PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10707627-B2
Application Number: US-201816139068-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Hybrid connector

Abstract:
Hybrid connectors that may transfer power and data with a variety of electronic devices having different types of connector interfaces, may consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device, and may be readily manufactured.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a device enclosure; 
 an opening in the device enclosure; 
 a window in the opening in the device enclosure; 
 a plurality of contacts, each in a corresponding one of a plurality of openings in the window; and 
 a ferrite aligned with the window and positioned such that the plurality of contacts are between the ferrite and the window, wherein the ferrite is partially wrapped with a winding. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the window is a plastic window. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the window is formed of sapphire. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 1  further comprising electronic circuitry coupled to the plurality of contacts and the winding. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 4  wherein the electronic circuitry forms a system-in-package module. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 4  wherein the electronic circuitry provides power to a second electronic device using the plurality of contacts. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 6  wherein the electronic circuitry communicates with the second electronic device using the plurality of contacts. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the electronic circuitry provides power to a third electronic device using the winding around the ferrite. 
     
     
       9. The electronic device of  claim 8  wherein the electronic circuitry communicates with the third electronic device using the winding around the ferrite. 
     
     
       10. An electronic device comprising:
 a device enclosure; 
 an opening in the device enclosure; 
 a ferrite aligned with the opening in the device enclosure; 
 a winding around at least a portion of the ferrite; 
 a plurality of contacts aligned with the opening in the device enclosure, each of the plurality of contacts between the opening and the ferrite, each of the plurality of contacts having a tail extending under the ferrite; and 
 a flexible circuit board extending under the ferrite and contacting the tail of each of the plurality of contacts. 
 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10  wherein the tail of each of the plurality of contacts forms a right-angle. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 10  wherein the flexible circuit board does not extend between the plurality of contacts and the ferrite. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 10  further comprising a window in the opening in the device enclosure. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the window is a plastic window. 
     
     
       15. The electronic device of  claim 13  wherein the window is formed of sapphire. 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 13  further comprising electronic circuitry coupled to the plurality of contacts and the winding. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16  wherein the electronic circuitry forms a system-in-package module. 
     
     
       18. A contact assembly comprising:
 a plurality of contacts, each having a contacting surface for mating with a corresponding contact on a corresponding connector and a contacting portion for mating to a flexible circuit board; and 
 a housing supporting the plurality of contacts, a front side of the housing including a raised portion around the plurality of contacts and a plurality of insulating rings, each around a corresponding one of the plurality of contacts, where a contacting surface of each of the plurality of contacts is exposed at the front side of the housing and a contacting portion of each of the plurality of contacts is exposed at a backside of the housing, 
 wherein the contacting surface of each of the plurality of contacts is substantially flush with a surface of a corresponding insulating ring, and 
 wherein the backside of the housing comprises a plurality of alignment features and is otherwise substantially flat such that the backside of the housing is configured to be covered with the flexible circuit board. 
 
     
     
       19. The contact assembly of  claim 18  wherein the alignment features comprise a plurality of posts to be inserted into openings in the flexible circuit board. 
     
     
       20. The contact assembly of  claim 18  wherein for each contact in the plurality of contacts, the contacting surface and the contacting portion are on opposite sides of the contact.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Nos. 62/565,469, filed Sep. 29, 2017, and 62/722,790, filed Aug. 24, 2018, which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The number of types of electronic devices that are commercially available has increased tremendously the past few years and the rate of introduction of new devices shows no signs of abating. Devices such as tablets, laptops, netbooks, desktops, and all-in-one computers, smart phones, storage devices, portable media players, wearable computing devices, navigation systems, monitors, and others, have become ubiquitous. 
     Power and data may be provided from one device to another over cables that may include one or more wire conductors, fiber optic cables, or other conductors. Connector inserts may be located at each end of these cables and may be inserted into connector receptacles in the communicating or power transferring devices. In other systems, contacts on the devices may come into direct contact with each other without the need for intervening cables. 
     In systems where contacts on two electronic devices come into contact with each other, the contacts may be located in a connector at a surface of an electronic device. These connectors may include surface contacts that may be very efficient at transferring power and data between the two electronic devices. But it may be undesirable to not include contacts on some devices, particularly smaller accessories that may be handled often by users. Accordingly, it may be desirable to be able to transfer power and data with a variety of electronic devices having different types of connectors. 
     These surface contacts may often have a large surface area, a substantial depth, and consume a relatively large volume of space in the electronic device. The loss of this space may mean that the electronic device is either larger, includes a reduced set of functionality, or both. Also, these electronic devices may be manufactured in large numbers. A corresponding number of connectors may be manufactured for use in these devices. Any simplification in the manufacturing process of these connectors may yield tremendous savings in the manufacturing of these electronic devices. 
     Thus, what is needed are connectors that may transfer power and data with a variety of electronic devices having different types of connector interfaces, may consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device, and may be readily manufactured. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide hybrid connectors that may transfer power and data with a variety of electronic devices having different types of connector interfaces, may consume a minimal amount of surface area, depth, and volume in an electronic device, and may be readily manufactured. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a contact assembly for a connector for an electronic device. This contact assembly may provide an efficient path for transferring power between devices. The contact assembly may include one, two, three, four, or more than four contacts. The contacts may be formed by machining, etching, printing, casting, forging, or by using a deep drawn or other process. The contacts may be supported by a housing, which may include a raised portion to be located in an opening in a device enclosure. Contacting surfaces of the contacts and a surface of the raised portion of the housing may be substantially flush with, or recessed a limited amount relative to, a surface of the device enclosure around the contacts. This surface may be curved or flat, or have other contours. Other contacts, such as fiber-optic contacts, may be included. 
     The contact assembly housings may include one or more backside recesses or depressions. These recesses or depressions may provide access to contacting portions or tabs of the contacts supported by the housing. One or more flexible circuit boards may be located in the depression and may include contacts on a surface to be soldered to or otherwise electrically connected to the contacting portions or tabs of the contacts supported by the housing. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the housings may be include a raised portion or surface around the contacting surfaces. Individual rings may extend from the raised portion or surface and form insulating rings around the contacts. The insulating rings may be contiguous and around the contacting surfaces of the contacts. The insulating rings may fit flush and contiguous in openings in a device enclosure. A backside of the housing may include posts or other alignment features for aligning the housing to a flexible circuit board. The backside of the housing may otherwise be substantially flat for mating with a flexible circuit board. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable that power be provided to a second electronic device from a first electronic device in an efficient manner. In these situations, a physical electrical connection, such as one using the above contacts and contact assemblies, may be utilized. But in other situations, it may be desirable to not include a physical electrical connection that uses contacts. For example, it may be desirable that the electronic device have a smooth or even finish. The electronic device may be a type of device that is manipulated by users and the presence of contacts may be undesirable. Accordingly, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, inductive charging may be used to charge these electronic devices. This inductive charging may obviate the need for contacts on the second electronic device. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may therefore provide a combined connector that may include a wired connector as well as an inductive connector. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the wired connector and inductive connector may be co-located and combined into a hybrid connector. This combination may simplify operation of an electronic device for a user. That is, a user may simply need to remember that a hybrid connector is in a specific location in the electronic device where each type of device (for example, devices with and without contacts) may be connected. This may help to alleviate confusion caused by having multiple connectors in different locations on the device. This combination may further allow a hybrid connector including both wired and inductive connectors to be located in a single opening in a device enclosure. Having a single opening may simplify manufacturing, prevent moisture leakage, and may improve overall device appearance. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a hybrid connector may include a ferrite and a plurality of contacts, where the contacts are between the ferrite and a surface of a device enclosure housing the hybrid connector. The contacts and ferrite may be located in an opening in the device enclosure. The opening may be covered by a window, where the contacts are available in openings in the window. The window may be formed of plastic, sapphire, or other material. The ferrite may be partially wrapped by a coil or winding. The ferrite and winding may be used to transfer power and data with a second electronic device having a first type of connector. For example, the first type of connector may include one, two, three, four, or more than four electrical contacts. The contacts may be used to transfer power and data with a third electronic device having a second type of connector. For example, the second connector may be inductive. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a hybrid connector may include a single electronic circuit coupled to the ferrite and the contacts to control power and data transfers over both the ferrite and contacts. To save space, this electronic circuit may be a module, such as a system-in-package module or other module. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector assemblies and hybrid connectors that may be located in 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, keyboards, covers, cases, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector assemblies and hybrid connectors may provide pathways for signals and power 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. In one example, the connector assemblies and hybrid connectors may be used to transfer a data signal, a power supply, and ground with a first type of electronic device using electrical contacts, and to inductively transfer power and data with a second type of electronic device. In various embodiments of the present invention, the data signal may be unidirectional or bidirectional and the power supply may be unidirectional or bidirectional. 
     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 according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a contact assembly that may be used in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a back side of another contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a contact assembly in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a rear view of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a contact assembly in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates the assembly of contact assembly for a connector in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an electronic device providing power, data, or both, to a second electronic device using a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an electronic device providing power, data, or both, to a third electronic device using a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of a portion of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a backside of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a cutaway side view of a portion of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system 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. 
     In this example, host device  110  may be connected to accessory device  120  in order to share data, power, or both. Specifically, connector  112  on host device  110  may be electrically connected to connector  122  on accessory device  120 . Connector  112  on host device  110  may be electrically connected to connector  122  on accessory device  120  via cable  130 . In other embodiments of the present invention, connector  112  on host device  110  may be directly and electrically connected to connector  122  on accessory device  120 . In still other embodiments of the present invention, one or more optical contacts (not shown) supporting one or more optical connections between host device  110  and accessory device  120  may be included in connectors  112  and  122 . 
     To facilitate a direction connection between connector  112  on host device  110  and connector  122  on accessory device  120 , connector  112  and connector  122  may include surface mount contact assemblies. Examples of surface mount contact assemblies that may be used in connector  112  and connector  122  are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a contact assembly that may be used in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. This contact assembly may be used in connector  112  of host device  110 , connector  122  of accessory device  120 , or in another connector in another device. This contact assembly may include three contacts  210  supported by housing  220 . Housing  220  may include a raised portion  222 . Raised portion  222  may fit in an opening in a device enclosure (not shown) or another structure that may form a portion of a device enclosure that houses an electronic device. Raised portion  222  may act as an alignment feature to align the contact assembly to an opening in the device enclosure or device enclosure portion. Housing  220  may be formed of a nonconductive material, such as plastic. In this way, contacts  210  may be located at a surface of a device enclosure for an electronic device housing this contact assembly. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, separate housings  220  may be provided for each contact  210 . In some circumstances, having three contacts  210  in a single housing  220  may improve the control of a spacing of contacts  210  relative to each other. While in this example three contacts  210  are shown, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, one, two, four, or more than four contacts may be included. Contacts  210  and raised portion  222  of housing  220  may be substantially flush with, or recessed a limited amount relative to, a surrounding surface of a device enclosure. These surfaces may be curved, they may be substantially flat, or they may have other contours. 
