Magnetic Power Connector for Flexible Device Mounting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional power connectors restrict the orientation of electronic devices, limiting flexibility and risk causing damage due to torsion resistance in rotatable sockets, and often require precise alignment, which can be cumbersome and prone to mechanical failure.
Innovation Solution
A power connector with a curved receptacle surface that uses magnetic fields to securely attach and reposition electronic devices, allowing for adjustable angles and orientations without mechanical fastening, and includes a power-transfer mechanism that enables wireless power transmission, ensuring continuous power supply during adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a rotatable electrical socket is used to allow rotation, then flexibility in orientation is improved, but the electrical wires experience torsion resistance that can lead to wire breakage or decoupling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical rotation system with electrical wires (which causes torsion) with a magnetic field-based coupling system. The magnetic connector uses magnetic attraction to maintain connection between the power adapter and electronic device, eliminating the need for rotational mechanical joints and electrical wires that would experience torsion stress.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a magnetic field as an intermediary force to maintain the connection between the power adapter and electronic device. This magnetic intermediary allows for flexible positioning and orientation changes without the mechanical constraints and torsional stresses of traditional wired connections.
2Stability of the object's composition
If a robust physical connection is used to secure connectors, then connection stability is improved, but the possible orientations for mating are restricted to a single orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the robust mechanical physical connection system with a magnetic field-based connection system. This substitution allows the electronic device to be securely held in place through magnetic attraction while enabling multiple orientations and positions, unlike rigid mechanical connectors that require precise alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic flexibility to the connection system by using magnetic fields that can accommodate movement and repositioning. The magnetic connection maintains stability while allowing the electronic device to be positioned at various angles and locations on the power adapter surface.
3Reliability
If precise alignment is required for connector mating, then electrical contact reliability is improved, but the operation becomes cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the precision mechanical alignment system with a magnetic field-based guidance system. The magnetic field naturally guides the electronic device into proper contact position, eliminating the need for manual precision alignment while maintaining reliable electrical contact through the magnetic attraction force.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-alignment through magnetic field guidance. The magnetic connector automatically guides and positions the electronic device during the mating process, eliminating the need for user intervention to achieve precise alignment and simplifying the operation.
4Force
If magnetic surfaces with strong force are used to hold connectors together, then connection strength is improved, but the connector size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the magnetic connector design by adjusting magnetic field parameters and distribution to achieve strong holding force with minimized connector size. This involves optimizing magnet strength, arrangement, and geometry to concentrate magnetic force efficiently in a compact form factor.
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 flexible and secure mounting system for electronic devices, allowing three degrees of freedom (pan, tilt, and rotation) while maintaining power transmission, reducing the risk of mechanical failure and enhancing user convenience by eliminating the need for precise alignment.
Implementation Method 1
The device-coupling mechanism can include a magnet on the power connector that emits a magnetic field. Moreover, the device-coupling mechanism can include a magnetically-sensitive material on the electronic device, such that the magnetically-sensitive material is attracted to the magnetic field emitted by the magnet on the power connector.
Implementation Method 2
A magnetic connector may include a magnetic surface and an electrical connector which may mate with an electrical connector of a cable, and a housing which aligns the electrical connectors between the power connector and the external cable.
Data Source
AI summary
A power connector facilitates mounting and repositioning an electronic device via a magnetic field. The power connector can include a receptacle surface comprising a curved surface operable to mate with a curved contact surface of an electronic device, and a device-coupling mechanism operable to hold the curved contact surface of the electronic device pressed against the curved surface of the power connector device, while an angle of the electronic device changes with respect to the power connector. The power connector can also include a power-transfer mechanism operable to transfer at least power to the electronic device, without an electrical wire between power connector and the electronic device, while the angle of the electronic device changes with respect to the power connector.