PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-10063001-B2
Application Number: US-201615275227-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Gated connector receptacles

Abstract:
Connector receptacles that are arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. One example may provide contacts for a first connector receptacle that may be located behind a movable gate. The first connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the first connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A combined connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a passage defining a front opening, an intermediate surface opposite the front opening, a first cavity between the front opening and the intermediate surface, and a second cavity behind the first cavity; 
 a first set of contacts located in the first cavity; 
 a second set of contacts located in the second cavity; and 
 a movable gate that forms at least a portion of the intermediate surface and separates the first and second cavities when the movable gate is closed, and enables the second cavity to be accessed through the first cavity when the movable gate is open. 
 
     
     
       2. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 1  wherein the front opening in the housing is configured to accept a connector insert. 
     
     
       3. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 2  wherein the connector insert is an RJ45 connector insert. 
     
     
       4. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 2  wherein the front opening in the housing is also configured to accept a modified connector insert, wherein the modified connector insert is modified to include an engaging feature to move the movable gate from closed to open when the modified connector insert is inserted into the front opening of the housing. 
     
     
       5. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 4  wherein when the modified connector insert is removed from the front opening of the housing, a spring force closes the movable gate. 
     
     
       6. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the spring force is provided by a spring member. 
     
     
       7. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 5  wherein the movable gate comprises a gate portion located in a slot in the housing. 
     
     
       8. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 7  wherein the movable gate further comprises a front engaging feature to contact the engaging feature on the modified connector insert when the modified connector insert is inserted into the combined connector receptacle. 
     
     
       9. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 8  wherein the first set of contacts are supported by a first housing portion and each of the first set of contacts terminates in a through-hole connecting portion and the second set of contacts are supported by a second housing portion and each of the second set of contacts terminates in a through-hole connecting portion. 
     
     
       10. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 9  wherein the second set of contacts are used for testing. 
     
     
       11. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 10  wherein the first set of contacts are RJ45 contacts. 
     
     
       12. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 9  further comprising ground contacts in side openings in the housing. 
     
     
       13. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 12  further comprising a top shield over a top of the housing and a bottom shield under a bottom of the housing. 
     
     
       14. A combined connector receptacle comprising:
 a housing having a front opening defined by a first cavity in the housing; 
 a first set of contacts located in the first cavity in the housing; 
 a second set of contacts located in a second cavity in the housing; and 
 a movable gate located between the first cavity and the second cavity to block access through the first cavity to the second set of contacts in the second cavity when the movable gate is closed and to allow access through the first cavity to the second set of contacts when the movable gate is open. 
 
     
     
       15. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 14  wherein the movable gate allows access to the second set of contacts during testing. 
     
     
       16. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 15 , wherein during testing, a corresponding connector insert is a modified connector insert that is inserted into the combined connector receptacle. 
     
     
       17. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 15  wherein the movable gate moves vertically when a modified corresponding connector insert is horizontally inserted into the combined connector receptacle. 
     
     
       18. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 14  wherein a corresponding connector insert is a nonstandard connector insert having a sloped surface near a leading edge and where a standard connector insert does not include the sloped surface. 
     
     
       19. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 14  wherein a corresponding connector insert is a nonstandard RJ45 connector insert having a sloped surface near a leading edge and where a standard RJ45 connector insert does not include the sloped surface. 
     
     
       20. A combined connector receptacle comprising:
 a connector receptacle housing having a first cavity defining a front opening, a movable gate opposite the front opening, the first cavity between the front opening and a first side of the movable gate, and a second cavity behind a second side of the movable gate; 
 a first set of contacts located in the first cavity, wherein the connector receptacle housing and the first set of contacts form a connector receptacle of a first type; and 
 a second set of contacts located in the second cavity, wherein the connector receptacle housing and the second set of contacts form a connector receptacle of a second type, the second type different than the first type, 
 wherein when the movable gate is closed, the movable gate separates the first and second cavities, and 
 wherein when the movable gate is open, the movable gate enables the second cavity to be accessed through the first cavity. 
 
