PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10355402-B2
Application Number: US-201715720165-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Axisymmetric magnetic articulating connector

Abstract:
Connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor, readily mate when brought into proximity to each other, and disconnect when subjected to a non-axial force.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector system comprising:
 a connector receptacle comprising:
 a yoke comprising: 
 a top ferritic layer; 
 an intermediate non-ferritic layer; and 
 a bottom ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer, 
 wherein the yoke has an opening at a front of the connector receptacle; and 
 
 a connector insert having a tip to fit in the opening in the yoke when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated, wherein the tip is primarily formed of a ferritic material. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector system of  claim 1  further comprising a magnet in the yoke between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer. 
     
     
       3. The connector system of  claim 2  wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are Iron-Cobalt layers. 
     
     
       4. The connector system of  claim 2  wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are laminated together. 
     
     
       5. The connector system of  claim 2  wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are brazed together. 
     
     
       6. The connector system of  claim 2  wherein the connector receptacle further comprises a spring-loaded contact located in a passage in the yoke. 
     
     
       7. The connector system of  claim 6  wherein the opening in the yoke at a front of the connector receptacle comprises a ring of the intermediate non-ferritic layer. 
     
     
       8. The connector system of  claim 2  wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are arranged to convey magnetic field lines between the magnet and the tip of the connector insert when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated. 
     
     
       9. The connector system of  claim 2  wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are arranged to have an increasing thickness towards a front of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       10. A connector system comprising:
 a connector receptacle having a front passage defining a front opening, the front passage comprising a ferritic portion and a non-ferritic ring between the front opening and the ferritic portion; and 
 a connector insert to fit in the front opening of the connector receptacle when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are connected, 
 wherein the connector insert mates with the connector receptacle along a connection axis, 
 wherein the connector insert may rotate 360 degrees around the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle, and 
 wherein the connector insert may tilt at least 10 degrees relative to the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle. 
 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the connector insert may tilt at least 15 degrees relative to the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the connector insert may tilt at least 20 degrees relative to the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       13. A connector system comprising:
 a connector receptacle comprising:
 a magnetic yoke having an opening at a front of the connector receptacle; and 
 a spring-loaded contact in a passage in the magnetic yoke and having a tip at the front opening of the connector receptacle; and 
 
 a connector insert comprising:
 a tip to fit in the opening in the magnetic yoke when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated, wherein the tip is primarily formed of a ferritic material, 
 wherein the tip comprises a conductive path having a contacting surface at a front of the tip, and wherein the magnetic yoke comprises:
 a top ferritic layer; 
 an intermediate non-ferritic layer; and 
 a bottom ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer. 
 
 
 
     
     
       14. The connector system of  claim 13  further comprising a magnet between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer. 
     
     
       15. The connector system of  claim 14  wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are arranged to convey magnetic field lines between the magnet and the tip of the connector insert. 
     
     
       16. The connector system of  claim 15  wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are Iron-Cobalt layers. 
     
     
       17. The connector system of  claim 16  wherein the intermediate non-ferritic layer is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       18. The connector system of  claim 13  wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are laminated together. 
     
