Docking unit, connector unit, and DC power supply assembly

Abstract

The invention relates to a docking unit (1) for a direct-current power supply, which, when associated with the direct-current power supply, allows for continuous power supply or charging of an electrical device, comprising a first housing (2) provided with a docking space (4), which, when in use, allows for continuous power supply of the electrical device or charging of the electrical device, comprises a second housing (3) which, when associated with the direct-current power supply, allows for continuous power supply of the electrical device or charging of the electrical device. The invention relates to a docking unit (1) for a connector, comprising a docking space (4) for receiving a magnetic plug portion (28) of a connector unit (26), the docking unit comprising a magnetic-mechanical locking mechanism (5) for establishing a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. The invention also relates to a connector unit (26) compatible with the docking unit according to the invention and to a DC power supply assembly (47) comprising the docking unit (1) according to the invention and the connector unit (26).

Description

(19) State Intellectual Property Office (12) Invention Patent Application (10) Application Publication Number (43) Application Publication Date (21) Application Number 202480047747.4 (22) Application Date 2024.07.11 (30) Priority Data 2035404 2023.07.17 NL (85) PCT International Application Entering National Phase Date 2026.01.16 (86) PCT International Application Application Data PCT / NL2024 / 050380 2024.07.11 (87) PCT International Application Publication Data WO2025 / 018879 EN 2025.01.23 (71) Applicant Smart Life Ltd. Address Netherlands (72) Inventor J.P. Otto W.N. Lundez (74) Patent Agency Beijing Yingchuang Jiayou Intellectual Property Agency Co., Ltd. 11447 Patent Attorney Liang Zhiwen (51) Int.Cl. H01R 13 / 62 (2006.01) H01R 24 / 38 (2006.01) H01R 31 / 06 (2006.01) H01R 13 / 24 (2006.01) H01R 13 / 627 (2006.01) H01R 107 / 00 (2006.01) (54) Invention Title: Dating Unit, Connector Unit, and DC Power Supply Assembly (57) Abstract: This invention relates to a dating unit (1) for a DC power supply, which, when associated with a DC power supply, allows for continuous power supply or charging of an electrical device. The dating unit includes a first housing (2) having a dating space (4) for receiving a magnetic plug portion (28) of a connector unit (26) when the dating unit is in use. The dating unit includes a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) for establishing a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the dating unit. The invention also relates to a connector unit (26) and a DC power supply assembly (47) compatible with the dating unit according to the invention, the DC power supply assembly (47) including the dating unit (1) and the connector unit (26) according to the invention. Claims 5 pages, Description 21 pages, Drawings 16 pages, CN 121532910 A 2026.02.13 CN 1 21 53 29 10 A 1. A docking unit (1) for a DC power supply, the docking unit (1) being configured to allow continuous power supply to or charging of an electrical device when the docking unit (1) is associated with a DC power supply, the docking unit (1) including a first housing (2).The first housing (2) is provided with a docking space (4) for receiving the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit when the docking unit (1) is in use. The first housing (2) includes a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) configured and arranged to allow a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1). 2. The docking unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) is configured and arranged to allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magneto-aligned relative to each other. 3. The docking unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a first set of locking components, the first set of locking components including a first mechanical locking element (6) and a first magnet (7), the first mechanical locking element (6) and the first magnet (7) being arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the first mechanical locking element (6) and the first magnet (7) to be in a first magnetic holding connection, wherein due to the first magnetic holding connection, the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged to extend partially into the docking space (4) at a first location to allow the establishment of the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7) allows the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magneto-aligned relative to each other and allows the establishment of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1). 4. The docking unit (1) according to claim 3, wherein the first housing (2) includes a first wall portion (8) and a first side wall portion (9), the first wall portion (8) being configured and arranged to provide a back plate for the docking space (4), the first side wall portion (9) being arranged in contact with the first wall portion (8), and the first side wall portion (9) being configured to provide a surrounding space for the docking space (4). The first housing (2) has a circular sidewall, the first sidewall portion (9) having a first opening (10), the first opening (10) being configured and arranged to allow a first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) to extend into the docking space (4) at the first location, and to keep a second portion (6b) of the first mechanical locking element (6) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) has a first guide rail (11), the first guide rail (11) being configured and arranged to receive the first mechanical locking element (6) and to allow the first mechanical locking element (6) to move between a first position and a second position, in the first position, the first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) being arranged to extend into the docking space (4) via the first opening (10) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in the second position,The first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is disposed outside the docking space (4). 5. The docking unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a second set of locking components, the second set of locking components including a second mechanical locking element (12) and a second magnet (13), the second mechanical locking element (12) and the second magnet (13) being disposed relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the second mechanical locking element (12) and the second magnet (13) to be in a second magnetic holding connection, wherein due to the second magnetic holding connection, the second mechanical locking element (12) is arranged to extend partially to the docking space (4) at a second location. The docking space (4), the second location of the second mechanical locking element (12) is different from the first location of the first mechanical locking element (6), the first mechanical locking element (6) and the second mechanical locking element (12) allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7) and the second magnet (13) of the first set of locking components allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magnetostrictively self-aligned relative to each other, and allow the magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1). 6. The docking unit (1) according to claim 5, wherein the first sidewall portion (9) is provided with a second opening (14), the second opening (14) being configured and arranged to allow the third portion (12a) of the second mechanical locking element (12) to extend to the docking space (4) at the second location and to keep the fourth portion (12b) of the second mechanical locking element (12) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a second guide rail (15), the second guide rail (15) being configured and arranged to receive the second mechanical locking element (12) and to allow the second mechanical locking element (12) to move between a third position and a fourth position, wherein in the third position the third portion (12a) of the second mechanical locking element (12) is arranged to extend to the docking space (4) via the second opening (14) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in the fourth position the third portion (12a) of the second mechanical locking element (12) is arranged outside the docking space (4). 7. The docking unit (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a third set of locking components, the third set of locking components including a third mechanical locking element (16) and a third magnet (17).The third mechanical locking element (16) and the third magnet (17) are arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the third mechanical locking element (16) and the third magnet (17) to be in a third magnetic holding connection, wherein, due to the third magnetic holding connection, the third mechanical locking element (16) is arranged to partially extend into the docking space (4) at a third location, which is different from the first location of the first mechanical locking element (6) of the first set of locking components and the second location of the second mechanical locking element (12) of the second set of locking components, the first mechanical locking element (6), the second mechanical locking element (12) and the third mechanical locking element (16) allow the establishment of the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7) of the first set of locking components, the second magnet (13) of the second set of locking components and the third magnet (17) allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magnetostrictively self-aligned relative to each other and allow the establishment of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1). 8. The docking unit (1) according to claim 7, wherein the first sidewall portion (9) is provided with a third opening (18), the third opening (18) being configured and arranged to allow the fifth portion (16a) of the third mechanical locking element (16) to extend to the docking space (4) at the third location and to keep the sixth portion (16b) of the third mechanical locking element (16) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a third guide rail (19), the third guide rail (19) being configured and arranged to receive the third mechanical locking element (16) and to allow the third mechanical locking element (16) to move between a fifth position and a sixth position, wherein in the fifth position the fifth portion (16a) of the third mechanical locking element (16) is arranged to extend to the docking space (4) via the third opening (18) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in the sixth position the fifth portion (16a) of the third mechanical locking element (16) is arranged outside the docking space (4). 9. The docking unit (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a fourth set of locking components, the fourth set of locking components including a fourth mechanical locking element (20) and a fourth magnet (21), the fourth mechanical locking element (20) and the fourth magnet (21) being arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the fourth mechanical locking element (20) and the fourth magnet (21) to be in a fourth magnetic holding connection, wherein due to the fourth magnetic holding connection,The fourth mechanical locking element (20) is arranged to extend into the docking space (4) at a fourth location, which is different from the first location of the first mechanical locking element (6) of the first set of locking components, the second location of the second mechanical locking element (12) of the second set of locking components, and the third location of the third mechanical locking element (16) of the third set of locking components. The first mechanical locking element (6), the second mechanical locking element (12), the third mechanical locking element (16), and the fourth mechanical locking element (20) allow the establishment of the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1). The first magnet (7) of the first set of locking components, the second magnet (13) of the second set of locking components, the third magnet (17) of the third set of locking components, and the fourth magnet (21) allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magnetostrictively self-aligned relative to each other and allow the establishment of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1). 10. The docking unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein the first sidewall portion (9) is provided with a fourth opening (22), the fourth opening (22) being configured and arranged to allow the seventh portion (20a) of the fourth mechanical locking element (20) to extend to the docking space (4) at the fourth location and to keep the eighth portion (20b) of the fourth mechanical locking element (20) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a fourth guide rail (23), the fourth guide rail (23) being configured and arranged to receive the fourth mechanical locking element (20) and to allow the fourth mechanical locking element (20) to move between a seventh position and an eighth position, wherein in the seventh position, the seventh portion (20a) of the fourth mechanical locking element (20) is arranged to extend to the docking space (4) via the fourth opening (22) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in the eighth position, the seventh portion (22a) of the fourth mechanical locking element (22) is arranged outside the docking space (4). 11. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the first wall portion (8) is provided with a first set of electrical contacts (24), the first set of electrical contacts (24) being arranged to extend from the first wall portion (8) to the docking space (4). 12. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein the first wall portion (8) is provided with a first protrusion (25), the first protrusion (25) being arranged to extend from the first wall portion (8) to the docking space (4). 13. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein…The first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is configured to have a first shape, the first shape allowing the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to fit tightly in the docking space (4) and allowing the connector unit and the docking unit (1) to rotate relative to each other. 14. The docking unit (1) according to claim 13, wherein the first shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is circular. 15. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is configured to have a second shape, the second shape allowing the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to fit tightly in the docking space (4) and preventing the connector unit and the docking unit (1) from rotating relative to each other. 16. The docking unit (1) according to claim 15, wherein the second shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is a closed shape having any number of sides. 17. A connector unit (26) compatible with a docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the connector unit (26) comprising a second housing (27) having: - a magnetic plug portion (28) which, when the connector unit (26) is in use, is inserted into a docking space of the docking unit, the magnetic plug portion (28) comprising: · a second wall portion (29) having a recessed region (30) to form an edge portion (31), the recessed region (30) having a first surface (32) and a second surface (33), the first surface (32) being arranged away from the second housing (27), the second surface (33) being arranged toward the second housing (27), the edge portion (31) being configured to surround the first surface (32) of the recessed region (30); • A second sidewall portion (34), which is connected to the edge portion (31) of the second wall portion (29), the second sidewall portion (34) having a first portion (35) that contacts the first mechanical locking element of the docking unit when a mechanical locking connection is established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit; • A fifth magnet (36), which is arranged at a ninth position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), the fifth magnet (36) being configured to allow magnetostrictive alignment with the first magnet of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit,A magnetic locking connection is established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit; a set of concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts (37) arranged on the first surface (32) of the recessed area (30) of the second wall portion (29), wherein when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, the concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts (37) are electrically connected to electrical contacts arranged to extend from the first wall portion of the first housing of the docking unit to the docking space of the docking unit; and a device mounting portion (38) arranged on different sides of the second housing (27) and the magnetic plug portion (28), the device mounting portion (38) being configured to receive electrical equipment or to receive an adapter for connecting electrical equipment to the connector unit (26). 18. The connector unit (26) according to claim 17, wherein the magnetic plug portion (28) includes a sixth magnet (43) disposed at a tenth position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), the tenth position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet (36), wherein the fifth magnet (36) and the sixth magnet (43) are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first magnet and the second magnet of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, the magnetic locking connection and the mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit. 19. The connector unit (26) according to claim 18, wherein the magnetic plug portion (28) includes a seventh magnet (44) disposed at an eleventh position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), the eleventh position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet (36) and the tenth position of the sixth magnet (43), wherein the fifth magnet (36), the sixth magnet (43) and the seventh magnet (44) are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first magnet, the second magnet and the third magnet of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, the magnetic locking connection and the mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit. 20. The connector unit (26) according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic plug portion (28) includes an eighth magnet (45) disposed at a twelfth position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29).The twelfth position is different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet (36), the tenth position of the sixth magnet (43), and the eleventh position of the seventh magnet (44), wherein the fifth magnet (36), the sixth magnet (43), the seventh magnet (44), and the eighth magnet (45) are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first magnet, the second magnet, the third magnet, and the fourth magnet of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit. 21. The connector unit (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the edge portion (31) of the second wall portion (29) of the magnetic plug portion (28) is provided with a first recess (46), the first recess (46) being configured to allow reception of a first protrusion when the magnetic locking connection and the mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit, the first protrusion being arranged to extend from the first wall portion of the first housing of the docking unit to the docking space of the docking unit. 22. The connector unit (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) has a closed shape having any number of sides. Claims 4 / 5, page 5, CN 121532910, A 23. A DC power supply assembly (47), when in use, the DC power supply assembly (47) is used to continuously provide DC power to electrical equipment or to charge electrical equipment using DC power, the DC power supply assembly comprising a docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16. 24. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 23, comprising a connector unit (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 22. 25. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 24, wherein the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) has a third shape, and the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) has a fourth shape, the third shape and the fourth shape being adapted to each other such that when the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1) rotate relative to each other, the first mechanical locking element (6) of the docking unit (1) is movable from a first position to a second position, in the first position, the first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged to extend into the docking space (4) of the docking unit (1), and in the second position,The first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is disposed outside the docking space (4) to cancel the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1). 26. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 25, wherein the third shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) is circular, and the fourth shape of the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) is a closed shape having any number of sides. 27. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 24, wherein the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) has a fifth shape, and the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) has a sixth shape, the fifth shape and the sixth shape being adapted to each other to prevent the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1) from rotating relative to each other, and to prevent the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1) from being cancelled. 28. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 27, wherein the fifth shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) and the sixth shape of the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) are closed shapes having the same number of sides. 29. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 27 or 28, comprising a magnetic unlocking tool (48) arranged relative to the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) of the docking unit (1) to allow cancellation of the first magnetic holding connection between the first mechanical locking element (6) of the docking unit (1) and the first magnet (7), thereby canceling the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1). Claims 5 / 5 pages 6 CN 121532910 A Docking Unit, Connector Unit and DC Power Supply Assembly Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a docking unit for a DC power supply, which, when associated with a DC power supply, allows for continuous power supply or charging of an electrical device. The invention also relates to a connector unit compatible with the docking unit according to the invention, and a DC power supply assembly comprising the docking unit and connector unit according to the invention. Background Art

