PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10236609-B2
Application Number: US-201715714915-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Connectors having printed circuit board tongues with reinforced frames

Abstract:
Connector tongues that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers, may be reliably manufactured, and may be durable and have good wear performance. One example may provide a connector tongue having contacts and traces formed on a printed circuit board. Using a printed circuit board for pathways through a connector tongue may provide low impedances for power traces, matched impedances for differential signal pairs, and shielding. This may provide a connector tongue that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers. These and other examples may provide a connector tongue that is durable and has good wear performance by including side retention features on each side of the printed circuit board. The side retention features may be metallic, ceramic, or other durable material.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector tongue comprising:
 a printed circuit board having a front edge, a top side, a bottom side, and two lateral sides between the top side and the bottom side; 
 a plurality of contacts each having a leading edge near the front edge of the printed circuit board and located on the top side and the bottom side of the printed circuit board; and 
 a frame including two side retention features, each adjacent to a corresponding lateral side of the printed circuit board and extending along the corresponding lateral side of the printed circuit board towards the front edge of the printed circuit board to the leading edges of the plurality of contacts on the printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector tongue of  claim 1  wherein the frame is metal. 
     
     
       3. The connector tongue of  claim 2  wherein the frame is formed by metal-injection molding. 
     
     
       4. The connector tongue of  claim 3  wherein the frame further comprises a flange connecting the side retention features near a rear of the connector tongue. 
     
     
       5. The connector tongue of  claim 4  wherein the frame further comprises a first EMI plate on the top side of the printed circuit board and a second EMI plate on the bottom side of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       6. The connector tongue of  claim 5  wherein the first EMI plate is soldered to the top side of the printed circuit board and the second EMI plate is soldered to the bottom side of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       7. The connector tongue of  claim 6  further comprising a rib along a portion of an inside edge of each of the side retention features. 
     
     
       8. The connector tongue of  claim 7  wherein each rib is in contact with a lateral side of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       9. The connector tongue of  claim 6  wherein the flange comprises a rear opening through which the printed circuit board is located. 
     
     
       10. The connector tongue of  claim 9  wherein the rear opening of the flange includes angled corners, the angled corners in contact with corners of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       11. The connector tongue of  claim 6  wherein the frame further comprises a front cross-beam connecting each of the side retention features. 
     
     
       12. The connector tongue of  claim 11  wherein the front cross-beam is covered in plastic. 
     
     
       13. The connector tongue of  claim 6  wherein a portion of the frame is oxidized. 
     
     
       14. The connector tongue of  claim 13  wherein the frame is formed of titanium. 
     
     
       15. The connector tongue of  claim 6  wherein a portion of the frame is coated with a ceramic. 
     
     
       16. The connector tongue of  claim 1  wherein the side retention features extend to the front edge of the printed circuit board. 
     
     
       17. A connector tongue comprising:
 a top printed circuit board comprising: 
 a first plurality of contacts on a top side; 
 a second plurality of contacts on a bottom side; and 
 a plurality of traces connecting the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts; 
 an intermediate flexible circuit board having a first plurality of contacts on a top side connected to the second plurality of contacts on the top printed circuit board and a second plurality of contacts on a bottom side; 
 a bottom printed circuit board comprising: 
 a first plurality of contacts on a bottom side; 
 a second plurality of contacts on a top side connected to the second plurality of contacts on the bottom side of the intermediate flexible circuit board; and 
 a plurality of traces connecting the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts; and 
 a metallic frame comprising side retention features along each lateral edge of the top printed circuit board and the bottom printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       18. The connector tongue of  claim 17  wherein the metallic frame further comprises a bridge between the side retention features, wherein the bridge is attached to ground regions on a bottom side of the top printed circuit board and the top side of the bottom printed circuit board. 
     
     
       19. The connector tongue of  claim 18  wherein the metallic frame further comprises a first EMI plate on a top side of the connector tongue and a second EMI plate on a bottom side of the connector tongue, wherein the first EMI plate and the second EMI plate are attached to ground regions on a top side of the top printed circuit board and the bottom side of the bottom printed circuit board. 
     
     
       20. The connector tongue of  claim 17  wherein the first plurality of contacts each have a leading edge near a front edge of the top printed circuit board, and
 wherein the metal frame comprises two side retention features each adjacent to a lateral side of the top printed circuit board and extending along the lateral side of the top printed circuit board to the leading edges of the first plurality of contacts on the top printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       21. The connector tongue of  claim 20  wherein the side retention features extend to the front edge of the top printed circuit board. 
     
     
       22. A connector tongue comprising:
 a top printed circuit board comprising:
 a first plurality of contacts on a top side; 
 a second plurality of contacts on a bottom side; and 
 a plurality of traces connecting the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts; 
 
 an intermediate flexible circuit board having a first plurality of contacts on a top side connected to the second plurality of contacts on the top printed circuit board and a second plurality of contacts on a bottom side; 
 a bottom printed circuit board comprising:
 a first plurality of contacts on a bottom side; 
 a second plurality of contacts on a top side connected to the second plurality of contacts on the bottom side of the intermediate flexible circuit board; and 
 a plurality of traces connecting the first plurality of contacts and the second plurality of contacts; and 
 
 a metal frame around sides of the top printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       23. The connector tongue of  claim 22  wherein the first plurality of contacts each have a leading edge near a front edge of the top printed circuit board, and
 wherein the metal frame comprises two side retention features each adjacent to a lateral side of the top printed circuit board and extending along the lateral side of the top printed circuit board to the leading edges of the first plurality of contacts on the top printed circuit board. 
 
