ESD protective connector apparatus

Details ESD protective connector apparatus ESD protective connector apparatus

2000-05-18

2001-06-05

Patel, Tulsidas (Department: 2839)

Electrical connectors

With circuit conductors and safety grounding provision

Grounding of coupling part

C439S928100, C439S951000, C361S799000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06241537

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to handheld computers and accessory devices for handheld computers. More specifically, embodiments of this invention encompass a handheld computer with an ESD protective connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Handheld computers use peripheral or accessory devices to enhance their abilities and functions. Typical accessory devices for handheld computers include communication cradles or docking stations, battery chargers, Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices, and modems. Generally, these devices are adapted to mate with the handheld computer using either wiping style connectors or pogo style connectors.
Until now, handheld computers were adapted to connect with accessory devices having either a wiping style or a pogo pin connector. During or after the mating process with either connector, a static electric discharge or electrostatic discharge event (EDE) can occur that can damage electronic components in the handheld computer. The static electric discharge occurs due to the buildup of static electricity on the accessory device, the user or the handheld computer. The voltages that drive an electrostatic discharge can be significant. In fact, when the humidity drops below 50% Rh, the human body can acquire and dissipate an electrostatic charge having a potential in excess of 30,000 volts. Unfortunately, many devices are susceptible to ESD damage at relatively low voltages e.g. less than 100 Volts. In fact, a discharge of only 10 Volts can destroy some types of devices.
The microelectronics of a handheld computer are particularly sensitive to damage from electrostatic discharge or ESD. This due to fact that these components are composed of micro-miniature traces and structures of alternating layers that may be insulative, conductive or semi-conductive. Rapid electrostatic discharge can cause damage to these underlying structures via the traces of the component. Thus static electricity can readily damage integrated circuits containing such traces including, microprocessors, ASICS and memory devices including RAM and ROM devices. The damage can range from erasure of memory registers and contents to physical damage of the circuits due to damage of the traces.
Handheld computers are also susceptible to such discharges. For example, when the interface connector of the handheld computer is unmated, the electronic components that are connected to this unmated connector are susceptible to receiving, through the conductive pins of the unmated connector, an electrostatic discharge current from an electrostatically charged human or other sources of an electrostatic charge. Similarly, during or after the mating process of the connector to accessory device, electrostatic current can flow from the accessory device the hand-held computer, causing damage to internal components of the handheld computer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the invention includes a handheld computer including electrostatic discharge feature. The electrostatic discharge feature is configured on the connector of the handheld computer to dissipate an electrostatic charge having a voltage exceeding a threshold level upon the connector being made with another connector of an accessory device. Examples of an accessory device include communication cradles for use with handheld computers.
Among other advantages, embodiments of the invention provide a versatile connector with a current path to dissipate charge delivered by an ESD event. This feature includes potential damage from ESD events particularly during and connection and deconnection to an accessory device. Further, embodiments of the invention improve reliability in making and maintaining an electrical connection between the handheld computer and accessory device. Additionally, the current associated with an ESD event and its derivative are reduced, minimizing damage such as latchups, register erasure, data loss and physical damage.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5052943 (1991-10-01), Davis
patent: 5220270 (1993-06-01), Peickert
patent: 6042414 (2000-03-01), Kunert
patent: 6058000 (2000-05-01), Koenck et al.
patent: 6068496 (2000-05-01), Penate
patent: 6108200 (2000-08-01), Fullerton
patent: 6115247 (2000-09-01), Helot

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