Magnetic connector assembly
First Claim
1. A first connector part connectable to a second connector part such that an electrical signal may be transmitted therebetween, the first connector part comprising:
- a target comprising magnetizable material;
a first connection surface, disposed on the target, arranged to be engageable with a corresponding second connection surface on a second connector part such that an electrical signal can be transmitted between the first connection surface and the second connection surface; and
wherein the first connector part is characterized by being arranged such that, when exposed to a uniform magnetic field, the magnetic force experienced by a first area of the connection surface is substantially weaker than the magnetic force experienced by a second area of the connection surface,wherein the first area of the connection surface is located adjacent to an edge of the connection surface,and wherein one of the first and second connection surfaces comprises a protrusion arranged to engage with a corresponding recess on the other one of the first and second connection surfaces, wherein the engagement substantially prevent relative lateral movement between the first and second connection surfaces whilst permitting relative rotation thereof, wherein the rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part is permitted when both the said connector parts are engaged with respect to each other.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
There is provided a magnetic connector assembly comprising a first connector part (70) defining a first connection surface (82) and a second connector part (30) defining a second connection surface (38), the second connector part being connectable to the first connector part, wherein when the first connector part (70) and the second connector part (30) are connected they define a connection region over which the first connection surface (82) overlaps the second connection surface (38), such that an electrical signal may be transmitted between at least part of the first connection surface and at least part of the second connection surface in the connection region; and at least one of the first connector part (70) and the second connector part (30) comprises a magnet and at least the other of the first connector part and the second connector part comprises magnetisable material (74), such that when the first connector part and the second connector part are connected, the first and second connection surfaces (82, 38) are attracted to each other by a magnetic force; and wherein the first and second connector parts (70, 30) are arranged such that the magnetic force between the first and second connection surfaces (82, 38) is substantially weaker in a first part of the connection region than in a second part of the connection region.
35 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A first connector part connectable to a second connector part such that an electrical signal may be transmitted therebetween, the first connector part comprising:
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a target comprising magnetizable material; a first connection surface, disposed on the target, arranged to be engageable with a corresponding second connection surface on a second connector part such that an electrical signal can be transmitted between the first connection surface and the second connection surface; and wherein the first connector part is characterized by being arranged such that, when exposed to a uniform magnetic field, the magnetic force experienced by a first area of the connection surface is substantially weaker than the magnetic force experienced by a second area of the connection surface, wherein the first area of the connection surface is located adjacent to an edge of the connection surface, and wherein one of the first and second connection surfaces comprises a protrusion arranged to engage with a corresponding recess on the other one of the first and second connection surfaces, wherein the engagement substantially prevent relative lateral movement between the first and second connection surfaces whilst permitting relative rotation thereof, wherein the rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part is permitted when both the said connector parts are engaged with respect to each other. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A second connector part connectable to a first connector part such that an electrical signal may be transmitted therebetween, the second connector part comprising:
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a second connection surface arranged to be engageable with a corresponding first connection surface on a first connector part such that an electrical signal can be transmitted between the second connection surface and the first connection surface; and a magnet comprising magnetic material; wherein the second connector part is characterized by being arranged such that the magnetic field strength at a first area of the second connection surface is weaker than the magnetic field strength at a second area of the second connection surface, and wherein one of the first and second connection surfaces comprises a protrusion arranged to engage with a corresponding recess on the other of the first and second connection surfaces, wherein the engagement substantially prevent relative lateral movement between the first and second connection surfaces whilst permitting relative rotation thereof, wherein the rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part is permitted when both the said connector parts are engaged with respect to each other. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation apparatus comprising:
- a first connector part connectable to a second connector part such that an electrical signal may be transmitted therebetween, the first connector part comprising;
a target comprising magnetizable material; a first connection surface, disposed on the target, arranged to be engageable with a corresponding second connection surface on a second connector part such that an electrical signal can be transmitted between the first connection surface and the second connection surface; and wherein the first connector part is characterized by being arranged such that, when exposed to a uniform magnetic field, the magnetic force experienced by a first area of the connection surface is substantially weaker than the magnetic force experienced by a second area of the connection surface, wherein the first area of the connection surface is located adjacent to an edge of the connection surface, and wherein one of the first and second connection surfaces comprises a protrusion arranged to engage with a corresponding recess on the other one of the first and second connection surfaces, wherein the engagement substantially prevent relative lateral movement between the first and second connection surfaces whilst permitting relative rotation thereof, wherein the rotation between the first connector part and the second connector part is permitted when both the said connector parts are engaged with respect to each other.
- a first connector part connectable to a second connector part such that an electrical signal may be transmitted therebetween, the first connector part comprising;
Specification