Magnetic connector
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A magnetic connector comprising:
- a first magnetic element;
a second magnetic element;
a first contact set housed proximate the first magnetic element;
a second contact set housed proximate the second magnetic element;
at least one of the magnetic elements responsive to a current input so as to alter a magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements;
the magnetic coupling assists in at least one of making and breaking an electrical connection between the first contact set and the second contact set;
wherein the first magnetic element comprises;
a core of magnetically permeable material;
a conductive coil having “
N”
turns disposed around at least a portion of the core;
a plurality of coil leads in communications with a current source;
an air gap defined within the core; and
the current source having “
r’
amps energizing the coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field within the air gap proportional to N times I.
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Accused Products
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.
442 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A magnetic connector comprising:
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a first magnetic element; a second magnetic element; a first contact set housed proximate the first magnetic element; a second contact set housed proximate the second magnetic element; at least one of the magnetic elements responsive to a current input so as to alter a magnetic coupling between the magnetic elements; the magnetic coupling assists in at least one of making and breaking an electrical connection between the first contact set and the second contact set; wherein the first magnetic element comprises; a core of magnetically permeable material; a conductive coil having “
N”
turns disposed around at least a portion of the core;a plurality of coil leads in communications with a current source; an air gap defined within the core; and the current source having “
r’
amps energizing the coil so as to generate an electromagnetic field within the air gap proportional to N times I. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A magnetic connector method for interconnecting an optical sensor and a physiological monitor, the magnetic connector having a monitor receptacle and a cable plug, the magnetic connector method comprising the steps of:
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defining a receptacle core and a plug core each comprising a magnetically permeable material; defining a plug core comprising a magnetically permeable material; housing receptacle contacts within the receptacle core; housing plug contacts within the plug core; interconnecting the receptacle core and the plug core so as to electrically connect the receptacle contacts and the plug contacts; and magnetically coupling the receptacle core and the plug core so as to maintain the interconnection; wherein the magnetically coupling further comprises disposing a coil around a first one of the receptacle and the plug cores so as to form an electromagnet; and wherein the magnetically coupling further comprises; disposing an air gap in the first one of the cores; and extending an anchor from a second one of the cores. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification