U.S. patent application number 16/552043 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for offset ;lug connector on a board connection area.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to TYLER JANDT, Phillip V. Mann, Mark Plucinski, Sandra J. Shirk/Heath.
Application Number | 20210066832 16/552043 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004288590 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210066832 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Plucinski; Mark ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
OFFSET ;LUG CONNECTOR ON A BOARD CONNECTION AREA
Abstract
An electric packaging including a board and a mechanical
component attached to the board. The mechanical component includes
a first end attached to the board, a second end opposite the first
end, and a seat interposed between the first end and the second
end. The mechanical component also includes an upper portion
extending from the second end to the seat, the upper portion having
a first width and a lower portion extending from the seat to the
first end. The lower portion having a second width that is less
than the first width. The electric packaging also includes a
connector attached to the board. The connector includes a first
surface attached to the board and a second surface located opposite
the first surface. The second surface includes a plug connection
area sized to receive a plug and located completely radially
outside of the first width.
Inventors: |
Plucinski; Mark; (Toms
River, NJ) ; Mann; Phillip V.; (Rochester, MN)
; Shirk/Heath; Sandra J.; (Rochester, MN) ; JANDT;
TYLER; (Rochester, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION |
Armonk |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004288590 |
Appl. No.: |
16/552043 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 12/716
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 12/71 20060101
H01R012/71 |
Claims
1. An electronic packaging, comprising: a board; a mechanical
component attached to the board, the mechanical component
comprising: a first end attached to the board; a second end
opposite the first end; a seat interposed between the first end and
the second end, the seat including a seat surface in a facing
spaced relationship with the board; an upper portion extending from
the second end to the seat, the upper portion having a first width;
a lower portion extending from the seat to the first end, the lower
portion having a second width that is less than the first width,
such that a notched area is formed between the seat surface and the
board; and a connector attached to the board, the connector
comprising a first surface attached to the board; and a second
surface located opposite the first surface, the second surface
comprising a plug connection area sized to receive a plug, wherein
the plug connection area is located completely radially outside of
the first width.
2. The electronic packaging of claim 1, wherein the second surface
is about parallel to the board.
3. The electronic packaging of claim 1, wherein the second surface
further comprises a non-plug area.
4. The electronic packaging of claim 1, wherein the connector
further comprises: a first portion including the first surface
attached to the board, the first portion being oriented about
perpendicular to the board; a second portion about parallel to the
board; and a third portion including the second surface, the third
portion being oriented about perpendicular to the board.
5. The electronic packaging of claim 4, wherein the third portion
is located completely radially outside of the first width.
6. The electronic packaging of claim 1, wherein the connector
further comprises a single portion oriented about parallel to the
board, the single portion including the first surface and the
second surface.
7. The electronic packaging of claim 1, wherein the board supports
all of the first surface of the connector.
8. The electronic packaging of claim 1, further comprising:
connector contacts located within the plug connection area.
9. The electronic packaging of claim 1, further comprising: a plug
connected to the second surface of the connector, the plug having
plug contacts located within the connector contacts.
10. An electronic packaging, comprising: a board; a mechanical
component attached to the board, the mechanical component being
centered on a central axis, wherein the mechanical component
comprises: a first end attached to the board; a second end opposite
the first end; a seat interposed between the first end and the
second end, the seat including a seat surface in a facing spaced
relationship with the board; an upper portion extending from the
second end to the seat, the upper portion comprising a radially
outward wall oriented about perpendicular to the board and located
at a first distance away from the central axis; a lower portion
extending from the seat to the first end; and a connector attached
to the board, the connector comprising a first surface attached to
the board; and a second surface located opposite the first surface,
the second surface comprising a plug connection area sized to
receive a plug, wherein the plug connection area is completely
located at a second distance away from the central axis that is
greater than the first distance.
11. The electronic packaging of claim 10, wherein the second
surface is about parallel to the board.
12. The electronic packaging of claim 10, wherein the second
surface further comprises a non-plug area.
13. The electronic packaging of claim 10, wherein the connector
further comprises: a first portion including the first surface
attached to the board, the first portion being oriented about
perpendicular to the board; a second portion about parallel to the
board; and a third portion including the second surface, the third
portion being oriented about perpendicular to the board.
14. A connector configured to electrically connect to a board, the
connector comprising a first surface comprising a board connection
area; a connector tail configured to electrically connect to the
board, the connector tails being located within the board
connection area; a second surface located opposite the first
surface, the second surface comprising a plug connection area sized
to receive a plug, wherein the plug connection area is horizontally
offset from the board connection area, a connector contact located
within the plug connection area on the second surface; and an
internal electrical connection contained completely within the
connector, the internal electrical connection electrically connects
the connector tail and the connector contact.
15. The connector of claim 14, wherein the second surface is about
parallel to the first surface.
16. The connector of claim 14, wherein the second surface further
comprises a non-plug area.
17. The connector of claim 14, wherein the second surface further
comprises a non-board connection area.
18. (canceled)
19. The connector of claim 14, wherein the connector has a bent,
elbow, or linear shape.
20. (canceled)
21. The connector of claim 14, wherein the internal electrical
connection is composed of a first portion connected to the
connector tails, a second portion connected to the connector
contact, and a third portion connecting the first portion and the
second portion, wherein the first portion is perpendicular to the
first surface, the second portion is perpendicular to the first
surface, and the third portion is nonparallel to the first portion
and the second portion.
22. The connector of claim 21, wherein the third portion is
parallel to the first.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention generally relates to electronic
packaging, and more specifically, to electric packaging using
electronic connectors that allows for removal of plugs without
disturbing associated mechanical components.
[0002] A board has an array of electrical contacts on a face of the
device, instead of having pins or other contacts around a perimeter
of the device. An array of contact pads provides far more
electrical connections than do contacts around a perimeter. Boards
also have heat conduction and electrical performance advantages.
Boards can be electrically connected by using a socket, or by
directly soldering the contact pads to form connections. The boards
may need to be electronically connected to various plugs for
electronic data transmission and/or electric power
transmission.
SUMMARY
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention are directed to offset
connectors.
[0004] According to one or more embodiments of the present
invention, an electronic packaging is provided. The electric
packaging includes a board and a mechanical component attached to
the board. The mechanical component includes a first end attached
to the board, a second end opposite the first end, and a seat
interposed between the first end and the second end. The seat
including a seat surface in a facing spaced relationship with the
board. The mechanical component also includes an upper portion
extending from the second end to the seat, the upper portion having
a first width and a lower portion extending from the seat to the
first end. The lower portion having a second width that is less
than the first width, such that a notched area is formed between
the seat surface and the board. The electric packaging also
includes a connector attached to the board. The connector includes
a first surface attached to the board and a second surface located
opposite the first surface. The second surface includes a plug
connection area sized to receive a plug. The plug connection area
is located completely radially outside of the first width.
[0005] According to another embodiment of the present invention, an
electronic packaging is provided. The electronic packaging includes
a board and a mechanical component attached to the board. The
mechanical component being centered on a central axis. The
mechanical component includes a first end attached to the board, a
second end opposite the first end, and a seat interposed between
the first end and the second end. The seat including a seat surface
in a facing spaced relationship with the board. The mechanical
component also includes an upper portion extending from the second
end to the seat. The upper portion comprising a radially outward
wall oriented about perpendicular to the board and located at a
first distance away from the central axis. The mechanical component
further includes a lower portion extending from the seat to the
first end and a connector attached to the board. The connector
includes a first surface attached to the board and a second surface
located opposite the first surface. The second surface including a
plug connection area sized to receive a plug. The plug connection
area is completely located at a second distance away from the
central axis that is greater than the first distance.
[0006] According to another embodiment of the present invention, a
connector configured to electrically connect to a board is
provided. The connector includes a first surface comprising a board
connection area and connector tails configured to electrically
connect to a board. The connector tails being located within the
board connection area. The connector also includes a second surface
located opposite the first surface. The second surface including a
plug connection area sized to receive a plug. The plug connection
area is horizontally offset from the board connection area.
[0007] Additional technical features and benefits are realized
through the techniques of the present invention. Embodiments and
aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are
considered a part of the claimed subject matter. For a better
understanding, refer to the detailed description and to the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The specifics of the exclusive rights described herein are
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
features and advantages of the embodiments of the invention are
apparent from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is an illustration of electronic packaging locating a
connector between a plug and a board within the notched area of a
mechanical component, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is an illustration of electronic packaging locating a
connector between a plug and a board outside the notched area of a
mechanical component, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an illustration of electronic packaging locating a
connector between a plug and a board outside the notched area of a
mechanical component, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure; and
[0012] FIG. 4 is an illustration of electronic packaging locating a
connector between a plug and a board outside the notched area of a
mechanical component, in accordance with an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0013] The diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be
many variations to the diagrams or the operations described therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance,
the actions can be performed in a differing order or actions can be
added, deleted or modified. Also, the term "coupled" and variations
thereof describes having a communications path between two elements
and does not imply a direct connection between the elements with no
intervening elements/connections between them. All of these
variations are considered a part of the specification.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] One or more embodiment of the present invention provide an
electrical connector for alleviating the need to remove the
mechanical component when disconnecting the plugs.
[0015] A board may be connected to plugs through vertical
connectors. A mechanical component may be attached to the board
proximate the plugs. An obstruction either attached to the
mechanical component or in the form of the mechanical component
itself may prevent the removal of the plugs without removing the
mechanical component.
[0016] One or more embodiments of the present invention provide
technological improvements over current methods to that require
removal of the mechanical component to remove plugs. One or more
embodiments of the present invention provide technical solutions to
one or more of these disadvantages of existing solutions by using
an electrical connector for alleviating the need to remove the
mechanical component when disconnecting the plugs by moving the
plugs outside of the mechanical component.
[0017] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate an
electronic packaging 100 of a board 104, a connector 120, a plug
140, a mechanical component 130, and a fastening mechanism 119.
FIGS. 1-4 illustrate electronic packaging 100 having different
types of connectors 120, as described herein.
[0018] The mechanical component 130 may be a heat sink, circuit
card, sheet metal, bracket, chassis, water hose, or any mechanical
component known to one of skill in the art. The heat sink may be a
fan, heat radiator, and/or any other heat radiating device known to
one of skill in the art. The fastening mechanism 119 secures the
mechanical component 130 to the board 104. The fastening mechanism
119 may be a screw or spring loaded clip.
[0019] In the depicted embodiment, the board 104 is a planar
element that provides structural support and electrical
connections. The board 104, in one embodiment, may include multiple
layers, such as electrically conductive layers, insulating layers,
structural support layers, stiffening layers, heat dissipation
layers, and the like. In one embodiment, the board 104 is a printed
board that may include one or more copper sheets laminated onto a
non-conductive dielectric substrate using epoxy resin or the
like.
[0020] One or more connectors 120 may be included in the electronic
packaging 100. The connector 120 provides electrical connections
between the board 104 and the plug 140. The connector 120 provides
electrical connections from the board 104 and the plug 140 to other
electrical devices. The connector 120, in one embodiment, is formed
of a durable, insulating material, such as a plastic, ceramic, or
the like. In a further embodiment, the connector 120 may include
multiple layers of materials, such as electrically conductive
layers, insulating layers, structural support layers, stiffening
layers, heat dissipation layers, and the like. In another
embodiment, the connector 120 is formed of a plastic or other
polymer material using an injection molding process.
[0021] The connector 120, in the depicted embodiment, has a first
surface 126 attached to the board 104. The first surface 126
includes with the connector tails 122 that are configured to
electrically connect to board 104. The connector 120, in the
depicted embodiment, has a second surface 128 opposite the first
surface 126 with the connector contacts 124 that provide electrical
connections for plug contacts 142 of the plugs 140. In the depicted
embodiment, the plug 140 is plugged directly (i.e., connected or
attached) into the connector 120 by plugging the contacts 142 of
the plugs 140 into the connector contact 124 of the connector
120.
[0022] While two connector tails 122, connector contacts 124, and
plug contacts 142, are depicted in the cross-sectional views of
FIGS. 1-4 for clarity, in further embodiments, other numbers may be
used. For example, in one embodiment, the electronic packaging 100
may include large arrays of tens, hundreds, or thousands of
connector tails 122, connector contacts 124, and plug contacts 142,
or the like. One of skill in the art, in view of this disclosure,
will recognize other patterns, numbers, and arrangements of
connector tails 122, connector contacts 124, and plug contacts 142
that may be used.
[0023] In the depicted embodiment, the connector tails 122 are
disposed on the first surface 126 of the connector 120, facing the
board 104. The connector tails 122 are electrically conductive, and
may be formed of one or more electrically conductive materials such
as copper, gold, nickel, and/or another electrically conductive
material. The connector tails 122 may include an alloy, may be
plated, or may be otherwise finished or treated to facilitate
electrical connections, prevent corrosion, and the like.
[0024] In the depicted embodiment, the connector tails 122 provide
electrical connections for the board 104. In the depicted
embodiment, the connector 120 is mounted directly onto the board
104 by plugging the connector tails 122 into the board 104.
Alternatively, the connector 120 may be mounted to the board 104 by
a pin through hole, surface mount technology, ball grid array
(BGA), compliant pin, or any mounting technology known to one of
skill in the art. There may be pads on the surface of the board or
vias down into the board for mounting.
[0025] In the depicted embodiment, the connector contacts 124
extend into the second surface 128 of the connector 120, facing the
plug 140. The connector contacts 124 are electrically conductive,
and may be formed of one or more electrically conductive materials
such as copper, gold, nickel, and/or another electrically
conductive material. The connector contacts 124 may include an
alloy, may be plated, or may be otherwise finished or treated to
facilitate electrical connections, prevent corrosion, and the like.
In one embodiment, the connector contacts 124 are formed of the
same material as the connector tails 122. In a further embodiment,
the connector contacts 124 may be integrally connected with the
connector tails 122 and formed of a continuous piece of material.
The connector contacts 124, in the depicted embodiment, provide
electrical connections for corresponding plug contacts 142.
[0026] In the depicted embodiment, each connector contact 124 is
integrated with an opposite connector tail 122, providing a direct
one-to-one pass-through electrical connection between plugs 140 and
the board 104. In a further embodiment, the connector 120 may
include one or more internal electrical connections 125 that route
electrical connections between connector contacts 124 and connector
tails 122. An internal electrical connection 125 within the
connector 120 may electrically connect a connector tail 122 and a
connector contact 124 that are aligned. In an embodiment, the
internal electrical connections 125 are each equivalent in length,
regardless of the shape of the connector 120.
[0027] In the depicted embodiment, the connector contacts 124 are
integrally connected with the connector tails 122 and are formed of
a continuous piece of material. For example, in one embodiment, a
connector contact 124 and a corresponding connector tail 122 may be
stamped from a single sheet of electrically conductive material,
formed from a single electrically conductive wire, or the like. In
a further embodiment, the connector contacts 124 and corresponding
connector tails 122 may be constructed of separate materials that
are electrically coupled. For example, the connector contacts 124
and corresponding connector tails 122 may be electrically coupled
by internal electrical connections 125 within the connector 120,
through contact with a conductor, by welding, by soldering, through
electrical connectors, or the like.
[0028] In one embodiment, the connector 120 has several through
holes. In a further embodiment, the connector tails 122 extend from
openings of the holes on the first side of the connector 120 and
the connector contacts 124 are located within opposite openings of
the holes on the second side of the connector 120. In one
embodiment, a conductor extends through the hole between a
connector tail 122 and a connector contact 124 to electrically
couple the connector tail 122 and the connector contact 124. In one
embodiment, the connector contacts 124 and/or the connector tails
122 may be inserted into the connector 120 using a staking or
stitching process.
[0029] The electronic packaging 100 may be located about centered
on a central axis A, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The mechanical
component 130 may be located about centered on a central axis A, as
shown in FIGS. 1-4. The mechanical component 130 includes a first
end 130C attached to the board 104 and a second end 130D opposite
the first end 130C. The mechanical component 130 is attached to the
board 104 at the first end 130C via the fastening mechanism 119.
The mechanical component 130 includes an upper portion 130A and a
lower portion 130B opposite the upper portion 130A. The mechanical
component 130 is attached to the board 104 at the lower portion
130B via the fastening mechanism 119.
[0030] The upper portion 130A extends from the second end 130D to a
seat 134 interposed between the second end 130D and the first end
130C. The lower portion 130B extends from the seat 134 to the first
end 130C. The seat 134 includes a seat surface 139 in a facing
spaced relationship with the board 104. The seat 134 may oriented
parallel to the board 104. The upper portion 130A has a first width
W1 and the lower portion 130B has a second width W2 that is less
than the first width W1, as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, such that a
notched area 136 is formed between the seat surface 139 and the
board 104. The difference between the first width W1 and the second
width W2 creates the notched area 136 located proximate the seat
134. An obstruction 132 is located in the notch area 136. As
illustrated in FIG. 1, the obstruction 132 may prevent the removal
of the plug 140 without removing the mechanical component 130. The
obstruction 132 may be part of the mechanical component 130 or may
be attached to the mechanical component 130 at the seat surface 139
or proximate the seat surface 139. Embodiments disclosed herein
seek to move the connection between the plug 140 and the connector
120 in a radially outward direction R1 out of the notched area 136,
as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. The radially outward direction R1
moves away from the central axis A. Moving the connection between
the plug 140 and the connector 120 in a radially outward direction
R1 out of the notched area 136 would move plug away from the
obstruction 132. Advantageously, by moving the connection between
the plug 140 and the connector 120 in a radially outward direction
R1 out of the notched area 136 and move plug away from the
obstruction 132, as in FIGS. 2-4, the mechanical component 130 does
not need to be removed to remove the plugs 140, thus allowing the
board 104 to maintain operations.
[0031] The upper portion 130A of the mechanical component 130
comprises one or more radially outward walls 138 that are oriented
about perpendicular to the board 104, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The
radially outward walls 138 are located at a first distance D1 away
from the central axis A. The central axis A may be the central axis
of the mechanical component 130 bisecting the mechanical component
down a middle of the mechanical component 130 between the radially
outward walls 138.
[0032] The first surface 126 and the second surface 128 of the
connector 120 are each oriented about parallel to the board 104.
The first surface 126 is oriented about parallel to the second
surface 128. The connector 120 includes a plug connection area 123
on the second surface 128 of the connectors 120. The plug
connection area 123 is sized to receive a plug 140. In other words,
the plug connection area 123 is about the size of the plug 140. The
plug connection area 123 is the space that the plug 140 will take
up or cover when the plug 140 is connected to the connector 120
(i.e., plug contacts 142 inserted into the connector contacts 124).
In other words, the plug connection area 123 represents a foot
print of the plug 140. In an embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS.
2-4, the plug connection area 123 is completely located at a second
distance D2 away from the central axis A that is greater than the
first distance D1, as measured away from the central axis A. In
other words, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the plug connection area
123 is completely located at a distance radially outside of the
first distance D1, as measured away from the central axis A. The
connector contacts 124 are located within the plug connection area
123. The plug 140 is configured to connect to the connector 120
when the connector contacts 124 receive or are within the plug
contacts 142.
[0033] The connector 120 includes a board connection area 129 on
the second surface 128 of the connectors 120. The board connection
area 129 is sized to connect to the board 104. The board connection
area 129 is the space or surface area that the connector tails 122
will take up or cover on the first surface 126. In other words, all
of the connector tails 122 on the second surface are located within
the board connection area 129. In an embodiment, the plug
connection area 123 is horizontally offset from the board
connection area 129, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4. Advantageously,
by horizontally offsetting the plug connection area 123 from the
board connection area 129, the plug connection area 123 is moved
out of the notched area 136 and away from the obstruction 132, as
in FIGS. 2-4, thus the mechanical component 130 does not need to be
removed to remove the plugs 140. This is as opposed to the
connector 120A illustrated in FIG. 1, where the plug connection
area 123 and the board connection area 129 are horizontally
aligned. The first surface 131 may also include a non-board
connection area 131 where no connector tails 122 are located, as
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0034] Referring now to FIG. 2, a connector 120B that moves the
plug 140 outside of the notched area 136 is illustrated, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
connector 120B of FIG. 2 has a bent or elbow shape that moves the
plug 140 outside of the notched area 136. The internal electrical
connections 125 follow the bent or elbow shape of the connector
120. The connector 120B includes multiple portions including a
first portion 121A, a second portion 121B, and a third portion
121C. The first portion 121A is oriented about perpendicular to the
board 104. The second portion 121B is oriented about parallel to
the board 104. The third portion 121C is oriented about
perpendicular to the board 104. The first portion 121A includes the
first surface 126 of the connector 120, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
The third portion 121C includes the second surface 128 of the
connector 120, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The first portion 121A is
attached or connected to the board 104 at the first surface 126 of
the connector 120, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The third portion 121C
is attached or connected to the plug 140 at the second surface 128
of the connector 120, as illustrated in FIG. 2. The second portion
121B is interposed between the first portion 121A and the third
portion 121C. As illustrated in FIG. 2 the second surface 128 of
the connector 120 is completely located at a second distance D2
that is greater than the first distance D1 away from the central
axis A of the mechanical component 130. In other words, the second
surface 128 of the connector 120 is located completely radially
outside of the first width W1 of the mechanical component 130. In
an embodiment, the third portion 121C is completely located at a
second distance D2 that is greater than the first distance D1 away
from the central axis A of the mechanical component 130. In an
embodiment, the third portion 121C is located completely radially
outside of the first width W1.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, a connector 120C that moves the
plug 140 outside of the notched area 136 is illustrated, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
connector 120C of FIG. 3 has a linear shape that moves the plug 140
outside of the notched area 136. The internal electrical
connections 125 follow a bend or elbow shape, as illustrated in
FIG. 3. The connector 120C includes a single portion 121 that is
oriented about parallel to the board 104. The single portion 121
includes the first surface 128 and the second surface 126. The
single portion 121 extends past the first distance D1 to move the
plug connection area 123 completely out of the notched area 136,
while the non-plug area 127 of the second surface 128 remains in
the notched area 136. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the second surface
128 includes the plug connection area 123 and the non-plug area
127. There are no connector contacts 124 located in the non-plug
area 127. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the plug connection area 123 of
the connector 120 is completely located at a second distance D2
that is greater than the first distance D1 away from the central
axis A of the mechanical component 130. In other words, the plug
connection area 123 of the connector 120 is located completely
radially outside of the first width W1 of the mechanical component
130.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 4, a connector 120D that moves the
plug 140 outside of the notched area 136 is illustrated, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The
connector 120B of FIG. 2 has a linear shape that moves the plug 140
outside of the notched area 136. The internal electrical
connections 125 follow a bend or elbow shape, as illustrated in
FIG. 4. The connector 120D includes a single portion 121 that is
oriented about parallel to the board 104 (i.e., module). The single
portion 121 includes the first surface 128 and the second surface
128. The single portion 121 extends past the first distance D1 to
move the plug connection area 123 completely out of the notched
area 136, while the non-plug area 127 of the second surface 128
remains in the notched area 136. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the
second surface 128 includes the plug connection area 123 and the
non-plug area 127. There are no connector contacts 124 located in
the non-plug area 127. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the plug
connection area 123 of the connector 120 is completely located at a
second distance D2 that is greater than the first distance D1 away
from the central axis A of the mechanical component 130. In other
words, the plug connection area 123 of the connector 120 is located
completely radially outside of the width W1 of the mechanical
component 130. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the board 104 may be
extended radially outward in the radially outward direction R1 to
fully support the first surface 126 of the connector 120D. In
embodiment, the board 104 supports all of the first surface 126 of
the connector 120D. In other words, the board 104 is in physical
contact with all of the first surface 126 of the connector 120.
