公开(公告)号：US10122132B2

公开(公告)日：2018-11-06

申请号：US15396651

申请日：2016-12-31

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Zheng Gao ,  Steve McClure ,  Joshua Banko ,  Greg Springer ,  Min Chul Kim ,  Joshua Funamura

IPC: H01R13/648 ,  H01R24/60 ,  H01R13/03 ,  H01R13/627 ,  H05K5/02 ,  H01R107/00

Abstract: Structures, methods, and apparatus that provide connector receptacles that have a reduced tendency to scratch and otherwise mar connector inserts, have an aesthetically-pleasing appearance, and have an improved tactile response when inserts are inserted. Various examples reduce scratches and wear by utilizing domes, cylinders, balls, or other structures as finger contacts in a connector receptacle. Another example provides aesthetically-pleasing connector receptacle enclosures by forming receptacle enclosures using the same type of material, or material having the same or similar color or texture, as is used for enclosing the electronic device that includes the receptacle. Another example provides an aesthetically-pleasing receptacle enclosure by forming receptacle enclosures that are, in part or in whole, contiguous or formed with the housing. Another embodiment provides a connector receptacle having a housing where a portion of the housing has been removed to save space.

公开(公告)号：US10116105B2

公开(公告)日：2018-10-30

申请号：US15242603

申请日：2016-08-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Chia Chi Wu ,  Zhengyu Li ,  Zheng Gao

IPC: G08B5/00 ,  H01R13/717 ,  H01R24/60 ,  G02B6/00 ,  H05K1/18

Abstract: Connectors that may provide illumination at an opening in order to facilitate the mating to a corresponding connector by a user. The illumination may be generated on a tongue of a connector insert or in a connector receptacle. For connector receptacles, illumination may be guided to illuminate an opening of the connector receptacle, it may be guided out of a front edge of a tongue in the connector receptacle, or it may be guided in other directions. For connector inserts, illumination may be out of a front edge or sides of a tongue in the connector insert, or it may be guided in other directions. The illumination may be colored or patterned to convey information to a user. Other examples may include a connector system having a connector insert with a light guide to provide illumination from a connector receptacle to an opening in the connector insert where it may be viewed by a user. In other examples, other types of data, such as authentication or identification data, may be optically transmitted either to or through a connector insert inserted in the connector receptacle.

公开(公告)号：US10083805B2

公开(公告)日：2018-09-25

申请号：US15154768

申请日：2016-05-13

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Eric A. Knopf ,  Matthew P. Casebolt ,  Craig C. Leong ,  Robert Y. Cao ,  Bradford J. Zercoe ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Zheng Gao ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Paul X. Wang

IPC: H01H13/70 ,  H01H13/7065 ,  G06F3/02 ,  H01H3/12 ,  H01H13/705 ,  H01H13/88 ,  H01H13/02 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/04 ,  H01H13/10 ,  H01H13/83 ,  G06F1/16

CPC classification number: H01H13/7065 ,  G06F1/1662 ,  G06F3/0202 ,  H01H3/122 ,  H01H13/023 ,  H01H13/04 ,  H01H13/10 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/70 ,  H01H13/705 ,  H01H13/83 ,  H01H13/88 ,  H01H2203/038 ,  H01H2215/004 ,  H01H2219/028 ,  H01H2219/056 ,  H01H2219/062 ,  H01H2221/07 ,  H01H2223/03 ,  H01H2223/054 ,  H01H2227/022 ,  H01H2229/02 ,  H01H2239/056 ,  H01H2239/074

Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.

