Magnetic Connector System for Miniaturized Device Power Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing miniaturization of user devices such as tablets and smartphones has limited the available space for attaching accessories and power supplies, making it challenging to form reliable connections for power delivery and other functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A connector and receptacle system utilizing magnetic coupling with ferromagnetic materials and polarized magnets to ensure correct orientation and secure attachment, allowing for efficient electrical connections and increased magnetic coupling force, thereby facilitating power transfer and other device interactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If user devices are miniaturized to improve mobility and usability, then device size decreases and mobility increases, but available space for attaching accessories and power supplies decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is integrated within the receptacle housing, with the magnet assembly nested inside the connector body. The terminal contacts are positioned within the connector such that they engage with corresponding contacts in the receptacle when mated, effectively nesting multiple functional elements within a compact structure that attaches to the limited space on the user device.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a planar attachment approach to a three-dimensional magnetic coupling system. The magnet assembly creates a magnetic field that extends through space, allowing the connector to be attracted to and retained by the receptacle in a manner that utilizes spatial volume rather than just surface area, thereby overcoming the limitation of reduced attachment space.
2Reliability
If magnetic coupling force is increased to ensure secure attachment, then connection reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines multiple functions into a single integrated connector assembly: the magnet assembly provides both the magnetic coupling force for secure attachment and the polarized orientation mechanism, while the terminal contacts are integrated within the same housing. This merging of functions reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate components for attachment and electrical connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The polarized magnet assembly automatically orients the connector in the correct configuration through magnetic attraction and repulsion forces. When the connector approaches the receptacle, the magnets guide it into proper alignment and maintain secure attachment, eliminating the need for complex mechanical alignment features or user intervention to ensure correct orientation.
3Manufacturing precision
If polarized magnets are used to ensure correct orientation, then mating accuracy improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses changes in magnetic field parameters (strength, polarity, distribution) to achieve precise orientation and mating. By configuring the magnets with specific polarities and positions, the system creates a magnetic field landscape that naturally guides the connector into the correct orientation, providing manufacturing tolerance compensation that simplifies fabrication compared to precision mechanical features.
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 system effectively utilizes limited space on user devices to establish reliable electrical connections, ensuring proper orientation and secure attachment, thus enabling efficient power delivery and other device interactions while preventing incorrect mating that could lead to electrical failure.
Implementation Method 1
A connector and receptacle are disclosed that utilize the limited space of the user devices to provide a connection. The connector and the receptacle disclosed herein also provide numerous other advantages relating to being able to form a connection with the user devices in various ways via the connector and the receptacle.
Implementation Method 2
A connector is disclosed that may include a pair of connector magnets. The connector may also include a pair of connector terminals positioned such that each of the pair of connector terminals are between the pair of connector magnets.
Data Source
AI summary
A device includes one or more connectors and receptacles. The connector may include a pair of connector magnets. The connector may also include a pair of connector terminals positioned between the pair of connector magnets. The receptacle may be associated with a user device. The receptacle may include a pair of receptacle magnets that are configured to magnetically couple with the pair of connector magnets when brought within proximity of each other. The receptacle may also include a pair of receptacle terminals positioned between the pair of receptacle magnets that are configured to mate with the pair of connector terminals to form an electrical connection. In this manner, the connector and the receptacle may form an electrical connection when the pair of connector magnets is coupled with the pair of receptacle magnets, thereby mating the pair of connector terminals with the pair of receptacle terminals.