PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9787032-B1
Application Number: US-201615294590-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B1

Title: Connector ground springs

Abstract:
Ground springs for connector receptacles. The ground springs may protect circuitry in an electronic device from stray voltages when a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle housed in the electronic device. One example may have a contacting portion located such that when a connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle, the contacting portion of the ground spring electrically connects to a shield of the connector insert before a ground contact of the connector insert electrically connects to a signal contact on a tongue of the connector receptacle.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An electronic device comprising:
 a device enclosure; 
 a passage in the device enclosure extending from a surface of the electronic device to an interior of the electronic device; 
 a connector receptacle tongue in the passage; 
 a first recess on a first side of the tongue and extending into the device enclosure, a first opening connecting the first recess and the passage; 
 a second recess on a second side of the tongue and extending into the device enclosure, a second opening connecting the second recess and the passage; 
 a first ground spring located in the first recess; and 
 a second ground spring located in the second recess. 
 
     
     
       2. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the first recess is at an oblique angle to the passage, and the second recess is at an oblique angle to the passage and parallel to the first recess. 
     
     
       3. The electronic device of  claim 2  wherein the first ground spring and the second ground spring each comprise a first open-tube portion, a section of the first open-tube portion of the first ground spring located in the first opening and a section of the first open-tube portion of the second ground spring located in the second opening. 
     
     
       4. The electronic device of  claim 3  wherein when a connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle tongue, the first ground spring electrically connects to a shield of the connector insert before a ground contact of the connector insert electrically connects to a signal contact on the connector receptacle tongue. 
     
     
       5. The electronic device of  claim 3  wherein the first ground spring and the second ground spring each further comprise a second open-tube portion joined to the first open-tube portion by a U-shaped portion. 
     
     
       6. The electronic device of  claim 3  wherein the connector receptacle tongue is a connector receptacle tongue for a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle. 
     
     
       7. The electronic device of  claim 1  wherein the first ground spring and the second ground spring each comprise a first open-tube portion having a lance, the lance of the first ground spring located in the first opening and the lance of the second ground spring located in the second opening. 
     
     
       8. The electronic device of  claim 7  wherein the first ground spring and the second ground spring each further comprise a raised portion, the raised portion of the first ground spring in a notch in the first recess and, the raised portion of the second ground spring in a notch in the second recess. 
     
     
       9. An electronic device comprising:
 a device enclosure; 
 a passage in the device enclosure extending from a surface of the electronic device to an interior of the electronic device; 
 a connector receptacle tongue in the passage; 
 a first recess on a first side of the tongue and extending into the device enclosure at an oblique angle to the passage, a first opening connecting the first recess and the passage; 
 a second recess on a second side of the tongue and extending into the device enclosure at an oblique angle to the passage and parallel to the first recess, a second opening connecting the second recess and the passage; and 
 a ground spring having a first arm in the first recess, a second arm in the second recess, and a joining piece connecting the first arm and the second arm. 
 
     
     
       10. The electronic device of  claim 9  wherein the first arm of the ground spring comprises a lance located in the first opening and the second arm of the ground spring comprises a lance located in the second opening. 
     
     
       11. The electronic device of  claim 10  wherein the ground spring further comprises a tab on the joining piece, the tab at a right angle to the joining piece, the tab to fit in a notch in the device enclosure. 
     
     
       12. The electronic device of  claim 11  further comprising a piece of conductive foam between the joining piece of the ground spring and an inside surface of the device enclosure. 
     
     
       13. The electronic device of  claim 12  wherein the connector receptacle tongue further comprises a ground contact having an angled tab, the electronic device further comprising a conductive foam ring around the connector receptacle tongue and between the angled tab on the ground contact and the ground spring. 
     
     
       14. The electronic device of  claim 10  wherein the connector receptacle tongue is a connector receptacle tongue for a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector receptacle. 
     
     
       15. An electronic device comprising:
 a device enclosure; 
 a passage in the device enclosure extending from a surface of the electronic device to an interior of the electronic device; 
 a connector receptacle tongue in the passage; 
 a first recess on a first side of the tongue and extending into the device enclosure, a first opening connecting the first recess and the passage; 
 a second recess on a second side of the tongue and extending into the device enclosure, a second opening connecting the second recess the passage; and 
 a ground spring having a first arm in the first recess and having a contacting portion in the first opening, a second arm in the second recess and having a contacting portion in the second opening, and a joining piece connecting the first arm and the second arm. 
 
     
     
       16. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein when a connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle tongue, the contacting portion of the first arm of the ground spring electrically connects to a shield of the connector insert. 
     
     
       17. The electronic device of  claim 16  wherein when the connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle tongue, the contacting portion of the first arm of the ground spring electrically connects to the shield of the connector insert before a ground contact of the connector insert electrically connects to a signal contact on the connector receptacle tongue. 
     
     
       18. The electronic device of  claim 16  wherein the first recess is at an oblique angle to the passage and the second recess is at an oblique angle to the passage and parallel to the first recess. 
     
     
       19. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the contacting portions of the first and second arms of the ground spring are lances. 
     
