PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8968031-B2
Application Number: US-201213492891-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Dual connector having ground planes in tongues

Abstract:
Connector receptacle assemblies that may be simple to manufacture, provide multiple receptacles, and provide a good ground contact path. One example may provide a connector receptacle assembly formed of a housing having a tongue that may include openings on one or more sides for contacts as well as openings on its sides for ground contacts. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having at least two tongues, where each tongue may be aligned with a corresponding opening in a device enclosure. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a tongue with a center ground contact, where the center ground contact may be located between the top row and the bottom row of contacts. Another example may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a titanium-copper center ground contact.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector receptacle assembly comprising:
 a housing having a first tongue and a second tongue, each tongue comprising:
 a top row of contacts along a top side of the tongue; 
 a bottom row of contacts along a bottom side of the tongue; and 
 a center contact having a body portion and a first side protrusion and a second side protrusion, wherein the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion extend through corresponding openings in sides of the tongue, wherein the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion each extend from the body portion; 
 
 a shell at least partially surrounding a top, sides, and back of the housing; and 
 a first bridging piece contacting the center contact in the first tongue, the center contact in the second tongue, and the shell, 
 wherein a first tab on the shell is bent such that the first tab and a second tab on the center contact in the first tongue are electrically connected, and 
 wherein a third tab on the shell is bent such that the third tab and a fourth tab on the center contact in the second tongue are electrically connected. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 1  wherein the center contact is formed of titanium-copper. 
     
     
       3. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 2  wherein the shell is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       4. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 3  wherein the shell comprises a plurality of fingers for contacting a device enclosure. 
     
     
       5. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 3  wherein the housing is formed of a nonconductive material. 
     
     
       6. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 5  wherein the housing is plastic. 
     
     
       7. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 5  wherein the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts are arranged to carry signals for DisplayPort. 
     
     
       8. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 5  wherein the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts are arranged to carry signals for Thunderbolt. 
     
     
       9. A connector receptacle assembly comprising:
 a housing having a tongue, the tongue comprising:
 a top row of contacts along a top side of the tongue; 
 a bottom row of contacts along a bottom side of the tongue; and 
 a center contact having a body portion and a first side protrusion and a second side protrusion, wherein the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion extend through corresponding openings in sides of the tongue, and wherein the first protrusion has a first elongated length parallel to the top and bottom rows of contacts and is attached to the body portion at only a single portion of the first length; and 
 
 a shell at least partially surrounding a top, sides, and back of the housing, wherein the center contact electrically contacts the shell, 
 wherein the center contact further comprises a first rear protrusion and a second rear protrusion, wherein the first rear protrusion and the second rear protrusion contact are compressed and in contact with an inside of the shell. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 9  wherein the center contact is formed of titanium-copper. 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 10  wherein the shell is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 11  wherein the housing is formed of a nonconductive material. 
     
     
       13. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 12  wherein the housing is plastic. 
     
     
       14. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 12  wherein the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts are arranged to carry signals for DisplayPort. 
     
     
       15. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 12  wherein the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts are arranged to carry signals for Thunderbolt. 
     
     
       16. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 9  wherein the second protrusion has a second length at least approximately equal to the first elongated length and is attached to the body portion at only a single portion of the second length. 
     
     
       17. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 9  wherein the second protrusion has the first elongated length and is attached to the body portion at only a single portion of the first length. 
     
     
       18. An electronic device comprising:
 an enclosure for the electronic device; 
 an opening in the enclosure; 
 a ground contact in the opening in the enclosure; 
 a printed circuit board; and 
 a connector receptacle assembly having a tongue, the connector receptacle assembly fixed to the printed circuit board, the tongue aligned with the opening in the enclosure for the electronic device; the connector receptacle assembly comprising:
 a housing having the tongue, the tongue comprising: 
 a top row of contacts along a top side of the tongue; 
 a bottom row of contacts along a bottom side of the tongue; and 
 a center contact having a body portion and a first side protrusion and a second side protrusion, wherein the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion extend from the body portion through corresponding openings in sides of the tongue; and 
 
 a shell at least partially surrounding a top, sides, and back of the housing, wherein the center contact electrically contacts the shell, 
 wherein the center contact further comprises a first rear protrusion and a second rear protrusion, wherein the first rear protrusion and the second rear protrusion contact are compressed and in contact with an inside of the shell. 
 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the center contact is formed of titanium-copper. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 19  wherein the shell is formed of stainless steel. 
     
     
       21. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts are arranged to carry signals for DisplayPort. 
     
     
       22. The electronic device of  claim 18  wherein the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts are arranged to carry signals for Thunderbolt. 
     
     
       23. A connector receptacle assembly comprising:
 a housing having a first tongue comprising:
 a top row of contacts along a top side of the first tongue; 
 a bottom row of contacts along a bottom side of the first tongue; and 
 a center contact having a body portion between the top row of contacts and the bottom row of contacts, the center contact further having a first side protrusion and a second side protrusion, wherein the first side protrusion and the second side protrusion extend from the body portion and through corresponding openings in sides of the tongue such that the first protrusion and the second protrusion may be pressed inward when a connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle; and 
 
 a shell at least partially surrounding a top, sides, and back of the housing, wherein the center contact electrically contacts the shell, 
 wherein the center contact further comprises a first rear protrusion and a second rear protrusion, wherein the first rear protrusion and the second rear protrusion contact are compressed and in contact with an inside of the shell. 
 
     
     
       24. The connector receptacle assembly of  claim 23  wherein the housing further comprises a second tongue.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The number and types of electronic devices available to consumers have increased tremendously the past few years, and this increase shows no signs of abating. Devices such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices have become ubiquitous. 
     These devices often receive and provide power and data using various cable assemblies. These cable assemblies may include connector inserts, or plugs, on one or more ends of a cable. The connector inserts may plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals and power. These connections may be made several thousands of times during the lifetime of a device. Accordingly, it may be desirable that these receptacles be durable. 
     The connector receptacles may be formed of housings that typically at least partially surround, and provide mechanical support for, a number of contacts. These contacts may be arranged to mate with corresponding contacts on the connector inserts or plugs to form portions of electrical paths between devices. 
     The numbers of these receptacles that are manufactured for some electronic devices can be very large. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide connector receptacles that are simple to assemble and manufacture. It may also be desirable to provide assemblies that can be used for multiple receptacles. 
     As a further complication, the data rates of some signals conveyed by these connector receptacles have increased over time. To be able to handle these signals, it may be desirable that the connector receptacles do not degrade signal quality significantly. An important aspect of providing good signal quality is to provide good ground isolation and shielding for the connector receptacle and corresponding connector insert. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide connector receptacles that provide good ground isolation and shielding. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector receptacle assemblies that are simple to manufacture, provide multiple receptacles, provide a good ground isolations and shielding, and are durable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacle assemblies that may be simple to manufacture, provide multiple receptacles, and provide good ground isolation and shielding. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle that is simple to assemble. A specific embodiment of the present invention provides a connector receptacle assembly that includes a housing having a tongue. The tongue may include openings on a top or bottom, or both, for contacts. The tongue may include openings on its sides for ground contacts. The housing may be partially enclosed by a shield. The housing or shield, or both, may be fixed to a main logic board, motherboard, or other appropriate substrate. The tongue may be aligned with an opening in a device enclosure. One or more retention features may be included as part of, or attached to, the housing, device enclosure, or both. For example, a ground contact may be formed in either or both a top and bottom of an opening in a device enclosure. In another example, ground contacts that may also provide retention may be attached to, or formed as part of a shield attached to the housing. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly that may be used for multiple connector receptacles. A specific embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly having at least two tongues. Each tongue may be aligned with a corresponding opening in a device enclosure. By providing a housing with two or more tongues, spacing and vertical alignment between the tongues may be more accurately controlled than if two or more separate housings having individual tongues are provided. This may aid in providing an electronic device having a desirable appearance and improved manufacturability. That is, by providing two receptacle tongues on a common housing, the tongues are registered to each other directly. This may have less error than each tongue being on a separate housing, each housing fixed to a printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly that may provide good ground isolation and shielding. A specific embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a tongue with a center ground contact. The tongue may have a top row of contacts and a bottom row of contacts. The center ground contact may be located between the top row and the bottom row of contacts. This center ground contact may isolate the top row of contacts from the bottom row of contacts. The center contact may include protrusions for side contacts on each side of the tongue. Individual contacts in the top and bottom rows may also be grounded for further shielding. A shield may at least partially surround a housing of the connector receptacle assembly. The shield may further contact the center ground contact. In this way, signals, such as differential pair signals, may be placed on adjoining contacts that are surrounded on each side by a ground contact, on a top by a shield, and on a bottom by a center ground contact. This may protect these signals from crosstalk from nearby signals and from electromagnetic interference from other signals or circuits. Furthermore, this electrical isolation may protect other signals and circuits from interference caused by the isolated signals. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly that may provide a durable connector receptacle. A specific embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly having a titanium-copper center ground contact. By using titanium-copper, side ground contacts protruding from the center ground contact may be made more durable, and therefore the connector receptacle may be made to be longer-lasting. Titanium copper may also provide better retention of an inserted connector insert as compared to stainless steel or other material. An electrical connection to a stainless-steel shield may be made using mechanical means, for example, by bending portions of the shield such that contact to the center contact is maintained. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may be used to improve various connector receptacles, such as those compatible with DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, the various Universal Serial Bus interfaces and standards, including USB, USB2, and USB3, as well as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, and other types of interfaces and standards. These connector receptacles may be utilized in many types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices. 
     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 a portion of an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates another view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another view of a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a more detailed view of a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a center contact according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a pair of first subassemblies, a pair of center ground contacts, and a pair of second subassemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates portions of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates ground and retention features for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates further ground and retention features for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a more detailed view of a back of a housing for a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a top view of a housing for a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a center ground contact contacting a shield portion according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a completed pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a cover or protective piece that may be used to protect contacts on a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of 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. 
     This figure shows a portion of an electronic device having connector receptacles  110  and  112  located in device housing  100 . Connector receptacles  110  and  112  may include tongues  120  and  122  having contacts  140  and  142 . Tongues  120  and  122  may further include other openings for other contacts, including ground contacts  130  and  132 , and contacts on a bottom side (not shown). 
     Side ground contacts  130  and  132  may provide ground and retention for connector inserts when inserted in connector receptacles  110  and  112 . Other ground or retention features may be included on tongues  120  and  122 . Further, other ground or retention features may be included in device enclosure  100 , such as ground contacts  150  and  152 . Specifically, ground contacts  150  and  152  may be located in openings  160  and  162  in device enclosure  100 . Ground contacts  150  and  152  may provide ground and retention for connector inserts when inserted in connector receptacles  110  and  112 . 
     In this specific example, connector receptacles  110  and  112  may be Thunderbolt or DisplayPort connector receptacles. In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of connector receptacles may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention. These may include the various USB standards, as well as High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, and other types of interfaces and standards. 
     Device housing  100  may be representative of many types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet, desktop, and all-in-one computers, cell, smart, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates another view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Two connector receptacles  110  and  112  may be located in device enclosure  100 . Connector receptacles  110  and  112  may include tongues  120  and  122 . Contacts  210  and  212  may be located on tongues  120  and  122 . Ground contacts  150  and  152  may be located in printed circuit board or other substrate  220 . 
     Again, electronic devices may include multiple connector receptacles. To simplify assembly of these electronic devices, embodiments of the present invention may provide assemblies or components that may be used to provide more than one connector receptacle. For example, embodiments of the present invention may provide components or assemblies that may be used for two or more connector receptacles. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector receptacle assembly may include a housing  310  having tongues  120  and  122 . Tongues  120  and  122  may include contacts  140  and  142  on a top side, and other contacts (not shown) on a bottom side. Tongues  120  and  122  may further include side ground contacts  130  and  132 . Shell  320  may partially surrounded at least a top and back of housing  310 . Shell  320  may include fingers  322  for contacting a device enclosure. Fingers  322  may be used for mechanical purposes, that is, to provide stability for a connector receptacle assembly. Fingers  322  may also form electrical connections with device enclosure for electromechanical interference and grounding purposes. 
