Non-contact data and power connector for computer based modules
First Claim
1. A non-contact power and data connector for coupling a removable electronic module with a host device, comprising:
- a first transformer core part having multiple poles and being adapted for mounting on a host device;
a second transformer core part having multiple poles and being adapted for mounting on a removable electronic module, said multiple poles of said first and second transformer core parts being configured to mate;
a first power winding means on said first transformer core part for causing power flux to traverse through certain of said poles of said first and second transformer core parts;
a second power winding means on said second transformer core part for coupling with said power flux;
a first data winding means on said first transformer core part for coupling to data flux traversing through certain of said poles of said first and second transformer core parts; and
a second data winding means on said second transformer core part for coupling with said data flux, said first and second data winding means being so wound in relation to said poles and said first and second power winding means that said power flux mutually cancels in those poles that couple data flux between said first and second data winding means.
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Abstract
The invention discloses a non-contact way to provide electrical power and two-way digital communications between a host computer and its peripheral modules, such as IC memory cards, modems, and A/D converters. A special magnetic core is employed to provide efficient transfer of both large amounts of electrical power and high speed digital communications through transformer action. Peripheral modules requiring different power supply voltages or different data voltage levels can be accommodated and intermixed with modules of other types in the same host system. The mechanical design of the connector includes detent structure to align the assembly in three dimensions, both upon mating, and under mechanical environmental stress conditions during operation. The magnetic core has both power supply and data windings; the data winding has sections of opposite polarity so that the power supply signal imposed on the data winding cancels itself.
327 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A non-contact power and data connector for coupling a removable electronic module with a host device, comprising:
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a first transformer core part having multiple poles and being adapted for mounting on a host device; a second transformer core part having multiple poles and being adapted for mounting on a removable electronic module, said multiple poles of said first and second transformer core parts being configured to mate; a first power winding means on said first transformer core part for causing power flux to traverse through certain of said poles of said first and second transformer core parts; a second power winding means on said second transformer core part for coupling with said power flux; a first data winding means on said first transformer core part for coupling to data flux traversing through certain of said poles of said first and second transformer core parts; and a second data winding means on said second transformer core part for coupling with said data flux, said first and second data winding means being so wound in relation to said poles and said first and second power winding means that said power flux mutually cancels in those poles that couple data flux between said first and second data winding means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A non-contact power and data coupling for a removable electronic module connected with a host device, comprising:
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first and second transformer core parts having multiple poles and being adapted for mounting on a host and module respectively, so as to cause said multiple poles to mate; primary and secondary power winding means on said first and second transformer core parts, respectively, for causing power flux to traverse through certain of said mated poles of said first and second transformer core parts; primary and secondary data winding means on said first and second transformer core parts, respectively, for causing data flux to traverse through certain of said mated poles of said first and second transformer core parts; and said data winding means being so wound in relation to said poles and said power winding means that said power flux mutually cancels in those poles that couple data flux between said primary and secondary data winding means.
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21. A non-contact power and data connector for coupling a removable electronic module with a host device, comprising:
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a first transformer core part having a main body portion and four protruding pole segments and being adapted for mounting on a host device; a second transformer core part having a main body portion and four protruding pole segments and being adapted for mounting on a removable electronic module, said pole segments of said first and second transformer core parts being configured to engage in pole-to-pole mating relation; a first power winding means on said first transformer core part for causing power flux to traverse through a first pair of mating pole segments in one direction and traverse through the other pair of mating pole segments in the opposite direction; a second power winding means on said second transformer core part for coupling with said power flux when said core parts are in said pole-to-pole mating relation; a first data winding means on said first transformer core part for coupling to data flux traversing in opposite directions through said first pair of mating pole segments and in opposite directions through said other pair of mating pole segments; and a second data winding means on said second transformer core part for coupling with said data flux when said core parts are in said pole-to-pole mating relation, whereby said power flux mutually cancels in those poles that couple data flux between said first and second data winding means.
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Specification