     
       20. The electronic device of  claim 15  wherein the connector receptacle tongue is a connector receptacle tongue for a Universal Serial Bus Type-C 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. 
     Power and data may be provided from one electronic device to another over cables that may include one or more wires, fiber optic cables, or other conductors. Connector inserts may be located at each end of these cables and may be inserted into connector receptacles in the communicating or power transferring electronic devices. 
     These connector inserts may have various contacts. For example, a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector insert may have signal and power contacts on a top and bottom side of a recess. Additional ground contacts may be located between the signal and power contacts and a front opening of the recess. The additional ground contacts may be connected to a shield, wherein the shield is located around the signal and power contacts, and wherein the shield of the connector insert is arranged to fit in a corresponding connector receptacle. 
     These connector inserts may mate with corresponding connector receptacles that have a tongue arranged to fit in the recess in the connector insert. The connector receptacle tongue may support signal and power contacts to mate with the signal and power contacts of the connector insert. The connector receptacle tongue may also have ground contacts behind the signal and power contacts to mate with the ground contacts near the front of the connector insert. 
     As a connector insert is inserted into a corresponding connector receptacle, the ground contacts of the connector insert may form transitory electrical connections with the signal and power contacts on the connector receptacle tongue. These temporary electrical connections may produce stray voltages on the contacts. These stray voltages may damage circuits in the electronic device that are connected to these contacts. 
     Thus, what is needed are methods and structures that may protect circuitry in an electronic device from stray voltages when a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle housed in the electronic device. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide methods and structures that may protect circuitry in an electronic device from stray voltages when a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle housed in the electronic device. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a ground spring for a connector receptacle. The ground spring may have a contacting portion located such that when a connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle, the contacting portion of the ground spring electrically connects to a shield of the connector insert before a ground contact of the connector insert electrically connects to a signal contact on a tongue of the connector receptacle. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a device enclosure having a passage for a connector receptacle tongue. A first recess may be provided on a first side of the passage and a second recess may be provided on a second side of the passage. A first opening may join the first recess and the passage, while a second opening may join the second recess and the passage. The first and second recesses may be parallel. They may also be parallel to the passage, they may be orthogonal to the passage, or they may be oblique with the passage. Ground springs may be located in the first and second recesses such that they have portions at or in the first and second openings. 
     The ground springs in the first and second recesses may have various form factors. In an illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a ground spring may include a first open-tube portion. The first open-tube portion may be joined to a second open-tube portion by a U-shaped portion. The first open-tube portion may include a contacting portion that may be at an opening in the passage. In another illustrative embodiment of the present invention, a ground spring may include a first open-tube portion having a lance. The lance may be in an opening in the passage. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention may include a ground spring having a first arm located in the first recess and a second arm located in the second recess. The first and second arms may be joined by a joining piece. The arms may terminate in contacting portions. The contacting portions may include a lance extending beyond a face. The lances may provide a durable contacting surface for the ground springs. The lances may be positioned to be in the first and second openings. The faces may be located in the first and second recesses, where walls having a controlled thickness separate the recesses from the tongue passage. The lances may have a controlled depth. Since the depth of the lance and the width of the wall are controlled, a depth of a lance into the recess may be controlled. This may help to avoid the presence of a tactile response that could otherwise cause confusion by giving the impression that an insertion has occurred before it actually has. The presence of the faces in the recesses may prevent the appearance of gaps between the lances and edges of the openings. The arms may be flexible, which may help to avoid binding between a lance and an edge of an opening. The arms may provide a limited force for the lance against a shield of a connector insert when the connector inserted into the connector receptacle. These ground springs may include a tab that is folded at a right angle to the joining piece. The tab may fit in a notch in the device enclosure. 
     These ground springs may include additional features. For example, a ground spring may include a tab to be inserted into a slot in an inside surface of the device enclosure. This may secure the ground spring in place during assembly and may limit movement of the ground spring during use. The ground spring may further include extensions for further stabilizing the ground spring relative to the device enclosure. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a connector receptacle tongue may include ground contacts on a top and bottom surface. These ground contacts may include tabs angled orthogonally to the surfaces of the connector receptacle tongue. An O-ring of conductive foam or other material may be placed between the tabs on the connector receptacle tongue and the joining piece of the ground spring, the extensions on the ground spring (if present), or both. An optional piece of conductive foam may be placed between the ground spring and an inside surface of the device enclosure. The tongue may be attached to, or formed as part of, a board portion, which may be fixed to the device enclosure or other structure associated with the device enclosure. This may fix the connector receptacle tongue, ring of conductive foam, ground spring, piece of conductive foam (if present), and device enclosure together. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a spring-biased cam may be used as a ground spring. The cam may be located in a recess and may have a contacting portion at an opening in a passage in a device enclosure. A spring may apply a force pushing the cam into the opening between the recess and the passage. Optional washers may be used to prevent binding and to align the contacting portion of the cam to the opening. A fastener may secure the cam, spring, and washers to the device enclosure. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, two connector receptacles may be positioned near each other. These two connector receptacles may share a ground spring structure. For example, a shared ground spring may be positioned in a recess between passages for two connector receptacle tongues. The shared ground spring may include two contacting portions, where each contacting portion may be located in an opening between the recess and a passage for a connector receptacle tongue. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other types of ground springs may be used. For example, spheres or balls that are biased by springs may be used. Tabs, trim rings, springs, and other structures may be used as ground springs in these and other embodiments of the present invention. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, ground springs may be located in openings in a passage for a connector receptacle tongue. These openings may be located in either or both lateral sides of the passage, in a top of the passage, in a bottom of the passage, in both a top and bottom of the passage, or other combination thereof. 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful in USB Type-C connector receptacles and their enclosures, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in other types of connector receptacles and their enclosures for different interfaces and their enclosures. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, ground springs, ground contacts, device enclosures (when conductive), and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle 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 aluminum, ceramic, 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 device enclosures (when nonconductive), housings, and other 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. The printed circuit boards, for example those used to form the tongues and boards, may be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     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, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles may provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that may be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic system that may be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a connector insert that is being inserted into a connector receptacle; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a portion of another device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a ground spring according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a transparent view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a method of forming a recess for a ground spring in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a method of forming an opening in a recess in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a front oblique view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates another ground spring according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an oblique side view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an assembly of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an assembly of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an assembled pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates another ground spring according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  illustrates an assembly of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  illustrates an assembly of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  illustrates an assembled connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  illustrates a front oblique view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is another transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is an exploded view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  illustrates an assembled pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a front oblique view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  illustrates a top away view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  illustrates an oblique cutaway view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 34  illustrates a cutaway side view of a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 36  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  illustrates a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 38  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 39  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 40  illustrates a connector receptacle 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 an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     This example illustrates monitor  130  that may be in communication with computer  110 . Computer  110  may provide video or other data over cable  120  to monitor  130 . Video data may be displayed on the video screen  132  of monitor  130 . Computer  110  may similarly include a screen  112 . In other embodiments the present invention, other types of devices may be included, and other types of data may be shared or transferred among the devices. For example, monitor  130  may be a monitor, an all-in-one computer, tablet computer, or other device. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, power may be shared between computer  110  and monitor  130  over cable  120 . 
     Cable  120  may be one of a number of various types of cables. For example, it may be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable such as a USB Type-C cable, Thunderbolt, DisplayPort, Lightning, or other type of cable. Cable  120  may include compatible connector inserts (not shown) that plug into connector receptacles (not shown) on the computer  110  and monitor  130 . 
     These connector inserts (not shown) may have various contacts. For example, a Universal Serial Bus Type-C connector insert may have signal and power contacts on a top and bottom side of a recess. Additional ground contacts may be located between the signal and power contacts and a front opening of the recess. The additional ground contacts may be connected to a shield, where the shield is around the signal and power contacts, and where the shield of the connector insert is arranged to fit in a corresponding connector receptacle. 
     These connector inserts (not shown) may mate with corresponding connector receptacles (not shown) that have a tongue arranged to fit in the recess in the connector insert. The connector receptacle tongue may have signal and power contacts to mate with the signal and power contacts of the connector insert. The connector receptacle tongue may also have ground contacts behind the signal and power contacts to mate with the ground contacts near the front of the connector insert. 
     As a connector insert is inserted into a corresponding connector receptacle, the ground contacts of the connector insert may form transitory electrical connections with the signal and power contacts on the connector receptacle tongue. These transitory electrical connections may produce stray voltages on the contacts. These stray voltages may damage circuits in the electronic device that are connected to these contacts. 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide methods and structures that may protect circuitry in an electronic device from stray voltages when a connector insert is inserted into a connector receptacle housed in the electronic device. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a ground spring for a connector receptacle. The ground spring may have a contacting portion located such that when a connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle, the contacting portion of the ground spring electrically connects to a shield of the connector insert before a ground contact of the connector insert electrically connects to a signal contact on a tongue of the connector receptacle. How these transitory connections are formed is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a connector insert being inserted into a connector receptacle. In this example, connector insert  260  and connector receptacle  200  may be Universal Serial Bus Type-C connectors, though the underlying concepts here may be applicable to other types of connectors as well. 
     In this example, connector insert  260  may be inserted from left to right into connector receptacle  200 . Connector insert  260  may include power and signal contacts  270  supported by housing  272 . Power and signal contacts  270  may be surrounded by shield  290 . Ground contacts  280  may be electrically connected to shield  290 . 
     Connector receptacle  200  may include passage  202  in device enclosure  240  for connector receptacle tongue  210 . Connector receptacle tongue  210  may support power and signal contacts  220  (or simply signal contacts  220 ) and ground contacts  230 . Connector receptacle tongue  210  may emerge through opening  247  in rear surface  246  of device enclosure  240 . 
     In a fully mated state, ground contacts  280  of connector insert  280  may physically and electrically connect to ground contacts  230  of connector receptacle  200 . In the fully mated state, power and signal contacts  270  may physically and electrically connect to power and signal contacts  220  on connector receptacle tongue  210 . 
     While connector insert  260  is being inserted into connector receptacle  200 , ground contacts  280  of connector insert  260  may contact one or more signal contacts  220  on connector receptacle tongue  210 . This transitory connection typically causes no damage. For example, often a ground potential for connector insert  260  may be very close to a ground potential for connector receptacle  200 . In such a case, a transitory grounding of one or more signal contacts  220  on connector receptacle tongue  210  by ground contacts  280  of connector insert  260  may not create a sufficient voltage to damage circuitry connected to signal contacts  220 . 
     In some circumstances, before mating, a ground potential for connector insert  260  may be quite different than a ground potential for connector receptacle  200 . This may be particularly true where connector insert  260  is connected to an ungrounded charger. In this case, sufficient voltages may exist between a ground potential on ground contacts  280  and a ground of connector receptacle  202  to damage circuitry connected to signal contacts  220  during insertion. 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide a ground spring (not shown) for connector receptacle  200 . This ground spring may form an electrical connection with shield  290  of connector insert  260 . The ground spring may be positioned such that an electrical connection is made between the ground spring and shield  290  before an edge  282  of ground contact  280  reaches a front edge  222  of one or more signal contacts  220 . In this way, the ground potentials between connector insert  260  and connector receptacle  200  may be equalized before circuitry connected to signal contacts  220  may be damaged. 
     In this example, a ground spring may be located at a position between locations  242  and  244  on an inside surface of device enclosure  240 . Location  242  may be the location where a leading edge  292  of shield  290  is positioned in device enclosure  240  when an edge  282  of ground contact  280  reaches a leading edge  222  of one or more signals contacts  220 . Location  244  may be a front edge of device enclosure  240 . When a ground spring is located between these locations, it may form an electrical connection with shield  290  before edge  282  of ground contact  280  reaches leading edge  222  of one or more signal contacts  220 . 
     Various USB Type-C connector inserts may have a portion of leading edge  292  formed of plastic or other nonconductive material. Accordingly, in these and other embodiments of the present invention, a ground spring may be located closer to location  244  (between locations  242  and  244 ) in order to compensate for the plastic tip. Also, a connector insert may be somewhat tilted or rotated, or both, upon insertion. A ground spring may be located closer to location  244  in order to compensate for this tilt and rotation. In various embodiments of the present invention, one, two, or more than two ground springs may be included as part of connector receptacle. 
     In USB Type C connectors, a retention spring (not shown) on connector insert  220  may engage a notch (not shown) in a side of tongue  210 . This engagement may generate a tactile response indicating that a connection between connector insert  260  and connector receptacle  200  has been formed. Accordingly, it may be desirable to avoid such a tactile response when shield  290  of connector insert  260  engages a ground spring on an inside surface of device enclosure  240 . That is, such a tactile response may provide a misleading indication that a connection has been made between connector insert  260  and connector receptacle  200 . Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide ground springs that provide a minimal amount of force when engaged by shield  290  of connector insert  260 . This may help to avoid or limit a tactile response before a connection has been made and may help to avoid confusion. Examples of these ground springs are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, each connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Tongue  210  may emerge through rear surface  246  of device enclosure  240 . Device enclosure  240  may have a front surface  240 . Ground springs  300  may be located in sides of passage  202 . Ground springs  300  may be located on lateral sides of tongue  210  as shown. Ground springs  300  may be located on either or both lateral sides, on a top side, bottom side, or both a top and bottom side of passage  202 , or any combination thereof. Again, as a connector insert (not shown) is inserted into connector receptacle  200 , ground springs  300  may engage a shield of the connector insert. This may equalize ground potentials between the connector insert and connector receptacle  200  before a ground contact of the connector insert engages a signal contact (not shown) on tongue  210 . 
     These ground springs  300  may be located in various openings in an inside surface of passage  200  in device enclosure  240 . Examples of such openings are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, passage  202  may be formed in device enclosure  240 . Passage  202  may have a rear surface  246  and a front surface  244 . Rear surface  246  may include opening  247 , through which connector receptacle tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be inserted. Opening  400  may be located in an inside surface of passage  202 . Opening  400  may provide access for a ground spring (not shown). In this example, opening  400  may be longer in a vertical direction that is orthogonal to tongue  210 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, an opening may be longest in an angle that is oblique to tongue  210 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a portion of another device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example passage  202  may be formed in device enclosure  240 . Passage  202  may have rear surface  246  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and front surface  244 . Opening  500  may be located in an inside surface of passage  202 . Opening  500  may provide access to a ground spring (not shown). In these and other embodiments of the present invention, opening  500  may be longest in an angle that is oblique to tongue  210 . An example of a ground spring that may be used as ground spring  300  and that may have a portion located in openings  400  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) or  500  is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a ground spring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Ground spring  600  may be used as ground spring  300  or as other ground springs in other embodiments of the present invention. Ground spring  600  may include a first open-tube portion  610 . First open-tube portion  610  may include contacting surface  612 . Contacting surface  612  may sit in an opening, such as opening  400  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) or  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ), in passage  202  in device enclosure  240  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 ). Ground spring  600  may further include a second open-tube portion  620  joined to first open-tube portion  610  by U-shaped portion  630 . Ground spring  600  may further include tab  632 . Tab  632  may act as a barb to hold ground spring  600  in place in device enclosure  240 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, ground spring  600  may be located in a recess in device enclosure  240  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) and contacting surface  612  may be located in opening  400  (shown in  FIG. 4 ). An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a top cutaway view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Ground springs  600  may be located in recesses  700  in device enclosure  240 . Openings  400  may connect recesses  700  to passage  202 . Contacting portions  612  of ground springs  600  may be located in openings  400  in an inside surface of passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Contacting portions  612  of ground springs  600  may physically and electrically connect to a shield of a connector insert (not shown) when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200 . 
     In this example, recesses  700  may be formed in a substantially vertical direction such that recesses  700  are orthogonal to passage  202 . The result is that openings  400  may be longest in a direction that is orthogonal to tongue  210 . This also means that ground springs  600  may be orthogonal to tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     In some circumstances it may be desirable to move the opening and ground spring  600  towards surface  244  of device enclosure. This may help to ensure that ground spring  600  engages a shield of a connector insert before a ground contact on the connector insert engages a signal contact  220  on tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). This may be achieved by tilting or angling ground springs  600  and their recess relative to passage  202  and tongue  210 . 
     Accordingly, in various embodiments of the present invention, ground spring  600  may be located in a recess in device enclosure  240  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) and contacting surface  612  may be located in opening  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a transparent view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) may be located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Ground springs  600  may be located in recesses  800  in device enclosure  240 . Openings  500  may connect recesses  800  to passage  202 . Contacting portions  612  of ground springs  600  may be located in openings  500  in an inside surface of passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Contacting portions  612  of ground springs  600  may physically and electrically connect to a shield of a connector insert (not shown) when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200 . Ground springs  600  may be grounded by making contact with sides and ends of recesses  800  when device enclosure  240  is conductive. Ground springs may also be grounded via conductive foam pieces and other conducive structures, examples of which are shown in  FIGS. 18 and 23  below. 
     In this example, recesses  800  may be formed in an oblique direction such that recesses  800  are oblique to passage  202  and tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The result is that openings  500  may be longest is a direction that is oblique to tongue  210 . This also means that means ground springs  600  may be oblique with tongue  210 . 
     Recesses  800  may be formed in various ways. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a method of forming a recess for a ground spring in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. A first cut (not shown) may be used to form recess  202  in device enclosure  240 . A second cut  910  (which may be at a 30 degree angle relative to front surface  244  of device enclosure  240 ) may be used to form opening  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). The second cut may be referred to as a break-through cut. A third cut  930 , an angled step cut, may be made to form recess  800  in device enclosure  240 . The third cut  930  may be a single cut or it may be a series of two, three, or more than three neighboring cuts. Third cut  930  may be oblique to the first cut that is used to form recess  202  in device enclosure  240 . 
     Various ground springs may be used in these and other embodiments of the present invention. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include passage  202  in device enclosure  240  for tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Recesses  800  may connect to passage  202  through openings  500 . Ground springs  1000  may be inserted into recesses  800 . Ground springs  1000  may have a substantially U-shaped body with a raised portion  1040  on one leg of the U-shape. Raised portion  1040  may fit in notch  802  in recess  800 . Ground springs  1000  may further include lance  1010  on an opposing leg of the U-shape. Lance  1010  may be formed by stamping or other process in face  1020  of ground spring  1000 . Lance  1010  may be located in opening  500  in passage  202  of device enclosure  240 . 
     In this and other embodiments of the present invention, opening  500  may be formed in various ways. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a method of forming an opening in a recess in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, recesses  800  and passage  202  may be formed in device enclosure  240 . Cut  1100 , which may be a series of step cuts, may be used to form opening  500 . One or more of these cuts may be of sufficient length that they extend through recess  800  to form notch  802 . 
     In the above examples, opening  400  (shown in  FIG. 4 ) may be substantially vertical in passage  202 , while opening  500  (shown in  FIG. 5 ) may be formed at an oblique angle in passage  202 . In these and other embodiments the present invention, opening  400  or opening  500  may be substantially horizontal. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, other ground springs may be used along with horizontal openings. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates a front oblique view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, each connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Passage  202  may extend from rear surface  246  to front surface  244  of device enclosure  240 . Ground springs  1200  may be located in openings in sides of passage  202 . As before, ground springs  1200  may be located on either or both lateral sides of passage  202 , on a top side, bottom side, or both top and bottom sides of passage  202 , or any combination thereof. 
     Ground springs  1200  may be formed in various ways. Examples of ground springs that may be used as ground springs  1200  are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates another ground spring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Ground spring  1300  may be used as ground spring  1200  or as other ground springs in other embodiments of the present invention. Ground spring  1300  may include arms  1310  connected together by joining portion  1330 . Arms  1310  may terminate in contacting portions formed by face  1312  and lance  1314 . Tab  1350  may be folded orthogonally relative to joining portion  1330 . Ground spring  1300  may further include stabilizing features, such as tab  1360  and extensions  1340 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, arms  1310  may be located in recesses  800  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Lances  1314  may be located in openings (not shown) in a passage of a connector receptacle. Tab  1350  may be located in a notch in device enclosure  240  (not shown). Tab  1360  may be inserted into a slot (not shown) in the device enclosure  240  for additional stability. 
       FIG. 14  is a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Arms  1310  of ground springs  1300  may be located in recesses  800 . Openings  1400  may connect passage  202  to recesses  800 . Openings  1400  may be formed in a manner that is the same or similar to openings  400  or  500  as shown above. Arms  1310  of ground springs  1300  may terminate in contacting portions having faces  1312  and lances  1314 . Lances  1314  may be available at openings  1400 . Tongue  210  may support power and signal contacts  220 . Notches  214  may be located in sides of tongue  210 . 
     Again, when a connector insert (not shown) is inserted into connector receptacle  200 , side ground springs in the connector insert may engage notches  214  on tongue  210 . This may provide a tactile response indicating that the connector insert has been mated with connector receptacle  200 . Accordingly, to avoid confusion, it may be desirable to control and amount of tactile response provided when lance  1314  of ground spring  1300  encounters a shield of a connector insert. 
     This amount of tactile response may be controlled by controlling and amount of lance  1314  that extends into passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Specifically, walls  243  between recesses  800  and passage  202  may have a thickness  1490 . Lance  1314  may have a depth  1493 . Wall thickness  1490  and depth  1493  of lance  1314  may be controlled in order to accurately control a depth  1495  that lance  1314  extends into passage  202 . In this way, a force provided by ground springs  1300  when a connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200  may be limited such that a confusing tactile response is not perceived before retention springs in the connector insert (not shown) engage notches  214  on tongue  210 . 
       FIG. 15  illustrates an oblique side view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. As before, arms  1310  of ground springs  1300  may be located in recesses  800  in device enclosure  240 . Lance  1314  may be located in opening  1400  in a side of passage  202 . Lance  1314  may extend from face  1312 . 
     Lance  1314  may be a robust and reliable feature that may withstand the wear of many insertions of a connector insert. Face  1312  may provide a cosmetic benefit in that it may hide or make gaps between lance  1314  and opening  1400  less apparent. 
       FIG. 16  illustrates an assembly of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongues  210  may be joined by, or formed as part of, board  1610 . Tongue  210  may support signal and power contacts  220  and ground contacts  230 . Ground contacts  230  may include angled tabs  232 . Arms  1310  of ground spring  1300  may be inserted into recesses  800  in device enclosure  240 . Tabs  1350  of ground springs  1300  may be located in notches  249 . O-rings  1620  may be placed around tongues  210  and against tabs  232 . O-rings  1620  may be formed of conductive foam or other materials. Tongues  210  may be inserted into passages  202  in device enclosure  240  such that O-rings  1620  may be between tabs  232  of ground contacts  230  and extensions  1340  of ground springs  1300 . Extensions  1340  may be located against a rear surface  241  of device enclosure  240 . Fasteners (not shown) may be inserted through openings  1612  of board  1610  into openings  245  to secure board  1610  to device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 17  illustrates an assembly of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongues  210  may be joined by, or formed as part of, board  1610 . Tongue  210  may support signal and power contacts  220  and ground contacts  230 . Ground contacts  230  may include angled tabs  232 . Tabs  1350  of ground springs  1300  may be located in notches  249 . O-rings  1620  may be placed around tongues  210  and against tabs  232 . Tongues  210  may be inserted into passages  202  in device enclosure  240  such that O-rings  1620  may be between tabs  232  of ground contacts  230  and extensions  1340  of ground springs  1300 . Extensions  1340  may be located against a rear surface  241  of device enclosure  240 . Fasteners (not shown) may be inserted through openings  1612  of board  1610  into openings  245  to secure board  1610  to device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 18  illustrates an assembled pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground springs  1300  may be placed against an inside surface  241  of device enclosure  240 . O-rings  1620  may be located between tabs  232  and ground springs  1300 . Board  1610  may be attached to device enclosure  240  using one or more fasteners (not shown) in openings  1612 . 
     Ground springs  1300  may be grounded via conductive foam O-rings  1620  and ground tabs  232 . Also, when device enclosure  240  is conductive, ground springs  1300  may be grounded via device enclosure  240 . Similar grounding techniques may be used for ground springs  600  and the other ground springs shown herein. 
     In the above examples, manufacturing tolerances may result in some connector receptacles  200  having lances  1314  on arms  1310  of ground springs  1300  offset enough such that they may contact an edge of opening  1400  in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Binding between lance  1314  and edges of openings  1400  may be avoided or limited by making arms  1310  of ground springs  1300  flexible. The chances of binding may be further reduced by removing stabilizing features such as tab  1350 , extensions  1340 , or both on a ground spring. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 19  illustrates another ground spring according to an embodiment of the present invention. Ground spring  1900  may be used as ground spring  1200  or as other ground springs in other embodiments of the present invention. Ground spring  1900  may include arms  1910  connected together by joining portion  1930 . Arms  1910  may terminate in contacting portions formed by face  1912  and lance  1914 . Tab  1950  may be folded orthogonally relative to joining portion  1930 . In this example, ground spring  1900  does not include stabilizing features, such as tab  1360  and extensions  1340  (shown in  FIG. 13 ). Ground spring  1900  may be the same or substantially similar to ground springs  1300 , with the absence of the stabilizing features tab  1360  and extensions  1340  and may operate in the same or similar manner in connector receptacle  200 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, arms  1910  may be located in recesses  800  (shown in  FIG. 8 ). Lances  1914  may be located in openings (not shown) in a passage of a connector receptacle. Tabs  1950  may be located in a notch in device enclosure  240  (not shown). 
       FIG. 20  is a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Arms  1910  of ground springs  1900  may be located in recesses  800 . Openings  1400  may connect passage  202  to recesses  800 . Openings  1400  may be formed in a manner that is the same or similar to openings  400  or  500  as shown above. Arms  1910  of ground springs  1900  and may terminate in contacting portions having face  1912  and lances  1914 . Lances  1914  may be available at openings  1400 . Tongue  210  may support power and signal contacts  220 . Notches  214  may be located in sides of tongue  210 . Conductive foam piece  2000  may be located between ground spring  1900  and device enclosure  240 . 