     
     
       21. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 20  wherein the second set of contacts are accessed by a modified connector insert when the modified connector insert is inserted into the combined connector receptacle. 
     
     
       22. The combined connector receptacle of  claim 20  wherein the first type of connector receptacle is an RJ45 connector receptacle, and where the second type of connector receptacle is a test connector receptacle.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     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 receptacles may typically be included on a device such that a user may make connections among devices to share power, data, or both. Some connector receptacles may be included for other reasons. For example, a test connector receptacle may be included on a device to allow access for test, debug, repair, programming, or other reasons. 
     Users might not typically connect to these test connector receptacles during normal operation. But under some circumstances, users may inadvertently attempt to access a device using one of these test connector receptacles. For example, users may not realize that it is a test connector receptacle and is not intended for their use. Other users may attempt to perform do-it-yourself repairs to the device housing the test connector receptacle. Others may simply make an inadvertent connection while trying to operate their device in a normal or prescribed manner. 
     These inadvertent connection attempts may take various forms. A test connector receptacle may be a conventional connector receptacle and a user may insert a corresponding connector insert. Other test connector receptacles may be close in shape or form to a conventional connector and this may lead a user to attempt to form a connection using a (nearly) corresponding connector insert. 
     Unfortunately, inadvertent connection attempts may result in actual connections that may damage the test connector receptacle, associated circuitry, or both. This may lead to an inability to perform test, debug, repair, programming or other operations on an electronic device. In a worst-case, it may remove a functionality from the device or render the electronic device inoperable. Accordingly, it may be desirable to reduce the possibility of these inadvertent connections. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector receptacles that may be arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that may be arranged to avoid inadvertent connections. An illustrative embodiment of the present invention may provide contacts for a test, debug, repair, programming, or other type of connector receptacle (more simply, test connector receptacle) that may be located behind a movable gate such that inadvertent connections are reduced or avoided. The test connector receptacle may be combined with a second connector receptacle that is user accessible to save space and simplify device assembly. Combining the test connector receptacle and a second connector receptacle may also remove the movable gate from a surface of an electronic device, thereby further preventing inadvertent connections. 
     These test connector receptacles may be designed to be less robust and durable than conventional connector receptacles. For example, it may be expected that only trained parties such as technicians, engineers, store personnel, and others may access these test connector receptacles. Accordingly, these test connector receptacles may not need to be protected against electrostatic discharge (ESD) to the same extent as conventional connector receptacles. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the test connector receptacles might not be conventional connector receptacles. Instead, they may be custom connector receptacles that are designed and arranged for their specific test, debug, or repair purposes. This may allow the use of off-the-shelf components for test connector receptacles, for example, connector receptacles that are designed for internal use in an electronic device. 
     Even though they are not intended to be accessed during normal operation, these test connector receptacles may still consume space in an electronic device. They may also need to be assembled as connector receptacles and then added to the assembly of the electronic devices housing them. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may combine a test connector receptacle with a conventional connector receptacle. These combined connector receptacles may be accessed by modified connector inserts that are arranged to mate with the test connector receptacle, the conventional connector receptacle, or both. This may allow simultaneous access to both the test connector receptacle and the conventional connector receptacle in the combined connector receptacle. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the test connector receptacle may instead be combined with a non-conventional connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a movable gate of a test connector receptacle may be moved in different ways. For example, a modified connector insert may include a gate engaging feature that engages a portion of the movable gate such that as the modified connector insert is inserted into the combined connector receptacle, the movable gate moves out of the way and allows access to contacts of the test connector receptacle. In other embodiments of the present invention, a hardware or software button may be used to allow access to contacts of the test connector receptacle. In other embodiments of the present invention, turning a device upside-down or placing it in another position may allow access to contacts of the test connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a modified connector insert may include