U.S. patent application number 14/312553 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-12 for electronic connector.
The applicant listed for this patent is Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. Invention is credited to Duane Martin Evans, Ivan Andrew McCracken, Brett Tomky.
Application Number | 20150325952 14/312553 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52986906 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150325952 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCracken; Ivan Andrew ; et
al. |
November 12, 2015 |
ELECTRONIC CONNECTOR
Abstract
An electronic connector includes a base, a tapered extension
protruding from the base, and a nose forming a terminal end of the
tapered extension. The tapered extension includes first and second
connection faces tapering toward each other from the base to the
nose symmetrically about a first symmetry plane. The tapered
extension further includes first and second flank surfaces that
form respective opposing sides of the tapered extension between the
first and second connection faces. The first and second flank
surfaces may taper toward each other from the base to the nose
symmetrically about a second symmetry plane. The tapered extension
further includes power and ground electrical contacts located along
the first and second connection faces.
Inventors: |
McCracken; Ivan Andrew;
(Sammamish, WA) ; Evans; Duane Martin; (Snohomish,
WA) ; Tomky; Brett; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
52986906 |
Appl. No.: |
14/312553 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14272361 |
May 7, 2014 |
9017092 |
|
|
14312553 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/108 ;
439/660 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/648 20130101;
H01R 13/652 20130101; H01R 13/6471 20130101; H01R 12/91 20130101;
H01R 13/629 20130101; H01R 13/6205 20130101; H01R 2107/00 20130101;
H01R 13/6315 20130101; H01R 13/26 20130101; H01R 24/60 20130101;
H02J 7/0042 20130101; H01R 13/62 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/648 20060101
H01R013/648 |
Claims
1. An electronic connector, comprising: a base; a tapered extension
protruding from the base, the tapered extension including: a nose
forming a terminal end of the tapered extension, a first connection
face, a second connection face, the first connection face and the
second connection face tapering toward each other from the base to
the nose symmetrically about a first symmetry plane, a first flank
surface, and a second flank surface, the first flank surface and
the second flank surface forming respective opposing sides of the
tapered extension between the first connection face and the second
connection face, and tapering toward each other from the base to
the nose symmetrically about a second symmetry plane that is
orthogonal to the first symmetry plane; a first power electrical
contact and a first ground electrical contact located along the
first connection face proximate to the first flank surface; a
second power electrical contact and a second ground electrical
contact located along the first connection face proximate to the
second flank surface; a third power electrical contact and a third
ground electrical contact located along the second connection face
proximate to the first flank surface; and a fourth power electrical
contact and a fourth ground electrical contact located along the
second connection face proximate to the second flank surface.
2. The electronic connector of claim 1, wherein the first
connection face includes a first recessed portion between the first
ground electrical contact and the second ground electrical contact,
and wherein the second connection face includes a second recessed
portion between the third ground electrical contact and the fourth
ground electrical contact.
3. The electronic connector of claim 1, wherein the first
connection face extends uninterrupted in a continuous plane between
the first ground electrical contact and the second ground
electrical contact, and wherein the second connection face extends
uninterrupted in a continuous plane between the third ground
electrical contact and the fourth ground electrical contact.
4. The electronic connector of claim 1, further comprising a first
subset of electrical contacts located along the first connection
face between the first ground electrical contact and the second
ground electrical contact, and a second subset of electrical
contacts located along the second connection face between the third
ground electrical contact and the fourth ground electrical
contact.
5. The electronic connector of claim 1, further comprising an
electrical ground conductor body contained at least partially
within the tapered extension, and electrically connected to the
first ground electrical contact, the second ground electrical
contact, the third ground electrical contact, and the fourth ground
electrical contact.
6. The electronic connector of claim 5, wherein the electrical
ground conductor body incudes a flat conductive plate portion that
is parallel to and near the first symmetry plane.
7. The electronic connector of claim 5, further comprising a first
subset of one or more ground electrical contacts electrically
connected to the electrical ground conductor body and located along
the first connection face between the first ground electrical
contact and the second ground electrical contact; and a second
subset of one or more ground electrical contacts electrically
connected to the electrical ground conductor body and located along
the second connection face between the third ground electrical
contact and the fourth ground electrical contact.
8. A docking station, comprising: a docking base; a tapered
extension protruding from the docking base, the tapered extension
including: a nose forming a terminal end of the tapered extension,
a first connection face, a second connection face, the first
connection face and the second connection face tapering toward each
other from the base to the nose symmetrically about a first
symmetry plane, a first flank surface, and a second flank surface,
the first flank surface and the second flank surface forming
respective opposing sides of the tapered extension between the
first connection face and the second connection face, and tapering
toward each other from the base to the nose symmetrically about a
second symmetry plane that is orthogonal to the first symmetry
plane; a first power electrical contact and a first ground
electrical contact located along the first connection face
proximate to the first flank surface; a second power electrical
contact and a second ground electrical contact located along the
first connection face proximate to the second flank surface; a
third power electrical contact and a third ground electrical
contact located along the second connection face proximate to the
first flank surface; and a fourth power electrical contact and a
fourth ground electrical contact located along the second
connection face proximate to the second flank surface.
9. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the first connection
face includes a first recessed portion between the first ground
electrical contact and the second ground electrical contact, and
wherein the second connection face includes a second recessed
portion between the third ground electrical contact and the fourth
ground electrical contact.
10. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the first connection
face extends uninterrupted in a continuous plane between the first
ground electrical contact and the second ground electrical contact,
and wherein the second connection face extends uninterrupted in a
continuous plane between the third ground electrical contact and
the fourth ground electrical contact.
11. The docking station of claim 8, further comprising a first
subset of electrical contacts located along the first connection
face between the first ground electrical contact and the second
ground electrical contact, and a second subset of electrical
contacts located along the second connection face between the third
ground electrical contact and the fourth ground electrical
contact.
12. The docking station of claim 8, further comprising an
electrical ground conductor body contained at least partially
within the tapered extension, and electrically connected to the
first ground electrical contact, the second ground electrical
contact, the third ground electrical contact, and the fourth ground
electrical contact.
13. The docking station of claim 12, wherein the electrical ground
conductor body incudes a flat conductive plate portion that is
parallel to and near the first symmetry plane.
14. The docking station of claim 12, further comprising a first
subset of one or more ground electrical contacts electrically
connected to the electrical ground conductor body and located along
the first connection face between the first ground electrical
contact and the second ground electrical contact; and a second
subset of one or more ground electrical contacts electrically
connected to the electrical ground conductor body and located along
the second connection face between the third ground electrical
contact and the fourth ground electrical contact.
15. An electronic accessory device, comprising: a base; a tapered
extension protruding from the base, the tapered extension
including: a nose forming a terminal end of the tapered extension,
a first connection face, a second connection face, the first
connection face and the second connection face tapering toward each
other from the base to the nose symmetrically about a first
symmetry plane, a first flank surface, and a second flank surface,
the first flank surface and the second flank surface forming
respective opposing sides of the tapered extension between the
first connection face and the second connection face, and tapering
toward each other from the base to the nose symmetrically about a
second symmetry plane that is orthogonal to the first symmetry
plane; a first power electrical contact and a first ground
electrical contact located along the first connection face
proximate to the first flank surface; a second power electrical
contact and a second ground electrical contact located along the
first connection face proximate to the second flank surface; a
third power electrical contact and a third ground electrical
contact located along the second connection face proximate to the
first flank surface; and a fourth power electrical contact and a
fourth ground electrical contact located along the second
connection face proximate to the second flank surface.
16. The electronic accessory device of claim 15, wherein the first
connection face includes a first recessed portion between the first
ground electrical contact and the second ground electrical contact,
and wherein the second connection face includes a second recessed
portion between the third ground electrical contact and the fourth
ground electrical contact.
17. The electronic accessory device of claim 15, wherein the first
connection face extends uninterrupted in a continuous plane between
the first ground electrical contact and the second ground
electrical contact, and wherein the second connection face extends
uninterrupted in a continuous plane between the third ground
electrical contact and the fourth ground electrical contact.
18. The electronic accessory device of claim 15, further comprising
a first subset of electrical contacts located along the first
connection face between the first ground electrical contact and the
second ground electrical contact, and a second subset of electrical
contacts located along the second connection face between the third
ground electrical contact and the fourth ground electrical
contact.
19. The electronic accessory device of claim 15, further comprising
an electrical ground conductor body contained at least partially
within the tapered extension, and electrically connected to the
first ground electrical contact, the second ground electrical
contact, the third ground electrical contact, and the fourth ground
electrical contact.
20. The electronic accessory device of claim 19, wherein the
electrical ground conductor body incudes a flat conductive plate
portion that is parallel to and near the first symmetry plane.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/272,361, filed on May 7, 2014, and titled
"ELECTRONIC CONNECTOR," the entire disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic devices often include hardware interfaces in the
form of electronic connectors for exchanging electrical power, a
ground reference, and/or communication signals with external
systems.
SUMMARY
[0003] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify
key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed
subject matter. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not
limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages
noted in any part of this disclosure.
[0004] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a male
electronic connector includes a base and a tapered extension
protruding from the base. The tapered extension includes a nose
that forms a terminal end of the tapered extension. A first
connection face and a second connection face of the tapered
extension taper toward each other from the base to the nose
symmetrically about a first symmetry plane.
[0005] The tapered extension further includes a first flank surface
and a second flank surface that form respective opposing sides of
the tapered extension between the first connection face and the
second connection face. The first flank surface and the second
flank surface may also taper toward each other from the base to the
nose symmetrically about a second symmetry plane that is orthogonal
to the first symmetry plane.
[0006] The tapered extension further includes power and ground
electrical contacts located along the first and second connection
faces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 depicts an example male electronic connector having a
first configuration.
[0008] FIG. 2 depicts the example electronic connector of FIG. 1 as
viewed along the X-coordinate axis.
[0009] FIG. 3 depicts the example electronic connector of FIG. 1 as
viewed along the Z-coordinate axis.
[0010] FIG. 4 depicts the example electronic connector of FIG. 1 as
viewed along the Y-coordinate axis.
[0011] FIG. 5 depicts another example male electronic connector
having a second configuration.
[0012] FIG. 6 depicts the example electronic connector of FIG. 5 as
viewed along the X-coordinate axis.
[0013] FIG. 7 depicts the example electronic connector of FIG. 5 as
viewed along the Z-coordinate axis.
[0014] FIG. 8 depicts the example electronic connector of FIG. 5 as
viewed along the Y-coordinate axis.