     As before, an amount of tactile response may be controlled by controlling and amount of lance  1914  that extends into passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Specifically, walls (not shown) between recesses  800  and passage  202  may have a thickness that, along with the depth (not shown) of lance  1914 , may be controlled in order to accurately control a depth (not shown) that lance  1914  extends into passage  202 . In this way, a force provided by ground spring  1900  when a connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200  may be limited such that a confusing tactile response is not perceived before retention springs in the connector insert (not shown) engage notches  214  on tongue  210 . Also, lance  1914  may be a robust and reliable feature that may withstand the wear of many insertions of a connector insert. Face  1912  may provide a cosmetic benefit in that it may hide or make gaps between lance  1914  and opening  1400  less apparent. 
       FIG. 21  illustrates an assembly of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongues  210  may be joined by, or formed as part of board  1610 . Tongues  210  may support signal and power contacts  220  and ground contacts  230 . Ground contacts  230  may include angled tabs  232 . Arms  1910  of ground spring  1900  may be inserted into recesses  800  in device enclosure  240 . Tabs  1950  may be located in notches  249 . O-rings  1620  may be placed around tongue  210  and against tabs  232 . Tongues  210  may be inserted into passages  202  in device enclosure  240  such that O-rings  1620  are between tabs  232  of ground contacts  230  and joining portion  1930  of ground springs  1900 . Fasteners (not shown) may be inserted into opening  1612  to secure board  1610  to device enclosure  240 . Optional conductive foam piece  2000  may be placed between ground springs  1900  and device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 22  illustrates an assembly of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, tongues  210  may be joined by, or formed as part of board  1610 . Tongues  210  may support signal and power contacts  220  and ground contacts  230 . Ground contacts  230  may include angled tabs  232 . Arms  1910  of ground spring  1900  may be inserted into recesses  800  in device enclosure  240 . Tabs  1950  may be located in notches  249 . O-rings  1620  may be placed around tongue  210  and against tabs  232 . Tongues  210  may be inserted into passages  202  in device enclosure  240  such that O-rings  1620  are between tabs  232  of ground contacts  230  and joining portion  1930  of ground springs  1900 . Fasteners (not shown) may be inserted into opening  1612  to secure board  1610  to device enclosure  240 . Optional conductive foam piece  2000  may be placed between ground springs  1900  and device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 23  illustrates an assembled connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground springs  1900  may be placed against an inside surface  241  of device enclosure  240 . O-ring  1620  may be located between tabs  232  and ground springs  1300 . Board  1610  may be attached to device enclosure  240  using one or more fasteners (not shown) in openings  1612 . 
     Ground springs  1900  may be grounded via conductive foam O-rings  1620  and ground tabs  232 . Also, when device enclosure  240  is conductive, ground springs  1300  may be grounded via device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 24  is a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, O-ring  1620  may be between ground tab  232  and ground spring  1900 . Conductive foam piece  2000  may be between ground spring  1900  and device enclosure  240 . Tongue  210  may support contacts  220  and may be located in opening  247  of rear surface  246  of device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 25  illustrates a front oblique view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, each connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Passage  202  may extend from rear surface  246  to front surface  244  of device enclosure  240 . Ground springs  2500  may be located in openings in sides of passage  202 . As before, ground springs  2500  may be located on either or both lateral sides of passage  202 , on a top side, bottom side, or both top and bottom sides of passage  202 , or any combination thereof. 
       FIG. 26  is a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202 . Tongue  210  may support a number of signal and power contacts  220 . In this example, ground springs  2500  may be provided by spring-biased cams  2600 . Cams  2600  may include contacting portion  2602 , which may be located in opening  1400  in passage  202  of device enclosure  240 . Openings  1400  may connect passage  202  to recesses  2680 . Cam  2600  may be driven by spring  2620 . One or more washers  2610  may isolate spring  2620 . Fastener  2630  may hold spring  2620 , washers  2610 , and cam  2600  in place in receptacle  2680  in device enclosure  240 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, spring  2620  may drive cam  2600  in various ways. For example, portion  2624  of spring  2620  may fit in opening  2606  in cam  2600 . In other embodiments of the present invention, portion  2622  of spring  2620  may push against a back surface  2604  of cam  2600 . 
       FIG. 27  is another transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  located in passage  202 . Contacting portion  2602  of cam  2600  may be located in opening  1400 . Opening  1400  may connect passage  202  to receptacle  2680 . Fastener  2630  may secure spring  2620  and cam  2600  in place in device enclosure  240 . 
     Again, spring  2620  may drive cam  2600  in various ways. In this example, portion  2624  of spring  2620  may fit in opening  2606  in cam  2600 . Also in this example, portion  2622  of spring  2620  may push against a back surface  2604  of cam  2600 . 
     Again, when a connector insert (not shown) is inserted into connector receptacle  200 , side ground springs in the connector insert may engage notches  214  on tongue  210 . This may provide a tactile response indicating that the connector insert has been mated with connector receptacle  200 . Accordingly, to avoid confusion, it may be desirable to control the amount of tactile response provided contacting surface  2602  of cam  2600  encounters a shield of a connector insert. 
     This amount of tactile response may be controlled by controlling the amount of contacting surface  2602  of cam  2600  that extends into passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Specifically, walls  2743  between recesses  800  and passage  202  may have a thickness  2790 . Contacting portion  2602  may have a depth  3792 . Wall thickness  2790  and the depth  2792  of contacting portion  2602  may be controlled in order to accurately control a depth  2794  that contacting surface  2602  of cam  2600  extends into passage  202 . Also, the force provided by spring  2620  may be controlled. In this way, a force provided by cam  2600  when a connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200  may be limited such that a confusing tactile response is not perceived before retention springs in the connector insert (not shown) engage notches  214  on tongue  210 . 
       FIG. 28  is an exploded view of a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, cam  2600  may be isolated by washers  2610  and  2612 . Spring  2620  may drive cam  2600 . Fastener  2630  may secure spring  2620 , cam  2600 , and washers  2610  and  2612  together. Specifically, fastener  2630  may be inserted into an opening in device enclosure  240 . Portion  2624  of spring  2620  may be inserted into opening  2606  of cam  2600  to provide a spring force on cam  2600 . Tail portion  2628  of spring  2620  may be held in place against, or in, device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 29  illustrates an assembled pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, springs  2620  may be held in place by fasteners  2630  in recesses  2680  in device enclosure  240 . As before, O-ring  1620  may be held in place by ground tab  232 . Board  1610  may be secured to device enclosure  240  by fasteners (not shown) located in openings  1612 . 
     In other embodiments of the present invention, other types of ground springs may be employed. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 30  is a front oblique view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . A ground spring may have a connecting portion  3000  exposed at opening  3010  in passage  202 . 
       FIG. 31  illustrates a top away view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, ground springs  3100  may include contacting portions  3000 . Contacting portion  3000  may be available at opening  3010  in passage  202  of device enclosure  240 . Ground springs  3100  may include portion  3112  which may be located in device enclosure  240 . Contacting portion  3000  of ground spring  3100  may be located in recess  3120 , thereby allowing movement of contacting portion  3000 . 
       FIG. 32  illustrates an oblique cutaway view of a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, contacting portion  3000  of ground springs  3100  may be available at opening  3010  in passage  202  of connector receptacle  200 . 
     In this example, ground springs may be located on one side of each connector receptacle  200 . In these and other once the present invention, ground springs may be located on either or both lateral side of passage  202 , in a top or bottom side, or both a top and bottom side of passage  202 , or any combination thereof. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, various structures such as spheres, tabs, trim rings, and others may be used as ground springs. These ground springs may form ground paths. When spheres are used, the spheres may be biased or held in place by one or more springs. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 33  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, sphere  3300  may be used as a ground spring and may be located in opening  3310  in a top of passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Sphere  3300  may be biased by one or more springs (not shown). Sphere  3300  may encounter a shield of a connector insert (not shown) when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200 . 
       FIG. 34  illustrates a cutaway side view of a portion of a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, opening  3310  may be at an end of recess  3410 . Sphere  3300  may be located in recess  3310  and may be biased by a spring (not shown) located in recess  3410 . Opening  3410  may lead to passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 35  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include tab  3500  having a contacting portion  3502  available at opening  3510  in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Tab  3500  may be used as a ground spring. 
       FIG. 36  illustrates a portion of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include first and second tabs  3600  and  3602  having contacting portions  3610  and  3612  available at openings  3604  and  3614  in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Tabs  3600  and  3602  may be used as ground springs. 
       FIG. 37  illustrates a pair of connector receptacles according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacles  200  may include spheres  3700  that may be used as ground springs and that may be located at openings  3702  in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Springs (not shown) may be located in recesses  3710  to hold spheres  3700  in position. 
       FIG. 38  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  200  may include tongue  210  (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in passage  202  of device enclosure  240 . In this example, ground spring  3800  may have contacting portion  3010  located in an opening (not shown) in passage  202  of a device enclosure  240 . Ground spring  3800  may be located in recess  3820  in device enclosure  240 . Ground spring  3800  may further include lateral arm  3802  which may have opening  3822 . A fastener (not shown) may pass through opening  3822  into recess  3830  to secure ground spring  3800  to device enclosure  240 . 
       FIG. 39  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  200  may include trim ring  3900  near a front opening of passage  202  in device enclosure  240 , where trim ring  3900  may be used as a ground spring. Trim ring  3900  may include tabs  3920  biased towards a surface of passage  202  for holding trim ring  3900  in place. Trim ring  3900  may further include tabs  3910 , which may be biased away from a surface of passage  202  in order to form an electrical connection with a shield on a connector insert (not shown) when the connector insert is inserted into connector receptacle  200 . Trim ring  3900  may be formed of sheet metal, conductive foam, silicone, or other material. 
       FIG. 40  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, wire forms or torsion springs  4000  be used as ground springs and may have contacting portions  4002  in openings  4010  in passage  202  in device enclosure  240 . Fasteners  4030  may be used to secure torsion spring  4000  in place in connector receptacle  200 . 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful in USB Type-C connector receptacles, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in other types of connector receptacles for different interfaces. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, ground springs, ground contacts, device enclosures (when conductive), and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle 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 aluminum, ceramic, 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 device enclosures (when nonconductive), housings, and other 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. The printed circuit boards, for example those used to form the tongues and boards, may be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     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, wearable computing devices, cell phones, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles may provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface, Digital Visual Interface, Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, Lightning, Joint Test Action Group, test-access-port, Directed Automated Random Testing, universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters, clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that may be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles may be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20161014
Publication Date: 20171010
Grant Date: 20171010
Priority Date: 20161014
Inventors: TALALAYEV ANTON
TZIVISKOS GEORGE
ROBINSON KEVIN M.
BERGVALL DANIEL A.
COOPER EDWARD J.
DEGNER BRETT W.
NARAJOWSKI DAVID H.
MILLER ARI
FARAHANI HOUTAN R.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/629", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/648", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6275", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6582", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/60", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6582", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6275", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 59982059