Abstract:
Various disclosed embodiments generally relate to connector modules, and more particularly to magnetic connector modules. The connector module includes a board having a concave section formed at a first side, and the concave section has a base surface having formed thereon a plurality of first electrodes. A plurality of second electrodes are formed at a second side of the board opposite the first side and on a rear surface facing away from the base surface. A plurality of holes are formed through the concave section and have conductors formed therethrough to electrically connect the first electrodes and the second electrodes. The connector module additionally includes a magnet inserted into the concave section and an insulating layer interposed between the magnet and the first electrodes.

Description:
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS 
     Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claim is identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the present application are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     The disclosure generally relate to connector modules, and more particularly to magnetic connector modules. 
     Description of the Related Art 
     Various connectors are used to connect electronic devices to, e.g., supply power to the electronic devices and to transfer data to and between the electronic devices, and various types exist. 
     Many connectors employ insertion methods of connection between connection points, e.g., from a socket to an electronic device, e.g., portable electronic devices such as a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc. Many connectors also employ a wire between the connection points. Some of these connectors are often inconvenient to use because of the presence of the wire, and repeated usage of such connectors may cause damage to the connection points. For example, sockets can be damaged from repeated connecting and disconnecting processes. In addition, some connection points in portable electronic devices may add to the size and weight of the devices. Furthermore, while wireless connections may be suitable for some connection purposes, such as data communications, they may not be practical for other connection purposes, e.g., efficient and high speed power delivery. Thus, there is a need for connectors that do not suffer from these undesirable aspects of existing connectors such as wire-based connectors, while simultaneously not suffering from undesirable limitations of wireless connections. 
     SUMMARY 
     Various embodiments disclosed herein aim to solve the aforementioned problems of some of the existing connector technologies, by providing a thin magnetic connector module, and providing magnetic connector modules that can be connected easily to various devices. In some embodiments, the magnetic connector modules are thin film-type magnetic connector modules. 
     In order to resolve the aforementioned problems, in some embodiments, the thin film-type magnetic connector module, as a board capable of forming electrodes on the surface, is equipped with the aforementioned board with a concave section built internally, is equipped with electrode sections composed of multiple electrodes on the aforementioned other side of the board and the base surface, and includes: a board hole to connect the electrode sections at the base surface of the concave section and on the other side of the board; a magnet to be inserted into the aforementioned concave section; and a coating layer for insulating between the electrode sections built on the aforementioned magnet and the base surface. 
     The thin film-type magnetic connector module according some embodiments has a concave section is formed on one side of the aforementioned board, and can also include a connection socket connecting with the electrode section built on the aforementioned base surface. 
     Some embodiments of the thin film-type magnetic connector are built as a single body on the aforementioned board and can be expanded on one side of the board, and can also include a wing section that can be built separately from the board and attached to a single surface of the board. 
     In this instance, the wing section is made of metal materials and attached to the aforementioned board, and covers the magnet being inserted into the aforementioned concave section. 
     Also, the embodiments can include a metal plate that covers the magnet being inserted into the aforementioned wing section and the concave section. 
     Also, the aforementioned wing section is equipped with holes. 
     In this instance, the holes are equipped in order to create circumferential symmetry with the center of the aforementioned concave section being the center standard. 
     Also, the electrode section built on the other side of the aforementioned board is made up of pattern electrodes in a concentric circular shape. 
     In accordance with some embodiments, a magnet is inserted in the concave section on a surface on the board, and by forming an electrode section on the other side of the board, electric connection is made with an external device through magnetism between the aforementioned electrode section and the external socket section, and is able to provide a very thin magnetic connector module. 
     Also, in accordance with some embodiments, a wing section is built on one surface of the board, and by forming holes on the wing section; the thin film-type magnetic connector module disclosed herein is configured to be easily attached to various devices. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a thin film-type magnetic connector module according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 2 a    is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic connector module according to some embodiments, where the cross-section is taken along line A-A′ of a thin film-type magnetic connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2 b    is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic connector module according to some other embodiments, where the cross-section is taken along line A-A′ of a thin film-type magnetic connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2 c    is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic connector module according to yet other embodiments, where the cross-section is taken along a line A-A′ of a thin film-type magnetic connector illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top-down view of a first side of the thin film-type magnetic connector module of with the magnet inserted, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  a top-down view of a first side of the thin film-type magnetic connector module with the magnet removed, according to some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a thin film-type magnetic connector module configured to be connected with a device case in operation, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    show different arrangements of holes formed through wing sections of magnetic connector modules in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is an operational illustration of an external socket section built on a surface of a device case and charging bracket that has been connected to the thin film-type magnetic connector module, according to embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a thin film-type magnetic connector module according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     To address the aforementioned limitations of existing connector technologies, some technologies employ magnetic connectors. 
     In order to prevent this inconvenience and damage to the socket, magnetic connectors utilizing the magnetism is in development and use. 
     For example, in Korea Registered Patent No. 1204510, the pattern electrode section which is connected to the central hole of the device case is in a concentric circular shape on one side of the circular board, magnet no. 1  is internally located in the aforementioned pattern electrodes, and a spacer is equipped between the aforementioned pattern electrodes and the magnet no. 1 . 
     Also, the brackets are equipped with pin sockets that make contact with the aforementioned pattern electrodes and the magnet no. 3  is located in the internals of the pin sockets, creating an electric connection between the aforementioned pattern electrodes and the pin sockets through magnetism between magnet no. 1  and magnet no. 3 . 
     As detailed in such reference documents, the circular board on which the pattern electrodes are built, spacer and magnet no. 1  are applicable to the magnetic connector module used to supply power to mobile devices etc. 
     However, if the magnetic connector module is built as in the above reference document, the thickness of the connection module can only increase due to the width of the spacer and magnet no. 1 , and as a result when connecting the magnetic connector module as detailed in the reference document with a device, limitations on the location of the device being connected in unavoidable. 
     Below various details of the magnetic connector module, e.g., a thin film-type magnetic connector module, in accordance with some embodiments will be explained through the drawings. The same reference numbers on the attached drawings specify the same component. 
       FIG. 1  is the blueprint of the structure of the thin film-type magnetic connector module in accordance with some embodiments,  FIG. 2 a    is the first operational example of the cross-section of the thin film-type magnetic connector module divided by line A-A′ on  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 b    is the second operational example of the cross-section of the thin film-type magnetic connector module divided by line A-A′ on  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 c    is the third operational example of the cross-section of the thin film-type magnetic connector module divided by line A-A′ on  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is the rear view of the thin film-type magnetic connector module&#39;s first operational example shown in  FIG. 2 a   ,  FIG. 4  shows the electrode section on the base surface of the concave section in accordance with the operational example of some embodiments.  FIG. 5  is an example drawing of the thin film-type magnetic connector module being connected with the device case in accordance with the operational example of some embodiments.  FIGS. 6 a  and 6 b    shows the arrangement of holes located on the wing section in accordance with the operation example of some embodiments.  FIG. 7  is an example drawing of the external socket section built on the surface of the device case and charging bracket that has been connected to the thin film-type magnetic connector module.  FIG. 8  is the cross-section of a different operational example of the electrode section of the thin film-type magnetic connector module in accordance with some embodiments. 
     The operational examples of the thin film-type magnetic connector module  1  in accordance with some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 4  include a board  100 , a magnet  200  and a coating layer  300 , and on one surface of the board  100  a connection socket section  400  and wing section  500  is formed for physical attachment to a back cover of mobile devices, device case etc. of various devices. 
     According to various embodiments, the board  100  is formed of a material suitable for forming electrodes, e.g., printed electrodes, on its surface, such as a substrate for a printed circuit board (PCB). Thus, a thin-film as described herein refers to a thickness comparable to or thinner than a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate. 
     One side of the board  100  is internally equipped with the concave section  110 , and the magnet  200  is inserted into the aforementioned concave section  110 . In the illustrated embodiment, the opposite side of the board  100  is planar. In some embodiments, only one magnet  200  is inserted. In other embodiments, a plurality of magnets can be inserted. In some embodiments, the magnet  200  is substantially flat and circular, e.g., coin-shaped, and has a thickness smaller than the board  100 , which can be, e.g., a PCB board. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-4 , the base surface  115  of the concave section  110  on one side of the board  100  is equipped with an electrode section  120  comprising multiple electrodes  121 ˜ 124 , and the other side of the board  100  is likewise equipped with an electrode section  130  comprising multiple electrodes  131 ˜ 134 . 
