable having an opening for the power conductor; 
 a power cap fixed to the power conductor such that the insulating layer is between the first end of the cable and the power cap; 
 a power insulator around sides of the power cap; 
 an attraction plate around the power insulator; 
 a crimping piece over the braiding and secured to the attraction plate; and 
 a shell over a rear portion of the attraction plate, 
 wherein the attraction plate is fixed to the shell by a plurality of pins in the attraction plate fit into a groove in the shell. 
 
     
     
       14. The connector insert of  claim 13  wherein the attraction plate is formed of a ferromagnetic material. 
     
     
       15. The connector insert of  claim 13  wherein the pins are spring biased. 
     
     
       16. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a plurality of magnets arranged at a face of the connector receptacle; 
 a shield at the face of the connector receptacle and covering the plurality of magnets, such that the ground return is between a connector insert and the plurality of magnets when the connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle; 
 a power contact having a first end extending beyond the face of the connector receptacle and a second end extending behind the plurality of magnets; 
 a ground contact formed around sides of the power contact and having a first end extending beyond the face of the connector receptacle and a second end extending behind the plurality of magnets; 
 a first spring at the second end of the power contact and fixed relative to the shield; and 
 a second spring at the second end of the ground contact and fixed relative to the shield. 
 
     
     
       17. The connector receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of magnets comprises at least four magnets, the at least four magnets arranged to have opposing polarities. 
     
     
       18. The connector receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the plurality of magnets comprises three magnets, the three magnets arranged to have opposing polarities. 
     
     
       19. The connector receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the ground contact extends beyond the power contact. 
     
     
       20. The connector receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the ground contact is arranged to mate with a corresponding contact on a connector insert before the power contact mates with a corresponding contact on the connector insert with the connector insert is brought into proximity with the connector receptacle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/251,290, filed Oct. 3, 2011, which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/503,598, filed Jun. 30, 2011, which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The number and types of electronic devices available to the public has increased tremendously the past few years, and this increase shows no signs of abating. Devices such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices have become ubiquitous. 
     These devices often receive power and share data using various cables. These cables may have connector inserts, or plugs, on each end. The connector inserts may plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals and power. 
     In some instances, these connector inserts may be left in place for long periods of time. In other applications though, a cable may be disconnected from an electronic device on a regular basis. This repeated connection and disconnection may lead to wear and damage to the connector inserts and receptacles. For these reasons, it may be desirable to provide robust connector inserts and receptacles. 
     Also, a user&#39;s experience in connecting and disconnecting these cables may do a lot to inform the user&#39;s opinion of the device itself. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide connectors that function well and provide an improved performance. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector inserts and receptacles that may be robust, easily manufactured, and improve connector performance. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide connector inserts and receptacles that are robust, easily manufactured, and provide an improved connector performance. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having a power contact located in a ground surface. An insulating layer may be placed between the power contact and the ground surface. The ground surface may be curved or flat (or substantially planar), or it may have other shapes. The power contact may be formed of a highly conductive material, such as brass, copper-nickel-silicon alloy, or a silver alloy. The ground surface may cover a plurality of magnets arranged to be attracted to a magnetic element in a connector receptacle. To avoid shunting the resulting magnetic field, the ground surface may be formed of a less magnetically conductive material, such as low carbon steel (1010), titanium, stainless or other steel, or other appropriate material, and it may be relatively thin. To increase the ground surface&#39;s current capability, it may be made relatively large. A spring may be included behind the power contact to help keep the power contact connected to a contact in a connector insert. The spring may be formed using Titanium Copper, Phosphor-bronze, or other appropriate material. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a robust connector insert. This connector insert may include a crimping piece that fits over a cable braiding and is crimped. The crimping piece may then be attached to an attraction plate. The attraction plate may be formed using low carbon steel (1010), magnetic stainless steel, or other ferromagnetic material. A cover or shell may be attached to provide further reinforcement. The shell may be formed of aluminum (for example, to match a device enclosure) or other material. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector system having a ground contact and a power contact where the ground contact is a make-first-break-last contact. This connector system may include a connector receptacle or connector insert where a ground contact is located in front of a power contact. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-section of a connector insert and a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a rear view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a portion of a strain relief and a shell according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates portions of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a top view of the connector receptacle of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIGS. 19A and 19B  illustrate a connector receptacle and connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a connector receptacle and a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates another connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 22  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of an embodiment of the present invention. This figure illustrates a laptop  110  being charged by power adapter  130  via magnetic connector  120  and cable  132 . Power adapter  130  may receive power from a wall outlet, vehicle charger, or other power source. Power adapter  130  may transform this received power to a form that may be used to charge a battery (not shown) in laptop  110 . In this example, power adapter  130  is shown charging a laptop  110 , though in other embodiments of the present invention, other electronic devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices, may be charged. 
     Magnetic connector  120  may be a connector insert that is part of a magnetic connector system that includes a connector insert and connector receptacle. Examples of such connector inserts and connector receptacles consistent with embodiments of the present invention are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a connector receptacle  210  according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     Connector receptacle  210  may be located in an electronic device such as a portable computing device, tablet, desktop, or all-in-one computer, cell, smart, and media phone, storage device, portable media player, navigation system, monitor or other device. An enclosure for the device may include an opening such that surface  240  and contact  220  are accessible to a connector insert. 
     Connector receptacle  210  includes connector pin  220 . Connector pin  220  may receive a positive voltage and may carry current provided by a power adapter or other device to a device that includes connector receptacle  210 . Alternatively, connector pin  220  may provide a positive voltage and may provide power and current to an external device. Connector pin  220  may be made relatively small by using material having a high conductivity. The power contact connector pin  220  may be formed of a highly conductive material, such as brass, copper-nickel-silicon alloy, or a silver alloy. 
     An insulating portion  230  may isolate the positive supply on contact pin  220  from ground surface  240 . Ground surface  240  may act as a ground return, as well as a portion of a shield surrounding the connector receptacle. Ground surface  240  may have a curved surface as shown for easy insertion and extraction of a connector insert. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, magnets located in connector receptacle  210  may attract a magnetic element in a connector insert. In other embodiments of the present invention, magnets located in a connector insert may attract a magnetic element located in the connector receptacle  210 . In a specific embodiment of the present invention, magnets may be located behind ground surface  240 . These magnets may attract a magnetic element, such as an attraction plate made of a ferromagnetic material, in a connector insert. 
     In order to maintain a strong magnetic field between magnets in connector receptacle  210  and a connector insert, ground surface  240  may be made relatively thin. Also, to avoid shunting the magnetic field away from the connector insert, ground surface  240  may be made of a relatively low conductivity material. 
     Accordingly, to compensate for ground surface  240  being formed of a thin, low-conductivity material, ground surface  240  may be made relatively large. This provides a larger surface for the magnets to attract a connector insert, and also provides an adequate ground return path. Ground surface  240  may be formed using low carbon steel (1010), titanium copper, silver alloy, stainless or other steel, or other appropriate material. In this and other embodiments of the present invention, ground surface  240  may be formed as part of a shield for connector receptacle  210 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, magnets  260  can be seen as being located behind ground surface  240 . In various embodiments of the present invention, various numbers of magnets may be used. For example, three, four, or other numbers of magnets may be used. These magnets may have alternating polarities to increase magnetic attraction. These magnets may be rare-earth, electromagnets, or other types of magnets. 
     Connector receptacle  210  further includes a spring  310 . This spring is looped back onto itself as can be seen, and placed behind contact pin  220 . Spring  310  may be formed using Titanium Copper (for example, Ti—Cu NKT322 EH), Phosphor-bronze (for example, C5210R-H), or other appropriate material. When connector receptacle  210  is mated with a connector insert, contact pin  220  may be depressed and may compress spring  310 . Spring  310  may thus provide a force to keep contact pin  220  in electrical contact with a corresponding contact on a connector insert. An example of such a connector insert is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector insert includes an attraction plate  410  and contacts  420 . An insulation area  422  may isolate contact  420  from attraction plate  410 . 
     Attraction plate  410  may be made of low carbon steel, magnetic stainless steel, a ferromagnetic material, one or more magnets, or other appropriate material. Attraction plate  410  may form a portion of a ground path. Attraction plate  410  may be curved to mate with ground surface  240  in connector receptacle  210 . Contacts  420  may similarly be curved to accept contact pin  220  in connector receptacle  210 . Again, the curved shapes of attraction plate  410  and contacts  420  provide for a smooth and nonbinding insertion and extraction of the connector insert. The power contact  420  may be formed of a highly conductive material, such as brass, copper-nickel-silicon alloy, or a silver alloy. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, cable  505  includes a center conductor surrounded by braiding  540 . Braiding  540  may be pulled back around an insulating jacket  507 . A crimping piece  530  may be placed over braiding  540  and compressed, thereby making contact with braiding  540 . Crimping piece  530  may include portions  532  and  534 , which may be spot-welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed to connector insert portion  520 . A center conductor may contact metal portion  550 , which in turn may connect to, or be part of, contact  420 . 
     In this way, a power path is formed through a conductor in cable  505 , the conductor connected to piece  550 , which in turn is connected to, or formed as part of, contact  420 . A ground path is formed through braiding  540  of cable  505 , which contacts crimping piece  530 , which connects to metal piece  520  via tabs  534  and  532 . Attraction plate  410  may be connected to, or may be formed of, the same piece, as connector insert portion  520 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, heat shrink tube  610  has been placed over an end of cable  505 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a front view of a portion of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, top piece  810  has been fixed to the connector insert using fasteners  820 . An over-mold  830 , which may be soft plastic or other material, is placed over the connector insert to provide electrical isolation and a surface that may be handled by a user. 
     Again, connector receptacles in connector inserts according to an embodiment of the present invention may be useful in providing power to a laptop computer. In this case, a connector insert may plug into a side of the laptop, as shown in  FIG. 1 . In this case, the weight of the cable may pull down on the connector insert. In a worst-case situation, the cable may pull down sufficiently to disconnect a connector insert from its connector receptacle. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may adjust one or more dimensions in a connector receptacle to prevent this. For example, embodiments of the present invention may provide a slight bind to a disconnect that occurs in a downward direction, while allowing an upward tug to easily disconnect a connector insert from the connector receptacle. One example of how to do this is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cross-section of a connector insert and a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, contact pin  220  in a connector receptacle mates with contact  420  in a connector insert. By lowering contact pin  220  in a downward direction, the connector insert may bind somewhat when pulled in a downward direction. The displacement of contact pin  220  may also allow the connector insert to be removed more easily when pulled in an upward direction. 
     In the above examples, mating surfaces between a connector receptacle and the connector insert are shown as being curved. While this may have desirable properties as far as making for a smooth insertion and extraction of a connector insert from a connector receptacle, various manufacturing difficulties may be encountered. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles and connector inserts having flatter surfaces. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1010  includes contact pin  1020 , ground surface  1040 , and insulation ring  1030 . As before, magnets  1050  may be located behind ground surface  1040 . Also as before, contact  220  may be formed of a highly conductive material. The power contact pin  1020  may be formed of a highly conductive material, such as brass, copper-nickel-silicon alloy, or a silver alloy. Ground surface  1040  may be made of a less conductive material, as described above. For example, ground surface  1040  may be formed using low carbon steel (1010), titanium copper, silver alloy, stainless or other steel, or other appropriate material. Accordingly, ground surface  1040  may be made relatively large. Also, in this embodiment of the present invention, ground surface  1040  is relatively flat, as compared to ground surface  240 , and is also relatively larger. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As before, a spring  1110  may be used to provide a force to keep contact pin  1020  in contact with a contact on a connector insert when the connector insert is engaged with connector receptacle  1010 . In this example, stop  1115  may be provided to limit the distance that contact pin  1020  may be depressed into connector receptacle  1010 . Spring  1110  may be formed using Titanium Copper (for example, Ti—Cu NKT322 EH), Phosphor-bronze (for example, C5210R-H), or other appropriate material. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector insert includes contact  1220 , insulating layer  1222 , and attraction plate  1210 . Connector further includes a shell  1230  and strain relief  1240 . The power contact  1220  may be formed of a highly conductive material, such as brass, copper-nickel-silicon alloy, or a silver alloy. Shell  1230  may be formed using aluminum or other material. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a rear view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, this connector insert includes shell  1230  and strain relief  1240 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded view of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector insert includes an attraction plate  1210 , insulating portion  1222 , power cap  1220 , power insulator cover  1410 , crimping piece  1430 , shell  1230 , and strain relief  1240 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a portion of a strain relief  1240  and a shell  1230 . Strain relief  1240  includes raised portions  1510 . Raised portions  1510  may apply a spring force to maintain contact between pieces of the connector insert after assembly. 
     During assembly, power conductors in cable  505  may be routed through power insulator  1410  and soldered to power cap  1220 . Braiding  1420  may be pulled back as shown. Power cap  1220  may be placed in power insulator  1222 , which is then placed in attraction plate  1210 . Crimping piece  1430  may then be placed over braiding  1420 . An example of this is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates portions of a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, crimping piece  1430  is engaged with attraction plate  1210 . This may be accomplished during assembly by sliding crimping piece  1430  along the cable, then rotating crimping piece  1430  counter-clockwise until contact is made between arms on crimping piece  1430  and attraction plate  1210 . Crimping piece  1430  may be spot welded, laser welded, soldered, or otherwise fixed at arm portion  1610  to attraction plate  1210 , as shown. Attraction plate  1210  may include recess  1620  to form a step to hold arm portion  1610  more securely. Crimping piece  1430  may be crimped to form a secure connection. This crimping may be done by applying force in several directions around crimping piece at the same time. For example, four tool-die elements may b used to crimp crimping piece  1430 . The resulting piece may be injection molded to secure the various pieces to each other and prevent inadvertent electrical connections from forming. Shell  1230  may then be placed over a portion of attraction plate  1210 . Specifically, pins  1440  may be aligned with groove  1520  in shell  1230 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . Attraction plate  1210  and crimping piece  1430  may be formed using low carbon steel, titanium, stainless or other steel, or other appropriate material. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable to form a ground connection before any other connections are formed when a connector insert is attached to the connector receptacle. Similarly, during a disconnect, it may be desirable to have a ground connection be the last connection to break. This may be referred to as a make-first break-last ground connection. Such a connection may be achieved by various embodiments of the present invention. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector receptacle includes contact  1710  surrounded by a ground connection  1735 . Insulating portion  1730  may isolate power contacts  1720  from ground contact  1735 . Ground surface  1740  may be in contact with ground contact  1735 . When a connector insert mates with this connector receptacle, ground contact  1735  is first to mate with a corresponding contact in the connector insert. Ground contact  1735  is then depressed, thereby allowing power contact  1720  to mate with a corresponding contact in the connector insert. The power contact  1720  and ground contact  1735  may be formed of a highly conductive material, such as brass, copper-nickel-silicon alloy, or a silver alloy. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a top view of the connector receptacle of  FIG. 17 . As before, spring  1810  is provided for power contact  1720 . To allow ground contact  1730  to be depressed, a second spring  1820  is included. This two-spring arrangement allows a ground contact and a power contact to be independently depressed, and allows a make-first break-last ground connection. Springs  1810  and  1820  may be formed using Titanium Copper (for example, Ti—Cu NKT322 EH), Phosphor-bronze (for example, C5210R-H), or other appropriate material. 
       FIGS. 19A and 19B  illustrate a connector receptacle and connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 19A  illustrates a front view of a connector receptacle having power contact  1920  and ground contacts  1930  on a mesa  1940 .  FIG. 19B  illustrates a top view of a connector insert and a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1901  again has power contacts  1920  and ground contacts  1930 . Connector insert  1902  includes a depressed portion  1950  to accept power contact  1920 , and raised portions  1960  to accept ground contacts  1930 . As connector insert  1901  engages connector receptacle  1902 , ground contacts  1930  engage portions  1960  before contacts  1920  engage portion  1950 . Similarly, as insert  1902  disconnects from receptacle  1901 , ground contacts  1930  disconnect from portions  1960  after contacts  1920  disconnects from portion  1950 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a connector receptacle and a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure includes a connector receptacle  2001  and connector insert  2002 . In this example, as insert  2002  engages receptacle  2001 , ground contacts  2050  engage ground contacts  2020  before power contact  2040  engages power contact  2010 . 
       FIG. 21  illustrates another connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground contacts  2120  lead power contact  2110  to form a make-first break-last ground path. 
       FIG. 22  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  2201  includes power contacts  2220  and ground contacts  2210 . In this example, ground contacts  2210  are placed in front of power contacts  2220 , such that they engage corresponding ground contacts in a connector insert before power contacts  2220  engage corresponding power contacts in the connector insert. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20141117
Publication Date: 20161004
Grant Date: 20161004
Priority Date: 20110630
Inventors: GAO ZHENG
PONG JOSHUA
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/17", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R11/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2421", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S439/939", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2457", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/17", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S439/939", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R11/30", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10S439/939", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/17", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2421", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 47391090