Automatic connectors
First Claim
1. A device comprising:
- a device housing including a device surface;
a cavity formed in the device housing, the cavity having a lubricious non-conductive liner between an interior end of the cavity and an exterior end of the cavity, the cavity opening through the device surface at the exterior end of the cavity;
a cylindrical connector element moveable within the lubricious non-conductive liner of the cavity between a retracted position and an extended position, the connector element having a first side including a contact surface, and a second side, opposite to the first side, the second side connected to a retaining element, wherein;
in the retracted position, the contact surface is located at a predetermined distance from the exterior end of the cavity; and
in the extended position, the contact surface of the connector element is moved within the cavity into contact with an external contact element positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity to form an electrical connection between the connector element and the external contact element; and
a base at the interior end of the cavity, wherein;
the retaining element connected to the second side of the connector element is connected to the base; and
the base and the retaining element prevent the connector element from retracting into the cavity past the predetermined distance.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Some implementations provide a connector element that may be movable from a retracted position within a cavity to an extended position for contacting an external contact element that may be positioned proximate to an exterior end of the cavity. In some implementations, at least one of the external contact element or the connector element may include a magnet for causing the connector element to extend from the retracted position into contact with the external contact element for forming an electrical connection. In some implementations, a mechanical actuator may be provided for extending the connector element into contact with the external contact element. In some implementations, an actuator having a motive element may extend the connector element into contact with the external contact element based on a detected proximity or an identification of an accessory associated with the external contact element. Some implementations may also include an optical connection.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A device comprising:
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a device housing including a device surface; a cavity formed in the device housing, the cavity having a lubricious non-conductive liner between an interior end of the cavity and an exterior end of the cavity, the cavity opening through the device surface at the exterior end of the cavity; a cylindrical connector element moveable within the lubricious non-conductive liner of the cavity between a retracted position and an extended position, the connector element having a first side including a contact surface, and a second side, opposite to the first side, the second side connected to a retaining element, wherein; in the retracted position, the contact surface is located at a predetermined distance from the exterior end of the cavity; and in the extended position, the contact surface of the connector element is moved within the cavity into contact with an external contact element positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity to form an electrical connection between the connector element and the external contact element; and a base at the interior end of the cavity, wherein; the retaining element connected to the second side of the connector element is connected to the base; and the base and the retaining element prevent the connector element from retracting into the cavity past the predetermined distance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A connector comprising:
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an enclosure including a cylindrical cavity, the cavity having an interior end and an exterior end, the cavity having an opening at the exterior end; a connector element within a bore of the cavity, the connector element having a contact surface, wherein; the connector element is movable within the bore of the cavity from a retracted position within the cavity to an extended position for contacting the contact surface with an external contact element positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity; the connector element comprises, at least in part, a core of a ferromagnetic material with a conductive outer coating at least at the contact surface; and the external contact element includes a magnet that exerts a magnetic field on the core of the connector element for moving the contact surface of the connector element into contact with the external contact element when the external contact element is positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity; a retaining element for retracting the connector element to the retracted position within the cavity when the external contact element is removed from proximity to the exterior end of the cavity; and a base at the interior end of the cavity, wherein the base and the retaining element prevent the connector element from retracting into the cavity past the retracted position. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. An electronic device comprising:
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a device housing including a device surface; a cavity formed in the device housing, the cavity having an interior end and an exterior end, the cavity opening through the device surface at the exterior end of the cavity; and a first optical module recessed within the cavity and fixed at a predetermined distance from the device surface, the first optical module forming an optical connection with a second optical module mounted in an external element of an accessory to the electronic device when the external element is positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity as a result of the electronic device being engaged with the accessory, wherein the first optical module is spaced at least the predetermined distance from the second optical module following engaging the electronic device with the accessory and the forming of the optical connection, and wherein the second optical module is positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. An electronic device comprising:
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a device housing including a device surface; a cavity formed in the device housing, the cavity having an interior end and an exterior end, the cavity opening through the device surface at the exterior end of the cavity, wherein a bore of the cavity includes a lining of lubricious non-conducting material between the interior end and the exterior end; a connector element located within the cavity, the connector element having a contact surface, wherein the connector element is movable within the lining of the cavity, under influence of a magnetic field, from a retracted position, in which the contact surface is located at a distance from the exterior end of the cavity, to an extended position in which the contact surface contacts an external contact element positioned proximate to the exterior end of the cavity to form an electrical connection between the connector element and the external contact element; the connector element is constructed, at least in part, having a core of a ferromagnetic material with a conductive outer coating at least at the contact surface; and the magnetic field is exerted by a magnetic core of the external contact element; and a retaining element for retracting the connector element to the retracted position when the external contact element is removed from proximity to the exterior end of the cavity. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification