Spring connector for electronic devices

• US 9,768,553 B2
• Filed: 12/21/2015
• Issued: 09/19/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Sung, Gavin, Ku, Jeff, Lin, Lance, Liu, Tim, Jiang, Jason Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leigh, Peter G
• Application Number:
  US14/976,170
• Publication Number:
  US 20170179645A1
• Time in Patent Office: 638 Days
• Field of Search: 439374, 439378
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1613 for portable computers cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2442 with a single cantilevered beam
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery

Abstract

In one example an electronic device comprises at least one electronic component, a chassis comprising a first section, a connector to connect the first section of the chassis to a second section, the connector comprising a housing defining a first shaft, a retention structure disposed in the shaft, and a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within a corresponding plurality of channels in the retention structure. Other examples may be described.

Claims

1. A chassis for an electronic device, comprising:

a first section;

a connection assembly having a curved surface adapted to mate with a surface of the first section and a lower surface adjacent the curved surface; and

a connector positioned on the lower surface of the connection assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to a second section, the connector comprising;

a housing defining a first opening;

a retention structure disposed in the opening and comprising at least one protection structure extending from a first surface of the retention structure; and

a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within a corresponding plurality of channels in the retention structure,

wherein the retention structure comprises a curved surface adapted to mate with a guide structure on a receptacle disposed on the second section, such that when the first section is rotated about the curved surface the at least one protection structure inhibits contact between the plurality of electrical contacts in the retention structure and one or more electrical contacts on the first section until the at least one protection structure slides into a guide structure on the first surface, thereby allowing the plurality of electrical contacts in the retention structure to make electrical contact with the one or more electrical contacts on the first section.

2. The chassis of claim 1, wherein:

the opening is substantially rectangular in cross section.

3. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the protection structure extends above the plurality of electrical contacts.

4. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the retention structure is moveable in the opening between a first position in which the protection structure extends from the housing and a second position in which the protection structure is disposed at least partially within the housing.

5. The chassis of claim 4, wherein the electrical contacts comprise:

a foot section which is buttressed against the housing at the bottom of a channel; and

a first lip and a second lip which contact the retention structure such that the electrical contacts provide a reactive force when the spring is compressed or when the retention structure is pushed into the opening.

6. The chassis of claim 1, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts comprise a spring mechanism.

7. The chassis of claim 5, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are independently moveable within their respective channels.

8. An electronic device, comprising:

at least one electronic component;

a chassis comprising a first section; and

a connection assembly having a curved surface adapted to mate with a surface of the first section and a lower surface adjacent the curved surface; and

a connector positioned on the lower surface of the connection assembly to connect the first section of the chassis to a second section, the connector comprising;

a housing defining a first opening;

a retention structure disposed in the opening and comprising at least one protection structure extending from a first surface of the retention structure; and

a plurality of electrical contacts positioned within a corresponding plurality of channels in the retention structure,

wherein the retention structure comprises a curved surface adapted to mate with a guide structure on a receptacle disposed on the second section, such that when the first section is rotated about the curved surface the at least one protection structure inhibits contact between the plurality of electrical contacts in the retention structure and one or more electrical contacts on the first section until the at least one protection structure slides into a guide structure on the first surface, thereby allowing the plurality of electrical contacts in the retention structure to make electrical contact with the one or more electrical contacts on the first section.

9. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein:

the opening is substantially rectangular in cross section.

10. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the protection structure extends above the plurality of electrical contacts.

11. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the retention structure is moveable in the opening between a first position in which the protection structure extends from the housing and a second position in which the protection structure is disposed at least partially within the housing.

12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein the electrical contacts comprise:

a foot section which is buttressed against the housing at the bottom of a channel; and

a first lip and a second lip which contact the retention structure such that the electrical contacts provide a reactive force when the spring is compressed or when the retention structure is pushed into the opening.

13. The electronic device of claim 8, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts comprise a spring mechanism.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of electrical contacts are independently moveable within their respective channels.