Magnetic connector with optical signal path

• US 8,770,857 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2012
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: DiFonzo, John C., Ligtenberg, Chris, Culbert, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): LEPISTO, RYAN A
• Application Number:
  US13/621,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20130170794A1
• Time in Patent Office: 661 Days
• Field of Search: 385/57, 385/74, 439/38, 439/39, 439/40
• US Class Current: 385/57
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3886 Magnetic means to align ferrule ends
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6616 with resistor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6675 with built-in power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/00 Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure contact members H01R13/02; securing contact members in or to a base or case or insulating of contact members H01R13/40; bases or cases H01R13/46; means for supporting coupling part when not engaged H01R13/60; means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement H01R13/62; means for preventing, inhibiting or avoiding incorrect coupling H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts

Abstract

Circuits, apparatus, and methods that provide a connector system that can supply both power and data to a mobile computing or other type of device using a single connection. Further examples also provide a power and data adapter that can provide power and data to a mobile computing device using a single cable. Further examples provide an easy disengagement when a cable connected to the connector is pulled. One such example provides a magnetic connector that uncouples without binding when its cord is pulled. Another example prevents power from being provided at a connector insert until the connector insert is placed in a connector receptacle.

Claims

1. A connector system comprising:

a first connector comprising;

a first surface, the first surface being symmetrical about a first axis and symmetrical about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;

the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a connection axis of the first surface;

an attraction plate extending from the first surface;

a first pin to provide an electrical connection for a first power supply voltage, the first pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced a first distance away from the second axis;

a second pin to provide an electrical connection for the first power supply voltage, the second pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced the first distance away from the second axis opposite the first pin such that the first pin and the second pin are symmetrical about the second axis;

a third pin to provide an optical connection to receive data;

a fourth pin to provide an optical connection to transmit data, the third pin and the fourth pin located between the first pin and the second pin;

a fifth pin to provide an electrical connection for a second power supply, the fifth pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced a second distance away from the second axis, and

a sixth pin to provide an electrical connection for the second power supply, the sixth pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced the second distance away from the second axis opposite the fifth pin such that the fifth pin and the sixth pin are symmetrical about the second axis,

wherein the attraction plate is located around the first pin, the second pin, the third pin, the fourth pin, the fifth pin, and the sixth pin.

2. The connector system of claim 1 wherein the first power supply voltage is a positive supply voltage.

3. The connector system of claim 1 further comprising a fifth pin to provide an electrical connection for a second power supply voltage and a sixth pin to provide an electrical connection for the second power supply voltage, wherein the second power supply voltage is ground.

4. The connector system of claim 1 further comprising a shield for the third pin to improve the optical connection.

5. The connector system of claim 1 further comprising a lens for the third pin to improve the optical connection.

6. The connector system of claim 1 further comprising:

a second connector to couple with the first connector, the second connector comprising;

a first pin to provide an electrical connection for the first power supply voltage;

a second pin to provide an electrical connection for the first power supply voltage;

a third pin to provide an optical connection to receive data; and

a fourth pin to provide an optical connection to transmit data.

7. The connector system of claim 1 wherein the attraction plate comprises a ferro-magnetic material and the second connector comprises a magnet, where the magnet is attracted to the attraction plate such that the second connector is magnetically held to the first connector when the second connector and first connector are coupled.

8. The connector system of claim 7 wherein the second connector comprises a plurality of magnets having opposing polarities relative to each other, such that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the attraction plate of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector.

9. The connector system of claim 1 wherein the first connector comprises an first magnet and the second connector comprises a second magnet, where the first magnet is attracted to the second magnet such that the second connector is magnetically held to the first connector when the second connector and first connector are coupled.

10. The connector system of claim 1 further comprising:

a seventh pin to provide an optical connection to transmit data; and

a eighth pin to provide an optical connection to receive data.

11. The connector system of claim 1 wherein the second distance is longer than the first distance.

12. A power and data adapter comprising:

a first port for receiving a first power supply;

a second port for a data connection; and

a third port for providing a second power supply, a ground, and optical data and for receiving optical data;

a cable coupled to the third port having a first conductor for the second power supply, a second conductor for ground, a first fiber optic cable for providing optical data, and a second fiber optic cable for receiving optical data; and

a connector coupled to the cable, the connector comprising;

a first surface, the first surface being symmetrical about a first axis and symmetrical about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis;

the first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a connection axis of the first surface;

an attraction plate extending from the first surface;

a first pin to provide an electrical connection for a first power supply voltage, the first pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced a first distance away from the second axis;

a second pin to provide an electrical connection for the first power supply voltage, the second pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced the first distance away from the second axis opposite the first pin such that the first pin and the second pin are symmetrical about the second axis;

a third pin to provide an optical connection to receive data;

a fourth pin to provide an optical connection to transmit data, the third pin and the fourth pin located between the first pin and the second pin;

a fifth pin to provide an electrical connection for a second power supply, the fifth pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced a second distance away from the second axis, and

a sixth pin to provide an electrical connection for the second power supply, the sixth pin extending from the first surface and aligned with the first axis and spaced the second distance away from the second axis opposite the fifth pin such that the fifth pin and the sixth pin are symmetrical about the second axis,

wherein the attraction plate is located around the first pin, the second pin, the third pin, and the fourth pin, the fifth pin, and the sixth pin.

13. The power and data adapter of claim 12 wherein the first power supply is an AC power supply received from a wall outlet.

14. The power and data adapter of claim 12 wherein the first power supply is a DC power supply received from a car outlet.

15. The power and data adapter of claim 12 wherein the data connection is a Universal Serial Bus connection.

16. The power and data adapter of claim 12 wherein the data connection is a Local Area Network connection.

17. The power and data adapter of claim 12 wherein the data connection is a Digital Visual Interface connection.

18. The power and data adapter of claim 12 further comprising:

first circuitry for converting data received at the data connection to optical data.

19. The power and data adapter of claim 18 further comprising:

second circuitry for converting the first power supply to the second power supply.