Advantageously, the board 104 supports all of the first surface 126
of the connector 120D provides support for the connector 120D
against the weight of the plug 140.
[0037] Various embodiments of the invention are described herein
with reference to the related drawings. Alternative embodiments of
the invention can be devised without departing from the scope of
this invention. Various connections and positional relationships
(e.g., over, below, adjacent, etc.) are set forth between elements
in the following description and in the drawings. These connections
and/or positional relationships, unless specified otherwise, can be
direct or indirect, and the present invention is not intended to be
limiting in this respect. Accordingly, a coupling of entities can
refer to either a direct or an indirect coupling, and a positional
relationship between entities can be a direct or indirect
positional relationship. Moreover, the various tasks and process
steps described herein can be incorporated into a more
comprehensive procedure or process having additional steps or
functionality not described in detail herein.
[0038] One or more of the methods described herein can be
implemented with any or a combination of the following
technologies, which are each well known in the art: a discrete
logic circuit(s) having logic gates for implementing logic
functions upon data signals, an application specific integrated
circuit (ASIC) having appropriate combinational logic gates, a
programmable gate array(s) (PGA), a field programmable gate array
(FPGA), etc.
[0039] For the sake of brevity, conventional techniques related to
making and using aspects of the invention may or may not be
described in detail herein. In particular, various aspects of
computing systems and specific computer programs to implement the
various technical features described herein are well known.
Accordingly, in the interest of brevity, many conventional
implementation details are only mentioned briefly herein or are
omitted entirely without providing the well-known system and/or
process details.
[0040] In some embodiments, various functions or acts can take
place at a given location and/or in connection with the operation
of one or more apparatuses or systems. In some embodiments, a
portion of a given function or act can be performed at a first
device or location, and the remainder of the function or act can be
performed at one or more additional devices or locations.
[0041] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As
used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to
include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly
indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms
"comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification,
specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps,
operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or addition of one or more other features, integers,
steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.
[0042] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and
equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the
claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or
act for performing the function in combination with other claimed
elements as specifically claimed. The present disclosure has been
presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not
intended to be exhaustive or limited to the form disclosed. Many
modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary
skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the
disclosure. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical
application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to
understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
[0043] The diagrams depicted herein are illustrative. There can be
many variations to the diagram or the steps (or operations)
described therein without departing from the spirit of the
disclosure. For instance, the actions can be performed in a
differing order or actions can be added, deleted or modified. Also,
the term "coupled" describes having a signal path between two
elements and does not imply a direct connection between the
elements with no intervening elements/connections therebetween. All
of these variations are considered a part of the present
disclosure.
[0044] The following definitions and abbreviations are to be used
for the interpretation of the claims and the specification. As used
herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes,"
"including," "has," "having," "contains" or "containing," or any
other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive
inclusion. For example, a composition, a mixture, process, method,
article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not
necessarily limited to only those elements but can include other
elements not expressly listed or inherent to such composition,
mixture, process, method, article, or apparatus.
[0045] Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean
"serving as an example, instance or illustration." Any embodiment
or design described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be
construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or
designs. The terms "at least one" and "one or more" are understood
to include any integer number greater than or equal to one, i.e.
one, two, three, four, etc. The terms "a plurality" are understood
to include any integer number greater than or equal to two, i.e.
two, three, four, five, etc. The term "connection" can include both
an indirect "connection" and a direct "connection."
[0046] The terms "about," "substantially," "approximately," and
variations thereof, are intended to include the degree of error
associated with measurement of the particular quantity based upon
the equipment available at the time of filing the application. For
example, "about" can include a range of .+-.8% or 5%, or 2% of a
given value.
[0047] The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present
invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are
not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments
disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used
herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the
embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement
over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of
ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments described
herein.
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