Electric Connector With Magnetic Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electric connectors often malfunction due to incorrect connections, which can lead to improper electrical connections between devices.
Innovation Solution
The use of connectors with magnets and conductive housings to facilitate correct alignment through magnetic attraction and repulsion, ensuring proper coupling by distinguishing between correct and incorrect configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connectors are used without magnetic components, then the device structure remains simple and manufacturing cost is low, but incorrect connections occur leading to malfunction
Solution Approach 1:
A magnet is introduced as an intermediary component within the connector housing. This magnet generates a magnetic field that acts as a mediator between the connector and the external device, providing directional guidance and preventing incorrect connections through magnetic attraction or repulsion forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces purely mechanical alignment methods with a magnetic field-based system. Instead of relying solely on physical guides or user precision, the magnetic field provides automatic directional control, substituting mechanical alignment complexity with electromagnetic interaction.
2Reliability
If magnets are added to contacts to prevent wrong connections, then connection reliability improves, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The magnet serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides directional alignment guidance, prevents incorrect connections through repulsion, and can indicate proper insertion through attraction. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, offsetting some manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnet is integrated within the existing connector housing structure, merging the magnetic guidance function with the protective and structural housing. This consolidation avoids adding separate magnetic assemblies and simplifies the overall manufacturing process.
3Ease of operation
If conductive housings surrounding magnets are used, then magnetic guidance for correct alignment is enhanced, but the device structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conductive housing provides magnetic guidance only in the specific local region where connection occurs. The housing material and structure are optimized locally to enhance magnetic field distribution at the contact interface, rather than requiring complex magnetic shielding or guidance throughout the entire device.
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
This solution prevents incorrect connections by utilizing magnetic properties to guide the correct alignment of connectors, enhancing the reliability and efficiency of electrical connections between devices.
Implementation Method 1
at least one of the contacts includes a magnet
Implementation Method 2
facilitate correct alignment through magnetic attraction and repulsion
Data Source
AI summary
A connector may include a plurality of contacts electrically connected to a mating connector and separated from one another. At least one of the contacts may include a magnet, and a conductive housing for surrounding at least one side of the magnet.