Axisymmetric magnetic articulating connector

• US 10,355,402 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2017
• Issued: 07/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Degner, Brett W., Hamel, Bradley J., Stringer, Christopher J., Ligtenberg, Christiaan A., Narajowski, David H., Laurent, Kristopher P., Amini, Mahmoud R., Leclerc, Michael E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F
• Application Number:
  US15/720,165
• Publication Number:
  US 20190103701A1
• Time in Patent Office: 655 Days
• Field of Search: 439 39, 439 38, 439 6, 439 8
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 7/0263 Closures, bags, bands, engagement devices with male and female parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/03 characterised by the material, e.g. plating, or coating materials
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2407 characterized by the resilient means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 35/04 Turnable line connectors with limited rotation angle with frictional contact members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 39/643 through ball or roller bearing

Abstract

Connector inserts and connector receptacles that have a small form factor, readily mate when brought into proximity to each other, and disconnect when subjected to a non-axial force.

Claims

1. A connector system comprising:

a connector receptacle comprising;

a yoke comprising;

a top ferritic layer;

an intermediate non-ferritic layer; and

a bottom ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer,

wherein the yoke has an opening at a front of the connector receptacle; and

a connector insert having a tip to fit in the opening in the yoke when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated, wherein the tip is primarily formed of a ferritic material.

2. The connector system of claim 1 further comprising a magnet in the yoke between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer.

3. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are Iron-Cobalt layers.

4. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are laminated together.

5. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are brazed together.

6. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the connector receptacle further comprises a spring-loaded contact located in a passage in the yoke.

7. The connector system of claim 6 wherein the opening in the yoke at a front of the connector receptacle comprises a ring of the intermediate non-ferritic layer.

8. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are arranged to convey magnetic field lines between the magnet and the tip of the connector insert when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated.

9. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are arranged to have an increasing thickness towards a front of the connector receptacle.

10. A connector system comprising:

a connector receptacle having a front passage defining a front opening, the front passage comprising a ferritic portion and a non-ferritic ring between the front opening and the ferritic portion; and

a connector insert to fit in the front opening of the connector receptacle when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are connected,

wherein the connector insert mates with the connector receptacle along a connection axis,

wherein the connector insert may rotate 360 degrees around the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle, and

wherein the connector insert may tilt at least 10 degrees relative to the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle.

11. The connector receptacle of claim 10 wherein the connector insert may tilt at least 15 degrees relative to the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle.

12. The connector receptacle of claim 10 wherein the connector insert may tilt at least 20 degrees relative to the connection axis without disconnecting from the connector receptacle.

13. A connector system comprising:

a connector receptacle comprising;

a magnetic yoke having an opening at a front of the connector receptacle; and

a spring-loaded contact in a passage in the magnetic yoke and having a tip at the front opening of the connector receptacle; and

a connector insert comprising;

a tip to fit in the opening in the magnetic yoke when the connector insert and the connector receptacle are mated, wherein the tip is primarily formed of a ferritic material,

wherein the tip comprises a conductive path having a contacting surface at a front of the tip, and wherein the magnetic yoke comprises;

a top ferritic layer;

an intermediate non-ferritic layer; and

a bottom ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer.

14. The connector system of claim 13 further comprising a magnet between the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer.

15. The connector system of claim 14 wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are arranged to convey magnetic field lines between the magnet and the tip of the connector insert.

16. The connector system of claim 15 wherein the top ferritic layer and the bottom ferritic layer are Iron-Cobalt layers.

17. The connector system of claim 16 wherein the intermediate non-ferritic layer is formed of stainless steel.

18. The connector system of claim 13 wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are laminated together.

19. The connector system of claim 13 wherein the top ferritic layer, the intermediate non-ferritic layer, and the bottom ferritic layer are brazed together.