PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9882323-B2
Application Number: US-201514683122-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Flexible connector receptacles

Abstract:
Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. One example may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a tongue supporting a first plurality of contacts; 
 a housing, wherein the housing is an enclosure for an electronic device that includes the connector receptacle; and 
 a first flexible gasket between the tongue and the housing, such that the tongue may move relative to the housing, 
 wherein the tongue includes an opening, where a second flexible gasket is located in the opening, and 
 wherein the second flexible gasket is arranged to accept a first structure. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the first structure is a rod attached to a printed circuit board in the electronic device. 
     
     
       3. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the first structure is a fastener attached to the enclosure. 
     
     
       4. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the first structure is a rod formed as part of the enclosure. 
     
     
       5. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the first flexible gasket is formed of an elastomer. 
     
     
       6. The connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the elastomer is silicone. 
     
     
       7. The connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the elastomer is urethane. 
     
     
       8. The connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the tongue extends through an opening in the enclosure, and the first flexible gasket has a tapered front edge such that the tapered front edge fits in the opening of the enclosure. 
     
     
       9. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a tongue having a front portion supporting a plurality of contacts; 
 a first ground plane attached to a top of the tongue, the first ground plane including a first tab orthogonal to the top of the tongue; 
 a second ground plane attached to a bottom of the tongue, the second ground plane including a second tab orthogonal to the bottom of the tongue; and 
 a flexible gasket around the tongue and against the first tab and the second tab. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector receptacle of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a device enclosure having an opening, the opening providing passage for the front portion of the tongue, where the flexible gasket is around the tongue and between the opening in the device enclosure and the first and second tabs. 
 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the gasket has a tapered front edge such that the tapered front edge fits in the opening of the device enclosure. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle of  claim 11  wherein the tapered front edge provides a self-alignment feature such that the tongue returns to an original position after a connector insert has been removed from the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       13. The connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the tongue comprises an opening for a fastener. 
     
     
       14. The connector receptacle of  claim 13  wherein the fastener is inserted through the opening in the tongue and into the device enclosure. 
     
     
       15. The connector receptacle of  claim 14  wherein the fastener provides a compressive force on the flexible gasket. 
     
     
       16. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a tongue having a front portion supporting a plurality of contacts; 
 a first ground plane on a top of the tongue; 
 a second ground plane on a bottom of the tongue; 
 a plurality of electronic components on the top of the tongue in an opening in the first ground plane; and 
 a connector having contacts, the contacts attached to the plurality of contacts on the tongue front portion and the plurality of electronic components. 
 
     
     
       17. The connector receptacle of  claim 16  wherein the first ground plane includes a first tab orthogonal to the top of the tongue and the second ground plane includes a second tab orthogonal to the bottom of the tongue. 
     
     
       18. The connector receptacle of  claim 17  further comprising a first flexible gasket around the tongue and against the first tab and the second tab. 
     
     
       19. The connector receptacle of  claim 18  further comprising a second flexible gasket around the plurality of electronic components. 
     
     
       20. The connector receptacle of  claim 19  wherein the connector is in an opening in the second ground plane on the bottom of the tongue.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional applications No. 61/979,469, filed on Apr. 14, 2014, No. 62/001,060, filed May 21, 2014, and No. 62/129,826, filed Mar. 7, 2015, each titled “DURABLE CONNECTOR RECEPTACLES,” which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The amount of data transferred between electronic devices has grown tremendously the last several years. Large amounts of audio, streaming video, text, and other types of data content are now regularly transferred among desktop and portable computers, media devices, handheld media devices, displays, storage devices, and other types of electronic devices. 
     Power may be transferred with this data, or power may be transferred separately. Power and data may be conveyed over cable assemblies. Cable assemblies may include a cable that may have wire conductors, fiber optic cables, or some combination of these or other conductors. Cable assemblies may also include a connector insert at each end of the cable, though other cable assemblies may be connected or tethered to an electronic device in a dedicated manner. The connector inserts may be inserted into receptacles in the communicating electronic devices. 
     During these insertions, a user inserting a connector insert may exert a force in the direction of insertion into the receptacle. Also, the direction of insertion may be somewhat tilted or rotated. This force may exert compression and angular forces on one or more portions of the connector receptacle. This force may damage the connector receptacle causing a reduction or loss of functionality of the electronic device housing the connector receptacle. Similar forces may be exerted on one or more portions of a connector receptacle after a connector insert has been inserted in the receptacle or during extraction of a connector insert from the receptacle. 
     Also, these connector inserts may be inserted into a device receptacle one or more times a day for multiple years. It may be desirable that these connector inserts be reliable and do not break or wear down prematurely, since such failures may lead to user dissatisfaction with the electronic device. 
     Electronic devices may be sold in the millions, with an attendant number of connector receptacles sold with them. With such volumes, any reduction or simplification in the manufacturing of a connector receptacle becomes significant. For such reasons, it may be desirable that these connector receptacles are readily manufactured. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are readily manufactured. An exemplary embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector receptacle having one or more movable portions. These movable portions may move relative to an enclosure or portion of an enclosure for an electronic device housing the connector receptacle. When a connector insert is inserted into, extracted from, or subject to force after insertion into the receptacle, the movable portions may move to help absorb insertion forces, thereby protecting the connector receptacle from damage. The movable portions may further include self-aligning features such that the movable portions self-align back to an original position in the absence of force. While these techniques are well-suited to use in connector receptacles, they may also be employed in connector inserts, or both connector inserts and receptacles, consistent with embodiments of the present invention. Also, while embodiments of the present invention may protect connector receptacles from damage during the insertion of a connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may also protect connector receptacles from damage during an extraction of a connector insert and from damage caused by forces being applied to a connector insert or connector receptacle while the connector insert is positioned inside the connector receptacle. Embodiments of the present invention may also protect connector receptacles from damage by unrelated items at other times. Throughout this document damage that may occur at any of these or other times may be referred to as damage caused during the insertion of a connector insert for clarity. 
     In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a connector receptacle having a movable tongue may be provided. The tongue may move front-to-back along an axis of insertion. This may help to protect the tongue during the insertion of a connector insert. The tongue may also move in forward, up, down, side-to-side, pitch, yaw, and roll directions. This may help to protect the tongue during insertions where a connector insert is not directly inserted into the receptacle, but is instead inserted in an offset or rotated direction. This may be of particular importance when the tongue is exceptionally thin and would otherwise be prone to damage. In other embodiments of the present invention, various portions of a connector receptacle, such as housings, tongues, contacts, shields, and the like, may move together or separately relative to a device enclosure or portion of an enclosure. For example, a housing and a tongue may be able to move together or separately relative to a device enclosure or portion of an enclosure. 
     In a specific embodiment of the present invention, a connector receptacle may include a tongue located in an opening in a housing. The housing may be a portion of a device enclosure, or it may be separate from the device enclosure. The tongue may be attached to the opening in the housing by a pliable or flexible gasket or grommet. This flexible gasket or grommet may flex to allow the tongue to move during an insertion. In this and other embodiments of the present invention, the tongue may be further attached through one or more other gaskets or grommets to one or more other structures attached to or formed as part of the device enclosure, a printed circuit board in the enclosure, or other structure in the electronic device. For example, the tongue may attach to one or more rods or posts through one or more other gaskets or grommets. These rods or posts may, in turn, attach to the device enclosure, a printed circuit board in the device enclosure, or other structure in or associated with the device enclosure. In still other embodiments of the present invention, rods, posts, screws, or other structures may be located in one or more openings in the tongue. These structures may be located in the openings in way to apply pressure against the grommet to hold the grommet in place against a device enclosure. In this embodiment, the tongue may include one or more tabs to secure the grommet in place between the tabs and the device enclosure. As before, each of these gaskets or grommets may flex to allow the tongue to move in forward, backward, up, down, side-to-side, pitch, yaw, and roll directions. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, these gaskets or grommets may be formed of various materials. For example, these gaskets or grommets may be formed using elastomers with low compression set. This may help to ensure consistent performance over the life of the connector receptacle. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the elastomers used may be silicone or urethane. In various embodiments of the present invention, the gasket or grommets may be conductive. This may be useful in providing a ground or power path through the gasket or grommet. 
