PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10374362-B2
Application Number: US-201715720496-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Integrated protector for a connector

Abstract:
Connector receptacles having protective doors. A protective door can block a card, module, or connector insert from being inserted at an oblique angle to protect contacts in a connector receptacle from damage due to an improper insertion. The protective door can normally be closed in the absence of a card inserted in the connector receptacle. The door can be a front of a cam. A spring or magnet can bias the door in the closed position when no card is inserted. The door can be arranged to stay closed when a card is inserted at an oblique angle. When the card is inserted properly, the cam can rotate about an axis and the door can open allowing the card to access to the contacts of the connector receptacle. A second door in front of the protective door can be included to provide enhanced functionality and to provide a more uniform appearance.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a front opening to receive a card; 
 a plurality of contacts, each having a contacting surface to form an electrical connection with a corresponding contact on the card; and 
 a cam including a door having a face, the face to engage a leading edge of the card as the card is inserted into the connector receptacle, the cam rotatable about a first axis, wherein when the door is closed, the door is between the contacting surfaces of the plurality of contacts and the front opening in the housing, 
 wherein the face of the door comprises a first feature to allow the cam to open by rotating about the first axis when the card is properly inserted, and 
 wherein the face of the door comprises a second feature to prevent the door from opening by preventing the cam from rotating about the first axis when the card is improperly inserted. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the first feature comprises a forward ramp, where the forward ramp is angled from the first axis away from the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       3. The connector receptacle of  claim 2  wherein the second feature comprises a reverse ramp, where the reverse ramp is angled at an opposite direction as the forward ramp. 
     
     
       4. The connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the first axis extends laterally along a top of and near the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       5. The connector receptacle of  claim 4  wherein the first feature comprises a forward ramp, where the forward ramp extends from the top of the front opening in the housing to a bottom of the front opening in the housing, where the forward ramp is near the first axis near the top of the housing and at a first position deeper in the housing near the bottom of the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       6. The connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the second feature comprises a reverse ramp, where the reverse ramp extends from the first position in the housing near the bottom of the front opening in the housing to a second position deeper in the housing near the top of the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       7. The connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the second feature comprises a flat surface, where the flat surface extends from the first position in the housing near the bottom of the front opening in the housing to a second position at approximately the same depth in the housing near the top of the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       8. The connector receptacle of  claim 7  further comprising a magnet to bias the door closed. 
     
     
       9. The connector receptacle of  claim 7  wherein the first feature is located at a side of the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       10. The connector receptacle of  claim 7  wherein the first feature is located near a side of the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       11. The connector receptacle of  claim 7  further comprising a spring to bias the door closed. 
     
     
       12. The connector receptacle of  claim 11  wherein the face of the door is partially covered by an elastomer. 
     
     
       13. A connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a front opening to receive a card; 
 a plurality of contacts, each having a contacting surface to form an electrical connection with a corresponding contact on the card; 
 a first cam including a first door having a face, the face to engage a leading edge of the card as the card is inserted into the connector receptacle, the first cam rotatable about a first axis, wherein when the first door is closed, the first door is between the contacting surfaces of the plurality of contacts and the front opening in the housing; and 
 a second cam including a second door having a face, the face to engage the leading edge of the card as the card is inserted into the connector receptacle, the second cam rotatable about the first axis, wherein when the second door is closed, the second door is between the first door and the front opening in the housing, 
 wherein the face of the first door comprises a first feature to allow the first cam to open by rotating about the first axis when the card is properly inserted, and 
 wherein the face of the first door comprises a second feature to prevent the first door from opening by preventing the first cam from rotating about the first axis when the card is improperly inserted. 
 
     
     
       14. The connector receptacle of  claim 13  further comprising an alignment pin to fit in a recess in a device enclosure. 
     
     
       15. The connector receptacle of  claim 13  wherein the second door can open when the card is improperly inserted. 
     
     
       16. The connector receptacle of  claim 13  further comprising a spring to bias the first door and the second door closed. 
     
