U.S. patent application number 16/267235 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-04 for connector frame.
This patent application is currently assigned to Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC. Invention is credited to Christopher John ALLEN, Joseph Edward FERREIRA, II, Mohammed Nadir HAQ, Todd David PLEAKE, Alexander Georges-Norbert WOOD.
Application Number | 20200176903 16/267235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70850670 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200176903 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FERREIRA, II; Joseph Edward ;
et al. |
June 4, 2020 |
CONNECTOR FRAME
Abstract
Examples are disclosed that relate to PCB-based connectors and
connector frames for a PCB. In one example, a connector frame
comprises a cavity configured to house the PCB, the cavity defined
at least partially by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite
to the first sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall. A support surface is adjacent to
the cavity on a top side of the connector frame and extends between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall. An aperture on the top
side of the connector frame is formed at least partially by an edge
of the support surface, with the aperture exposing a portion of the
cavity through the top side.
Inventors: |
FERREIRA, II; Joseph Edward;
(Seattle, WA) ; PLEAKE; Todd David; (Sammamish,
WA) ; HAQ; Mohammed Nadir; (Brier, WA) ;
ALLEN; Christopher John; (Seattle, WA) ; WOOD;
Alexander Georges-Norbert; (Seattle, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC |
Redmond |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Microsoft Technology Licensing,
LLC
Redmond
WA
|
Family ID: |
70850670 |
Appl. No.: |
16/267235 |
Filed: |
February 4, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62775274 |
Dec 4, 2018 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 13/6658 20130101;
H01R 12/716 20130101; H01R 12/7076 20130101; H01R 2107/00 20130101;
H05K 1/117 20130101; H01R 13/516 20130101; H01R 43/205 20130101;
H05K 2201/2018 20130101; H01R 12/7082 20130101; H05K 2201/10189
20130101; H01R 24/60 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 12/71 20060101
H01R012/71; H01R 12/70 20060101 H01R012/70 |
Claims
1. A connector frame for a printed circuit board (PCB), the
connector frame comprising: a cavity configured to house the PCB,
the cavity defined at least partially by a first sidewall, a second
sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and an end wall extending
between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; a support
surface adjacent to the cavity on a top side of the connector frame
and extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall;
and an aperture on the top side of the connector frame and formed
at least partially by an edge of the support surface and the end
wall opposite to the edge of the support surface, the aperture
exposing a portion of the cavity through the top side.
2. The connector frame of claim 1, wherein the aperture is
configured to expose one or more contacts of the PCB through the
top side when the PCB is retained within the cavity.
3. The connector frame of claim 1, further comprising a first notch
extending into the first sidewall and a second notch extending into
the second sidewall.
4. The connector frame of claim 3, wherein the notches provide a
grounding path for the PCB.
5. The connector frame of claim 1, further comprising a ridge on
the top side of the connector frame extending above the support
surface.
6. The connector frame of claim 5, wherein the ridge comprises at
least a portion of a backplane surface at a back end of the
connector frame.
7. The connector frame of claim 1, wherein each of the first
sidewall and the second sidewall comprise a chamfered edge along a
bottom side of the connector frame.
8. The connector frame of claim 7, wherein each of the chamfered
edges is configured to create a gap between a surface of the
chamfered edge and the PCB.
9. The connector frame of claim 1, wherein the end wall comprises a
non-conductive portion.
10. The connector frame of claim 9, wherein the non-conductive
portion comprises one or more of a plastic component, a
non-conductive cover, or a non-conductive film.
11. A connector comprising: a printed circuit board (PCB) having
one or more contacts; and a connector frame comprising: a cavity
housing the PCB, the cavity defined at least partially by a first
sidewall, a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and an
end wall extending between the first sidewall and the second
sidewall; a support surface adjacent to the cavity on a top side of
the connector frame and extending between the first sidewall and
the second sidewall; and an aperture on the top side of the
connector frame and formed at least partially by an edge of the
support surface and the end wall opposite to the edge of the
support surface, the aperture exposing the one or more contacts of
the PCB.
12. The connector of claim 11, further comprising a first notch
extending into the first sidewall and a second notch extending into
the second sidewall.
13. The connector of claim 12, wherein the notches provide a
grounding path for the PCB.
14. The connector of claim 11, further comprising a ridge on the
top side of the connector frame extending above the support
surface.
15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the ridge comprises at least
a portion of a backplane surface at a back end of the connector
frame.
16. The connector of claim 11, wherein each of the first sidewall
and the second sidewall comprise a chamfered edge along a bottom
side of the connector frame.
17. The connector of claim 16, wherein each of the chamfered edges
creates a gap between a surface of the chamfered edge and the
PCB.
18. The connector of claim 11, wherein the end wall comprises a
non-conductive portion.
19. The connector of claim 18, wherein the non-conductive portion
comprises one or more of a plastic component, a non-conductive
cover, or a non-conductive film.
20. A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB)-based
connector, the method comprising: providing a connector frame,
wherein the connector frame comprises: a cavity configured to house
the PCB, the cavity defined at least partially by a first sidewall,
a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and an end wall
extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, a
support surface adjacent to the cavity on a top side of the
connector frame and extending between the first sidewall and the
second sidewall, and an aperture on the top side of the connector
frame and formed at least partially by an edge of the support
surface and the end wall opposite to the edge of the support
surface, the aperture exposing a portion of the cavity through the
top side; and inserting the PCB into the cavity of the connector
frame.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Ser. No. 62/775,274, filed Dec. 4, 2018, and entitled
"CONNECTOR FRAME", the entirety of which is hereby incorporated
herein by reference for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Forming an electrical connector from a printed circuit board
(PCB) may increase signal integrity of the connector and provide a
pleasing industrial design. However, common types of PCB materials
may suffer from limited cyclical wear properties.
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] Examples are disclosed that relate to PCB-based connectors
and connector frames for a PCB. In one example, a connector frame
comprises a cavity configured to house the PCB, the cavity defined
at least partially by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite
to the first sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall. A support surface is adjacent to
the cavity on a top side of the connector frame and extends between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall. An aperture on the top
side of the connector frame is formed at least partially by an edge
of the support surface, with the aperture exposing a portion of the
cavity through the top side.
[0005] Another example provides a method of manufacturing a
PCB-based connector that comprises providing a connector frame. The
connector frame comprises a cavity configured to house the PCB, the
cavity defined at least partially by a first sidewall, a second
sidewall opposite to the first sidewall, and an end wall extending
between the first sidewall and the second sidewall. A support
surface is adjacent to the cavity on a top side of the connector
frame and extends between the first sidewall and the second
sidewall. An aperture on the top side of the connector frame is
formed at least partially by an edge of the support surface, with
the aperture exposing a portion of the cavity through the top side.
The method further comprises inserting the PCB into the cavity of
the connector frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a connector frame
according to examples of the present disclosure.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the connector
frame of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows another top perspective view of the connector
frame of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective view of a PCB-based
connector comprising a PCB and the connector frame of FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a bottom perspective view of the PCB-based
connector of FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of a connector frame
according to another example of the present disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 7 shows a top perspective view of another example of a
PCB-based connector comprising a PCB and the connector frame of
FIG. 6.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a method for manufacturing a
PCB-based connector according to examples of the present
disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] Forming an electrical connector from a PCB may increase
signal integrity of the connector and provide a simplified,
pleasing industrial design. However, common types of PCB materials
may suffer from limited cyclical wear properties.
[0015] Some types of connectors may be frequently inserted and
removed from a receptacle. For example, various types of USB
connectors may be frequently inserted into and removed from USB
ports. In a similar manner and in other examples, a connector may
be located within a receptacle, and such connectors may be
frequently connected to and disconnected from a corresponding
plug.
[0016] Traditional materials used to form such connectors may
include resilient plastics and metals that are designed to
withstand the wear associated with frequent cyclical use. For
example, many connectors may utilize a hard plastic/metallic
housing that substantially encloses and protects the PCB from
damage. On the other hand, typical PCB materials may be
structurally less robust than materials typically used to form
connectors. As a result, a connector that is simply a PCB may be
susceptible to structural damage and failure.
[0017] Accordingly, and in one potential advantage of the present
disclosure, a connector frame may enclose at least portions of a
PCB and protect the PCB from damage and wear, while also providing
a connector with increased signal integrity and a pleasing,
low-profile appearance. In this manner, PCB-based connectors may be
formed with robust wear characteristics corresponding to
traditional connectors. Further, as described in more detail below,
the connector frame may provide grounding when using PCBs as a
connector base.
[0018] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate one example of a connector frame 100
for a PCB-based connector according to examples of the present
disclosure. The connector frame 100 comprises a cavity 104
configured to house a PCB and defined at least partially by
components configured to surround and capture a front end portion
of the PCB. In the present example, the connector frame 100 also
comprises a support surface 108 adjacent to the cavity 104 on a top
side 114 of the connector frame 100. With reference also to FIG. 4,
the support surface 108 may be configured to be adjacent to a front
portion of a top side 146 of a PCB 148 when the PCB 148 is housed
in the connector frame 100. More particularly and with reference
also to FIG. 2, an underside 126 of the support surface 108 may be
in contact with or closely adjacent to the portion of the top side
146 of the PCB 148 that is rearward from top side contacts 152 (see
also FIG. 4). In this manner, the connector frame 100 may partially
house the PCB connector within a protective enclosure. One example
of a PCB-based connector including the connector frame 100 is
described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.
[0019] It will be appreciated that the connector frame 100 may be
formed from any material suitable to protect the PCB from cyclical
wear. Some examples of suitable materials may include, but are not
limited to, various metals such as stainless steel, metal alloys,
plastic resins, and the like. In other examples, the connector
frame 100 may comprise softer materials or sacrificial materials.
In some examples, the materials comprising the connector frame 100
may be colored or may be easily dyed or painted to a specified
color.
[0020] With reference again to FIG. 1, the connector frame 100
comprises structures configured to protect a PCB from wear. For
example, outer edges of a PCB may more susceptible to damage and
wear. Accordingly, the connector frame 100 includes protective
sides and an end portion configured to protect the edges of the
PCB.
[0021] In the example of FIGS. 1-3, connector frame 100 includes a
first side 112, a second side 116 opposite to the first side 112,
and an end 120 extending between the first side 112 and the second
side 116. In some examples, the first side 112 may be parallel to
the second side 116, and the end may extend perpendicularly to the
first and second sides. The first side 112 comprises a first inner
sidewall 160, the second side 116 comprises a second inner sidewall
164, and the end 120 comprises an inner end wall 168. Together, the
first inner sidewall 160, second inner sidewall 164 and end wall
168 define the cavity 104 configured to house the PCB. As shown in
FIGS. 4 and 5, the cavity 104 receives a front portion of the PCB
148. Additionally and as described in more detail below, this
configuration conveniently enables the connector frame 100 to be
quickly inserted over the PCB using surface mount assembly
processes, such as pick-and-place.
[0022] In the present example, the first inner sidewall 160, second
inner sidewall 164 and end wall 168 form a three-sided enclosure
around the portion of the PCB 148 retained within the cavity 104.
In this manner, the first inner sidewall 160, second inner sidewall
164 and end wall 168 operate to protect the edges of the PCB from
contact and possible damage, thereby providing increased resistance
to wear and extending a usable lifetime of the PCB-based
connector.
[0023] To expose a forward portion of the top side of a PCB through
the connector frame 100, the connector frame comprises an aperture
124 formed by a leading edge 134 of the support surface 108 and
portions of the first side 112, end 120, and second side 116. In
this example, the aperture 124 is substantially rectangular. With
reference also to FIG. 4, the aperture 124 may be configured to
expose a portion of the cavity 104 through the top side the
connector frame 100, and thereby expose top side contacts 152 of
the PCB. In the example of FIG. 1, the aperture 124 is adjacent to
the support surface 108 and exposes the cavity 104 between the
first side 112, the second side 116, the end 120, and the support
surface 108.
[0024] The connector frame 100 may also include other structures
configured to improve usability. For example, the connector frame
100 may be designed in accordance with one or more specifications
and/or protocols related to connection, communication and/or power
supply between devices. In one example, the connector frame 100 may
be designed to accommodate a PCB configured for the USB-C standard,
such that the PCB may serve as a USB-C connector when housed in the
connector frame 100. Accordingly, the connector frame 100 may
comprise features configured to engage with USB--C-type receptacles
and/or plugs.