     
       19. The connector system of  claim 13  wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are brazed together.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The number and types of electronic devices available to consumers have increased tremendously the past few years and this increase shows no signs of abating. Devices such as portable computing devices, tablets, desktops, and all-in-one computers, smart phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices have become ubiquitous. 
     These devices often transfer power and data using cables that may have connector inserts on each end. The connector inserts may plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for power, data, or both power and data. 
     But these connector inserts and connector receptacles may be relatively large. A sizeable connector receptacle may consume an undesirably large space in an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. This may reduce the functionality that may be provided by the electronic device, it may increase the size of the electronic device, or a combination of both. 
     Users may plug connector inserts into connector receptacles in different devices several times a day as they charge their laptops, phones, tablets, and other devices. Accordingly, it may be desirable to simplify the connection procedure used to form a connection. Thus, it may be desirable that a connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle be readily formed when the connector insert is brought into proximity to the connector receptacle. 
     The connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle may undergo inadvertent non-axial forces during use. That is, a cable attached to a connector insert that is inserted into a connector receptacle of an electronic device may be tripped over or experience other inadvertent force. When this happens, it may be desirable that the connector insert and connector receptacle disconnect without damage being incurred by either the connectors or the electronic device. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor, readily mate with each other when brought into proximity, and disconnect when subjected to a non-axial force. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor, readily mate with each other when brought into proximity, and disconnect when subjected to a non-axial force. 
     Users may plug connector inserts into connector receptacles housed in electronic devices several times a day. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector systems where a connector insert may readily mate with a connector receptacle when the connector insert is brought into proximity to the connector receptacle. The connector insert may be mated with the connector receptacle along a connection axis. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, mating portions of the connector insert and connector receptacle may be axisymmetrical. This may allow the connector insert to mate with the connector receptacle at any rotation around the connection axis. As a result, a connector insert, once mated, may rotate 360 degree around the connection axis without losing connection to the connector receptacle. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert may also be connected when is has a tilt relative to the connection axis. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert may be inserted with a tilt of 10 degrees relative to the connection axis. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert may be inserted with a tilt of 15 degrees relative to the connection axis. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert may be inserted with a tilt of 20 degrees relative to the connection axis. The tilt may be in any direction about the connection axis. Also, once mated, the connector insert may be tilted these amounts in any direction without breaking a connection with the connector receptacle. 
     Conventional connector inserts and connector receptacles may be relatively large. A sizable connector receptacle may result in an electronic device having less functionality, a larger size, or a combination of both. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector inserts that may include an axisymmetrical tip that may be inserted in an opening in a connector receptacle. The opening of the connector receptacle may be formed of an opening of a magnetic yoke that may guide the tip of the insert into the opening and may then hold the insert in place. This arrangement may reduce a size of a connector receptacle, as well as the connector insert. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide connector systems that convey power. These and other embodiments of the present invention may also, or instead, provide data. For example, intermediate frequency or radio frequency data may be added to a power supply and conveyed over the same path. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power and data may be time multiplexed. For example, power may be provided during a first time slot, while data is provided during a second time slot. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a connector insert and connector receptacle may include additional signal or power paths, or both. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the connector insert and connector receptacle may include one or more fiber-optic paths. 
     Again, a cable attached to a connector insert that is inserted in a connector receptacle of an electronic device may undergo various inadvertent forces. It may be desirable these inadvertent forces do not cause damage to either the connectors or the electronic device. Accordingly, these and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector insert the may disconnect from a connector receptacle after receiving a non-axial force. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention conductive portions the connector systems may be formed by stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions may be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions may be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions may be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The magnets may be rare-earth magnets or other type of magnets. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be located in, may connect to, or may be on the surface of various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptop computers, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, wearable computing devices, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, styluses, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts may provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these connector receptacles and connector inserts may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close-up of the connector system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a yoke for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates the yoke of  FIG. 5  along with a magnet; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a block that may be used in forming a yoke for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 8-10  illustrate a disconnect sequence 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 embodiments of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     This figure includes electronic device  100 . In this specific example, electronic device  100  may be a laptop computer. In other embodiments of the present invention, electronic device  100  may be a portable computing device, tablet computer, smart phone, global positioning device, wearable computing device, media player, or other device. 