公开(公告)号：US09992863B2

公开(公告)日：2018-06-05

申请号：US14466899

申请日：2014-08-22

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Mahmoud R. Amini ,  Zheng Gao ,  Dennis R. Pyper

IPC: H05K7/00 ,  H05K1/02 ,  B23C3/12 ,  H01R13/66 ,  H01R24/60 ,  H05K3/06 ,  B23C5/04 ,  B23C5/12 ,  H01R13/6473 ,  H05K3/10 ,  H05K3/24 ,  H05K1/18 ,  H05K3/00

CPC classification number: H05K1/0296 ,  B23C3/12 ,  B23C5/04 ,  B23C5/12 ,  B23C2210/086 ,  B23C2210/088 ,  B23C2210/244 ,  B23C2220/16 ,  B23C2226/27 ,  H01R13/6473 ,  H01R13/6658 ,  H01R24/60 ,  H01R2201/06 ,  H05K1/0227 ,  H05K1/025 ,  H05K1/181 ,  H05K3/0044 ,  H05K3/06 ,  H05K3/10 ,  H05K3/108 ,  H05K3/243 ,  H05K3/244 ,  H05K2201/09027 ,  H05K2201/09081 ,  H05K2201/09154 ,  H05K2201/09354 ,  H05K2201/09445 ,  H05K2203/1469

Abstract: Connector inserts and other structures that have a high signal integrity and low insertion loss, are reliable, and are readily manufactured. One example may provide a connector insert formed primarily using a printed circuit board. Contacts on the connector insert may be akin to contacts on a printed circuit board and they may connect to traces having matched impedances on the printed circuit board in order to improve signal integrity and reduce insertion loss. The printed circuit board may be manufactured in a manner for increased reliability. Plating, solder block, and other manufacturing steps that are native to printed circuit board manufacturing may be employed to improve manufacturability. Specialized tools that may provide a chamfered edge on the connector inserts may be employed.

公开(公告)号：US09948042B2

公开(公告)日：2018-04-17

申请号：US15368691

申请日：2016-12-05

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Nathan N. Ng ,  Zheng Gao ,  Mahmoud R. Amini ,  Min Chul Kim ,  Colin J. Abraham

IPC: H01R13/648 ,  H01R24/70 ,  H01R13/6597 ,  H01R13/24 ,  H01R13/6581 ,  H01R24/64 ,  H01R43/16 ,  H01R13/627

CPC classification number: H01R24/70 ,  H01R13/2442 ,  H01R13/6275 ,  H01R13/6581 ,  H01R13/6585 ,  H01R13/6597 ,  H01R24/64 ,  H01R43/16 ,  Y10T29/4921

Abstract: Connector inserts having retention features with good reliability and holding force. These connector inserts may include ground contacts that provide an insertion portion having a reduced length. These connector inserts may be reliable, have an attractive appearance, and be readily manufactured.

公开(公告)号：US20180069550A1

公开(公告)日：2018-03-08

申请号：US15260242

申请日：2016-09-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Alex J. Lehmann ,  Kenneth M. Silz ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Qiliang Xu ,  Zheng Gao

IPC: H03K17/975 ,  H03K17/96 ,  H01H13/78

CPC classification number: H03K17/975 ,  H01H13/78 ,  H01H2215/006 ,  H03K17/962 ,  H03K2217/94073 ,  H03K2217/96062

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a dome switch and methods related to the use thereto. In one aspect, an embodiment includes a key cap. The embodiment may further include a domed structure having upper and lower portions. The domed structure may be configured to deform in response to an input force received at the upper portion by the key cap. The embodiment may further include a collar affixed to the lower portion and extending toward the key cap. The collar may resist deformation of the domed surface.

公开(公告)号：US20180040441A1

公开(公告)日：2018-02-08

申请号：US15230724

申请日：2016-08-08

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Chia Chi Wu ,  Ming Gao ,  Zheng Gao ,  Zhengyu Li

IPC: H01H13/88 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/02 ,  H01H13/70

CPC classification number: H01H13/88 ,  H01H3/122 ,  H01H13/023 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/70 ,  H01H13/83 ,  H01H2205/016 ,  H01H2219/062 ,  H01H2219/066

Abstract: Methods for assembling low-profile, singulated keyboards by prefabricating key assemblies onto a chassis strip that is divided into individual key assemblies only after the substrate is affixed to a feature plate of keyboard. For example, a row of key assemblies is fabricated onto a chassis strip. The row corresponds to a partial or complete row of keys of the keyboard. The chassis strip is thereafter affixed to a feature plate in a specific location, thereby aligning each prefabricated key assembly to a precise location on the feature plate. While connected, each prefabricated key assembly is independently affixed to the feature plate. Thereafter, interconnecting portions of the chassis strip between the prefabricated key assemblies are removed, thereby singulating each key assembly.

公开(公告)号：US20170345589A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-30

申请号：US15163580

申请日：2016-05-24

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Chia-Chi Wu ,  Zheng Gao ,  Ming Gavin Gao ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Alex J. Lehmann ,  Richard Xu ,  Kenneth M. Silz ,  Chia-Wei Lee

IPC: H01H13/785 ,  H01H13/85 ,  H01H13/52

CPC classification number: H01H13/785 ,  H01H3/122 ,  H01H13/52 ,  H01H13/78 ,  H01H13/85 ,  H01H2215/004 ,  H01H2217/004 ,  H01H2227/022 ,  H01H2227/026 ,  H01H2227/036

Abstract: A key mechanism is disclosed. The key mechanism comprises a keycap, a dome support structure positioned relative to the keycap and defining an opening, an actuation mechanism coupled to the keycap, and a collapsible dome positioned in the opening of the dome support structure. The actuation mechanism is configured to movably support the keycap relative to the dome support structure. The dome comprises an upstop member configured to limit upward travel of the collapsible dome.

公开(公告)号：US20170338577A1

公开(公告)日：2017-11-23

申请号：US15482830

申请日：2017-04-10

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Mahmoud R. Amini ,  Zheng Gao ,  Nathan N. Ng

IPC: H01R12/73 ,  H01R13/6583 ,  H01R24/66 ,  H01R24/60 ,  H01R12/70 ,  H05K1/11 ,  H01R13/66 ,  H05K1/02

CPC classification number: H01R12/73 ,  H01R12/7029 ,  H01R13/6583 ,  H01R13/6658 ,  H01R24/60 ,  H01R24/66 ,  H05K1/0215 ,  H05K1/117

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.

公开(公告)号：US20170011869A1

公开(公告)日：2017-01-12

申请号：US15269790

申请日：2016-09-19

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Eric A. Knopf ,  Matthew P. Casebolt ,  Craig C. Leong ,  Robert Y. Cao ,  Bradford J. Zercoe ,  Dinesh C. Mathew ,  Zheng Gao ,  Ryan P. Brooks ,  Paul X. Wang ,  Bruce E. Berg

IPC: H01H13/7065 ,  H01H13/04 ,  H01H13/10 ,  H01H13/02 ,  H01H13/83

CPC classification number: H01H13/7065 ,  G06F1/1662 ,  G06F3/0202 ,  H01H3/122 ,  H01H13/023 ,  H01H13/04 ,  H01H13/10 ,  H01H13/14 ,  H01H13/70 ,  H01H13/705 ,  H01H13/83 ,  H01H13/88 ,  H01H2203/038 ,  H01H2215/004 ,  H01H2219/028 ,  H01H2219/056 ,  H01H2219/062 ,  H01H2221/07 ,  H01H2223/03 ,  H01H2223/054 ,  H01H2227/022 ,  H01H2229/02 ,  H01H2239/056 ,  H01H2239/074

Abstract: An input mechanism is disclosed. The input mechanism includes a dome support structure defining an opening that extends through the dome support structure, a collapsible dome positioned in the opening and engaged with the dome support structure, and a cover member coupled to the dome support structure and covering the collapsible dome, thereby retaining the collapsible dome within the opening of the dome support structure.

Abstract translation: 公开了一种输入机构。 所述输入机构包括限定穿过所述圆顶支撑结构的开口的圆顶支撑结构，位于所述开口中并与所述圆顶支撑结构接合的可折叠圆顶，以及联接到所述圆顶支撑结构并覆盖所述可折叠圆顶的盖构件， 从而将可折叠的圆顶保持在圆顶支撑结构的开口内。