     Contacts  210  may be formed in various ways. For example, contacts  210  may be formed by coining, machining, forging, printing, etching, stamping, or other appropriate technique. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  210  may be formed by a deep drawn process. More information on the manufacturing steps that may be used to form these contacts may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/138,216, filed Apr. 26, 2017, which is incorporated by reference. 
     Contacts  210  may be formed of various materials. For example, contacts  210  may be formed by plating a copper, copper alloy, or copper bronze or other substrate. Examples of plating layers that may be used to plate contacts  210  and the other included contacts are described below. More information on the materials and plating, as well as other protective layers used to form these contacts may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/138,216, filed Apr. 26, 2017, and Ser. No. 15/464,051, filed Mar. 20, 2017, as well as U.S. provisional application No. 62/718,306, filed Aug. 13, 2018, which are incorporated by reference. Other protective and other layers may be added as well, examples of which may be found in co-pending U.S. provisional application No. 62/718,306, filed Aug. 13, 2018, which is incorporated by reference. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  210  may be used for various purposes. For example, contacts  210  in this contact assembly may be used to convey power, ground, data, and other electrical signals. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, various adhesives may be used to secure these structures in place. Specifically, adhesive layers (not shown) may be used to secure contact  210  to housing  220 . Adhesive layers (not shown) may also be used to secure housing  220  to the device enclosure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a rear view of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Contacts  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may include contacting portions  212 . Contacts  210  may include support tabs  214 . Support tabs  214  may be aligned in openings  226  in housing  220  to hold contacts  210  in place relative to housing  220 . A back side of housing  220  may include a recess or depressed portion  224 . A flexible circuit board (not shown) may be located in recess or depressed portion  224 . The flexible circuit board may include contacts for forming electrical connections with contacting portions  212  of contacts  210 . Contacts on the flexible circuit board may be attached to contacting portions  212  of contacts  210  by soldering, laser, spot, or resistance welding, or by other method. The flexible circuit board may route electrical signals to circuitry inside an electronic device housing this contact assembly. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Contacts  210  may be supported by housing  220 . Housing  220  may include raised portion  222 . Raised portion  222  may fit in an opening in a device enclosure or portion of a device enclosure housing this contact assembly. Contact  210  may include handle  410 . Handle  410  may be connected to a carrier during manufacturing. The carrier may be used to manipulate groups of contacts  210  during manufacturing. This carrier may be removed leaving behind handle  410  during manufacturing. Contact  210  may then be inserted into housing  220 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, housing  220  may instead be formed around contact  210 , for example by molding. Contact  210  may include contacting portion  212 . Contacting portions  212  may be available to be connected to a flexible circuit board located in recess or depressed portion  224 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a back side of another contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, contacts  510  may be located in housing  520 . Contacts  510  may include contacting portions  512 . Contacting portions  512  may be handle portions, such as handle  410  in  FIG. 4 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, contacting portions  512  may be or include other portions of contacts  510 . One or more flexible circuit boards (not shown) may include tabs that may align with recesses or depressed portions  524 . These flexible circuit board tabs may include contacts to form electrical connections with contacting portions  512  of contacts  510 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, housing  520  may support one, two, four, or more than four contacts  510 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a contact assembly in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The contact assembly may include contacts  210  in raised portion  222  of housing  220  (shown in  FIG. 2 ), though other contact assemblies may be used consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Raised portion  222  of housing  220  may be located in an opening  612  in device enclosure  610 . Opening  612  may be located in a back or rear surface  614  of device enclosure  610 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, opening  612  may be located in a side  616  or front  618  of device enclosure  610 . 
     Device enclosure  610  may partially or substantially house electronic device  600 . One or more screens, buttons, or other components (not shown) may be located at a surface of electronic device  600 . Electronic device  600  may be a smartphone, mobile computing device, portable computing device, laptop, tablet, or other computing device. Contacts  210  may form electrical connections with contacts on a second or accessory electronic device (not shown) when electronic device  600  is mated with the second or accessory device. Raised portion  222  of housing  220  may insulate contacts  210  from each other and from device enclosure  610 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a contact assembly that may be used in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. This contact assembly may be used in connector  112  of host device  110 , connector  122  of accessory device  120 , or in another connector in another device. This contact assembly may include three contacts  710  supported by housing  720 . Contacts  710  may be the same or similar as contacts  210  in  FIG. 2  and contacts  510  of  FIG. 5 . Contacts  710  may include support tabs  716  in openings  726  to hold contacts  710  in place relative to housing  720 . Housing  720  may include a raised portion  722 . Raised portions or insulating rings  724  may extend from raised portion  722 . Each raised portion or insulating ring  724  may surround a corresponding contact  710 . Each raised portion  722  may fit in a corresponding opening in a device enclosure (not shown) or another structure that may form a portion of a device enclosure that houses an electronic device. Raised portion  722  and insulating rings  724  may act as alignment features to align the contact assembly to an opening in the device enclosure or device enclosure portion. Housing  720  may be formed of a nonconductive material, such as plastic. In this way, contacts  710  may be located at a surface of a device enclosure for an electronic device housing this contact assembly. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, separate housings  720  may be provided for each contact  710 . In some circumstances, having three contacts  710  in a single housing  720  may improve the control of a spacing of contacts  710  relative to each other. While in this example three contacts  710  are shown, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, one, two, four, or more than four contacts may be included. Contacts  710  and a top surface of raised portions or insulating rings  724  of housing  720  may be substantially flush with, or recessed a limited amount relative to, a surrounding surface of a device enclosure. These surfaces may be curved, they may be substantially flat, or they may have other contours. 