     By providing tongues  120  and  122  as part of single housing  310 , spacing and alignment between tongues  120  and  122  may be well-controlled. This may allow tongues  120  and  22  to be accurately aligned to openings in a device enclosure, as is shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 . This in turn may provide an improved appearance and functionality since tongues  120  and  22  may be accurately aligned in these openings. Also, using a single connector receptacle assembly may simplify assembly of the electronic device, since only one housing is used for to connector receptacles instead of the usual two. 
     Again, while in this embodiment of the present invention two connector receptacle tongues  120  and  122  are formed on a single housing  310 , in other embodiments of the present invention, one, three, or more than three tongues may be formed on a single housing. Also, while tongues  120  and  122  are shown as being adjacent and parallel to each other, in other embodiments the present invention, these tongues may be at ninety degree or other angles with each other. For example, embodiments of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle assembly having two tongues at right angles, where the connector receptacle assembly is arranged to be located in a corner of an electronic device. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Shell  320  may include one or more tabs  324 . Tabs  324  may be soldered or otherwise fixed to a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Housing  310  may include one or more posts  312  and  314 . Post  312  and  314  may be mechanically inserted into holes in the printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. As before, shell  320  may include one or more fingers  322  to form mechanical or electrical contact, or both, with a device enclosure. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the “footprint,” that is the position of features such as posts  312  and  314 , tabs  324 , and contacts, such as contacts  140  and  142 , may be arranged to be symmetrical. This symmetry may be such that the position of the features are stepped twice, or it may be that these features are mirrored. This symmetry may be useful in that a portion of a printed circuit board layout may be stepped or mirrored as well. This may speed the design process. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a housing of the connector receptacle assembly has been removed. This connector receptacle assembly may provide two sets of contacts, each set of contacts for a single connector receptacle. Each set of contacts may include a top row of contacts  140  and  142  and a bottom row of contacts  210  and  212 . These contacts are illustrated as being through-hole contacts, though in other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of these contacts may be surface mount contacts or other types of contacts. 
     Each row contacts  140  and  210 , and  142  and  212 , may be isolated or separated from each other by center a ground contacts  130  and  132 . This may provide electrical isolation between contacts in these rows. Moreover, various signal contacts in these rows may be next to or near contacts that are grounded. This, when combined with shell  320 , may provide isolation between signals such as differential pair lines. For example, a differential pair may be placed on adjacent contacts. Contacts on each side of differential pair may be grounded. When combined with shell  320  and center contact  130  or  132 , a differential pair may experience less cross-talk from nearby signals, and may be protected from electromagnetic interference from other signals or circuitry. Also, this differential pair may provide less electromagnetic interference to other signals or circuitry. 
     Center ground contacts  130  and  132  may be joined by bridging piece  510 . Bridging piece  510  and center contacts  130  and  132  may connect to each other and to shell  320 . Shell  320  may include fingers  322  and tabs  324 , as described above. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another view of a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, in this example, a housing has been removed. This connector receptacle assembly may provide two sets of contacts, each set of contacts for an individual connector receptacle. The sets of contacts may include a top row of contacts  140  and  142 , and a bottom row of contacts  210  and  212 . These rows of contacts may be isolated from each other by center ground contacts  130  and  132 . Center ground contacts  130  and  132  may be joined by bridging piece  510 . Center ground contacts  130  and  132  and bridging piece  510  may connect to each other and to shell  320 . Shell  320  may include fingers  322  and tabs  324 , as shown above. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a more detailed view of a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. This portion of a connector receptacle assembly may include a top row contacts  140  and a bottom row of contacts  210 . The top row contacts  140  and bottom row of contacts  210  may be separated by center ground contacts  130 . Center ground contact  130  may connect to shell  320  and bridging piece  510 . Bridging piece  510  and center contact  130  may be formed of the same material, such as titanium copper, and they may be connected by laser or spot welding, soldering, or other appropriate manner. Shell  320  may include fingers  322  and tabs  324 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a center contact according to an embodiment of the present invention. This center contacts may be used to provide ground or isolation between rows of contacts in a connector receptacle. Center ground contact  130  may include side protrusions or contacts  810 . Side protrusions or contacts  810  may emerge from sides of a tongue of a connector receptacle to form ground and retention features for the connector receptacle. Specifically, as a connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle, sides of the connector insert shell may form an electrical connection with protrusions  810 . Also, protrusions  810  may be pressed inward by the connector insert, such that protrusions  810  provide a retention force for the connector insert. 
     Center ground contact  130  may also include through-hole contact portions  820 . Through-hole contact portions  820  may be soldered or otherwise fixed to a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Through-hole contacts  820  may form electrical connections with ground lines or plans in the appropriate substrate. In this specific example, through-hole contact portions  820  are shown as through-hole contacts, though in other embodiments of the present invention, they may be surface mount contacts or other types of contacts. 
     Again, to improve the retention force provided by protrusions  810 , as well as to improve durability of center contact  130 , center contact  130  may be formed of titanium copper or other appropriate material. When shell  320  (not shown) is formed of stainless steel, center contact  130 , being made of titanium copper, may not laser solder well to shell  320 . That is because such techniques do not form adequate connections between these disparate materials. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may employ mechanical means to form electrical connections between center contact  130  and shell  320 . Specifically, tabs  830  may be provided to form electrical connections with shell  320 . Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, center contact  130  may be electrically connected to shell  320 . Specifically, tab  830  is placed against bend  326  in shell  320 . Bend  326  may be biased to retain force against tabs  830  to maintain an electrical connection between center contact  130  and shell  320 . Shell  320  may include fingers  322  and tabs  324 , as before. Center contact  130  may include protrusions  810  and through-hole contact portions  820 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, in this figure, center contact  130  may be in electrical contact with shell  320 . Specifically, bends  328  are formed in shell  320  to press against through-hole contact portions  820 , thereby maintaining the electrical connection. Shell  820  may include fingers  322  and tabs  324 , as before. 
     Again, in the above examples, ground and retention features may be included as part of a device enclosure. In other embodiments of the present invention, ground and retention features may be formed as part of, or attached to, a shield that is attached to a housing. The following figures illustrate a method of assembling a connector receptacle where ground and retention features are attached to a shield and housing. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a pair of first subassemblies, a pair of center ground contacts, and a pair of second subassemblies according to an embodiment of the present invention. Each first subassembly  1110  may include contacts  1112  having through-hole portions  1114 . Through-hole portions  1114  may be soldered or otherwise fixed to through-holes in a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. First subassemblies  1110  may be formed by injection molding housing portions  1111  around contacts  1112 . In other embodiments, contacts  1112  may be inserted into housing  1111 . In other embodiments of the present invention, housing  1111  may be formed of multiple pieces the snap or otherwise are fixed together around contacts  1112 . 
     Center ground contacts  1120  may include side ground contacts  1122 , through-hole contact portions  1124 , and opening  1128 . As before, center ground contacts  1120  may be formed using copper, titanium-copper, or other appropriate material. 
     Second subassemblies  1130  may include contacts  1132 , posts  1134 , and holes or passages  1136 . Contacts  1132  may have through-hole portions  1138 . As before, through-hole portions  1138  may be soldered or otherwise fixed to through-holes in a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Also, while the contacts in this example are shown as having through-hole portions, other embodiments of the present invention may have other types of connecting portions, such as surface-mount portions. 
     Center ground contacts  1120  may be fixed a relative to second subassemblies  1130  by aligning openings  1128  with posts  1134 . First subassemblies  1110  may be aligned to second subassemblies  1130  by placing through-hole portions  1114  into openings  1136 . 
     The assembled subassemblies and ground contacts may then be inserted into a housing. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates portions of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, first subassemblies  1110 , center ground contacts  1120 , and second subassemblies  1130  may be assembled together. These combined assemblies may be inserted into a back of housing  1210 . Side ground contact us  1122  may emerge from openings  1216  in tongue  1214  of housing  1210 . Contacts  1112  and  1132  may be available at openings on tops and bottoms of tongues  1214 . Tabs  1126  may fit in notches  1212  in housing  1210 . 
     Again, embodiments of the present invention may employ ground and retention features that are attached to a shield. An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates ground and retention features for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground and retention features  1310  and  1320  attached to housing  1210 . Specifically, notches  1312  in ground and retention feature  1310  align with slots  1218  on housing  1210 . Ground contacts  1314  may act as part of a ground path when a connector insert is connected into the connector receptacle. Ground contacts  1314  may also provide retention for the connector insert. Opening  1322  on ground feature  1320  may align with tab  1219  on housing  1210 . Ground contacts  1326  may be soldered to or otherwise fixed to ground contacts on a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates further ground and retention features for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground and retention features  1420  may include openings  1424  that aligned with tabs  1215  on housing  1210 . Ground and retention features  1422  may act in conjunction with ground and retention features  1314  in  FIG. 13  to provide a ground path and retention for a connector insert when a connector insert is inserted into the connector receptacle. Opening  1414  on a shield  1410  may