MAGNETIC CONNECTOR HAVING A UNITARY HOUSING

• US 20160190732A1
• Filed: 03/07/2016
• Published: 06/30/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gao, Zheng, DiFonzo, John C., Banko, Joshua, Kim, Min Chul
• Granted Patent: US 9,923,301 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/02 2 layers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2250/24 All layers being polymeric
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/3065 Flame resistant or retardant, fire resistant or retardant
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2457/00 Electrical equipment
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/365 comprising polycarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/266 characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 3/30 characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/29 Protection against damage caused by extremes of temperature or by flame heat dissipation or conduction H01B7/42
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5816 for cables passing through an aperture in a housing wall, the separate part being captured between cable and contour of aperture
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5845 the strain relief being achieved by molding parts around cable and connections
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/06 for computer periphery
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 9/03 Connectors arranged to contact a plurality of the conductors of a multiconductor cable , e.g. tapping connections

Abstract

Power cables that include plug housings having an improved appearance as well as employ a halogen-free cable while providing adequate fire resistance. One example provides a power cable having cable plug with a substantially unitary body. Another example provides a power cable that is formed using halogen-free materials. To provide adequate fire protection, a strain relief formed using multiple materials is used.

Claims

1. A power cable assembly comprising:

a cable plug comprising a unitary housing;

a cable attached to the cable plug and having a halogen-free jacket; and

a strain relief attached to the cable and having a first fire-resistant portion.

2. The power cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the unitary housing is formed using aluminum.

3. The power cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the unitary housing is substantially cylindrical.

4. The power cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the cable plug further comprises an attraction plate.

5. The power cable assembly of claim 4 wherein when the cable plug is inserted in a compatible connector receptacle, magnetic field lines originate in a first magnet in the connector receptacle, pass through the attraction plate, and terminate in a second magnet in the connector receptacle.

6. The power cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the cable jacket is formed using a thermoplastic elastomer.

7. The power cable assembly of claim 1 wherein the first fire-resistant portion of the strain relief has a fire-resistance rating of Vo.

8. The power cable assembly of claim 7 wherein the first fire-resistant portion of the strain relief is formed using a polycarbonate.

9. A cable plug comprising:

a strain relief that allows passage of a cable;

an assembly comprising a nonconductive insulative housing and power and ground conductors, the conductors terminating in a first and second contact, the first contact coupled to a center conductor of the cable and the second contact coupled to a braiding of the cable, the assembly further comprising passages, the passages connected to the conductors;

a plurality of contact pins located in passages in the assembly and having a contact portion extending beyond the assembly such that contact may be made with opposing contacts in a compatible connector receptacle;

a circuit board fixed to the assembly and contact pins;

a light emitting diode fixed to the circuit board;

an attraction plate around the contact portion of the contact pins; and

a housing enclosing the assembly, circuit board, and light emitting diode.

10. The cable plug of claim 9 wherein the housing is unitary.

11. The cable plug of claim 9 wherein the assembly further comprises a metal tab formed from an end of the ground conductor.

12. The cable plug of claim 9 wherein the contact pins comprise pogo pins.

13. The cable plug of claim 9 wherein the contact pins comprise a center pin, two ground contact pins, and two power supply contact pins.

14. The cable plug of claim 13 wherein the power supply contact pins are on each side of the center pin, and the ground contact pins are on each side of the power supply pins away from the center pin.

15. The cable plug of claim 9 further comprising a dust cover over the attraction plate.

16. The cable plug of claim 15 further comprising a front plate between the assembly and a front portion of the cable plug.

17. The cable plug of claim 9 further comprising exit holes in the housing, wherein the exit holes are filled with an adhesive.

18. A strain relief comprising:

a first molded portion having a first projection and comprising a rigid material having a high fire rating; and

a second molded portion molded around the first projection and comprising a flexible material.

19. The strain relief of claim 18 wherein the first molded portion is formed using a polycarbonate, and the second molded portion is formed using a thermoplastic elastomer.

20. The strain relief of claim 18 wherein the first molded portion has a fire rating of Vo and the second molded portion has a fire rating of Hb.