Magnetic connector

• US 8,388,353 B2
• Filed: 03/10/2010
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• 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:
  US12/721,199
• Publication Number:
  US 20100233889A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,091 Days
• Field of Search: 439/39, 439/950, 439/38, 439/305
• US Class Current: 439/39
• 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 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.

Claims

1. A magnetic connector comprising:

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

the receptacle having a receptacle core, a coil, and a receptacle contact set;

an air gap defined by the receptacle core at the receptacle contact end; and

the coil, the core and the air gap forming a magnetic circuit so that energizing the coil creates a magnetic field in the air gap;

the magnetic connector further comprising;

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

the plug having a plug core and a plug contact set;

an anchor defined by the plug core at the plug contact end so as to fit within the air gap; and

the receptacle contact set and the plug contact set electrically connect as the anchor inserts into the air gap.

2. The magnetic connector according to claim 1 wherein:

the receptacle core comprises an inner core and an outer core; and

the coil is disposed around the inner core.

3. The magnetic connector according to claim 2 wherein:

the inner core and the outer core form concentric elongated circular receptacle edges defining the air gap.

4. The magnetic connector according to claim 3 wherein:

the plug core forms an elongated circular plug edge defining the anchor.

5. A magnetic connector comprising:

a plug means and a corresponding receptacle means for interconnecting a sensor and a corresponding monitor;

a socket means and a corresponding pin means housed within the plug means and the receptacle means for making and breaking electrical communications between sensor conductors and monitor conductors as the plug is inserted into and removed from the receptacle, respectively; and

a pair of mating magnetic element means housed within the plug means and the receptacle means for assisting in at least one of the making and breaking of electrical communications of the socket means and the pin means;

wherein the mating magnetic element means comprises;

an electromagnet means for generating a magnetic field within an air gap; and

an anchor means for locking within and releasing from the air gap according to power provided to the electromagnet means.