Flexible magnetic interconnects

• US 8,187,006 B2
• Filed: 02/02/2010
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apex Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apex Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Rudisill, Charles Albert, Whittle, Daniel John
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US12/698,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20100197148A1
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 439/39, 439/40, 439/928, 362/398, 362/249.02, 362/249.06, 362/249.14, 434/224, 361/735, 446/71, 446/92
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1033 magnetic
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 2/005 of modular construction
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/005 for several lighting devices in an end-to-end arrangement, i.e. light tracks
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/096 Magnetic devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/79 connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/91 allowing relative movement between coupling parts, e.g. floating or self aligning for coupling devices not specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, H01R13/6315 takes precedence
• 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: Y10S 439/928 Modular electrically interengaging parts, e.g. stove with replaceable heating elements formed on coupling parts

Abstract

A flexible magnetic interconnect is disclosed. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a module having a recess therein. A magnetic structure is moveable within the recess and a flexible circuit cooperates with the module to retain the magnetic structure within the recess. Movement of the magnetic structure is caused by magnetic attraction between the magnetic structure and an external magnetic structure. The flexible circuit includes a compliant contact, which changes shape by movement of the magnetic structure.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a first module including a first magnetic structure and a flexible circuit comprising a compliant contact that has a shape that is changed by movement of the first magnetic structure, wherein the first magnetic structure is moveable within the first module;

a second module including a second magnetic structure and a circuit, wherein a magnetic attraction between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure creates movement of the first magnetic structure and causes the compliant contact of the first module to change shape.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the magnetic attraction holds the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module in mechanical contact with one another.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein an electrical connection is formed between the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the electrical connection is maintained as the first module and second module are moved relative to one another.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein at least one of the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module changes shape as the first module and the second module are moved relative to one another.

6. The system of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first magnetic structure

and the second magnetic structure does not conduct electricity as part of the electrical connection.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the second magnetic structure is moveable within the second module, wherein the circuit of the second module comprises a flexible circuit, and wherein the magnetic attraction between the first magnetic structure and the second magnetic structure causes the flexible circuit of the second module to change shape.

8. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a third module including a third magnetic structure and a flexible circuit, wherein a magnetic attraction between the third magnetic structure and at least one of the first magnetic structure and second magnetic structure holds the flexible circuit of the third magnetic structure in contact with at least one of the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein an electrical connection is formed between the flexible circuit of the third module and at least one of the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein, upon sufficiently separating the first module and the second module, the first flexible circuit returns to its original shape.

11. The system of claim 3, wherein the electrical connection is maintained as the first module and second module are moved relative to one another.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the compliant contact changes shape as the first module and the second module are moved relative to one another.

13. The system of claim 3 further comprising:

a third module including a third magnetic structure and a flexible circuit, wherein a magnetic attraction between the third magnetic structure and at least one of the first magnetic structure and second magnetic structure holds the flexible circuit of the third magnetic structure in contact with at least one of the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein an electrical connection is formed between the flexible circuit of the third module and at least one of the flexible circuit of the first module and the circuit of the second module.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic structure is attached to the flexible circuit.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the compliant contact has a Hertzian contact stress profile and wherein the magnetic structure has a shape that contributes to the Hertzian contact stress profile.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic structure is in direct contact with the flexible circuit.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the flexible circuit is at least partially recessed below a surface of the first module.

19. The system of claim 18, in which the compliant contact of the first module changes shape to extend beyond the surface of the first module under the magnetic attraction.

20. The system of claim 1 in which the flexible circuit comprises more than one compliant contact.

21. The system of claim 20 in which up to 3 compliant contacts in the first module are associated with the moveable magnetic structure.

22. The system of claim 1 in which the compliant contact comprises asperities or other conducting structures on the surface of the contact.

23. The system of claim 3 in which the magnetic attraction is less than about 160 grams for each electrical connection formed.

24. A method comprising the steps of:

providing a first module including a first magnetic structure and a first flexible circuit comprising a compliant contact that has a shape that is changed by movement of the first magnetic structure, wherein the first magnetic structure is moveable within the first module;

applying a magnetic force, thereby causing the first magnetic structure to move and the compliant contact to change shape.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the shape change of the compliant contact comprises a permanent deformation.

26. The method of claim 24 in which the magnetic force is applied by moving the first module towards a magnetic structure in a second module along a first path.

27. The method of claim 26 in which an electrical connection is formed between the compliant contact of the first module and an electrical circuit of the second module.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising breaking the electrical connection by removing the second module along a second path that is different from the first path.