[0015] FIG. 9 depicts an example female electronic connector having
a third configuration compatible with both the male electronic
connector of FIGS. 1-4 and the male electronic connector of FIGS.
5-8.
[0016] FIG. 10 depicts a cutaway view of the example electronic
connector of FIG. 9.
[0017] FIG. 11 depicts an electronic connector pair interfacing
with each other to form one or more electrical connections.
[0018] FIG. 12 depicts another example electronic connector pair
having inclined connection surfaces.
[0019] FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C are tables depicting example pin-out
configurations for three different electronic connectors.
[0020] FIG. 14 depicts an example male electronic connector with an
electrically conductive fang.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Paired electronic connectors may include a male electronic
connector having a tapered extension that projects outward along a
connection axis, and a corresponding female electronic connector
having a receptacle that accommodates the tapered extension. The
tapered extension may be self-aligning within the receptacle,
thereby providing an improved user experience for establishing an
electrical connection between the paired electronic connectors.
Tapered connection faces of the tapered extension may also serve to
reduce connector depth along the connection axis for a given type
of connection as compared to parallel connection faces, thereby
reducing the size of the connector form factor.
[0022] Magnetically attractable elements optionally may be
incorporated into the paired electronic connectors to further
assist with the alignment and connection of male and female
electronic connectors.
[0023] When a taper is employed, the nose of the male electronic
connector is smaller than an opening of the female electronic
connector. This size difference creates a relatively large
attachment tolerance that can make it easier to insert the male
electronic connector into the female electronic connector.
Furthermore, the magnetically attractable elements help the
connection come together with very little effort. The taper and the
magnetic nature of the connection can provide a sensation of the
male and female electronic connectors flying together.
[0024] The paired electronic connectors and associated electronic
control circuitry may support two or more connection orientations,
which may further improve user experience for establishing an
electrical connection because the user may insert the male
connector in a variety of orientations without stopping to consider
which orientation is correct.
[0025] An electronic connector optionally includes an electrical
ground conductor body located within the electronic connector. The
electrical ground conductor body is electrically connected to two
or more electrical ground contacts of the electrical connector. For
example, the electrical ground conductor body may be electrically
connected to a plurality of electrical ground contacts distributed
among other non-ground contacts of the electronic connector. The
electrical ground conductor body may serve to reduce impedance
discontinuities across plural ground contacts, and/or improve
signal integrity, enabling higher data transfer rates. The
electronic ground conductor body may be used in combination with a
male electronic connector having a tapered extension and/or a
female electronic connector that accommodates a tapered extension
of a male electronic connector. The ground conductor body may be
positioned on a plane of symmetry between opposing connection
faces.
[0026] A female electronic connector may accommodate and interface
with a range of differently configured male electronic connectors.
As one example, a female electronic connector accommodates and
interfaces with each of a first male electronic connector that
exchanges electrical power with the female electronic connector,
and a second male electronic connector that exchanges electrical
power and one or more additional or different signal paths with the
female electronic connector as compared to the first male
electronic connector. Alternatively or additionally, the first male
electronic connector and the second male electronic connector may
have different shapes and/or sizes relative to each other.
[0027] FIGS. 1-4 depict an example electronic connector 100 having
a first configuration. Electronic connector 100 includes a base 110
and a tapered extension 112 that protrudes from base 110 along a
connection axis 102. Tapered extension 112 includes a nose 114 that
forms a terminal end of tapered extension 112. Electronic connector
100 may include or interface with a connector cable 116 that
includes one or more electrically conductive wires for transmitting
electrical power, ground, and/or electrical signals to and/or from
a set of electrical contacts 118.
[0028] Electronic connector 100 may take the form of a male
electronic connector that is configured, for example, to interface
with a corresponding female electronic connector to form one or
more electrical connections across the set of electrical contacts
118. As one example, electronic connector 100 may be mated to or
unmated from another corresponding electronic connector (e.g.,
female electronic connector 900 of FIG. 9) along connection axis
102.
[0029] In FIG. 1, for example, connection axis 102 includes an
arrow that represents a direction along connection axis 102 that
electronic connector 100 may be connected to another corresponding
electronic connector. Electronic connector 100 may be disconnected
by withdrawing electronic connector 100 relative to the other
electronic connector along connection axis 102 in a direction that
opposes the arrow depicted in FIG. 1. Connection axis 102 is
parallel to or may be collinear with the Z-coordinate axis of the
three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system depicted in FIG.
1.
[0030] FIG. 2 depicts the example electronic connector 100 of FIG.
1 as viewed along the X-coordinate axis. Tapered extension 112
includes a first connection face 210 and a second connection face
220 that are inclined relative to each other. For example, first
connection face 210 and second connection face 220 may taper toward
each other from base 110 to nose 114. In at least some
configurations, first connection face 210 and second connection
face 220 taper toward each other symmetrically about a first
symmetry plane 230 that is parallel to or co-planar with an
XZ-coordinate plane. Within FIG. 2, connection axis 102 is parallel
to and contained within first symmetry plane 230.
[0031] FIG. 2 depicts first connection face 210 having a first
taper angle 212 measured relative to connection axis 102. FIG. 2
further depicts second connection face 220 including a second taper
angle 222 measured relative to connection axis 102. For
configurations in which first and second connection faces taper
toward each other symmetrically, a magnitude of each taper angle
relative to a particular reference may be identical for both
connection faces. Therefore, a magnitude of first taper angle 212
is equal to a magnitude of second taper angle 222 in the example
depicted in FIG. 2.
[0032] As an example, first taper angle 212 and second taper angle
222 each have a magnitude of 4 degrees. As another example first
taper angle 212 and second taper angle 222 may have a magnitude
that is selected from the range 3 degrees-5 degrees. In yet another
example, first taper angle 212 and second taper angle 222 may have
a magnitude that is selected from the range 1 degree-10 degrees. In
still further examples, first taper angle 212 and second taper
angle 222 may have a magnitude that is selected from the range
>0 degrees-45 degrees. In at least some use-scenarios, a smaller
taper angle relative to the connection axis may advantageously
provide greater connection depth and/or connector retention by a
female connector, while a larger taper angle relative to the
connection axis may advantageously reduce connector depth and/or
assist in connector mating with a female connector. A lesser taper
angle may also allow for a relatively smaller opening in the Y
dimension of a corresponding female connector, thus increasing
options for small device size and/or female connector
placement.
[0033] A tapered extension may include first and second connection
faces having other suitable taper angles. In other configurations,
for example, first and second connection faces may be inclined
relative to each other, but may have taper angles of different
magnitudes relative to a common reference (i.e., asymmetrical
tapers). In asymmetrical configurations, a first connection face
may be inclined at a greater angle than a second connection
face.
[0034] FIG. 2 further depicts an edge profile of nose 114 in
further detail. In at least some configurations, an edge profile of
nose 114 if viewed along the X-coordinate axis may take the form of
a semi-circle that interfaces with first connection face 210 and
second connection face 220. A semi-circle of the nose may have a
constant radius or may take other suitable forms. The nose may
alternatively have a curved but non-circular edge profile, a
polygonal edge profile, a pointed edge profile or triangular
terminal end, or any other edge profile.
[0035] FIG. 3 depicts the example electronic connector 100 of FIG.
1 as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis. In the depicted
configuration, first connection surface 210 and second connection
surface 220 are each symmetric about a second symmetry plane 360.
In this example, second symmetry plane 360 bisects first connection
surface 210 and second connection surface 220. In other
configurations, first connection surface 210 and/or second
connection surface 220 may be asymmetric about second symmetry
plane 360.
[0036] FIG. 3 further depicts a configuration in which the set of
electrical contacts 118 of electronic connector 100 is divided into
a first subset of electrical contacts 352 located along first
connection face 210, and a second subset of electrical contacts 354
located along second connection face 220. The arrangement of
electrical contacts depicted in FIG. 3 is an example of an
electrical contact configuration for an electronic connector. Other
suitable electrical contact configurations may be used.
[0037] The first and second subsets of electrical contacts may
include any suitable quantity of electrical contacts. As one
example, each connection face may include six or less, eight, ten,
twelve, fourteen, sixteen, eighteen, twenty, or even greater
quantities of electrical contacts. Symmetrical configurations will
generally include an even number of electrical contacts, although
symmetrical configurations may include an odd number of electrical
contacts with a centered ground contact. Asymmetrical even and odd
number configurations are within the scope of this disclosure and
may provide a mechanism for detecting male connector
orientation.
[0038] In at least some configurations, the first and second
subsets of electrical contacts may each have the same quantity of
electrical contacts. FIG. 3 depicts an example in which the first
subset of electrical contacts 352 includes twenty electrical
contacts indicated by reference numerals 321-340 (ordered
sequentially from left to right), and the second subset of
electrical contacts 354 also includes twenty electrical contacts
indicated by reference numerals 301-320 (ordered sequentially from
right to left). In another configuration, a first set of electrical
contacts may include six electrical contacts and a second set of
electrical contacts may also include six electrical contacts, as
depicted in FIGS. 5-8, for example.
[0039] In other configurations, first and second subsets of
electrical contacts may have different quantities of electrical
contacts relative to each other. As one example, a first subset of
electrical contacts located along a first connection face may
include two or more electrical contacts, and a second subset of
electrical contacts located along a second connection face may
include fewer electrical contacts than the first subset of
electrical contacts. In at least some configurations, the second
subset of electrical contacts may be omitted, for example, so that
zero electrical contacts are located along second connection face
220.
[0040] In at least some configurations, outward facing surfaces of
the first subset of electrical contacts 352 may be flush with first
connection face 210, and outward facing surfaces of the second
subset of electrical contacts 354 may be flush with second
connection face 220. Flush connection faces may provide smooth
insertion of the electronic connector into a receptacle of another
electronic connector or withdrawal of the electronic connector from
the receptacle. Flush connection faces may also improve connector
cleanliness and facilitate connector cleaning. Such cleaning may be
manual or due to, for example, friction during insertion and
withdrawal. In other configurations, outward facing surfaces of
electrical contacts may be recessed or protrude relative to the
first and second connection faces.
[0041] Electrical contacts may have any suitable shape and/or size.
In the example depicted in FIGS. 1-4, externally facing connection
surfaces of the electrical contacts have a flat rectangular shape.
However, an externally facing connection surface of an electrical
contact may have other suitable shapes, including circles, ovals,
multi-sided two-dimensional shapes, multi-sided three-dimensional
shapes, etc. The electrical contacts depicted in FIGS. 1-4 are of
similar shape and size in relation to each other. In other
configurations, electrical contacts of an electronic connector may
have different shapes and/or sizes in relation to each other.