[0002] Nowadays, USB-based power supplies, whether for continuous power supply or charging, have become commodities for a wide variety of electrical devices.These electrical devices range from smartphones, tablets, computers, picture frames, reading lights, digital smart clocks, displays, thermostats, cameras, toothbrushes to smart home automation products and broadly, Internet of Things (IoT) products. Typically, each different electrical device requires a dedicated USB-based power supply and wired or wireless connectivity solution. The USB-based power supply is used for continuous power or charging purposes, and the wired or wireless connectivity solution is used for electrical interconnection between the USB-based power supply and the electrical device. Because electrical devices may include any of several different connector types (e.g., USB-A, USB-B, USB 3.0, USB mini, USB micro, USB micro B, or USB-C), wired connectivity solutions often require adapters to allow connection of electrical devices with incompatible receptacles to the USB-based power supply. USB-C has several advantageous features, such as being more compact than its predecessors, having a rotationally symmetrical design that allows the connector to be inserted into the receptacle in either direction, and being compatible with multiple connector types (such as USB-A and HDMI). As USB-C has become the standard, the use of other connector types has decreased, thus reducing the need for adapters that allow connection of different connector types.

[0003] Despite the advantages offered by USB-C, known USB-based power supplies still suffer from poor user experience due to, for example, poor positioning capabilities and performance of electrical devices during power supply or charging. Summary of the Invention

[0004] One object of the present invention is to provide a docking unit for a DC power supply (e.g., a USB-based power supply), which, when associated with a DC power supply, allows for continuous power supply or charging of an electrical device. This provides an improved user experience compared to prior art DC power supplies (e.g., USB-based power supplies) in terms of, for example, positioning stability during electrical device power supply or charging, positioning flexibility of the electrical device, and reliability of the connection between the electrical device and the DC power supply.

[0005] Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector unit compatible with the docking unit described herein.

[0006] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a DC power supply assembly comprising a docking unit and a connector unit according to the present invention, allowing for continuous power supply or charging of an electrical device connected to the connector unit.

[0007] Aspects of the invention are described in the appended independent and dependent embodiments. Features from subordinate solutions can be combined with features from independent solutions where appropriate, and not only as explicitly stated in the solutions. Furthermore, all features can be replaced with other technically equivalent features.

[0008] At least one of the above objectives is achieved by a docking unit for a DC power supply.The docking unit configuration specification, page 1 / 21, CN 121532910 A, allows for continuous power supply or charging of electrical equipment when the docking unit is associated with a DC power source. The docking unit includes a first housing with a docking space for receiving the magnetic plug portion of a connector unit when the docking unit is in use. The first housing includes a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism configured and arranged to allow for both magnetic and mechanical locking connections between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. In this way, the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism of the docking unit according to the invention ensures the magnetic and mechanical mounting of electrical equipment requiring continuous power supply or charging. Electrical equipment (even equipment with significant mass) can be securely mounted and positioned in the desired orientation (e.g., longitudinal or lateral) while continuously powered or charged. Furthermore, the secure mounting of the electrical equipment allows it to be used while powered or charged.

[0009] It should be noted that, for example, when the DC power source is located at a wall socket, the docking unit according to the invention can be directly connected to the DC power source. In other applications, such as when the docking unit is arranged on a motorcycle mount, bicycle mount, boat mount, truck mount, or train mount, the DC power supply can be arranged further away from the docking unit according to the invention. In these cases, the docking unit can still ensure the stable and / or fixed connection of the electrical equipment subjected to vibration and shock, while continuously supplying power to the electrical equipment.

[0010] Based on the above, it should be noted that compared to prior art DC power supplies, the docking unit according to the invention can achieve an improved user experience in terms of, for example, positioning stability when the electrical equipment is powered or charged, positioning flexibility of the electrical equipment, and reliability of the connection between the electrical equipment and the DC power supply (which is for the DC power supply associated with the docking unit according to the invention).

[0011] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism is configured and arranged to allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit to be magnetically-induced aligned relative to each other. In this way, smooth insertion of the magnetic plug portion into the docking space can be achieved. Furthermore, the magneto-alignment can provide tactile feedback to the user, indicating that the docking space of the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is positioned relative to each other in such a way that smooth insertion should be possible. This is particularly convenient when the user's view of the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is at least partially obstructed by the electrical equipment. This can be, for example, for electrical equipment with a large housing (e.g., a large display). Clearly, the magnetostrictive alignment provided by the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism of the docking unit further enhances the user experience.

[0012] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism includes a first set of locking components.The first set of locking components includes a first mechanical locking element and a first magnet. The first mechanical locking element and the first magnet are arranged relative to the docking space and relative to each other to allow the first mechanical locking element and the first magnet to be in a first magnetic holding connection. Due to the first magnetic holding connection, the first mechanical locking element is arranged to extend partially into the docking space at a first location to allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. The first magnet allows the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit to be magneto-aligned relative to each other and allows a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. In this way, the docking unit is provided with a minimum possible number of components, using which the advantages of the docking unit according to the invention can still be achieved.

[0013] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, the first housing includes a first wall portion and a first sidewall portion, the first wall portion being configured and arranged to provide a backplate for the docking space, the first sidewall portion being arranged in contact with the first wall portion, and the first sidewall portion being configured to provide a circular sidewall surrounding the docking space. The first sidewall portion is provided with a first opening, the first opening being configured and arranged to allow a first portion of the first mechanical locking element to extend into the docking space at a first location, and to hold a second portion of the first mechanical locking element behind the first sidewall portion. The first housing is provided with a first guide rail, the first guide rail being configured and arranged to receive the first mechanical locking element and to allow the first mechanical locking element to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first portion of the first mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space via the first opening in the sidewall portion of the first specification (page 2 / 21, CN 121532910 A); in the second position, the first portion of the first mechanical locking element is arranged outside the docking space.

[0014] If the first mechanical locking element is in the second position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion to be removed from the docking space. When the magnetic plug portion is removed from the docking space, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the first magnet of the docking unit is broken.

[0015] If the first mechanical locking element is in the first position, the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the first housing. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first mechanical locking element of the docking unit, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit; on the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first magnet of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Because of the first magnetic holding connection between the first magnet and the first mechanical locking element, the first position is the default position of the first mechanical locking element. In the first position, the first portion of the first mechanical locking element extends into the docking space.

[0016] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the present invention,The magnetic-mechanical locking mechanism includes a second set of locking components, which includes a second mechanical locking element and a second magnet. The second mechanical locking element and the second magnet are arranged relative to the docking space and relative to each other to allow the second mechanical locking element and the second magnet to be in a second magnetic holding connection. Due to the second magnetic holding connection, the second mechanical locking element is arranged to extend partially into the docking space at a second location, which differs from the first location of the first mechanical locking element. The first and second mechanical locking elements allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. The first and second magnets of the first set of locking components allow for magnetically induced self-alignment of the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit relative to each other, and allow for a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit.

[0017] In this way, the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the mechanical locking connection and magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit can be improved. The first location of the first set of locking connections and the second location of the second set of locking connections can be arranged in any suitable manner along a circular first sidewall portion, for example, at a rotation angle of 180° relative to each other.

[0018] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, a first sidewall is provided with a second opening, the second opening being configured and arranged to allow a third portion of the second mechanical locking element to extend into the docking space at a second location, and to hold a fourth portion of the second mechanical locking element behind the first sidewall. The first housing is also provided with a second guide rail, the second guide rail being configured and arranged to receive the second mechanical locking element and to allow movement of the second mechanical locking element between a third position and a fourth position. In the third position, the third portion of the second mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space via the second opening in the first sidewall; in the fourth position, the third portion of the second mechanical locking element is arranged outside the docking space.

[0019] If the first mechanical locking element is in the second position and the second mechanical locking element is in the fourth position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion to be removed from the docking space. When the magnetic plug portion is removed from the docking space, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the first and second magnets of the docking unit is broken.

[0020] If the first mechanical locking element is in the first position and the second mechanical locking element is in the third position, the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first and second mechanical locking elements of the docking unit, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit; and on the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first and second magnets of the docking unit...A magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Due to the second magnetic holding connection between the second magnet and the second mechanical locking element (page 3 / 21, CN 121532910 A), the third position is the default position of the second mechanical locking element, in which the third portion of the second mechanical locking element extends into the docking space.

[0021] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, the magnetic-mechanical locking mechanism includes a third set of locking components, which includes a third mechanical locking element and a third magnet. The third mechanical locking element and the third magnet are arranged relative to the docking space and relative to each other to allow the third mechanical locking element and the third magnet to be in a third magnetic holding connection. Due to the third magnetic holding connection, the third mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space at a third location, which is different from the first location of the first mechanical locking element of the first set of locking components and the second location of the second mechanical locking element of the second set of locking components. The first mechanical locking element, the second mechanical locking element, and the third mechanical locking element allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. The first magnet of the first set of locking components, the second magnet of the second set of locking components, and the third magnet allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit to be magnetostrictively self-aligned relative to each other, and allow a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit.

[0022] In this way, the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the mechanical locking connection and magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit can be further improved. The first location of the first set of locking components, the second location of the second set of locking components, and the third location of the third set of locking components can be arranged in any suitable manner along the circular first sidewall, for example, at a rotation angle of 120° relative to the adjacent location along the circular first sidewall.

[0023] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, the first sidewall is provided with a third opening, which is configured and arranged to allow the fifth portion of the third mechanical locking element to extend into the docking space at the third location and to hold the sixth portion of the third mechanical locking element behind the first sidewall. And the first housing is provided with a third guide rail, which is configured and arranged to receive the third mechanical locking element and allow the third mechanical locking element to move between the fifth position and the sixth position. In the fifth position, the fifth portion of the third mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space via the third opening in the first sidewall portion; in the sixth position, the fifth portion of the third mechanical locking element is arranged outside the docking space.

[0024] If the first mechanical locking element is in the second position, the second mechanical locking element is in the fourth position, and the third mechanical locking element is in the sixth position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion to be removed from the docking space. When the magnetic plug portion is removed from the docking space,The magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the first, second, and third magnets of the docking unit is broken.

[0025] If the first mechanical locking element is in the first position, the second mechanical locking element is in the third position, and the third mechanical locking element is in the fifth position, the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first, second, and third mechanical locking elements of the docking unit, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit; and on the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first, second, and third magnets of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Since the third magnet maintains the connection between the third magnet and the third mechanical locking element, the fifth position is the default position of the third mechanical locking element. In the fifth position, the fifth portion of the third mechanical locking element extends into the docking space.

[0026] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the present invention, the magnetic-mechanical locking mechanism includes a fourth set of locking components, which includes a fourth mechanical locking element and a fourth magnet. The fourth mechanical locking element and the fourth magnet are arranged relative to the docking space and relative to each other to allow the fourth mechanical locking element and the fourth magnet to be in a fourth magnetic holding connection. Due to the fourth magnetic holding connection, the fourth mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space at a fourth portion, which is different from the first portion of the first mechanical locking element of the first group of locking components, the second portion of the second mechanical locking element of the second group of locking components (page 4 / 21, CN 121532910 A), and the third portion of the third mechanical locking element of the third group of locking components. The first, second, third, and fourth mechanical locking elements allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. The first magnet of the first group of locking components, the second magnet of the second group of locking components, the third magnet of the third group of locking components, and the fourth magnet allow for magnetostrictive self-alignment of the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit relative to each other, and allow for a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit.

[0027] In this way, the reliability and load-bearing capacity of the mechanical locking connection and the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit can be further improved. The first location of the first group of locking components, the second location of the second group of locking components, the third location of the third group of locking components, and the fourth location of the fourth group of locking components can be arranged in any suitable manner along the circular first sidewall, for example, at a 90° rotation angle relative to adjacent locations along the circular first sidewall.

[0028] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, the first sidewall is provided with a fourth opening, which is configured and arranged to allow the seventh portion of the fourth mechanical locking element to extend into the docking space at the fourth location.The eighth portion of the fourth mechanical locking element remains behind the first sidewall portion. The first housing is provided with a fourth guide rail configured and arranged to receive the fourth mechanical locking element and allow movement of the fourth mechanical locking element between a seventh position and an eighth position. In the seventh position, the seventh portion of the fourth mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space via a fourth opening in the first sidewall portion; in the eighth position, the seventh portion of the fourth mechanical locking element is arranged outside the docking space.

[0029] If the first mechanical locking element is in the second position, the second mechanical locking element is in the fourth position, the third mechanical locking element is in the sixth position, and the fourth mechanical locking element is in the eighth position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion to be removed from the docking space. When the magnetic plug portion is removed from the docking space, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the first magnet, second magnet, third magnet, and fourth magnet of the docking unit is broken.

[0030] If the first mechanical locking element is in the first position, the second mechanical locking element is in the third position, the third mechanical locking element is in the fifth position, and the fourth mechanical locking element is in the seventh position, then the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first, second, third, and fourth mechanical locking elements of the docking unit, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit; and on the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion and the first, second, third, and fourth magnets of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Due to the fourth magnetic holding connection between the fourth magnet and the fourth mechanical locking element, the seventh position is the default position of the fourth mechanical locking element. In the seventh position, the seventh portion of the fourth mechanical locking element extends into the docking space.

[0031] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the present invention, a first set of electrical contacts is provided on the first wall portion, the first set of electrical contacts being arranged to extend from the first wall portion into the docking space. The electrical contacts can be arranged as elastically loaded electrical pins (also referred to as spring pins).

[0032] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention, a first wall portion is provided with a first protrusion, the first protrusion being arranged to extend from the first wall portion into the docking space. When the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit is installed in the docking space of the docking unit, the first protrusion contacts the magnetic plug portion to prevent the magnetic plug portion from rotating too easily relative to the docking unit. This is particularly advantageous when the electrical equipment connected to the connector unit has a large mass, in which way, the stable position of the electrical equipment relative to the docking unit can be better maintained, which improves the user experience of the docking unit.

[0033] In an embodiment of the docking unit according to the invention,The first sidewall portion of the first housing is configured to have a first shape, as described on page 5 / 21 of the specification (CN 121532910 A). This first shape allows the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to fit tightly in the mating space and allows the connector unit and the mating unit to rotate relative to each other. In this way, the magnetic plug portion can be securely arranged in the mating space, while allowing the user to rotate relative to the mating unit to position the electrical equipment connected to the connector unit in a desired orientation (e.g., longitudinal or lateral).

[0034] In an embodiment of the mating unit according to the invention, the first shape of the first sidewall portion of the first housing is circular, in this way, rotation of the magnetic plug portion relative to the mating unit can be ensured.

[0035] In an embodiment of the mating unit according to the invention, the first sidewall portion of the first housing is configured to have a second shape, which allows the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to fit tightly in the mating space and prevents the connector unit and the mating unit from rotating relative to each other. In this way, when the magnetic plug portion is securely positioned in the mating space, the orientation of the electrical equipment connected to the connector unit cannot be changed (e.g., from longitudinal to lateral or vice versa) by rotating the magnetic plug portion relative to the mating unit. This is advantageous in situations where the user should not be able to change the desired orientation of the electrical equipment associated with the mating unit via the connector unit.

[0036] In an embodiment of the mating unit according to the invention, the second shape of the first sidewall portion of the first housing is a closed shape having any number of sides. The closed shape can be a polygon (e.g., a triangle, a square, or an octagon) or any other closed shape having any number of non-straight sides.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present invention, a connector unit is provided that is compatible with a docking unit according to the present invention. The connector unit includes a second housing, the second housing being provided with: - a magnetic plug portion, which, when the connector unit is in use, is inserted into a docking space of the docking unit, the magnetic plug portion including: · a second wall portion, the second wall portion having a recessed region to form an edge portion; the recessed region having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface being arranged away from the second housing, the second surface being arranged towards the second housing, the edge portion being configured to surround the first surface of the recessed region; · a second sidewall portion, the second sidewall portion being connected to the edge portion of the second wall portion, the second sidewall portion having a first portion, the first portion contacting a first mechanical locking element of the docking unit when a mechanical locking connection is established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit; · a fifth magnet, the fifth magnet being arranged at a ninth position at the second surface of the recessed region of the second wall portion, the fifth magnet being configured to allow magnetostrictive alignment with a first magnet of the docking unit.And when the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection is established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit; a set of concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts, the set of concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts being arranged on the first surface of the recessed area of ​​the second wall portion, wherein when the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, the concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts are electrically connected to electrical contacts arranged to extend from the first wall portion of the first housing of the docking unit to the docking space of the docking unit; and a device mounting portion, the device mounting portion being arranged on different sides of the second housing and the magnetic plug portion, the device mounting portion being configured to receive electrical equipment, or to receive an adapter for connecting electrical equipment to the connector unit.

[0038] In this way, the connector unit is provided with the minimum possible number of components, thereby still achieving the advantages of the present invention.

[0039] In an embodiment of the connector unit according to the invention, the magnetic plug portion includes a sixth magnet arranged at a tenth position on the second surface of the recessed region of the second wall portion, the tenth position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet as described on page 6 / 21 of CN 121532910 A. The fifth and sixth magnets are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first and second magnets of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit.

[0040] The addition of the sixth magnet improves the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of the ninth position of the fifth magnet and the tenth position of the sixth magnet relative to each other must be such that it allows the fifth and sixth magnets of the magnetic plug portion to magnetostrictively self-align with the first and second magnets of the docking unit, respectively. If the dimensions of the fifth and sixth magnets are the same as those of the first and second magnets, then the arrangement of the ninth position of the fifth magnet and the tenth position of the sixth magnet relative to each other is the same as the arrangement of the first and second magnets of the docking unit relative to each other.

[0041] In an embodiment of the connector unit according to the invention, the magnetic plug portion includes a seventh magnet arranged at an eleventh position on the second surface of the recessed region of the second wall portion, the eleventh position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet and the tenth position of the sixth magnet. The fifth, sixth, and seventh magnets are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first, second, and third magnets of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit.

[0042] Due to the addition of the seventh magnet,This can further improve the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Those skilled in the art should understand that the arrangement of the ninth position of the fifth magnet, the tenth position of the sixth magnet, and the eleventh position of the seventh magnet relative to each other must be such that the fifth, sixth, and seventh magnets of the magnetic plug portion are magnetostrictively self-aligned with the first, second, and third magnets of the docking unit, respectively. If the dimensions of the fifth, sixth, and seventh magnets are the same as those of the first, second, and third magnets, then the arrangement of the ninth position of the fifth magnet, the tenth position of the sixth magnet, and the eleventh position of the seventh magnet relative to each other is the same as the arrangement of the first, second, and third magnets of the docking unit relative to each other.

[0043] In an embodiment of the connector unit according to the invention, the magnetic plug portion includes an eighth magnet arranged at a twelfth position on the second surface of the recessed region of the second wall portion, the twelfth position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet, the tenth position of the sixth magnet, and the eleventh position of the seventh magnet. The fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth magnets are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first, second, third, and fourth magnets of the docking unit, and to establish a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit when the magnetic plug portion is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit.

[0044] The addition of the eighth magnet further improves the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of the ninth position of the fifth magnet, the tenth position of the sixth magnet, the eleventh position of the seventh magnet, and the twelfth position of the eighth magnet relative to each other must be such that the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth magnets of the magnetic plug portion are magnetostrictively self-aligned with the first, second, third, and fourth magnets of the docking unit, respectively. If the dimensions of the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth magnets are the same as those of the first, second, third, and fourth magnets, then the arrangement of the ninth position of the fifth magnet, the tenth position of the sixth magnet, the eleventh position of the seventh magnet, and the twelfth position of the eighth magnet relative to each other is the same as the arrangement of the first, second, third, and fourth magnets relative to each other in the docking unit.

[0045] In an embodiment of the connector unit according to the invention, the edge portion of the second wall of the magnetic plug portion is provided with a first recess, the first recess being configured to allow the reception of a first protrusion when a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit.The first protrusion is arranged to extend from the first wall of the first housing of the docking unit to the docking space of the docking unit.

[0046] When the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit is installed in the docking space of the docking unit, the first protrusion is arranged in the first recess to prevent the magnetic plug portion from rotating too easily relative to the docking unit. The first recess is provided at the edge of the second wall of the magnetic plug portion. This is particularly advantageous when the electrical device connected to the connector unit has a large mass, in which way the stable position of the electrical device relative to the docking unit can be better maintained.

[0047] In an embodiment of the connector unit according to the invention, the second side wall of the magnetic plug portion has a closed shape having any number of sides. The closed shape can be a polygon (e.g., a triangle, a square, or an octagon) or any other closed shape having any number of non-straight sides.

[0048] According to another aspect of the invention, a DC power supply assembly is provided, which, when in use, is used to continuously provide DC power to an electrical device or to charge the electrical device using DC power. The DC power supply assembly includes a docking unit according to the invention. The DC power supply assembly can be configured to allow a continuous, wired supply of DC power to an electrical device, or a wired charging of the electrical device using DC power, the wired option potentially including USB-based cabling. The DC power supply assembly can also be configured to allow a continuous, magnetically wireless supply of DC power to an electrical device, or a magnetically wireless charging of the electrical device using DC power.

[0049] In an embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the invention, the DC power supply assembly includes a connector unit according to the invention. The connector unit allows for a secure and stable installation of the electrical device (even if the electrical device has a large mass). When the connector unit is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, the electrical device is securely connected to the docking unit via a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism of the docking unit. Depending on the specific configuration of the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism, the electrical device can be positioned in any desired orientation (e.g., longitudinal or lateral), and the electrical device can be used while continuously supplied with DC power or charging. Clearly, the DC power supply assembly according to the invention enables an improved user experience.

[0050] In an embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the invention, the first sidewall portion of the first housing of the docking unit has a third shape, and the second sidewall portion of the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit has a fourth shape, the third shape and the fourth shape being adapted to each other so that when the connector unit and the docking unit rotate relative to each other, the first mechanical locking element of the docking unit can move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, a first portion of the first mechanical locking element is arranged to extend into the docking space of the docking unit; in the second position,The first portion of the first mechanical locking element is arranged outside the docking space to cancel the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit and the docking unit.

[0051] In this way, if the user rotates the connector unit and the docking unit relative to each other, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is broken. Once the mechanical locking connection is broken, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit can be broken by removing the magnetic plug portion from the docking space. The advantage of this embodiment of the DC charging assembly is that no additional tools are required to remove the connector unit from the docking unit. The third shape of the first sidewall portion of the docking unit and the fourth shape of the second sidewall portion of the magnetic plug portion are sufficient to allow the connector unit to be removed from the docking unit when the connector unit and the docking unit are rotated relative to each other.

[0052] In an embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the invention, the third shape of the first sidewall portion of the first housing of the docking unit is circular, and the fourth shape of the second sidewall portion of the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit is a closed shape having any number of sides, which can be a polygon (e.g., a triangle, a square, or an octagon) or any other closed shape having any number of non-straight sides.

[0053] In an embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the invention, the first sidewall of the first housing of the docking unit has a fifth shape, and the second sidewall of the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit has a sixth shape, the fifth and sixth shapes being adapted to each other to prevent the connector unit and the docking unit from rotating relative to each other and to prevent the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit and the docking unit from being cancelled.

[0054] In this way, the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit is configured to be fitted into the docking space of the first housing of the docking unit in a shape-closed manner. Therefore, the orientation of the electrical equipment connected to the connector unit (from, for example, longitudinal to lateral or vice versa) cannot be changed by rotating the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit relative to each other. This is advantageous in situations where the user should not be able to change the desired orientation of the electrical equipment associated with the docking unit via the connector unit.

[0055] In an embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the present invention, the fifth shape of the first sidewall portion of the first housing of the docking unit and the sixth shape of the second sidewall portion of the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit are closed shapes having the same number of sides. This closed shape can be a polygon (e.g., a triangle, square, octagon, etc.) or any other closed shape having the same number of non-straight sides.

[0056] In an embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the present invention, the DC power supply assembly includes a magnetic unlocking tool.The magnetic unlocking tool is arranged relative to the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism of the docking unit to allow the cancellation of the first magnetic holding connection between the first mechanical locking element of the docking unit and the first magnet, thereby canceling the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit and the docking unit.

[0057] If the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit and the docking unit cannot be canceled by rotating the connector unit and the docking unit relative to each other, a magnetic unlocking tool is required to allow the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to be removed from the docking space of the first housing of the docking unit. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0058] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the docking unit, connector unit, and DC power supply assembly according to the invention.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will understand that the embodiments of the docking unit, connector unit, and DC power supply assembly described are arranged as exemplary only and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of protection. Those skilled in the art will recognize that alternatives and equivalent embodiments of the docking unit, connector unit, and DC power supply assembly can be conceived and implemented without departing from the scope of protection of the invention.

[0060] Reference will be made to the figures in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are schematic in nature and are therefore not necessarily drawn to scale. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same or similar parts.

[0061] In the accompanying drawings: FIG1A shows a schematic perspective view of a first exemplary non-limiting embodiment of a DC power supply assembly, which includes a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a docking unit according to the invention; FIG1B shows a schematic exploded view of the first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly shown in FIG1A; FIG2A shows a schematic front view of a first set of locking components arranged according to a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a docking unit according to the invention, wherein the arrangement of a first mechanical locking element and a first magnet is schematically shown; FIG2B shows a schematic front view of a first set of locking components and a second set of locking components arranged according to a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a docking unit according to the invention, wherein the arrangement of a first mechanical locking element, a first magnet, a second mechanical locking element, and a second magnet is schematically shown; FIG2C shows a schematic front view of a first set of locking components, a second set of locking components, and a third set of locking components arranged according to a fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a docking unit according to the invention.The arrangement of the first mechanical locking element, the first magnet, the second mechanical locking element, the second magnet, the third mechanical locking element, and the third magnet is schematically shown in FIG1A and FIG1B; FIG2D shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the first set of locking components, the second set of locking components, the third set of locking components, and the fourth set of locking components according to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit shown in FIG1A and FIG1B, wherein the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element, the first magnet, the second mechanical locking element, the second magnet, the third mechanical locking element, the third magnet, the fourth mechanical locking element, and the fourth magnet is schematically shown in FIG2A; FIG2E shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the first set of locking components, the second set of locking components, the third set of locking components, the fourth set of locking components, and the fifth set of locking components according to a fifth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit according to the present invention, wherein the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element, the first magnet, the second mechanical locking element, the second magnet, the third mechanical locking element, the third magnet, the fourth mechanical locking element, the fourth magnet, the fifth mechanical locking element, and the fifth magnet is schematically shown in FIG2A; Figure 3A shows a schematic front view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit shown in Figures 1A and 1B; Figure 3B shows a schematic front view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit according to the present invention; Figure 3C shows a schematic perspective view of the rear cover of the docking unit shown in Figures 3A and 3B; Figure 3D shows a schematic exploded view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit shown in Figure 3A; Figure 4A shows a schematic perspective view of a magnetic plug portion according to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the connector unit according to the present invention; Figure 4B shows a schematic rear view of the magnetic plug portion shown in Figure 4A; Figure 4C shows a schematic front view of the magnetic plug portion shown in Figure 4A; Figure 4D shows a schematic perspective view of the magnetic plug portion shown in Figure 4A; Figure 4E shows a schematic exploded view of the magnetic plug portion shown in Figure 4A; Figure 5A shows a schematic perspective view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the connector unit according to the present invention, the connector unit including the magnetic plug portions shown in Figures 4A-4E; Figure 5B shows a schematic front view of the connector unit shown in Figure 5A. Figure 5C shows a schematic exploded view of the connector unit shown in Figures 5A and 5B; Figure 6 shows a schematic perspective view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the connector unit according to the present invention; Figure 7 shows a schematic perspective view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly according to the present invention; Figure 8A shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion relative to the mating unit of the DC power supply assembly shown in Figure 7.The mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit is ready; Figure 8B shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion relative to the docking unit of the DC power supply assembly shown in Figure 7, wherein the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit has been released; Figure 8C shows a schematic perspective view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion relative to the docking unit when the magnetic plug portion is removed from the docking space; Figure 8D shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion relative to the docking unit, wherein the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit has not yet been re-established; Figure 9A shows a schematic front view of the docking unit shown in Figure 3B and a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the magnetic unlocking tool, wherein the magnetic unlocking tool is not arranged to contact the docking unit; Figure 9B shows a schematic front view of the docking unit shown in Figure 9A and a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the magnetic unlocking tool, wherein the magnetic unlocking tool is arranged to contact the docking unit; Figure 9C shows a perspective view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion relative to the docking unit and the magnetic unlocking tool shown in Figure 9B in a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment when the magnetic plug portion is removed from the docking space; Figure 10A shows a schematic front view of the docking unit and the magnetic plug portion according to a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly, wherein the arrangement of the locking element relative to the docking space is schematically shown when the unlocking magnet is not arranged to contact the docking unit; Figure 10B shows a detailed schematic front view of a portion of the DC power supply assembly and the unlocking magnet in the enclosed area shown in Figure 10A; Figure 10C shows a schematic front view of the docking unit and the magnetic plug portion shown in Figure 10A, wherein the arrangement of the locking element relative to the docking space is schematically shown when the unlocking magnet is arranged to contact the docking unit; Figure 10D shows a detailed schematic front view of a portion of the DC power supply assembly and the unlocking magnet in the enclosed area shown in Figure 10C. Detailed Description

[0062] FIG1A shows a schematic perspective view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a DC power supply assembly 47, which includes a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a docking unit 1 according to the invention. The first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly 47 includes a DC power supply 3 capable of being integrated into a wall socket. The docking unit 1 has a first housing 2 directly connected to the DC power supply 3.

[0063] It should be noted that, according to another exemplary embodiment of the DC power supply assembly, the DC power supply can be arranged further away from the docking unit if the first housing of the docking unit is arranged, for example, in a motorcycle mount, bicycle mount, boat mount, truck mount, or train mount.The DC power supply may be in this case.

[0064] The first housing 2 is provided with a docking space 4, which is used to receive the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 when the docking unit 1 is in use (see, for example, Figures 4A-4E and Figure 7).

[0065] The docking unit 1 includes a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism 5, which is configured and arranged to allow a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. In addition, as described above, the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism 5 is also configured and arranged to allow the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 to be magnetically aligned relative to each other. An exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism 5 will be discussed in further detail below with reference to Figures 2A-2E.

[0066] According to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in Figure 1A, the first housing 2 includes a first wall portion 8, which is configured and arranged to provide a backplate for the docking space 4. The first wall portion 8 is provided with a first set of electrical contacts 24, which are arranged to extend from the first wall portion 8 into the docking space 4. According to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG. 1A, the first set of electrical contacts 24 includes five contacts configured as elastically loaded electrical pins (also referred to as spring pins), which are arranged in a straight line along the first wall portion 8. Those skilled in the art will understand that, without departing from the scope of protection of the invention, any other number of electrical contacts (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 15, 20, etc.), any other arrangement of non-linear electrical contacts, and any other configuration of electrical contacts can be conceived and practiced according to another exemplary embodiment of the docking unit.

[0067] According to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG1A, the first housing 2 includes a first sidewall 9 arranged in contact with the first wall 8, the first sidewall 9 being configured to provide a circular sidewall surrounding the docking space 4.

[0068] FIG1B shows a schematic exploded view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly 47 shown in FIG1A. As can be seen from FIG1B, the DC power supply 3 is provided with electronic circuitry capable of performing at least one of AC / DC conversion and DC / DC conversion. It should be noted that the DC power supply in this application may also be based on Ethernet (PoE, Power over Ethernet).

[0069] FIG2A shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of a first set of locking components according to a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 according to the invention. In this case, the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism 5 includes a first set of locking components, which includes a first mechanical locking element 6 and a first magnet 7. Although not shown in FIG2A,However, the first magnet 7 is covered by the first wall portion 8. As can be seen from Figure 3C, the first magnet 7 is arranged in the first groove 63 of the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1, which is covered by the first wall portion 8 to accommodate the first magnet 7. The first mechanical locking element 6 is arranged on the first guide rail 11, which is arranged in the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1 to accommodate the first mechanical locking element 6. The first guide rail 11 is configured to allow the first mechanical locking element 6 to move between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 is arranged to extend at a first location into the docking space 4 via a first opening 10 in the first side wall portion 9 (see Figure 8B); in the second position, the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 is arranged outside the docking space 4. Those skilled in the art should understand that the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element 6 and the first magnet 7 is shown only schematically.

[0070] FIG2A schematically shows a first mechanical locking element 6 and a first magnet 7 arranged relative to the docking space 4 and relative to each other to allow the first mechanical locking element 6 and the first magnet 7 to be in a first magnetic holding connection. Due to the first magnetic holding connection, a first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 extends into the docking space 4 via a first opening 10 in the first sidewall portion 9 (see FIG8B) to allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 (see, for example, FIGS. 4A-4E and 7) and the docking unit 1 when the docking unit 1 is in use. The first opening 10 is configured and arranged to allow the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 to extend into the docking space 4 at a first location and to hold the second portion 6b of the first mechanical locking element 6 behind the first sidewall portion 9.

[0071] The first magnet 7 allows the magnetic plug portion 28 to be magnetically aligned with the docking unit 1 relative to each other and allows a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. The docking unit 1 shown in FIG2A includes a minimum possible number of components, which still enable the advantages provided by the docking unit 1 to be realized.

[0072] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the first position, the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4 of the first housing 2. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first mechanical locking element 6 of the docking unit 1, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1; on the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7 of the docking unit 1, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. Since the first magnetic holding connection between the first magnet 7 and the first mechanical locking element 6 is maintained, the first position is the default position of the first mechanical locking element 6. In the first position, the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 extends into the docking space 4.

[0073] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the second position,The mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is then broken, allowing the magnetic plug portion 28 to be removed from the docking space 4. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is removed from the docking space 4, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7 of the docking unit 1 is also broken.

[0074] FIG2B shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the first set of locking components and the second set of locking components according to the third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 according to the invention. The first set of locking components includes a first mechanical locking element 6 and a first magnet 7, and the second set of locking components includes a second mechanical locking element 12 and a second magnet 13. Although not shown in FIG2B, the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 13 are covered by a first wall portion 8. As can be seen from FIG3C, the second magnet 13 is arranged in the second groove 64 of the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1, which is covered by the first wall portion 8 to accommodate the second magnet 13 in the second groove 64. A second mechanical locking element 12 is disposed on a second guide rail 15, which is disposed on the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1 to accommodate the second mechanical locking element 12. The second guide rail 15 is configured to allow movement of the second mechanical locking element 12 between a third position and a fourth position. In the third position, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 is arranged to extend into the docking space 4 at a second location via a second opening in the first sidewall portion 9; in the fourth position, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 is disposed outside the docking space 4. The second location differs from the first location in that the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 extends into the docking space 4 at the second location, whereas in the first location, the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 extends into the docking space 4. The first and second locations can be arranged in any suitable manner along the circular first sidewall portion 9. According to a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG. 2B, the first and second locations are arranged at a rotational angle of 180° relative to each other. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element 6, the first magnet 7, the second mechanical locking element 12, and the second magnet 13 is shown only schematically.

[0075] FIG2B schematically shows the second mechanical locking element 12 and the second magnet 13 arranged relative to the docking space 4 and relative to each other to allow the second mechanical locking element 12 and the second magnet 13 to be in a second magnetic holding connection. Due to the second magnetic holding connection, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 extends into the docking space 4 at a second location via a second opening in the first sidewall portion 9. When the docking unit 1 is in use,The first mechanical locking element 6 and the second mechanical locking element 12 allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 (see, for example, Figures 4A-4E and 7) and the docking unit 1. The second opening is configured and arranged to allow the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 to extend into the docking space 4 at a second location, and to hold the fourth portion 12b of the second mechanical locking element 12 behind the first sidewall portion 9.

[0076] The first magnet 7 and the second magnet 13 allow the magnetic plug portion 28 to be magnetically aligned with the docking unit 1 relative to each other, and allow a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. In this way, relative to the arrangement of the first set of locking components according to the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in Figure 2A, the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the mechanical locking connection and magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 can be improved.

[0077] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the second position and the second mechanical locking element 12 is in the fourth position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion 28 to be removed from the docking space 4. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is removed from the docking space 4, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 13 of the docking unit 1 is broken.

[0078] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the first position and the second mechanical locking element 12 is in the third position, when the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4, on the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first mechanical locking element 6 and the second mechanical locking element 12 of the docking unit 1, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1; and on the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7 and the second magnet 13 of the docking unit 1, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. Because the second magnet 13 and the second mechanical locking element 12 maintain a second magnetic connection, the third position is the default position of the second mechanical locking element 12. In the third position, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 extends into the docking space 4.

[0079] FIG2C shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the first set of locking components, the second set of locking components and the third set of locking components according to a fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 according to the present invention. The first set of locking components includes the first mechanical locking element 6 and the first magnet 7, the second set of locking components includes the second mechanical locking element 12 and the second magnet 13, and the third set of locking components includes the third mechanical locking element 16 and the third magnet 17. Although FIG2C is not shown,However, the first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, and the third magnet 17 are covered by the first wall portion 8. As can be seen from Figure 3C, the third magnet 17 is arranged in the third groove 65 of the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1, which is covered by the first wall portion 8 to accommodate the third magnet 17. The third mechanical locking element 16 is arranged on the third guide rail 19, which is arranged in the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1 to accommodate the third mechanical locking element 16. The third guide rail 19 is configured to allow the third mechanical locking element 16 to move between a fifth position and a sixth position. In the fifth position, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 is arranged to extend into the docking space 4 at a third location via a third opening in the first side wall portion 9; in the sixth position, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 is arranged outside the docking space 4. The third location differs from the first and second locations in that the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 extends into the docking space 4. In the first location, the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 extends into the docking space 4. In the second location, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 extends into the docking space 4. The first, second, and third locations can be arranged in any suitable manner along the circular first sidewall portion 9. According to the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG. 2C, the first, second, and third locations are arranged at a 120° rotation angle relative to each other. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element 6, the first magnet 7, the second mechanical locking element 12, the second magnet 13, the third mechanical locking element 16, and the third magnet 17 is shown only schematically.

[0080] FIG. 2C schematically shows the third mechanical locking element 16 and the third magnet 17 arranged relative to the docking space 4 and relative to each other to allow the third mechanical locking element 16 and the third magnet 17 to be in a third magnetic holding connection. Due to the third magnetic holding connection, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 extends at a third location into the mating space 4 via a third opening in the first sidewall portion 9. When the mating unit 1 is in use, the first mechanical locking element 6, the second mechanical locking element 12, and the third mechanical locking element 16 allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 (see, for example, Figures 4A-4E and 7) and the mating unit 1. The third opening is configured and arranged to allow the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 to extend at a third location into the mating space 4, and to hold the sixth portion 16b of the third mechanical locking element 16 behind the first sidewall portion 9.

[0081] The first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, and the third magnet 17 allow the magnetic plug portion 28 to be magnetically aligned with the mating unit 1 relative to each other, and allow a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the mating unit 1. In this way,Compared to the arrangement of the first and second sets of locking components in the third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG. 2B, the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the mechanical locking connection and magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 can be further improved.

[0082] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the second position, the second mechanical locking element 12 is in the fourth position, and the third mechanical locking element 16 is in the sixth position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion 28 to be removed from the docking space 4. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is removed from the docking space 4, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, and the third magnet 17 of the docking unit 1 is also broken.

[0083] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the first position, the second mechanical locking element 12 is in the third position, and the third mechanical locking element 16 is in the fifth position, then the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first mechanical locking element 6, the second mechanical locking element 12, and the third mechanical locking element 16 of the docking unit 1, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. On the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, and the third magnet 17 of the docking unit 1, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. Since the third magnetic holding connection is maintained between the third magnet 17 and the third mechanical locking element 16, the fifth position is the default position of the third mechanical locking element 16. At the fifth position on page 14 / 21 of the specification (20 CN 121532910 A), the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 extends into the docking space 4.

[0084] FIG2D shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of a first set of locking components, a second set of locking components, a third set of locking components, and a fourth set of locking components according to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. The first set of locking components includes a first mechanical locking element 6 and a first magnet 7; the second set of locking components includes a second mechanical locking element 12 and a second magnet 13; the third set of locking components includes a third mechanical locking element 16 and a third magnet 17; and the fourth set of locking components includes a fourth mechanical locking element 20 and a fourth magnet 21. Although not shown in FIG2D, the first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, the third magnet 17, and the fourth magnet 21 are covered by a first wall portion 8. As can be seen from FIG3C, the fourth magnet 21 is arranged in a fourth groove 66 of the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1, which is covered by the first wall portion 8 to accommodate the fourth magnet 21. The fourth mechanical locking element 20 is arranged on a fourth guide rail 23.The fourth guide rail 23 is disposed on the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1 to accommodate the fourth mechanical locking element 20. The fourth guide rail 23 is configured to allow the fourth mechanical locking element 20 to move between a seventh position and an eighth position. In the seventh position, the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 is arranged to extend into the docking space 4 at a fourth position via a fourth opening in the first sidewall portion 9; in the eighth position, the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 is disposed outside the docking space 4. The fourth position differs from the first, second, and third positions in that the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 extends into the docking space 4. In the first position, the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 extends into the docking space 4; in the second position, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 extends into the docking space 4; and in the third position, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 extends into the docking space 4. The first, second, third, and fourth positions can be arranged in any suitable manner along the circular first sidewall portion 9. According to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG. 2D, the first, second, third, and fourth locations are arranged at a 90° rotation angle relative to each other. Those skilled in the art will understand that the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element 6, the first magnet 7, the second mechanical locking element 12, the second magnet 13, the third mechanical locking element 16, the third magnet 17, the fourth mechanical locking element 20, and the fourth magnet 21 is shown only schematically.

[0085] FIG. 2D schematically shows the fourth mechanical locking element 20 and the fourth magnet 21 arranged relative to the docking space 4 and relative to each other to allow the fourth mechanical locking element 20 and the fourth magnet 21 to be in a fourth magnetic holding connection. Due to the fourth magnetic holding connection, the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 extends into the docking space 4 at the fourth location via a fourth opening in the first sidewall portion 9. When the docking unit 1 is in use, the first mechanical locking element 6, the second mechanical locking element 12, the third mechanical locking element 16, and the fourth mechanical locking element 20 allow a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 (see, for example, Figures 4A-4E and 7) and the docking unit 1. The fourth opening is configured and arranged to allow the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 to extend into the docking space 4 at the fourth opening and to hold the eighth portion 20b of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 behind the first sidewall portion 9.

[0086] The first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, the third magnet 17, and the fourth magnet 21 allow the magnetic plug portion 28 to be magnetically aligned with the docking unit 1 relative to each other and allow a magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. In this way, the arrangement of the first set of locking components, the second set of locking components, and the third set of locking components relative to the fourth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in Figure 2C,This can further improve the reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity of the mechanical locking connection and magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1.