[0025] For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector frame
100 may include notches extending into a body of the connector
frame 100. In the example of FIGS. 1 and 2, the connector frame 100
comprises a first notch 190 extending into the first side 112 and a
second notch 192 extending into the second side 116 of the
connector frame 100. The notches 190, 192 may be configured to
serve as an interface for other connectors. For example, a USB-type
connector may comprise one or more latches configured to engage one
or more of the notches 190 when plugged into the connector frame
100, thereby securing the connectors together.
[0026] In some examples, the notches 190, 192 and/or any other
suitable part of the connector frame 100 may be conductive or may
include conductive components configured to provide electrical
connections, such as grounding paths for the PCB-based connector.
For example, one or more components of the connector frame, such as
the support surface 108, the first side 112, or the second side
116, may replace grounding locations found in other connectors. In
this manner, the connector frame 100 may provide grounding paths
which may not otherwise be available using PCBs.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, the connector frame 100 may also include
a ridge 132 on the top side of the connector frame 100 extending
above the support surface 108. In some examples, the ridge 132 may
include one or more tabs 136 extending beyond outer walls 128, 130
of the first side 112 and the second side 116, respectively.
Additional details regarding the ridge 132 and the tabs 136 are
described below with reference to FIG. 3.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 2, the connector frame 100 comprises an
open face on its bottom side. For example, the connector frame 100
may not have a support surface or other structure enclosing the
bottom side of the connector frame 100. In this manner, the PCB or
other connector may be easily inserted into the connector frame 100
through the bottom side via the open face. In some examples, the
connector frame 100 may be quickly and easily inserted over the PCB
during a surface mount stage of assembling the PCB-based connector.
In some examples, this process may be automated using a robotic
pick-and-place machine to further increase connector assembly speed
and reduce manufacturing costs. Absence of protruding structures
from the bottom side may also favorably reduce the size of the
connector frame 100.
[0029] Further, the first side 112, the second side 116, and the
end 120 may comprise one or more rounded, sloped, chamfered, or
other suitably configured surfaces to improve manufacturability. As
best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the second inner sidewall 164 may
comprise a chamfered edge 144 along a bottom side of the connector
frame 100. Similarly, the first inner sidewall 160 may comprise a
chamfered edge 150, and the end wall 168 may comprise a chamfered
edge 170. In this manner, the connector frame 100 may be easily
inserted over the PCB during assembly.
[0030] As described above, the connector frame 100 may be placed
over the PCB using a robotic pick-and-place machine. In some
examples, this may be accomplished by the same machine that places
other components on the PCB during manufacturing. In some examples,
the connector frame 100 may be aligned in a biased or jigged manner
against at least one edge of the PCB. Once the connector frame 100
is in place, in some examples, the connector frame 100 may be
affixed to the PCB.
[0031] It will be appreciated that any suitable means may be used
to affix the connector frame 100 to the PCB. For example, the
connector frame 100 may be affixed to the PCB via an adhesive, by
reflow soldering, or by welding the connector frame 100 to the
PCB.
[0032] In some examples, a bottom side cover may be applied over
the bottom side of the connector frame 100 to cover the open face.
For example, a metal bottom side cover may be laser welded to the
bottom side of the connector frame 100. In this manner, the PCB may
be protected from damage or wear though the open face on the bottom
side of the connector frame 100.
[0033] With reference now to FIG. 3, a back end of the connector
frame 100 may comprise an opening that enables the PCB to extend
from within the cavity 104 through the back end of the connector
frame 100 (see also FIG. 5). As illustrated in FIG. 3, the back end
of the connector frame 100 may further comprise a backplane surface
194. In the example of FIG. 3, the backplane surface 194 comprises
a planar surface that is perpendicular to a plane of the support
surface 108.
[0034] In this example, a rear surface of the ridge 132 and the
tabs 136 may comprise at least a portion of the backplane surface
194. In this manner, the backplane surface 194 may extend above the
support surface 108 and beyond the outer walls 128, 130 of the
first side 112 and the second side 116, respectively. In some
examples, the backplane surface 194 may support the connector frame
100 against a chassis or other structure of a device in which the
PCB-based connector is located or into which the PCB-based
connector may be inserted.
[0035] In some examples, a gasket may be provided on the backplane
surface 194 to form a seal between the connector frame 100 and the
device, such as to electrically seal the connector frame 100 around
the back end. In some examples, the gasket may be configured to
provide a grounding path for the PCB-based connector. For example,
the gasket may comprise a conductive silicone material configured
to provide such a grounding connection. FIG. 3 illustrates one
example of a gasket 202 on the backplane surface 194. In different
examples, the gasket 202 may have other shapes and
configurations.
[0036] With reference now to FIG. 4, one example of a PCB-based
connector 400 comprising a PCB 148 with top side contacts 152
installed within frame 100 is provided. The PCB 148 is housed
within the cavity 104 of the connector frame 100 as described
above. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the PCB 148 may be housed in the
connector frame 100 such that the underside 126 of the support
surface 108 (See FIG. 2) may be adjacent to a portion of the top
side 146 of the PCB 148. In some examples, the underside 126 is in
contact with the surface of the PCB 148 to provide additional
structural integrity to the connector 400. In addition, in this
example a front first side 170 of the PCB 148 is contacting the
first sidewall 160 of the first side 112 of connector frame 100.
Similarly, a front second side 174 of the PCB 148 is contacting the
second sidewall 164 of the second side 116, and a front end 178 of
the PCB 148 is contacting the inner end wall 168. In this manner,
the PCB 148 may be securely retained within connector frame 100 to
form PCB-based connector 400.
[0037] Also as illustrated in FIG. 4, the aperture 124 may expose a
front portion of the PCB 148 through the top side of the connector
frame 100. In this manner, the top side contacts 152 of the PCB 148
may be exposed through the aperture 124. Further, and with
reference now to FIG. 5, the PCB 148 may also comprise bottom side
contacts 156 on a bottom side 154 of the PCB 148 opposite the top
side. As shown in FIG. 5, the PCB 148 and bottom side contacts 156
may be exposed in the open face on the bottom side of the connector
frame 100. In this example, the chamfered edges 144, 150, and 170
described above create small gaps 188, 196, 198 between the
surfaces of these edges and the PCB 148.
[0038] Accordingly and as described above, the PCB-based connector
400 utilizes the configuration of the connector frame 100 to
protect PCB 148 from wear and potential damage, while also
providing an aesthetically pleasing design that facilitates faster
assembly and reduces manufacturing costs.
[0039] With reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some examples at
least a portion of the end of a connector frame/PCB-based connector
may be non-conductive. In the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, a connector
frame 102/PCB-based connector 402 comprises an end 120 that
includes a non-conductive portion 180 located between boundary
lines 184 and 186. In other examples, the non-conductive portion
may extend beyond these lines and further along the first side 112
and second side 116. In different examples, the non-conductive
portion may comprise a plastic component, non-conductive cover,
non-conductive film, and/or other non-conductive materials.
Advantageously and in these examples, the non-conductive portion
180 may allow the power contacts from a corresponding receptacle or
plug to contact the non-conductive portion 180 of the end 120 when
the PCB-based connector 402 is removed from the receptacle or
disconnected from the plug. In this manner, the PCB-based connector
402 may prevent these corresponding power contacts from contacting
a conductive portion of the end 120, which could potentially cause
a short circuit.
[0040] With reference now to FIG. 8, a flow diagram is provided
depicting an example method 800 for manufacturing a PCB-based
connector. The following description of method 800 is provided with
reference to the components described herein and shown in FIGS.
1-7. It will be appreciated that method 800 also may be performed
in other contexts using other suitable components.
[0041] At 804, the method 800 includes providing a connector frame
comprising a cavity configured to house the PCB, the cavity defined
at least partially by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite
to the first sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall, a support surface adjacent to the
cavity on a top side of the connector frame and extending between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and an aperture on the
top side of the connector frame and formed at least partially by an
edge of the support surface, the aperture exposing a portion of the
cavity through the top side. At 808, the method 800 includes
inserting the PCB into the cavity of the connector frame. At 812,
the method 800 may include inserting the connector frame over the
PCB using surface mount technology. At 816, the method 800 may
include affixing the connector frame to the PCB. At 820, the method
800 may include affixing the connector frame to the PCB via an
adhesive or by laser welding.