     In still other embodiments of the present invention, other gaskets or grommets may be used. For example, a tongue may pass through an opening in a printed circuit board, and a gasket or grommet may be used to attach the two. In still other embodiments, the tongue itself may be part of a printed circuit board in an electronic device. The printed circuit board may then be attached through grommets to posts or other structures that may, in turn, be attached to a device enclosure, a second printed circuit board, or other structure in or associated with the electronic device. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, various components may be placed on such a flexible tongue. For example, electronic components and circuits may be placed on the tongue. Other connectors may be used to connect the tongue to a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other structure in an electronic device housing the tongue. Traces or interconnect lines may connect contacts on the tongue to these components, circuits, connectors, and other structures or devices. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, ground contacts, metallic pieces, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle, such as the shell or shield, 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 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. Again, the gaskets or grommets may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, elastomers with low compression set. This may help to ensure consistent performance over the life of the connector receptacle. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the elastomers used may be silicone or urethane. The printed circuit boards used may be formed of FR-4 or other material. Printed circuit boards may be replaced by other substrates, such as flexible circuit boards, in many embodiments of the present invention. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles 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, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles may provide pathways for signals and power compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning and other types of standard and non-standard interfaces that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. 
     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 front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a connector system where a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a transparent oblique view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a connector receptacle tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates the tongue of  FIG. 8  having included grommets or gaskets according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an underside of the tongue of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates and underside view of the tongue of  FIG. 8  having included grommets or gaskets according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the tongue of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of the tongue of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a tongue having surfaces to be given a uniform color in an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the tongue of  FIG. 8  in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the tongue of  FIG. 8  in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates a cutaway view of a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     Electronic system  100  may include cable  110  joining electronic devices  120  and  130 . In this example, electronic device  120  may be a laptop or portable computer having screen  122 . Electronic device  130  may be a monitor  130  that may include screen  132 . In other embodiments of the present invention, cable  110  may couple various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablets, desktop computers, all-in-one computers, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors power supplies, adapters, and chargers, and other devices. These cables, such as cable  110 , may provide pathways for signals and power compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning and other types of standard and non-standard interfaces that are either presently developed, under development, or will be developed in the future. Cable  110  may attach to electronic devices  110  and  130  through connector receptacles provided by embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector receptacle may include tongue  210  in opening of device enclosure  200 . Tongue  210  may support one or more ground contacts  214 . Tongue  210  may emerge into the connector receptacle through rear wall  220  in device enclosure  200 . 
     In this and other embodiments of the present invention, a front of tongue  210  may be chamfered for easier insertion into an opening in a connector insert. This chamfered opening may be coated to reduce wear on the front surface of tongue  210  that may be caused by repeated insertions of a connector insert. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, tongue  210  or other portions of this connector receptacle may be reinforced to prevent damage during the insertion of a connector insert. These tongues may be located in openings in device enclosures, they may be located in connector receptacle housings separate from device enclosures, or they may be located in other structures. An example of such a connector system is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a connector insert according to embodiments of the present invention that is been inserted into a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Specifically, connector insert  310  has been inserted into connector receptacle  300 . Receptacle  300  may be located in various types of devices, such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. Connector insert  310  and receptacle  300 , as with the other included connector inserts and connector receptacles, may provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. In other embodiments of the present invention, connector insert  310  and receptacle  300  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 connector insert  310  and receptacle  300  may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. More information about connector insert  310  may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/543,711, filed Nov. 17, 2014, titled CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE HAVING A SHIELD, which is incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This example may illustrate structures and functionality that may be included in the other examples shown herein and other embodiments of the present invention. The receptacle  300  may be the same or similar in structure or functionality as receptacle of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 8 , or any of the other receptacles shown herein. In this example, connector receptacle  300  may include tongue  410  supporting a number of contacts  412 . As before, ground contacts  414  may be located on tongue  410 . Ground contacts  414  may be stepped to include vertical portion  416  and horizontal portion  518 . Horizontal portion  418  may contact receptacle shield  420 . 
     Connector insert  310  may include shield  470  surrounding contacts  460 . Shield  470  may be electrically connected to ground contacts  472 . Shield  470  may terminate in end pieces  474 . Tongue  410  may include a central ground plane or portion (not shown), while the connector insert may include ground plane or portion  480 . 
     This arrangement may provide shielding for signal paths formed by contacts  412  and  460 . Specifically, connector insert shield  470  may electrically contact receptacle shield  420 . Receptacle shield  420  may electrically connect to ground contact  414  through vertical portion  416  and horizontal portion  418 . Ground contact  472  in the connector insert may electrically contact ground contacts  414  and connector insert shield  470 . Ground planes and ground portions in tongue  410  and ground plane or portions  480  in the connector insert may electrically connect to each other and these other structures as well. In various embodiments of the present invention, end pieces  474  may be conductive, and may thus form electrical connections with vertical portions  416 . This shielding may help to isolate signals on contacts  412  and  460  from each other and from circuits, traces, and components external to this connector system. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a transparent oblique view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This example may illustrate structures and functionality that may be included in the other examples shown herein and other embodiments of the present invention. In this example, connector insert  310  may be inserted into connector receptacle  300 . Again, more detail on these and other connector inserts may be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/543,711, filed Nov. 17, 2014, titled CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE HAVING A SHIELD, which is incorporated by reference. 
     This connector system, as with the other included connector systems may perform at least three functions. The first is to convey signals between a connector insert and a connector receptacle. These signals may include power, ground, and data signals, such as audio and video signals. A second is to shield these signals while they are being transferred. This may prevent or reduce the corruption of the signals during transfer. A third is to provide a retention force such that the connector insert is not inadvertently removed from the connector receptacle. Such accidental extractions may be particularly undesirable during transfer of large files. 
     Signals may be transferred using pins  460  in the connector insert  310 , which may mate with contacts  412  in receptacle  300 . 
     These signals may be shielded in a number of ways. For example, shield  470  of connector insert  310  may electrically connect to ground piece  472  at finger  473 . Ground contacts  474  at a front of connector insert  310  may contact a horizontal portion of ground piece  414  in connector receptacle  300 . Ground piece  414  may electrically connect to connector receptacle shield  420  via connection points  421 . Shield  420  of connector receptacle  300  may electrically connect to shield  470  on connector receptacle  300 . 
     Retention may be provided by side ground contacts  112  engaging notches  125  on tongue  129 . Specifically, side ground contacts  510  may include contacting portion  512 , which may engage notches  411  on sides of tongue  410 . Notches  411  may be plated and connected to ground in the connector receptacle  300 , thereby forming another ground path with side ground contacts  510 , which may be connected to ground through the connector insert  310 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, varying amounts of retention force may be desired. Accordingly, side ground contacts  510  may be pre-biased such that they spring back to fit into notches  411  during insertion. The strength and thickness of side ground contacts  510  may also be adjusted to provide different retention forces for different applications. In some embodiments of the present invention, for example some docking stations, it may be desirable to provide zero retention force, in which case side ground contacts  510  may be omitted. 
     Again, these insertions may damage the connector receptacles. This may be particularly true when a connector insert is not inserted directly into the connector receptacle, but is instead inserted in a tilted or rotated direction. Damage may also be more likely when portions of a connector receptacle, such as a tongue, are small or thin. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that are able to withstand these insertion forces. Again, while embodiments of the present invention may protect connector receptacles from damage during insertion of a connector insert, embodiments of the present invention may also protect connector receptacles from damage during extraction of a connector insert and from damage caused by forces being applied to a connector insert or connector receptacle while the connector insert is positioned inside the connector receptacle. Embodiments of the present invention may also protect connector receptacles from damage by unrelated items at other times. Throughout this document damage that may occur at any of these or other times may be referred to as damage caused during the insertion of a connector insert for clarity. Various embodiments of the present invention may employ flexible gaskets or grommets that may allow one or more portions of a connector receptacle to move relative to a device enclosure. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector receptacle may include tongue  210  located in opening  202  of housing  200 . A gasket or grommet may be located between tongue  210  and a back side  204  of enclosure  200 . Specifically, the gasket or grommet may include a narrow portion  220  between tongue  210  and a back side  204  of device enclosure  200 , as well as a wider back portion  220  behind the back side  204  of enclosure  200 . 
