Modular electronic building systems with magnetic interconnections and methods of using the same
First Claim
1. An electrical module, comprising:
- a circuit board;
a housing including a side surface fixedly coupled to the circuit board;
at least three electrical conductors coupled to the housing and including an engagement portion proximate the side surface of the housing, the engagement portion of each of the at least three electrical conductors being adapted to engage a different electrical conductor of a device distinct from the apparatus;
a projection disposed outside the side surface of the housing; and
a receptacle defined relative to the side surface of the housing, the projection configured to be received within a receptacle of a device distinct from the electrical module and the receptacle configured to receive a projection of the device.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Electrical connectors, electrical modules, and systems are provided. In one aspect, an electrical connector includes a housing defining a side surface, an electrical conductor supported by the housing and including an engagement portion proximate the side surface of the housing. The engagement portion is adapted to engage another electrical conductor of another electrical connector. The connector also includes a magnet supported by the housing proximate the side surface of the housing, a projection extending from the side surface of the housing, and a receptacle defined in the side surface of the housing. In other aspects, an electrical module includes at least one of these electrical connectors. In further aspects, a system includes a plurality of these modules and the modules are selectively couplable together.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. An electrical module, comprising:
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a circuit board; a housing including a side surface fixedly coupled to the circuit board; at least three electrical conductors coupled to the housing and including an engagement portion proximate the side surface of the housing, the engagement portion of each of the at least three electrical conductors being adapted to engage a different electrical conductor of a device distinct from the apparatus; a projection disposed outside the side surface of the housing; and a receptacle defined relative to the side surface of the housing, the projection configured to be received within a receptacle of a device distinct from the electrical module and the receptacle configured to receive a projection of the device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. An electrical module, comprising:
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a circuit board; a connector coupled to the circuit board, the first connector including a housing defining a side surface, the housing fixedly coupled to the circuit board; an electrical conductor coupled to the housing and including a coupling portion and an engagement portion, the coupling portion being adapted to engage and electrically communicate with the circuit board, the engagement portion being proximate the side surface of the housing; a projection disposed outside the side surface of the housing; a receptacle defined relative to the side surface of the housing, the projection configured to be received within a receptacle of a device distinct from the electrical module and the receptacle configured to receive a projection of the device; and the housing having a mounting portion configured to couple the electrical module to at least one block of an interlocking block system. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A system, comprising:
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a plurality of electrical modules selectively couplable together to transmit electrical current from a first electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules to a second electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules, each electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules having at least one functionality associated therewith, and including a connector adapted to couple to a connector of another one of the electrical modules, the first electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules having a first functionality and not a second functionality and not a third functionality, the second electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules having the second functionality and not the first functionality and not the third functionality, and a third electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules having the third functionality and not the first functionality and not the second functionality, each connector of each electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules includes at least three conductors, when the connectors are coupled together, the functionality of at least one electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules is dependent upon at least another electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules, the first electrical module from the plurality of electrical modules including a first connector, a second connector and a circuit board, the first connector including the connector adapted to couple to a connector of another one of the electrical modules, the first connector fixedly coupled to the circuit board at a first end of the circuit board, the second connector fixedly coupled to the circuit board at a second end of the circuit board opposite the first end. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification