MAGNETIC CONNECTOR

• US 20130344707A1
• Filed: 03/04/2013
• Published: 12/26/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Inventors: Kiani, Massi Joe E., Lamego, Marcelo M., Dalvi, Cristiano, Vo, Hung The
• Granted Patent: US 9,466,919 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6591 Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/95 Electrical connector adapted to transmit electricity to mating connector without physical contact, e.g. by induction, magnetism, or electrostatic field
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A magnetic connector has a plug core disposed around a plug contact set and a receptacle core disposed around a receptacle contact set. The plug core defines a generally elongated circular plug core edge. The receptacle core defines a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edge. The receptacle core edge defines an air gap and the plug core defines an anchor configured to insert into the air gap. A coil is disposed around the receptacle core, and the coil, the plug core and the air gap define a magnetic circuit. The coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.

Claims

1. A magnetic connector comprising:

a plug having a cable end and a plug contact end;

a plug contact set disposed at the plug contact end;

a plug core disposed around the plug contact set;

the plug core defining a generally elongated circular plug core edge; and

the plug core having a high magnetic permeability.

2. The magnetic connector according to claim 1 further comprising:

a receptacle having a wiring end and a receptacle contact end;

a receptacle contact set disposed at the receptacle contact end;

a receptacle core disposed around the receptacle contact set;

the receptacle core having an inner core and an outer core defining a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edge; and

the receptacle core having a high magnetic permeability.

3. The magnetic connector according to claim 2 wherein:

the receptacle core edge defines an air gap; and

the plug core defines an anchor configured to insert into the air gap.

4. The magnetic connector according to claim 3 further comprising:

a coil disposed around the receptacle core;

the coil, the plug core and the air gap defining a magnetic circuit.

5. The magnetic connector according to claim 4 further wherein the coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.

6. A magnetic connection method comprising:

defining a plug contact set;

disposing a plug core around the plug contact set, the plug core having a high magnetic permeability; and

defining an anchor along a generally elongated circular edge portion of the plug core.

7. The magnetic connection method according to claim 6 further comprising:

defining a receptacle contact set;

disposing a receptacle core around the receptacle contact set, the receptacle core having a high magnetic permeability; and

defining an air gap between generally elongated concentric-circular edge portions of the receptacle core; and

8. The magnetic connection method according to claim 7 further comprising:

disposing a coil around the receptacle core; and

the coil, the plug core and the air gap forming a magnetic circuit.

9. The magnetic connection method according to claim 8 further comprising:

electrically energizing the coil so as to form a magnetic field within the air gap; and

locking the anchor within the air gap with the magnetic field so as to lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact.

10. A magnetic connector comprising:

a plug contact set means for making an electrical connection;

a plug core means for defining a generally elongated circular anchor of high magnetic permeability; and

the plug core means disposed around the plug contact set means.

11. The magnetic connector according to claim 10 further comprising:

a receptacle contact set means for making an electrical connection;

a receptacle core means for defining a generally elongated concentric-circular air gap; and

the receptacle core means having high magnetic permeability and disposed around the receptacle contact set means;

12. The magnetic connector according to claim 11 wherein the receptacle core edge anchor configured to insert into the receptacle core means air gap.

13. The magnetic connector according to claim 12 further comprising:

a coil means for carrying current and generating a magnetic field disposed around the receptacle core; and

the coil, the plug core and the air gap defining a magnetic circuit.

14. The magnetic connector according to claim 13 wherein the coil means is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within the air gap so as to lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set means within the receptacle contact set means.