     In various embodiments the present invention, an opening may be formed in tongue  210 . A gasket or grommet  230  may be placed in the opening in tongue  210 . The gasket or grommet  230  may have an opening  232 . A rod, post, or other structure may be inserted into opening  232  of gasket or grommet  230 . This rod or post may be attached to or formed as part of device enclosure  200 , a printed circuit board located inside device enclosure  200 , or other structure in, or associated with, the device enclosure  200 . 
     These gaskets or grommets  220  and  230  may be flexible such that tongue  210  may move relative to device enclosure  200 . For example, flexible gaskets or grommets  220  and  230  may allow tongue  210  to move backward into device enclosure  200  during the insertion of connector insert. This may help to relieve stress on tongue  210  during insertion, thereby helping to prevent damage. Flexible gaskets or grommets  220  and  230  may also allow tongue  210  to move in forward, up, down, side to side, pitch, yaw, and roll directions during the insertion and extraction of a connector insert. Again, this movement may protect tongue  210  during insertion, particularly during non-direct insertions, such as when the connector insert is inserted at a tilted or skewed angle. 
     Flexible gaskets or grommets  220  and  230  may be formed of various materials. For example, they may be formed using elastomers, such as silicone or urethane. They may be conductive to form ground paths, for example between ground contacts  214  and enclosure  200 . 
     Tongue  210  may support a number of contacts  212 . Contacts  212  may be located on a top side of tongue  210 , on a bottom side of tongue  210 , or on both top and bottom sides of tongue  210 . Contacts  212  may form power and signal paths with corresponding contacts in a connector insert (not shown) when a connector insert is inserted in this connector receptacle. 
     Ground contacts  214  may be located on either or both a top and bottom side of tongue  210 . Ground contacts  214  may form ground connections with corresponding ground contacts in a connector insert. 
     While in this example, tongue  210  is shown as being attached to enclosure  200  through grommet or gasket  220 , in other embodiments of the present invention, tongue  210  may be attached through grommet or gasket  220  to a standalone connector receptacle housing separate from enclosure  200 , or tongue  210  may be attached to another appropriate structure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a tongue for a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. While this and the other tongues shown here are well-suited for use in connector receptacles, in other embodiments of the present invention these tongues may be used in connector inserts. 
     As before, tongue  210  may support a number of contacts  212  and ground contacts  214 . Grommets or gasket  220  may be wrapped around tongue  210 , while grommets or gaskets  230  may be placed in openings in tongue  210 . In other embodiments of the present invention, tongue  210  may have one, three, or more openings having grommets or gaskets  230 . Also, in other embodiments the present invention, more than one gasket or grommet  220  may surround tongue  210 . Tongue  210  may further include side cutout  216 . Side cutout  216  may be used to accept a retention feature on a connector insert when the connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle including this tongue. 
     In this example, a receptacle may include a tongue  210  attached to a device enclosure through one or more grommets or gaskets  220  and  230 . In other embodiments of the present invention, tongue  210  may be attached to other structures in or associated with the electronic device. In other embodiments of the present invention, a receptacle may include a housing without a tongue. This housing may be attached to a device enclosure or other structure through one or more gaskets or grommets. In still other embodiments, a receptacle may include a tongue and a housing, where the tongue and housing may be attached to a device enclosure or other structure through one or more gaskets or grommets. In still other embodiments of the present invention, a tongue may be attached to a housing through one or more gaskets or grommets, while the housing may be attached to a device enclosure or other structure through one or more gaskets or grommets. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention may provide other connector receptacles tongues or other connector receptacle portions that may move relative to a device housing in order to protect the connector receptacle. An example is shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a connector receptacle tongue according to an embodiment of the present invention. Tongue  810  may provide an appearance and may function in a same or similar manner as tongue  210 , tongue  410 , and the other tongues included herein and in other embodiments of the present invention. Tongue  810  may be formed of a printed circuit board, plastic, or other material. For example, tongue  810  may be formed using FR-4 printed circuit board material. Tongue  810  may support a number of contacts  812  on top and bottom sides of front portion  811 . Side ground contacts  814  may be located at notches along sides of tongue  810 . These notches may engage side ground contacts in a connector insert, as shown above. 
     A ground plane or ground contact  830  may cover a rear portion of tongue  810 . Ground contacts  830  may include tabs  840 . Tabs  840  may be bent or folded to be orthogonal to a surface of tongue  810 . Ground contacts  830  may engage ground contacts in a connector insert, as shown above. 
     One or more openings  850  in the tongue structure  810  may be included. Openings  850  may accept fasteners. Openings  850  may have a relatively flat edge facing a front of tongue  810 . This flatter edge may give openings  850  a slightly D-shaped appearance. This edge may allow a tongue to move laterally a distance, for example approximately 0.1 mm, relative to the fasteners without changing the depth of tongue  810  in a device enclosure in order to reduce wear and the chance of damage to tongue  810  during insertion of a connector insert. 
     Various structures or fasteners may be placed in openings  852  help secure tongue  810  in place. Specifically, grommets or gaskets may fit around tongue  810  and between tabs  840  and a back side of a device enclosure opening. Fasteners may be placed in openings  850  and may provide a force compressing these gaskets in order to hold on to tongue  810  in place. 
     In various embodiments the present invention, an opening, such as opening  850 , may be formed in tongue  810 . A fastener, such as a screw, rod, post, or other structure may be inserted into opening  850  of tongue  810 . This fastener, rod, or post may be attached to or formed as part of a device enclosure, a printed circuit board located inside a device enclosure, or other structure in, or associated with, the device enclosure. 
     Again, gaskets or grommets may be used, for example around tongue  810 . These gaskets and grommets may be flexible such that tongue  810  may move relative to a device enclosure. For example, flexible gaskets or grommets may allow tongue  810  to move in a device enclosure during the insertion of a connector insert. This may help to relieve stress on tongue  810  during insertion, thereby helping to prevent damage. The flexible gaskets or grommets may also allow tongue  810  to move in forward, up, down, side to side, pitch, yaw, and roll directions during the insertion and extraction of a connector insert. Backward movement may be possible in various embodiments of the present invention, or backward movement may be limited by other structures, such as fasteners in openings  850 . Again, this movement may protect tongue  810  during insertion, particularly during non-direct insertions, such as when the connector insert is inserted at a tilted or skewed angle. These gaskets or grommets may also include self-aligning features such that the tongue may reset back to an original position once such stress or force is removed. These gaskets or grommets may further be conductive to allow ground connections between ground contacts  830  and tabs  840  on tongue  810  and the device enclosure or other structures. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates the tongue of  FIG. 8  having included grommets or gaskets according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, grommet or gasket  910  may been fit around tongue  810  and may be located against tabs  840 . Grommet or gasket  910  may be conductive in order to form electrical pathways between ground contact  830  and tabs  840  and a device enclosure. Grommet or gasket  910  may include a tapered front edge  912 . This tapered edge  912  may help to fill a gap between ground contact  830  and an opening in a device enclosure. This conical or tapered front edge  912  may also provide a self-centering or self-alignment feature such that tongue  810  is realigned in an opening of a device enclosure once a connector insert is removed. 
     A second optional grommet or gasket  920  may be included. Optional gasket  920  may be located between tongue  810  and a top inside surface of a device enclosure. Grommet or gasket  920  may surround a number of mechanical or electrical components or devices  930 . Mechanical or electrical components or devices  930  may be located in an opening in a ground plane on top of tongue  810 . Grommet or gasket  920  may be conductive and form an electrical connection between a ground plane on tongue  810  and a device enclosure or other structure. Grommet or gasket  920  may thus provide an amount of shielding for mechanical or electrical components or devices  930 . 
     As before, tongue  810  may support a number of contacts  812 . Tongue  810  may include side ground contacts  814  and ground contacts  830 . Openings  850  may accept fasteners used to secure tongue  810  to a device enclosure. Bracket  870  may also be used to secure tongue  810  in place. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates an underside of the tongue of  FIG. 8 . As before, tongue  810  may support a number of contacts  812  and side ground contacts  814  on front portion  811 . An upper ground contact  830  may cover a rear portion of tongue  810 . Ground contacts  830  may include tabs  840 . Connector  860  may be included to form connections between contacts  812  and components  930  on tongue  810  and a flexible circuit board or other conduit. That is, contacts of connector  860  may be connected via traces in or on tongue  810  to contacts  812  and one or more components  930 . As before, one or more openings  850  may be located in a rear of tongue  810 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, tongue  810  may include various plated areas. For example, contacts  812  may be formed using a hard gold plating, such as an electrolytic gold. This may improve the durability and longevity of contacts  812  while providing a low contact resistance. Contacts in connector  860  and other portions of tongue  810 , such a ground planes on a top and bottom of tongue  810 , may be formed or plated using an electroless nickel immersion gold material, which may be known as ENIG. This may provide a good contact having less gold to avoid the contacts from being too brittle. Side ground contacts  814  may be plated with palladium nickel (PdNi.), which is a durable material. In still other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  812  may also be formed using palladium nickel to reduce the number of plating steps used to form tongue  810 . 
       FIG. 11  illustrates and underside view of the tongue of  FIG. 8  having included grommets or gaskets according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, gasket or grommet  910  may be fit around tongue  810  and may be located against tabs  840 . Optional gasket strips or grounding features  1110  may be located on the underside of tongue  810 . These optional gasket strips or grounding features  1110  may act as spacers between tongue  810  and a bottom inside surface of a device enclosure. They may also provide an electrical connection between a ground plane on the bottom of tongue  810  and the device enclosure or other structure. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front view of the tongue of  FIG. 8 . In this example, tongue  810  may be surrounded by grommet or gasket  910 . Grommet or gasket  910  may include a front tapered portion  912 . An optional gasket or grommet  920  may reside on a top of tongue  810 . Bracket  870  may also be included. Bracket  870  may fit with the device enclosure to help secure tongue  810  in place. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates an exploded view of the tongue of  FIG. 8 . A tongue  810  may be formed of a portion of a printed circuit board, such as an FR-4 or other type of printed circuit board. Tongue  810  may support a number of contacts  812  and have side notches  814  for receiving retention features on a connector insert. A number of electrical components  930  may be placed on a top side of tongue  810 . Tongue  810  may further include openings  850  for accepting fasteners. Ground planes  1310  and  1320  may be located on a top and bottom side of tongue  810 . Ground plane  1310  may have opening  1311  to avoid components  930 . Ground plane  1320  may have notch or opening  1321  to avoid connector  860 . Ground planes  1310  and  1320  may be formed by plating, metal-injection molding, from sheet metal, or in other ways. Ground planes  1310  and  1320  may provide shielding for traces in tongue  810 . Ground planes  1310  and  1320  may also provide mechanical reinforcement for tongue  810 . Ground planes  1310  and  1320  may include tabs  840 . Grommet or gasket  910  may slide over ground planes  1310  and  1320  and tongue  810  and rest against tabs  840 . Grommet or gasket  910  may include a front tapered portion  912 . Optional spacers or gaskets  920  and  1110  may be included as described above. These optional gasket strips or grounding features  920  and  1110  may act as spacers between tongue  810  and a top and bottom inside surface of a device enclosure. They may also provide an electrical connection between ground planes  1310  and  1320  on tongue  810  and the device enclosure or other structure. 
     Again, tongue  810  may be formed of a printed circuit board. Typically, printed circuit boards are not well controlled for their color. This may lead to a large variation in color for tongues  810  among different devices. To avoid this undesirable occurrence, embodiments of the present invention may provide a tongue  810  having a leading edge that is a covered with an ink or otherwise given a uniform color. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a tongue having surfaces to be given a uniform color in an embodiment of the present invention. Tongue  810  may include a leading edge  1410 . Leading edge  1410  may include chamfered surfaces  1412  and  1414 . In an embodiment of the present invention, surfaces  1410 ,  1412 , and  1414  may be given a uniform color. Furthermore, leading portions of sides  1416  may also be given the same color. In this way, when a user observes the connector receptacle, a uniform appearance is provided at the front surface of the connector receptacle tongue. In various embodiments of the present invention, this coloration may be done using ink or other substance. In one example, an epoxy resin that includes ink may be applied to these surfaces. In various embodiments of the present invention, this epoxy resin may be applied using pad printing. In still other embodiments the present invention, laser printing, ink jet printing, or other technique may be used to provide this coloration. Where epoxy resin is used, it may have a thickness between 1 and 20 microns, or approximately 5 to 10 microns. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a top view of the tongue of  FIG. 8  in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongue  810  may be located in an opening or recess  1513  in device enclosure  1510 . As before, tongue  810  may support a number of contacts  812  and ground contacts  830 . Ground contacts  830  may include tabs  840 . A grommet, gasket, or other material  910  may be located between a rear of device enclosure  1510  and tabs  840 . Screws, Rod, or other fasteners  1530  may be located in openings  850  in tongue  810 . These structures may apply a force pushing tabs  840  towards the rear of device enclosure  1510 . This force may compress and hold grommets or gaskets  910  in place between tabs  840  and a rear of device enclosure  1510 . In various embodiments of the present invention, gaskets may be used at least partially around screws  1530 , or these gaskets  910  may be absent. 
     Again, opening  850  may have a somewhat flattened front edge contacting fastener  1530 . This may allow tongue  810  to move laterally when a force acts on tongue  810 , even though fasteners  1530  may limit the amount that tongue  810  can move in a backward direction into the device enclosure. This lateral movement may absorb some insertion force and reduce wear and decrease the chance of damage to tongue  810  during insertion of a connector insert. This arrangement may also allow tongue  810  to move up and down and in a twisting direction in order to further decrease wear and the chance of damage to tongue  810  during insertion of a connector insert. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, these gaskets or grommets  910  may be conductive. By forming these gaskets or grommets  910  of a conductive material, an additional ground path may be provided. 
     In several included examples, a connector receptacle may be formed primarily of a tongue in a recess or opening of a device enclosure. More details of these structures can be found in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/543,748, filed Nov. 17, 2014, titled CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE HAVING A TONGUE, which is incorporated by reference. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates a side view of the tongue of  FIG. 8  in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongue  810  is located in an opening in device enclosure  1510 . As before, a gasket  910  may be located between tabs  840  and a rear of device housing  1510 . Gasket  910  may provide a seal to prevent the ingress of liquid, moisture, dust, or other matter into the device enclosure  1510 . 
     In this way, tongue  810  may be free to move forward, up and down, left or right, and in a pitch, yaw, or roll motion relative to device enclosure  1510 . Backward motion may be limited by fasteners  1530  in openings  850 , but may be more readily allowed, for example where fasteners  1530  are surrounded by grommets or gaskets in openings  850 . This permitted movement may help to prevent damage to tongue  810  during the insertion or extraction of a connector plug into or out of the connector receptacle. 
     These connector receptacles may be formed or assembled in different ways. Tongue  810  may be inserted through opening  1512  in enclosure  1510  into opening or recess  1513 . Opening  1512  may be a slot in a back side of the receptacle opening or recess  1513 . In other embodiments of the present invention, the back side of the receptacle opening may be a separate piece that is held in place by forces exerted by screws  1530  on gasket  910 . In this case the back side may be a bracket attached to tongue  810 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. This example illustrates a portion of a device enclosure  1510  and tongue  810 . During assembly, tongue  810  may be slid through opening  1512  in device enclosure  1510  into recess or opening  1513  in device enclosure  1510 . Fastener  1720  may be inserted through opening  851  in tongue  810  and into opening  1514  in device enclosure  1510 . Fastener  1710  may be inserted through opening  850  in tongue  810  into a corresponding opening in device enclosure  1510 . 
     Grommet or gasket  910  may be located between an inside surface of device enclosure  1510  and tabs  840 . During assembly, a small forward pressure may be applied to tongue  810 . Fasteners  1710  and  1720  may be passed through openings  850  and  851  and into openings in device enclosure  1510 . Tongue  810  may then be released. Grommet or gasket  910  may be slightly compressed under pressure and may provide a force against fasteners  1710  and  1720  thereby holding tongue  810  in place. 
     In this example, it may be undesirable to confuse fasteners  1710  and  1720  during assembly of an electronic device housing tongue  810 . Accordingly, fasteners  1710  and  1720  may have top side openings to accept different non-compatible tools. That is, a tool used on fasteners  1710  may not be useful in turning fasteners  1720 , while a tool for fastener  1720  would not be useful for fastener  1710 . In this way, fastener  1720  is unlikely to be mistakenly inserted into an opening intended to receive fastener  1710 , and fastener  1710  is unlikely to be mistakenly inserted into an opening intended to receive fastener  1720 . A thickness of body portions of fasteners  1710  and  1720  may also be varied in order to reduce the chance of confusion during assembly. 
       FIG. 18  illustrates a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongue  18  may be inserted in device enclosure  1510 . Fasteners  1710  and  1720  may be located in openings  850  and  851 . 
       FIG. 19  illustrates a cutaway view of a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongue  810  may be located in an opening in the device enclosure  1510 . As before, fasteners  1710  and  1720 , as well as grommet or gasket  910  may be used to secure tongue  810  in device enclosure  1510 . 
       FIG. 20  illustrates a side view of a tongue and a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, tongue  810  may pass through opening  1512  in device enclosure  1510 . Grommet or gasket  910  may be located between tabs  840  and device enclosure  1510 . Grommet or gasket  910  may have front tapered edge  912 , which may help to fill opening  1512 . Front tapered edge  912  may help to prevent water or other unwanted ingress into the device by forming a seal between ground contact  830  and an inside edge of opening  1512  in device enclosure  1510 . 
     Again, fastener  1710  may provide a slight forward pressure on tongue  810  such that grommet or gasket  910  is at least slightly compressed. This compression may help secure tongue  810  in place and further reduce water or other unwanted ingress into the device. 
     Grommet or gasket  910  may include a tapered front edge  912 . This tapered edge  912  may help to fill a gap between ground contact  830  and opening  1512  in device enclosure  1510 . This conical or tapered front edge  912  may also provide a self-centering or self-alignment feature such that tongue  810  is realigned in opening  1512  of a device enclosure  1510  once a connector insert is removed. Grommet or gasket  910  may also provide an electrical path for grounding between ground contact  830  and tabs  840  on tongue  810  and the device enclosure. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention including the examples shown, contacts, ground contacts, metallic pieces including metallic center pieces, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle, such as the shell or shield, 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 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), or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. Again, the gaskets or grommets may be formed of various materials including, but not limited to, elastomers with low compression set. This may help to ensure consistent performance over the life of the connector receptacle. In specific embodiments of the present invention, the elastomers used may be silicone or urethane. The printed circuit boards used may be formed of FR-4 or other material. Various printed circuit boards shown and in other embodiments of the present invention may be replaced by other substrates, such as flexible circuit boards. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles 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, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles may provide pathways for signals and power compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), a High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), power, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning and other types of standard and non-standard interfaces that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. 
     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: 20150409
Publication Date: 20180130
Grant Date: 20180130
Priority Date: 20140414
Inventors: TZIVISKOS GEORGE
HACK PAUL J.
BLUM MATTHEW W.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R24/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6585", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6581", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6582", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6582", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6585", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6581", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 54265850