Inductive spring system
First Claim
1. An electrical connector system comprising:
- a first connector comprising;
an insert portion; and
a first electromagnetic coil positioned within the insert portion;
a second connector comprising;
a receptacle sized to receive the insert portion of the first connector; and
a second electromagnetic coil configured to compress to a first selected dimension in response to receiving the insert portion within the receptacle;
wherein the first selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the insert portion is received in the receptacle.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical connector system for communication or power transfer between a two connectors in which the first of the two connectors may be inserted into a receptacle of a second connector in order to align a coil within the first connector with a coil within the second connector to promote inductive communication between the first and second connector. In many embodiments, at least one of the two coils may also be used as a spring, providing a mechanical force. The mechanical force may assist in joining or separating the connectors. For example, the spring coil may be used in conjunction with a push-push mechanism to retain the first connector within the second connector and to eject the first connector when the connectors should be separated.
84 Citations
23 Claims
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1. An electrical connector system comprising:
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a first connector comprising; an insert portion; and a first electromagnetic coil positioned within the insert portion; a second connector comprising; a receptacle sized to receive the insert portion of the first connector; and a second electromagnetic coil configured to compress to a first selected dimension in response to receiving the insert portion within the receptacle; wherein the first selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the insert portion is received in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of electromagnetic transmission comprising:
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positioning a first electromagnetic coil inductively proximate a second electromagnetic coil; compressing the second electromagnetic coil to a selected dimension; and varying a magnetic field in the first electromagnetic coil; wherein the selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the second electromagnetic coil is compressed. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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10. An electrical connector system comprising:
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a first connector comprising; a housing; and a first electromagnetic coil positioned within the housing and configured to compress to a first selected dimension in response to a compressive force applied to the housing; a second connector comprising; a receptacle sized to receive the housing of the first connector; and a second electromagnetic coil positioned around the receptacle; wherein the first selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the insert portion is received in the receptacle. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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18. A method of electromagnetic transmission comprising:
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positioning a first electromagnetic coil within a second electromagnetic coil; tightening the second electromagnetic coil to a selected diameter so as to at least partially restrain the first electromagnetic coil within the second electromagnetic coil; varying a magnetic field in the first electromagnetic coil to induce a voltage within the second electromagnetic coil; loosening the second electromagnetic coil; removing the first electromagnetic coil from the second electromagnetic coil.
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Specification