Electrical connector having a designed breaking strength

• US 9,054,478 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2013
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Golko, Albert J., Kamei, Ibuki, Jones, Warren Z., Thompson, Paul J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US13/779,433
• Publication Number:
  US 20140242848A1
• Time in Patent Office: 832 Days
• Field of Search: 439/475, 439/923
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/504 different pieces being moulded, cemented, welded, e.g. ultrasonic, or swaged together
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/62 Sliding engagements with one side only, e.g. modular jack coupling devices
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/20 for assembling or disassembling contact members with insulating base, case or sleeve
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49204 Contact or terminal manufacturing

Abstract

An improved method is employed to produce a plug connector having a defined breaking strength. The plug connector is receivable in a receptacle connector disposed in an electronic device. The plug connector has an inner enclosure bonded to a tab of the connector. The bonds are designed to break at a torque that is less than the breaking strength of the tab of the connector and/or the receptacle connector. The designed breaking strength protects the receptacle connector and/or the electronic device from damage when a force is applied to the plug connector.

Claims

1. A plug connector comprising:

a body having a first face and a tab extending from the first face of the body to a distal end of the plug connector;

the tab carrying a plurality of contacts and configured to be received in an insertion cavity of a receptacle connector;

a metal inner enclosure that at least partially surrounds the body;

the inner enclosure welded to at least a portion of the tab with one or more weld locations;

wherein the plug connector is designed to break at the one or more weld locations when torque is applied to the plug connector.

2. The plug connector set forth in claim 1

wherein a breaking strength of the plug connector is a torque less than 3500 Newton-millimeters.

3. The plug connector set forth in claim 2 wherein the breaking strength is a torque less than 2500 Newton-millimeters.

4. The plug connector set forth in claim 2 wherein the breaking strength is a torque less than 1500 Newton-millimeters.

5. The plug connector set forth in claim 2 wherein the breaking strength is a torque less than 500 Newton-millimeters.

6. The plug connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the plug connector is configured to mate with a corresponding receptacle and the breaking strength of the plug connector is less than a breaking strength of the receptacle.

7. The connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the one or more weld locations are designed break at a torque that is less than a breaking strength of the tab.

8. The connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the inner enclosure

comprises first and second portions.

9. The connector set forth in claim 1 wherein the one or more weld locations include a combination of circular and elongated shapes.

10. The connector set forth in claim 9 wherein the tab has first and second opposing faces and wherein the one or more weld locations include locations on each of the first and second opposing faces.

11. The connector set forth in claim 10 wherein the tab further includes first and second opposing sides that extend between the first and second opposing faces and wherein the one or more weld locations include at least one location on each of the first and second opposing sides.

12. A method of making a plug connector comprising:

forming a body, the body having a first face and a tab extending from the first face of the body to a distal end of the plug connector;

disposing a plurality of contacts in the tab, the tab configured to be received in a receptacle;

forming an inner enclosure that at least partially surrounds the body;

bonding the inner enclosure to at least a portion of the tab;

wherein the plug connector is designed to break at the bond when torque is applied to the plug connector.

13. The method set forth in claim 12, wherein the perimeter of the body is less than or equal to 30 mm.

14. The method set forth in claim 12, wherein the inner enclosure comprises a first portion and a second portion.

15. The method set forth in claim 12, further comprising:

forming an outer enclosure disposed at least partially around the inner enclosure.

16. The method set forth in claim 12, wherein the bond is designed to break at a force that is less than a force required to break the tab.

17. The method set forth in claim 12, wherein the bond is designed to break at a force that is less than a force required to break the receptacle.

18. The method set forth in claim 12, wherein the plug connector is mounted in an accessory.