Electronic apparatus with connector of changeable attitude

• US 7,175,443 B2
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Original Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
• Inventors: Goto, Katsuichi, Mizuno, Yusuke, Kobayashi, Sonomasa
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen; Gary F.
• Application Number:
  US11/066,440
• Publication Number:
  US 20060019513A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 439/76.1, 439/384, 439/92, 439/95, 439/91, 439/86, 439/247, 439/248, 439/374, 439/382, 361/683, 361/686, 248/633, 248/634, 248/636, 248/638, 248/618
• US Class Current: 439/76.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7011 Locking or fixing a connector to a PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/56 Means for preventing chafing or fracture of flexible leads at outlet from coupling part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery

Abstract

A connector is mounted on a printed circuit board in an enclosure. A member is interposed between the enclosure and the printed circuit board so as to hold the printed circuit board on the enclosure. The member allows change in the attitude of the printed circuit board relative to the enclosure. When the connector is coupled to the other connector, the connector receives a force from the other connector in the electronic apparatus. The force induces the change in the attitude of the connector and the printed circuit board. The change in the attitude in this manner enables consumption of the energy of the force within the member. Generation of stress can be suppressed in a bonding member such as a solder coupling the connector with the printed circuit board, for example. Generation of cracks can be prevented in the solder. Shockproof is improved for the connector.

Claims

1. An electronic apparatus comprising:

an enclosure;

a printed circuit board;

a connector mounted on the printed circuit board; and

an elastic member interposed between the enclosure and the printed circuit board so as to hold the printed circuit board on the enclosure, said elastic member allowing a change in attitude of the printed circuit board relative to the enclosure when a force is applied to the connector in use of the electronic apparatus.

2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said enclosure comprises:

an enclosure body receiving the elastic member; and

an auxiliary enclosure coupled to the enclosure body, said auxiliary enclosure designed to urge the connector and the printed circuit board against the elastic member.

3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said auxiliary enclosure is a cover coupled to the enclosure body.

4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stop designed to contact the connector along a plane intersecting a surface of the printed circuit board.

5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

a first electrically conductive film formed on a back surface of the printed circuit board;

a second electrically conductive film formed on a surface of the enclosure; and

an electrically conductive elastic member interposed between the printed circuit board and the enclosure, said electrically conductive elastic member contacting the first and second electrically conductive films.

6. An electronic apparatus, comprising:

an enclosure;

a frame member disposed within an opening defined in the enclosure, said frame member allowing a grip to protrude out of the enclosure, said grip extending from a USB male connector; and

a USB female connector defining a receiving opening, at a position receding inside the enclosure from the frame member, said receiving opening receiving insertion of a USB male connector.

7. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said frame member is made of a member separate from the enclosure.

8. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising:

a first guide surface intersecting a reference plane by a first inclination angle, said reference plane including the receiving opening; and

a second guide surface connected to a rear end of the first guide surface, said second guide surface reaching the frame member along a plane intersecting the reference plane by a second inclination angle larger than the first inclination angle.

9. The electronic apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said USB female connector is mounted on an elastic member on the enclosure.

10. An electronic apparatus comprising:

an enclosure;

a printed circuit board;

a first connector mounted on the printed circuit board; and

an elastic member interposed between the enclosure and the printed circuit board so as to hold the printed circuit board on the enclosure, said elastic member undergoing elastic deformation, allowing a change in attitude of the printed circuit board relative to the enclosure, when a second mating connector is being merged with, and to be received by, the first connector.

11. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said enclosure comprises:

an enclosure body receiving the elastic member; and

an auxiliary enclosure coupled to the enclosure body, said auxiliary enclosure designed to urge the connector and the printed circuit board against the elastic member.

12. The electronic apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said auxiliary enclosure is a cover coupled to the enclosure body.

13. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a stop designed to contact the connector along a plane intersecting a surface of the printed circuit board.

14. The electronic apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising:

a first electrically conductive film formed on a back surface of the printed circuit board;

a second electrically conductive film formed on a surface of the enclosure; and

an electrically conductive elastic member interposed between the printed circuit board and the enclosure, said electrically conductive elastic member contacting the first and second electrically conductive films.