[0087] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the second position, the second mechanical locking element 12 is in the fourth position, the third mechanical locking element 16 is in the sixth position and the fourth mechanical locking element 20 is in the eighth position, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is broken, thereby allowing the magnetic plug portion 28 to be removed from the docking space 4. This will be discussed in more detail below with respect to Figures 8B and 9B respectively. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is removed from the docking space 4, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, the third magnet 17 and the fourth magnet 21 of the docking unit 1 is broken.

[0088] If the first mechanical locking element 6 is in the first position, the second mechanical locking element 12 is in the third position, the third mechanical locking element 16 is in the fifth position, and the fourth mechanical locking element 20 is in the seventh position, then the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4. On the one hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, and 20 of the docking unit 1, a mechanical locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. On the other hand, due to the interaction between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the first magnet 7, 13, 17, and 21 of the docking unit 1, a magnetic locking connection can be established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. Since the fourth magnetic holding connection exists between the fourth magnet 21 and the fourth mechanical locking element 20, the seventh position is the default position of the fourth mechanical locking element 20. In the seventh position, the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 extends into the docking space 4.

[0089] FIG2E shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the first set of locking components, the second set of locking components, the third set of locking components, the fourth set of locking components, and the fifth set of locking components according to a fifth exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 according to the invention, wherein the arrangement of the first mechanical locking element 6, the first magnet 7, the second mechanical locking element 12, the second magnet 13, the third mechanical locking element 16, the third magnet 17, the fourth mechanical locking element 20, the fourth magnet 21, the fifth mechanical locking element, and the fifth magnet is schematically shown. Those skilled in the art will understand that the required reliability and mechanical load-bearing capacity depend on, for example, the mechanical locking connection and magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1, and also on the size of the docking unit 1.The number of locking components can be any suitable number.

[0090] FIG3A shows a schematic front view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG1A and FIG1B. The first sidewall portion 9 of the first housing 2 has a first circular shape, in such a way that rotation of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1 can be ensured. To prevent the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating too easily relative to the docking unit 1, the first wall portion 8 is provided with two protrusions 25, which are arranged to extend from the first wall portion 8 into the docking space 4. When the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 is installed in the docking space 4 of the first housing 2, the two protrusions 25 contact the magnetic plug portion 28 to prevent the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating too easily relative to the docking unit 1. Those skilled in the art will understand that one protrusion 25 is sufficient to prevent the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating too easily relative to the docking unit 1. When the electrical device 49 connected to the connector unit 26 has a large mass, the application of one or two protrusions 25 is particularly advantageous. In this way, the electrical device 49 can be better maintained in a stable position relative to the docking unit 1, thus improving the user experience of the docking unit 1.

[0091] FIG3B shows a schematic front view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 according to the invention. The first sidewall portion 9 of the first housing 2 has a second shape that allows the magnetic plug portion 28 of the connector unit 26 to fit tightly in the docking space 4 of the first housing 2 and prevents the connector unit 26 from rotating relative to the docking unit 1. In this way, after the magnetic plug portion 28 is securely arranged in the docking space 4, the orientation of the electrical device 49 connected to the connector unit 26 (from, for example, longitudinal to lateral or vice versa) cannot be changed by rotating the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1. This is advantageous in situations where the user should not be able to change the desired orientation of the electrical device 49 associated with the docking unit 1 via the connector unit 26. Due to the shape of the first sidewall portion 9 that prevents the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating relative to the docking unit 1, the first wall portion 8 of the first housing 2 does not need to be provided with one or more protrusions 25.

[0092] The docking unit of the second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG. 3B has an octagonal shape, which is a non-limiting example of a closed shape with any number of sides that can prevent the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating relative to the docking unit 1. The sides of the closed shape can be straight or non-straight. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that,The second shape can be any suitable closed shape (e.g., triangle, hexagon, etc.) that can prevent the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating relative to the docking unit 1.

[0093] FIG3C shows a schematic perspective view of the rear cover 62 of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG3A and FIG3B. As described above with respect to FIG2A-FIG. The rear cover 62 is provided with four recesses 63-66 for receiving the four magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the docking unit 1. The rear cover may be provided with one or more protrusions 25 that may extend through the seam of the first wall portion 8 of the first housing 2 to the docking space 4.

[0094] FIG3C also shows electrical contacts arranged in the first wall portion 8 extending through the first wall portion 8 to connect with electrical contacts arranged in the DC power supply 3 (see FIG1B).

[0095] FIG3D shows a schematic exploded view of the docking unit 1 shown in FIG3A. Magnets 7, 13, 17, and 21 have ends of different shapes to facilitate the assembly of docking unit 1, provided that the magnets are installed in the correct manner (i.e., having different magnetic poles (N-S or S-N) facing each other). In this way, docking unit 1 is less prone to failure, which is a consequence of adjacent magnets being installed in an incorrect manner (i.e., having the same magnetic poles (N-N or S-S) facing each other). It should be noted that the magnets have an elongated shape, which can be any suitable form (e.g., straight, curved, partially straight, and partially curved).

[0096] The first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16, and the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 are provided with inclined edges that are arranged toward the docking space 4. In this way, a smoother insertion of the magnetic plug portion 28 into the docking unit 1 can be achieved.

[0097] Figures 4A-4E show different schematic diagrams of a magnetic plug portion 28 according to a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a connector unit 26 according to the present invention. The connector unit 26 includes a second housing 27 (see Figures 5A-5C and 6), which includes a magnetic plug portion 28 that, when the connector unit 26 is in use, is inserted into a mating space 4 of a first housing 2 of a mating unit 1 according to the present invention. As schematically shown in Figures 4C, 4D and 4E, the magnetic plug portion 28 includes a second wall portion 29 having a recessed region 30 to form an edge portion 31. The recessed region 30 has a first surface 32 and a second surface 33, the first surface 32 being arranged away from the second housing 27 and the second surface 33 being arranged toward the second housing 27, and the edge portion 31 being configured to surround the first surface 32 of the recessed region 30.

[0098] The edge portion 31 is provided with four recesses 46.Four recesses 46 are configured to allow reception of two protrusions 25 (see, for example, FIG. 3A) when a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. As described above, the interaction between the four recesses 46 and the two protrusions 25 prevents the magnetic plug portion 28 from rotating too easily relative to the docking unit 1.

[0099] FIG. 4D schematically shows the magnetic plug portion 28 including a second sidewall portion 34 connected to the edge portion 31 of the second wall portion 29. The second sidewall portion 34 has a first portion 35 that contacts the first mechanical locking element 6 of the docking unit 1 when a mechanical locking connection is established between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1.

[0100] Figures 4A and 4B schematically show the fifth magnet 36, the sixth magnet 43, the seventh magnet 44, and the eighth magnet 45. The fifth magnet 36 is arranged at the ninth position on the second surface 33 of the recessed area 30 of the second wall portion 29, the sixth magnet 43 is arranged at the tenth position on the second surface 33, the seventh magnet 44 is arranged at the eleventh position on the second surface 33, and the eighth magnet 45 is arranged at the twelfth position on the second surface 33. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4 of the first housing 2 of the docking unit 1, the fifth magnet 36, the sixth magnet 43, the seventh magnet 44, and the eighth magnet 45 are respectively arranged to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first magnet 7, the second magnet 13, the third magnet 17, and the fourth magnet 21 of the docking unit 1, thereby establishing a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1.

[0101] Figures 4C and 4D schematically show that the magnetic plug portion 28 includes a set of five concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts 37, which are disposed on the first surface 32 of the recessed region 30 of the second wall portion 29. The five concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts 37 are configured to allow compliance with USB-based wiring (e.g., USB-A or USB-C) and power protocols (e.g., PD or PPS protocols). When the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4 of the first housing 2 of the docking unit 1, the concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts 37 are electrically connected to electrical contacts 24, which are arranged to extend from the first wall portion 8 of the first housing 2 of the docking unit 1 into the docking space 4.

[0102] Figure 5A shows a schematic perspective view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of a connector unit 26 according to the invention, which includes the magnetic plug portion 28 shown in Figures 4A-4E. Connector unit 26 includes a device mounting portion 38 disposed on a different side of the second housing 27 and the magnetic plug portion 28. The device mounting portion 38 is configured to receive electrical equipment.Alternatively, an adapter for connecting electrical equipment to connector unit 26 may be received.

[0103] FIG5B shows a schematic front view of connector unit 26 shown in FIG5A. Magnetic plug portion 28 includes a set of five concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts.

[0104] FIG5C shows a schematic exploded view of connector unit 26 shown in FIG5A and FIG5B. The set of five concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts are arranged on the first surface 32 of the second wall portion 29. The fifth magnet 36, the sixth magnet 43, the seventh magnet 44 and the eighth magnet 45 are shown in front of their respective recesses in their magnetic plug portion 28.

[0105] FIG6 shows a schematic perspective view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of connector unit 26 according to the invention. Exemplary electrical equipment 49 is connected to device mounting portion 38.

[0106] FIG7 shows a schematic perspective view of a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of DC power supply assembly 47 according to the invention. The DC power supply assembly 47 includes a docking unit 1 and a connector unit 26, which fits tightly in the docking space 4 of the second housing 2 of the docking unit 1. The second sidewall portion 34 of the magnetic plug portion 28 has an octagonal shape, and the first sidewall portion 9 of the first housing 2 of the docking unit 1 has a circular shape, thus allowing the magnetic plug portion 28 to rotate relative to the docking unit 1 when the user applies a rotational force to it. The rotation of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1 and its effect on the mechanical and magnetic locking connections between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 will be discussed in detail below with respect to Figures 8A-8D.

[0107] Figure 8A shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1 of the DC power supply assembly 47 shown in Figure 7. The arrangement of four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20 relative to the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is shown schematically. Four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, and 20 are in their default positions, in which the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16, and the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 extend into the docking space 4 and respectively engage with the four portions 35, 54, 55, and 56 of the second sidewall portion 34 of the magnetic plug portion 28 (see, for example, Figures 4C, 5B, and 9B). In this way, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is ready.

[0108] Figure 8B shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1 of the DC power supply assembly 47 shown in Figure 7, wherein the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is released due to the counterclockwise rotation of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1 reaching 22.5°. It should be noted thatIt is also possible to rotate the magnetic plug portion 28 clockwise relative to the docking unit 1. Due to the counterclockwise rotation of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1, the first mechanical locking element 6 moves from the default position to a second position via the second sidewall portion 34 of the magnetic plug portion 28, in which the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 is arranged outside the docking space 4. The same applies to the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16, and the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20. Therefore, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 has been released.

[0109] Once the mechanical locking connection has been released, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 can be released by removing the magnetic plug portion 28 from the docking space 4. This is schematically shown in FIG8C. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is removed from the docking space 4, due to the first magnetic holding connection between the first mechanical locking element 6 and the first magnet 7, the second magnetic holding connection between the second mechanical locking element 12 and the second magnet 13, the third magnetic holding connection between the third mechanical locking element 16 and the third magnet 17, and the fourth magnetic holding connection between the fourth mechanical locking element 20 and the fourth magnet 21, the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, and 20 respectively return to their default positions, i.e., their respective first portions 6a, third portions 12a, fifth portions 16a, and seventh portions 20a extend into the docking space 4.

