Magnetic connector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic connector comprising:
- a first magnetic element;
a second magnetic element;
a first contact set housed proximate the first magnetic element;
a second contact set housed proximate the second magnetic element;
at least one of the magnetic elements responsive to a current input so as to alter a magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements;
the magnetic coupling assists in at least one of making and breaking an electrical connection between the first contact set and the second contact set;
wherein the first magnetic element comprises;
a core of magnetically permeable material;
a conductive coil having “
N”
turns disposed around at least a portion of the core;
a plurality of coil leads in communications with a current source;
an air gap defined within the core; and
the current source having “
r’
amps energizing the coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field within the air gap proportional to N times I.
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Abstract
A magnetic connector has a receptacle and a plug. The receptacle has an electromagnet comprising an inner core, an outer core, a coil disposed around the inner core and an air gap defined by the edges of the inner and outer cores. The plug has a plug core and an anchor defined by the plug core edge. The anchor is configured to insert into the air gap as a receptacle socket electrically connects with plug pins. The coil is energized and de-energized so as to assist in the insertion or removal of the anchor from within the air gap and the corresponding connection and disconnection of the socket and pins.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A magnetic connector comprising:
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a first magnetic element; a second magnetic element; a first contact set housed proximate the first magnetic element; a second contact set housed proximate the second magnetic element; at least one of the magnetic elements responsive to a current input so as to alter a magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements; the magnetic coupling assists in at least one of making and breaking an electrical connection between the first contact set and the second contact set; wherein the first magnetic element comprises; a core of magnetically permeable material; a conductive coil having “
N”
turns disposed around at least a portion of the core;a plurality of coil leads in communications with a current source; an air gap defined within the core; and the current source having “
r’
amps energizing the coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field within the air gap proportional to N times I. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A magnetic connector method for interconnecting an optical sensor and a physiological monitor, the magnetic connector having a monitor receptacle and a cable plug, the magnetic connector method comprising the steps of:
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defining a receptacle core and a plug core each comprising a magnetically permeable material; defining a plug core comprising a magnetically permeable material; housing receptacle contacts within the receptacle core; housing plug contacts within the plug core; interconnecting the receptacle core and the plug core so as to electrically connect the receptacle contacts and the plug contacts; and magnetically coupling the receptacle core and the plug core so as to maintain the interconnection; wherein the magnetically coupling further comprises disposing a coil around a first one of the receptacle and the plug cores so as to form an electromagnet; and wherein the magnetically coupling further comprises; disposing an air gap in the first one of the cores; and extending an anchor from a second one of the cores. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification