Magnetic Connector With Elastic Electrodes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric connection devices face issues such as electrode damage, high insertion force requirements, and directional mismatches leading to defective couplings and noise, due to mechanical and electrical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

Magnetic connection devices utilizing magnetic attraction to establish electrical connections between connectors with elastic members supporting electrodes, allowing for secure coupling and reduced exposure of electrodes, thus preventing damage and simplifying design.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a protruding electrode is used in a male connector terminal for electrical connection, then electrical connection is achieved, but the electrode may be damaged during usage and acts as a limitation in designing the electronic devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidelectrode damage risk

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional connector design by making the female connector terminal have a protruding electrode structure instead of the male connector. This inversion allows the protruding electrode to be protected within the female connector housing, eliminating the damage risk while maintaining electrical connection functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The protruding electrode is nested within the female connector terminal housing, with the electrode being received by a corresponding receiving portion in the male connector. This nesting structure protects the electrode from external damage while enabling reliable electrical connection when connectors are mated

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Reliability

If a conventional connection device uses fitting characteristic and elasticity between corresponding elements to determine coupling strength and electric connection characteristic, then electrical connection is achieved, but considerably large force is necessary to insert and draw

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling strengthVSAvoidinsertion and drawing force

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the conventional mechanical spring-based elasticity system with a magnetic field-based attraction system. Magnets are positioned in both the female and male connector terminals to generate magnetic attraction force that provides coupling strength, eliminating the need for large mechanical insertion and drawing forces while maintaining reliable electrical connection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If the connection device relies on mechanical and electrical characteristics of contact portions for coupling, then electrical connection is achieved, but noise may generate or contact may not occur due to defective coupling caused by directional mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidnoise and contact failure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based coupling with magnetic field-based coupling. The magnetic attraction force automatically aligns and holds the connectors in the correct orientation, eliminating directional mismatches and ensuring consistent electrical contact without noise or connection failures

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The magnetic fields generated by the magnets in both connector terminals automatically guide and secure the connectors in the correct alignment during insertion. This self-aligning mechanism ensures proper coupling without requiring precise manual alignment, preventing contact failures and noise generation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

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 magnetic connection devices ensure reliable and durable electrical connections with reduced risk of electrode damage and improved usability by leveraging magnetic attraction for coupling, while allowing for flexible design and reduced force requirements.

Implementation Method 1

magnetic attraction between the first electrodes and the second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

elastic members for elastically supporting the plurality of second electrodes

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS9647385B2Magnetic connection device

Publication Date: 2017.05.09 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A magnetic connection device including a first connector including a first housing and a plurality of first electrodes mounted on the first housing in a state of being partially exposed and having magnetic substances; and a second connector including a second housing, a plurality of second electrodes mounted on the second housing and having magnetic substances, and elastic members for elastically supporting the plurality of second electrodes, wherein an end portion of each of the plurality of second electrodes is located in the second housing due to an elasticity of the elastic members in a state where a magnetic attraction is not applied from the plurality of first electrodes, and protrudes out of the second housing to be electrically connected to each of the plurality of first electrodes when there is the magnetic attraction applied from the plurality of first electrodes.