EP2054976B1 - Steckverbinder mit esd-schutz - Google Patents

Steckverbinder mit esd-schutz Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2054976B1
EP2054976B1 EP07813698A EP07813698A EP2054976B1 EP 2054976 B1 EP2054976 B1 EP 2054976B1 EP 07813698 A EP07813698 A EP 07813698A EP 07813698 A EP07813698 A EP 07813698A EP 2054976 B1 EP2054976 B1 EP 2054976B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
housing
spring
metal shell
nonvolatile memory
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Not-in-force
Application number
EP07813698A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP2054976A1 (de
Inventor
Jr. Patricio Collantes
Robert C. Miller
Steven T. Sprouse
Dhaval Parikh
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
SanDisk Corp
Original Assignee
SanDisk Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US11/465,049 external-priority patent/US7416419B2/en
Priority claimed from US11/465,045 external-priority patent/US7581967B2/en
Application filed by SanDisk Corp filed Critical SanDisk Corp
Publication of EP2054976A1 publication Critical patent/EP2054976A1/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP2054976B1 publication Critical patent/EP2054976B1/de
Not-in-force legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6581—Shield structure
    • H01R13/6582—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector
    • H01R13/6583—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector with separate conductive resilient members between mating shield members
    • H01R13/6584—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector with separate conductive resilient members between mating shield members formed by conductive elastomeric members, e.g. flat gaskets or O-rings
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/648—Protective earth or shield arrangements on coupling devices, e.g. anti-static shielding  
    • H01R13/658—High frequency shielding arrangements, e.g. against EMI [Electro-Magnetic Interference] or EMP [Electro-Magnetic Pulse]
    • H01R13/6581—Shield structure
    • H01R13/6582—Shield structure with resilient means for engaging mating connector
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2201/00—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications
    • H01R2201/06—Connectors or connections adapted for particular applications for computer periphery

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the use and structure of removable nonvolatile memory devices, particularly those having standardized connectors for interfacing with other electronic systems.
  • Electronic circuit cards including non-volatile memory cards, have been commercially implemented according to a number of well-known standards.
  • Memory cards are used with personal computers, cellular telephones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), digital still cameras, digital movie cameras, portable audio players and other host electronic devices for the storage of large amounts of data.
  • PDAs personal digital assistants
  • Such cards usually contain a re-programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory cell array along with a controller that controls operation of the memory cell array and interfaces with a host to which the card is connected.
  • Several of the same type of card may be interchanged in a host card slot designed to accept that type of card.
  • the development of the many electronic card standards has created different types of cards that are incompatible with each other in various degrees.
  • a card made according to one standard is usually not useable with a host designed to operate with a card of another standard.
  • Memory card standards include PC Card, CompactFlashTM card (CFTM card), SmartMediaTM card, MultiMediaCard (MMCTM), Secure Digital (SD) card, a miniSDTM card, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), Memory Stick TM , Memory Stick Duo card and TransFlash TM memory module standards.
  • USB Universal Serial Bus
  • USB connectors generally feature a metal shell surrounding an opening that contains pins, the metal shell connecting to ground when inserted into a USB receptacle.
  • USB flash drive products commercially available from SanDisk Corporation under its trademark “Cruzer®.” USB flash drives are typically larger and shaped differently than the memory cards described above.
  • Removable memory units cards, USB flash drives and other units
  • a standardized connector In some cases, such connectors are susceptible to damage.
  • a cap may be used to cover such a connector so that it is protected. However, where such covers are separable from the memory unit, they may be lost or damaged easily.
  • One alternative is to provide a connector that retracts into the housing of the memory unit for protection. Examples of such units include Cruzer® Titanium USB flash drives from SanDisk Corporation.
  • the housing of a flash drive may be made of a metal, such as steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, zinc, a suitable alloy or any other suitable metal.
  • a unit with a retractable connector generally has a feature on the outside of its housing that allows a user to manually slide the connector between a retracted position and an extended position.
  • the connector In the retracted position, the connector is contained within the housing and is protected by the housing.
  • the connector In the extended position, the connector extends through an opening in the housing so that it may be plugged into a receptacle.
  • Such an opening is generally made somewhat larger than the connector so that there is some clearance around the connector to allow it to freely extend and retract without significant friction or binding.
  • ESD Electrostatic Discharge
  • PC chassis
  • Document US-B-6 676 419 discloses a method according to the preamble of claim 1.
  • the present invention is provided for by the method of claim 1 and the unit of claim 7.
  • a conductive spring provided between the connector and the housing provides an electrically conductive pathway between the housing and the metal shell of the connector.
  • the housing and the metal shell are kept at the same potential.
  • the metal shell is connected to ground and any charge on the housing is discharged through the conductive spring to the conductive shell. In this way, the memory system is protected from damaging electrostatic discharge.
  • the conductive spring is formed integrally with the metal shell of the connector.
  • FIG. 1 shows an example of a removable flash memory unit (flash drive) 100 that has a retractable USB connector 103 extending from a housing 101.
  • Housing 101 is made of a conductive metal in the present example (for example, a Copper alloy or steel).
  • Housing 101 consists of a metal top lid and a metal bottom lid joined together. Other configurations are also possible and a housing may be considered to be conductive even where it includes some insulating components.
  • An opening in housing 101 allows connector 103 to extend from housing 101 so that it can plug into a receptacle. Suitable receptacles according to the USB standard are generally provided on personal computers and other devices.
  • FIG 2 shows a cross sectional view of removable flash memory unit 100 along the X-Y plane of Figure 1 .
  • USB connector 103 is mounted to a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 205 at one end. Also mounted to PCB 205 are a controller 202 and a memory 201. Controller 202 and memory 201 form a memory system in the present example. In some cases additional components may be mounted to PCB 205 as part of a memory system.
  • USB connector 103 is connected to controller 202 by electrical conductors (not shown) and controller 202 and flash memory 201 are also connected.
  • Figure 2 shows a volume 207 within housing 101 into which PCB 205 may slide. When PCB 205 slides back to occupy volume 207, connector 103 slides with it so that connector 103 retracts into housing 101.
  • Figure 3A shows a vertical cross section (along a plane perpendicular to the x-axis of Figure 1 ) of a portion of removable flash memory unit 100. Unlike Figures 1 and 2 , Figure 3A shows connector 103 in a retracted position within housing 101. Figure 3A shows a spring 310 extending from connector 103 to contact housing 101. Spring 310 is formed of a conductive metal in this example so that an electrically conductive pathway is formed between connector 103 and housing 101, this electrically conductive pathway providing desirable ESD protection. In other examples, a conductive spring may have a different configuration, for example extending from the bottom or sides of a connector, or extending from the housing. In the present example, spring 310 contacts housing 101 when connector 103 is in the retracted position, though in other examples a spring may only make contact with a housing when in the extended position.
  • Figure 3B shows a portion of flash memory unit 100 in the same view as Figure 3A , but with connector 103 in the extended position where it protrudes from housing 101.
  • Spring 310 is shown contacting housing 101 along edge 320.
  • spring 310 may be depressed by edge 320 and deformed.
  • Spring 310 deforms elastically so that when connector 103 is returned to its retracted state, spring 310 returns to its previous position.
  • spring 310 deforms it presses against edge 320 to form a low-resistance, metal-to-metal contact with housing 101.
  • connector 103 is connected to housing 101 by an electrically conductive, low-resistance pathway.
  • spring 310 maintains a connection between connector 103 and housing 101.
  • This provides a pathway for electrostatic discharge that has a lower resistance than a pathway through electronic components within housing 101. Any static charge that may have built up on housing 101 is discharged directly from housing 101 to connector 103 when connector 103 is inserted in a receptacle.
  • the metal shell of connector 103 is connected to chassis ground.
  • Spring 310 provides an alternative route for electrostatic discharge so that instead of discharging through components within housing 101, current passes directly to connector 103 by a low-resistance pathway.
  • spring 310 maintains an electrically conductive, low-resistance pathway at all times, when connector 103 is in the extended position, in the retracted position and at all intermediate positions.
  • connector 103 is mounted to PCB 205 so that connector 103 is not separately movable from PCB 205.
  • USB connector may be moved independently of some or all the components of the memory system and may not always be mounted to a PCB.
  • the present invention is not limited to connectors that are mounted to a PCB.
  • a spring may be provided on either housing 101 or on connector 103.
  • an additional structure may be added that includes a spring to provide a conductive pathway
  • the metal shell of the connector generally provides a pathway to ground when the connector is connected to a receptacle.
  • This metal shell is generally formed of a sheet of metal that wraps around a central opening that contains pins for data transmission.
  • spring 310 is formed integrally with the metal shell of connector 103. That is, spring 310 is formed from the same metal sheet that forms the metal shell of connector 103.
  • Figure 4A shows metal shell 430 of connector 103 prior to installation in housing 101.
  • Figure 4A shows spring 310 and spring 432 extending from metal shell 430 (spring 432 is not visible in earlier figures).
  • Spring 310 and spring 432 both serve the same purpose. Different numbers of springs may be used in different examples. In some cases, one spring may be sufficient while in other cases, two, three or more springs may be used. Springs may be located on any side of metal shell 430.
  • Figure 4A shows spring 310 formed from metal shell 430.
  • Spring 310 is a strip of metal from metal shell 430 that is elongated longitudinally (along the Y-direction of Figure 1 ). Spring 310 remains attached to the remainder of metal shell 430 at one end.
  • spring 310 extends sufficiently to bridge the gap and maintain an electrically conductive pathway.
  • Spring 310 deforms elastically so that it maintains good contact with housing 101 throughout repeated operation, and does not interfere with movement of connector 103.
  • a spring may be formed in any suitable shape and may be straight or curved. Forming a spring integrally with a metal shell of a connector provides a simple, reliable structure that creates an electrically conductive, low-resistance pathway between the connector and the housing.
  • Figure 4B shows a side view of metal shell 430.
  • Spring 310 is shown extending 0.75mm above the upper surface of metal shell 430. This extends sufficiently to bridge the gap between metal shell 430 and housing 101.
  • a spring may be formed to extend a different amount for a different housing and the dimensions of the present figures are exemplary only.
  • Figure 4C shows a top-down view of metal shell 430.
  • Springs 310, 432 are shown extending longitudinally 6.75millimeters and having a width of 1.0millimeter. Other dimensions may also be used. For example, a single spring having a width of more than one millimeter (1mm) may also be used and may provide sufficiently low resistance.
  • similar springs may be added to connectors other than USB connectors to provide good connection to a housing or other conductive component which moves with respect to the connector.
  • Examples include connectors provided in various types of memory card and other electronic devices.
  • the present invention is not limited to USB connectors but may also be used with connectors according to different standards.
  • FireWire connectors may be similarly provided with springs where appropriate.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Cable Accessories (AREA)
  • Elimination Of Static Electricity (AREA)
  • Measuring Pulse, Heart Rate, Blood Pressure Or Blood Flow (AREA)

Claims (11)

  1. Verfahren zum Ausbilden eines entfernbaren, nichtflüchtigen Speichers (100), das beinhaltet:
    Ausbilden eines Speichersystems auf einer Leiterplatte (205), wobei das Speichersystem ein Array nichtflüchtiger Speicherzellen (201) und einen Speichercontroller bzw. eine Speichersteuereinrichtung (202) beinhaltet;
    Anbringen eines Verbinders (103) an der Leiterplatte (205), dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Verbinder (103) eine Feder (310) aufweist, die sich von dem Verbinder (103) erstreckt; und ferner gekennzeichnet durch
    Anordnen der Leiterplatte (205) in einem elektrisch leitenden Gehäuse (101), so dass die Feder (310) das elektrisch leitende Gehäuse (101) kontaktiert.
  2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, bei dem die Leiterplatte (205) einen Bewegungsumfang in dem elektrisch leitenden Gehäuse (101) aufweist, wobei der Bewegungsumfang sich von einer ersten Position, in welcher der Verbinder (103) sich in dem Gehäuse (101) befindet, und einer zweiten Position, in welcher der Verbinder (103) sich wenigstens teilweise außerhalb des Gehäuses (101) befindet, erstreckt.
  3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 2, wobei die Feder (310) in der ersten Position, der zweiten Position, und in Zwischenpositionen zwischen der ersten Position und der zweiten Position einen Kontakt mit dem elektrisch leitenden Gehäuse (101) hält.
  4. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, 2 oder 3, bei dem der Verbinder (103) ein Universal Serial Bus-Verbinder bzw. USB-Verbinder ist.
  5. Verfahren nach Anspruch 4, bei dem der USB-Verbinder eine Metallschale (430) aufweist, und wobei die Feder (310) in die Metallschale (430) integriert ist.
  6. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, bei dem der Verbinder (103) wenigstens eine zusätzliche Feder (432) aufweist, die sich von dem Verbinder (103) erstreckt.
  7. Entfernbare nichtflüchtige Speichereinheit (100) mit:
    einem Array nichtflüchtiger Speicherzellen (201) auf einem Halbleitersubstrat;
    dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Einheit (100) ferner aufweist:
    ein elektrisch leitendes Gehäuse (101), das sich um das Halbleitersubstrat erstreckt;
    einen Verbinder (103) mit einer Anzahl von Pins, wobei der Verbinder (103) in Kommunikation mit dem Array nichtflüchtiger Speicherzellen (201) steht, wobei sich der Verbinder (103) in einer ersten Position in das Gehäuse (101) zurückzieht und sich in einer zweiten Position aus dem Gehäuse (101) erstreckt;
    eine Feder (310), die einen elektrisch leitenden Pfad bildet, wobei der elektrisch leitende Pfad das Gehäuse (101) und einen Teil des Verbinders (103) elektrisch verbindet.
  8. Entfernbare nichtflüchtige Speichereinheit (100) nach Anspruch 7, bei der der Verbinder (103) ein Universal Serial Bus-Verbinder bzw. USB-Verbinder ist.
  9. Entfernbare nichtflüchtige Speichereinheit (100) nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, bei der der Abschnitt des Verbinders (103) eine Metallschale (430) ist, und die Feder (310) in der Metallschale (430) integriert ist.
  10. Entfernbare nichtflüchtige Speichereinheit (100) nach Anspruch 7, 8 oder 9, bei der das Array nichtflüchtiger Speicherzellen (201) ein Flash-Speicherarray bildet.
  11. Entfernbare nichtflüchtige Speichereinheit (100) nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 10, bei der das Halbleitersubstrat und der Verbinder (103) auf einer Leiterplatte (205) angebracht sind.
EP07813698A 2006-08-16 2007-08-02 Steckverbinder mit esd-schutz Not-in-force EP2054976B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US11/465,049 US7416419B2 (en) 2006-08-16 2006-08-16 Methods for ESD protection
US11/465,045 US7581967B2 (en) 2006-08-16 2006-08-16 Connector with ESD protection
PCT/US2007/075067 WO2008021741A1 (en) 2006-08-16 2007-08-02 Connector with esd protection

