Sliding connector interface with non-metallic contacts

• US 6,439,900 B1
• Filed: 10/13/2000
• Issued: 08/27/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: 3Com Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Sward, Douglas Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TRUC T
• Application Number:
  US09/687,178
• Time in Patent Office: 683 Days
• Field of Search: 439/131, 439/886, 439/951, 174/256, 174/257
• US Class Current: 439/131
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/714 with contacts abutting directly the printed circuit; Button contacts therefore provided on the printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 41/00 Non-rotary current collectors for maintaining contact between moving and stationary parts of an electric circuit end pieces terminating in a hook or the like H01R11/12; current collectors for power supply lines of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L5/00
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/06 the conductive material being removed chemically or electrolytically, e.g. by photo-etch process semi-additive methods H05K3/108
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/249 comprising carbon particles as main constituent
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0273 having extensions for peripherals, e.g. LAN, antennas details of antennas H01Q1/2275
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/951 PCB having detailed leading edge

Abstract

A communication module is provided having a movable electrically conductive interface. This module comprises a printed circuit board with a first slidably receiving contact surface for providing electrical connectivity to the movable electrically-conductive interface, a non-metallic sealant disposed about at least a portion of the first slidably receiving contact surface about which the movable electrically-conductive interface is formed, the sealant imposing negligible resistance to the movable electrically-conductive interface, and a second slidably receiving contact surface for traveling across the sealant disposed about the first slidably receiving contact surface thereby forming the movable electrically conductive interface. Also a method is provided for overlaying the non-metallic sealing element over the first slidably receiving contact surface.

Claims

1. A retractable slidable communication connector for use in a communication device, comprising:

a. a retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein and configured to receive at least a portion of a media connector, said retractable access portion including;

i. a frame portion wherein said aperture is formed; and

ii. a conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for making electrical contact with said media connector during use; and

b. a fixed portion for providing electrical contact with an electric circuit within said communication device, said fixed portion including;

i. a conductive track for slidingly making electrical contact with said second end of said conductive terminal during use as said retractable access portion is extended into an operative position, said conductive track comprising a conductive trace formed on a printed circuit board of said communication device and a non-metallic sealant disposed about at least a portion of said conductive trace forming a surface about which said second end of said conductive terminal forms said electrical contact.

2. The retractable slidable communication connector, as recited in claim 1, wherein said non-metallic sealant is comprised of conductive carbon ink.

3. The retractable slidable communication connector, as recited in claim 1, wherein said second end of said conductive terminal has a curved terminal portion thereof for facilitating said sliding electrical contact between said conductive terminal and said conductive track.

4. The retractable slidable communication connector, as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive terminal on said retractable access portion extends and retract in parallel alignment with said conductive track.

5. The retractable slidable communication connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive trace is comprised of a copper alloy affixed to said printed circuit board.

6. The retractable slidable communication connector as recited in claim 1, wherein said retractable access portion further comprises a shelf forming a sliding shelf on which said printed circuit board having said conductive tracks thereon slides to provide a positive electrical contact between said second end of said conductive terminal and said conductive track.

7. A communication module having a movable electrically-conductive interface, said module comprising:

a. a printed circuit board including a conductive track, comprising;

i. an electrically conductive trace for providing electrical continuity to circuits in said communication module;

ii. a non-metallic sealant disposed about at least a portion of said conductive trace to form an electrically conductive surface; and

b. a slidable member for extending from said communication module to receive a media plug for interfacing with said communication module, said slidable member including at least one conductive terminal having a first end and a second end, said first end for making electrical contact with said media connector during use and said second end for sliding about said electrically conductive surface of said conductive track to form said movable electrically-conductive interface.

8. A communication module according to claim 7, wherein said sealant is applied using a non-plating process.

9. A communication module according to claim 7, wherein said non-metallic sealant comprises conductive carbon ink.

10. A communication module according to claim 7, wherein said non-metallic sealant extends for the entire length of said conductive trace.

11. A direct connection system for removably engaging a media connector with a communications card, comprising:

a. a communications card having a retractable access portion and a fixed portion and said retractable access portion having an aperture formed therein to receive at least a portion of said media connector;

b. at least one conductive lead having a first end and a second end, said first end extending partially into said aperture for making electrical contact with said media connector during use; and

c. at least one conductive track for slidingly making electrical contact with said second end of said at least one conductive lead during use as said retractable access portion is extended, said at least one conductive track being in electrical communication with said fixed portion, said conductive track comprising a metallic conductive trace having an electrically conductive non-metallic sealant disposed thereabout, said second end of said at least one conductive lead being in direct physical contact with said non-metallic sealant.

12. The direct connection system, as recited in claim 11, wherein said non-metallic sealant is comprised of conductive carbon ink.

13. The direct connection system, as recited in claim 11, wherein said second end of said conductive terminal has a curved terminal portion thereof for facilitating said sliding electrical contact between said conductive terminal and said conductive track.

14. The direct connection system, as recited in claim 11, wherein said conductive terminal on said retractable access portion extends and retract in parallel alignment with said conductive track.

15. The direct connection system, as recited in claim 11, wherein said conductive trace is comprised of a copper alloy affixed to said printed circuit board.

16. The direct connection system, as recited in claim 15, wherein said retractable access portion further comprises a shelf forming a sliding shelf on which said printed circuit board having said conductive tracks thereon slides to provide a positive electrical contact between said second end of said conductive terminal and said conductive track.