     
       17. The connector receptacle of  claim 13  wherein the first axis extends laterally along a top of and behind the front opening in the housing. 
     
     
       18. The connector receptacle of  claim 17  wherein the first feature comprises a forward ramp, where the forward ramp extends from the top of the front opening in the housing to a bottom of the front opening in the housing, where the forward ramp is nearer to the front opening in the housing near a top of the housing and further from the front opening in the housing near a bottom of the housing. 
     
     
       19. The connector receptacle of  claim 18  wherein the second feature comprises a reverse ramp, where the reverse ramp extends from the top of the front opening in the housing to the bottom of the front opening in the housing, where the reverse ramp is nearer to the front opening in the housing near the bottom of the housing and further from the front opening in the housing near the top of the housing. 
     
     
       20. The connector receptacle of  claim 18  wherein the second feature comprises a flat surface, where the flat surface extends from the top of the front opening in the housing to the bottom of the front opening in the housing, where the flat surface is approximately the same depth from the front opening in the housing near the bottom of the housing as it is from the front opening in the housing near the top of the housing.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 62/515,493, filed Jun. 5, 2017, which is incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     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. Electronic devices, such as portable media players, storage devices, tablets, netbooks, laptops, desktops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, cell, media, and smart phones, televisions, monitors, and other display devices, navigation systems, and other devices have become ubiquitous. 
     These electronic devices can include one or more connector receptacles, which can often appear as a cavity on a side of an electronic device. These receptacle cavities can be arranged to receive a second electronic device or a connection to a second electronic device. For example, they can be arranged to receive a device such a memory or circuit module device. These devices can include cards such as Secure Digital cards, memory sticks, compact flash, wireless transceivers, and other types of cards and modules. The receptacle cavity can also be arranged to receive a connector insert, which can be connected to a cable, a docking station, or other electronic component. 
     These devices have become smaller and slimmer with each succeeding generation. At the same time, they have been designed to include ever-increasing levels of functionality. The trend for the foreseeable future is to pack more features into increasingly smaller devices. As a result, many components of these devices, such as casings, power supplies, and circuits have become smaller. It can be desirable to further reduce the size of other components as well. For example, it can be desirable to reduce the size of these connector receptacles. Space saved by providing a reduced size connector receptacle can be used to shrink the size of the electronic device, it can be used to increase functionality, or both. 
     A connector receptacle can include a number of contacts to mate with contacts on these devices or inserts. These electrical connections pathways can form paths for power and data. When a connector receptacle is made smaller, for example shallower, its contacts can be more vulnerable to damage by improper card or connector insertion. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles having protective structures for connector contacts. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles having protective structures for connector contacts. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide a connector receptacle having one or more protective doors to protect contacts in the connector receptacle. The protective doors can protect contacts in a connector receptacle from damage when a device, module, or connector insert is improperly inserted into the connector receptacle, for example at an oblique angle. The protective doors can also prevent the ingress of moisture, dust, debris, or other particulate matter. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide a connector receptacle having a protective door. The protective door can block a card, module, or connector insert (referred to simply as card) from being inserted at an oblique angle. This can help to protect contacts in the connector receptacle from damage due to an improper insertion. The protective door can normally be closed in the absence of a card inserted in the connector receptacle. A spring or magnet can bias the door in the closed position when no card is inserted to prevent the entry of moisture or particulate matter. The door can be arranged to stay closed when a card is inserted at an oblique angle. When the card is properly inserted, the door can open allowing the card to access to the contacts of the connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the door can extend across a front opening of the connector receptacle. The door can be a front portion of a cam, and the cam can be hinged along an axis. The door can have a front face having a forward ramp on or towards one side of the opening. This forward ramp can begin at or near the hinged axis and can slope downward at an angle deeper into the connector receptacle. The remaining portion of the front face can be flat, it can be a reverse going ramp, or a combination of these. That is, remaining portion of the front face can begin at the deepest