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP2054976A1 EP2054976A1 (de) 2009-05-06
EP2054976B1 true EP2054976B1 (de) 2010-02-24

Family

ID=38698245

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07813698A Not-in-force EP2054976B1 (de) 2006-08-16 2007-08-02 Steckverbinder mit esd-schutz

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP2054976B1 (de)
JP (1) JP4864140B2 (de)
KR (1) KR101058204B1 (de)
AT (1) ATE459114T1 (de)
DE (1) DE602007004997D1 (de)
TW (1) TWI369924B (de)
WO (1) WO2008021741A1 (de)

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2199920B1 (de) * 2008-12-22 2013-09-18 Huawei Device Co., Ltd. Verfahren und Vorrichtung zur Verbesserung der Funkleistung von drahtlosen Datenendgeräten
CN201323599Y (zh) * 2008-12-22 2009-10-07 深圳华为通信技术有限公司 一种无线数据终端设备
TWI483195B (zh) * 2010-03-16 2015-05-01 Toshiba Kk Semiconductor memory device
KR101316777B1 (ko) * 2012-05-17 2013-10-23 주식회사 트렌스시스템 마이크로 5핀을 갖는 유에스비 메모리
KR20210031290A (ko) 2019-09-11 2021-03-19 주식회사 엘지화학 보호소자 통합형 커넥터

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0698865B2 (ja) * 1986-02-21 1994-12-07 株式会社東芝 メモリカード
JPH03101291U (de) * 1990-02-02 1991-10-22
JPH05197850A (ja) * 1992-01-21 1993-08-06 Toshiba Corp データ記録担体およびそのデータ記録担体を使用する電子装置
US6210216B1 (en) * 1999-11-29 2001-04-03 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Two port USB cable assembly
JP2001244016A (ja) * 2000-02-29 2001-09-07 Fujitsu Takamisawa Component Ltd カード型周辺装置
US6776658B2 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-08-17 Hon Hai Precision Ind. Co., Ltd. Cable end connector
CN2585308Y (zh) * 2002-10-25 2003-11-05 互亿科技股份有限公司 兼具防水和导光性能的资讯装置
US6676419B1 (en) * 2003-02-13 2004-01-13 Asia Vital Components Co., Ltd. Portable storing device with universal serial bus
US7511233B2 (en) * 2004-08-04 2009-03-31 Pocrass Alan L Flash memory drive with integrated male and female connectors

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE459114T1 (de) 2010-03-15
TWI369924B (en) 2012-08-01
KR20090077889A (ko) 2009-07-16
TW200818991A (en) 2008-04-16
JP4864140B2 (ja) 2012-02-01
EP2054976A1 (de) 2009-05-06
WO2008021741A1 (en) 2008-02-21
JP2010501097A (ja) 2010-01-14
DE602007004997D1 (de) 2010-04-08
KR101058204B1 (ko) 2011-08-22

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