     
     
       24. The connector tongue of  claim 23  wherein the side retention features extend to the front edge of the top printed circuit board.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/399,285, filed Sep. 23, 2016, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Power and data may be provided from one electronic device to another over cables that may include one or more wires, 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 electronic devices. 
     These connector receptacles and connector inserts may have various form factors. For example, a connector receptacle may include a tongue in a recess, where a corresponding connector insert fits in the recess and has an opening that accepts the connector receptacle tongue. In another example, a connector insert may include a tongue or may be formed as a tongue that fits in a connector receptacle. In either of these and other connector configuration a connector tongue is used. 
     Given the large amounts of data that may be transferred among connected devices, it may be desirable that these connector tongues be capable of supporting high data rates. That is, it may be desirable that these connector tongues provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers between electronic devices. 
     Some of these electronic devices become tremendously popular. As a result, connectors having these connector tongues may be sold in very large quantities. Therefore, it may be desirable that these connector tongues be readily manufactured. 
     Users may connect and disconnect these connectors many times during a devices&#39; lifetime. If these connector tongues break or show signs of wear prematurely, it may reduce user satisfaction. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector tongues that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers, may be reliably manufactured, and may be durable and have good wear performance. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector tongues that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers, may be reliably manufactured, and may be durable and have good wear performance. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector tongue having contacts and traces formed on a printed circuit board. Using a printed circuit board for pathways through a connector tongue may provide low impedances for power traces, matched impedances for differential signal pairs, and shielding. This may provide a connector tongue that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector tongue that is durable, has good wear performance, and provides a constant level of performance by including side retention features on each side of the printed circuit board. These side retention features may form a portion of a frame that extends along sides of the connector tongue. The side retention features may join near a rear of the connector tongue in a cross-beam, flange, or other bracing structure. When the connector tongue is used in a USB Type-C connector receptacle, ground pads may extend along a top and bottom of the connector tongue joining the side retention features. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a front cross-beam at or near a front of the connector tongue may join the side retention features together. The front cross-beam may be covered in plastic to reduce wear on corresponding connectors that are mated with the connector tongue. This plastic may be an overmold that may prevent contacts on a corresponding connector from being shorted or grounded by the front cross-beam when the corresponding connector is mated with the connector tongue. Whether a front of a connector tongue is formed of printed circuit board or plastic covering a front cross-beam, a front of the connector tongue may be chamfered to simplify mating to a corresponding connector. The front of the connector tongue may be pad printed, the plastic may be dyed, or other steps may be taken to improve its cosmetic appearance. Where part of the connector front of the tongue is formed by the printed circuit board and another part of the front of the connector tongue is formed by the frame, different techniques and steps may be needed for each part. These different steps may be arranged such that the printed circuit board and frame have a similar appearance, or they may have contrasting appearances. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the frame may be metallic, ceramic, it may be metallic coated with a ceramic, or it may be formed of other material. These frames may increase a strength of a connector tongue as compared to a connector tongue formed only of a printed circuit board. These frames may have good wear performance. A metal frame may be oxidized or coated with a ceramic or other material for increased lubricity for even better wear performance, and to insulate it electrically where necessary. This oxidation or coating may be selective such that portions, such as electromagnetic interference (EMI) plates (if present) and outside edges of side retention features, are not oxidized or coated such that they may make electrical contact with corresponding features on a corresponding connector when the corresponding connector is mated with the connector tongue. In these and embodiments of the present invention, the coating or oxidation may be done using physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion injection, or other process technique. In one example, a titanium frame may be at least partially oxidized to form titanium-oxide on at least a part of the surface of the frame. The use of these materials for side retention features of the frame may also provide a clear tactile and audible response to a user when a user mates a connector having the connector tongue with a corresponding connector, as compared to a plastic or printed circuit board tongue without side retention features. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, a frame may be made in different ways. For example, it may be formed using metal-injection molding, 3-D printing, forging, stamping, or other process. The printed circuit board may be made using various techniques. The printed circuit board may be a multilayer board and it may have a central ground plane or other ground planes. The printed circuit board may include multiple layers supporting traces and planes and may further include vias for connecting traces and planes on different layers to each other. Ground connections may be made from a printed circuit board ground plane to the frame. For example, one or more vias may connect the ground plane to top and bottom surfaces of the printed circuit board adjacent to corresponding EMI plates. These EMI plates may then be connected to the printed circuit board ground plane. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the ground plane may extend to a side of the printed circuit board. The side of the printed circuit board may be edge plated, where the edge plating connects to the ground plane. The edge plating may then be electrically connected to the side retention features to form a ground path. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the frame may strengthen and increase the durability of a connector tongue. Portions of the frame may be soldered to the printed circuit board to further strengthen the connector tongue. For example, adjoining sides of the printed circuit board and side retention features may be soldered together. The area under EMI plates (if present) on a top and bottom of the printed circuit board may be soldered, thereby greatly increasing the strength of the connector tongue. Solder paste may be applied to surfaces of the printed circuit board. After the board is pushed into the frame, the solder paste may be heated and the solder may connect these surfaces. Capillary action may cause the solder paste to flow and fill gaps between the printed circuit board and the frame. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a printed circuit board of the tongue may be formed of various materials with a reduced concern for their wear or strength since the printed circuit board is reinforced with a frame. This may allow the use of various materials for the printed circuit board for even higher performance. Also, printed circuit board materials may be more freely selected for color, signal quality, aesthetics, availability, or other property. 
     Various connector tongues may need to meet various spacing requirements for its interface features to be compatible with their interface specifications. For example, the specifications for USB Type-C connector tongues may require specific locations and spacings for contacts relative to outside features of the tongue. The result is that the printed circuit board, on which the contacts may be printed, may need to be accurately aligned in the frame. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide features on various portions of the connector tongue to improve the alignment of the frame to the printed circuit board. 
     In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a flange near a rear of the frame may include a somewhat rectangular passage through which a printed circuit board may be inserted during assembly. The flange passage may have angled portions at each of its four corners for at least a part of its length. The printed circuit board may have copper layers on a top side and a bottom side. The copper layers may instead be formed of other metals or other materials. The copper layers may engage the angled corners of the passage as the printed circuit board is inserted through passage in the flange. The copper layers may be crushed at the corners, and the interference between the copper layers and the angled corners may act to center the printed circuit board to the flange and the other portions of the frame as the printed circuit board is inserted. Put another way, the copper may act as a crush-rib to provide force to align the printed circuit board to the frame. This technique may align the printed circuit board to the frame in the Y direction (laterally along the front of the connector tongue) and the Z direction (in a direction orthogonal or normal to the top and bottom surfaces of the connector tongue. 
     In another specific embodiment of the present invention, the inside edge of each side retention feature of the frame may include a rib or nub for a portion of its length. The ribs or nubs on the inside edges of the side retention features may engage sides of the printed circuit as the printed circuit board is inserted into the frame. These ribs may push or cut into the sides of the softer printed circuit board. This force may act to center the printed circuit board to the side retention features and the other portions of the frame as the printed circuit board is inserted. The spacing of the ribs to the outside edges of the side retention features may be accurately controlled. This may improve the control of the position of the contacts on the printed circuit board relative to the outside edges of the side retention features. 
     These connector tongues may be used in connector receptacles. A recess or opening in a device enclosure may form a housing or opening for the connector receptacle, into which a connector tongue may be inserted. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide apparatus and methods for assembling and aligning a connector tongue to an opening in a device enclosure. These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide apparatus and methods that combine an insertion and an alignment of a printed circuit board into a frame of a connector tongue with an insertion and alignment of a connector tongue into an opening in a device enclosure. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide a reflow cap that may have an outer edge to fit in a device enclosure. During assembly, the reflow cap and connector tongue may be inserted from opposite sides into the device enclosure, in order to provide Y- and Z-alignment of the tongue  210  to the device enclosure. The reflow cap may have a wide portion that fits in the opening of the device enclosure. Crush ribs on an outside surface of the reflow cap may accurately position the reflow cap in the opening in the device enclosure. The connector tongue may be inserted to a depth where a front edge of the flange may be against an inside edge of the device enclosure, whereas reflow cap  910  may be inserted from the opposite side of the device enclosure to provide Y- and Z-alignment of the tongue  210  to the opening of the device enclosure. Crush ribs on an inside surface of the reflow cap may help to accurately position the frame to the reflow cap and therefor to the device enclosure opening. The printed circuit board may then be inserted into the frame while the frame is held in place by the reflow cap. The reflow cap may in turn be held in place by a press-in tool. Additional crush ribs on an inside surface of the reflow cap may position the printed circuit board relative to the frame in the Z direction, such that gaps between the printed circuit board and frame are maintained to provide space for solder to flow during solder reflow. Crush ribs may also form interstitial walls that align and position contacts of the printed circuit board relative to the frame in the Y direction. The printed circuit board may be inserted until it reaches an end surface of an inside of the reflow cap. After insertion into the frame, the printed circuit board may be fixed to the frame, and the frame may be fixed to the device enclosure or other structure associated with the device enclosure. The reflow cap may remain installed during assembly and shipping to protect the connector tongue from damage from physical contact and discoloration from overheating, though it may be removed at some point before or after this and recycled. In this example, the ribs or nubs on the side retention features may align the printed circuit board to the frame in the Y direction (laterally along the front of the connector tongue), while the reflow cap may align the printed circuit board to the frame in the Z direction (a direction orthogonal or normal to the top and bottom surfaces of the connector tongue and the X direction (the direction of insertion of the printed circuit board into the frame.) Accurate positioning in the Z direction may facilitate the positioning of EMI plates (if present) of the frame relative to the printed circuit board surfaces. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, standoffs located on the front edge of the flange may be used, with or without the reflow cap, to align the connector tongue in the opening of the device enclosure. The standoffs may be attached to, or formed as part of, a front of the flange of the frame. These standoffs may provide space for conductive foam to be placed between the front surface of the flange of the frame and an inside surface of the device enclosure to provide ground paths from the frame to the device enclosure. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the printed circuit board for the tongue may be formed of a top printed circuit board, an intervening flexible circuit board, and a bottom printed circuit board. Contacts on adjacent surfaces of the top printed circuit board and the intervening flexible circuit board may connect to each other. Contacts on adjacent surfaces of the bottom printed circuit board and the intervening flexible circuit board may also connect to each other. Tongue contacts on a top side of the top printed circuit board may connect to contacts that connect to the flexible circuit board. Tongue contacts on a bottom side of the bottom printed circuit board may connect to contacts that connect to the flexible circuit board. The flexible circuit board may thus provide pathways between tongue contacts and other circuits and components in an electronic device housing the connector receptacle tongue. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a connector receptacle tongue may include contacts that may connect to a flexible circuit board, where the flexible circuit board connects to other circuits and components in the device. This arrangement may provide a highly flexible routing structure having good signal integrity and impedance matching. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, one or more electronic devices or components, such as data retiming circuits, impedance circuits, light-emitting diodes, and others may be located on a printed circuit board of a connector tongue and may be connected to contacts and other connections to the printed circuit board through traces in the printed circuit board. 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful as connector tongues in USB Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used as connector tongues in other types of connectors for different interfaces. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, frames, shields, and other conductive portions of a connector tongue may be formed by stamping, 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 reflow caps 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 printed circuit boards used may be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector tongues for connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be located in, and may connect to, 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, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts may provide interconnect 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 interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles 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 receptacle board having a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a structure for aligning a printed circuit board to a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a structure for aligning a printed circuit board to a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is another view of the structure of  FIG. 5  for aligning a printed circuit board to a frame; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the connector tongue of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a reflow cap and a connector receptacle board according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a reflow cap and a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a reflow cap and a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cutaway side view of a reflow cap and a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a connector receptacle tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a partially exploded view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a cutaway side view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a connector receptacle board having a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an exploded view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 17 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, 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 example illustrates monitor  130  that may be in communication with computer  110 . Computer  110  may provide video or other data over cable  120  to monitor  130 . Video data may be displayed on the video screen  132  of monitor  130 . Computer  110  may similarly include a screen  112 . In other embodiments the present invention, other types of devices may be included, and other types of data may be shared or transferred among the devices. For example, monitor  130  may be a monitor, an all-in-one computer, tablet computer, or other device. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power may be shared between computer  110  and monitor  130  over cable  120 . 
     Cable  120  may be one or a number of various types of cables. For example, it may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable such as a USB Type-C cable, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, Lightning, or other type of cable. Cable  120  may include compatible connector inserts (not shown) that plug into connector receptacles (not shown) on the computer  110  and monitor  130 . 
     These connector receptacles and connector inserts may have various form factors. For example, a connector receptacle may include a tongue in a recess, where a corresponding connector insert fits in the recess and has an opening that accepts the connector receptacle tongue. In another example, a connector insert may include a tongue or may be formed as a tongue that fits in a connector receptacle. In either of these and other connector configurations a connector tongue is used. An example of a connector tongue that may be used in a connector receptacle is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a connector receptacle board having a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle board  200  may include a connector tongue  210  and a rear portion  212 . Connector tongue  210  may be formed of a printed circuit board  220  and frame  230 . Printed circuit board  220  may incorporate contacts  222  on a top side, a bottom side, or both. Printed circuit board  220  may provide pathways (not shown) through connector tongue  210  (and the remaining rear portion  212  of connector receptacle board  200 ) that may provide low impedances for power traces (not shown), matched impedances for differential signal pairs (not shown), and shielding for both. Printed circuit board  220  may provide a connector tongue  210  that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers. 
     Connector tongue  210  may further include frame  230 . Frame  230  may provide a connector tongue that is durable, has good wear performance, and provides a constant level of performance. Frame  230  may include side retention features  232  on each lateral side of printed circuit board  220 , where the lateral sides are between the top and bottom sides of printed circuit board  220 . Side retention features  232  may form a portion of frame  230  that extend along sides of connector tongue  210 . Side retention features  232  may be joined near a rear of the connector tongue by flange  238 . When the connector tongue is used in a USB Type-C connector receptacle, EMI plates  234  may extend along a top and bottom of the connector tongue  210  joining side retention features  232  on a top and bottom of connector tongue  210 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a front cross-beam (not shown) at or near a front  224  of connector tongue  210  may join side retention features  232  together. The front cross-beam may be covered in plastic (not shown) to reduce wear on corresponding connectors that are mated with the connector tongue. This plastic may be an overmold that may prevent contacts on a corresponding connector (not shown) from being shorted or grounded by the front cross-beam when the corresponding connector is mated with connector tongue  210 . Whether a front of connector tongue  210  is formed of printed circuit board  220  or plastic covering a front cross-beam, front  224  of connector tongue  210  may be chamfered to simplify mating to a corresponding connector. Front  224  of connector tongue  210  may be pad printed, the plastic may be dyed, or other steps may be taken to improve its cosmetic appearance. Where part of front  224  of connector tongue  210  is formed by printed circuit board  220  and another part of front  224  of the connector tongue  210  is formed by frame  230 , different techniques and steps may be needed for each part. These different steps may be arranged such that printed circuit board  220  and frame  230  look similar, or they may have contrasting appearances. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, frame  230  may be metallic or ceramic, it may be metallic coated with a ceramic, or it may be formed of other material. Frame  230  may increase a strength of connector tongue  210  as compared to a connector tongue formed only of printed circuit board  220 . Frame  230  may have good wear performance. A metal frame  230  may be oxidized or coated with a ceramic or other material for increased lubricity for even better wear performance, and to insulate it electrically where necessary. This oxidation or coating may be selective such that portions, such as EMI plates  234  and notches  236  of side retention features  232 , are not oxidized or coated such that they may make electrical contact with corresponding features on a corresponding connector (not shown) when the corresponding connector is mated with connector tongue  210 . Specifically, EMI plates  234  may be exposed such that they may make electrical contact with ground contacts (not shown) near a front of a USB Type-C connector insert (not shown). Notches  236  may be exposed such that they make electrical contact with side retention springs in sides of an opening in a USB Type-C connector insert. In these and embodiments of the present invention, the coating or oxidation may be done using physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion injection, or other process technique. In one example, a titanium frame  230  may be at least partially oxidized to form titanium-oxide on at least a part of the surface of frame  230 . The use of these materials for side retention features  232  of frame  230  may also provide a clear tactile and audible response to a user when a user mates a connector having connector tongue  210  with a corresponding connector, as compared to a plastic or printed circuit board tongue without side retention features  232 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, frame  230  may be made in different ways. For example, frame  230  may be formed using metal-injection molding, 3-D printing, forging, stamping, or other process. Printed circuit board  220  may be made using various techniques. Printed circuit board  220  may be a multilayer board and it may have a central ground plane or other ground planes (not shown). Printed circuit board  220  may be a multilayer printed circuit board comprising a plurality of traces (not shown) on each of a plurality of layers (not shown), and further comprising a plurality of vias (not shown) each connecting two traces on different layers in the plurality of layers to each other. Printed circuit board  220  may include multiple layers supporting traces and planes (not shown) and may further include vias for connecting traces and planes on different layers to each other. Ground connections (not shown) may be made from a ground plane (not shown) in printed circuit board  220  to frame  230 . For example, one or more vias (not shown) may connect the ground plane to top and bottom surfaces of printed circuit board  220  adjacent to EMI plates  234 . EMI plates  234  may then be connected to the ground plane in printed circuit board  220 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the ground plane may extend to a side of printed circuit board  220 . The side of printed circuit board  220  may be edge plated, where the edge plating (not shown) connects to the ground plane. The edge plating may then be electrically connected to side retention features  232  to form a ground path. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, frame  230  may strengthen and increase the durability of connector tongue  210 . Portions of frame  230  may be soldered to printed circuit board  220  to further strengthen connector tongue  210 . For example, adjoining sides of printed circuit board  220  and side retention features  232  may be soldered together. The area between EMI plates  234  and a top and bottom of printed circuit board  220  board may be soldered, thereby greatly increasing the strength of connector tongue  210 . Solder paste may be applied to surfaces of printed circuit board  220 . After printed circuit board  220  is pushed into frame  230 , the solder paste may be heated and the solder may connect these surfaces. Capillary action may cause the solder paste to flow and fill gaps between printed circuit board  220  and frame  230 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, one or more electronic devices or components  240 , such as data retiming circuits, impedance circuits, light-emitting diodes, and others may be located on printed circuit board  220  on a rear portion of connector receptacle board  200  and may be connected to contacts  222  and other connections (not shown) to printed circuit board  220  through traces in printed circuit board  220 . Devices and components  240  may be shielded by shield  250 . Printed circuit board  220  may further include openings  226 . Openings  226  may accept fasteners (not shown) that may be used to attach connector receptacle board  200  to a device enclosure (not shown). 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, printed circuit board  220  may be formed of various materials with a reduced concern for their wear or strength since printed circuit board  220  is reinforced with frame  230 . This may allow the use of different or specialized materials for a higher-performing printed circuit board  220 . Also, printed circuit board materials may be more freely selected for color, signal quality, aesthetics, availability, or other property. 