[0042] In at least some configurations, the first subset of
electrical contacts 352 may be evenly spaced apart from each other
along the first connection face 210 as measured along the
X-coordinate axis. The second subset of electrical contacts 354 may
also be evenly spaced apart from each other along second connection
face 220 as measured along the X-coordinate axis. In a further
example, two middle electrical contacts along a connection face may
be equally spaced from second symmetry plane 360, the outer
electrically contacts along the connection face may be equally
spaced from second symmetry plane 360, and other intermediate
electrical contacts along the connection face may be paired with a
symmetric electrical contact located on an opposite side of second
symmetry plane 360 that is equally spaced from second symmetry
plane 360. In other configurations, electrical contacts may not be
evenly spaced apart from each other along first and/or second
connection faces to provide any number of symmetric or asymmetric
contact configurations.
[0043] In at least some configurations, the first subset of
electrical contacts 352 are arranged symmetrically along first
connection face 210 about second symmetry plane 360. In the example
depicted in FIG. 3, second symmetry plane 360 is orthogonal to
first symmetry plane 230, and additionally contains connection axis
102 and is parallel to or coplanar with the YZ-coordinate plane. In
the example depicted in FIG. 3, ten electrical contacts (or half of
electrical contacts 352) are located along first connection face
210 on one side of second symmetry plane 360, and another ten
electrical contacts (or half of electrical contacts 352) are
located along first connection face 210 on an opposite side of
second symmetry plane 360. In other configurations, a different
quantity of electrical contacts may be located along first
connection face 210 on either side of symmetry plane 360 in a
symmetric or asymmetric arrangement.
[0044] The second subset of electrical contacts 354 may also be
arranged symmetrically along second connection face 220 about
second symmetry plane 360. In the example depicted in FIG. 3, ten
electrical contacts (or half of electrical contacts 354) are
located along second connection face 220 on one side of second
symmetry plane 360, and another ten electrical contacts (or half of
electrical contacts 354) are located along second connection face
220 on an opposite side of second symmetry plane 360. In other
configurations, a different quantity of electrical contacts may be
located along second connection face 220 on either side of symmetry
plane 360 in a symmetric or asymmetric arrangement.
[0045] In at least some configurations, the first subset of
electrical contacts 352 and the second subset of electrical
contacts 354 may be arranged symmetrically about first symmetry
plane 230. For example, FIG. 3 depicts each electrical contact of
the first subset of electrical contacts 352 being aligned with a
corresponding electrical contact of the second subset of electrical
contacts 354 along the X-coordinate axis. For example, electrical
contact 301 is aligned with electrical contact 340, and electrical
contact 320 is aligned with electrical contact 321 in this
arrangement. In other configurations, the first subset of
electrical contacts 352 and the second subset of electrical
contacts 354 may be arranged asymmetrically about first symmetry
plane 230, such that one or more of electrical contacts 352 are not
aligned with one or more electrical contacts 354 along the
X-coordinate axis. In some asymmetrical configurations, one of the
connection faces may not include any electrical contacts.
[0046] FIG. 4 depicts the example electronic connector 100 of FIG.
1 as viewed along the Y-coordinate axis. FIG. 4 further depicts an
example in which the electrical contacts are aligned with one
another between flank surfaces. For example, first subset of
electrical contacts 352 has a straight-line alignment along first
connection face 210 that is parallel to the terminal end of the
tapered extension formed by nose 114. In this example, the first
subset of electrical contacts 352 is aligned along a straight line
that is parallel to the X-coordinate axis. The second subset of
electrical contacts 354 may similarly have a straight-line
alignment along second connection face 220 that is parallel to the
terminal end of the tapered extension. In other configurations,
electrical contacts may have other suitable alignments along a
connection face, such as, for example, convex, concave, or
staggered alignments relative to the terminal end of the tapered
extension.
[0047] In at least some configurations, each electrical contact of
the set of electrical contacts 118 may be offset by the same
distance 410 from the terminal end of the tapered extension formed
by nose 114. In other configurations, electrical contacts located
along a connection face may be offset by different distances
relative to each other from the terminal end of the tapered
extension and/or electrical contacts located on different
connection faces may be offset by different distances relative to
each other from the terminal end of the tapered extension. This may
be advantageous in making a ground or power contact ahead of a
signal contact, for example, in order to help limit arcing and/or
electrostatic discharge events during attach and/or detach.
[0048] FIG. 4 further depicts tapered extension 112 including a
first flank surface 420 and a second flank surface 430. First flank
surface 420 and second flank surface 430 form respective opposing
sides of tapered extension 112 between first connection face 210
and second connection face 220. As one example, first flank surface
420 and second flank surface 430 have curved outward facing edge
profiles as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis of FIG. 3, and have
straight or flat outward facing edge profiles as viewed along the
Y-coordinate axis of FIG. 4. In other configurations, flank
surfaces may have curved and/or multi-faced edge profiles as viewed
along the Y-coordinate axis, straight or multi-faced edge profiles
as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis, and/or different edge
profiles relative to each other.
[0049] FIG. 4 depicts first flank surface 420 and second flank
surface 430 tapering toward each other from base 110 to nose 114.
In one example, first flank surface 420 and second flank surface
430 taper toward each other symmetrically about second symmetry
plane 360. For example, FIG. 4 depicts outward facing edge profiles
of first flank surface 420 and second flank surface 430. In a
symmetric configuration, a magnitude of a taper angle 422 of first
flank surface 420 is equal to a magnitude of a taper angle 432 of
second flank surface 430. In FIG. 4, taper angles 422 and 432 are
measured relative to the outward facing edge profiles of the
respective flank surfaces and to respective reference axes that are
parallel to both the connection axis 102 and the Z-coordinate axis.
Flank surface taper angle(s) may be the same as, greater than, or
less than connection surface taper angle(s).
[0050] As a non-limiting example, taper angles 422 and 432 have a
magnitude of 6 degrees. As another example, taper angles 422 and
432 have a magnitude of 10 degrees. In yet another example, taper
angles 422 and 432 have a magnitude that is selected from the range
6 degrees-10 degrees. In further examples, taper angles 422 and 432
have a magnitude that is selected from the range >0 -45 degrees.
In other configurations, taper angle 422 may be greater than or
less than taper angle 432. In still other configurations, one or
both of taper angles 422 and 432 may be zero degrees or parallel to
each other and connection axis 102. In this configuration, flank
surfaces are not inclined relative to each other, and provide
parallel side walls of the tapered extension. In one alternative,
the parallel side walls may have a non-zero angle with respect to
connection axis 102 to provide increased mechanical retention
between the male and female connectors. In at least some
use-scenarios, a smaller taper angle relative to the connection
axis may advantageously provide greater connection depth and/or
connector retention by a female connector, while a larger taper
angle relative to the connection axis may advantageously reduce
connector size and/or assist in connector mating with a female
connector. A lesser taper angle may also allow for a relatively
smaller opening in the X dimension of a corresponding female
connector, thus increasing options for small device size and/or
female connector placement.
[0051] Flank surfaces may be symmetric or asymmetric about first
symmetry plane 230. Flank surfaces 420 and 430 are each symmetric
about first symmetry plane 230 in the depicted configuration. In
this example, first symmetry plane 230 bisects first flank surface
420 and second flank surface 430.
[0052] Connection faces 210 and 220, flank surfaces 420 and 430,
and nose 114 may collectively form a shell or frame of electronic
connector 100. In at least some configurations, this shell or frame
may take the form of a single integrated component formed from a
common material or combination of materials. As an example, this
shell or frame may be formed from a polymer. However, other
suitable materials may be used.
[0053] First connection face 210 and second connection face 220 may
define openings or windows within the shell or frame that are
occupied by electrical contacts 118. For example, first connection
face 210 may define a first subset of openings or windows in the
shell or frame that are occupied by the first subset of electrical
contacts 352, and second connection face 220 may define a second
subset of openings or windows in the shell or frame that are
occupied by the second subset of electrical contacts 354.
[0054] Base 110 may also form part of the shell or frame of
electronic connector 100 in some configurations, and may be
combined with connection faces 210 and 220, flank surfaces 420 and
430, and nose 114 into a single integrated component formed from a
common material or combination of materials. In other
configurations, base 110 may form a separate component from tapered
extension 112, and may be formed from the same or different
material than tapered extension 112.
[0055] Electrical contacts may be formed from any suitable
electrically conductive material or combination of materials.
Examples of electrically conductive materials include metals, such
as gold, copper, silver, and aluminum. However, electrical contacts
may be formed from other suitable electrically conductive materials
or combinations of materials. Within the context of electronic
connector 100, for example, electrical contacts may be formed from
a material or combination of materials that serve as a better
electrical conductor than a material or combination of materials
that form first connection face 210 and second connection face 220
of tapered extension 112. First connection face 210 and second
connection face 220 may be formed from any suitable material or
combination of materials (e.g., a polymer) that serve as an
electrical insulator between individual electrical contacts.
[0056] An electronic connector, such as example electronic
connector 100, may be constructed using a variety of manufacturing
techniques including, as non-limiting examples: plastic injection
molding, inset molding, and overmolding for tapered extension and
base components of the electronic connector; and metal blanking,
forming, and stamping for electrical contacts, the electrical
ground conductor body, and other conductive components. Manual
and/or automated assembly processes may be used to combine
connector components. As one example, the electrical ground
conductor body may be constructed from sheet metal along with two
subsets of inset-molded electrical contacts (e.g., subsets of
electrical contacts 352 and 354) may be overmolded with plastic or
may be inserted into a separate molded part (e.g., MIM), and then
overmolded with plastic to create continuous smooth outer surfaces
of the tapered extension. The back end of the contacts then may be
soldered to a paddle card (e.g., PCB) or wired directly to cable
wires. The base of the electronic connector and paddle card then
may be overmolded with plastic.
[0057] In at least some configurations, electronic connector 100
further includes one or more magnetically attractable elements. As
one example, FIGS. 3 and 4 depict electronic connector 100
including a first magnetically attractable element 372 and a second
magnetically attractable element 374 included on or within base
110. These magnetically attractable elements may be aligned with
and correspond to magnetically attractable elements included on or
within a corresponding electronic connector with which electronic
connector 100 is configured to form an electrical connection (e.g.,
female electronic connector 900 of FIG. 9).
[0058] A magnetically attractable element may include a permanent
magnet, an electromagnet, and/or a material that is attracted by
another magnet. A non-limiting example of a permanent magnet
includes rare earth magnets. However, other suitable permanent
magnets may be used. Examples of materials that are attracted by
magnets include at least some forms of steel, iron, nickel, cobalt,
and certain rare earth metals.
[0059] While electronic connector 100 is depicted as including two
magnetically attractable elements, an electronic connector, such as
example electronic connector 100 may include any suitable quantity
of magnetically attractable elements, including one, two, three,
four, or more magnetically attractable elements. When two or more
magnetically attractable elements are included, individual
magnetically attractable elements may be located on both sides of
the second symmetry plane 360.
[0060] First magnetically attractable element 372 and second
magnetically attractable element 374 are configured to cooperate
with one or more corresponding magnetically attractable elements of
a paired electronic connector to magnetically hold electronic
connector 100 in place while interfacing with that paired
electronic connector. FIG. 11 depicts an example of two paired
electronic connectors having corresponding magnetically attractable
elements. In at least some configurations, an individual
magnetically attractable element of an electronic connector may be
configured to cooperate at the same time with two or more
magnetically attractable elements of a paired electronic connector.
For example, first magnetically attractable element 372 and second
magnetically attractable element 374 simultaneously may be
attracted to and retained by a common magnetically attractable
element of a paired electronic connector.
[0061] In one example, first magnetically attractable element 372
and second magnetically attractable element 374 may be located
within base 110. In this example, first magnetically attractable
element 372 and second magnetically attractable element 374 may be
hidden behind connection surface 380 of base 110. In another
example, first magnetically attractable element 372 and second
magnetically attractable element 374 may be included on base 110
where they may be exposed to one or more magnetically attractable
elements of a corresponding electronic connector. In this example,
outward facing surfaces of first magnetically attractable element
372 and second magnetically attractable element 374 may be flush
with a connection surface 380 of base 110, may be recessed relative
to connection surface 380, or may protrude relative to connection
surface 380.
[0062] One or more magnetically attractable elements may
alternatively or additionally be included on or within tapered
extension 112. In one example, one or more magnetically attractable
elements may be included on or within nose 114 of tapered extension
112, including configurations in which outward facing surfaces of
the magnetically attractable elements are flush with a connection
surface of the nose, recessed relative to the connection surface of
the nose, protrude relative to the connection surface of the nose,
or are hidden behind the connection surface of the nose.
[0063] A permanent magnet or electromagnet forming a magnetically
attractable element of an electronic connector may have a polarity
that corresponds to or is paired with an inverse polarity or an
attractable polarity of another magnet of a paired electronic
connector. Magnetic polarity may be used, in at least some
implementations, to enforce a particular connection orientation or
preclude an incorrect connection orientation between paired
electronic connectors.
[0064] As one example, first magnetically attractable element 372
may have a first polarity and second magnetically attractable
element 374 may have a second polarity that differs from the first
polarity. In this example, a paired electronic connector may
include a corresponding magnetically attractable element having a
polarity that is attracted to the first polarity of first
magnetically attractable element 372 and another magnetically
attractable element having a polarity that is repelled by first
magnetically attractable element 372. Continuing with this example,
the second polarity of second magnetically attractable element 374
may be attracted to the magnetically attractable element of the
paired electronic connector that was repelled by the first
magnetically attractable element 372. However, for implementations
in which paired electronic connectors include two or more
connection orientations (e.g., reversible connectors), first
magnetically attractable element 372 and second magnetically
attractable element 374 may have the same or similar polarity. In
such case, the paired electronic connector may have one or more
corresponding magnetically attractable elements that are each
attracted to first magnetically attractable element 372 and second
magnetically attractable element 374 of electronic connector
100.
[0065] As another example, a magnetically attractable element may
include a spatially varying polarity (e.g., bipolar) across an
outward facing surface or connection face of that magnetically
attractable element. For example, magnetically attractable element
372 may include a first polarity along a first portion of
connection surface 380 and a second polarity that differs from the
first polarity along a second portion of connection surface 380.
Magnetically attractable element 374 may include a spatially
varying polarity across connection surface 380 that is the same as
or differs in orientation from magnetically attractable element 372
to provide a reversible or non-reversible electronic connector pair
that includes corresponding magnetically attractable elements of
the other electronic connector.
[0066] In at least some configurations, electronic connector 100
further includes an electrical ground conductor body that is
electrically connected to one or more electrical contacts of the
electronic connector. As one example, FIGS. 2 and 4 further depict
electronic connector 100 including electrical ground conductor body
240. An electrical ground conductor body of an electronic connector
may serve to reduce impedance discontinuities and/or improve signal
integrity, particularly at higher data transfer rates (e.g., speeds
of 5 Gbps as a non-limiting example) across an interface of paired
electronic connectors.
[0067] Electrical ground conductor body 240 may be contained within
at least a portion of tapered extension 112 and/or base 110. In one
example, electrical ground conductor body 240 incudes a flat
conductive plate portion that is parallel to and near first
symmetry plane 230. For example, the distances from the plate
portion to the opposing connection faces may be near the same
(i.e., less than 10% difference), and/or the distance from the
plate portion to the first symmetry plane 230 may be substantially
less than the distances from the plate portion to the connection
faces (e.g., less than 10%). As a more particular example, the
plate portion may be equidistant to the opposing connection faces.
This flat conductive plate portion of electrical ground conductor
body 240 may be coplanar with the first symmetry plane 230 and/or
may contain connection axis 102 in at least some configurations,
such as depicted in FIG. 2, for example. In such a configuration,
opposing electrical contacts are equidistant from the ground
conductor body, and impedance differences between the opposing
electrical contacts are reduced or eliminated.
[0068] Electrical ground conductor body 240 may be electrically
connected to at least one electrical ground contact of the first
subset of electrical contacts 352 and at least one ground
electrical contact of the second subset of electrical contacts 354.
For example, electrical ground conductor body 240 may be
electrically connected to two or more (i.e., plural) electrical
ground contacts of the first subset of electrical contacts 352 and
two or more (i.e., plural) electrical ground contacts of the second
subset of electrical contacts 354. In a further example, electrical
ground conductor body 240 may be electrically connected to each or
every electrical ground contact of electronic connector 100. In a
configuration with at least twelve electrical ground contacts on
each connection face, an electrical ground conductor body may be
electrically connected to at least twelve ground contacts of the
first subset of electrical contacts and at least twelve ground
contacts of the second subset of electrical contacts.
[0069] Electrical ground conductor body 240 may alternatively be
connected to a voltage potential other than ground. For example,
electrical ground conductor body 240 may be connected to a positive
or negative voltage potential with respect to the ground potential
in a device or with respect to earth ground.
[0070] In at least some configurations, electrical ground contacts
may be distributed among electrical power contacts and electrical
signal contacts in a manner that limits a distance between each
non-ground contact and a nearest electrical ground contact to less
than a defined quantity of intermediate non-ground contacts. As one
example, electrical ground contacts may be distributed among
electrical contacts 301-320 of first connection face 210 such that
all non-ground contacts are separated from a nearest electrical
ground contact by no more than one other non-ground contact. As
another example, electrical ground contacts may be distributed
among electrical contacts 321-340 of second connection face 220 so
that all non-ground contacts are separated from a nearest
electrical ground contact by no more than two other non-ground
contacts. In another example, conductive vias, conduits, or
channels may extend from the ground contacts to an electrical
ground conductor body. In this way, a signal contact may be
shielded on at least three sides by ground. Non-limiting examples
of pin-out configurations for the set of electrical contacts 118 of
electronic connector 100 are described in further detail with
reference to FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C.
[0071] It will be appreciated in view of the previously described
example configurations that reversibility of an electronic
connector, such as example electronic connector 100, between two or
more different connection orientations with a paired electronic
connector may be achieved by inclusion of one or more symmetric
features. Examples of symmetric features include: (1) symmetric
connector geometries such as symmetric connection faces, symmetric
flank surfaces, etc., (2) symmetric electrical contact
arrangements, and/or (3) symmetric magnetically attractable
elements about first symmetry plane 230 and/or second symmetry
plane 360.
[0072] It will also be appreciated that non-reversibility of an
electronic connector supporting only a single connection
orientation with a paired electronic connector may be achieved by
inclusion of one or more asymmetric features. These asymmetric
features may be used to enforce a particular connection orientation
or preclude an incorrect connection orientation between paired
electronic connectors. Non-limiting examples of asymmetric features
include: (1) asymmetric connector geometries such as asymmetric
connection faces, asymmetric flank surfaces, etc., (2) asymmetric
electrical contact arrangements, and/or (3) asymmetric magnetically
attractable elements about first symmetry plane 230 and/or second
symmetry plane 360.
[0073] FIG. 14 depicts an example electronic connector 1400 that
includes an electrically conductive fang 1402. Conductive fang 1402
provides the same ground connection points as electrical contacts
122 and 124 of FIG. 1, but also allows a female electronic
connector to ground the sides of the fang (e.g., via flank finger
springs 1170 and 1180 of FIG. 11). Fang 1402 may be created by
metal injection molding or another process out of a conductive
material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.). A non-conductive separator
1404 may be fit around the various electrical contacts 1406 so as
to prevent shorts between the contacts. The non-conductive
separator 1404, electrical contacts 1406, and fang 1402 may be
sized and positioned so as to create substantially smooth
connection faces. In at least some examples, fang 1402 may
additionally or alternatively serve to increase electromagnetic
shielding of the connector.
[0074] FIGS. 5-8 depict an example electronic connector 500 having
a second configuration. Electronic connector 500 is similar to
previously described electronic connector 100 in many respects with
the exception of differences in the tapered extension geometry and
arrangement of electrical contacts. In this configuration,
connection faces of the electronic connector each include a
recessed region that separates electrical contacts along that
connection face into two groups. In at least some implementations,
these recessed regions may serve to reduce insertion friction while
connecting the electronic connector, and may further enable
reduction in the size and/or strength of magnetically attractable
elements used to assist in establishing a connection with a paired
electronic connector.
[0075] Electronic connector 500 may likewise take the form of a
male electronic connector that is configured, for example, to
interface with a corresponding female electronic connector to form
one or more electrical connections across a set of electrical
contacts 518. While electronic connector 500 is different from
electronic connector 100 of FIG. 1, both connectors may be
compatible with the same female connector (e.g., female electronic
connector 900 of FIG. 9).
[0076] As one example, electronic connector 500 may be mated to or
unmated from another corresponding electronic connector along a
connection axis 502. In FIG. 2, for example, connection axis 502
includes an arrow that represents a direction along connection axis
502 by which electronic connector 500 interfaces with another
electronic connector. Electronic connector 500 may be disconnected
by withdrawing electronic connector 500 relative to the other
electronic connector along connection axis 502 in a direction that
opposes the arrow depicted in FIG. 5. Connection axis 502 is
parallel to or collinear with the Z-coordinate axis of the
three-dimensional Cartesian coordinate system depicted in FIG.
5.
[0077] Referring to FIG. 5, electronic connector 500 includes a
base 510 and a tapered extension 512 that protrudes from base 510.
Tapered extension 512 includes a nose 514 that forms a terminal end
of tapered extension 512. Electronic connector 500 may include or
interface with a connector cable 516 that includes one or more
electrically conductive wires for transmitting electrical power,
electrical signals, and/or a ground reference.
[0078] In the configuration depicted in FIGS. 5-8, base 510 of
electronic connector 500 has a different shape than base 110 of
electronic connector 100. For example, base 510 includes a circular
barrel shape in which connector cable 516 interfaces with an end of
the barrel formed by base 510. In contrast to base 110 of
electronic connector 100, base 510 of electronic connector 500
includes or interfaces with a connector cable at a different
orientation relative to the orientation of electronic connector
100. However, base 510 and base 110 may be interchangeable with
each other, and other suitable connector cable orientations and/or
base geometries may be utilized. In still other configurations,
base 110 of electronic connector 100 and base 510 of electronic
connector 500 may be integrated with or take the form of a chassis
or body of an electronic device or docking station.
[0079] In at least some configurations, an electrical ground
conductor body of an electronic connector, such as electronic
connectors 100 or 500, may be electrically connected to one or more
additional electrical contacts located along a nose of the
electronic connector. FIG. 1 depicts an example in which electrical
contacts 122 and 124 are located along nose 114. In this example,
electrical contacts 122 and 124 include externally facing
connection surfaces that are exposed to corresponding electrical
contacts of a paired electronic connector. In at least some
configurations, electrical contacts 122 and 124 are integrated with
and form respective portions of an electrical ground conductor body
contained at least partially within the tapered extension. An
example of this configuration is described in further detail with
reference to FIG. 11.
[0080] Nose 114 may define corresponding openings or windows
occupied by electrical contacts 122 and 124. Externally facing
connection surfaces of electrical contacts 122 and 124 may be flush
with nose 114, may protrude relative to nose 114, or may be
recessed relative to nose 114. In other configurations, electrical
contacts 122 and/or 124 may be omitted (e.g., as depicted in FIG.
5), or a greater quantity of electrical contacts, including
non-ground contacts, may be located along nose 114. While not shown
in FIGS. 5-8, electronic connector 500 may optionally be configured
with electrical contact(s) located along a nose of the electronic
connector.
[0081] FIG. 6 depicts the example electronic connector 500 of FIG.
5 as viewed along the X-coordinate axis. Tapered extension 512
includes a first connection face 610 and a second connection face
620. First connection face 610 and second connection face 620 are
inclined relative to each other, and taper toward each other
symmetrically about a first symmetry plane 630 that is parallel to
or co-planar with an XZ-coordinate plane. Connection axis 502 is
contained within first symmetry plane 630. First connection face
610 has a first taper angle 612 measured relative to connection
axis 502. Second connection face 620 has a second taper angle 622
measured relative to connection axis 502. Taper angles 612 and 622
have identical magnitudes in this symmetric configuration. Taper
angles 612 and 622 may be the same as or may differ from previously
described taper angles 212 and 222 of electronic connector 100.
[0082] FIG. 7 depicts the example electronic connector 500 of FIG.
5 as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis. In this example, first
connection face 610 includes a first recessed region 790 that
extends from the terminal end of protruding extension 512 at least
part way toward base 510. In at least some configurations, first
recessed region 790 may be symmetric about a second symmetry plane
760. In the example depicted in FIG. 7, second symmetry plane 760
is orthogonal to first symmetry plane 630, contains connection axis
502, and is parallel to or coplanar with the YZ-coordinate plane.
In other configurations, first recessed region 790 may be
asymmetric about second symmetry plane 760.
[0083] In the depicted configuration, first recessed region 790 is
located between a first portion (e.g., half or other suitable
quantity) of a first subset of electrical contacts 752 and another
portion (e.g., half or other suitable quantity) of the first subset
of electrical contacts 752. For example, FIG. 7 depicts three
electrical contacts located along first connection face 610 on one
side of first recessed region 790 and three electrical contacts
located along first connection face 610 on another side of first
recessed region 790.
[0084] Tapered extension 512 further includes a second recessed
region 792 within second connection face 620 that extends from the
terminal end of protruding extension 512 at least part way toward
base 510. In this example, second recessed region 792 may be
symmetric about second symmetry plane 760. In other configurations,
second recessed region 792 may be asymmetric about second symmetry
plane 760.
[0085] In the depicted configuration, second recessed region 792 is
also located between a first portion (e.g., half or other suitable
quantity) of a second subset of electrical contacts 754 and another
portion (e.g., half or other suitable quantity) of the second
subset of electrical contacts 754. For example, FIG. 7 depicts
three electrical contacts located along second connection face 620
on one side of second recessed region 792 and three electrical
contacts located along second connection face 620 on another side
of second recessed region 792. Within FIG. 7, electrical contacts
are indicated by reference numerals 701-703 and 718-720 (ordered
from right to left) along second connection face 620, and by
reference numerals 721-723 and 738-740 (ordered from left to right)
along first connection face 610. Non-limiting examples of pin-out
configurations for electrical contacts 518 of electronic connector
500 are described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 13A,
13B, and 13C.
[0086] In the depicted configuration, first recessed region 790 and
second recessed region 792 are also symmetric about first symmetry
plane 630. For example, FIG. 7 depicts the terminal end of tapered
extension 512 formed by nose 514 as having thicker end portions (as
measured along the Y-coordinate axis) containing electrical
contacts on upper and lower connection faces. The thicker end
portions are joined in the middle by a thinner interior region (as
measured along the Y-coordinate axis) that does not contain
electrical contacts. In other configurations, first recessed region
790 and second recessed region 792 may be asymmetric about first
symmetry plane 630.
[0087] FIG. 8 further depicts tapered extension 512 including a
first flank surface 820 and a second flank surface 830. First flank
surface 820 and second flank surface 830 form respective opposing
sides of tapered extension 512 between first connection face 610
and second connection face 620. As one example, first flank surface
820 and second flank surface 830 have curved outward facing edge
profiles as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis of FIG. 7, and have
straight or flat outward facing edge profiles as viewed along the
Y-coordinate axis of FIG. 8. In other configurations, flank
surfaces may have curved and/or multi-faced edge profiles as viewed
along the Y-coordinate axis, straight or multi-faced edge profiles
as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis, and/or different edge
profiles relative to each other.
[0088] FIG. 8 depicts first flank surface 820 and second flank
surface 830 tapering toward each other from base 510 to nose 514.
In one example, first flank surface 820 and second flank surface
830 taper toward each other symmetrically about second symmetry
plane 760. FIG. 8 depicts outward facing edge profiles of first
flank surface 820 and second flank surface 830. In the depicted
configuration, a magnitude of a taper angle 822 of first flank
surface 820 is equal to a magnitude of a taper angle 832 of second
flank surface 830. In FIG. 8, taper angles 822 and 832 are measured
relative to the outward facing edge profiles of the respective
flank surfaces and reference axes that are parallel to connection
axis 502 and to the Z-coordinate axis.
[0089] Electronic connector 500 further includes one or more
magnetically attractable elements. As one example, FIGS. 7 and 8
further depict electronic connector 500 including a first
magnetically attractable element 772 and a second magnetically
attractable element 774 included on or within base 510. Electronic
connector 500 may include a different quantity and/or arrangement
of magnetically attractable elements in other configurations.
[0090] Electronic connector 500 may further include an electrical
ground conductor body, such as previously described with reference
to electrical ground conductor body 240 of electronic connector
100. In at least some configurations, this electrical ground
conductor body may have one or more portions that extend through
nose 514 of electronic connector 500 or may be electrically
connected to one or more outwardly facing electrical contacts
located along nose 514.
[0091] FIG. 9 depicts an example electronic connector 900 having a
third configuration as viewed along the Z-coordinate axis.
Electronic connector 900 may take the form of a female electronic
connector that is configured to interface with a corresponding male
electronic connector to form one or more electrical connections. As
an example, electronic connector 900 is configured to mate with
previously described electronic connector 100 of FIG. 1 and/or
previously described electronic connector 500 of FIG. 5.
Accordingly, in at least some implementations, electronic connector
900 may take the form of a universal female electronic connector
for an associated group of two or more male electronic connectors
having different configurations.
[0092] Electronic connector 900 includes a connector body 950 that
defines an opening 952 that serves as a receptacle for receiving a
tapered extension of a corresponding male electronic connector.
Tapered extension 112 of electronic connector 100 or tapered
extension 512 of electronic connector 500 are non-limiting
examples. FIG. 9 depicts a connection surface 954 of connector body
950 around opening 952.
[0093] Electronic connector 900 includes a set of electrical
contacts 970 located within opening 952. Each of electrical
contacts 970 may be configured to make contact with a corresponding
electrical contact of a male electronic connector to establish one
or more electrical connections across the connector pair.
Non-limiting examples of pin-out configurations for electrical
contacts 970 are described in further detail with reference to
FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C.
[0094] Electrical contacts 970 may include a first subset of
electrical contacts 972 and a second subset of electrical contacts
974. As an example, the first subset of electrical contacts 972 may
include twenty electrical contacts, and the second subset of
electrical contacts 974 may also include twenty electrical
contacts. Individual electrical contacts of the second subset of
electrical contacts 974 are labeled in FIG. 9 (from left to right)
with reference numerals 901-920. Individual electrical contacts of
the first subset of electrical contacts 972 are labeled in FIG. 9
(from right to left) with reference numerals 921-940.
[0095] Within the context of electronic connector 900 interfacing
with electronic connector 100, for example, electrical contacts
901-920 interface with electrical contacts 301-320 respectively,
and electrical contacts 921-940 interface with electrical contacts
321-340 respectively. In a reversible connector pair configuration
electrical contacts 901-920 interface with electrical contacts
321-340 respectively, and electrical contacts 921-940 interface
with electrical contacts 301-340 respectively.
[0096] Within the context of electronic connector 900 interfacing
with electronic connector 500, electrical contacts 901-903
interface with electrical contacts 701-703 respectively, electrical
contacts 918-920 interface with electrical contacts 718-720
respectively, electrical contacts 921-923 interface with electrical
contacts 721-723 respectively, and electrical contacts 938-940
interface with electrical contacts 738-740 respectively. Electronic
connector 500 may form a reversible connector pair with electronic
connector 900 in at least some configurations.