     Contacts  710  may be formed in various ways. For example, contacts  710  may be formed by coining, machining, forging, printing, etching, stamping, or other appropriate technique. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  710  may be formed by a deep drawn process. More information about these contacts and on the manufacturing steps that may be used to form these contacts may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/138,216, filed Apr. 26, 2017, which is incorporated by reference. 
     Contacts  710  may be formed of various materials. For example, contacts  710  may be formed by plating a copper, copper alloy, or copper bronze or other substrate. Examples of plating layers that may be used to plate contacts  710  and the other included contacts are described below. More information on the materials and plating used to form these contacts may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/138,216, filed Apr. 26, 2017, and Ser. No. 15/464,051, filed Mar. 20, 2017, as well as U.S. provisional application No. 62/718,306, filed Aug. 13, 2018, which are incorporated by reference. Other protective and other layers may be added as well, examples of which may be found in co-pending U.S. provisional application No. 62/718,306, filed Aug. 13, 2018, which is incorporated by reference. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  710  may be used for various purposes. For example, contacts  710  in this contact assembly may be used to convey power, ground, data, and other electrical signals. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, various adhesives may be used to secure these structures in place. Specifically, adhesive layers (not shown) may be used to secure contact  710  to housing  720 . Adhesive layers (not shown) may also be used to secure housing  720  to the device enclosure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a rear view of a contact assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Contacts  710  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) may include contacting portions  712  in openings  728 . Contacts  710  may include support tabs  716 . Support tabs  716  may be aligned in openings  726  in housing  720  to hold contacts  710  in place relative to housing  720 . A back side of housing  720  may include recesses or depressed portions  727 . Portions or tabs of the flexible circuit board (not shown) may be located in recesses or depressed portions  727 . The flexible circuit board may include contacts for forming electrical connections with contacting portions  714  of contacts  710 . Contacts on the flexible circuit board may be attached to contacting portions  714  of contacts  710  by soldering, laser, spot, or resistance welding, or by other method. The flexible circuit board may route electrical signals to circuitry inside an electronic device housing this contact assembly. Posts  729  may extend from a backside of housing  720 . Posts  729  may be used to align flexible circuit board  1040  (shown in  FIG. 10 ) or other structure to housing  720 . 
     In the example of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , housing  720  may be include a raised portion  722  around contacting surfaces of contacts  710 . Individual rings may extend from the raised portion  722  and form insulating rings  724  around contacts  710 . Insulating rings  724  may be contiguous and around the contacting surfaces of contacts  710 . Insulating rings  724  may fit flush and contiguous in openings  912  in device enclosure  910  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). A backside of housing  720  may include posts  729  or other alignment features for aligning the housing to flexible circuit board  1040  (shown in  FIG. 10 .) The backside of housing  720  may otherwise be substantially flat for mating with flexible circuit board  1040 , such that flexible circuit board  1040  at least substantially covers the backside of housing  720 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a contact assembly in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. The contact assembly may include contacts  710  in insulating rings  724  of housing  720  (shown in  FIG. 7 ), though other contact assemblies may be used consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Insulating rings  724  of housing  720  may each be located in openings  912  in device enclosure  910 . Openings  912  may be located in a backside  914  of device enclosure  910 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, openings  912  may be located in a side  916  or front  918  of device enclosure  910 . 
     Device enclosure  910  may partially or substantially house electronic device  900 . One or more screens, buttons, or other components (not shown) may be located at a surface of electronic device  900 . Electronic device  900  may be a smartphone, mobile computing device, portable computing device, laptop, tablet, or other computing device. Contacts  710  may form electrical connections with contacts on a second or accessory electronic device (not shown) when electronic device  900  is mated with the second or accessory device. Insulating rings  724  of housing  720  may insulate contacts  710  from device enclosure  910 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates the assembly of contact assembly for a connector in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, recess  1020  may be formed in an inside surface of backside  914  of device enclosure  910  for electronic device  900  (shown in  FIG. 9 .) Openings  912  may be formed in recess  1020 . Recess  1020  may accept raised portion  722  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) of housing  720 . Contacting surfaces of contacts  710  and insulating rings  724  may be placed in openings  912 . This arrangement be used to accurately align contacts  710  in openings  912  in device enclosure  910 . 
     Flexible circuit board  1040  may include openings  1044 . Posts  729  on a back side of housing  720  may fit in openings  1044 . Flexible circuit board  1040  may be glued or soldered to a back side of housing  720 . For example, contacts on flexible circuit board  1040  may be soldered to contacting portion  714  or support tab  716  (or both) on the backside of housing  720  (shown in  FIG. 8 .) Flexible circuit board  1040  may include connector  1042 , which may connect to a printed circuit board, second flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Cowling or bracket  1050  may be placed against a back side of housing  720  to secure contacts  710  in place. Bracket  1050  may include one or more openings  1052 . Openings  1052  may be located on each side of bracket  1050 , or they may be located elsewhere. Support structures  1030  may be formed as part of, or attached to, an inside surface of a backside  914  of device enclosure  910 . Support structures  1030  may include holes  1032 . Holes  1032  may be threaded. Fasteners  1060  may pass through openings  1052  in bracket  1050  and into holes  1032  to secure bracket  1050  in place relative to device enclosure  910 . Shims, gaskets, or both may be located between housing  720  and recess  1020 , or between housing  720  and flexible circuit board  1040 , or both. Adhesive or adhesive layers may be used between either or both housing  720  and recess  1020  and between housing  720  and flexible circuit board  1040 . Again, recess  1020  and the illustrated assembly may be located in a side  916 , front  918 , or elsewhere in electronic device enclosure  910 . 