point of the forward going ramp, and can slope upward at an angle deeper into the connector receptacle. In short, it can be sloped in an opposite direction as the forward ramp. A properly inserted card can engage the forward ramp. The forward ramp can slide along a front edge of the card as the card is inserted, thereby rotating the cam along its axis. This can move the door out of the way of the card. The card can then engage the contacts of the connector receptacle. An improperly inserted card can engage the reverse ramp. Engaging the reverse ramp can push the door closed, thereby protecting the contacts of the connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, features can be added to improve the functionality and appearance of the door. For example, the reverse ramp portion can be filled with an elastomer or other material to provide a more uniform appearance. Instead of improving the appearance of a first door having a mix of features, a second door having a more uniform appearance can be placed in front of the first door. A properly inserted card can move the second door out of the way. The properly inserted card can then engage the ramp on the first door, moving the first door out of the way, as before. The card can then access the contacts of the connector receptacle. An improperly inserted card can still move the second door out of the way, but can then engage the reverse ramp of the second door, pushing the second door closed and protecting the contacts of the connector receptacle. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can add features to the cams and springs to reduce or maintain the force needed to actuate the cam and move the door throughout the insertion of a card. For example, the spring and cam can contact at points that are optimized to reduce the insertion force needed to move the door out of the way. The forward ramp can have a profile that is arranged to reduce or maintain the force required to actuate the cam and move the door throughout the insertion of a card. This can be done by providing a profile where an angle of incidence is reduced during an insertion of a card. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the components of connector receptacles can be formed in various ways of various materials. For example, contacts or pins and other conductive portions of the receptacles can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the protective pieces, the receptacle housings and other portions, can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, elastomers, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can be located in, and can 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, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles can provide pathways for signals and power for cards or other modules, such as Ultra-High-Speed II Secure Digital cards, Secure Digital cards, Secure Digital High Capacity cards, Secure Digital Extended Capacity cards, Secure Digital Ultra-High-Capacity I cards, Secure Digital Ultra-High-Capacity II cards, memory sticks, compact flash cards, communication modules, and other devices and modules that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. These connector receptacles can provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), 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. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention can incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention can be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic device that can be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates another front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates another cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates the assembly of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a more detailed view of a cam including a door according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is another exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates the cams that can be used in the dual-cam arrangement shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a shape of a spring finger according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a shape of a cam feature according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 16  illustrates the engagement of a card and a face of a door of a cam according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an electronic device  100  that can be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention. In this particular example, electronic device  100  can be a monitor or an all-in-one computer. Other types of electronic devices, such as portable media players, storage devices, tablets, netbooks, laptops, desktops, wearable computing devices, cell, media, and smart phones, televisions, and other display devices, navigation systems, and other types of devices can also be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention. 
     In this example, card  110  can be inserted into connector receptacle  120  located in the housing of electronic device  100 . In a specific embodiment of the present invention, connector receptacle  120  can be arranged to receive a Secure Digital memory card  110 . In other embodiments of the present invention, connector receptacle  120  can be configured to receive other types of memory cards or electronic devices, modules, or connections to other electronic devices, such as a cable or docking station insert. These and other devices can be referred to collectively as cards. 
     Again, it can be desirable to reduce the space inside electronic device  100  that is consumed by connector receptacle  120 . By shrinking the space consumed by connector receptacle  120 , electronic device  100  can be made smaller, can include additional functionality, or both. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the space consumed by connector receptacle  120  can be reduced by reducing its depth. But reducing the depth of connector receptacle  120  can lead to potential vulnerabilities. For example, a user can incorrectly insert card  110 . That is, a user can incorrectly insert card  110  at an oblique angle relative to the connector receptacle  120 . Because connector receptacle  120  is shallow, contacts in connector receptacle  120  can be relatively close to the surface of the enclosure of electronic device  100 . When a user inserts card  110  improperly, a corner or edge of card  110  can strike one or more contacts at an angle, thereby possibly causing damage. 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles having one or more protective doors to protect contacts in a connector receptacle. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     Connector receptacle  120  can be used as connector receptacle  120  as shown in  FIG. 1  or as a connector receptacle in other embodiments of the present invention. Connector receptacle  120  can include housing  200  having a front opening  202  for accepting a card, such as card  110  in  FIG. 1 . A number of contacts  210  can have contacting portions (not shown) in housing  200 . Contacts  210  can further include through-hole contacting portions  212 , which can be inserted into openings in printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate  240 . 
     Connector receptacle  120  can further include cam  230  having a door. The door can have a face for engaging a front edge of a card when the card is inserted into connector receptacle  120 . The face of the door can include a mix of features including a first feature or forward ramp  232  and a second feature or reverse ramp  234 . Cam  230  can be hinged by pin  220  and can rotate about an axis along pin  220 . 
     When a card is properly inserted into connector receptacle  120 , the card can engage the first feature or forward ramp  232 . Forward ramp  232  can ride up along the front edge of the card as the card is inserted into connector receptacle  120 . This can move the face of the door of cam  230  out of the way allowing the card to access contacting portions of contacts  210 . 
     When a card is improperly inserted, a corner of the card can engage the second feature or reverse ramp  234 . The corner of the card can cause cam  230  to be pushed down, thereby closing the door and preventing access of contacting portions  214  of contacts  210  by the card. This closed door can also prevent the ingress of moisture, dust, debris, or other particulate matter. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, cam  230  can be biased in a downward position such that the door remains closed when a card is not inserted into connector receptacle  120 . This biasing can be done by a spring or a magnet. For example, a spring plate can be used to bias cam  230  in a closed position. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a door of cam  230  can be closed or at least partially closed. In this partially closed state, the door of cam  230  can prevent access to contacting portions  214  of contacts  210  by a card. Again, cam  230  can rotate about an axis provided by pin  220 . Cam  230  can include a door including a first feature, shown here as forward ramp  232 . The door can further have a second feature, shown here as reverse ramp  234 . Forward ramp  232  can extend from near a bottom of front opening  202  in housing  200  to a top  204  of front opening  202  in housing  200 . Forward ramp  232  can be closer to front opening  202  near top  204  a front opening  202  and further from front opening  202  near a bottom  206  of front opening  202 . By contrast, second feature or reverse ramp  234  can be located at approximately a same distance at a top  204  and bottom  206  of front opening  202 , or reverse ramp  234  can have a greater depth near top  204  of front opening  202  as compared to a bottom  206  in front opening  202 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates another front view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the door of cam  230  can be opened. Specifically, cam  230  can be rotated about the first axis provided by pin  220  such that forward ramp  232  and reverse ramp  234  can be located in a top  204  of housing  200 . This can expose contacts  210  in front opening  202  of housing  200 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a door provided by cam  230  can be closed. Again, cam  230  can rotate about an axis provided by pin  220 . Contacting portions  214  of contacts  210  can be located in housing  200  behind the door consisting of first feature or forward ramp  232  and second feature or reverse ramp  234 . 
       FIG. 6  illustrates another cutaway side view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, a door provided by cam  230  can be opened. Again cam  230  can rotate about an axis provided by pin  220 . Contacting portions  214  of contacts  210  can be available through front opening  202  in housing  200 . In this example, a first feature or forward ramp  232  (not shown) and reverse ramp  234  can be pushed up out of the insertion path of a card in housing  200 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates the assembly of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Pin  220  can pass through openings  235  in cam  230  and openings  205  in housing  200  to secure cam  230  to housing  200  and provide an axis of rotation for cam  230 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates another connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, this connector receptacle can be used as connector receptacle  120  in  FIG. 1 , or as a connector receptacle in other embodiments of the present invention. Connector receptacle  120  can include an opening  802  in housing  800  for receiving a card. Housing  800  can be at least partially shielded by shielding  850 . An alignment pin  860  can be placed in housing  800  or formed as a portion of housing  800 . In this example, alignment pin  860  can pass through openings  807  and  808  (as shown in  FIG. 9 .) Alignment pin  860  can fit in an openings or recess in a device enclosure for an electronic device housing connector receptacle  120 , in order to align connector receptacle  120  to the device enclosure. 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the connector receptacle  120  of  FIG. 8 . Housing  800  can include openings  807  and  808  for accepting alignment pin  860 . Alignment pin  860  can fit in a recess or opening in a device enclosure for an electronic device housing connector receptacle  120 . Housing  800  can be at least partially shielded by shield  850 , shown here as front shield portion  852  and a rear shield portion  854 . Cam  830  can include a front door to be positioned opening  802  in housing  800  to block access of contacts  810  by an improperly inserted card. Pin  820  can pass through openings  835  in cam  830  and openings (not shown) in housing  800 . Pin  820  can allow cam  830  to rotate about an axis provided by pin  820 . Spring plate  840  can include spring fingers  842  to provide a downward bias to cam  830 , thereby keeping the door provided by cam  830  closed in the absence of a card inserted into connector receptacle  120 . Contacts  810  can be formed in two rows, each partially molded in an insert housing portion  815 . Other contacts such as ground contacts and detect pins  880  and  882 , can also be included. 
       FIG. 10  illustrates a more detailed view of a cam including a door according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, cam  830  can include door having a face for engaging a leading edge of a card as the card is inserted into connector receptacle  120  (as shown in  FIG. 11 .) The face can include a first feature, rib or forward ramp  832 . More specifically, the face can include as one, two, three, or more than three ribs or forward ramps  832  as shown. As before, the face of the door of cam  830  can include a reverse ramp, similar to reverse ramp  234 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . The reverse ramp can be located in regions  836 , shown here as two regions between the three ribs or forward ramps  832 . To improve an appearance and functionality of cam  830 , the reverse ramp in regions  836  can be over molded or filled with an elastomeric or other type of compound. This elastomeric or other compound in regions  836  can form a smoothed surface with forward ramp  832 . When a corner of an improperly inserted card engages elastomeric material in region  836 , the card can provide a downward force, thereby closing the door and protecting contacts  810  (as shown in  FIG. 9 .) The characteristics of forward ramp  832  can be similar to those of forward ramp  232  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ), while the characteristics of the reverse ramps in regions  836  can be similar to those of reverse ramp  234  (as shown in  FIG. 2 .) 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, instead of filling in a face of a door of cam  830  with an elastomer to provide a smooth surface, a second door having a more uniform appearance can be included. The second door can be between the door shown in  FIG. 10  and a front opening of connector receptacle  120 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 11  is another exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG. 8 . Housing  800  can include openings  807  and  808  for accepting alignment pin  860 . Alignment pin  860  can fit in a recess or opening in a device enclosure housing connector receptacle  120 . Housing  800  can be at least partially shielded by shield  850 , shown here as front shield portion  852  and a rear shield portion  854 . First cam  830  can include a front door to be positioned in housing  800  to block access of contacts  810  by an improperly inserted card. Second cam  890  can be in front of first cam  830  to improve functionality and improve appearance. Second cam  890  can provide additional sealing to protect against the ingress of moisture and debris. Pin  820  can pass through openings  835  in first cam  830 , opening  895  in second cam  890 , and openings (not shown) in housing  800 . Pin  820  can allow first cam  830  and second cam  890  to rotate independently about an axis provided by pin  820 . Spring plate  840  can include spring fingers  842  to provide a downward bias to first cam  830  and second cam  890 , thereby keeping the doors provided by cams  830  and  890  closed in the absence of a card inserted into connector receptacle  120 . Contacts  810  can be formed in two rows, each partially molded in an insert housing portion  815 . Other contacts such as ground contacts and detect pins  880  and  882 , can also be included. 
       FIG. 12  illustrates the cams that can be used in the dual-cam arrangement shown in  FIG. 11 . These cams can be used in the dual-cam arrangement of  FIG. 11  or in other dual-cam arrangements in other embodiments of the present invention. A first or rear cam  830  can include a first feature or forward ramp  832  and a second feature or reverse ramp  834 , as shown above. In this example, three ribs or forward ramps  832  can be included, though other number of ramps or ribs can be used. This dual-cam arrangement can further include a second or front cam  890 . In various embodiments of the present invention, second or front cam  890  can include a door having uniform face for cosmetic and functional reasons. 
