ESD PATH FOR CONNECTOR RECEPTACLE

• US 20130329324A1
• Filed: 06/09/2012
• Published: 12/12/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Tziviskos, George, Gao, Zheng
• Granted Patent: US 9,011,176 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 361/56
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/00 Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures printed connections to, or between, printed circuits H05K1/11
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/658 High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse] coaxial coupling devices specially adapted for high frequency H01R24/40; for flat or ribbon cable connectors H01R12/774; for coaxial cable H01R9/05
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6594 the shield being mounted on a PCB and connected to conductive members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6596 the conductive member being a metal grounding panel
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0066 Constructional details of transient suppressor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 9/0067 Devices for protecting against damage from electrostatic discharge

Abstract

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide a separation between a signal ground and an enclosure ground such that EMI and ESD circuits are not bypassed. One example may provide a connector receptacle having fingers for contacting a device enclosure, where the fingers are not directly electrically connected to a shell of the connector receptacle. These fingers may be isolated from the shell along a top-side by an electrically insulating layer. These fingers may be further insulated from the shell along a back side by a nonconductive piece or portion of a housing.

Claims

1. A connector receptacle comprising:

a shell at least partially surrounding a housing portion; and

at least one finger passing through an opening in the shell, the finger electrically insulated from the shell by the housing portion.

2. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the at least one finger is electrically insulated along a backside of the shell by the housing portion.

3. The connector receptacle of claim 2 wherein the at least one finger is electrically insulated along a topside of the shell by a layer of tape.

4. The connector receptacle of claim 3 wherein the tape is polyimide tape.

5. The connector receptacle of claim 3 wherein the at least one finger is formed of phosphor bronze.

6. The connector receptacle of claim 5 wherein the shell is formed using stainless steel.

7. The connector receptacle of claim 3 wherein the shell and the at least one finger are soldered to a main-logic board.

8. The connector receptacle of claim 7 wherein electromagnetic interference suppression circuits are electrically located between the shell and the at least one finger.

9. An electronic device comprising:

an enclosure having an opening;

a receptacle located in the opening, the receptacle comprising;

a shell at least partially surrounding a housing portion and having a first tab; and

at least one finger passing through an opening in the shell, the finger electrically insulated from the shell by the housing portion, the finger electrically connected to the enclosure; and

a main logic board having contacts electrically connected to the first tab of the shell and the at least one finger

10. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein the at least one finger is electrically insulated along a backside of the shell by the housing portion.

11. The connector receptacle of claim 10 wherein the at least one finger is electrically insulated along a topside of the shell by a layer of tape.

12. The connector receptacle of claim 11 wherein the tape is polyimide tape.

13. The connector receptacle of claim 11 wherein the at least one finger is formed of phosphor bronze.

14. The connector receptacle of claim 13 wherein the shell is formed using stainless steel.

15. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein electromagnetic interference suppression circuits are electrically located between the shell and the at least one finger.

16. A method of routing grounds comprising:

providing a signal ground path comprising a faceplate of a receptacle, a shell of the receptacle, and a first trace on a main-logic board; and

providing an enclosure ground comprising a device enclosure, at least one finger of the receptacle, and a second trace on the main-logic board,

wherein the signal ground path and the enclosure ground are electrically isolated.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising providing electrostatic discharge and electromagnetic interference circuitry between the first trace and the second trace on the main-logic board.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the at least one finger of the receptacle passes through an opening in the shell of the receptacle.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein a tab of the shell of the receptacle is soldered to the first trace on the main-logic board.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the at least one finger of the receptacle is soldered to the second trace on the main-logic board.