[0042] The following paragraphs provide additional support for the
claims of the subject application. One aspect provides a connector
frame for a printed circuit board (PCB), the connector frame
comprising: a cavity configured to house the PCB, the cavity
defined at least partially by a first sidewall, a second sidewall
opposite to the first sidewall, and an end wall extending between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall; a support surface
adjacent to the cavity on a top side of the connector frame and
extending between the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and
an aperture on the top side of the connector frame and formed at
least partially by an edge of the support surface, the aperture
exposing a portion of the cavity through the top side.
[0043] The connector frame may additionally or alternatively
include, wherein the aperture is configured to expose one or more
contacts of the PCB through the top side when the PCB is retained
within the cavity. The connector frame may additionally or
alternatively include a first notch extending into the first
sidewall and a second notch extending into the second sidewall. The
connector frame may additionally or alternatively include, wherein
the notches provide a grounding path for the PCB.
[0044] The connector frame may additionally or alternatively
include a ridge on the top side of the connector frame extending
above the support surface. The connector frame may additionally or
alternatively include, wherein the ridge comprises at least a
portion of a backplane surface at a back end of the connector
frame.
[0045] The connector frame may additionally or alternatively
include, wherein each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall
comprise a chamfered edge along a bottom side of the connector
frame. The connector frame may additionally or alternatively
include, wherein each of the chamfered edges is configured to
create a gap between a surface of the chamfered edge and the
PCB.
[0046] The connector frame may additionally or alternatively
include, wherein the end wall comprises a non-conductive portion.
The connector frame may additionally or alternatively include,
wherein the non-conductive portion comprises one or more of a
plastic component, a non-conductive cover, or a non-conductive
film.
[0047] Another aspect provides a connector comprising: a printed
circuit board (PCB) having one or more contacts; and a connector
frame comprising: a cavity housing the PCB, the cavity defined at
least partially by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite to
the first sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall; a support surface adjacent to the
cavity on a top side of the connector frame and extending between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall; and an aperture on the
top side of the connector frame and formed at least partially by an
edge of the support surface, the aperture exposing the one or more
contacts of the PCB.
[0048] The connector may additionally or alternatively include a
first notch extending into the first sidewall and a second notch
extending into the second sidewall. The connector may additionally
or alternatively include, wherein the notches provide a grounding
path for the PCB.
[0049] The connector may additionally or alternatively include a
ridge on the top side of the connector frame extending above the
support surface. The connector may additionally or alternatively
include, wherein the ridge comprises at least a portion of a
backplane surface at a back end of the connector frame.
[0050] The connector may additionally or alternatively include,
wherein each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall comprise
a chamfered edge along a bottom side of the connector frame. The
connector may additionally or alternatively include, wherein each
of the chamfered edges creates a gap between a surface of the
chamfered edge and the PCB.
[0051] The connector may additionally or alternatively include,
wherein the end wall comprises a non-conductive portion. The
connector may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the
non-conductive portion comprises one or more of a plastic
component, a non-conductive cover, or a non-conductive film.
[0052] Another aspect provides a method of manufacturing a printed
circuit board (PCB)-based connector, the method comprising:
providing a connector frame, wherein the connector frame comprises:
a cavity configured to house the PCB, the cavity defined at least
partially by a first sidewall, a second sidewall opposite to the
first sidewall, and an end wall extending between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall, a support surface adjacent to the
cavity on a top side of the connector frame and extending between
the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and an aperture on the
top side of the connector frame and formed at least partially by an
edge of the support surface, the aperture exposing a portion of the
cavity through the top side; and inserting the PCB into the cavity
of the connector frame.
[0053] It will be understood that the configurations and/or
approaches described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these
specific embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a
limiting sense, because numerous variations are possible. The
specific routines or methods described herein may represent one or
more of any number of manufacturing strategies. As such, various
acts illustrated and/or described may be performed in the sequence
illustrated and/or described, in other sequences, in parallel, or
omitted. Likewise, the order of the above-described processes may
be changed.
[0054] The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all
novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations 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.
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