     During in improper insertion of a card, second cam  890  can move out of the way, allowing a corner of the card to engage second feature or reverse ramp  834  of first cam  830 . This engagement can push down on cam  830 , thereby closing the door to the card and preventing access of contacts in the connector receptacle by the card. 
     During a proper insertion of a card, second cam  890  can again move out of the way allowing the front edge of the card to engage first feature or forward ramp  832  of first cam  830 . Forward ramp  832  can ride up along a front edge of the card as the card is inserted, thereby moving the door of cam  830  out of the way and allowing the card to access contacts in the connector receptacle. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, it can be desirable to provide a somewhat low and reducing or uniform amount of resistance to the insertion of a properly inserted card. This resistance can be adjusted by modifying an interface between spring plate  840  (shown in  FIG. 9 ) and cam  830 . It can further be adjusted or modified by changing a profile of first feature or forward ramp  832 . Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a transparent view of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, spring plate  840  can include spring fingers  842 , which can push down on cam  830 , thereby protecting contacting portions  814  of contacts  810 . This closed door can also prevent the ingress of moisture, dust, debris, or other particulate matter. 
     As a leading edge of a card engages a profile of first feature or forward ramp  832 , cam  830  can rotate about pin  820  and be pushed up out of opening  802  in housing  800 . Feature  837  on cam  830  can push up against spring fingers  842 , and spring fingers  842  can provide a resistance to the insertion of the card. Accordingly, a shape of spring fingers  842  and feature  837  can be adjusted to provide a reduced or uniform resistance force to the insertion of the card. 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a shape of a spring finger according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spring finger  842  of spring plate  840  can have a downward deflection as shown. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a shape of a cam feature according to an embodiment of the present invention. Cam  830  can include feature  837  having a shape as shown to engage with spring finger  842  as shown in  FIG. 14 . The engagement of feature  837  and spring finger  842  can provide a reduced and at least somewhat uniform resistance to the insertion of a card into connector receptacle  120 . 
       FIG. 16  illustrates the engagement of a card and a face of a door of a cam according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, card  1600  can engage cam  830  at surface  838 . Surface  838 , which can be a surface of ribs or forward ramps  832 , can be generally convex, as can be the other faces of the other cams included herein. When card  1600  initially engages surface  838 , a resulting angle  1610  can result. Angle  1610  can be approximately 45 degrees or it can be another angle. For example, it can be between 40 and 50 degrees. As card  1600  is further inserted, an angle between card  1600  and surface  838  can be reduced. For example, the resulting angle  1620  can reduce to an angle of approximately 35 degrees or it can be another angle. For example, it can be between 30 and 40 degrees. This can make it progressively easier to push the card into the connector receptacle  120 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, the components of connector receptacles can be formed in various ways of various materials. For example, contacts or pins and other conductive portions of the receptacles can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the protective pieces, receptacle housings and other portions can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, elastomers, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles that can be located in, and can 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, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles can provide pathways for signals and power for cards or other modules, such as Ultra-High-Speed II Secure Digital cards, Secure Digital cards, Secure Digital High Capacity cards, Secure Digital Extended Capacity cards, Secure Digital Ultra-High-Capacity I cards, Secure Digital Ultra-High-Capacity II cards, memory sticks, compact flash cards, communication modules, and other devices and modules that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. These connector receptacles can provide pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as Universal Serial Bus, 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. 
     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: 20170929
Publication Date: 20190806
Grant Date: 20190806
Priority Date: 20170605
Inventors: DEGNER, BRETT W.
ZHOU, RUI
AMINI, MAHMOUD R.
DE IULIIS, DANIELE G.
JEON, JAMES M.
GUTFELDT, ERIK A.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/4536", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/722", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/722", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/722", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/62", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/4536", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/4536", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 64458838