[0097] Electronic connector 900 may further include one or more
magnetically attractable elements included on or within connector
body 950. For example, FIG. 9 depicts a first magnetically
attractable element 956 located on a first side of opening 952 and
a second magnetically attractable element 958 located on a second
side of opening 952 opposite the first side. Magnetically
attractable elements 956 and 958 may be aligned with and configured
to attract corresponding magnetically attractable elements of
example electronic connector 100 and/or electronic connector
500.
[0098] Opening 952 may be defined, at least in part, by one or more
interior surfaces of connector body 950. In at least some
configurations, one or more interior surfaces of connector body 950
may define an inverse of the shape of a tapered extension of a male
electronic connector. These one or more interior surfaces may
correspond to and/or accommodate one or more of the previously
described first and second connection faces, first and second flank
surfaces, and nose of electronic connectors 100 and 500, for
example.
[0099] Within the context of electronic connector 900 interfacing
with electronic connector 100, for example, connector body 950 may
include one or more of: a first interior connection face 960 that
forms a ceiling of opening 952 and which corresponds to and/or
accommodates first connection face 210 of electronic connector 100,
a second interior connection face 962 that forms a floor of opening
952 and which corresponds to and/or accommodates second connection
face 220, a first interior flank surface 964 that forms a first
side wall of opening 952 and which corresponds to and/or
accommodates first flank surface 420, a second interior flank
surface 966 that forms a second side wall of opening 952 and which
corresponds to and/or accommodates second flank surface 430, an
internal terminal end surface 968 that forms a terminal end of
opening 952 and which corresponds to and/or accommodates nose 114.
First interior connection face 960 may, for example, include the
first subset of electrical contacts 972, and second interior
connection face 962 may include the second subset of electrical
contacts 974.
[0100] Some or all of these one or more interior surfaces or a
portion thereof that forms opening 952 may contact some or all of
the corresponding surfaces of a tapered extension of a male
electronic connector while interfacing with that male electronic
connector. Connection surface 954 of electronic connector 900 or a
portion thereof may contact connection surface 380 of electronic
connector 100 or a portion thereof when interfacing with electronic
connector 100, for example.
[0101] Further, in at least some configurations, one or more of the
previously described interior surfaces of opening 952 may include
or may be augmented with one or more dynamic interface elements
that contact one or more surfaces of a male electronic connector.
As an example, one or more dynamic interface elements may include
or take the form of finger springs or leaf springs.
[0102] FIGS. 10 and 11 depict examples of dynamic interface
elements within the context of example electronic connector 900.
FIG. 10 depicts a view of example electronic connector 900
revealing one or more interior surfaces of opening 952. Second
interior connection face 962 is depicted in further detail in FIG.
10, and includes a set of connection face finger springs 1010.
[0103] Connection face finger springs 1010 include four individual
finger springs in the depicted example. However, fewer or greater
quantities of finger springs may be utilized. In the depicted
example, each finger spring is spaced evenly apart from each other
along connection face 962. However, other suitable spacings may be
utilized, including even and/or uneven spacings of different sizes
and arrangements. As further depicted in FIG. 10, each finger
spring is aligned with and offset from connection surface 954 by
the same distance. However, other suitable alignments and/or
offsets may be utilized for connection face finger springs. For
example, a set of connection face finger springs may utilize
different offset distances for some or all of the finger springs as
measured relative to connection surface 954.
[0104] In at least some configurations, connection face finger
springs 1010 may be formed from and integrated with second interior
connection face 962. An example finger spring 1014 includes a
spring arm 1016 that is connected to the remaining portions of
second interior connection face 962 by a joint 1018. Spring arm
1016 may be at least partially surrounded by an air gap 1020 formed
by or within second interior connection face 962 to permit spring
arm 1016 to deform and pivot about joint 1018. A terminal end of
spring arm 1016 that opposes joint 1018 is depicted in FIG. 9 as
being raised relative to other surround portions of second interior
connection face 962. Upon a surface of a male electronic connector
contacting and depressing the terminal end of spring arm 1016, the
spring arm applies an opposing force to the surface of the male
electronic connector that assists in retaining and/or aligning the
male electronic connector within opening 952. The finger springs
may also serve to make a ground contact between the connector shell
and the device chassis. Finger springs may be integrally formed
and/or created as separate parts attached to the interior
connection face via laser welding or another attachment
procedure.
[0105] Within the context of example electronic connector 100 of
FIG. 1, for example, each of connection face finger springs 1010
may contact second connection face 220, at least within a region
located between the second set of electrical contacts 354 and base
110 while electronic connector 100 is interfacing with and
electrically connected to electronic connector 900.
[0106] In at least some configurations, first interior connection
face 960 may include a set of connection face finger springs that
mirrors and opposes the previously described connection face finger
springs 1010 of second interior connection face 962. Finger springs
located along the first and second interior connection faces may
serve to retain and/or align a tapered extension of a male
electronic connector within opening 952 through contact with
connection faces. Finger springs located along the first and second
interior connection faces may have a similar or dissimilar
arrangement, or finger springs may be omitted from the first
interior connection face and/or the second interior connection
face. In other configurations, connection face finger springs may
not be integrated with the interior connection faces, but may be
instead fastened to the interior connection faces or may project
through openings formed within the interior connection faces and
into opening 952.
[0107] FIG. 10 further depicts a set of terminal end finger springs
1030 located along internal terminal end surface 968. This set of
terminal end finger springs 1030 is depicted in further detail in
FIG. 11.
[0108] FIG. 11 depicts an electronic connector pair 1100 in the
form of a male electronic connector 1102 and previously described
electronic connector 900 interfacing with each other to form one or
more electrical connections. Electronic connector pair 1100 is
viewed along the Y-coordinate axis in FIG. 11.
[0109] As an example, male electronic connector 1102 may take the
form of previously described electronic connector 100 of FIG. 1 or
electronic connector 500 of FIG. 5. Within this context, male
electronic connector 1102 similarly includes a base 1110 and a
tapered extension 1112 that protrudes from base 1110. Tapered
extension 1112 includes a nose 1114 that forms a terminal end of
tapered extension 1112.
[0110] Within FIG. 11, tapered extension 1112 has been received by
electronic connector 900 through opening 952. For example, tapered
extension 1112 may be inserted into opening 952 along a connection
axis that is parallel to or collinear with the Z-coordinate axis
depicted in FIG. 11.
[0111] Tapered extension 1112 may include a first flank surface
1116 and a second flank surface 1118. Male electronic connector
1102 further includes an electrical ground conductor body 1120
contained partially within tapered extension 1112 and partially
within base 1110. Conductor body 1120 includes a first portion 1122
and a second portion 1124 that extend through nose 1114 and are
exposed to electronic connector 900. Outwardly facing surfaces of
first portion 1122 and second portion 1124 may take the form of
electrical contacts.
[0112] In at least some configurations, electronic connector 900
also includes an electrical ground conductor body 1130. Conductor
body 1130 may include the previously described set of terminal end
finger springs 1030 of FIG. 10. In one example, terminal end finger
springs 1030 may include a first terminal end finger spring 1140
and a second terminal end finger spring 1160. However, terminal end
finger springs 1030 may include other suitable quantities of finger
springs, or terminal end finger springs may be omitted in other
configurations.
[0113] First terminal end finger spring 1140 includes a spring arm
1142 that is connected to the remaining portions of conductor body
1130 by a joint 1144. Spring arm 1142 may be at least partially
surrounded by an air gap 1146 to permit spring arm 1142 to deform
and pivot about joint 1144. A terminal end of spring arm 1142 may
include an elbow 1148 that contacts first portion 1122 of conductor
body 1120. For example, FIG. 11 depicts elbow 1148 projecting
through an opening formed in internal terminal end surface 968 with
elbow 1148 being contacted by first portion 1122 of male electronic
connector 1102.
[0114] Second terminal end finger spring 1160 includes a spring arm
1162 that is connected to the remaining portions of conductor body
1130 by a joint 1164. Spring arm 1162 may be at least partially
surrounded by an air gap 1166 to permit spring arm 1162 to deform
and pivot about joint 1164. A terminal end of spring arm 1162 may
include an elbow 1168 that contacts second portion 1124 of
conductor body 1120. For example, FIG. 11 depicts elbow 1168
projecting through an opening formed in internal terminal end
surface 968 with elbow 1168 being contacted by second portion 1124
of male electronic connector 1102.
[0115] Contact between conductor body 1120 and conductor body 1130,
such as via the set of terminal end finger springs 1030, may be
used to establish one or more electrical ground connections between
male electronic connector 1102 and electronic connector 900. These
one or more electrical ground connections may be in addition to or
as an alternative to one or more electrical ground connections
established between a set of electrical ground contacts of male
electronic connector 1102 and a corresponding set of electrical
ground contacts of electronic connector 900. Establishing a
functionally continuous ground plane at the plane of symmetry helps
maintain a very consistent impedance at the connector mating
interfaces, thus improving signal integrity.
[0116] In at least some configurations, electronic connector 900
may include a set of flank finger springs that contact first flank
surface 1116 and second flank surface 1118 of male electronic
connector 1102. In one example, a set of flank finger springs may
include a first flank finger spring 1170 and a second flank finger
spring 1180. Flank finger springs may serve to retain and/or align
tapered extension 1112 within opening 952 through contact with
flank surfaces 1116 and 1118.
[0117] First flank finger spring 1170 includes a spring arm 1172
connected to the connector body by a joint 1174. Spring arm 1172
may be at least partially surrounded by an air gap 1176 to permit
spring arm 1172 to deform and pivot about joint 1174. A terminal
end of spring arm 1172 may include an elbow 1178 that contacts
first flank surface 1116 of male electronic connector 1102. In one
example, spring arm 1172 deforms and pivots upon first flank
surface 1116 contacting elbow 1178, which in turn applies a force
upon first flank surface 1116 that assists in retaining and/or
aligning tapered extension 1112 within opening 952.
[0118] Second flank finger spring 1180 may likewise include a
spring arm 1182 connected to the connector body by a joint 1184.
Spring arm 1182 may be at least partially surrounded by an air gap
1186 to permit spring arm 1182 to deform and pivot about joint
1184. A terminal end of spring arm 1182 may likewise include an
elbow 1188 that contacts second flank surface 1118 of male
electronic connector 1102. In one example, spring arm 1182 deforms
and pivots upon second flank surface 1118 contacting elbow 1188,
which in turn applies a force upon second flank surface 1118 that
assists in retaining and/or aligning tapered extension 1112 within
opening 952.
[0119] In at least some configurations, first flank finger spring
1170 and second flank finger spring 1180 are able to accommodate a
range of tapered extensions having different relative sizes and/or
shapes. In one example, flank finger springs 1132 may accommodate
flank surfaces of different male electronic connectors having
different taper angles. As an example, flank finger springs 1132
may accommodate electronic connector 100 that includes flank
surfaces having a taper angle selected from a range of 6-10
degrees, and may also accommodate electronic connector 500 that
includes flank surfaces having a different taper angle selected
from the range of 6-10 degrees. Here, electronic connector 900 is
able to accommodate a taper angle range of at least 4 degrees for
each flank surface or a total range across both flank surfaces of 8
degrees.
[0120] FIG. 11 depicts first magnetically attractable element 956
of electronic connector 900 aligned with and magnetically attracted
to a corresponding magnetically attractable element 1196 of male
electronic connector 1102. As an example, magnetically attractable
element 1196 may refer to previously described magnetically
attractable element 374 of electronic connector 100 or magnetically
attractable element 774 of electronic connector 500. FIG. 11
further depicts second magnetically attractable element 958 of
electronic connector 900 aligned with and magnetically attracted to
a corresponding magnetically attractable element 1198 of male
electronic connector 1102. As a non-limiting example, magnetically
attractable element 1198 may refer to previously described
magnetically attractable element 372 of electronic connector 100 or
magnetically attractable element 772 of electronic connector
500.
[0121] FIG. 12 depicts another example electronic connector pair
1200 that provides a non-reversible connection between two
electronic connectors by way of an inclined connection face.
Electronic connector pair 1200 includes a male electronic connector
1210 and a female electronic connector 1220. Within FIG. 12,
electronic connector pair 1200 is viewed along the X-coordinate
axis, and male electronic connector 1210 interfaces with female
electronic connector 1220 along the Z-coordinate axis.
[0122] Male electronic connector 1210 includes a base 1212 and a
tapered extension 1214 protruding from base 1212. Base 1212
includes a connection surface 1216 that is inclined relative to a
connection axis, the Z-coordinate axis, and the Y-coordinate axis
depicted in FIG. 12. In other words, connection face is not
parallel to either the XY plane or the XZ plane. Connection surface
1216 may take the form of a planar or substantially planar
connection face in an example configuration. Connection surface
1216 is also asymmetric about plane 1218 that is parallel to the XZ
coordinate plane and located along a centerline of tapered
extension 1214.
[0123] Female electronic connector 1220 includes a connector body
1222 having an opening 1224 formed within a connection surface
1226. Connection surface 1226 may take the form of a planar or
substantially planar connection face in an example configuration.
Connection surface 1226 is also inclined relative to the connection
axis, the Z-coordinate axis, and the Y-coordinate axis at the same
angle as connection surface 1216 of male electronic connector 1210.
Connection surface 1226 is also asymmetric about plane 1218 when
female electronic connector 1220 is aligned with male electronic
connector 1210.
[0124] While FIG. 12 depicts an example in which a connection
surface is inclined relative to both the Z-coordinate axis and
Y-coordinate axis, a connection surface may be inclined relative to
alternative coordinate axes or additional coordinate axes while
providing a non-reversible connection. In one example, a connection
surface may be inclined relative to both the Z-coordinate axis and
the X-coordinate axis, but not inclined relative to the
Y-coordinate axis. In another example, a connection surface may
inclined relative to both the Y-coordinate axis and the
X-coordinate axis, but not inclined relative to the Z-coordinate
axis. In yet another example, a connection surface may be inclined
relative to the X-coordinate axis, the Y-coordinate axis, and the
Z-coordinate axis.
[0125] The electronic connectors disclosed herein may take the form
of multi-function electronic connectors that may be used for
electronic devices. As a non-limiting example, an electronic device
may take the form of a computing device, such as a tablet computer,
desktop computer, notebook computer, handheld smartphone, digital
camera, graphical display device, wearable device, server device,
electronic appliance, or other suitable electronic device. The
disclosed electronic connectors may replace or reduce the need for
multiple independent connectors. In at least some configurations,
the disclosed electronic connectors may serve as the only
electronic connector located on or interfacing with an electronic
device. In other configurations, two or more of the disclosed
electronic connectors may be present on the same device. In such
configurations, the device may be configured to pass power and/or
data between different connected devices.
[0126] The disclosed electronic connector can fulfill a number of
functions, across a broad range of data-intensive use-scenarios,
including high-speed data transfer, native video input/output,
and/or electrical power. Non-limiting examples of the signaling
functions that may be supported by the disclosed electronic
connectors include USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, DisplayPort (DP),
mDP, HDMI, PCIE, and THUNDERBOLT.TM., among other suitable
functions. The disclosed electronic connectors may enable the
off-loading of graphics processing to graphics processing devices
or data to data storage devices (e.g., to or from a hard drive).
Data transfer rates of 20 Gbps, scalable to 40 Gbps and potentially
higher, may be achieved by the disclosed electronic connectors,
while power-only modes of operation (e.g., 6-A power capability)
are supported across fewer connector pins (e.g., 4 connector
pins).
[0127] FIGS. 13A, 13B, and 13C show a table 1300 depicting example
pin-out configurations for an electronic connector. Table 1300
provides pin identifiers (P.1-P.40) along the vertical axis and a
variety of different pin-out configurations (Config.A-Config.H)
along the horizontal axis. Each pin identifier of table 1300
corresponds to a respective electrical contact of the electronic
connector. Each value within table 1300 refers to a respective
function for a corresponding pin identifier and pin-out
configuration.
[0128] Example functions within table 1300 include one or more
instances of power, ground, and/or communication signals.
Communication signals may take the form of digital or analog
signals. Where a particular value in Table 1300 includes the value
"NC", that electrical contact may be optionally omitted from the
electronic connector or may be included with the electronic
connector, but may be otherwise deactivated or electrically
decoupled from interaction with other electrical contacts or
connectors.
[0129] Table 1300 further includes reference numerals along the
vertical axis that associate pin identifiers with the previously
described electrical contacts of electronic connector 100 of FIG.
1, electronic connector 500 of FIG. 5, and electronic connector 900
of FIG. 9. These reference numerals are provided in table 1300 as
examples of pin-out configurations for these previously described
electronic connectors. Other suitable pin-out configurations may be
utilized. Furthermore, the pin-out configurations depicted in Table
1300 may be utilized in combination with electronic connectors
having other forms or configurations.
[0130] Table 1300 and the preceding example electronic connectors
provide a number of potential configurations in which an electronic
connector may include a greater quantity of contacts (e.g., 40
contacts/pins) or a lesser quantity of contacts (e.g., 12
contacts/pins) in which a paired electronic connector may interface
with either contact configuration. This multi-configuration
approach across a range of electronic connectors allows for cost
scaling in the form of reduced cost for certain implementations
(e.g., power-only implementations) that utilize less than the full
range of contacts or pins. Variable numbers of contacts or pins
also allow for scalability of the connector form factor in terms of
shape and size, and cable shape and size, providing designers with
a broader range of available form factors, functionality, and
cost.
[0131] Pin-out configuration Config.A includes power contacts at
pin identifiers P.1, P.20, P.21, and P.40. In at least some
implementations of this configuration, pin identifiers P.1 and P.40
may be bridged, and pin identifiers P.20 and P.21 may be bridged.
These power contacts may convey power at one or more voltages. For
example, power contacts may convey 5 volts to or from an accessory
electronic device, and 12 volts to a display device at 1 ampere per
contact.
[0132] Config.A further includes signal contacts HPD at pin
identifiers P.2, P.19, P.22, and P.39. HPD refers to a hot plug
detection signal that may be used by connected electronic devices
to initiate or terminate power transmitted over other electrical
contacts of the electronic connector. In one example, first signal
contacts (HPD1) may be included at pin identifiers P.2 and P.39,
and may be used for power control for one or more of pin
identifiers P.1, P.20, P.21, and/or P.40. Second signal contacts
(HPD2) may be included at pin identifiers P.19 and P.22, and may be
additionally or alternatively used for power control for one or
more of pin identifiers P.1, P.20, P.21, and/or P.40. In this
example, pin identifiers P.2 and P.39 may be bridged with each
other, and pin identifiers P.19 and P.22 may be bridged with each
other. In at least some implementations, two or more signal
contacts HPD1 may include different HPD signals, denoted as HPD1A
and HPD1B, respectively. Similarly, signal contacts HPD2 may
include different HPD signals, denoted as HPD2A and HPD2B,
respectively. Hence, CONFIG.A may be used to convey two, three, or
four different HPD signals, depending on implementation. In one
example, signal contacts HPD2A and HPD2B may correspond to dock
accessory authentication power.
[0133] Config.A further includes ground contacts at pin
identifiers, P.3, P.6, P.9, P.12, P.15, P.18, P.23, P.26, P.29,
P.32, P.35, and P.38. Ground contacts may serve as ground for both
power and signal contacts. In at least some implementations of this
configuration, the following pin identifier pairs may bridged with
each other: P.3 and P.38, P.6 and P.35, P.9 and P.32, P.12 and
P.29, P.15 and P.26, P.18 and P.23. Config.A depicts an example
where ground contacts are distributed among power and signal
contacts such that each power or signal contact is separated, at
most, by one intermediate non-ground contact from a nearest ground
contact. In at least some implementations, Config.A provides a
reversible connection having two connection orientations due to the
reversibility of power, ground, and HPD signal contacts.
[0134] Config.B includes a similar pin-out configuration to
Config.A with the exception that ground contacts are not present at
pin identifiers P.6, P.9, P.12, P.15, P.26, P.29, P.32, and P.35.
Config.B may be used, for example, in combination with electronic
connector 500 of FIG. 5 in which pin identifiers P.4-P.17 and
P.24-P37 correspond to recessed regions of the connection faces. In
at least some implementations, Config.B provides a reversible
connection due to the reversibility of power, ground, and HPD
signal contacts.
[0135] Config.C includes a similar pin-out configuration to
Config.A with the exception that pin identifiers P.16, P.17, P.36,
and P.37 collectively supporting USB 2.0 via signal contacts USB
2.0+ and USB 2.0-. Each USB 2.0 signal pair includes corresponding
positive and negative signal contacts as indicated by the "+" and
"-" identifiers. In at least some implementations of this pin-out
configuration, P.17 and P.37 may be bridged with each other, and
P.16 and P.36 may be bridged with each other. Furthermore, in at
least some implementations, Config.C provides a reversible
connection due to the reversibility of power, ground, and USB 2.0
signal contacts.
[0136] Config.D includes a similar pin-out configuration to
Config.C with the exception that pin identifiers P.4, P.5, P.7, and
P.8 collectively support USB 3.0 via signal contacts USB3 SS Rx+,
USB3 SS Rx-, USB3 SS Tx+, and USB3 SS Tx-, and pin identifiers P.36
and P.37 do not support USB 2.0 in this example configuration. USB3
SS refers to USB 3.0 Super Speed lanes, in which Rx refers to
receive lanes and Tx refers to transmit lanes. Each Rx receive lane
pair includes corresponding positive and negative signal contacts.
Similarly, each Tx transmit lane pair incudes corresponding
positive and negative signal contacts. In at least some
implementations of this configuration, Config.D provides a single
non-reversible connection orientation due to the non-reversible
arrangement of USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 signal contacts.
[0137] Config.E includes the power, ground, and signal contacts of
Config.A with the additional support for four pairs of signal
contacts in the form of serial lanes: SERIAL LANE0A+, SERIAL
LANE0A-, SERIAL LANE1A+, SERIAL LANE1A-, SERIAL LANE4A+, SERIAL
LANE4A-, SERIAL LANE1B+, SERIAL LANE1B-, SERIAL LANE4B+, and SERIAL
LANE4B-. Each serial lane pair includes corresponding positive and
negative signal contacts. Serial lanes may be used within the
context of a variety of communications protocols, including USB,
HDMI, PCIE, or Thunderbolt.TM., for example. In at least some
implementations, Config.E provides a reversible connection due to
the reversibility of the power, ground, and SERIAL LANE signal
contacts.
[0138] Config.F includes a similar pin-out configuration to
Config.D with the exception that pin identifiers P.10, P.11, P.24,
P.25, P.27, P.28, P.30, and P.31 support various instances of
DisplayPort (DP) or mDP signal contacts in the form of DP LANE
signal contact pairs. Additionally, pin identifiers P.36 and P.37
support an auxiliary (AUX) signal contact pair, pin identifier P.13
supports a DP HPD signal contact, P.14 supports an RFU signal
contact, pin identifier P.33 supports a DP CONFIG1 signal contact,
and pin identifier P.34 supports another RFU signal contact. Each
DP lane pair includes corresponding positive and negative signal
contacts. Similarly, each AUX signal pair includes corresponding
positive and negative signal contacts.
[0139] Within Config.F, signal contacts 10 and 11 include DP LANE
3+ and DP LANE 3- at P.10 and P.11. One or more of the DP lanes may
instead take the form of serial lanes. As a non-limiting example,
DP LANE 0+/- may instead take the form of SERIAL LANE 1 Rx+/-, DP
LANE 1 +/- may instead take the form of SERIAL LANE 1 Tx+/-, DP
LANE 2+/- may instead take the form of SERIAL LANE 0 Rx+/-, and DP
LANE 3 may instead take the form of SERIAL LANE 0 Tx+/-.
Conversely, one or more of the previously described serial lanes
may instead take the form of DP lanes.
[0140] Signal contacts DP HPD, RFU, and DP CONFIG1 may be used to
convey debugging signals when used in conjunction with a display
device or electronic device accessory. As a non-limiting example,
DP HPD may be used for Display Port hot plug detection, and CONFIG1
may be used for Display Port configuration detection and/or
HDMI/Display Port selection for Display Port dual mode support.
However, one or more of these signal contacts may be omitted or may
not be used for signaling in other implementations. For example,
one or more of DP HPD, RFU, and/or DP CONFIG1 signal contacts may
be used differently during a development or testing phase of
operation than during other operational phases (e.g.,
primary/public release operational phases), or may be used
differently depending on the electronic device(s) that are
communicating via the connector. In at least some implementations,
Config.F provides a non-reversible connection orientation due to
the non-reversible arrangement of the DP LANE, AUX, DP HPD, DP
CONFIG1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 signal contacts.
[0141] Config.G includes a similar pin-out configuration to
Config.E, with the exception that pin identifiers P.10, P.11, P.13,
P.14, P.30, P.31, P.33, P.34 include additional instances of SERIAL
LANE signal contacts. In at least some implementations, Config.G
provides a reversible connection due to the reversibility of the
power, ground, and SERIAL LANE signal contacts. Config.G also
provides an additional example of HPD signal contacts having a
different orientation as compared to the previously described
configurations.
[0142] Config.H includes a similar pin-out configuration to
Config.F except for HPD signal contacts have a different
orientation, such as previously depicted in Config.G. In at least
some implementations, Config.H provides a non-reversible connection
orientation due to the non-reversible arrangement of the DP LANE,
AUX, DP HPD, DP CONFIG1, USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 signal contacts.
[0143] In one implementation, the preceding pin configurations
denoted as non-reversible may be used in combination with
electronic connectors that support only a single connection
orientation to ensure that pin configurations are properly
maintained across paired electronic connectors. However,
reversibility of paired electronic connectors may also improve user
experience for establishing an electrical connection. Accordingly,
in another implementation, pin configurations denoted as
non-reversible may be used in combination with electronic
connectors that support multiple connection orientations through
the use of reconfigurable multiplexers and multiplexer control
circuits that are part of the electronic device.
[0144] Each multiplexer may be responsive to a multiplexer
selection signal that is determined by and originates from a
multiplexer control circuit. The multiplexer control circuit
detects the orientation of a male electronic connector relative to
a female electronic connector.
[0145] If, for example, the analog input/output connectors and
digital input/output connectors of the male electronic connector
are in a first orientation relative to the female electronic
connector, then the multiplexer control circuit provides
multiplexer selection signals to the multiplexers to select the
appropriate analog or digital multiplexer settings to support that
orientation. If the analog input/output connectors and digital
input/output connectors of the male electronic connector are in a
second, reversed orientation relative to the female electronic
connector, then the multiplexer control circuit provides opposite
multiplexer selection signals to the multiplexers to select the
appropriate analog or digital multiplexer settings to support that
reversed orientation. In one alternative, a DC voltage on a contact
of the connector may serve as the multiplexer control signal. For
example, a particular contact female-side may receive zero volts
when the male-side connector is inserted in a first orientation,
and five volts when the male-side connector is inserted in a second
orientation. The voltage on the particular contact may be received
by one or more multiplexers as the select signal to switch the
male-side contacts to the appropriate female-side signals.
[0146] As a non-limiting example, within the context of Config.H, a
RFU signal contact may instead correspond with an additional RFU
signal contact in a reversed connection orientation, and CONFIG1
may instead correspond with DP HPD in the reversed connection
orientation.
[0147] Reversible and non-reversible connectors may optionally
include one or more connection detection circuits associated with
two or more respective HPD signal contacts. For example, referring
to Table 1300, pin/contact identifiers 19 and 39 supporting HPD
signaling are located near opposite ends or poles of the electronic
connector as measured, for example, along the longest dimension of
the electronic connector. Connection detection circuits may
cooperatively form an AND gate that withholds power from other
electrical contacts of the electronic connector (e.g., pin/contact
identifiers 1, 20, 21, and 40) unless both pin/contact identifiers
19 and 39 have been connected to corresponding power pin/contacts
of a paired electronic connector. This feature may be used to
ensure that a complete connection has been established between
paired electronic connectors before power and/or data is applied
across the interface.
[0148] Reversible and non-reversible connectors may optionally
include one or more power control circuits. For example, HPD signal
paths may be used to communicate power control information between
two electronic devices across paired electronic connectors. For
example, these two electronic devices may utilize a specified
message format to communicate power control information back and
forth across the paired electronic connectors. Each electronic
device may use the power control information to specify when and
how much power to transfer back and forth across the paired
electronic connectors.
[0149] While this type of smart power control may be available in
some use-scenarios, in other use-scenarios an electronic connector
may interface with a dumb power source that does not support this
type of control (e.g., an electrical power outlet adapter, also
known as a wall charger). Such an electrical power outlet adapter
may not support the ability to send or receive power control
messages, power negation messages, and/or authentication messages,
such as via HPD or another suitable signal path of the paired
electronic connectors. In such cases, an electronic device that is
electrically connected to the electrical power outlet adapter via
the paired electronic connectors may be configured to determine how
much electrical power that electronic device can safely draw from
the electrical power outlet adapter and self-throttle power
reception to the self-determined power level. For example, a
resistor may be included in the path of one of the electrical
contacts of the electrical power outlet adapter. The size of the
resistor may be chosen based on the intended power delivery of the
electrical power outlet adapter. When mated with the electronic
connector of the electronic device, the electronic device may be
able to determine the resistor value by placing a defined voltage
across the resistor and/or by drawing a defined current through the
resistor. The determined resistor value may signal to the
electronic device how much power the electronic device should draw
from the electrical power outlet adapter. For example, a 1 kohm
resistor may indicate that 100 mA can be supplied, a 10 kohm
resister may indicate that 500 mA can be supplied, and a 100 kohm
resisistor may indicate that 1000 mA can be supplied. This scheme
may operate in the reverse direction (i.e., the device may supply
power to a peripheral).
[0150] The disclosed electrical contacts have been described by
example in terms of transferring electrical power, ground, and/or
signals across a connector interface through physical surface
contact with another electrical contact. However, in other
configurations, one or more of the electrical connectors may
transfer electrical power, ground, and/or signals across a
connector interface without physical surface contact via induction.
In such case, the interface may, for example, include an air gap
and/or electrically insulating, non-conductive materials located
between paired electrical contacts or other suitable inductor
components that are used to exchange power, ground, and/or signals
via induction. Transformers and coils, for example, may be used to
facilitate transfer by induction.
[0151] The disclosed connectors have been described by example as
electronic connectors having one or more electrical contacts.
However, in other configurations, the disclosed connectors may
instead take the form of optical connectors having one or more
optical contacts or optical interfaces. For example, one or more
electrical contacts of an electronic connector may instead refer to
optical contacts or optical interfaces of an optical connector that
are configured to exchange optical signals with corresponding
optical contacts or optical interfaces of a paired optical
connector. Further, connectors that utilize both electrical and
optical interfaces are within the scope of this disclosure.
[0152] The configurations and/or approaches described herein are
exemplary in nature, and these specific embodiments or examples are
not to be considered in a limiting sense, because numerous
variations are possible. The subject matter of the present
disclosure includes all novel and nonobvious combinations and
subcombinations of the various processes, systems and
configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/or
properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents
thereof.
* * * * *