     Electronic device  100  may include a battery. The battery may provide power to electronic circuits in electronic device  100 . This battery may be charged using power adapter  140 . Specifically, power adapter  140  may receive power from an external source, such as a wall outlet or car charger. Power adapter  140  may convert received external power, which may be AC or DC power, to DC power, and it may provide the converted DC power over cable  130  to connector insert  120 . Connector insert  120  may be arranged to mate with connector receptacle  110  on electronic device  100 . Power may be received at connector receptacle  110  from connector insert  120  and provided to the battery and electronic circuitry in electronic device  100 . In other embodiments of the present invention, data or other types of signals may also be provided to electronic device  100  via connector insert  120  and connector receptacle  110 . Examples of connector insert  120  and connector receptacle  110  are shown below. 
     Again, users may plug connector inserts into connector receptacles in electronic devices several times a day. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector systems where a connector insert  120  may readily mate with a connector receptacle  110  when the connector insert  120  is brought into proximity to the connector receptacle  110 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, connector insert  120  may be mated with connector receptacle  110  along a connection axis. Connector insert  120  may mate with the connector receptacle  110  at any rotation around the connection axis. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, connector insert  120  may also be inserted when it has a tilt relative to the connection axis. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector insert  120  may include insulating region  124  and housing or shielding  122 . Connector insert  120  may connect to cable  130 . Cable  130  may be protected by strain relief  126 . Connector receptacle  110  may be located in electronic device enclosure  112 . 
     Connector insert  120  may connect to connector receptacle  110  along connection axis  210 . Connector insert  120  may be inserted in any rotation  230  about connection axis  210 . Connector insert  120  may also be inserted when it has a tilt relative to connection axis  210 . That is, connector insert  120  may have a tilt at angle  220  relative to connection axis  210  when it is inserted. This tilt may be in any direction about connection axis  210 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the angle  220  may be 10 degrees. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the angle  220  may be 15 degrees. After mating, connector insert  120  may also be titled these amounts without breaking a connection to connector receptacle  110 . 
     Conventional connector inserts and connector receptacles may be relatively large. A sizable connector receptacle may result in an electronic device having less functionality, a larger size, or a combination of both. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector inserts that may include an axisymmetrical tip that may be inserted in an opening in a connector receptacle. This arrangement may reduce a size of a connector receptacle, as well as the connector insert. An example is shown in the following figure 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a more detailed view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  110  may be housed in device enclosure  112 . Connector receptacle  110  may include magnet  360 . Magnet  360  may be located in yoke  500  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that may include a front portion  342  defining opening  343  at the front of connector receptacle  110 . Front portion  342  and opening  343  may be axisymmetrical about the connection axis  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 .) A contact may be present in opening  343 . In this example, spring-loaded contact  350  may have a tip of plunger  352  at opening  343 . Spring-loaded contact  350  may further include spring  356  in housing  354 . A sphere or other object  358  may operate with a sloped backside to plunger  352  to ensure that plunger  352  remains in contact with housing  354 . This may prevent receptacle currents from flowing exclusively through spring  356 , which might be sufficient to destroy spring  356 . 
     Connector insert  120  may include tip  330 . Tip  330  may have a generally spherical shape, though in these and other embodiments of the present invention, tip  330  may have other shapes. Tip  330  may be axisymmetrical about the connection axis  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 .) Tip  330  may include central conductor  320 . Central conductor  320  may terminate in contact  332 , which may form an electrical connection with spring-loaded contacts  350  in connector receptacle  110  when connector insert  120  is mated with connector receptacle  110 . Connector insert  120  may include insulating region  124  in front of housing or shield  122  to protect device enclosure  112  from connector insert  120 . Housing or shield  122  may provide a surface to be manipulated by a user. It may also provide electromagnetic shielding for connector insert  120 . 
       FIG. 4  is a close-up of the connector system of  FIG. 3 . In this example, connector receptacle  110  may include spring-loaded contact  350 . Spring-loaded contact  350  may be insulated from magnet  360  by insulating layer  420 . Yoke  500  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) may include front portion  342  defining opening  343 . Connector insert  120  may include a connector tip  330  having a central conductor  320 . Central conductor  320  may terminate at contact  322 , which may electrically connect to spring-loaded contact  350  in connector receptacle  110 . Central conductor  320  may be insulated by insulating layer  410 . 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide connector systems that may convey power. For example, central conductor  320  of connector insert  120  and spring-loaded contact  350  of connector receptacle  110  may convey a power supply, while front portion  342  of yoke  500  in connector receptacle  110  and the remainder of tip  330  of connector insert  120  may provide a ground or return path. During mating, the ground of tip  330  may connect to front portion  342  of yoke  500  to form a ground connection before the power is connected through spring-loaded contact  350  and contact  322 . In these and other embodiment of the present invention, data may also be sent over this power connection, or data may be sent instead of power. For example, intermediate frequency or radiofrequency data may be added to the power supply voltage and conveyed over the same path. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other data-over-power techniques may be used. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, data and power may be time multiplexed. That is, this connection may be used during a first time slot for data and during a second time slot for power. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, central conductor  320  and spring-loaded contact  350  may be replaced by fiber-optic connections. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, more than one conductor  320  may be used to electrically convey data and power simultaneously. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, connector insert  120  and connector receptacle  110  may be formed of various materials. For example, tip  330  of connector insert  120  may be formed of a steel or other material that is both magnetically and electrically conductive. This may allow tip  330  to be attracted to a magnetic field generated by magnet  360  and directed or guided by yoke  500 , while also providing a reasonably low-resistance path for the ground or return current. Magnet  360  may be a rare earth or other type of magnet. Spring-loaded contact  350  may be formed of copper, brass, or other materials. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may employ one or more magnets or magnetically conductive structures to assist a user in connecting connector insert  120  to connector receptacle  110 . These magnets and structures may provide an increasing level of magnetic attraction as a tip of connector insert  120  is brought into an opening in a yoke at a front of a connector receptacle  110 . This increasing level of magnetic attraction may ensure that a mating connection is made when a user brings connector insert  120  into proximity to a connector receptacle  110 . An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a yoke for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Yoke  500  may be a bi-metallic yoke formed of three layers, though these and other embodiments of the present invention may provide yokes having one, two, four, or more than four layers. This example includes a top ferritic layer  340  and a bottom ferritic layer  341 . Top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer  341  may be formed of iron cobalt or other ferritic material such as  430 ,  434 , or other ferritic stainless steel. Yoke  500  may further include an intermediate non-ferritic layer  510 . Intermediate non-ferritic layer  510  may be formed of non-ferritic material, such as  316 ,  316 L, or other non-ferritic stainless steel. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, these layers may be laminated, brazed, soldered, or otherwise manufactured to form a unit. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, yoke  500  may be manufactured by a double shot metal injection manufacturing process. The top ferritic layer  340 , bottom ferritic layer  341 , and intermediate non-ferritic layer  510  may be co-machined and finished. This may provide a smooth surface for opening  343 . This in turn may help to prevent binding between tip  330  of connector insert  120  and connector receptacle  110 . 
     Yoke  500  may include a front collar or front portion  342 . Front portion  342  may define an opening  343  through which a contact in the connector receptacle may be accessed by a tip of a corresponding connector insert. Front portion  342  may include concentric ring  520  formed by non-ferritic layer  510 , and ring portions  522  formed of top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer  341 . Magnet  360  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) may include a passage for spring-loaded contact  350 . Slot  530  in yoke  500  may be aligned to that passage in magnet  360 . Slot  530  may be optional and not included, such as in the example shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     Top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer  341  may be arranged to convey opposing magnetic field lines provided by magnet  360  (shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 ). Magnet  360  may be located in slot  560  between top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer  341 . As tip  330  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) of connector insert  120  is brought into proximity to front portion  342 , tip  330  may be magnetically attracted to front portion  342 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the magnetic field strength may be limited by the presence of non-ferritic ring  520  such that tip  330  does not form a stable magnetic attraction to an outside surface of device enclosure  112 . As tip  330  enters opening  343 , magnetic field lines from top ferritic layer  340  may pass through tip  330  of connector insert  120  and then back into bottom ferritic layer  341 . This magnetic pathway may conduct more field lines as tip  330  progresses into opening  343  a front portion  342 . This increasing field strength may provide a feeling that connector receptacle  110  is pulling connector insert  120  into opening  343 . This may provide a “blind mating” where a connection is readily made when connector insert  120  is in proximity with connector receptacle  110 . 
     In this way, the field strength provided by yoke  500  may not be sufficient to attach tip  330  of connector insert  120  to device enclosure  112 . However, as tip  330  of connector insert enters opening  343  in front portion  342 , the magnetic attraction may increase thereby pulling tip  330  of connector insert  120  into connector receptacle  110  and forming a connection. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates the yoke of  FIG. 5  along with a magnet. In this example, magnet  360  may be inserted into yoke  500  in slot  560 . Magnet  360  may have a first pole, North in this example, alongside top ferritic layer  340 , and a second pole, South, alongside bottom ferritic layer  341 . Field lines from the North pole of magnet  360  may travel through top ferritic layer  340  towards front portion  342  of yoke  500 . Without connector insert  120 , magnetic field lines may pass through ring portions  522  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) of front portion  342 . After passing through front portion  342 , the field lines may return through bottom ferritic layer  341  towards the south pole of magnet  360 . 
     Tip  330  of connector insert may be a ferritic stainless steel or other magnetically conductive material. For example, it may be a material that conducts both electricity and magnetic field lines fairly well. Accordingly, when tip  330  of connector insert  120  is brought into opening  343 , tip  330  may conduct magnetic field lines from top ferritic layer  340  to bottom ferritic layer  341 . This conduction may increase as tip  330  is pulled further into opening  343  of yoke  500 . In this way, tip  330  may close the field lines from magnet  360  between top ferritic layer  340  to bottom ferritic layer  341 . Again, this may provide for blind mating between connector insert  120  and connector receptacle  110 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, magnet  360  may taper in thickness from a rear  362  of magnet  360  to front portion  342 . This may allow top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer  341  to widen near front opening  343 . This may reduce stray flux from yoke  500 . That is, the increasing width of top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer  341  may compensate for the increasing field strength near the front opening  343 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a width of magnet  360  and yoke may narrow towards a rear  362  of magnet  360 . This may help to save space in a device. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, magnet  360  and yoke may have a more rectangular or other shaped width. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, yoke  500  and magnet  360  may be located in a thin device where a surface of the device is near a top or bottom of yoke  500 . In such a device, top ferritic layer  340  and bottom ferritic layer may limit flux such that connector insert  120  might not inadvertently become attached at the surface of the device. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other structures may be used in place of or along with yoke  500  and magnet  360 . For example, a single magnet may be used without a yoke. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, two or more magnets may be used, either with or without a yoke. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a block that may be used in forming yoke  500  according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, block  610  may include a top ferritic layer  340 , a bottom ferritic layer  341 , and an intervening non-ferritic layer  510 . A front surface of block  610  may also be formed of the non-ferritic layer  510 . 
     Again, a cable attached to a connector insert that is inserted in a connector receptacle of an electronic device may undergo various inadvertent forces. It may be desirable these inadvertent forces do not cause damage to either the connectors or the electronic device. Accordingly, these and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector insert that may disconnect from a connector receptacle after receiving a non-axial force. An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIGS. 8-10  illustrate a disconnect sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 8 , a connector insert  120  is inserted into a connector receptacle  110 . In this example, contact  322  of connector insert  120  may electrically connect to spring-loaded contact  350  and connector receptacle  110 . Spring-loaded contact  350  may be located in opening  343  in front portion  342  of yoke  500  (shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 .) In  FIG. 9 , a non-axial force has moved connector insert  120  relative to connector receptacle  110 . A portion of connector tip  330  may engage a corner of front portion  342  of yoke  500  at location  930 . Contact  322  (which may convey a power supply) of connector insert  120  may remain in contact with a tip of spring-loaded contacts  350  at location  920 . Contacts  322  may have clearance  910  and might not be in electrical contact with the return path formed by front portion  342  of yoke  500 . In  FIG. 10 , this rotation may continue and connector insert  120  may exit connector receptacle  110 . That is, connector tip  330  of connector insert  120  may continue to rotate about location  930 . Contact  332 , which again may convey power, may maintain clearance  1010  from front portion  342  of yoke  500  and not form in electrical connection between a power supply at contact  332  and ground at front portion  342  of yoke  500 . Again, non-ferritic ring  520  of yoke  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) may limit flux near a front of front portion  342 . This not only may help to prevent connector insert  120  from attaching to a front of device enclosure  112 , but may allow connector insert  120  to easily escape connector insert  120  when it reached this point. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the above camming or fulcrum action may act to help sweep debris and other material out of connector receptacle  110 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a reservoir for such debris may be included in connector receptacle  110 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, spring-loaded contact  350  may be located in connector receptacle  110 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a spring-loaded contact, such as spring-loaded contact  350 , may be located in connector insert  120 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, plungers, contacts, brackets, barrels, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacles and connector inserts may be formed by stamping, forging, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions may be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the housings and other structures may be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions may be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The magnets may be rare-earth magnets or other type of magnets. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be located in, may connect to, or may be on the surface of various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, styluses, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts may provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Digital Visual Interface, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning, Joint Test Action Group, test-access-port, Directed Automated Random Testing, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters, clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these connector receptacles and connector inserts may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20170929
Publication Date: 20190716
Grant Date: 20190716
Priority Date: 20170929
Inventors: DEGNER, BRETT W.
HAMEL, BRADLEY J.
STRINGER, CHRISTOPHER J.
LIGTENBERG, CHRISTIAAN A.
NARAJOWSKI, DAVID H.
LAURENT, KRISTOPHER P.
AMINI, MAHMOUD R.
LECLERC, MICHAEL E.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R39/643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2407", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R11/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/0263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2407", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R39/643", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F7/0263", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R11/30", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R35/04", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63684485