Patent application number | Description | Published |
20140073183 | PLUG CONNECTOR MODULES - A plug connector module that includes a metal frame having a base portion, an insertion end and a cavity that extends from the base portion into the insertion end. The insertion end is configured to be inserted into a cavity of a corresponding receptacle connector. A substrate extends through the base portion of the frame and into the insertion end. A first plurality of external contacts is positioned in a first opening and a second plurality of contacts positioned within a second opening. One or more electronic components is coupled to the substrate, and a first encapsulant that covers and environmentally seals the one or more electronic components. A second encapsulant covers and environmentally seals a metal shield and at least a portion of a leg that extends from the shield. | 03-13-2014 |
20140206209 | REVERSIBLE USB CONNECTOR - Embodiments can provide reversible or dual orientation USB plug connectors for mating with standard USB receptacle connectors, e.g., a standard Type A USB receptacle connector. Accordingly, the present invention may be compatible with any current or future electronic device that includes a standard USB receptacle connector. USB plug connectors according to the present invention can have a 180 degree symmetrical, double orientation design, which enables the plug connector to be inserted into a corresponding receptacle connector in either of two intuitive orientations. Some embodiments of the present invention may be used with or require a non-standard USB receptacle connector. Thus, embodiments of the present invention may reduce the potential for USB connector damage and user frustration during the incorrect insertion of a USB plug connector into a corresponding USB receptacle connector of an electronic device. | 07-24-2014 |
20140242848 | ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HAVING A DESIGNED BREAKING STRENGTH - An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector. | 08-28-2014 |
20150072565 | PLUG CONNECTOR HAVING LOW PROFILE AND FLEXIBLE INTERCONNECT - A dual orientation connector having a connector tab with first and second major opposing surfaces and a plurality of electrical contacts carried by the connector tab. A retainer is positioned at an entrance end of the tab and is overmolded on a portion of a carrier. The carrier has a first portion positioned within the tab, a second portion extending through the retainer and a third portion extending out of the retainer at an angle with respect to the longitudinal plane of the tab. The carrier has a plurality of conductors formed thereon and extending from the first portion to the third portion. | 03-12-2015 |
20150207254 | Molded Plastic Structures With Graphene Signal Paths - A connector or other structure may be provided with dielectric material and conductive traces. The dielectric material may include plastic structures such as molded plastic members. Elastomeric material may allow part of a connector to flex when the connector is mated with a corresponding connector. Printed circuits may be used to mount electrical components. Conductive traces may be formed on plastic structures such as molded plastic structures, on elastomeric members, on printed circuits, and on other structures. The conductive structures may form signal interconnects, ground plane structures, contacts, and other signal paths. The conductive traces may be formed from metal and other conductive materials such as graphene. Graphene may be deposited using inkjet printing techniques or other techniques. During inkjet printing, graphene may be patterned to form signal lines, connector contacts, ground planes, and other structures. | 07-23-2015 |
20150357741 | ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH HIDDEN CONNECTOR - An electronic device has a self-healing elastomer applied over one or more external electronic connectors. The self-healing elastomer may obscure the electronic connectors from the user as well as provide environmental protection for the connector and the electronic device. Electronic probes may temporarily penetrate the self-healing elastomer to mate with the electronic connector. After removal of the probes the self-healing elastomer may elastically reform and self-heal. | 12-10-2015 |
20160049753 | HIGH-SPEED ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR - A high-speed electrical connector employs a plurality of electrical contacts held together by a dielectric frame. The contacts are electrically coupled to a substrate within the connector. A gasket may be disposed between the dielectric frame and the substrate and configured to block the flow of an overmold material between the dielectric frame and the substrate such that voids are formed between the contacts. The dielectric frame and the overmold may be made from materials containing silica aerogel. The voids and the aerogel materials result in reduced parasitic capacitance between the contacts enabling higher data transfer speeds. | 02-18-2016 |
20160050763 | ENCAPSULATION PROCESS ENABLING HOTBAR SOLDERING WITHOUT DIRECT PCB SUPPORT - A method for connecting or terminating wires to a printed circuit is disclosed. The method includes applying layers, such as a first layer and a second layer, to the printed circuit. The first layer is applied over several active components on the printed circuit, and provides a sealant against ingress of contaminants in the active components. The second layer is a rigid layer applied over the first layer. When the printed circuit is placed in a fixture, a metallic element, such as a thermode or hot bar, presses against the wires to hold the wires against several terminals on the printed circuit. The metallic element is heated to melt solder between the wires and the terminals. The second layer is configured to resist compressive forces from the metallic element and the fixture, such that the printed circuit and the active components are not damaged during the connection process. | 02-18-2016 |
20160066419 | Electronic Devices With Carbon Nanotube Printed Circuits - An electronic device has structures such as substrates and internal housing structures. The substrates may be rigid substrates such as rigid printed circuit boards and flexible substrates such as flexible printed circuits, flexible touch sensor substrates, and flexible display substrates. Carbon nanotubes may be patterned to form carbon nanotube signal paths on the substrates. The signal paths may resist cracking when bent. A flexible structure such as a flexible printed circuit may have carbon nanotube signal paths interposed between polymer layers. Openings in a polymer layer may expose metal solder pads on the carbon nanotube signal paths. A stiffener may be provided under the metal solder pads. Polymer materials in the flexible structure may be molded to form bends. Bends may be formed along edges of a touch sensor or display or may be formed in a flexible printed circuit. | 03-03-2016 |
20160093975 | MAGNETIC PINS - Connectors that may provide an improved reliability by having a reduced tendency for damage to their contacts and may have a reduced size and complexity. One example may provide a magnetic connector having a magnetic pin. The magnetic pin may have a plunger that may remain protected in a barrel and housing when the magnetic connector is not engaged with a corresponding connector. When the magnetic connector is engaged with a corresponding connector, the plunger may be magnetically attracted to a corresponding contact on the corresponding connector and may emerge from the barrel or housing to make an electrical connection between the plunger and the corresponding contact. | 03-31-2016 |