an extended front edge having a sloped or tapered surface. When the modified connector insert is inserted into a combined connector receptacle, the extended sloped front edge may contact a front engaging portion of a movable gate in the combined connector receptacle, where the movable gate covers contacts of a test connector receptacle. As the modified connector insert is fully inserted, the front engaging portion of the movable gate may move up onto a top surface of the modified connector insert. This may allow contacts on the modified connector insert to mate with contacts of the test connector receptacle. At the same time, other contacts on the modified connector insert may mate with contacts on a second connector receptacle in the combined connector receptacle. When the modified connector insert is removed, a spring may push the front engaging portion of the movable gate downward so that the movable gate covers the contacts of the test connector receptacle once again. While a front edge of the modified connector insert may be sloped, in other embodiments of the present invention the front edge of the modified connector insert may be squared off and a leading edge of the front engaging portion of the movable gate may be sloped or tapered. Also, while the movable gate may be driven upward, in other embodiments of the present invention the movable gate may pivot, swing, rotate, or move in another way. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the combined connector receptacle may accept a conventional connector insert, such as an RJ45 connector insert. In this way, a user may insert a conventional connector insert in the ordinary manner to access the functionality associated with a connector receptacle in the combined connector insert. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a conventional connector insert might not be able to access contacts of the test connector receptacle. 
     Conventional connector receptacles and conventional connector inserts may be connector receptacles and connector inserts that are compliant with a standard. For example, an RJ45 connector receptacle or connector insert may be a connector receptacle or connector insert standardized as an 8P8C modular connector. Modified connector inserts may be similar to conventional connector inserts and they may have one or more features altered so that they may move a movable gate to gain access to contacts of a test connector receptacle. For example, where the modified connector insert is a modified RJ45 connector insert, a front edge of the connector insert may have an extended front portion having a sloped or angled surface to engage a front engaging portion of a movable gate. Without the extended sloped or angled front surface, a conventional RJ45 connector insert may not be long enough to move the front engaging portion of the movable gate and contacts of the test connector receptacle may remain behind the movable gate. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a combined connector receptacle may block access to a first set of contacts when no connector insert is inserted and when a conventional corresponding connector insert is inserted. The combined connector receptacle may allow access to the first set of contacts when a modified connector insert is inserted. The combined connector receptacle may allow access to a second set of contacts when either a conventional corresponding connector insert or a modified connector insert is inserted, and when no connector insert is inserted. A conventional corresponding connector insert may form electrical connections with the second set of contacts. A modified connector insert may form electrical connections with the first set of contacts and the second set of contacts. The first set of contacts may be for testing, debug, repair, programming, or other tasks. The second set of contacts may be contacts for a conventional or other connector receptacle, such as an RJ45 connector receptacle. Access to the first set of contacts may be blocked by a movable gate or other structure. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the test connector receptacle may instead be a connector insert. The connector insert may be for testing, debug, or repair and may be accessed via a movable gate. The test connector insert may be combined with a connector receptacle. This connector receptacle may be a conventional or non-conventional type of connector receptacle. A corresponding connector may be modified for mating with the test connector insert and the connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, the contacts of the combined connector receptacles may include through-hole contacting portions. The through-hole contacting portions may fit in openings in a logic board to form electrical connections with traces in the logic board. These through-hole contacting portions may also provide mechanical stability for the combined receptacle. In other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of the contacts may terminate in surface-mount contacting portions. 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful in combined connector receptacles that include a second set of contacts for an RJ45 connector receptacle, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in other types of combine connector receptacles having a second set of contacts for different connector receptacles. For example, embodiments of the present invention may include a second set of contacts for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI) connector receptacle. This combined connector receptacle may be further configured to accept a conventional HDMI connector insert as well as a modified HDMI connector insert. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a third set of contacts for a third connector receptacle may be included as well. For example, a third set of contacts for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C connector may be included and the combined connector receptacle may include a receptacle portion for accepting a USB Type C connector insert. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, top and bottom shields, EMI or ground contacts, contacts, spring members, 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 stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the housings, movable gates, and other structures 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 used may be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide combined 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, set-top boxes, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These combined 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, HDMI, Digital Visual Interface (DVI), RJ45, 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 combined 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 combined 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 system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a combined connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of a combined connector receptacle according to embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view of the connector system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is another cutaway side view of the connector system of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-section of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates another cross-section of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exploded view of a combined connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 10-16  illustrate a method of manufacturing a combined connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 17  is a simplified view of a connector system 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 or 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, RJ45, 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 . 
     It may be desirable to be able access devices such as computer  110  or monitor  130  for testing, debugging, repair, programming, or other reasons. Instead of adding an additional connector receptacle to provide this access, embodiments of the present invention may provide a combined connector receptacle that combines the functionality of one of the above conventional connector receptacles along with a test connector receptacle for testing, debugging, repair, programming, or other reasons. To avoid inadvertent connections to the test connector receptacle, contacts for the test connector receptacle may be located behind or covered by a movable gate. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector system includes modified connector insert  290  and combined connector receptacle  200 . Modified connector insert  290  may include insert portion  284 , which may be arranged to fit it front opening  212  of housing  210  of combined receptacle  200 . Modified connector insert  290  may include first set of contacts  282  for engaging a first set of contacts (not shown) in combined connector receptacle  200 . Modified connector insert  290  may further include a second set of contacts (not shown) for engaging second set of contacts  214  in combined connector receptacle  200 . Modified connector insert  290  may include tab  292 . Tab  292  may lock connector insert  290  in place in combined connector receptacle  200 . Modified connector insert  290  may further include button  294 . Button  294  may be depressed, thereby lowering tab  292  and allowing extraction of modified connector insert  290 . Modified connector insert  290  may be connected to test, debug, repair, programming, or other hardware (not shown) via cable  286 . Strain relief  288  may protect cable  286  during use. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a front view of a combined connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Combined connector receptacle  200  may include housing  210  having a front opening  212 . Second set of contacts  214  may be located in opening  212 . Electromagnetic (EMI) or ground contacts  216  may be located inside opening  212  of housing  210 . A first set of contacts (not shown) may also be included in housing  210 . The first set of contacts and the second set of contacts  214  may terminate on printed circuit board  230 . Combined connector receptacle  200  may be shielded by shield  220 . Shield  220  may include finger  222 . Finger  222  may push down on a movable gate (not shown) thereby making the first set of contacts inaccessible unless the movable gate is moved, as shown in  FIG. 6  below. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a rear view of a combined connector receptacle according to embodiments of the present invention. Combined connector receptacle  200  may include housing  210  that may have a front opening  212  (show in  FIG. 3 ) that may be located in an opening (not shown) in device enclosure  410 . A first set of contacts (not shown) for test, debug, repair, programming, or other reasons may be located in connector receptacle  240 . Connector receptacle  240  may be an off-the-shelf surface-mount technology (SMT) connector. Connector receptacle  240  may be a connector receptacle ordinarily configured for internal device use. Connector receptacle  240  may be located on print circuit board  230 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cutaway side view of the connector system of  FIG. 2 . Again, this connector system may include a modified connector insert  290  and combined connector receptacle  200 . Connector insert  290  may be a modified connector insert having an extended front portion with an angled or sloped leading edge  293 . Modified connector insert  290  may further have first set of contacts  282  and a second set of contacts (not shown). 
