PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-8920197-B2
Application Number: US-201213419904-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Connector receptacle with ground contact having split rear extensions

Abstract:
Connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide good shielding, and consume a reduced or limited amount of space inside a device enclosure. To simplify assembly, these receptacles may include a subassembly that is inserted into a hollow tongue. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert molded in a first overmold, as well as a second number of contacts that may be inserted into a second overmold. To improve ground shielding, one or more ground contacts at a front of the receptacle may be split to provide shielding in a back of the receptacle. The tongue may further include ground contacts on its edges and top. Edge ground contacts may be inserted into the hollow tongue either separately or with the subassembly. Openings in the hollow tongue may expose portions of the edge ground contacts for grounding.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method of assembling a connector receptacle comprising:
 assembling a subassembly by: 
 receiving a first plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end, the first plurality of contacts including a first contact further having a second through-hole portions at the opposite end; 
 insert molding the first plurality of contacts to form an overmold portion; and 
 attaching a second plurality of contacts to the overmold portion, each of the second plurality of contacts having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end; 
 receiving a connector receptacle housing, the connector receptacle housing having a tongue, the tongue being substantially hollow; 
 inserting an end of the first overmold portion, the contacting portions of the first plurality of contacts, and the contacting portions of the second plurality of contacts of the subassembly, a first ground contact, and a second ground contact in a back opening in a back of the tongue; and 
 aligning the first ground contact with a first edge opening on a first edge of the tongue and the second ground contact with a second edge opening on a second edge of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 aligning the contacting portion of each of the first plurality of contacts with an opening in a first plurality of openings in a bottom of the tongue; and 
 aligning the contacting portion of each of the second plurality of contacts with an opening in a second plurality of openings in the bottom of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the first plurality of openings are between the second plurality of openings and a front of the tongue. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein the through-hole portions of the first and second plurality of contacts are substantially in a line. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4  further comprising attaching a first shield portion around a bottom and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5  further comprising attaching a second shield portion around a top and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6  further comprising attaching a bottom piece to cover a bottom portion of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 4  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus 3 compatible connector receptacle. 
     
     
       9. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a connector receptacle housing, the connector receptacle housing having a tongue, the tongue being substantially hollow; 
 a subassembly at least partially located in the hollow tongue, the subassembly comprising: 
 a first plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end, the first plurality of contacts including a first contact further having a second through-hole portions at the opposite end; 
 an insert molded housing around at least a portion of the first plurality of contacts, the insert molded housing extending the length of the contacting portion of the first contact in the first plurality of contacts; and 
 a second plurality of contacts attached to the insert molded housing, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end; 
 a first ground contact aligned with a first edge opening on a first edge of the tongue; and 
 a second ground contact aligned with a second edge opening on a second edge of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector receptacle of  claim 9  wherein the tongue comprises a first plurality of openings on a bottom side of the tongue to provide access to the first plurality of contacts and a second plurality of openings on a bottom side of the tongue to provide access to the second plurality of contacts. 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the first plurality of openings are between the second plurality of openings and a front of the tongue. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle of  claim 11  wherein the through-hole portions of the first and second plurality of contacts are substantially in a line. 
     
     
       13. The connector receptacle of  claim 12  further comprising a first shield portion around a bottom and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       14. The connector receptacle of  claim 13  further comprising a second shield portion around a top and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       15. The connector receptacle of  claim 14  further comprising a bottom piece to cover a bottom portion of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       16. The connector receptacle of  claim 12  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus 3 compatible connector receptacle. 
     
     
       17. A method of assembling a connector receptacle comprising:
 assembling a subassembly by: 
 receiving a first plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end, the first plurality of contacts including a first contact further having a second through-hole portions at the opposite end; 
 insert molding the first plurality of contacts to form a first overmold portion, the first overmold portion extending the length of the contacting portion of the first contact in the first plurality of contacts; 
 receiving a second plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end; 
 insert molding the second plurality of contacts to form a second overmold portion; and 
 attaching the second overmold portion to the first overmold portion; and 
 receiving a connector receptacle housing, the connector receptacle housing having a tongue, the tongue being substantially hollow; 
 inserting at least a portion of the subassembly, a first ground contact, and a second ground contact in a back opening in a back of the tongue; and 
 aligning the first ground contact with a first edge opening on a first edge of the tongue and the second ground contact with a second edge opening on a second edge of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 aligning the contacting portion of each of the first plurality of contacts with an opening in a first plurality of openings in a bottom of the tongue; and 
 aligning the contacting portion of each of the second plurality of contacts with an opening in a second plurality of openings in the bottom of the tongue. 
 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18  wherein the first plurality of openings are between the second plurality of openings and a front of the tongue. 
     
     
       20. The method of  claim 19  wherein the through-hole portions of the first and second plurality of contacts are substantially in a line. 
     
     
       21. The method of  claim 20  further comprising attaching a first shield portion around a bottom and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       22. The method of  claim 21  further comprising attaching a second shield portion around a top and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       23. The method of  claim 20  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus 3 compatible connector receptacle. 
     
     
       24. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a connector receptacle housing, the connector receptacle housing having a tongue, the tongue being substantially hollow; 
 a subassembly at least partially located in the hollow tongue, the subassembly comprising: 
 a first plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end, the first plurality of contacts including a first contact further having a second through-hole portions at the opposite end; 
 a first overmold around at least a portion of the first plurality of contacts; 
 a second plurality of contacts, each having a contacting portion at a first end and a through-hole portion at an opposite end; and 
 a second overmold around at least a portion of the second plurality of contacts, the second overmold attached to the first overmold; 
 a first ground contact aligned with a first edge opening on a first edge of the tongue; and 
 a second ground contact aligned with a second edge opening on a second edge of the tongue, 
 wherein an end of the first overmold portion, the contacting portions of the first plurality of contacts, and the contacting portions of the second plurality of contacts are located in the hollow tongue. 
 
     
     
       25. The connector receptacle of  claim 24  wherein the tongue comprises a first plurality of openings on a bottom side of the tongue to provide access to the first plurality of contacts and a second plurality of openings on a bottom side of the tongue to provide access to the second plurality of contacts. 
     
     
       26. The connector receptacle of  claim 25  wherein the first plurality of openings are between the second plurality of openings and a front of the tongue. 
     
     
       27. The connector receptacle of  claim 26  wherein the through-hole portions of the first and second plurality of contacts are substantially in a line. 
     
     
       28. The connector receptacle of  claim 27  further comprising a first shield portion around a bottom and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       29. The connector receptacle of  claim 28  further comprising a second shield portion around a top and sides of the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       30. The connector receptacle of  claim 27  wherein the connector receptacle is a Universal Serial Bus 3 compatible connector receptacle.

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. 
     The connector receptacles may be formed of housings that typically at least partially surround and provide mechanical support for 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. 
     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 a good ground path and shielding for the connector receptacle and corresponding connector insert. Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide connector receptacles that provide a good ground shielding. It may also be desirable to provide connector receptacles that are arranged to consume a reduced or limited amount of space in a device enclosure. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles that are that may be simple to assemble, provide good shielding, and consume a reduced or limited amount of space inside a device enclosure. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that are simple to assemble, provide good shielding, and consume a reduced or limited amount of space inside a device enclosure. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may simplify assembly by providing a connector receptacle having a number of contacts in a subassembly. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert-molded in an overmold. A second number of contacts may be added to the overmold. The subassembly may be inserted into a hollow tongue portion of the connector receptacle. The hollow tongue may protect portions of the first and second numbers of contacts. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may simplify assembly by providing a connector receptacle having a number of contacts in a subassembly. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts that are insert-molded in a first overmold. A second number of contacts may be held together using a second overmold. The first overmold and the second overmold may be attached to each other. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, this may be done using pins and holes located on either or both of the overmolds. The subassembly may be inserted into a hollow tongue portion of the connector receptacle. The hollow tongue may protect portions of the first and second numbers of contacts. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may improve signal quality by providing a connector receptacle having a good ground shielding. In various embodiments of the present invention, one or more ground contacts may be split and routed such that one ground contact at a front or mating portion of a connector receptacle may provide ground contacts on either side of one or more signal contacts at a back of the connector receptacle. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a single ground contact at a front of a connector receptacle is split in two at the back of the connector receptacle. A differential pair is then surrounded on each side by a portion of the split contact, thereby shielding the differential pair and improving signal quality. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may improve signal quality by providing a connector receptacle having a good ground connection. In various embodiments of the present invention, ground contacts may be located on a tongue of the connector receptacle. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, ground contacts may be located on sides of a tongue. Contacts may be further included on a top of the tongue as well. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may reduce the space consumed in a device enclosure by providing a number of contacts having through-hole contacts at one end. Having through-hole contacts may reduce the space consumed as compared to other contacts, such as surface mount contacts. To further reduce space, these through-hole contacts may be arranged substantially in a line. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may be used to improve various connector receptacles, such as those compatible with 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, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, 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 connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a portion of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another view of a portion of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a portion of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another view of a subassembly according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a subassembly and housing of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a back side of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a first overmold portion according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates another view of a first overmold according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates another view of a first overmold according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a rear view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 21  illustrates another view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     Connector receptacle  100  may include housing  110  having tongue  120 . Tongue  120  may include a first number of openings  130  for a second number of contacts  140 . Tongue  120  may further include a second number of openings  150  for a second number of contacts  160 . Tongue  120  may further include side ground contacts  230  at openings  190 . 
     In a specific embodiment of the present invention, connector receptacle  100  may be a USB3 connector. In this example, contacts  160  may be legacy USB contacts, while contacts  140  may be additional contacts added for USB3 compliance. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide a simple to assemble connector receptacle by providing a subassembly that may be inserted into a hollow tongue of the connector receptacle. Specifically, a subassembly for connector receptacle  100  may include a first number of contacts  140  held together by overmold  210 . A second number of contacts  160  may be placed on overmold  210 . The completed subassembly including overmold  210  and its associated contacts may be inserted into tongue  120  of housing  110 . Specifically, tongue  120  may be hollow such that it may accept overmold  210  and its contacts. Ground contacts  330  may be inserted either with the subassembly or separately into tongue  120 . A shield may be formed of shield pieces  240 ,  250 , and  260 . 
     In a specific embodiment of the present invention, connector receptacle  100  may be assembled by receiving a first number of contacts  140 . These contacts may include a contacting portion  142  and a through-hole contacting portion  144  at an opposite end. One of these contacts, in this example center contact  143 , may have two through-hole contacting portions  146  and  147 . The first number of contacts may be overmolded by piece  210  by using injection molding or other technique. Again, contacts  160  may be added to complete the subassembly. Contacts  160  may include a contacting portion  162 , and a through-hole contacting portion  164  at an opposite end. After contacts  160  are added, through-hole contacting portions  164 ,  144 ,  146 , and  147 , may be arranged substantially in a line. Again, the completed subassembly and ground contacts  230  may be inserted into hollow tongue  120  through rear opening  129  in housing  110 . Tongue openings  130  and  150  may be used to expose portions of contacts  140  and  160 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . A top shield piece  260  and bottom pieces  240  and  250  may be added for shielding, grounding, and mechanical stability. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a portion of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This portion may include contacts  140 , which may be located in overmold  210 . Overmold  210  may be formed by injection molding or other appropriate technique. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another view of a portion of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, this portion may include contacts  140 , which may be located in overmold  210 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a side view of a portion of a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Contacts  140  may be located in overmold  210 . Contacts  140  may include a contacting portions  142  and through-hole contacting portions  144  at an opposite end. The through-hole contacting portions may be inserted and soldered to a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Overmold  210  may include post  510 , which made be inserted into this or other flexible circuit board, printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate for mechanical stability. 
     Again, a second plurality of contacts may be added to this portion of the subassembly. Side ground contacts may also be added or inserted into tongue  120  separately. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a subassembly for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The subassembly may include a first number of contacts on a contacting portions  142  and through-hole contacting portions  144 ,  146 , and  147 . The first number of contacts may be located in overmold  210 . A second number of contacts  160  may be added. Side ground contacts  230  may further be added, or may be added to the connector receptacle separately a different time. 
     Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide USB3 connector receptacles. In other embodiments of the present invention, other connector receptacles that may be compliant with the other interfaces or standards may be provided. In this specific example, the connector receptacle may be compliant with USB3. In that situation, the first number of contacts, beginning with contact  620 , may be used to convey a first differential pair, a first ground, and a second differential pair. The second number of contacts, beginning with contact  630 , may be used to convey a second ground, a third differential pair, and a positive power supply. 
     In this specific example, a first ground,  143 , may be split such as two through-hole contacting portions  146  and  147 . As illustrated, these two through-hole contacting portions are located on each side of the through-hole contacting portions  165  and  166  for the third differential pair. In this way, ground contact  143  provides ground shielding for the third differential pair. Specifically, beginning with through-hole contacting portion  640 , the through-hole contacting portions provide, in order, contacting portions for a second ground, the first differential pair, the first ground, the third differential pair, the first ground, a second differential pair, and a positive power supply. It should be noted the positive power supply is low impedance AC path, and thus may appear as a ground for shielding purposes. 
     Accordingly, the through-hole contacting portion  640  of the second ground and the through-hole contacting portion  147  of the first ground act as a shield for the through-hole contacting portions  148  and  149  of the first differential pair. Similarly, the through-hole contacting portion  164  of the power supply contact and through-hole contacting portion  146  of the ground contact provide low impedance shielding for a second differential pair through-hole contacting portions  144  and  145 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates another view of a subassembly according to embodiments of the present invention. As before, contacts  140  may be located in overmold  210 . Side ground contacts  230  may be added at this or other time during the assembly. Again, this subassembly may be inserted into a hollow tongue  120  in housing  110 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a subassembly and housing of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure includes housing  110  having a tongue  120 . Tongue  120  may be hollow to accept a subassembly including contacts  140  and  160 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  100  may include housing  110  and tongue  120 . 
     Connector receptacle  100  may also include shield portions  250  and  260 . Shield portions  250  and  260  may be grounded to provide shielding and mechanical retention for an insert once the insert is inserted into connector receptacle  100 . 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a back side of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  100  may include housing  110 . The subassembly portion  210  including post  510  may be used for mechanical stability. Shield  260  may include tabs  262 , which may be soldered to a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate for grounding and mechanical stability. 
     Again, it may be desirable that connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention consume a reduced amount of space inside a device enclosure. This in turn may allow a device to be smaller, or to include more functionality. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may include contacts having through-hole contacting portions. This in turn may save area, or board space, or both, as compared to surface mount contacts. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  100  includes subassembly  210  inserted into tongue  120 . Connector receptacle  100  may be shielded by a top shield piece  260  and a bottom shield piece  240 . A bottom shield piece  250  may be attached to bottom shield piece  240 . Top shield piece  260  may include tabs  262 , which may be soldered or otherwise connected to a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Similarly, contacts  144  may be attached to traces, ground, or power planes on the same or different substrate. 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of subassemblies may be used. For example, instead of a single overmold, multiple overmolds may be employed. This may provide for a thinner overall structure. Also, to reduce connector thickness, a top or bottom portion may be removed. In such a situation, grounding or retention features on a top or bottom may be removed. In various embodiments of the present invention, other ground contacts and retention features may be employed to compensate. For example, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, a top portion of a housing and shielding may be removed, and replaced with ground contacts on a top of a tongue of the connector receptacle. An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1200  may include housing  1210  having tongue  1220 . A top of housing  1210  may be removed. The removal of the shielding and mechanical retention features may be compensated for by the use of ground contacts  1240 . Ground contacts  1240  may be exposed through openings  1230  in a top side of tongue  1220 . 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1200  may include housing  1210  having tongue  1220 . Tongue  1220  may include a first number of openings  1230  for a first number of contacts  1240  and a second number of openings  1250  for a second number of contacts  1260 . 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  1400  may include a first number of contacts  1240  held together by a first overmold portion  1420 , and a second number of contacts  1260  held together by a second overmold portion  1430 . A first overmold portion  1420  and second overmold portion  1430  may be attached to each other to form a subassembly that may be inserted into tongue  1220  of housing  1210 . Tongue  1220  may include topside openings  1230 . Shield portions  1450  and  1440  may be attached to housing  1210  for shielding and mechanical support. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a first overmold portion according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a first overmold portion  1420  includes a number of contacts  1240 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates another view of a first overmold according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, first overmold  1420  may include contacts  1240 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates another view of a first overmold according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again overmold  1420  may include contacts  1240 . Overmold  1420  may include posts  1422  and holes  1424  that accept corresponding holes and posts on a second overmold, though in other embodiments, only posts may be included on one overmold while holes are included on the other. In this way, a first overmold and a second overmold may be attached. Once the first overmold and second overmold are attached, they may be inserted into tongue  1220 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a subassembly including first overmold  1420  and second overmold  1430  has been inserted into tongue  1220  of housing  1210 . First overmold  1240  may include contacts  1242 , while second overmold  1430  may include contacts  1260 . Again, first overmold  1420  and second overmold  1430  may be attached and inserted into tongue  1220 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates another view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground contacts  1240  may be joined together by piece  1242 , which may be attached to first overmold  1420 . Side ground contacts  1410  may also be included. 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a rear view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a top of housing  1210  is absent. To compensate for a resulting loss of mechanical retention grounding, ground contacts  1240  may be included. Shield pieces  1450  and  1440  may also be included. Shield piece  1440  may include fingers  1442 , which may contact a device enclosure or other component associated with a device enclosure. Tabs  1444  may be soldered or otherwise connected to a flexible circuit board, printed circuit board, or other appropriate substrate. Portion  1452  of shield  1450  may be used for grounding and mechanical retention. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates another view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, an additional bottom piece  1460  may be added to shield  1450  to provide additional grounding. For example, tabs  1462 , which may be part of shield portion  1460  and  1444 , which may be part of shield portion  14490 , may be grounded, thereby providing further shielding for the first, second, and third differential pairs. Post  1212  of housing  1210  may be used for further mechanical support. 
     Again, this and other embodiments of the present invention may provide shielding for the differential pairs as shown in the examples above. Similarly, this, and other embodiments the present invention, may employ through-hole contacting portions to reduce space consumed by the connector receptacle, though in other embodiments of the present invention, other types of contacting portions, such as surface-mount contacting portions, may be used. 
     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: 20120314
Publication Date: 20141230
Grant Date: 20141230
Priority Date: 20120314
Inventors: TZIVISKOS GEORGE
GAO ZHENG
MINAHAN JASON
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/405", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/502", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "Y10T29/49204", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/405", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/502", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/24", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 48014361