PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-9231321-B2
Application Number: US-201213657187-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Slim-profile hard-disk drive connector

Abstract:
Connectors having a slim profile and that may be used for hard-disk drives and other devices. One example may provide a connector that provides a route path including a 180-degree turn while maintaining a slim profile. Another example may provide a connector having a slim profile that is easily manufactured.

Claims:
What is claimed is:  
     
       1. A connector comprising:
 a first housing having a plurality of contacts exposed at a front side for mating with corresponding contacts of an electronic component, the contacts having terminals emerging from a back side of the housing, the terminals bent approximately 90-degrees to have a substantially upright terminal portion in a substantially upright position; 
 a plurality of conductors formed separately from the contacts and terminals and having first ends in a substantially upright position, the first ends of the conductors contacting the substantially upright terminal portions of the contacts, the plurality of conductors extending downward away from the first ends of the conductors and then curved over a first length to form approximately a 90-degree turn; and 
 an overmold around the terminals, the first ends of the plurality of conductors, and the first length of the plurality of conductors. 
 
     
     
       2. The connector of  claim 1  wherein the connections between the plurality of terminals and conductors, and first lengths of the conductors form signals paths having approximately a 180-degree turn. 
     
     
       3. The connector of  claim 2  wherein the terminals are bent to form approximately a 90-degree angle in a clockwise direction and the first lengths of the conductors are curved to form approximately a 90-degree angle in a counterclockwise direction. 
     
     
       4. The connector of  claim 1  wherein the electronic component is a hard-disk drive. 
     
     
       5. The connector of  claim 4  wherein a first subset of the plurality of conductors are a positioned to convey signals and a second subset of the plurality of conductors are positioned to convey power. 
     
     
       6. The connector of  claim 1  wherein the first ends of the conductors are soldered to the terminals. 
     
     
       7. The connector of  claim 1  wherein the overmold includes a first portion surrounding the rear of the housing, the terminal, and the first end of the conductor, wherein a bottom surface of the first overmold portion is used to form the bend in the first length of the conductor. 
     
     
       8. The connector of  claim 7  wherein the overmold includes a second portion surrounding a substantial portion of the first portion and the first length of the conductor. 
     
     
       9. A connector having an approximate 180-degree turn in a routing path, the routing path comprising:
 a terminal angled to form a clockwise angle of approximately 90 degrees; 
 a connection between the terminal a first end of a conductor, the conductor formed separately from the terminal, the connection between the terminal and the first end of the conductor forming an angle of approximately 180 degrees; and 
 a bend over a first length of the conductor, the first length extending from the first end of the conductor, the bend forming a counterclockwise angle of approximately 90 degrees. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 9  wherein the terminal extends from a rear of a housing. 
     
     
       11. The connector of  claim 10  wherein the housing includes a plurality of openings for accepting a plurality of contacts of an electronic device. 
     
     
       12. The connector of  claim 11  wherein the rear of the housing, the terminal, the first end of the conductor, and the first length of the conductor are encased in an overmold. 
     
     
       13. The connector of  claim 12  wherein the overmold includes a first portion surrounding the rear of the housing, the terminal, and the first end of the conductor, wherein a bottom surface of the first overmold portion is used to form the bend in the first length of the conductor. 
     
     
       14. The connector of  claim 13  wherein the overmold includes a second portion surrounding a substantial portion of the first portion and the first length of the conductor. 
     
     
       15. The connector of  claim 9  wherein the connector is arranged to connect to a hard-disk drive. 
     
     
       16. A connector comprising:
 a plurality of terminals extending laterally from a housing, the plurality of terminals having ends upwardly angled to a substantially upright position such that they form an approximately 90-degree angle; 
 a plurality of conductors formed separately from the plurality of terminals, the plurality of conductors having first ends upwardly angled and connected to upwardly angled ends of the plurality of terminals such that the plurality of conductors are routed downward to form an approximately 180-degree angle to the upwardly angled ends of the terminals, wherein the plurality of conductors are curved over a first length extending from the first ends of the conductors such that the curve forms an angle of approximately 90-degrees; and 
 a first overmold portion formed over a rear of the housing, the upwardly angled ends of the terminals, and the first ends of the conductors. 
 
     
     
       17. The connector of  claim 16  further comprising a second overmold portion formed over a substantial part of the first portion of the overmold and the first length of the conductors. 
     
     
       18. The connector of  claim 17  wherein the curve in a first length of the plurality of conductors is curved using a bottom of the first overmold portion. 
     
     
       19. The connector of  claim 16  wherein the two approximately 90-degree angles and the approximately 180-degree angle are arranged to form an approximately 180-degree angle. 
     
     
       20. The connector of  claim 16  wherein first ends of a plurality of conductors are attached to the upwardly angled ends of the plurality of terminals by soldering. 
     
     
       21. The connector of  claim 16  wherein the connector is arranged to connect to a hard-disk drive.

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 computers, laptops, netbooks, tablets, desktops, all-in-one computers, storage devices, portable media players, televisions and other display devices, navigation systems, monitors and other devices have become ubiquitous. 
     The sizes of these devices have been shrinking over the last few years. For example, many of these devices have been getting thinner. The thickness of electronic devices such as all-in-one and laptop computers has become an important marketing concern as well as a highly visible feature to consumers. 
     While these devices have been getting thinner, their functionality has been increasing. For example, larger memories, WiFi and cellular interface capabilities, larger batteries for longer battery life, and others, have become common features of these devices. 
     These electronic devices may include various electronic components such as hard-disk drives, solid-state drives, optical drives, batteries, keyboards, trackpads, display screens, and other components. These components often need to be connected to a main-logic board or other substrate. These connections may include a connector to make electrical connections to contacts connected to the electronic component. The connectors may connect these contacts to wires, flexible circuit boards, or other conductors. 
     In some circumstances, the conductors may be routed such that they form a U-turn or 180 angle. But wires and such conductors can only be bent in the shape of a “U” above a certain turn radius. Below this radius, the conductors may become damaged. This limitation on how small a U-turn can be made increases the thickness of the profile of the connector, which thereby increases the space consumed by such a connector. Moreover, such conductors may be more likely to encounter device enclosures or components. During device lifetime, this contact may transmit vibrations from the enclosure or components to the connector and its electronic component, thereby reducing their lifetime. 
     Thus, what is needed are connectors having a slim profile and that may be used for hard-disk drives and other devices. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connectors having a slim profile and that may be used for hard-disk drives and other devices. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector that provides a route path including a 180-degree turn while maintaining a slim profile. Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector having a slim profile that is easily manufactured. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide terminals exiting a rear of a housing. The terminals may then be bent or angled to a substantially upright position to form a 90-degree angle in a clockwise direction. First ends of conductors may then be aligned in parallel with the terminals, and then attached to the terminals, for example, by soldering. The conductors thus connected may be directed downward such that this connection may form a 180-degree turn. The conductors may then be curved or bended over a first length to form a counterclockwise 90-degree angle. (One skilled in the art will understand that all angles are approximate.) The combination of the two 90-degree angles and the 180 degree angle form routing paths having a 180-degree turn. By bending the terminal in an upward direction before routing the conductors in a downward direction, the overall height or profile of the connector is reduced. 
     Another illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide a connector having a slim profile that is easily manufactured. A housing having terminals exiting from a rear may be received. The terminals may be angled or bent in a 90-degree angle to an upright position. (One skilled in the art will understand that all positions are approximate.) First ends of conductors may then be attached, for example, by soldering, to the terminals. A first overmold portion may then be formed over the rear of the housing, the terminals, and the first ends of the conductors. The conductors may then be curved or bended over a first length to form another 90-degree angle. The conductors may be curved or bent using a bottom of the first overmold portion. A second overmold portion may then be formed over substantial portions of the first overmold and the first length of the conductors. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, some of the conductors in the connector may be used to convey power supplies, while others may be used to convey signals. The housing may include openings to accept contacts from an electronic device, such as a hard-disk drive or other electronic device. The openings may include contacts, which have the terminals as tail portions. 
     Various portions of these connectors may be formed of various materials. For example, the housing and overmold portions may be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), or other nonconductive material or materials. The contacts and terminals may be formed of stainless steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. 
     While various embodiments of the present are well-suited as connectors for hard-disk drives, such as 2.5 or 3.5 inch Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard-disk drives, other embodiments of the present invention may be used as connectors for other devices, such as solid state drives, optical drives, batteries, keyboards, trackpads, display screens, and other components. These components may be employed in electronic devices such as portable computers, tablets, desktops, all-in-one computers, cell phones, smart phones, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention may incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention may be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the side view of a portion of a connector and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a connection between first ends of conductors and terminals in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates portions of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a method of manufacturing and overmold according to an embodiment of present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector  100  may include housing  110  and overmold portion  120 . Housing  110  may include openings  112  along a front side. Openings  112  may provide passages from contacts on an electronic component, such as a hard-disk drive or other component, which may reside in an electronic device. Contacts  130  may reside in openings  112 . Conductors  140  may be routed away from connector  100 . Conductors  140  may include conductors for power supplies, data signals, and other electronic information. 
     Housing  110  may be inserted into an opening on an electronic component. Guide posts  114  may be used during insertion to align housing  110  to the opening. Contacts emerging from the electronic component may be inserted into openings  112 . The contacts on the electronic component may form electrical pathways with contacts  130 , which may be in electrical contact with conductors  140 . 
     In this example, signal paths through contacts  130  to conductors  140  may include a net 180-degree turn. This routing path may be arranged in such a way that conductors  140  emerge from connector  100  at point not far below contacts  130 . This slim-profile may save space inside an electronic device housing connector  100  and the electronic component that connector  100  is connected to. 
     Again, with conventional connectors, conductors  140  may come into contact with a device enclosure of the electronic device or other components in the electronic device. Vibration, for example, from speakers or when the electronic device is moved, may vibrate through conductors  140  to connector  100 . This may endanger connections between the connector and the electronic component in the electronic device. By providing this slim profile, conductors  140  may be routed above such enclosure or electrical component, thereby preventing this degradation due to vibration. Such an arrangement is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates the side view of a portion of a connector and an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector  100  may include housing  110  supporting contacts  120 . Housing  110  may be inserted into an opening in electronic component  210 . Again, electronic component  210  may be a hard-disk drive or other electronic component. Contact  212  of electronic component  210  may contact  120  of connector  100 . Contact  120  may form an electrical connection inside connector  100  to conductors  140 . As can be seen, conductors  140  may be located close to a bottom side of electronic component  210  away from device enclosure  220 . Since conductors  140  do not contact device enclosure  220 , vibrations from device enclosure  220  are not transmitted through conductors  140  and connector  100  to contacts  120  and  212 . 
     Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide a routing path from contacts  122  conductors  140  that provides 180-degree turn. These embodiments of the present invention may do so while providing a slim profile for connector  100 . Examples of how this may be done are shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a cutaway side view of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector  100  may form electrical connections with electronic component  210 . In this example, two different terminal configurations are shown. Specifically, either terminal  310  or terminal  360  may be tail portions of contacts  120 . Terminals  360  may be bent to form downward portion  362 . Conductors  340  may then attach to downward portions  362 . Unfortunately, this places conductors  340  in a low position relative to electronic device  210 , thereby necessitating be small turn radius for bend  342  and connector  340 . Instead, a specific embodiment of the present invention may bend terminal  310  to have a substantially upright portion  312 . This upright terminal portion  312  may then make contact with a first ends  340  of conductors  140 . This higher position thus provides a greater the distance over which bend  342  may be implemented. Being able to make bend  342  over a greater length of conductors  140  protects the conductors  140  and their connection to terminal portions  312 . 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a connection between first ends of conductors and terminals in a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Again, terminals  310  may be bent to form substantially upright portions  312 . Conductors  140  may include an exposed first end  340 . These exposed ends may be soldered or otherwise fixed to an upright portion  312  of terminals  310 . Conductors  140  may then be bent or curved as shown. 
     Again, embodiments of the present invention may provide a route path providing 180-degree turn. In this example, the signal path exits housing  110  at terminal  310 . Terminal  310  is bent in a clockwise direction to be substantially upright portion  312 . The connection to first ends  340  of conductors  140  provides a 180-degree turn. Conductors  140  may then be bent or curved over a first length  410  to provide a counter clockwise 90-degree turn. The two 90-degree turns and 180-degree turn may result in a net 180-degree turn in the signal path between terminals  310  and conductors  140 . 
     After connections between upper portions  312  of terminals  310  and first ends  340  of conductors  140  are formed, by soldering or otherwise, an overmold  120  may be used to protect and secure these connections. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates portions of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector  100  may include housing  110  and overmold  120 . Conductors  140  may emerge from overmold  120 . Overmold  120  may cover terminals  310  and portions of conductors  140  including first ends  340  and length  410 . Overmold  120  may further cover a rear portion of housing  110 . 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, overmold  120  may be formed in various ways. In a specific embodiment of the present invention, overmold  120  may be formed using a two-step, or double shot, method. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a method of manufacturing an overmold according to an embodiment of the present invention. After first ends  340  of conductors  140  are attached to substantially upright portions  312  of terminals  310 , a first overmold portion may be placed over these connections to protect and secure them in place. Specifically, first overmold portion  610  may cover terminals  310  and first ends  340  of conductors  140 . First overmold portion  610  may include a curved bottom surface  612 . This curved surface may be used to form a guide to curve conductors  140  over length  410  (not shown). A second overmold portion  620  substantially covering first overmold portion  610  and lengths  410  of conductors  140  may then be formed. 
     Accordingly, a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention may be formed in the following manner. A housing having terminals exiting from a rear may be received. The terminals may be angled or bent in a 90-degree angle to an upright position. First ends of conductors may then be attached, for example, by soldering, to the terminals. A first overmold portion may then be formed over the rear of the housing, the terminals, and the first ends of the conductors. The conductors may then be curved or bent over a first length to form another 90-degree angle. The conductors may be curved or bent using a bottom of the first overmold portion. A second overmold portion may then be formed over substantial portions of the first overmold and the first length of the conductors. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, some of the conductors in the connector may be used to convey power supplies, while others may be used to convey signals. The housing may include openings to accept contacts from an electronic device, such as a hard-disk drive or other electronic device. The openings may include contacts, which have the terminals as tail portions. 
     Various portions of these connectors may be formed of various materials. For example, the housing and overmold portions may be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The contacts and terminals may be formed of copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. 
     While various embodiments of the present are well-suited as connectors for hard-disk drives, such as 2.5 or 3.5 inch Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) hard-disk drives, other embodiments of the present invention may be used as connectors for other devices, such as solid state drives, optical drives, batteries, keyboards, trackpads, display screens, and other components. These components may be employed in electronic devices such as portable computers, tablets, desktops, all-in-one computers, cell phones, smart phones, and media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices. 
     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: 20121022
Publication Date: 20160105
Grant Date: 20160105
Priority Date: 20121022
Inventors: NGUYEN ANTHONY
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R12/724", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R12/724", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R43/24", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 50485736