ESD path for connector receptacle

• US 9,011,176 B2
• Filed: 06/09/2012
• Issued: 04/21/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Tziviskos, George, Gao, Zheng
• Primary Examiner(s): Riyami, Abdullah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imas, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US13/492,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20130329324A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,046 Days
• Field of Search: 43960735-6074
• US Class Current: 439/607.4
• 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;

at least one finger passing through a first opening in a top side of the shell and a second opening in a second side of the shell, the finger electrically insulated from the shell by the housing portion,

wherein the finger is electrically connected to a device enclosure, the device enclosure enclosing an electronic device supporting the connector receptacle and a first trace on a printed circuit board to form an enclosure ground, and

wherein the shell is electrically connected to a second trace on the printed circuit board to form a signal ground, the signal ground and the enclosure ground electrically isolated from each other.

2. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the at least one finger is electrically insulated from the shell by passing through a backside of 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.

21. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the second side is a bottom side.

22. The connector receptacle of claim 21 wherein at least one finger comprises a first portion angled along the top side of the shell.

25. The connector receptacle of claim 1 further comprising a first contact, the first contact electrically connected to the shell.

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 a first opening in a top of the shell and a second opening in a second side of 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 a signal ground path electrically connected to the first tab of the shell and an enclosure ground path electrically connected to the device enclosure and the at least one finger, the signal ground and the enclosure ground electrically isolated from each other.

10. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the at least one finger is electrically insulated from the shell by passing through a backside of the housing portion.

11. The electronic device 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 electronic device of claim 11 wherein the tape is polyimide tape.

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

14. The electronic device of claim 13 wherein the shell is formed using stainless steel.

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

23. The electronic device of claim 9 wherein the second side is a bottom side.

24. The electronic device of claim 23 wherein at least one finger comprises a first portion angled along the top side of the shell.

26. The electronic device of claim 9 further comprising a first contact, the first contact electrically connected to the shell.

16. A method of routing grounds comprising:

providing a signal ground path comprising a faceplate of a receptacle, a shell of the receptacle, a first contact of the receptacle, and a first trace on a main-logic board, wherein the faceplate of the receptacle, the shell of the receptacle, the first contact of the receptacle, and the first trace on the main-logic board are electrically connected; 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 device enclosure, the at least one finger, and the second trace on the main-logic board are electrically connected,

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.