Dock connector with compliance mechanism
First Claim
1. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
- a dock base attached to an outer shell, the outer shell having an opening in a docking well defined by;
a movable connector extending from a connector base to an insertable connector tab protruding through the opening in the outer shell, the connector base provided on a first section of the connector disposed below the outer shell and the insertable tab provided on a second section of the connector disposed above the shell and configured to electrically couple to a receptacle connector of the portable electronic device when mated therein; and
a compliance mechanism interfacing with each of the dock base and the movable connector, the compliance mechanism configured to control compliant movement of the connector in response to an external force applied to the second section of the connector, the controlled movement including pivoting the connector about a pivot point at a location on the connector adjacent the opening in the outer shell.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Docking stations having a connector with a compliance mechanism to provide improved durability and flexibility are provided herein. The compliance mechanism may be attached to a connecter in a base of a docking station that extends through an opening in a housing or shell attached to the base. The compliance mechanism may include any or all of a flexure, a torsion bar, damping members, a compressive foam member, and an engineered base plate. The compliance mechanism may be configured to provide sufficient rigidity to the connector to support a portable device when mounted on the connector within the dock in an upright position, sufficient flexibility to allow angular displacement of a mounted portable device, and sufficient elasticity to provide a resilient biasing force to return the connector and a mounted portable device from a displaced position to the upright position.
104 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a dock base attached to an outer shell, the outer shell having an opening in a docking well defined by; a movable connector extending from a connector base to an insertable connector tab protruding through the opening in the outer shell, the connector base provided on a first section of the connector disposed below the outer shell and the insertable tab provided on a second section of the connector disposed above the shell and configured to electrically couple to a receptacle connector of the portable electronic device when mated therein; and a compliance mechanism interfacing with each of the dock base and the movable connector, the compliance mechanism configured to control compliant movement of the connector in response to an external force applied to the second section of the connector, the controlled movement including pivoting the connector about a pivot point at a location on the connector adjacent the opening in the outer shell. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a dock base attached to an outer shell, the outer shell having an opening in a docking well defined by the outer shell; a movable connector extending from a connector base to an insertable connector tab protruding through the opening in the outer shell, the connector base provided on a first section of the connector disposed below the outer shell and the insertable tab provided on a second section disposed above the shell and configured to electrically couple to a receptacle connector of the portable electronic device when mated therein; and a compliance mechanism coupled with each of the dock base and the connector that supports the movable connector in an upright mounting position, the compliance mechanism comprising an elongate torsion member coupled with the connector base providing resistance to a pivoting movement of the movable connector away from the upright mounting position. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A docking station for a portable electronic device, the docking station comprising:
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a dock base attached to a dock housing; a plug connector configured for removable mating engagement with a corresponding connector of the portable electronic device, the plug connector having a connector base portion and an insertable tab that extends longitudinally away from the connector base portion protruding through an opening in a docking well defined by the dock housing, the insertable tab having a plurality of external contacts formed thereon to enable data and power transmission through the plug connector; a flexible base plate coupling the plug connector to the base dock base and configured to support the plug connector so that the insertable tab extends away from the base plate in an upright position for mounting of the portable electronic device, the flexible base plate comprising one or more openings that decrease a bending stiffness of the flexible base plate in a direction along which the connector is pivoted. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification