Self-Orienting Electrical Connector with Magnetic Alignment
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors face challenges such as damage from accidental impact and difficulty in alignment, especially when one connector is obscured, like USB connectors on the backside of desktop computers.
Innovation Solution
The development of a self-orienting electrical connector with rotatable end pieces and magnetic alignment features, allowing for secure connection and easy alignment without requiring precise manual alignment, and using magnets to attract and repel for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional physical insertion method is used, then electrical connection is established, but connector damage occurs from accidental impact and alignment difficulty arises
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical insertion system with a magnetic field-based system. Magnets embedded in both connectors generate magnetic attraction forces that automatically guide alignment and maintain connection, eliminating the need for precise manual alignment and providing impact resistance through magnetic holding force rather than mechanical friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic connectors perform self-alignment through magnetic attraction forces. When brought near each other, the magnets automatically guide the connectors into proper alignment without user intervention, and the magnetic force continuously maintains the connection, making the system self-correcting and self-sustaining.
2Ease of operation
If magnetic alignment features are added, then automatic alignment is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the magnetic alignment function with the connector housing itself. Magnets are embedded directly into the connector bodies, merging the alignment mechanism with the structural component rather than adding a separate alignment device. This integration minimizes additional complexity while achieving automatic alignment.
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 secure, damage-resistant, and easy-to-use electrical connection that can be aligned automatically, reducing the risk of connector damage and improving usability, especially in obscured environments.
Implementation Method 1
using magnets to attract and repel for secure attachment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An electrical connector and electronic device for connecting to a complementary electrical connector are provided. The electrical connector comprises a main body containing one or more electrically conducting mediums. The electrical connector also comprises an end piece rotatably connected to the main body at one end of the main body. The end piece has a connecting side for engaging the complementary electrical connector. The end piece is rotatable about an axis of rotation. The connecting side comprises one or more electrical contacts for engaging complementary electrical contacts on the complementary electrical connector. Each electrical contact of the electrical connector is electrically connected to one of the electrically conducting mediums of the main body. The connecting side also comprises a magnet disposed on the connecting side of the end piece for engaging a complementary magnet on the complementary electrical connector.