Electrical coupler

• US 8,529,274 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2011
• Issued: 09/10/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2011
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd. (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.), Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Li, Ming, Peng, Bo, Hsieh, Kun-Chih, Lin, Wen-Hsing
• Primary Examiner(s): Duverne, Jean F
• Application Number:
  US13/313,021
• Publication Number:
  US 20120184114A1
• Time in Patent Office: 643 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439 39- 40, 439/305, 439/620.21, 439/620.03, 439/680, 439217-218
• US Class Current: 439/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

A male connector is capable of magnetically attracting a female connector. The female connector includes a first end surface and a second end surface. The male connector includes a first telescoping pin and a second telescoping pin. The first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin are capable of contacting the first end surface and the second end surface, to make an electrical connection between the male connector and the female connector.

Claims

1. A male connector capable of magnetically connecting with a coupling female connector, the female connector comprising a first end surface and a second end surface, the male connector comprising:

a first telescoping pin;

a second telescoping pin, wherein the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin are capable of contacting the first end surface and the second end surface, to make an electrical connection between the male connector and the female connector; and

a hollow metal housing comprising an electrically insulating retainer fixed within the housing, wherein a barrel protrudes from an end of the retainer, the first telescoping pin protrudes from the end of the retainer and is arranged within the barrel, the second telescoping pin protrudes from the end of the retainer and is arranged between a side wall of the metal housing and the barrel.

2. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin is connected with an elastic member, each of the elastic members is to provide a rebounding force to the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin.

3. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the elastic members are coil springs.

4. The male connector according to claim 1, wherein the second end surface is an annular surface.

5. A female connector capable of magnetically connecting with a coupling male connector, the male connector comprising a first telescoping pin and a second telescoping pin, the female connector comprising:

a first end surface; and

a second end surface, wherein the first end surface and the second end surface are capable of contacting the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin, to make an electrical connection between the male connector and the female connector;

a metal housing comprising an end wall at one end and defining a through opening, wherein an outer surface of the end wall defines the second end surface;

an insulating barrel comprising a flange extending radially from a lateral surface thereof and abutting against an inner surface of the end protruding wall, wherein a portion of the barrel at one side of the flange is received in the through opening;

a metal post retained within the barrel and comprise an end defining the first end surface; and

a magnetic member sleeved on the barrel at opposite side of the flange.

6. The female connector according to claim 5, wherein the magnetic member is a magnet.

7. An electrical coupler comprising:

a male connector comprising;

a first telescoping pin;

a second telescoping pin; and

a hollow metal housing comprising an electrically insulating retainer fixed within the housing, wherein a barrel protrudes from an end of the retainer, the first telescoping pin protrudes from the end of the retainer and is arranged within the barrel, the second telescoping pin protrudes from the end of the retainer and is arranged between a side wall of the metal housing and the barrel; and

a female connector comprising;

a first end surface; and

a second end surface, wherein the first end surface and the second end surface are capable of contacting the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin, to make an electrical connection between the male connector and the female connector;

a metal housing comprising an end wall at one end and defining a through opening, wherein an outer surface of the end wall defines the second end surface;

an insulating barrel comprising a flange extending radially from a lateral surface thereof and abutting against an inner surface of the end wall, wherein a portion of the barrel at one side of the flange is received in the through opening;

a metal post retained within the barrel and comprise an end defining the first end surface; and

a magnetic member sleeved on the barrel at opposite side of the flange.

8. The coupler according to claim 7, wherein each of the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin is connected with an elastic member, each of the elastic members is to provide a rebounding force to the first telescoping pin and the second telescoping pin.

9. The coupler according to claim 7, wherein the elastic members are coil springs.

10. The coupler according to claim 7, wherein magnetic member is a magnet.