[0110] FIG8D shows a schematic front view of the arrangement of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1, wherein the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 has not yet been re-established. Compared to the arrangement shown in FIG8B, due to the aforementioned respective magnetic holding connections, the additional counterclockwise rotation of the magnetic plug portion 28 relative to the docking unit 1 by 22.5° has allowed the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, and 20 to return to their default positions. However, the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, and 20 do not respectively engage with the four portions 35, 54, 55, and 56 of the second sidewall portion 34 of the magnetic plug portion 28 (see, for example, Figures 4C, 5B, and 9B). In this case, the magnetic plug portion 28 can still be removed from the docking space 4. To re-establish the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1, an additional counterclockwise rotation of 45° relative to the docking unit 1 is required for the magnetic plug portion 28. This additional counterclockwise rotation does not necessarily need to be performed by the user.Instead, the arrangement of the four magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the docking unit 1 relative to the four magnets 36, 43, 44, 45 of the magnetic plug portion 28 can be caused by the magnetostrictive self-alignment capability of the DC power supply assembly 47. According to a second exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly 47 shown in Figures 7 and 8A-8D, any misalignment of the four magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the docking unit 1 relative to the four magnets 36, 43, 44, 45 of the magnetic plug portion 28 will cause the magnetic plug portion 28 to rotate relative to the docking unit 1, which re-establishes the magnetic locking connection and mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1.

[0111] Figure 9A shows a schematic front view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 and the magnetic unlocking tool 48 shown in Figure 3B, wherein the arrangement of the locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20 and the magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the four sets of locking assemblies relative to each other and relative to the docking space 4 is schematically shown.

[0112] The first sidewall portion 9 of the first housing 2 of the docking unit 1 has an octagonal shape, and the second sidewall portion 34 of the magnetic plug portion 28 has an octagonal shape that matches the octagonal shape of the first sidewall portion 9, so that the magnetic plug portion 28 can fit tightly in the docking space 4. Since the magnetic plug portion 28 is arranged in a form-closed manner in the docking space 4, the magnetic plug portion 28 cannot rotate relative to the docking unit 1.

[0113] Since the magnetic unlocking tool 48 is not arranged to contact the docking unit 1, the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20 are in their default positions. In the default positions, the first part 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6, the third part 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12, the fifth part 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16, and the seventh part 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 extend into the docking space 4 and lock into contact with the four parts 35, 54, 55, 56 of the second sidewall portion 34, respectively. In this way, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is ready.

[0114] A magnetic locking connection is established by the four magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the docking unit 1 arranged to align with each other and the four magnets 36, 43, 44, 45 of the magnetic plug portion 28. Before inserting the magnetic plug portion 28 into the docking space 4, the magnetostrictive self-alignment between the four magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the docking unit 1 and the four magnets 36, 43, 44, 45 of the magnetic plug portion 28 enables the four portions 35, 54, 55, 56 of the second sidewall portion 34 to be correctly positioned relative to the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20.

[0115] FIG9B shows a schematic front view of a first exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the docking unit 1 and the magnetic unlocking tool 48 shown in FIG9A.The magnetic unlocking tool 48 is arranged to contact the docking unit 1. The magnetic unlocking tool 48 includes a first unlocking magnet 50, a second unlocking magnet 51, a third unlocking magnet 52, and a fourth unlocking magnet 53. When the magnetic unlocking tool 48 contacts the docking unit 1, the first unlocking magnet 50 is positioned relative to the second portion 6b of the first mechanical locking element 6 to move the first mechanical locking element 6 to a second position via the first guide rail 11, where the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 is outside the docking space 4; the second unlocking magnet 51 is positioned relative to the fourth portion 12b of the second mechanical locking element 12 to move the second mechanical locking element 12 to a fourth position via the second guide rail 15, where the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12 is outside the docking space 4. The third unlocking magnet 52 is arranged relative to the sixth portion 16b of the third mechanical locking element 16 to move the third mechanical locking element 16 to a sixth position via the third guide rail 19, in which the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16 is outside the docking space 4; the fourth unlocking magnet 53 is arranged relative to the eighth portion 20b of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 to move the fourth mechanical locking element 20 to an eighth position via the fourth guide rail 23, in which the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 is outside the docking space 4. Therefore, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 has been released.

[0116] Once the mechanical locking connection has been released, the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 can be released by removing the magnetic plug portion 28 from the docking space 4. This is schematically shown in FIG9C. When the magnetic plug portion 28 is removed from the docking space 4, the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20 do not return to their default positions, i.e., their respective first portions 6a, third portions 12a, fifth portions 16a, and seventh portions 20a remain outside the docking space 4, because the magnetic unlocking tool 48 remains in contact with the docking unit 1.

[0117] FIG10A shows a schematic front view of the docking unit 1 and the magnetic plug portion 28 according to a third exemplary, non-limiting embodiment of the DC power supply assembly 47, wherein the arrangement of the locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20 relative to the docking space 4 is schematically shown when the fifth unlocking magnet 57 and the sixth unlocking magnet 58 are not arranged to contact the docking unit 1. Because the frame 61 is arranged to contact the docking unit 1, the magnetic plug portion 28 having the octagonal second sidewall portion 34 cannot rotate relative to the docking unit. Because the fifth unlocking magnet 57 and the sixth unlocking magnet 58 are not arranged to contact the docking unit 1, the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20 are in their default positions, in which,The first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6, the third portion 12a of the second mechanical locking element 12, the fifth portion 16a of the third mechanical locking element 16, and the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 extend into the docking space 4 and respectively lock into contact with the four portions 35, 54, 55, and 56 of the second sidewall portion 34. In this way, the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1 is ready. A magnetic locking connection is established between the four magnets 7, 13, 17, and 21 of the docking unit 1, which are arranged to be aligned with each other, and the four magnets 36, 43, 44, and 45 of the magnetic plug portion 28. Before the magnetic plug portion 28 is inserted into the docking space 4, the four magnets 7, 13, 17, 21 of the docking unit 1 and the four magnets 36, 43, 44, 45 of the magnetic plug portion 28 are magnetostrictively self-aligned, so that the four portions 35, 54, 55, 56 of the second sidewall portion 34 can be correctly positioned relative to the four mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, 20.

[0118] The first mechanical locking element 6 and the fourth mechanical locking element 20 are connected to each other outside the docking space 4. The same applies to connecting the second mechanical locking element 12 and the third mechanical locking element 16 to each other outside the docking space 4. In this way, the number of components can be reduced.

[0119] FIG10D schematically shows a detailed view of the circled area in FIG10A, regarding how the first mechanical locking element 6 and the fourth mechanical locking element 20 are interconnected outside the docking space 4, and how the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 and the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 are arranged relative to the magnetic plug portion 28 when the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit is ready.

[0120] FIG10C schematically shows that, under the influence of the fifth unlocking magnet 57 arranged to contact the docking unit, the two mechanical locking elements 6, 20 have been moved to a first non-working position via the fifth guide rail 59. In the first non-working position, the first portion 6a and the seventh portion 20a are arranged outside the docking space 4. The same applies to the second mechanical locking element 12 and the third mechanical locking element 16 connected to each other outside the docking space 4. Under the influence of the sixth unlocking magnet 58, which is arranged to contact the docking unit, the two mechanical locking elements 12 and 16 have moved to the second non-working position via the sixth guide rail 60. In the second non-working position, the third part 12a and the fifth part 16a are arranged outside the docking space 4. When the fifth unlocking magnet 57 and the sixth unlocking magnet 58 are arranged to contact the docking unit, due to the fact that the first part 6a, the third part 12a, the fifth part 16a, and the seventh part 20a of the corresponding mechanical locking elements 6, 12, 16, and 20 are arranged outside the docking space 4,The mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit has been released.

[0121] FIG10D schematically shows a detailed view of the circled area in FIG10C, regarding how the first mechanical locking element 6 and the fourth mechanical locking element 20 are interconnected outside the docking space 4, and how the first portion 6a of the first mechanical locking element 6 and the seventh portion 20a of the fourth mechanical locking element 20 are arranged relative to the magnetic plug portion 28 when the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit has been released.

[0122] The present invention can be summarized as relating to a docking unit 1 for a DC power supply, which, when associated with a DC power supply, allows for continuous power supply or charging of electrical equipment. The docking unit includes a first housing 2, which is provided with a docking space 4 for receiving the magnetic plug portion 28 of a connector unit 26 when the docking unit 1 is in use. The docking unit 1 includes a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism 5 for establishing a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion 28 and the docking unit 1. The present invention also relates to a connector unit 26 and a DC power supply assembly 47, the connector unit 26 being compatible with a mating unit 1 according to the present invention, and the DC power supply assembly 47 comprising the mating unit 1 and the connector unit 26 according to the present invention.

[0123] Those skilled in the art should understand that the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the examples discussed above, and that several modifications and improvements are possible without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Specifically, specific features of various aspects of the present invention may be combined. One aspect of the present invention may be further advantageously improved by adding features related to another aspect of the present invention. Although the present invention has been described in detail in the drawings and description, such illustrations and descriptions should be considered illustrative or exemplary rather than restrictive.

[0124] The present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement variations of the disclosed embodiments by studying the drawings, description and appended claims in practicing the claimed invention. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other steps or elements,Furthermore, the indefinite articles "a" or "an" do not exclude multiple measures. The mere fact that certain measures are described in mutually different dependent claims does not imply that combinations of these measures cannot be used advantageously. Any reference numerals in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the invention. Instruction Manual 21 / 21 Page 27 CN 121532910 A Figure 1A Figure 1B Instruction Manual Drawing 1 / 16 Page 28 CN 121532910 A Figure 2A Figure 2B Figure 2C Instruction Manual Drawing 2 / 16 Page 29 CN 121532910 A Figure 2D Figure 2E Instruction Manual Drawing 3 / 16 Page 30 CN 121532910 A Figure 3A Figure 3B Instruction Manual Drawing 4 / 16 Page 31 CN 121532910 A Figure 3C Figure 3D Instruction Manual Drawing 5 / 16 Page 32 CN 121532910 A Figure 4A Figure 4B Instruction Manual Drawing 6 / 16 Page 33 CN 121532910 A Figure 4C Figure 4D Instruction Manual Drawing 7 / 16 Page 34 CN 121532910 A Figure 4E Figure 5A Instruction Manual Drawing 8 / 16 Page 35 CN 121532910 A Figure 5B Figure 5C Instruction Manual Drawings 9 / 16 Page 36 CN 121532910 A Figure 6 Figure 7 Instruction Manual Drawings 10 / 16 Page 37 CN 121532910 A Figure 8A Figure 8B Instruction Manual Drawings 11 / 16 Page 38 CN 121532910 A Figure 8C Figure 8D Instruction Manual Drawings 12 / 16 Page 39 CN 121532910 A Figure 9A Figure 9B Instruction Manual Drawings 13 / 16 Page 40 CN 121532910 A Figure 9C Figure 10A Instruction Manual Drawings 14 / 16 Page 41 CN 121532910 A Figure 10B Figure 10C Instruction Manual Drawings 15 / 16 Page 42 CN 121532910 A Figure 10D Instruction Manual Drawings 16 / 16 Page 43 CN 121532910 A,

Claims

1. A docking unit (1) for a DC power supply, the docking unit (1) being configured to allow continuous power supply or charging of an electrical device when the docking unit (1) is associated with a DC power supply, the docking unit (1) including a first housing (2) having a docking space (4) for receiving a magnetic plug portion of a connector unit when the docking unit (1) is in use, the first housing (2) including a magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) configured and arranged to allow a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1).

2. The docking unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) is configured and arranged to allow the magnetic plug portion to be magneto-aligned with the docking unit (1) relative to each other.

3. The docking unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a first set of locking components, the first set of locking components including a first mechanical locking element (6) and a first magnet (7), the first mechanical locking element (6) and the first magnet (7) being arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the first mechanical locking element (6) and the first magnet (7) to be in a first magnetic holding connection, wherein due to the first magnetic holding connection, the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged to extend partially into the docking space (4) at a first location to allow the establishment of the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7) allows the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magneto-aligned relative to each other and allows the establishment of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1).

