Connector with plated plastic contacts

    公开(公告)号:US11936151B2

    公开(公告)日:2024-03-19

    申请号:US17472369

    申请日:2021-09-10

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    CPC classification number: H01R43/005 H01R43/24

    Abstract: Connector assemblies and contacts that can be moisture-resistant, light-weight, space efficient, and can be readily manufactured. The connector assembly can be formed of two or more materials that can be molded together to reduce the chance of leakage at seams between the two materials. One of the two materials can have an affinity for plating materials while the other material can have an aversion to plating materials. The first material can be plated and used as contacts, while the second can resist plating and can be used to separate regions of the first material into two or more contacts.

    Connector assembly having a low-impedance ground connection

    公开(公告)号:US10950984B1

    公开(公告)日:2021-03-16

    申请号:US16586714

    申请日:2019-09-27

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: An accessory for an electronic device includes a plug connector that is configured to connect to an electronic device when the electronic device is received by the accessory. The accessory also includes a receptacle connector at an exterior surface for coupling the accessory to a charging system when a mating connector is received within a receiving cavity of the receptacle connector. A bracket electrically and mechanically couples the plug connector to the receptacle connector. A ground spring is coupled to an exterior metallic shell of the receptacle connector and has a pair of spring arms that each have a distal end positioned within the receiving cavity such that when a mating plug connector is received within the receiving cavity a low-impedance ground path is formed between the mating connector and the plug connector.

    Connector receptacle having a tongue

    公开(公告)号:US10516225B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-12-24

    申请号:US16160793

    申请日:2018-10-15

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Connector systems may include a connector receptacle and connector plug or insert. The connector receptacle may include a tongue. The tongue may be formed using a printed circuit board. Contacts may be plated on top and bottom surfaces of the tongue. Retention features may also be located on top and bottom surfaces of tongue. These retention features may be speed bumps or other features. The connector insert may include a leading edge portion formed of plastic, a conductive shield around the insert behind the leasing edge portion, a plurality of spring contacts attached to an inside of the conductive shield, a top row of contacts; and a bottom row of contacts. Other connector receptacles may include a tongue having side ground contacts. The side ground contacts may engage an inside of a plug shield and have contacting portion to fit in openings in the plug shield.

    Reliable connector receptacles having high signal quality

    公开(公告)号:US10404021B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-09-03

    申请号:US15274354

    申请日:2016-09-23

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Connector receptacles and connector inserts that may be reliable, may readily manufactured, and may provide high signal quality for high speed signals with minimized signal noise, distortion losses, radiation, and interference. An example may provide a reliable connector receptacle by including a plurality of contacts, where each contact includes a first bend angling a contacting portion away from a tongue and a second bend angling a contacting portion towards the tongue, where the second bend is between the first bend and a front of the connector receptacle. Another example may provide a connector receptacle that may be readily manufactured by providing a tongue having tapered lead-ins for receiving contacting portions of contacts during assembly. Another example may provide a connector receptacle that provides isolation among signals by arranging through-hole portions of signal contacts in lines that are separated from each other by intervening through-hole portions of ground contacts.

    Integrated protector for a connector

    公开(公告)号:US10374362B2

    公开(公告)日:2019-08-06

    申请号:US15720496

    申请日:2017-09-29

    Applicant: Apple Inc.

    Abstract: Connector receptacles having protective doors. A protective door can block a card, module, or connector insert from being inserted at an oblique angle to protect contacts in a connector receptacle from damage due to an improper insertion. The protective door can normally be closed in the absence of a card inserted in the connector receptacle. The door can be a front of a cam. A spring or magnet can bias the door in the closed position when no card is inserted. The door can be arranged to stay closed when a card is inserted at an oblique angle. When the card is inserted properly, the cam can rotate about an axis and the door can open allowing the card to access to the contacts of the connector receptacle. A second door in front of the protective door can be included to provide enhanced functionality and to provide a more uniform appearance.

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