     Combined connector receptacle  200  may include connector receptacle  240  supporting a first set of contacts (not shown) for mating with first set of contacts  282  on modified connector insert  290 . Combined connector receptacle  200  may include second set of contacts  520  for mating with a second set of contacts (not shown) on modified connector insert  290 . The first set of contacts and second set of contacts  520  may terminate in through-hole contacting portions  522  on printed circuit board  230 . 
     Combined connector receptacle  200  may include movable gate  510  to prevent access during normal use to the first set of contacts (not shown) in connector receptacle  240 . That is, during normal use when either no connector insert or a corresponding conventional connector insert (not shown) is inserted into combined connector receptacle  200 , movable gate  510  may prevent access to the first set of contacts in connector receptacle  240 . When modified connector insert  290  is inserted into combined connector receptacle  200 , an extended front portion with an angled or sloped leading edge  293  may engage edge  512  of movable gate  510 . Moveable gate  510  may lift, pushing against finger  222 , and thereby allowing access of the first set of contacts (not shown) in connector receptacle  240  to first set of contacts  282  on modified connector insert  290 . When modified connector insert  290  is extracted, finger  222  may push down on movable gate  510 , returning it to the closed position and cutting off access to the first set of contacts in connector receptacle  240 . While front edge  293  of modified connector insert  290  may be sloped, in other embodiments of the present invention the front edge of modified connector insert  290  may be squared off and leading edge  512  of movable gate  510  may be tapered. Also, while movable gate  510  may be driven upward, in other embodiments of the present invention movable gate  510  may pivot, swing, rotate, or move in another way. 
     Conventional connector receptacles and conventional connector inserts may be connector receptacles and connector inserts that are compliant with a standard. For example, an RJ45 connector receptacle or connector insert may be a connector receptacle or a connector insert standardized as an 8P8C modular connector. Modified connector inserts may be similar to convention connector inserts and they may have one or more features altered so that they may move a movable gate to gain access to a test connector receptacle. Without these features, a conventional connector insert might not be able to move the movable gate to gain access to contacts of the test connector receptacle. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, combined connector receptacle  200  may block access to a first set of contacts (not shown) when no connector insert is inserted and when a conventional corresponding connector insert (not shown) is inserted. When a conventional corresponding connector inserted, it may not have the length and sloped edge  293  to move movable gate  510 . Combined connector receptacle  200  may allow access to the first set of contacts when modified connector insert  290  is inserted. Combined connector receptacle  200  may allow access to second set of contacts  520  when either a conventional corresponding connector insert or modified connector insert  290  is inserted, and when no connector insert is inserted. A conventional corresponding connector insert may form electrical connections with second set of contacts  520  when the conventional corresponding connector insert is inserted. Modified connector insert  290  may form electrical connections with the first set of contacts (not shown) and second set of contacts  520 . The first set of contacts may be for testing, debug, repair, programming, or other tasks. Second set of contacts  520  may be contacts for a conventional or non-conventional connector receptacle, such as an RJ45 connector receptacle. Access to the first set of contacts may be blocked by movable gate  510  or other structure. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, movable gate  510  may be omitted. For example, a narrowness of a front opening of connector receptacle  240  may be thin enough that it may be relied upon to sufficiently reduce or prevent inadvertent contact with the first set of contacts. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, movable gate  510  may be replaced by a compressible gate made of foam or other compressible material that may be compressed out of the way by modified connector insert  290  or other modified connector insert. 
       FIG. 6  is another cutaway side view of the connector system of  FIG. 2 . In this figure, modified connector insert  290  may be inserted into combined connector receptacle  200 . A first set of contacts (not shown) in connector receptacle  240  of combined connector receptacle  200  may be mated with first set of contacts  282  on modified connector insert  290 . Second set of contacts  520  in combined connector receptacle  200  may be mated with a second set of contacts (not shown) on modified connector insert  290 . Movable gate  510  may be pushed up against finger  222  by an extended front portion of modified connector insert  290  having sloped edge  293 . 
     In the above examples, a separate connector receptacle  240  may be used to house a first set of contacts (not shown) for combined connector receptacle  200 . In other embodiments of the present invention, a combined connector receptacle may house a first set of contacts along with a second set of contacts. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG. 7  illustrates a cross-section of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This connector system may include a modified connector insert  710  and combined connector receptacle  900 . Connector insert  710  may be a modified connector insert having an extended front portion with an angled or sloped leading edge  712 . Modified connector insert  710  may further have first set of contacts  750  and second set of contacts  740 . Modified connector insert  710  may be the same or similar to modified connector insert  290  (shown in  FIG. 5 ). For example, modified connector insert  719  may include the same tab  292  and button  294 . 
     Combined connector receptacle  900  may include housing  910  having opening  212 . Combined connector receptacle  900  may include housing portion  954  supporting first set of contacts  950  for mating with first set of contacts  750  on modified connector insert  710 . Combined connector receptacle  900  may include housing portion  945  supporting second set of contacts  940  for mating with second set of contacts  740  on modified connector insert  710 . First set of contacts  950  and second set of contacts  940  may terminate in through-hole contacting portions  952  and  942  in a printed circuit board (not shown). 
     Combined connector receptacle  900  may include movable gate  920  to prevent access during normal use to first set of contacts  950 . That is, during normal use when either no connector insert or a corresponding conventional connector insert (not shown) is inserted into combined connector receptacle  900 , movable gate  920  may prevent access to first set of contacts  950 . When modified connector insert  710  is inserted into combined connector receptacle  900 , an extended front portion with an angled or sloped leading edge  712  may engage leading edge  924  of movable gate  920 . Moveable gate  920  may lift, pushing against spring member  960 , and thereby allowing access of first set of contact  950  in combined connector receptacle  900  to first set of contacts  750  on modified connector insert  710 . When modified connector insert  710  is extracted, spring member  960  may push down on movable gate  920 , returning it to the closed position such that gate portion  922  cuts off access to first set of contacts  950  in combined connector receptacle  900 . While front edge  712  of the modified connector insert  710  may be sloped, in other embodiments of the present invention the front edge of modified connector insert may  710  be squared off and leading edge  924  on movable gate  920  may be tapered. Also, while movable gate  920  may be driven upward, in other embodiments of the present invention movable gate  920  may pivot, swing, rotate, or move in another way. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, combined connector receptacle  900  may block access to first set of contacts  950  during normal operation, that is when no connector insert is inserted and when a conventional corresponding connector insert (not shown) is inserted. When a conventional corresponding connector inserted, it may not have the length or sloped edge  712  to move movable gate  920 . Combined connector receptacle  900  may allow access to first set of contacts  950  when modified connector insert  710  is inserted. Combined connector receptacle  900  may allow access to second set of contacts  940  when either a conventional corresponding connector insert or modified connector insert  710  is inserted, and when no connector insert is inserted. A conventional corresponding connector insert may form electrical connections with second set of contacts  940  when the conventional corresponding connector insert is inserted. Modified connector insert  710  may form electrical connections with first set of contacts  950  and second set of contacts  940 . First set of contacts  950  may be for testing, debug, repair, programming, or other tasks. Second set of contacts  740  may be contacts for a conventional or other connector receptacle, such as an RJ45 connector receptacle. Access to first set of contacts  950  may be blocked by movable gate  920  or other structure. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, movable gate  920  may be omitted. For example, a narrowness of an opening for first contacts  950  in combined connector receptacle  900  may be thin enough that it may be relied upon to sufficiently reduce or prevent inadvertent contact. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, movable gate  920  may be replaced by a compressible gate made of foam or other compressible material that may be compressed out of the way by modified connector insert  710  or other modified connector insert. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-section of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, modified connector insert  710  may be inserted into combined connector receptacle  900 . First set of contacts  950  in combined connector receptacle  900  may be mated with first set of contacts  750  on modified connector insert  710 . Second set of contacts  940  in combined connector receptacle  900  may be mated with second set of contacts  740  on modified connector insert  710 . Movable gate  920  may be pushed up by an extended front portion of modified connector insert  710  having sloped edge  712 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates an exploded view of a combined connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Combined connector receptacle  900  may include housing  910 . Housing  910  may include an opening  912  for accepting a corresponding connector insert (not shown) or a modified connector insert (not shown). Housing  910  may include openings  916 , and slots  915  and  917 . Housing  910  may further include slots  913  and  918  and raised portions  919 . Housing  910  may further include posts  914 . Posts  914  may be arranged to fit in openings in a printed circuit board (not shown) to provide mechanical stability for combined connector receptacle  900 . 