4. The docking unit (1) according to claim 3, wherein, The first housing (2) includes a first wall portion (8) and a first side wall portion (9), the first wall portion (8) being configured and arranged to provide a backplate for the docking space (4), the first side wall portion (9) being disposed in contact with the first wall portion (8), the first side wall portion (9) being configured to provide a circular sidewall surrounding the docking space (4), the first side wall portion (9) being provided with a first opening (10), the first opening (10) being configured and arranged to allow a first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) to extend into the docking space (4) at the first location, and to retain a second portion (6b) of the first mechanical locking element (6). Following the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a first guide rail (11), the first guide rail (11) being configured and arranged to receive the first mechanical locking element (6) and to allow the first mechanical locking element (6) to move between a first position and a second position, wherein in the first position, the first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged to extend through the first opening (10) in the first sidewall portion (9) to the docking space (4), and in the second position, the first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged outside the docking space (4).

5. The docking unit (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a second set of locking components, the second set of locking components including a second mechanical locking element (12) and a second magnet (13), the second mechanical locking element (12) and the second magnet (13) being arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the second mechanical locking element (12) and the second magnet (13) to be in a second magnetic holding connection, wherein due to the second magnetic holding connection, the second mechanical locking element (12) is arranged to extend partially into the docking space (4) at a second location, the second location of the second mechanical locking element (12) being different from the first location of the first mechanical locking element (6), the first mechanical locking element (6) and the second mechanical locking element (12) allowing a mechanical locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7) and the second magnet (13) of the first set of locking components allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magneto-self-aligned relative to each other, and allow the magnetic locking connection to be established between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1).

6. The docking unit (1) according to claim 5, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) is provided with a second opening (14), the second opening (14) being configured and arranged to allow the third portion (12a) of the second mechanical locking element (12) to extend into the docking space (4) at the second location, and to keep the fourth portion (12b) of the second mechanical locking element (12) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a second guide rail (15), the second guide rail (15) being configured and arranged to receive the second mechanical locking element (12) and to allow the second mechanical locking element (12) to move between a third position and a fourth position, in which the third portion (12a) of the second mechanical locking element (12) is arranged to extend into the docking space (4) via the second opening (14) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in which the third portion (12a) of the second mechanical locking element (12) is arranged outside the docking space (4).

7. The docking unit (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein, The magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a third set of locking components, which includes a third mechanical locking element (16) and a third magnet (17). The third mechanical locking element (16) and the third magnet (17) are arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the third mechanical locking element (16) and the third magnet (17) to be in a third magnetic holding connection. Due to the third magnetic holding connection, the third mechanical locking element (16) is arranged to extend into the docking space (4) at a third location, which is different from the first mechanical locking element (6) of the first set of locking components. The first mechanical locking element (6), the second mechanical locking element (12), and the third mechanical locking element (16) of the second set of locking components allow the establishment of the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7), the second magnet (13), and the third magnet (17) of the first set of locking components allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magnetostrictively self-aligned relative to each other, and allow the establishment of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1).

8. The docking unit (1) according to claim 7, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) is provided with a third opening (18), the third opening (18) being configured and arranged to allow the fifth portion (16a) of the third mechanical locking element (16) to extend to the docking space (4) at the third location, and to keep the sixth portion (16b) of the third mechanical locking element (16) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a third guide rail (19), the third guide rail (19) being configured and arranged to receive the third mechanical locking element (16) and to allow the third mechanical locking element (16) to move between a fifth position and a sixth position, in which the fifth portion (16a) of the third mechanical locking element (16) is arranged to extend to the docking space (4) via the third opening (18) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in which the fifth portion (16a) of the third mechanical locking element (16) is arranged outside the docking space (4).

9. The docking unit (1) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein, The magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) includes a fourth set of locking components, which includes a fourth mechanical locking element (20) and a fourth magnet (21). The fourth mechanical locking element (20) and the fourth magnet (21) are arranged relative to the docking space (4) and relative to each other to allow the fourth mechanical locking element (20) and the fourth magnet (21) to be in a fourth magnetic holding connection. Due to the fourth magnetic holding connection, the fourth mechanical locking element (20) is arranged to extend into the docking space (4) at a fourth location, which is different from the first location of the first mechanical locking element (6) of the first set of locking components, the second location of the second mechanical locking element (12) of the second set of locking components, and the location of the fourth location. At the third location of the third mechanical locking element (16) of the third set of locking components, the first mechanical locking element (6), the second mechanical locking element (12), the third mechanical locking element (16) and the fourth mechanical locking element (20) allow the establishment of the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1), wherein the first magnet (7) of the first set of locking components, the second magnet (13) of the second set of locking components, the third magnet (17) and the fourth magnet (21) of the third set of locking components allow the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1) to be magnetostrictively self-aligned relative to each other, and allow the establishment of the magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion and the docking unit (1).

10. The docking unit (1) according to claim 9, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) is provided with a fourth opening (22), the fourth opening (22) being configured and arranged to allow the seventh portion (20a) of the fourth mechanical locking element (20) to extend to the docking space (4) at the fourth location, and to keep the eighth portion (20b) of the fourth mechanical locking element (20) behind the first sidewall portion (9), and wherein the first housing (2) is provided with a fourth guide rail (23), the fourth guide rail (23) being configured and arranged to receive the fourth mechanical locking element (20) and to allow the fourth mechanical locking element (20) to move between a seventh position and an eighth position, in which the seventh portion (20a) of the fourth mechanical locking element (20) is arranged to extend to the docking space (4) via the fourth opening (22) in the first sidewall portion (9), and in which the seventh portion (22a) of the fourth mechanical locking element (22) is arranged outside the docking space (4).

11. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein, The first wall portion (8) is provided with a first set of electrical contacts (24), which are arranged to extend from the first wall portion (8) to the docking space (4).

12. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 11, wherein, The first wall portion (8) is provided with a first protrusion (25), which is arranged to extend from the first wall portion (8) to the docking space (4).

13. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is configured to have a first shape, which allows the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to fit tightly in the docking space (4) and allows the connector unit and the docking unit (1) to rotate relative to each other.

14. The docking unit (1) according to claim 13, wherein, The first shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is circular.

15. The docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 12, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is configured to have a second shape, which allows the magnetic plug portion of the connector unit to fit tightly in the mating space (4) and prevents the connector unit and the mating unit (1) from rotating relative to each other.

16. The docking unit (1) according to claim 15, wherein, The second shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) is a closed shape, the closed shape having any number of sides.

17. A connector unit (26) compatible with a mating unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16, the connector unit (26) comprising a second housing (27) provided with: - Magnetic plug portion (28), when the connector unit (26) is in use, the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the mating space of the mating unit, the magnetic plug portion (28) includes: • A second wall portion (29) is provided with a recessed region (30) to form an edge portion (31), the recessed region (30) having a first surface (32) and a second surface (33), the first surface (32) being arranged away from the second housing (27), the second surface (33) being arranged towards the second housing (27), and the edge portion (31) being configured to surround the first surface (32) of the recessed region (30); • Second sidewall portion (34), the second sidewall portion (34) is connected to the edge portion (31) of the second wall portion (29), the second sidewall portion (34) has a first portion (35), when a mechanical locking connection is established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit, the first portion (35) contacts the first mechanical locking element of the docking unit; • A fifth magnet (36) is arranged at a ninth position on the second surface (33) of the recessed area (30) of the second wall portion (29), the fifth magnet (36) being configured to allow magnetostrictive alignment with the first magnet of the docking unit, and to establish a magnetic locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit; • A set of concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts (37) disposed on the first surface (32) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), wherein when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, the concentrically arranged closed-loop electrical contacts (37) are electrically connected to electrical contacts arranged to extend from the first wall portion of the first housing of the docking unit to the docking space of the docking unit; and - Device mounting portion (38), which is arranged on different sides of the second housing (27) and the magnetic plug portion (28), the device mounting portion (38) is configured to receive electrical equipment or to receive an adapter for connecting electrical equipment to the connector unit (26).

18. The connector unit (26) according to claim 17, wherein, The magnetic plug portion (28) includes a sixth magnet (43) disposed at a tenth position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), the tenth position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet (36), wherein the fifth magnet (36) and the sixth magnet (43) are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first and second magnets of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit.

19. The connector unit (26) according to claim 18, wherein, The magnetic plug portion (28) includes a seventh magnet (44) disposed at an eleventh position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), the eleventh position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet (36) and the tenth position of the sixth magnet (43), wherein the fifth magnet (36), the sixth magnet (43) and the seventh magnet (44) are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first magnet, the second magnet and the third magnet of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit.

20. The connector unit (26) according to claim 19, wherein, The magnetic plug portion (28) includes an eighth magnet (45) disposed at a twelfth position on the second surface (33) of the recessed region (30) of the second wall portion (29), the twelfth position being different from the ninth position of the fifth magnet (36), the tenth position of the sixth magnet (43), and the eleventh position of the seventh magnet (44), wherein the fifth magnet (36), the sixth magnet (43), the seventh magnet (44), and the eighth magnet (45) are configured to allow magnetostrictive self-alignment with the first magnet, the second magnet, the third magnet, and the fourth magnet of the docking unit, and when the magnetic plug portion (28) is inserted into the docking space of the docking unit, a magnetic locking connection and a mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit.

21. The connector unit (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein, The edge portion (31) of the second wall portion (29) of the magnetic plug portion (28) is provided with a first recess (46), the first recess (46) being configured to allow receiving a first protrusion when the magnetic locking connection and the mechanical locking connection are established between the magnetic plug portion (28) and the docking unit, the first protrusion being arranged to extend from the first wall portion of the first housing of the docking unit to the docking space of the docking unit.

22. The connector unit (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein, The second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) has a closed shape, the closed shape having any number of sides.

23. A DC power supply assembly (47), when in use, wherein the DC power supply assembly (47) is used to continuously provide DC power to electrical equipment or to charge electrical equipment using DC power, the DC power supply assembly comprising a docking unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

24. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 23, comprising the connector unit (26) according to any one of claims 17 to 22.

25. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 24, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) has a third shape, and the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) has a fourth shape. The third and fourth shapes are adapted to each other so that when the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1) rotate relative to each other, the first mechanical locking element (6) of the docking unit (1) can move from a first position to a second position. In the first position, the first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged to extend into the docking space (4) of the docking unit (1). In the second position, the first portion (6a) of the first mechanical locking element (6) is arranged outside the docking space (4) to cancel the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1).

26. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 25, wherein, The third shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) is circular, and the fourth shape of the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) is a closed shape having any number of sides.

27. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 24, wherein, The first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) has a fifth shape, and the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) has a sixth shape. The fifth shape and the sixth shape are adapted to each other to prevent the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1) from rotating relative to each other and to prevent the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1) from being canceled.

28. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 27, wherein, The fifth shape of the first sidewall portion (9) of the first housing (2) of the docking unit (1) and the sixth shape of the second sidewall portion (34) of the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) are closed shapes with the same number of sides.

29. The DC power supply assembly (47) according to claim 27 or 28, comprising a magnetic unlocking tool (48) arranged relative to the magneto-mechanical locking mechanism (5) of the docking unit (1) to allow cancellation of the first magnetic holding connection between the first mechanical locking element (6) of the docking unit (1) and the first magnet (7), thereby canceling the mechanical locking connection between the magnetic plug portion (28) of the connector unit (26) and the docking unit (1).

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