Magnetic connecting apparatus

• US 10,177,490 B2
• Filed: 11/10/2015
• Issued: 01/08/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Company KG (Rosenberger Technology (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Rosenberger Hochfrequenztechnik GmbH & Company KG (Rosenberger Technology (Kunshan) Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Michelmann, Folke, Schichl, Markus, Schuster, Alexander
• Primary Examiner(s): Riyami, Abdullah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Burgos-Guntin, Nelson R
• Application Number:
  US15/523,549
• Publication Number:
  US 20170310042A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 439 39, 439 38, 439 40, 439 31, 439165
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/16 for telephony
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge

Abstract

A preferred embodiment of a magnetic connecting apparatus for connecting two units has at least one first connecting element associated with a first one of the two units and at least one second connecting element associated with a second one of the two units, the connecting elements forming a connecting pair. The connecting elements of a connecting pair each have a plurality of contacts. The connecting elements of a connecting pair make magnetic contact with one another and are rotatable relative to one another in a contacted state.

Claims

1. A magnetic connection apparatus for connecting two units, said apparatus comprising:

a first connection member having a first casing surface, at least one first magnetic element, a plurality of first electrical contacts and a first mechanical guide element, said first electrical contacts being mutually spaced from one another in an axial direction;

a second connection member having a second casing surface, at least one second magnetic element, a plurality of second electrical contacts and a second mechanical guide element, said first mechanical guide element cooperating with said second mechanical guide element to (i) mechanically guide said first connection member and said second connection member as said first connection member and said second connection member are moved relatively toward one another from a disconnected state into a contact-connected state and (ii) limit relative displacement of the first connection member and the second connection member in the axial direction;

said contact-connected state being a state in which each of said second electrical contacts is in electrical contact with a corresponding one of said first electrical contacts and said second magnetic element and said first magnetic element provide a magnetic force which assists said electrical contact and said first casing surface and said second casing surface are in contact with one another in an area;

said area, said first magnetic element, said second magnetic element, said first electrical contacts and second electrical contacts having matching profiles which permit said first connection member and said second connection member to roll on one another along said first casing surface and said second casing surface and assume different relative orientations while continuously maintaining said contact-connected state.

2. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet.

3. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first magnetic element and said second magnetic element are aligned in respect of their polarity in such a way that said first connection member and said second connection member magnetically attract only in a predetermined orientation of the first unit to the second unit.

4. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first magnetic element and said second magnetic element each have at least two magnets.

5. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first casing surface and said second casing surface is curved and/or arcuate manner and/or has a radius.

6. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first connection member and said second connection member are rod-like members.

7. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said first connection member has an end having a said first magnetic element, and said plurality of first electrical contacts are arranged between said magnet first magnetic elements.

8. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said area has a length and wherein said first electrical contacts and/or said first magnetic elements run in a curved and/or arcuate manner and/or have a radius in a rolling direction of the said connection members at least over said length of said area.

9. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first magnetic element and said second magnetic element are cylindrical.

10. A magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said first electrical contacts is magnetic and serves as said first magnetic member.

11. An electronic system having at least one first unit and at least one second unit, wherein said first unit and said second unit are connected by means of a magnetic connection apparatus as claimed in claim 1.