Apple Inc.

Lumentum Operations LLC

Rui Zhou

Mahmoud R Amini

James E Harper

George Tziviskos

James M Jeon

Bartley K Andre

Zheng Gao

Jae Hwang Lee

Paul Joseph Hack

Mariel L Lanas

Adam H Herzog

Richard P Howarth

Daniele De Iuliis

Brett W Degner

Sung-Ho Tan

Houtan R Farahani

Cesar Lozano Villarreal

Boping Xie

Nikhil S Pansare

Mathieu P Roy

Daniel A Bergvall

Michael A Kinney

Johnathan D Simeroth

Erik A Gutfeldt

Unhyi Yang

Ayoub Yari Boroujeni

Shayla A Schoensee

Michael J Reis

Brock A Zekany

Patrick M DalCanto

Sharif S Chang

Ameya V Nilkanth

Daren L Rimando

Davood Mousanezhad Viyand

Deep Karpe

Power adapters having a small-form factor, can deliver a large amount of power, can charge multiple electronic devices, and can allocate power between the multiple electronic devices in an efficient manner. One example can provide power adapters having small form factor that can be achieved by including space-efficient structures. This example can have an enclosure with first openings for power prongs, a second opening for a first connector receptacle, and a third opening for a second connector receptacle. An alignment adapter can be electromagnetically located between the power prongs and the first connector receptacle and between the power prongs and the second connector receptacle. The alignment adapter can include a compensating feature to allow each of the power prongs to be aligned with corresponding first openings, the first connector receptacle to be aligned with the second opening, and the second connector receptacle to be aligned with the third opening.

Space-efficient structures for multi-port power adapters

Power connector systems that can have an asymmetric insertion-to-extraction force ratio such that they are easy to mate and can reliably remain connected during use. The power connector systems can have a low-profile for use in thin electronic devices.

Power connector with asymmetric insertion-to-extraction force ratio

Power connectors that are easy to connect, have a low profile, and can convey one or more data signals. One example can provide a power connector that is easy to connect by providing an axisymmetric connector receptacle and connector insert. Magnets can be used to help guide a connection between a connector insert and a connector receptacle. Canted springs can be used to provide a tactile response to the insertion of the connector insert into the connector receptacle and to help to secure the connector insert in place when mated with the connector insert. Keying or self-aligning features can be included on either or both the connector insert and the connector receptacle to help guide mating.

Low-profile axisymmetric power connectors

Connector receptacles that can provide audible feedback to inform a user that a card has been properly inserted, and can include structures to protect contacts in a connector receptacle from damage due to an improper card insertion. An example can provide a connector receptacle having a click module to provide audible feedback indicating that a card has been fully inserted. Another example can provide a connector receptacle having movable contacts that can remain out of an insertion path until the card is at least partially inserted.

Connectors with audible feedback and contact protection

An electronic device includes a housing having a front wall and a floating connector assembly coupled to the front wall. The connector assembly includes a panel and a connector. The connector includes a frame attached to the panel and defines first and second alignment openings. A sleeve extends from the frame and extends through the front wall. A removable cover for the electronic device includes first and second connector alignment pins that align with the first and second alignment openings to align the connector sleeve with a connector aperture defined by the cover. The first and second connector alignment pins and the first and second alignment openings can each include tapered portions to move the connector assembly into alignment with the connector aperture as the cover is attached with the housing.

Floating connector assembly

Mechanisms that may help to secure connector inserts in place when they are plugged into a connector receptacle on an electronic device. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a friction mechanism to provide friction between a connector insert and a connector receptacle when the connector insert is inserted in the connector receptacle. Other examples may provide a connector receptacle having a locking mechanism to hinder or prevent extraction of a connector insert.

Connectors with high retention force

Audio jacks and device enclosures that provide proper grounding, are readily reworkable, provide improved ventilation, and have an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and a sleeve for an audio jack. The sleeve can connect to ground through various paths. The audio jack housing can be inserted in the sleeve and kept in place using a fastener. This arrangement can allow the audio jack to be readily reworkable. The sleeve can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Audio jack having integrated grounding

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 assembly having a low-impedance ground connection

Connector receptacles that are able to withstand insertion and other forces, are reliable, and are easy to manufacture. In various examples, the connector receptacle tongue or other portions may be reinforced such that they may withstand the insertion forces exerted through a connector insert.

Durable connector receptacles with reinforced tongue and ground contacts

Connector receptacles and device enclosures that can provide proper grounding, improved ventilation, and an aesthetically pleasing appearance. An example can include a device enclosure including an enclosure wall and sleeves for a number of connector receptacles. Each sleeve can electrically contact a shield of a corresponding connector receptacle via a conductive structure, such as a conductive gasket, to provide a good ground path. The sleeves can be narrow at the enclosure wall for improved ventilation and an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

IO integration with floating connectors in a mesh

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.

Integrated protector for a connector

Durable connector receptacles

Combined connector receptacles, examples of which provide an upper housing having openings for tongues on each of two lower housings to simplify alignment of the tongues to a device enclosure, and inner shields around the lower housings and an outer shield around the upper housing and lower housings to provide isolation.

Dual unibody USB connector

Direct pin attachment is the most compact method to connect the OSA and the PCBA, due to better performance in general and allows maximum PCBA space for more functionality. However, direct pin attachment can result in concentrated stress in the OSA-PCBA joint area, which can affect the reliability and yield of the module. To overcome the problem, an integrated transceiver cage and housing is provided including a direct pin attachment with reinforcing tabs, which are fixed to the PCBA prior to the pins to transfer any stress between the OSA and PCBA, thereby reducing the amount of stress applied to the pins.

Growing community of inventors

Sunnyvale, CA, United States of America

Rui Zhou