Connector for placement in board opening

#The number and types of electronic devices available to consumers have increased tremendously the past few years, and this increase shows no signs of abating. Devices such as portable computing devices, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, cell phone, smart phones, media phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors and other devices have become ubiquitous.

#These devices often receive power and share data using various cables. These cables may have connector inserts, or plugs, on each end. The connector inserts may plug into connector receptacles on electronic devices, thereby forming one or more conductive paths for signals and power.

#Devices typically have openings that allow access to connector receptacles. These openings may provide access to one or more contacts in the receptacles, which may mate with corresponding contacts in connector inserts. The connector receptacles often are located on a printed circuit board, such as a main or mother board. The one or more contacts in the connector receptacle may connect to corresponding traces on the printed circuit board.

#FIG. 1 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 illustrates an opening for a USB connector according to an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom side of a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 1 illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims.

#Connector receptacle 100 may include tongue 110, top shell portion 120, side shell portion 130, and bottom shell portion 140. Top shell portion 120 may include tabs 122. Side shell portion 130 may be formed as part of, or attached to, top shell portion 120. Side shell portion 130 may include tabs 132. Tabs 122 and 132 may be soldered or otherwise fixed to openings in a printed circuit board, such as a motherboard, main logic board, or other appropriate substrate.

#Again, some device enclosures are becoming so narrow that it may be difficult to fit a connector receptacle and main logic board in its width. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may provide connector receptacles that reside in an opening in a printed circuit board. In this way, the thickness of the combination of the connector and printed circuit board is reduced to the depth of the printed circuit board.