Contactless Connector with Orientation Sensor and Magnetic Coupling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for electronic devices are prone to misorientation, damage, and alignment issues, leading to customer annoyance, inoperability, and potential damage, and often require bulky mechanical features for secure mating.
Innovation Solution
A contactless connector design featuring a reversible housing with insulative material, a contactless data communication circuit board, and sensors to adjust operation modes based on orientation, allowing for secure data and power transfer in either orientation without exposed contacts, using magnetic coupling and alignment elements for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connectors are used with exposed signal contacts, then data and power transfer functions are achieved, but the contacts are susceptible to damage and deterioration over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based connectors with a contactless connector that uses electromagnetic fields for data and power transfer. The connector housing contains no exposed signal contacts, eliminating wear and damage issues associated with physical contacts. Power is transferred through inductive coupling between the connector and electronic device, while data communication occurs wirelessly.
2Stability of the object's composition
If traditional connectors require single orientation plugging, then connection stability is achieved, but user convenience deteriorates due to misorientation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric magnetic coupling elements and alignment features within the connector housing that enable stable connection regardless of orientation. The housing includes internal guides and magnetic attractors positioned to create natural alignment during mating, while the contactless power and data transfer mechanisms maintain functional stability in any rotational position around the connection axis.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector is designed with universal mating capability that allows connection to electronic devices in multiple orientations (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°). The housing contains omnidirectional alignment features and the contactless transfer mechanisms are rotationally symmetric, enabling the same connector to function reliably regardless of how it is oriented during plugging.
3Reliability
If bulky mechanical features are added for secure mating, then connection reliability is improved, but device sleekness and user preference deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates bulky mechanical locking features, springs, and complex engagement mechanisms by using contactless power transfer through inductive coupling and magnetic attraction for securing the connector to the device. The housing can be made sleek and streamlined since mechanical strength is provided by the magnetic coupling and friction fit rather than protruding mechanical elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a cost-effective, reliable, and sleek connector that ensures easy mating and secure data/power transfer in either orientation, reducing the risk of damage and improving user experience by eliminating misorientation issues and bulky mechanical features.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor is configured to sense the orientation of the housing relative to the connector interface of the electronic device
Implementation Method 2
The first and second connector contactless data communication chips are each operable in a mode of operation that is either a transmit mode or a receive mode, wherein, in the first orientation, the first connector contactless data communication chip is configured to define a first wireless data communication channel with a first device contactless data communication chip of the electronic device
Implementation Method 3
using magnetic coupling and alignment elements for secure attachment
Data Source
AI summary
A contactless connector includes an insulative housing having a mating interface configured to be coupled to a connector interface of an electronic device. The housing can be reversibly coupled to the connector interface in a first orientation or in a second orientation oriented 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. A communication circuit board is held within the housing that includes a first connector communication chip and a second connector communication chip configured to define wireless communication channels with corresponding device communication chips of the electronic device in either orientation. A sensor senses the orientation of the housing relative to the connector interface of the electronic device to determine if the housing is in the first orientation or in the second orientation. The mode of operation of the first and second connector communication chips is controlled based on the sensed orientation of the housing.