     In this example, housing  720  may be include a raised portion  722  around contacting surfaces of contacts  710  (shown in  FIG. 7 .) Individual rings may extend from the raised portion  722  and form insulating rings  724  around contacts  710  (shown in  FIG. 7 .) Insulating rings  724  may be contiguous and around the contacting surfaces of contacts  710 . Insulating rings  724  may fit flush and contiguous in openings  912  in device enclosure  910 . A backside of housing  720  may include posts  729  or other alignment features for aligning the housing to flexible circuit board  1040 . The backside of housing  720  may otherwise be substantially flat for mating with flexible circuit board  1040 , such that flexible circuit board  1040  at least substantially covers the backside of housing  720 . 
     Again, these contacts assemblies may be located on electronic devices and may form wired electronic connections with corresponding contacts assemblies on second electronic devices. The contacts of these contacts assemblies may be used to convey power, data, or both, between these electronic devices. These wired electronic connections may transfer power and data in an efficient manner. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable that power be provided to a second electronic device from a first electronic device in an efficient manner. In these situations, a physical electrical connection may provide an efficient path for conveying power. Contact assemblies, such as the above contact assemblies, may be employed in these physical electrical connections. But in other situations, it may be desirable to not use a physical electrical connection. For example, it may be desirable that the second electronic device have a smooth or even finish. The second electronic device may be a type of device that is manipulated by users and the presence of contacts may be undesirable. Accordingly, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, inductive charging may be used to charge the second electronic devices. This inductive charging may obviate the need for contacts on the second electronic device. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may therefore provide a combined connector that may include a wired connector as well as an inductive connector. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the wired connector and inductive connector may be co-located and combined into a hybrid connector. This combination may simplify operation of an electronic device for user. That is, a user may simply need to remember that a hybrid connector is in a specific location in the electronic device, where each type of device, that is devices with and without contacts, may be connected. This may help to alleviate confusion caused by having multiple connectors in different locations on the device. This combination may further allow a hybrid connector including both wired and inductive connectors to be located in a single opening in a device enclosure. Having a single opening may simplify manufacturing, it may help to prevent moisture leakage, and may improve overall device appearance. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a front view of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Electronic device  1100  may be substantially housed by device enclosure  1130 . The hybrid connector may be located in window  1120  in opening  1132  of device enclosure  1130 . Contacts  1110  may be located in openings  1122  in window  1120 . Magnetic field lines for inductive charging may enter and exit the hybrid connector at locations  1124  of window  1120 . 
     Window  1120  may be formed of various materials in these and other embodiments of the present invention. For example, window  1120  may be formed of plastic, sapphire, or other material. Contacts  1110  may be the same or similar as contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 , or other contacts consistent with embodiments of the present invention. They may be manufactured and plated using the same or similar processes and materials. While contacts  1110  are shown as having an elongated shape, these, and the other contacts shown herein, may have a circular or approximately circular shape as contacts  210 , shown in  FIG. 2 , contacts  510  shown in  FIG. 5 , and contacts  710 , shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a top view of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, window  1120  may be located in opening  1132  in device enclosure  1130 . Contacts  1110  may be located in openings  1122  in window  1120 . Ferrite  1210  may be partially surrounded by windings  1212 . Current may flow through windings  1212 , thereby generating a magnetic field in ferrite  1210 . Magnetic field lines generated by the current in windings  1212  may enter and exit electronic device  1100  through locations  1124  in window  1120 . Contacts  1110  may be located between a surface of device enclosure  1130  and ferrite  1210 . 
     Again, the hybrid connector shown above may be used to connect to the second electronic devices having contacts or that are capable of being inductively charged. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an electronic device providing power, data, or both, to a second electronic device using a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, electronic device  1100  may include an inductive charging port including ferrite  1210  partially surrounded by windings  1212 . When current is applied to windings  1212 , a magnetic field, shown here as magnetic field lines  1340  and  1342 , may be generated. This field may be received by ferrite  1310  in second electronic device  1300 . Specifically, field lines generated by ferrite  1210  may pass through locations  1124  in window  1120  of electronic device  1100  and window  1320  of second electronic device  1300  and through ferrite  1310 . This magnetic field may generate a current in windings  1312  in second electronic device  1300 . This current may be used to charge a battery, provide power for circuitry, or both, in second electronic device  1300 . 
     In this way, power may be transferred from electronic device  1100  to second electronic device  1300 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power may be transferred in the reverse direction, from second electronic device  1300  to electronic device  1100 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, data may be transmitted using these paths as well. For example, a current applied to windings  1212  may be an alternating or AC signal. This signal may have a frequency of 0.5 MHz, between 0.5 and 0.8 MHz, between 0.75 and 1.25 MHz, 1.0 MHz, 1.5 MHz, between 1.0 MHz and 1.5 MHz, or it may have another frequency. The frequency of this signal may be modulated to convey data. For example, this signal may be modulated with a signal that has a frequency of 2 kHz, 5 kHz, 10 kHz, or other frequency. This modulation may be detected and decoded in second electronic device  1300 . Also, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, data may also be transferred from second electronic device  1300  to electronic device  1100 . 
     Instead of frequency modulation, pulse modulation or other types of modulation may be used to convey data using ferrites  1210  and  1310 . For example, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, the signal applied to windings  1212  may be interrupted, stopped, or otherwise amplitude modulated in a pattern. The pattern may be used to convey data. Also, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, data may also be transferred from second electronic device  1300  to electronic device  1100 . 
     Either or both electronic device  1100  or second electronic device  1300  may provide a low rate “pinging” signal that may be used in detecting a connection to the other device. For example, electronic device  1100  may transmit a burst at 1 MHz or other frequency once every second, or every few seconds, until a connection is detected. Second electronic device  1300  may detect the pinging signal and respond by sending identifying or other information to electronic device  1100 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, electronic device  1100  may be a host device such as a portable computing device, laptop, or other type of electronic device. Second electronic device  1300  may be an accessory such as a card reader, stylus, pencil, sensor device, keyboard, or other device. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an electronic device providing power, data, or both to a third electronic device using a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, electronic device  1100  may include contacts  1110 . Contacts  1110  may mate with corresponding connector contacts  1410  on third electronic device  1400 . Contacts  1410  may be spring-loaded contacts or other types of contacts. Contacts  1410  may be supported by housing, device enclosure, or other structure  1420 . In this way, electronic device  1100  and third electronic device  1400  may share power, data, or both. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of contacts  1110  and  1410  may be replaced by, or supplemented by, fiber-optic or other types of contacts. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, electronic device  1100  may be a host device such as a portable computing device, laptop, or other type of electronic device. Third electronic device  1400  may be accessories such as a card readers, styluses, pencils, sensor devices, keyboards, or other devices. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, additional magnets and magnetic elements (not shown) may be used to align second electronic device  1300  and third electronic devices  1400  to electronic device  1100 . Examples of these magnetic structures may be found in co-pending United States provisional application number 62/565,460, filed, Sep. 29, 2017, which is incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a front view of a portion of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, window  1120  and contacts  1110  have been removed. Opening  1132  in device enclosure  1130  may include ferrite  1210 , which may be partially wrapped in windings  1212 . Ferrite  1210  may be held in place by glue, adhesive, or bracket  1510 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a front view of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. As before, window  1120  may be located opening  1132  of device enclosure  1130 . Contacts  1110  may be located in openings  1122  in window  1120 . Electronic circuitry  1610  may be located on the inside surface  1134  of device enclosure  1130 . Electronic circuitry  1610  may include circuitry for receiving and providing power and data over the inductive connector portion of the hybrid connector. Electronic circuitry  1610  may further include circuitry for receiving and providing power and data over contacts  1110  of the wired connector portion of the hybrid connector. Flexible circuit board  1620  may be used to connect electronic circuitry  1610  to other circuitry in the electronic device. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, electronic circuitry  1610  may be a module or other type of circuitry. For example, electronic circuitry  1610  may be a system-in-package module or other type of module. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a backside of a hybrid connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ferrite  1210  may be partially wrapped in windings  1212 . Ferrite  1210  may be secured in place in device enclosure  1130  by bracket  1510 . Electronic circuitry  1610  may be located on an inside surface  1134  of device enclosure  1130 . Flexible circuit board  1620  may connect electronic circuitry  1610  to other circuitry in the electronic device. 
     The location of contacts  1110  relative to ferrite  1210  and the hybrid connector may cause the inductive connector portion to transfer power and data less efficiently. That is, the location of contacts  1110  may act as a damper or break on a magnetic field generated by ferrite  1210  and windings  1212 . Also, cross-talk between the ferrite  1210  and contacts  1110  may be present. That is, when power or data is being sent or received using ferrite  1210  and winding  1212 , the power or data signals may interfere with data or power on contacts  1110 . Similarly, when power or data is being provided on contacts  1110 , those power and data signals may interfere with power or data on ferrite  1210 . Even in the situation where data and power are not simultaneously transferred using ferrite  1210  and contacts  1110 , such cross-talk may cause other problems, such as falsely detecting a pinging signal used in detecting a connection as described above, mistakenly detecting a start of a data packet or the reception of power, or mistakenly detecting another type of event. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide contacts to minimize these losses and cross-talk. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a cutaway side view of a portion of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ferrite  1210  may be partially wrapped by windings  1212 . Contacts  1110  may be located adjacent to and in front of ferrite  1210 . Contacts  1110  may include tail portions  1117  that may extend under ferrite  1210  to contact flexible circuit board  1810 . In this way, flexible circuit board  1810  need not be located in front of ferrite  1210  and between ferrite  1210  and contacts  1110 . The removal of flexible circuit board  1810  from this area may improve an efficiency of power and data transfer using ferrite  1210  and the inductive connector portion of the hybrid connector. The removal of flexible circuit board  1810  from this area may also increase a spacing between ferrite  1210  and contacts  1110 . This additional spacing may help to reduce the cross-talk between signals and power on ferrite  1210  and contacts  1110 . Ferrite  1210  may be held in place in device enclosure  1130  by bracket  1510 . Electronic circuitry  1610  may be located on the inside surface  1134  of device enclosure  1130 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, different portions of these contact assemblies and hybrid connectors may be formed of various materials. For example, housings  220 ,  520 , and  720  may be formed of the same or different materials, such as plastic, LPS, or other non-conductive or conductive material. Contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 , and  1110  may be formed of noncorrosive materials, such as gold, gold plated copper, gold plated nickel, gold-nickel alloy, and other materials. Ferrite  1210 , ferrite  1310 , and other ferrites used in other embodiments of the present invention may be formed of manganese zinc or other appropriate materials. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, different portions of these contact assemblies and hybrid connectors may be formed in various ways. For example, housings  220 ,  520 , and  720  may be formed using injection or other molding, printing, or other technique. Contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 , and  1110  may be machined, stamped, coined, forged, printed, or formed in different ways, such as by using a deep drawn process. Housings  220 ,  520 , and  720  may be formed around contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 , and  1110  using injection molding, or contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 , and  1110  may be inserted into housings  220 ,  520 , and  720 . 