     Various connector tongues may need to meet various spacing requirements for its interface features to be compatible with their interface specifications. For example, the specifications for USB Type-C connector tongues may require specific locations and spacings for contacts  222  relative to outside features of connector tongue  210 . The result is that printed circuit board  220 , on which contacts  222  may be printed, may need to be accurately aligned in frame  230 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide features on various portions of connector tongue  210  to improve the alignment of frame  230  to printed circuit board  220 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a structure for aligning a printed circuit board to a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, flange  238  near a rear of frame  230  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) may include passage  310  through which printed circuit board  220  may be inserted during assembly. Flange passage  310  may have angled corners  312  at each of its four corners for at least a part of its length (or depth, into the page). Printed circuit board  220  may have copper or other layers  223  on a top side and a bottom side. Copper layers  223  may engage angled corners  312  of passage  310  as printed circuit board  220  is inserted through passage  310  in flange  238 . Copper layers  223  may be crushed at their corners  225 , and the interference between the copper layers and the angled corners may act to center printed circuit board  220  to flange  238  and other portions of frame  230  as printed circuit board  220  is inserted. Put another way, copper layers  223  may act as crush-ribs to provide force to align printed circuit board  220  to frame  230 . This technique may align printed circuit board  220  to frame  230  in the Y direction (laterally along the front of connector tongue  210 ) and the Z direction (in a direction orthogonal or normal to the top and bottom surfaces of connector tongue  210 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector tongue  210  may include printed circuit board  220  having copper layers  223  on a top side and a bottom side. EMI plates  234  may be located on a top side and a bottom side of printed circuit board  220  as well. During assembly, printed circuit board  220  may be inserted into a rear of flange  238 , which may have tapered lead-ins  239 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other techniques may be used to align printed circuit board  220  to frame  230 . An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a structure for aligning a printed circuit board to a frame according to an embodiment of the present invention. An inside edge of each side retention feature  232  of frame  230  may include rib or nub for a portion of its length. Ribs or nubs on inside edges of side retention features may engage sides of printed circuit board  220  as printed circuit board  220  is inserted into frame  230 . Ribs may push or cut into the sides of the softer printed circuit board  220 . This force may act to center printed circuit board  220  to the side retention features and the other portions of frame  230  as printed circuit board  220  is inserted. The spacing of the ribs to the outside edges of the side retention features may be accurately controlled. This may improve the control of the position of the contacts on printed circuit board relative to the outside edges of side retention features. 
       FIG. 6  is another view of the structure of  FIG. 5  for aligning a printed circuit board to a frame. Ribs or nubs  233  may extend along a portion of the interface between printed circuit board  220  and side retention features  232 . Ribs or nubs on the inside edges of side retention features may engage sides of printed circuit board  220  as printed circuit board  220  is inserted into frame  230 . 
     Connector tongue  210  may be used as a connector tongue in a connector receptacle. In this configuration, connector tongue  210  may be inserted into an opening in a device enclosure during device assembly. It may be desirable to provide features on connector tongue  210  to facilitate its alignment in the opening in the device enclosure. An example of one such feature is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, standoffs  710  may be located on the front edge of flange  238  of frame  230 . Standoffs may be used to align connector tongue  210  in an opening of a device enclosure (not shown). Standoffs may be attached to, or formed as part of, a front of flange  238  of frame  230 . These standoffs may provide space for a conductive foam (not shown) to be placed between the front surface of flange  238  of frame  230  and an inside surface (not shown) of the device enclosure to provide ground paths from frame  230  to the device enclosure. Printed circuit board  220  may incorporate a number of contacts  222 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a top view of the connector tongue of  FIG. 7 . Standoffs  710  may be attached to, or formed as part of, a front of flange  238  of frame  230 . Standoffs  710  may be used to align connector tongue  210  to an opening of a device enclosure (not shown). 
     Connector tongues  210  may be used in connector receptacles. A recess or opening in a device enclosure (not shown) may form a housing or opening for the connector receptacle, into which connector tongue  210  may be inserted. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide apparatus and methods for assembling and aligning connector tongue  210  to an opening in a device enclosure. These and other embodiments of the present invention may provide apparatus and methods that combine an insertion and an alignment of printed circuit board  220  into frame  230  of connector tongue  210  with an insertion and alignment of connector tongue  210  into an opening in a device enclosure. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a reflow cap and a connector receptacle board according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reflow cap  910  may fit in an opening in a device enclosure (not shown). During assembly, reflow cap  910  and connector tongue  210  may be inserted from opposite sides into the device enclosure (not shown), in order to provide Y- and Z-alignment of the tongue  210  to the device enclosure. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a top view of a reflow cap and a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reflow cap  910  may have a wide portion  912  having an outer surface that fits into an opening of a device enclosure (not shown). Crush ribs (not shown) on an outside surface of reflow cap  910  may accurately position reflow cap  910  in the opening in the device enclosure. The connector tongue  210  may be inserted to a depth where a front edge of flange  238  may be against an inside edge (not shown) of the device enclosure, whereas reflow cap  910  may be inserted from the opposite side of the device enclosure to provide Y- and Z-alignment of the tongue  210  to the opening of the device enclosure. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a reflow cap  910  and a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, crush ribs  914  on an inside surface of reflow cap  910  may help to accurately position frame  230  to reflow cap  910  and therefor to the device enclosure opening (not shown). After the combined reflow cap  910  and frame  230  are put in place, printed circuit board  220  may be inserted into frame  230  while frame  230  is held in place by reflow cap  910 . Reflow cap  910  may in turn be held in place by a press-in tool (not shown). Printed circuit board  220  may be inserted into frame  230  until an inside end surface of reflow cap  910  is reached. 
     After insertion into frame  230 , printed circuit board  220  may be fixed to frame  230 , and frame  230  may be fixed to the device enclosure or other structure associated with the device enclosure (not shown). Reflow cap  910  may remain installed during assembly and shipping to protect connector tongue  210  from damage by physical contact and discoloration from overheating, though it may be removed at some time before or after this. After removal, reflow cap  910  may be recycled. In these examples, ribs or nubs  233  on side retention features  232  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) may align printed circuit board  220  to frame  230  in the Y direction (laterally along the front of the connector tongue  210 ), while reflow cap  910  may align printed circuit board  220  to frame  230  in the Z direction (a direction orthogonal or normal to the top and bottom surfaces of the connector tongue  210  and the X direction (the direction of insertion of printed circuit board  220  into the frame  230 .) Accurate positioning in the Z direction may facilitate the positioning of EMI plates  234  of frame  230  relative to surfaces of printed circuit board  220 . 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a cutaway side view of a reflow cap  910  and a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Printed circuit board  220  may be inserted in frame  230  until it reaches end surface  918  of an inside of reflow cap  910 . Additional crush ribs  916  on an inside surface of reflow cap  910  may position printed circuit board  220  relative to frame  230  in the Z direction, such that gaps between printed circuit board  220  and frame  230  are maintained to provide space for solder to flow during solder reflow. Crush ribs  916  may also form interstitial walls that align and position contacts  222  of printed circuit board  220  relative to frame  230  in the Y direction. 
     Another example of a connector tongue that may be used in a connector receptacle is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a connector receptacle tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector tongue  1310  may be formed of one or more printed circuit boards, including printed circuit board  1320 , one each side of flexible circuit board  1340 , the three board in frame  1330 . Printed circuit board  1320  may incorporate contacts  1322  on a top side, while a second printed circuit board  1321  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) may incorporate contacts (not shown) on a bottom side. Printed circuit board  1320  may provide pathways (not shown) through connector tongue  1310  to flexible circuit board  1340 . This configuration may provide low impedances for power traces (not shown), matched impedances for differential signal pairs (not shown), and shielding for both. Printed circuit board  1320  may provide a connector tongue  1310  that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers. The combination of printed circuit boards  1320  and  1321  with flexible circuit board  1340  may provide a highly flexible routing structure. 
     Connector tongue  1310  may further include frame  1330 . Frame  1330  may provide a connector tongue that is durable, has good wear performance, and provides a constant level of performance. Frame  1330  may include side retention features  1332  on each lateral side of printed circuit board  1320 , where the lateral sides are between the top and bottom sides of printed circuit board  1320 . Side retention features  1332  may form a portion of frame  1330  that extend along sides of connector tongue  1310 . Side retention features  1332  may be joined near a rear of the connector tongue by flange  1338 . When the connector tongue is used in a USB Type-C connector receptacle, EMI plates  1334  may extend along a top and bottom of the connector tongue  1310  joining side retention features  1332  on a top and bottom of connector tongue  1310 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a front cross-beam  1324  may join side retention features  1332  together. The front cross-beam  1324  may be covered in plastic to reduce wear on corresponding connectors that are mated with the connector tongue. This plastic may be an overmold that may prevent contacts on a corresponding connector (not shown) from being shorted or grounded by the front cross-beam  1324  when the corresponding connector is mated with connector tongue  1310 . Whether a front of connector tongue  1310  is formed of printed circuit board  1320  or plastic covering a front cross-beam  1324  of connector tongue  1310  may be chamfered to simplify mating to a corresponding connector. Front cross-beam  1324  of connector tongue  1310  may be pad printed, the plastic may be dyed, or other steps may be taken to improve its cosmetic appearance. Where part of front cross-beam  1324  of connector tongue  1310  is formed by printed circuit board  1320  and another part of front cross-beam  1324  of the connector tongue  1310  is formed by frame  1330 , different techniques and steps may be needed for each part. These different steps may be arranged such that printed circuit board  1320  and frame  1330  look similar, or they may have contrasting appearances. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, frame  1330  may be metallic or ceramic, it may be metallic coated with a ceramic, or it may be formed of other material. Frame  1330  may increase a strength of connector tongue  1310  as compared to a connector tongue formed only of printed circuit board  1320 . Frame  1330  may have good wear performance. A metal frame  1330  may be oxidized or coated with a ceramic or other material for increased lubricity for even better wear performance, and to insulate it electrically where necessary. This oxidation or coating may be selective such that portions, such as EMI plates  1334  and notches  1336  of side retention features  1332 , are not oxidized or coated such that they may make electrical contact with corresponding features on a corresponding connector (not shown) when the corresponding connector is mated with connector tongue  1310 . Specifically, EMI plates  1334  may be exposed such that they may make electrical contact with ground contacts (not shown) near a front of a USB Type-C connector insert (not shown). Notches  1336  may be exposed such that they make electrical contact with side retention springs in sides of an opening in a USB Type-C connector insert. In these and embodiments of the present invention, the coating or oxidation may be done using physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion injection, or other process technique. In one example, a titanium frame  1330  may be at least partially oxidized to form titanium-oxide on at least a part of the surface of frame  1330 . The use of these materials for side retention features  1332  of frame  1330  may also provide a clear tactile and audible response to a user when a user mates a connector having connector tongue  1310  with a corresponding connector, as compared to a plastic or printed circuit board tongue without side retention features  1332 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, frame  1330  may be made in different ways. For example, frame  1330  may be formed using metal-injection molding, 3-D printing, forging, stamping, or other process. Printed circuit board  1320  may be made using various techniques. Printed circuit board  1320  may be a multilayer board and it may have a central ground plane or other ground planes (not shown). Printed circuit board  1320  may be a multilayer printed circuit board comprising a plurality of traces (not shown) on each of a plurality of layers (not shown), and further comprising a plurality of vias (not shown) each connecting two traces on different layers in the plurality of layers to each other. Printed circuit board  1320  may include multiple layers supporting traces and planes (not shown) and may further include vias for connecting traces and planes on different layers to each other. Ground connections (not shown) may be made from a ground plane (not shown) in printed circuit board  1320  or flexible circuit board  1340  to frame  1330 . For example, one or more vias (not shown) may connect the ground plane to a top surface of printed circuit board  1320  adjacent to EMI plate  1334 . EMI plates  1334  may then be connected to the ground plane in printed circuit board  1320 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the ground plane may extend to a side of printed circuit board  1320 . The side of printed circuit board  1320  may be edge plated, where the edge plating (not shown) connects to the ground plane. The edge plating may then be electrically connected to side retention features  1332  to form a ground path. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, frame  1330  may strengthen and increase the durability of connector tongue  1310 . Portions of frame  1330  may be soldered to printed circuit boards  1320  and  1321  to further strengthen connector tongue  1310 . For example, adjoining sides of printed circuit board  1320  and side retention features  1332  may be soldered together. The area between EMI plates  1334  and a top and bottom of printed circuit board  1320  may be soldered, thereby greatly increasing the strength of connector tongue  1310 . Solder paste may be applied to surfaces of printed circuit board  1320 . After printed circuit boards  1320  and  1321 , and flexible circuit board  1340  are pushed into frame  1330  (as shown in  FIG. 15 ), the solder paste may be heated and the solder may connect these surfaces. Capillary action may cause the solder paste to flow and fill gaps between printed circuit boards  1320  and  1321  and frame  1330 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, printed circuit board  1320  may be formed of various materials with a reduced concern for their wear or strength since printed circuit board  1320  is reinforced with frame  1330 . This may allow the use of different or specialized materials for a higher-performing printed circuit board  1320 . Also, printed circuit board materials may be more freely selected for color, signal quality, aesthetics, availability, or other property. 
     In this example, cross-beam  1324  may be covered or overmolded with plastic or other wear-reducing material. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, cross-beam  1324  may be formed of a center conductive region, which may be grounded to either or both printed circuit boards  1320  and  1321 . The center conductive region may then be overmolded with plastic. An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates an exploded view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 13 . Frame  1330  may include side retention features  1332 , which may be attached to flange  1338 . Side retention features  1332  may be connected together through cross-beam  1324 . Cross-beam  1324  may include bridge  1325  and overmold portion  1327 . Side retention features  1332  may include notches  1326  for electrically connecting to side ground contacts (not shown) of a connector insert (not shown) when the connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle housing connector tongue  1310 . 
     Top printed circuit board  1320  may incorporate contacts  1322  and ground region  1420  on a top side. Bottom printed circuit board  1321  may include contacts  1322  and ground region  1420  on a bottom side. Bottom printed circuit board  1321  may have contacts  1432  and ground region  1430  on a top side. Top printed circuit board  1320  may include similar contacts  1432  (not shown) and ground region  1430  on an underside. Contacts  1432  may connect to contacts  1322  in top printed circuit board  1320  and bottom printed circuit board  1321  via traces in those boards (not shown.) Flexible circuit board  1340  may include contacts  1342  on a top and bottom side. Contacts  1342  may electrically connect to contacts  1432  on a top side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  and similar contacts (not shown) on a bottom side of top printed circuit board  1320 . Flexible circuit board may provide paths for contacts  1322  to electrically connect to circuits and components elsewhere in an electronic device housing a connector receptacle that includes connector tongue  1310 . 
     During assembly, contacts  1432  on the underside of top printed circuit board  1320  may be electrically connected to contacts  1342  on a top side of flexible circuit board  1340 . Similarly, contacts  1432  on a top side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may electrically connect to contacts  1342  (not shown) on the underside of flexible circuit board  1340 . 
     The combined stack  1510  of top printed circuit board  1320 , intermediate flexible circuit board  1340 , and bottom printed circuit board  1321  may then be inserted into frame  1330 . Ground regions  1430  on the bottom side of top printed circuit board  1320  and top side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be soldered or otherwise attached to bridge  1325 . Ground regions  1420  on a top side of top printed circuit board  1320  and a bottom side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be soldered or otherwise attached to EMI plates  1334  on a top and bottom side of connector tongue  1310 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a partially exploded view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 13 . In this example, a stack  1510  including top printed circuit board  1320 , intermediate flexible circuit board  1340 , and bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be assembled. This assembly may then be slid into place in frame  1330 . Ground regions  1430  on a bottom side of top printed circuit board  1320  and a top side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be soldered or otherwise attached to bridge  1325 . Similarly, ground regions  1420  on a top side of top printed circuit board  1320  and a bottom side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be attached to EMI plates  1334  on a top and bottom of connector tongue  1310 . Contacts  1322  may be located in an open area between cross-beam  1324  and EMI plates  1334  on connector tongue  1310 . Contacts  1322  may contact corresponding contacts in a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle that includes connector tongue  1310 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a cutaway side view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 13 . In this example, top printed circuit board  1320 , intermediate flexible circuit board  1340 , and bottom printed circuit board  1321  have been inserted into frame  1330 . Frame  1330  may include cross-beam  1324  which may include bridge  1325 . Cross-beam  1324  may be encapsulated by overmold portion  1327 . Ground regions  1430  on a bottom side of top printed circuit board  1320  and a top side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be soldered to or otherwise attached to bridge  1325 . Ground regions  1420  on a top side of top printed circuit board  1320  and a bottom side of bottom printed circuit board  1321  may be soldered or otherwise attached to EMI plates  1334 . Contacts  1342  may form electrical connections with contacts  1432  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) on a bottom side of top printed circuit board  3020  and a top side of bottom printed circuit board  1321 . These contacts may be connected to contacts  1322  on a top and bottom of connector tongue  1310  via one or more traces (not shown.) Contacts  1342  may also connect to traces in flexible circuit board  1340 . Flexible circuit board  1340  may route signal lines from contacts  1322  to other circuits and components in an electronic device housing connector tongue  1310 . 
     An example of another connector tongue that may be used in a connector receptacle is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a connector receptacle board having a connector tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle board  1700  may include a connector tongue  1710  and a rear portion  1712 . Connector tongue  1710  may be formed of a printed circuit board  1720  and frame  1730 . Printed circuit board  1720  may incorporate contacts  1722  on a top side, a bottom side, or both sides of printed circuit board  1720 . Printed circuit board  1720  may provide pathways (not shown) through connector tongue  1710  (and the remaining rear portion  1712  of connector receptacle board  1700 ) that may provide low impedances for power traces (not shown), matched impedances for differential signal pairs (not shown), and shielding for both. Printed circuit board  1720  may provide a connector tongue  1710  that may provide a high signal quality or signal integrity to allow high speed data transfers. 
     Connector tongue  1710  may further include frame  1730 . Frame  1730  may provide a connector tongue that is durable, has good wear performance, and provides a constant level of performance. Frame  1730  may include side retention features  1732  on each lateral side of printed circuit board  1720 , where the lateral sides are between the top and bottom sides of printed circuit board  1720 . Side retention features  1732  may form a portion of frame  1730  that extend along sides of connector tongue  1710 . Side retention features  1732  may be joined near a rear of the connector tongue by flange  1738 . When the connector tongue is used in a USB Type-C connector receptacle, EMI plates  1734  may extend along a top and bottom of the connector tongue  1710  joining side retention features  1732  on a top and bottom of connector tongue  1710 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a front cross-beam (not shown) at or near a front of cross-beam  1724  of connector tongue  1710  may join side retention features  1732  together. The front cross-beam may be covered in plastic (not shown) to reduce wear on corresponding connectors that are mated with the connector tongue. This plastic may be an overmold that may prevent contacts on a corresponding connector (not shown) from being shorted or grounded by the front cross-beam when the corresponding connector is mated with connector tongue  1710 . Whether a front of connector tongue  1710  is formed of printed circuit board  1720  or plastic covering a front cross-beam, front of cross-beam  1724  of connector tongue  1710  may be chamfered to simplify mating to a corresponding connector. Front of cross-beam  1724  of connector tongue  1710  may be pad printed, the plastic may be dyed, or other steps may be taken to improve its cosmetic appearance. Where part of front of cross-beam  1724  of connector tongue  1710  is formed by printed circuit board  1720  and another part of front of cross-beam  1724  of the connector tongue  1710  is formed by frame  1730 , different techniques and steps may be needed for each part. These different steps may be arranged such that printed circuit board  1720  and frame  1730  look similar, or they may have contrasting appearances. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, frame  1730  may be metallic or ceramic, it may be metallic coated with a ceramic, or it may be formed of other material. Frame  1730  may increase a strength of connector tongue  1710  as compared to a connector tongue formed only of printed circuit board  1720 . Frame  1730  may have good wear performance. A metal frame  1730  may be oxidized or coated with a ceramic or other material for increased lubricity for even better wear performance, and to insulate it electrically, where necessary. This oxidation or coating may be selective such that portions, such as EMI plates  1734  and notches  1736  of side retention features  1732 , are not oxidized or coated such that they may make electrical contact with corresponding features on a corresponding connector (not shown) when the corresponding connector is mated with connector tongue  1710 . Specifically, EMI plates  1734  may be exposed such that they may make electrical contact with ground contacts (not shown) near a front of a USB Type-C connector insert (not shown). Notches  1736  may be exposed such that they make electrical contact with side retention springs in sides of an opening in a USB Type-C connector insert. In these and embodiments of the present invention, the coating or oxidation may be done using physical vapor deposition (PVD), ion injection, or other process technique. In one example, a titanium frame  1730  may be at least partially oxidized to form titanium-oxide on at least a part of the surface of frame  1730 . The use of these materials for side retention features  1732  of frame  1730  may also provide a clear tactile and audible response to a user when a user mates a connector having connector tongue  1710  with a corresponding connector, as compared to a plastic or printed circuit board tongue without side retention features  1732 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, frame  1730  may be made in different ways. For example, frame  1730  may be formed using metal-injection molding, 3-D printing, forging, stamping, or other process. Printed circuit board  1720  may be made using various techniques. Printed circuit board  1720  may be a multilayer board and it may have a central ground plane or other ground planes (not shown). Printed circuit board  1720  may be a multilayer printed circuit board comprising a plurality of traces (not shown) on each of a plurality of layers (not shown), and further comprising a plurality of vias (not shown) each connecting two traces on different layers in the plurality of layers to each other. Printed circuit board  1720  may include multiple layers supporting traces and planes (not shown) and may further include vias for connecting traces and planes on different layers to each other. Ground connections (not shown) may be made from a ground plane (not shown) in printed circuit board  1720  to frame  1730 . For example, one or more vias (not shown) may connect the ground plane to top and bottom surfaces of printed circuit board  1720  adjacent to EMI plates  1734 . EMI plates  1734  may then be connected to the ground plane in printed circuit board  1720 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the ground plane may extend to a side of printed circuit board  1720 . The side of printed circuit board  1720  may be edge plated, where the edge plating (not shown) connects to the ground plane. The edge plating may then be electrically connected to side retention features  1732  to form a ground path. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, frame  1730  may strengthen and increase the durability of connector tongue  1710 . Portions of frame  1730  may be soldered to printed circuit board  1720  to further strengthen connector tongue  1710 . For example, adjoining sides of printed circuit board  1720  and side retention features  1732  may be soldered together. The area between EMI plates  1734  and a top and bottom of printed circuit board  1720  board may be soldered, thereby greatly increasing the strength of connector tongue  1710 . Solder paste may be applied to surfaces of printed circuit board  1720 . After printed circuit board  1720  is pushed into frame  1730 , the solder paste may be heated and the solder may connect these surfaces. Capillary action may cause the solder paste to flow and fill gaps between printed circuit board  1720  and frame  1730 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, one or more electronic devices or components  1740 , such as data retiming circuits, impedance circuits, light-emitting diodes, and others may be located on printed circuit board  1720  on a rear portion of connector receptacle board  1700  and may be connected to contacts  1722  and other connections (not shown) to printed circuit board  1720  through traces in printed circuit board  1720 . Circuits and components  1740  may be shielded by shield  1750 . Printed circuit board  1720  may further include openings  1726 . Openings  1726  may accept fasteners (not shown) that may be used to attach connector receptacle board  1700  to a device enclosure (not shown). Printed circuit board  1720  may include contacts on an underside of rear portion  1712 , for example below circuits and components  1740 . These contacts may form electrical connections with contacts  1792  (shown in  FIG. 18 ) on flexible circuit board  1790 . Flexible circuit board  1790  may then route signals from tongue  1710  contacts  1722  and devices and components  1740  to other circuits and components in an electronic device housing the tongue  1710 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, printed circuit board  1720  may be formed of various materials with a reduced concern for their wear or strength since printed circuit board  1720  is reinforced with frame  1730 . This may allow the use of different or specialized materials for a higher-performing printed circuit board  1720 . Also, printed circuit board materials may be more freely selected for color, signal quality, aesthetics, availability, or other property. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an exploded view of the receptacle tongue of  FIG. 17 . In this example, frame  1730  may include cross-beam  1724 . Cross-beam  1724  may be printed or encapsulated with an overmold. Tongue  1710  may support a number of components  1470  which may be shielded by shield  1750 . Contacts (not shown) on the underside of printed circuit board  1720  may electrically connect to contacts  1792  on a surface of flexible circuit board  1790 . Contacts  1722  may connect to components  1740  and the contacts on the underside of board  1720  through traces in board  1720 . In this way, contacts  1722  and circuits and components  1740  on printed circuit board  1720  may be connected through flexible circuit board  1790  to other circuits and components in an electronic device housing tongue  1710 . 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful as connector tongues in USB Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used as connector tongues in other types of connectors for different interfaces. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, frames, shields, and other conductive portions of a connector tongue may be formed by stamping, 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 reflow caps 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 printed circuit boards used may be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector tongues for connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be located in, and may connect to, 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, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts may provide interconnect 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 interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles 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: 20170925
Publication Date: 20190319
Grant Date: 20190319
Priority Date: 20160923
Inventors: TZIVISKOS, GEORGE
HACK, PAUL JOSEPH
LIAO, YUFAN
AMINI, MAHMOUD R.
JEON, JAMES M.
BERGVALL, Daniel A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/516", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/631", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6594", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/721", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/631", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/721", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/22", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/516", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6594", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/516", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/79", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 60009764