Method and apparatus for an electromechanically controlled electronic interface plug

• US 6,461,185 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2001
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: James, Gregory Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): DONOVAN, LINCOLN D
• Application Number:
  US09/839,311
• Publication Number:
  US 20010012715A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 439/258, 439/154-161, 439/352-354, 439/488-490, 439/953
• US Class Current: 439/352
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6275 Latching arms not integral with the housing H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/707 interlocked with contact members or counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/953 with latch rod to be retainingly received by opening of mating connector

Abstract

A method and apparatus for an electromechanically controlled electronic interface plug. The interface plug provides electrical connection with a complementary connector while providing electromechanical control over the ability to disconnect or decouple the interface plug. When the prevention mechanism is in an engaged position it prevents decoupling the interface plug. When the prevention mechanism is in a disengaged position it allows decoupling the interface plug. An electrical signal controls whether the prevention mechanism moves from the engaged to the disengaged position. An electronic controller provides the electrical signal when it is determined safe to allow the interface plug to decouple. The electromechanical interface plug is especially useful in notebook computer docking/undocking applications where the notebook computer must be in a safe state before undocking can occur.

Claims

1. An interface plug designed for coupling with a complementary connector, the interface plug comprising:

an electrical connector to provide electrical coupling; and

a prevention mechanism coupled to the electrical connector to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled when the prevention mechanism is in an engaged position and to allow the interface plug to be decoupled when the prevention mechanism is in a disengaged position, the prevention mechanism comprising a wire, the wire to contract in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to pull the prevention mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

2. The interface plug of claim 1 further comprising:

an electronic controller, coupled to the prevention mechanism, to provide the electrical current to the prevention mechanism to move the prevention mechanism from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

3. The interface plug of claim 1 wherein the prevention mechanism comprises at least one hook member.

4. The interface plug of claim 2 for coupling a computer to another electronic device, wherein the electronic controller allows decoupling of the interface plug when it is safe for a user to decouple the computer from the electronic device.

5. An interface plug comprising:

at least one hook member movably coupled to a support member;

a spring, coupled to the at least one hook member, to pull the at least one hook member into an engaged position to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled; and

a wire, coupled to the at least one hook member, to contract in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to pull the at least one hook member into a disengaged position to allow the interface plug to be decoupled.

6. The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising:

a pivot pin coupled to the support member, wherein the at least one hook member is rotatably coupled to the pivot pin,

wherein the spring pulls the at least one hook member to rotate in a first direction about the pivot pin,

wherein the wire pulls the at least one hook member to rotate in a second direction about the pivot pin, the second direction being rotationally opposite the first direction.

7. The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising an override release mechanism, coupled to the at least one hook member, to allow an external force to move the at least one hook member into the disengaged position.

8. The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising:

a housing member coupled to substantially enclose the interface plug, wherein the housing member has an override release opening to allow human access to the override release mechanism.

9. The interface plug of claim 5 further comprising:

a controller, coupled to the wire, to provide the electrical current to the wire to allow selective disengagement of the interface plug.

10. An electromechanically controlled interface plug comprising:

first and second pivot pins coupled to a housing member;

a first hook member, rotatably coupled to the first pivot pin, to rotate into either an engaged position or a disengaged position;

a second hook member, rotatably coupled to the second pivot pin, to rotate into either the engaged position or the disengaged position;

a spring, coupled to the first and second hook members, to pull the first and second hook members into the engaged position to prevent the interface plug from being decoupled; and

a wire, coupled to the first and second hook members, to contract and pull the first and second hook members into the disengaged position in response to an electrical current passing through the wire to allow the interface plug to be decoupled.

11. The interface plug of claim 10 further comprising an override release mechanism, coupled to the first and second hook members, to allow an external force to move the first and second hook members into the disengaged position.

12. The interface plug of claim 11 further comprising:

a housing member coupled to substantially enclose the interface plug, wherein the housing member has an override release opening to allow human access to the override release mechanism.

13. The interface plug of claim 10 further comprising:

a controller, coupled to the wire, to provide the electrical current to the wire to allow selective disengagement of the interface plug.