Robust magnetic connector

• US 9,923,290 B2
• Filed: 09/30/2016
• Issued: 03/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Gao, Zheng, Pong, Joshua
• Primary Examiner(s): Patel, Tulsidas C
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US15/281,066
• Publication Number:
  US 20170018863A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 439 39, 439 38, 439 40, 439 45, 439129, 439700, 439824, 439939
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 11/30 End pieces held in contact by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/17 with spring member on the pin
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2457 consisting of at least two resilient arms contacting the same counterpart
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/939 with grounding to metal mounting panel

Abstract

Connector inserts and receptacles that are robust, easily manufactured, and provide an improved connector performance. One example may provide a connector receptacle having a power contact located in a ground surface. An insulating layer may be placed between the power contact and the ground surface. The ground surface may be curved or flat, or it may have other shapes. Another example may provide a robust connector insert. This connector insert may include a crimping piece that fits over a cable braiding and is crimped. The crimping piece may then be attached to an attraction plate. A cover or shell may be attached to provide further reinforcement. Another example may provide a connector system having a ground contact and a power contact, where the ground contact is a make-first-break-last contact.

Claims

1. A connector receptacle comprising:

a ground return forming a front surface of the connector receptacle;

a power contact having a lateral width and a vertical height at a front surface of the connector receptacle, the lateral width greater than the vertical height;

a first magnetic element positioned laterally on a first side of the power contact; and

a second magnetic element positioned laterally on a second side of the power contact, the first side opposite the second side,

wherein the ground return covers the first and second magnetic elements such that the ground return is between a connector insert and the first magnetic element and between the connector insert and the second magnetic element when the connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle.

2. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first magnetic element is located behind the front surface.

3. The connector receptacle of claim 2 wherein the second magnetic element is located behind the front surface.

4. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the power contact further comprises a first end passing through the ground return and extending forward from the ground return, the power contact attached to a spring.

5. The connector receptacle of claim 4 wherein the first magnetic element is located behind the ground return.

6. The connector receptacle of claim 5 wherein the second magnetic element is located behind the ground return.

7. The connector receptacle of claim 6 wherein the power contact further comprises a second end extending behind the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element.

8. The connector receptacle of claim 7 wherein the spring compresses when the power contact is depressed relative to the ground return.

9. The connector receptacle of claim 8 wherein the first magnetic element, the second magnetic element, and the spring are fixed to a housing.

10. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the power contact extends forward from the ground return.

11. The connector receptacle of claim 10 wherein the power contact is located in a concave recess in the ground return.

12. A connector insert comprising:

a power contact having a lateral width and a vertical height at a front surface of the connector insert, the lateral width greater than the vertical height;

an attraction plate having a first portion positioned laterally on a first side of the power contact, wherein the attraction plate is a ground return; and

a shell over a rear portion of the attraction plate,

wherein the attraction plate is fixed to the shell by a plurality of pins in the attraction plate that fit into a groove in the shell.

13. The connector insert of claim 12 wherein the pins are spring biased.

14. The connector insert of claim 12 wherein the attraction plate further comprises a second portion positioned laterally on a second side of the power contact, the first side opposite the second side.

15. The connector insert of claim 14 wherein the attraction plate is a ring around the power contact.

16. The connector insert of claim 15 wherein the attraction plate is formed of a ferromagnetic material.

17. The connector insert of claim 16 further comprising a crimping piece over a braiding of an end of a cable, the crimping piece attached to the attraction plate.

18. A connector system comprising:

a connector receptacle comprising;

a ground return at a front surface of the connector receptacle;

a power contact having a lateral width and a vertical height at a front surface of the connector receptacle, the lateral width greater than the vertical height;

a first magnetic element positioned laterally on a first side of the power contact; and

a second magnetic element positioned laterally on a second side of the power contact, the first side opposite the second side; and

a connector insert comprising;

a power contact having a lateral width and a vertical height at a front surface of the connector insert, the lateral width greater than the vertical height; and

an attraction plate having a first portion positioned laterally on a first side of the power contact, wherein the attraction plate is a ground return,

wherein the ground return of the connector receptacle covers the first and second magnetic elements of the connector receptacle such that the ground return of the connector receptacle is between the attraction plate of the connector insert and the first magnetic element of the connector receptacle and between the attraction plate of the connector insert and the second magnetic element of the connector receptacle when the connector insert is mated with the connector receptacle.

19. The connector system of claim 18 wherein the power contact of the connector receptacle is located in a concave recess in the ground return.

20. The connector system of claim 19 wherein the attraction plate is a ring around the power contact of the connector insert.