Contact-support mechanism for increased retention force

摘要

Circuits, methods, and apparatus that may provide audio jacks capable of providing a sufficient retention force to avoid some inadvertent extractions of an audio plug. Examples may also provide audio jacks that may be readily assembled. Other examples may provide other types of connectors. These audio jacks or other connectors may provide contact structures having one or more contacts, each having a contact support to increase contact retention force. Different materials may be used to form the contacts and the contact supports. In this way, contacts may be formed using a highly conductive material, while the contact supports may be formed of a material having good spring characteristics. While such a contact may not be able to provide an adequate retention force on its own, the use of a contact support may sufficiently increase the retention force to prevent accidental extractions of an audio plug or other connector.

主权项

1. An audio jack comprising:
a housing having a passage to accept an audio plug, the passage having a front opening and a rear; a first retention contact near the rear of the passage, the first retention contact having a first contacting portion to deflect when the audio plug is inserted into the passage, wherein the first retention contact provides a retention force at the first contacting portion, the retention force to maintain a position of the audio plug when the audio plug is inserted into the passage; and a first contact support located such that at least a portion of the first retention contact is between the first contact support and the passage, wherein the first contact support increases the retention force provided at the first contacting portion of the first retention contact.