Replaceable connection for portable electronic devices

• US 8,096,837 B2
• Filed: 04/12/2010
• Issued: 01/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Original Assignee: Flextronics America LLC (Flextronics International Limited)
• Inventors: Kan, Ken, Chen, Jeff, Chang, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Vu, Hlen
• Application Number:
  US12/758,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20110250787A1
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 439/638, 439/76.1, 439/474
• US Class Current: 439/638
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/501 comprising an integral hinge or a frangible part
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/06 Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49124 On flat or curved insulated base, e.g., printed circuit, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49126 Assembling bases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4913 Assembling to base an electrical component, e.g., capacitor, etc.
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49144 by metal fusion
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49208 by assembling plural parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/4921 with bonding

Abstract

Systems and methods electrically connect a first electronic device or electrical component, having a external electrical connector, to a circuit board of a second electronic device. A low-cost, user-installable connection system isolates mechanical stresses imposed on the external electrical connector to within the user-installable connection system, thereby preventing the mechanical stresses from reaching the circuit board in the second electronic device. If the connection becomes faulty, only the low-cost, user-installable connection system must be replaced.

Claims

1. An electrical connection system comprising:

a. a mounting element comprising a substantially planar surface, wherein the substantially planar surface comprises a first circuit board;

b. an external electrical connector, mechanically coupled to the first circuit board;

c. an internal electrical connector electrically coupled to the external electrical connector, wherein the internal electrical connector is configured to be removably, electrically coupled to a second circuit board in an electronic device;

d. a sacrificial portion, in the mounting element, configured to fail in a predetermined failure mode when a predetermined minimum failure mode force is applied to the external electrical connector after installation of the mounting element into the electronic device, wherein the sacrificial portion comprises a structurally weakened portion in the substantially planar surface positioned between the external electrical connector and the internal electrical connector, the weakened portion comprising a thinned portion, a scored portion, a slotted portion, a perforated portion, a drilled portion, a brittle portion, or any combination thereof, and;

e. a housing configured to accept the electrical connection system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is further configured to be removably, mechanically coupled to the electronic device.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a housing removably, mechanically coupled to the electronic device, wherein the mounting element comprises the housing.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the failure mode is a mechanical failure or an electrical failure.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical connector is mechanically coupled to the second circuit board, thereby electrically coupling the second circuit board to the external electrical connector.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the internal electrical connector is flexibly, electrically coupled to the first circuit board.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical connector is mechanically coupled to the substantially planar surface, and the internal electrical connector is flexibly electrically coupled to the external electrical connector.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein, the internal electrical connector is mechanically and electrically coupled to the first circuit board, thereby electrically coupling the internal electrical connector to the external electrical connector, and the internal electrical connector is removably, flexibly, electrically coupled to the first circuit board.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the internal electrical connector is flexibly, electrically coupled to the first circuit board.