     Combined connector receptacle  900  may further include EMI or ground contacts  930 . EMI or ground contacts  930  may include contacting portions  932  which may fit in openings  916  in housing  910 . EMI or ground contacts  930  may further include tabs  934  which may be inserted into slots  915  in housing  910 . EMI or ground contacts  930  may fit in slots  915  in sides of housing  910 . 
     Combined connector receptacle  900  may include moving gate  920 . Moving gate  920  may include gate portion  922 , which may be fit into slot  913  in housing  910 . Moving gate  920  may further include leading edge  924 . 
     Second set of contacts  940  may be partially housed by housing portion  944 . Second set of contacts  940  may include through-hole contacting portions  942 . Housing  944  may be inserted into housing  910 . Specifically, edges  945  of housing  944  may be inserted into slots  911  in housing  910 . 
     First set of contacts  950  may be partially housed by housing portion  954 . First set of contacts  950  may include through-hole contacting portions  952 . Through-hole contacting portions  942  and  952  may be inserted into openings in a printed circuit board (not shown) to which combined connector receptacle  900  is attached in order to form electrical connections to circuits and components (not shown) on or connected to the printed circuit board. Housing portion  954  may be inserted into housing  910 . Specifically, edges  955  of housing portion  954  may also be inserted into slots  911  in housing  910 . 
     Cam spring  960  may be inserted into housing  910 . Specifically, spring member  960  may include tabs  964  that may be inserted into slots  918  in housing  910 . Can spring  960  may include beam portion  962 . Beam portion  962  of spring member  960  may push down on movable gate  920  after a modified connector insert is extracted from housing  910 . Cam spring  960  may keep movable gate  920  in a closed position during normal use, that is, when either no connector insert or a conventional connector insert (not shown) is inserted into combined connector receptacle  900 , thereby making second set of contacts  950  inaccessible. 
     Insulating layer  970  may be positioned between second set of contacts  940  and bottom shield  980 . Insulating layer  970  may electrically insulate second set of contacts  940  from bottom shield  980 . Insulating layer  970  may be formed of Kapton tape or other material. 
     Combined connector receptacle  900  may further include bottom shield  980  on a bottom side of housing  910 . Bottom shield  980  may include fingers  982 . Fingers  982  may push against EMI or ground contacts  930 , thereby improving an electrical connection between a shield of a connector insert (not shown) inserted into housing  910  and EMI or ground contact  930 . Bottom shield  990  may further include raised portions  986  and openings  984 . Openings  984  may engage raised portions  919  on housing  910 . 
     Combined connector receptacle  900  may further include top shield  900 . Top shield  900  may include openings  994 , which may accept raised portions  986  on bottom shield  980 . Top shield  990  may further include tabs  992 . Tabs  992  may fit in openings in a printed circuit board (not shown) thereby forming ground connections. 
       FIGS. 10-16  illustrate a method of manufacturing a combined connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In  FIG. 10 , housing  910  may be provided. Housing  910  may include an opening  912  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). Housing  910  may further include side openings  916  for EMI or ground contacts  930  (shown in  FIG. 9 ). Housing  910  may include posts  914 . Posts  914  may be inserted into openings in a printed circuit board or other appropriate substrate (not shown). In  FIG. 11 , EMI or ground contacts  930  may be attached to housing  910 . EMI or ground contacts  930  may have contacting portions  932 , which may fit in openings  916  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). EMI or ground contacts  930  may include tabs  934  to fit in slots  915  in housing  910 . Second set of contacts  940  and housing portion  944  may be inserted in housing  910 . Specifically, edges  945  of housing portion  944  may fit in slots  911  in housing  910 . Contacts  940  may include through-hole contacting portions  942 . Housing portion  944  may be insert molded around contacts  940 . 
     In  FIG. 12 , contacts  950  and housing portion  954  may be inserted into housing  910 . Specifically, edges  955  of housing portion  954  may also be inserted in slot  911 . Housing portion  954  may be insert molded around contacts  950 . Contacts  950  may terminate in through-hole contacting portions  952 . In  FIG. 13 , movable gate  920  may be inserted into housing  910 . Specifically, movable gate  920  may include a gate portion  922  that may fit into slots  913  in housing  910 . Movable gate  920  may also include leading edge  924 . Movable gate  920  may also include trench  925 . In  FIG. 14 , spring member  960  may be inserted into housing  110 . Cam spring  960  may include beam portion  962 . Edge  966  of spring member  960  may engage trench  925  of movable gate  20  as shown in  FIG. 13 . This may prevent movable gate  920  from moving when combined connector receptacle  900  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) is turned upside-down. Cam spring  960  may include tabs  964  which may be inserted into slots  918  in housing  910 . Also in  FIG. 14 , insulating layer  970  may be placed on a bottom of housing  910  to insulate second set of contacts  940  from bottom shield  980 . 
     In  FIG. 15 , bottom shield  980  may be placed over a bottom side of housing  910 . Bottom shield  980  may include openings  984  for accepting raised portions  919  on housing  910 . Bottom shield  980  may further include fingers  982  for applying force to EMI or ground contacts  930  to improve a connection between EMI or ground contacts  930  and a shield of a connector insert (not shown). In  FIG. 16 , top shield  990  may be placed over a top of housing  910 . Top shield  990  may include openings  994  for accepting raised portions  986  on bottom shield  980 . Top shield  990  may include tabs  992 . Top shield  990  may be spot or laser welded to bottom shield  980  at points  997 , to itself at points  999 , and to spring member  960  (shown in  FIG. 14 ) at points  998 . Bottom shield  980  may be spot or laser welded to EMI or ground contacts  930  (shown in  FIG. 15 ). 
       FIG. 17  is a simplified view of a connector system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Modified connector insert  1710  may include tongue or other portion  1720  supporting contact  1730 . Combined connector receptacle  1750  may be a combined connector receptacle similar to the combined connector receptacles  200  and  900 . Combined connector receptacle  1750  may include housing  1760  supporting first contacts  1770  for a test or other type of connector receptacle. Combined connector receptacle  1750  may further include movable gate  1790 . Modified connector insert portion  1720  may slide movable gate  1790  into housing  1760 , thereby compressing spring  1780  and exposing first contacts  1770 . First contacts  1770  may form electrical connections with contacts  1730  of modified connector insert  1710 . When modified connector insert  1710  is extracted, spring  1780  may push movable gate back into its original position thereby blocking access to first contacts  1770 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, second set of contacts  940  and first set of contacts  950  may include through-hole contacting portions  942  and  952 . Through-hole contacting portions  942  and  952  may fit in openings in a printed circuit board (not shown) to form electrical connections with traces (not shown) in the printed circuit board. These through-hole contacting portions  942  and  952  may also provide mechanical stability for the combined connector receptacle  900 . In other embodiments of the present invention, some or all of contacts  940  and  950  may terminate in surface-mount contacting portions (not shown). 
     While embodiments of the present invention may be useful in adding functionality to an RJ45 connector receptacle, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in other types of connector receptacles for different interfaces. While embodiments of the present invention may be useful in combined connector receptacles that include second contacts  940  for an RJ45 connector receptacle, these and other embodiments of the present invention may be used in other types of combine connector receptacles having a second set of contacts for different connector receptacles. For example, embodiments of the present invention may include a second set of contacts for a High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI) connector receptacle. This combined connector receptacle may be further configured to accept a conventional HDMI connector insert as well as a modified HDMI connector insert. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, a third set of contacts for a third connector receptacle may be included as well. For example, a third set of contacts for a Universal Serial Bus (USB) Type-C connector may be included and the combined connector receptacle may include a receptacle portion for accepting a USB Type C connector insert. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, top and bottom shields, EMI or ground contacts, contacts, spring members, 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 stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They may be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as the housings, movable gates, and other structures 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 used may be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention may provide combined 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, set-top boxes, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These combined 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), RJ45, 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 combined 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 combined 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: 20160923
Publication Date: 20180828
Grant Date: 20180828
Priority Date: 20160923
Inventors: WILLIAMS, REUBEN J.
JEON, JAMES M.
MATHESON, JONATHAN A.
AMINI, MAHMOUD R.
DE IULIIS, DANIELE G.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/44", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/4534", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/453", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/453", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/64", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/4534", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R2107/00", "inventive": false, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R24/64", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/658", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/4534", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/44", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 61685809