aligned with tab  1217  on housing  1210 . Shield  1410  may further include tab  1416 , which may be grounded at the printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Shield portion  1410  may be spot or laser welded, or otherwise fixed to ground and retention feature  1310  at points  1415 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a more detailed view of a back of a housing for a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Housing  1210  may include posts  1520  to attach to a main-logic board or other appropriate substrate to provide mechanical support for the connector receptacles. Housing  1210  may include openings  1510  for subassemblies  1110  and  1130 , and ground contacts  1120 , as shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a top view of a housing for a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Housing  1210  may include openings  1610 . Portions of shells or shields  1410  and ground and retention features  1312  may fit in openings  1610 . 
     Again, in various embodiment of the present invention, central ground contacts  1120  may be formed titanium copper. These central ground contacts  1120  may be difficult to electrically connect to a shell or shield portion that may be formed of stainless steel. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may rely on a compression to form contacts between the central ground contacts  1120  and shield portion  1410 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a center ground contact contacting a shield portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, points  1122  of central ground contact  1120  is in physical contact with an inside of shield portion  1410 . This contact may stay in place through the compression of points  1122  of center ground contact  1120 . Center ground contact  1120  may include ground tabs  1123 , which may be soldered to a ground contact on a main-logic board or other appropriate substrate. Shield portion  1410  may include tabs  1413 , also may be soldered to a ground contact on a main-logic board or other appropriate substrate. In this way, center ground contact  1120  and shield portion  1410  may connect to each other through traces on a main-logic board or other appropriate substrate. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a completed pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. These connector receptacles  1200  may include tongues  1214  having side ground contacts  1216 . Contacts  1112  may reside on a top of tongue  1214 , while contacts  1132  (not shown), may reside on a bottom of tongue  1214 . 
     Connector receptacles  1200  may include ground contacts  1314 . Ground contacts  1314  may be used in place of dimpled ground contacts  150  in  FIG. 1 . Specifically, dimpled ground contacts, such as dimpled ground contact  150  in  FIG. 1 , may be arranged to fit in a pocket in a shield of a connector insert. This arrangement may provide a retention force for the connector insert. However, a dimpled ground contact may lose contact with a shield of the connector insert, for example, if it resides in a center of the pocket on the shield of the connector insert. This loss of a ground connection may lead to an increase in ground noise, with a resulting interference with proper signal transmission through the connector. Moreover, a dimpled contact may provide a sharp point. This sharp point may mar or cut a groove in the plug or connector insert over time. Also, a dimpled contact may provide only a single contact point to ground between the connector receptacle  1200  and connector insert. 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may employ ground contacts  1314 . Ground contacts  1314  may be split into contact portions  1314 A,  1314 B, and  1314 C. By splitting ground contacts  1314  in this way, several points along ground contact  1314  may make contact with a shield of a connector insert. Also, ground contact portion  1314 B may be arranged to fit in an opening or pocket in the connector insert shield, thereby providing a retention force. Ground contacts portions  1314 A,  1314 B, and  1314 C may be split by very fine separations to provide an attractive appearance for the connector receptacle. Ground contacts  1314  may provide a smoother edge for a connector insert in order to help avoid marring of the connector insert. Ground contact  1314  may be connected to a first shell portion or ground feature  1320 . 
     Ground contact  1314  may be located under tongue  1214 . The ground contact may have a front sloping portion  1313 , where the front sloping portion  1313  slopes from a front bottom of the connector receptacle  1200  upwards to a back of the connector receptacle  1200 . The front sloping portion  1313  may form a ridge  1315  that may contact a shield of a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  1200 . The front sloping portion  1313  may have a downward, tapered bottom edge  1316 . This downward, tapered bottom edge  1316  may help to prevent the ground contact  1314  from becoming snagged and damaged when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  1200 . 
     Ground contacts  1326  may rest on a frame, device enclosure, main-logic board, or other appropriate substrate. In various embodiments of the present invention, ground contacts  1326  may be insulated to keep noise at connector receptacle  1200  from coupling onto the device enclosure. 
     It may be desirable to protect the contacts of this connector receptacle unit when it is in transit or being handled. Accordingly, a cover or protective piece may be used. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a cover or protective piece  1910  that may be used to protect contacts on a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     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: 20120610
Publication Date: 20150303
Grant Date: 20150303
Priority Date: 20120610
Inventors: SIMMEL GEORGE MARC
GAO ZHENG
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/6594", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6597", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/659", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6594", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/659", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 49715642