Magnetic connector

• US 9,466,919 B2
• Filed: 03/04/2013
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Masimo Corporation
• Original Assignee: Cercacor Laboratories
• Inventors: Kiani, Massi Joe E., Lamego, Marcelo M., Dalvi, Cristiano, Vo, Hung The
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US13/783,424
• Publication Number:
  US 20130344707A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439/39, 439/305, 439/950
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/02055 Simultaneously evaluating both cardiovascular condition and temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14546 for measuring analytes not otherwise provided for, e.g. ions, cytochromes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/14551 for measuring blood gases
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 5/6826 Finger
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/631 for engagement only
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6591 Specific features or arrangements of connection of shield to conductive members
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/12 for medicine and surgery
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/95 Electrical connector adapted to transmit electricity to mating connector without physical contact, e.g. by induction, magnetism, or electrostatic field
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

A magnetic connector has a plug core disposed around a plug contact set and a receptacle core disposed around a receptacle contact set. The plug core defines a generally elongated circular plug core edge. The receptacle core defines a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edge. The receptacle core edge defines an air gap and the plug core defines an anchor configured to insert into the air gap. A coil is disposed around the receptacle core, and the coil, the plug core and the air gap define a magnetic circuit. The coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.

Claims

1. A magnetic connector comprising:

a receptacle having a wiring end and a receptacle contact end;

a receptacle contact set disposed at the receptacle contact end;

a receptacle core disposed around the receptacle contact set;

the receptacle core having an inner core and an outer core defining a generally elongated concentric-circular receptacle core edges; and

the receptacle core having a high magnetic permeability.

2. The magnetic connector according to claim 1 further comprising:

a plug having a cable end and a plug contact end;

a plug contact set disposed at the plug contact end;

a plug core disposed around the plug contact set;

the plug core defining a generally elongated circular plug core edge; and

the plug core having a high magnetic permeability.

3. The magnetic connector according to claim 2 wherein:

the receptacle core edges define an air gap; and

the plug core edge configured to insert into the air gap.

4. The magnetic connector according to claim 3 further comprising:

a coil disposed around the receptacle core;

the coil, the plug core and the air gap defining a magnetic circuit.

5. The magnetic connector according to claim 4 further wherein the coil is electrically energized so as to form a magnetic field within an air gap, lock the anchor within the air gap and lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact set accordingly.

6. A magnetic connection method comprising:

defining a receptacle contact set;

disposing a receptacle core around the receptacle contact set, the receptacle core having a high magnetic permeability; and

defining an air gap between generally elongated concentric-circular edge portions of the receptacle core.

7. The magnetic connection method according to claim 6 further comprising:

defining a plug contact set;

disposing a plug core around the plug contact set, the plug core having a high magnetic permeability; and

defining an anchor along a generally elongated circular edge portion of the plug core.

8. The magnetic connection method according to claim 7 further comprising:

disposing a coil around the receptacle core; and

the coil, the receptacle core, the plug core and the air gap forming a magnetic circuit.

9. The magnetic connection method according to claim 8 further comprising:

electrically energizing the coil so as to form a magnetic field within the air gap; and

locking the anchor within the air gap with the magnetic field so as to lock the plug contact set to the receptacle contact.