Magnetic Connector Self-Alignment for Hinge Motion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing connectors for electronic devices often face difficulties in alignment, leading to misalignment issues that interfere with proper physical or electrical interconnection, especially when visibility is obstructed or precise alignment is required.
Innovation Solution
The use of magnetic connectors with cylindrical magnets arranged coaxially, mounted within the device housing to align and connect with complementary connectors, allowing for hinge-like pivoting motion while maintaining a physical connection, and incorporating electrical contacts for data and power transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic connectors are used to maintain connection during hinge-like motion, then adaptability is improved, but alignment precision becomes more difficult to achieve
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment systems with magnetic field-based alignment. Magnetic connectors generate magnetic fields that automatically guide and align connectors during the hinge-like motion, eliminating the need for precise mechanical alignment features and enabling adaptable motion while maintaining connection stability.
2Shape
If connectors are made visually obscured to improve aesthetics, then appearance is improved, but alignment difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces magnetic field lines as an intermediary that provides visual or tactile guidance for alignment. The magnetic field acts as a mediator between the obscured connectors, enabling users to align connectors through magnetic attraction forces or field visualization without requiring direct visual contact with the connector interfaces themselves.
3Adaptability or versatility
If magnetic connectors allow hinge-like motion, then versatility is improved, but connection stability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic magnetic connection system where the magnetic field strength and distribution adjust in response to the hinge-like motion. The magnetic connectors maintain optimal attraction forces throughout the range of motion, adapting to changing geometric relationships between connectors to preserve connection stability while enabling flexible movement.
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 connectors ensure self-alignment and stable connection between devices, enabling hinge-like motion without breaking the connection, and facilitate efficient electrical interconnection through embedded contacts.
Implementation Method 1
two magnetic connectors, spaced apart from one another, along the sidewall of the housing, each of the magnetic connectors including: a magnetic cylinder capable of magnetically engaging the other device
Data Source
AI summary
A device may comprise a housing having a straight rounded edge. A self-aligning connector at the straight rounded edge may comprise a cylindrical magnet oriented with its axis substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge. The cylindrical magnet is for magnetically engaging a magnet of another connector so as to align and connect the self-aligning connector with the other connector. The self-aligning connector may comprise mounting structure configured to mount the cylindrical magnet at the straight rounded edge of the housing with the axis of the cylindrical magnet being substantially parallel to the straight rounded edge of the housing. The device may include two such self-aligning connectors, spaced apart from one another, along a single straight rounded edge of the device housing.