Electricity: electrical systems and devices – Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical... – For electronic systems and devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-30
2001-02-27
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)
Electricity: electrical systems and devices
Housing or mounting assemblies with diverse electrical...
For electronic systems and devices
C361S816000, C361S818000, C361S753000, C174S034000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195265
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all rights accruing thereto under 35 U.S.C. §119 through my patent application entitled
Apparatus for Preventing Electromagnetic Interference Between Portable Computer and Expansion System
earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 1st day of December 1997 and there duly assigned Ser. No. 1997/65104.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to an apparatus for preventing electromagnetic interference between a portable computer and an docking station and, more particularly, to an apparatus that grounds the portable computer and docking station to reduce the electromagnetic interference between the portable computer and the docking station.
2. Background Art
Recently, portable computers have become a popular alternative to traditional desktop computers in terms of their movability, simplicity, and various functions. Furthermore, various expansion devices, such as docking stations, have been developed that enable the portable computer to extend its battery life as well as its multimedia capabilities. This development has been spurred by users'desires to overcome the inherent functional limitations, with respect to size, weight, and battery life, of portable computers. Some common expansion, also referred to as peripheral, devices are, for example, external speakers, external CD-ROM drives, external batteries, or AC adapters. These peripherals can often be incorporated into, or interfaced through, a docking station that is specifically designed for a particular type of portable computer.
Usually, a docking station has a special connector, also referred to as a port replicator, that allows the portable computer to interface with peripheral devices, that are attached to the docking station, such as an external display device, a mouse, a keyboard, or a pair of speakers. The port replicator is coupled to an expansion port that is positioned on the rear side of the portable computer, to allow the electrical and mechanical connection of the portable computer with the docking station. With this connection, the peripheral devices and the portable computer can be integrated to enhance the functionality of the portable computer.
To improve the performance and prevent the degradation of the complex electrical systems involved in computer systems using a portable computer and docking station, devices that reduce electromagnetic radiation are constantly being developed. Some examples of techniques for reducing electromagnetic radiation are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,873 to Bhargava entitled
Standoff and Grounding Clip Assembly
, U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,866 to Cooke entitled
Self-Contained Grounding Strip
, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,777,264 to Chen entitled
Grounding Structure for Extractable Harddisk.
The contemporary art, however, does not provide a device that effectively shields or reduces the electromagnetic waves that are generated by both the docking station and the portable computer. Since the port of the typical docking station is connected to the port of the portable computer without the use of any shielding, electromagnetic waves that are generated from both the docking station and the portable computer leak through the interface ports to interfere with other electrical systems.
As such, I believe that it may be possible to improve on the contemporary art by providing a device that can reduce the electromagnetic radiation leakage between the docking station and the portable computer that still occurs along the interface ports between the two devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a device that can reduce the electromagnetic radiation leakage between the docking station and the portable computer that still occurs along the interface ports between the two devices, thus almost completely preventing electromagnetic interference between the portable computer and the docking station while the computer is used simultaneously with the docking station.
To achieve these and other objects, a device is provided that prevents electromagnetic interference between a portable computer and a docking station, that are electrically connected via interface ports, while the portable computer is used with the docking station. A computer system using the device may be constructed using a first conduction member that may be made of a conductive metal strip material that is mounted on the docking station while also being grounded to the docking station. A second conduction member that is made of a conductive material is inserted in the bottom side of a portable computer and is also grounded to the portable computer. The first conduction member is electrically connected to the second conduction member while the portable computer is engaged with the docking station. Together, the first and second conduction members join the grounds of the portable computer and the docking station to effectively prevent the leakage of electromagnetic waves between the devices.
The second conduction member may be formed using an insert member, or plug, that is inserted in a hole formed in a bottom side of the housing of a portable computer. The plug may be grounded to a conductive layer that is formed on an inner surface of the computer housing. The first conduction member is mounted to the top surface of a tray portion of the docking station and is grounded to the housing of the docking station.
Alternatively, a docking station may be used that uses a tray and structure component that are not manufactured as an integral piece. This type of a docking station would require the engagement of the tray of a docking station with a structure, or port bearing, component to form the docking station. Such a docking station may be constructed using a first part, or tray, and a second part, or structure, that may be assembled with each other into a single body to form the docking station. The tray portion provides a seat for the portable computer and can have a recess or depression formed in the tray that allows the first conduction member to be recessed in a lower position in the tray portion of the docking station. The structure portion, or port bearing portion, has an extension wall, or top wall, that extends over a portion of the tray after the structure and the tray are attached to form the docking station. The top wall covers the depression in the tray and allows only a portion of the first conduction member to penetrate the top wall through a hole, or bore.
While the first conduction member only protrudes partially above the top wall, contact can be made between the first conduction member and the second conduction member to ground the conductive material in the portable computer to the housing of the docking station.
In the above apparatus, the first part of the docking station is made of a conduction material. The first conduction member may be constructed using a conductive strip of sheet metal having a predetermined length and width. The sheet metal body is bent into a specific configuration and is fixed to the bottom surface of the depression at a first end. The sheet metal strip has a terminal located on a middle portion so that a portion of the first conductive member passes through the hole, or bore, in the top wall to project upwardly. The second conduction member may be constructed using an plug shaped member that is inserted in a hole formed in a bottom side of the portable computer. The second conductive member is grounded to a conductive layer formed on an inner surface of the housing of the portable computer.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4855873 (1989-08-01), Bhargava et al.
patent: 5004866 (1991-04-01), Cooke et al.
patent: 5210681 (1993-05-01), Hosoi et al.
patent: 5434743 (1995-07-01), Hosoya et al.
patent: 5488572 (1996-01-01), Belmont
patent: 5504648 (1996-04-01), Honda et al.
patent: 5604663 (1997-02-01), Shin et al.
patent: 5644474 (1997-07-01), Jang
patent: 5777264 (1998-07-01)
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Gaffin Jeffrey
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Vu Phuong T.
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