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 , and  1110  that are resistant to corrosion. Contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 ,  1110 , and other contacts according to these and other embodiments of the present invention may include a top plate to match a color of a device enclosure around the contacts. This top plate may be formed of rhodium-ruthenium, dark rhodium, dark ruthenium, gold copper, or other material and may be 0.25 to 1.0 microns, 0.5 to 1.0 microns, 0.5 to 0.85 microns, 0.75 to 0.85 microns thick, or it may have another thickness. At an exposed surface of the contact, a gold plating layer may be below the top plate. On other portions of the contact, the top plate may be omitted and the gold plating layer may be the top layer. This gold plating layer may be between 0.01 to 0.5 microns or between 0.05 and 0.1 microns thick, or it may have another thickness. A leveling layer of nickel-tungsten alloy, tin-nickel, electroless nickel, copper, copper-nickel, silver, or other layer in the range of 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 or 4.0 microns in thickness may be used over a copper or copper alloy contact substrate. An optional barrier level of tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other layer may be used above the leveling layer. This barrier layer may have a thickness between 0.15 and 2.0 microns, 1.0 and 1.5 microns, 1.0 and 2.0 microns, or it may have another thickness. An optional tin-copper or other layer may be used between a gold layer and a nickel-tungsten alloy, tin-nickel, electroless nickel, copper, copper-nickel, silver, or other layer in areas where contacts may be soldered to flexible circuit boards. This optional tin-copper or other layer may be between 4, 5, and 6 microns in thickness, for example, between 4 and 6 or between 5 and 6 microns in thickness, though it may have other thicknesses consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Gold or other adhesion layers may be plated between the leveling layer and the barrier layer, and between the barrier layer and the top plate, though either or both of these flash layers may be omitted. These gold layers may be between 0.01 to 0.5 microns or between 0.05 and 0.1 microns thick, or they may have another thickness. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may include a leveling layer of nickel-tungsten alloy, tin-nickel, electroless nickel, copper, copper-nickel, silver, or other material in the range of 1.0, 2.0, 1.0-2.0, 2.0-3.0, 3.0 or 4.0 microns in thickness. A gold flash may be formed on the leveling layer, though this flash may be omitted. A barrier layer of tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other material may be used above the leveling layer or gold flash. This layer may have a thickness between 0.15 and 2.0 microns, 1.0 and 1.5 microns, 1.0 and 2.0 microns, or it may have another thickness. A gold flash may be formed on that layer, though this second gold flash may be omitted. This may be followed by a top plate to match a color of a device enclosure around the contacts. This top plate may be formed of rhodium-ruthenium, dark rhodium, dark ruthenium, gold copper, or other material and may be 0.25 to 1.0 microns, 0.5 to 1.0 microns, 0.5 to 0.85 microns, 0.75 to 0.85 microns thick, or it may have another thickness. Other portions of the contacts may have the leveling layer, a thinner barrier layer in the range of one, two, or threes tenth of a micron may be plated over the leveling layer, followed by a gold flash. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, one or more plating layers may be applied to the surface of the contact substrate for contacts  210 ,  510 ,  710 ,  1110 , and other contacts according to these and other embodiments of the present invention. For example, a top plate may be formed over the contact substrate to provide corrosion and scratch protection. This top plate may be formed of rhodium-ruthenium, dark rhodium, dark ruthenium, gold copper, or other material. A barrier layer may be formed over the contact substrate before the top plate is formed to prevent discoloration of the top plate by the contact substrate. The barrier layer may be formed of tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other material. One or more adhesion layers may be applied before or after the barrier layer, or both, though either or both of these adhesion layers may be omitted. These adhesion layers may be a gold flash or other layer. Other layers may also be included. For example, a layer of nickel-tungsten alloy, tin-nickel, electroless nickel, copper, copper-nickel, silver, or other material may be plated or formed over the contact substrate before the barrier layer. Other combinations, such as a top plate of rhodium ruthenium over silver, palladium, nickel, electroless nickel, a nickel-tungsten alloy, tin-nickel, tin-copper, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, or other nickel alloy may be used, where one or more gold layers may be included. Layers of gold over nickel may also be used in these and other embodiments of the present invention. Additional steps, such as electro-polishing or copper plating may be performed on the substrate before further plating. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, these layers and the other layers described herein may be formed by sputtering, vapor deposition, electroplating, or other method. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the order of these layers may be varied. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a leveling layer may be plated over a contact substrate for leveling and adhesion. For example, gold, copper, or other material may act as a leveler and tend to fill vertical differences across a surface of the contact substrate. This may help to cover defects in the contact substrate, such as nodules or nodes that may be left behind by an electropolishing or chemical polishing step. This leveling layer may also provide adhesion between the contact substrate and a barrier layer or top plate. Instead of gold or copper, the leveling layer may be formed of nickel, tin, tin-copper, hard gold, gold-cobalt, or other material, though in other embodiments of the present invention, the leveling layer may be omitted. This leveling layer may have a thickness less than 0.01 micrometers, between 0.01 and 0.05 micrometers, between 0.05 and 0.1 micrometers, between 0.0.5 and 0.15 micrometers, more than 0.1 micrometers, or it may have a thickness in a different range of thicknesses. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a top plate may be plated over the leveling layer. The top plate may provide a durable contacting surface for when the contact on the electronic device housing the contact is mated with a corresponding contact on a second electronic device. In various embodiments of the present invention, the top plate may have a Vickers hardness below 100, between 100-200, between 200-300, over 300, or a hardness in another range. The top plate may be formed using rhodium-ruthenium, dark rhodium, dark ruthenium, gold copper, or other materials. The use of rhodium-ruthenium or rhodium may help oxygen formation, which may reduce its corrosion. The percentage of rhodium may be between 85 to 100 percent by weight, for example, it may be 95 or 99 percent by weight, where the most or all of the remaining material is ruthenium. This material may be chosen for its color, wear, hardness, conductivity, scratch resistance, or other property. This top plate may have a thickness less than 0.5 micrometers, between 0.5 and 0.75 micrometers, between 0.75 and 0.85 micrometers, between 0.85 and 1.1 micrometers, more than 1.1 micrometers, or it may have a thickness in a different range of thicknesses. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, instead of a top plate being plated over the leveling layer, a barrier layer may be plated over the first plating layer and before the top plate. The barrier layer may act as a barrier to prevent color leakage from the contact substrate to the surface of the contact, or the surface of the top plate, and the material used for the barrier layer may be chosen on this basis. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the barrier layer may be formed using tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other material. The use of tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other appropriate material may provide a barrier layer that is more positively charged than a top plate of rhodium-ruthenium, dark rhodium, dark ruthenium, gold copper, or other material. This may cause the top plate to act as a sacrificial layer, thereby protecting the underlying barrier layer of nickel, palladium, tin-copper, silver, or other appropriate material. This barrier layer may have a thickness less than 0.1 micrometers, between 0.1 and 0.5 micrometers, between 0.5 and 1.0 micrometers, between 1.0 and 1.5 micrometers, more than 1.0 micrometers, or it may have a thickness in a different range of thicknesses. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a first adhesive layer may be plated after the leveling layer and before the barrier layer. The first adhesive layer may provide adhesion. For example, a gold first adhesive layer may provide adhesion between the leveling layer and the barrier layer. For example, a gold first adhesive layer may provide adhesion between a leveling layer of copper, nickel, tin, tin-copper, hard gold, gold-cobalt, or other material and a barrier layer of tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other appropriate material. The gold first adhesive layer may be a plated gold strike. Instead of gold, the first adhesive layer may be formed of nickel, copper, tin, tin copper, hard gold, gold cobalt, or other material. This first adhesive layer may have a thickness less than 0.01 micrometers, between 0.01 and 0.05 micrometers, between 0.05 and 0.1 micrometers, between 0.05 and 0.15 micrometers, more than 0.1 micrometers, or it may have a thickness in a different range of thicknesses. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the first adhesive layer may be omitted and the barrier layer may be plated directly on the contact substrate (when the leveling layer is also omitted) or the leveling layer. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a second adhesive layer may be plated over the barrier layer. The second adhesive layer may, like the first adhesive and the leveling layer, provide leveling and adhesion. For example, gold may tend to fill vertical differences across a surface of the barrier layer and may provide adhesion between the barrier layer and a top plate. For example, a gold second adhesive layer may provide adhesion between a barrier layer of tin-copper, nickel, palladium, silver, tin-copper-nickel, copper-nickel, tin-nickel, nickel-tungsten, electroless nickel, or other material and a top plate of rhodium-ruthenium, dark rhodium, dark ruthenium, gold copper, or other material. The gold second adhesive layer may be a plated gold strike. Instead of gold, the second adhesive layer may be formed of nickel, copper, tin, tin copper, hard gold, gold cobalt, or other material. This second adhesive layer may have a thickness less than 0.01 micrometers, between 0.01 and 0.05 micrometers, between 0.05 and 0.1 micrometers, between 0.05 and 0.15 micrometers, more than 0.1 micrometers, or it may have a thickness in a different range of thicknesses. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the second adhesive layer may be omitted and the top plate may be plated directly on the barrier layer. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the top plate described above may be plated over the second adhesive layer. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide contact assemblies and hybrid connectors that may be located in 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, keyboards, covers, cases, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These devices may include contact assemblies and hybrid connectors that may provide pathways for signals and power compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, HDMI, DVI, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning, JTAG, TAP, DART, 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. In one example, a contact assembly or hybrid connector may be used to convey a data signal, a power supply, and ground. In this example, the data signal may be unidirectional or bidirectional and the power supply may be unidirectional or bidirectional. 
     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: 20180923
Publication Date: 20200707
Grant Date: 20200707
Priority Date: 20170929
Inventors: NASIRI MAHALATI, REZA
MARSHALL, BLAKE R.
TAN, LIQUAN
OW, FLORENCE W.
YEUNG, ALEX C.
RAFF, JOHN
SCRITZKY, ROBERT
CHEN, WEI-HSUAN
JOL, ERIC S.
SAMPATH, Madhusudanan Keezhveedi
LIU, NAN
LISI, GIANPAOLO
LIU, YIBO
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/6675", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3879", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3825", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G02B6/3817", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/521", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/502", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/502", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2027/2857", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/005", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/74", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2027/2857", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/521", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/342", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/03", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/22", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/77", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/77", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/255", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/255", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/342", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H05K5/0247", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R27/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F2027/2857", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "G06F1/1656", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F38/14", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2201/06", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/502", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/342", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J50/10", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/521", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/0042", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01F27/255", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6675", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6633", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H02J7/025", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/77", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 63685839