     By way of example, the electrode section  130  built on the other side of the board can include one or more a power socket ( 131 (e.g., v+),  134 (e.g., GND)) and a data socket ( 132 (e.g., D+),  133 (e.g., D−)), and the electrode section  120  on the base surface can include a power socket ( 121 (e.g., v+),  124 (e.g., GND)) and a data socket ( 122 (e.g., D+),  123 (e.g., D−)). The power socket ( 131 ,  134 ) and the data socket ( 132 ,  133 ) of the electrode section  130  correspond to the power socket ( 121 ,  124 ) and the data socket ( 122 ,  123 ) of the electrode section  120 . However, it will be appreciated that the sockets forming electrode sections  120  and  130  are not limited to a power socket and a data socket, and can be equipped with other sockets, e.g., SIG sockets used to check contact with an external socket section, among other sockets. 
     According to the attached drawings, both the electrode section  130  equipped on the other side of the board  100  and the electrode section  120  on the base surface  115  is shown in the shape of a concentric circle, but the electrode sections  120  and  130  can be built in various shapes and the electrode sections  120  and  130  do not need to be identical in shape. 
     The board  100  is equipped with a board hole  140  used to electrically connect the electrode sections  120  and  130  built on the other side of the board  100  and on the base surface  115 . 
     The board hole  140  is created more than once on electrodes  131 ˜ 134  located on the electrode section  130  on the other side of the board  100 , and is penetrated up to electrodes  121 ˜ 124  composing the electrode section  120  on the base surface  115 . 
     Also, the inside of the board holes  140  have conductors formed through, e.g., coated or filled with a conductive material, such that the electrode sections  120  and  130 , formed on each the base surface  115  and the other side of the board  100 , respectively, are electrically connected to each other. 
     At this instance, the electrode section  120  built on the base surface  115  can be connected to the connection socket section  400  built on one side of the board  100 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Each socket in the connection socket section  400  can be connected to the lead wire (not shown), and through such connection sockets  400  the connection between the lead wire and the electrode section  120  can be achieved easily. 
     As one way some of the present embodiments can be used,  FIG. 5  shows an example of the connector module  1  being connected with a device case  2 , e.g., a back cover of a mobile device, e.g., a smart phone, and more specifically the drawing shows after forming a penetration hole  20  in the center of the device case  2  it can be used as a connector to the mobile device by attaching the connector module  1  to the aforementioned penetration hole  20 . 
     After the connector module  1  is connected with the device case  2  in accordance with the embodiments, it is desirable for there to be minimum topography resulting from height differences, on either side of the device case  2 . Thus, in various embodiments, the thickness of the board  100  is substantially similar or the same as the thickness of the device case  2 . Thus, in some embodiments, at least one surface of the connector module  1  (e.g., the surface corresponding to the electrode section  130 ) is flush against the corresponding surface of the case  2 . That is, the surface of the board  100  having the electrode section  130  forms a substantially coplanar surface with an external surface of the case  2   
     However,  FIG. 5  just shows one operational form of the connector module  1  connecting with the device case  2 , and the connector module  1  can be connected to various other devices. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , when connecting the connector module  1  with the device case  2 , in accordance with the board  100  being inserted into the penetration hole  20  on the device case  2 , the wing section  500  is pressed up against one side of the device case  2  and can be used to fasten the connector module  1  on the device case  2 . 
     The wing section  500  in the attached drawings is shown as a square shape with rounded corners, but the wing section  500  is not limited in its shape and can be built as a rectangular or circular shape. 
     In some embodiments, the wing section  500  can be formed as an integral piece which expands from one side of the board  100  by modifying (e.g., deforming to form the concave section) the board  100  when building the connector module  1 . In these embodiments, the wing section  500  and the board  100  is formed of the same material, e.g., a PCB substrate. 
     In some other embodiments, the wing section  500  can be formed separately and attached afterwards. When formed separately and attached to the board  100  afterwards, the wing section  500  can be formed of a material different from the board, including, e.g., plastic, alloy, metal, etc. 
     On the other hand,  FIG. 2  is the first operational example of the cross-section of the thin film-type magnetic connector module divided by line A-A′ of  FIG. 1 , and according to this figure the wing section  500  is equipped on one side of the board  100 , but it is not shown to be equipped on the concave section  110  where the magnet  200  is located. 
     However, as shown in the second operational example showing the cross-section of the connector module in  FIG. 2 b   , the wing section  500  can be built to cover the magnet  200  inserted into the concave section  110 . 
     Because the board  100  according to embodiments are configured to receive the magnet  200  into the concave section  110  built on one side of the board  100 , it is preferable to have a magnet that is thin, and therefore there may be a need to strengthen the magnetic coupling force of the magnet  200 , or to increase the are over which the magnetic coupling force is exerted. 
     As one suggestion in strengthening the magnetism of the magnet, the wing section  500 , made of metallic materials, could be attached to one side of the board  100  and as shown in  FIG. 2 b   , the wing section  500  could be made to cover the magnet  200  inserted into the concave section  110 . 
     And in this instance, the area of the wing section  500  closest to one side of the magnet  200  becomes larger than the area of the coating layer  300  closet to the other side of the magnet  200  or the area of the base surface  115 . The magnetic flux density of the magnet  200  is inversely proportional to the area of the side which the magnet  200  is the closest; the magnetic flux density from the magnet  200  to the other side of the circuit  100  will become greater than the magnetic flux density from the magnet  200  to the wing section  500 . 
     Therefore, in the case of the metallic wing section  500  covering the magnet  200  inserted into the concave section  110 , compared to when it does not cover the magnet  200  inserted into the concave section  110  as shown in  FIG. 2 a   , the magnetism of the magnet  200  in the direction from the magnet  200  to the other side of the circuit  100  will become stronger. 
     Also, in another suggestion in strengthening the magnetism of the magnet  200 , by pressing a separate metallic sheet  600  against the lower area of the wing section  500  as shown in  FIG. 2 c   , the wing section  500  can be made to cover the magnet  200  inserted into the concave section  110 . 
     Similarly, when additionally adding a metallic sheet  600  to cover the magnet  200  inserted into the concave section  110 , compared to  FIG. 2 a    where there is no metallic sheet, the magnetism of the magnet  200  directed from the magnet  200  to the other side of the board  100  will become stronger, and in this instance, the metallic sheet  600  does not need to cover the whole area of the wing section  500 . 
     In some embodiments, the magnet  200  has a thickness, the concave section  110  of the board  100  has a depth, and the wing section  500  has a thickness such that the magnet  200  does not protrude above an outer major surface of the wing section  500 . 
     However, because the magnetic flux density from the magnet  200  to the other side of the board  100  increases as the area of the metallic sheet  600  increases, the area of the metallic sheet must be determined with the magnetism strength needed by the connector module  1  in consideration. Also, in order to avoid the thicknesses of the connector module  1  increasing, it is desirable that the metallic sheet be in the form of a thin film. 
     In addition, to achieve easy connection from the connection socket  400  built on one side of the board  100  to the lead wire, a gap in the wing section  500  where the connection socket  400  is located may be created. 
     Also, the wing section  500  may be built with multiple hole  550  in order to fasten the connector module  1  to the device case  2 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , in the case of connecting the connector module  1  to the device case  2 , the wing section  500  will be pressed up against one side of the device case  2 . In this instance, the connector module  1  can be attached to the device case  2  through coating the wing section  500  of the connector module  1  with adhesives or installing screws or bolts through hole  550 . In addition, the connector module  1  can be fastened to the device case  2  by forming projections (not shown) on one side of the device case  2  and inserting them into the multiple hole  550 , then by fusing the said projections. 
     In the case of fastening the connector module  1  with the device case  2  by a single hole  550  located on the wing section  500 , the connector module  1  and the device case  2  cannot be connected properly. Therefore it is desirable to form multiple hole  550  on the wing section  500 . 
     At this instance, it is desirable for the multiple hole  550  in the wing section  500  to be symmetrical at the circumference with the center of the concave section  110  built on one side of the board  100  as the standard. 
     For example, in the case shown in  FIG. 6 a   , if there are 3 hole  550  in the wing section  500 , they should be created at 120° with the concave section  110  as the center standard, and in the case shown in  FIG. 6 b   , where there are 4 hole  550  in the wing section  500 , they should be created at 90° with the concave section  110  as the center standard. 
     Similarly, if multiple hole  550  are created with circumferential symmetry with the center of the concave section  110  as the center standard, the strength received from the device case  2  when fastening the connector module  1  by the multiple hole  550  can be distributed evenly, resulting in a stable connection between the connector module  1  and the device case  2 . 
       FIG. 7  is an example drawing of the external socket section built on the surface of the device case and charging bracket that has been connected to the thin film-type magnetic connector module. 
     The electrode section  130  built on the other side of the board  100  is, as shown in  FIG. 7 , built on the same side as the rear side of the device case  2 , electrically connecting with contact by magnetism from the external socket section  30  equipped on an external device. 
     In this instance, the external device referred to with reference to some embodiments refers to a device capable of supplying external power to the connection module  1  such as the charging bracket  3  shown in  FIG. 7 , and the external socket section  30  refers to an external socket that can connect electrically on contact by the magnetism from the electrode section  130  equipped on the aforementioned external device. 
     As mentioned before, the electrode section  130  can be composed of power socket  131 (V+),  134 (GND) and the data socket  132 (D+),  133 (D−). 
     In this instance, the external socket  30  can be composed of power socket  31 (V+),  34 (GND) and the data socket  32 (D+),  33 (D−) corresponding to the above electrode section  130 , and in order for the electrode section  130  to magnetically connect with the external socket  30 , a separate magnet (not shown) is disposed inside the external socket  30 . Thus, the external socket  30  and the electrode section  130  are configured to be held in direct physical contact by the magnetic force between then. 
     Additionally, regarding the shape of the electrode section  130 , although the attached blueprint show the electrode section  130  as composed of pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134  in a concentric circular shape, the said pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134  do not have to be built in a concentric circular pattern, and is capable of being patterned into all shapes, as long as the patterning is consistent, e.g., laterally symmetric. 
     However, even if the concentric circular pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134  are rotated to a random direction, the electric connection with the corresponding external socket  30  is maintained. 
     In this instance, the concept of the concentric circular pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134  includes the scenario of not only forming a continuous circular pattern, but also forming a non-continuous circular pattern as shown in  FIG. 8 . However, non-continuous pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134  is limited in rotating the connector module  1  during the magnetic contact of the electrode section  130  and the external socket  30  through some embodiments, as well as after the contact. 
     Additionally, it is desirable that the external socket  30  that is magnetically connected to the concentric circular pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134  be an external pin socket equipped with pins on the external device, but it is not limited to this. 
     However, in the case of the external socket section being an external pin socket, a section of the external pin socket projects externally through the holes created on the charging bracket  3 , and is positioned to be corresponding 1:1 to the aforementioned concentric circular pattern electrodes  131 ˜ 134 . 
     The magnet  200  is inserted into the concave section  110  built on one side of the board  100 , and magnetically attaches the electrode section  130  on the other side of the board  100  with the external socket  30  built on the external device, creating an electric connection between the two. 
     Similarly, by inserting the magnet  200  to the concave section  110  built on one side of the board  100  and equipping an electrode section  130  on the other side of the board  100 , a thin film-type magnetic connector module, the purpose of some embodiments, can be provided. 
     In this instance, it is desirable that the thickness of the magnet  200  being inserted into the concave section  110  is not greater than the depth from the base surface  115  to one side of the board  100  or from the base surface  115  to the wing section  500 , but it can be greater in order to strengthen the magnetism of the magnet  200 . 
     However, in the case where the magnet  200  is too thick, for example during the connection of the device case  2  on the mobile device as shown in  FIG. 7 , the connection with the device may prove difficult due to the magnet  200 , and even after connecting, a gap between the device case  2  and the mobile device is created. Therefore, the thickness of the magnet  200  should be determined with the magnetic power needed by the connector module  1  and the operational structure of the connector module  1  in consideration. 
     Additionally, the coating layer is created on the base surface  115  of the concave section  110 . 
     Because an electrode section  120  is built on the base surface  115  of the concave section  110 , when the magnet  200  is inserted into the concave section  110  an electric short occurs between the multiple electrodes  121 ˜ 124  that composes the electrode section  120 . 
     Therefore, in order to prevent an electrical short, some embodiments of the present disclosure include a coating layer  300  to provide electrical insulation between the magnet  200  and the electrode section  120 . 
     In this instance, the coating layer  300  can be created by coating the base surface  115  of the concave section  110  or by coating the magnet  200 . 
     The present invention is not limited to operation examples, has various applications, and without breaking from the key points of the present invention of which claim has been requested, anyone with general knowledge in the field of the present invention can perform various modifications. 
     REFERENCE NUMBER EXPLANATION 
       1 : Thin Type Magnetic Connector Module 
       100 : board 
       110 : concave section 
       115 : base surface of concave section 
       120 : electrode section built on the base surface 
       130 : electrode section built on one side of the board 
       140 : board hole 
       200 : magnet 
       300 : coating layer 
       400 : connection socket section 
       500 : wing section 
       550 : hole 
       600 : metallic sheet