Abstract:
Disclosed is a magnet terminal and a jumper wire including the magnet terminal. The magnet terminal comprises a magnet layer, a metallic structure placed on the magnet layer and configured to conduct an electric signal with the magnet layer, and a tube configure to partly cover an outer surface of the metallic structure, then providing a low-cost solderless magnet terminal which is available for a component or electric/electronic circuit attachable to a magnet.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    A claim for priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 is made to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0071727 filed May 22, 2015, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Statement of Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to terminals die conduction line connection of electric and electronic experimental circuit boards. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to solderless magnet terminals capable of facilitating electrical connection with electric/electronic circuits or components which are attachable to magnets. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    With rapid growth of Internet of Things (IoT) in recent years, open hardware is sprightly used in manufacturing hardware structures. There is arising a need of preparing apparatuses or tools intuitively and easily available for forming circuits even by a beginner who starts electric/electronic circuit connection and sensor connection for elementary training of IoT. 
         [0006]    An apparatus, such as magnet bread board using magnetism combinable with a magnet or metal, developed according to such a need may allow a beginner to easily fabricate a circuit. Connection terminals or jumper wires including connection terminals according to the related art are insufficient to complete a circuit by connecting components on a magnet bread board. 
         [0007]    As a prior art relevant to this technology, Korean Utility Publication No. 20-2010-0002458, entitled “Electric wire with small magnet for simple electric circuit”, discloses a conductive cylindrical magnet, a magnet folder coincidently having a magnet inserting structure with a properly-narrowed diameter to prevent a magnet from easy separation and with conductivity that allows easy insertion in fabrication by some elasticity, while wrapping side edges of two polarities of the magnet, and having a folding margin for pressing and connecting an electric wire, and a magnet-attached electric wire formed of an electric wire. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    The present disclosure concerns a solderless magnet terminal allowing easy connection with an electric apparatus, which is attachable to a magnet, in low cost. 
         [0009]    A magnet terminal may include a magnet layer, a metallic structure placed on the magnet layer and configured to conduct an electric signal with the magnet layer, and a tube configured to partly cover an outer surface of the magnet layer and the metallic structure. 
         [0010]    The metallic structure may include a first metallic structure placed on the magnet layer and configured to conduct an electric signal with the magnet layer, and a second metallic structure placed on the first metallic structure and configured to conduct an electric signal with the first metallic structure. 
         [0011]    The first metallic structure and the second metallic structure may be shaped in cylinders. The first metallic structure may be larger than the second metallic structure in diameter. The first metallic structure may be lower than the second metallic structure in height. 
         [0012]    The second metallic structure may be shaped in a hollow cylinder including an insertion part. 
         [0013]    The tube may be shaped in a cylinder that is hollow, and may be a thermo-shrinking tube that is shrinkable by heat 
         [0014]    The magnet layer and the metallic structures may include one or more groove parts, wherein the tube may include one or more projection parts combined with the one or more groove parts. 
         [0015]    In some scenarios, a jumper wire may include a magnet terminal, and a connection wire configured to conduct an electric signal with the magnet terminal and physically separable from or combinable with the magnet terminal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0016]    The above and other objects and features will become apparent from the following description with reference to the following figures. 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary pattern of a magnet bread board as an electric/electronic circuit or component, which is attachable to a magnet terminal. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective of a magnet terminal. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  illustrates a vertical section of the magnet terminal shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0020]      FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate a perspective and section of a magnet terminal. 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective of a magnet terminal. 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example used for connection between a magnet bread board and an electric wire through a magnet terminal. 
       
    
    
       [0023]    Throughout the figures, like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise specified. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    Embodiments will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying figures. The inventive concept, however, may be embodied in various different forms, and should not be construed as being limited only to the illustrated embodiments. Rather, these embodiments are provided as examples so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the concept of the inventive concept to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, known processes, elements, and techniques will not be described with respect to some of the embodiments of the inventive concept. In the figures, the sizes and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0025]    Hereinafter, a magnet terminal will be described in conjunction with  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective of a magnet terminal and  FIG. 3  illustrates a vertical section of the magnet terminal shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a magnet terminal  200  may include a magnet layer  210 , a metallic structure  220 , and a tube  230 . 
         [0028]    The magnet layer  210  may be formed of a magnetic material and may be connected with a component or circuit attachable to a magnet through the magnetic material. For example, the magnet layer  210  may be combined with a magnet bread board  100  shown in  FIG. 1 . The magnet layer  210  may be formed of a magnet of neodymium. 
         [0029]    Although the magnet layer  210  is shaped in a cylinder, the inventive concept may not be restrictive hereto and may be variously shaped in a cube or rectangular parallelepiped. 
         [0030]    In this scenario, the bottom surface, i.e., a first joint surface S 1  connected with a component or substrate (e.g., magnet bread board) which is attachable to a magnet, may be rounded. A diameter D of the first joint surface S 1  of the magnet layer  210  may be determined by a width of a conductive pad  130  of the magnet bread board  100  or an interval between the adjacent conductive pads  130 . For example, the diameter D of the first joint surface S 1  of the magnet layer  210  may be formed equal to or smaller than a width of the conductive pad  130 . Additionally, the diameter D of the first joint surface S 1  of the magnet layer  210  may be formed smaller than an interval between the adjacent conductive pads  130 . By forming the diameter D of the first joint surface S 1  smaller than an interval between the adjacent conductive pads  130  of the magnet bread board  100 , it may be allowable to prevent an inadvertent situation that causes conduction between the conductive pads  130  according to a location of the magnet terminal  200 . 
         [0031]    Different from this scenario, the first joint surface S 1  of the magnet layer  210  may be shaped in an oval or polygon. In the first joint surface S 1 , the crosswise width may be even different from the lengthwise width. A shape of the magnet layer  210 , especially a shape of the first joint surface S 1  of the magnet layer  210 , may be variable dependent on a size and a shape of a connection part of a component or electric/electronic circuit which is to be connected with the magnet terminal. 
         [0032]    The top surface of the magnet layer  210 , i.e., a second joint surface S 2  connected with the metallic structure  220 , may be shaped in a circle, oval, or polygon. It may be desirable to from a shape and a diameter (width) of the second joint surface S 2  of the magnet layer as substantially same as a shape and a diameter (width) of the first joint surface S 1 , but the inventive concept may not be restrictive hereto. 
         [0033]    The metallic structure  220  may allow an electric signal to be conducted in combination with the second joint surface S 2  of the magnet layer  210  and may allow connection with an electric wire. 
         [0034]    In this scenario, the metallic structure  220  may include a first metallic structure  221  placed on the magnet layer  210 , and a second metallic structure  222  placed on the first metallic structure  221 . The first metallic structure  221  may conduct an electric signal from the magnet layer  210  to the second metallic structure  222 . The second metallic structure  222  may conduct an electric signal from the first metallic structure  221  to the electric wire which is connected with the second metallic structure  222 . The second metallic structure  222  may be connected with the electric wire through a sleeve. The second metallic structure  222  may be connected with an electric wire, without losing magnetism, even in connection with the electric wire through a solder because the second metallic structure  222  maintains an interval from the magnet layer  210 . by the first metallic structure  221  It may be also permissible to connect the second metallic structure  222  with other connection terminal. 
         [0035]    A shape of the first metallic structure  221  may be determined by a shape of the magnet layer  210 . A shape of the second metallic structure  222  may be determined by a shape or combination type of an electric wire which is to be connected with the second metallic structure  222 . In this scenario, the first metallic structure  221  and the second metallic structure  222  may be shaped in cylinders. The first metallic structure  221  may be larger than the second metallic structure  222  in diameter. The first metallic structure  221  is lower than the second metallic structure  222  in height (thickness). The diameters or thicknesses of the first metallic structure  221  and the second metallic structure  222  may be variable dependent on a material, function, or formation method of the metallic structure. 
         [0036]    In some scenarios, a diameter of the first metallic structure  221  may be the same as a diameter of the magnetic layer  210 . A diameter of the bottom surface of the first metallic structure  221  combined with the magnet layer  210  may be the same as a diameter of the second joint surface S 2  of the magnetic layer  210 , but the inventive concept may not be restrictive hereto. The first metallic structure  221  may be thinner than the magnet layer  210  in thickness. 
         [0037]    The first metallic structure  221  and the second metallic structure  222  may be formed through one molding process. Otherwise, it may be permissible to combine the first metallic structure  221  and the second metallic structure  222  after divisionally molding them. The first metallic structure  221  and the second metallic structure  222  may be formed of the same material, but the inventive concept may not be restrictive hereto. The first metallic structure  221  and the second metallic structure  222  may be even formed of various materials in accordance with respective functions and usage. 
         [0038]    Although not shown, a conductive adhesion layer may be further provided between the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 . The conductive adhesion layer may further strengthen a physical adhesion force between the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220  and may electrically connect the magnet layer  210  with the metallic structure  220 . 
         [0039]    The tube  230  may be formed to cover the outer surface of the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 , and may have a cylindrical shape in which a hollow is formed. In this scenario, the tube  230  is a thermo-shrinkable tube which is shrinkable by heat. If heat is applied to the tube  230  after inserting the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220  through the hollow, the tube  230  may thermally shrink and combine with the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 . The tube  230  shank by heat may prevent disconnection which is caused from internal movement of the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 , and may protect the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220  from infiltration of diverse humidity and particles. 
         [0040]    To improve combinational reliability between the magnet layer  210  and the first metallic structure  221 , it may be desirable for a length (height) L of the tube  230  to be larger than a sum of a height of the magnet layer  210  and a height of the first metallic structure  221 . A diameter of the tube  230  may be smaller at the position of combination with the second metallic structure  222  than at the position of combination with the magnet layer  210  and the first metallic structure  221 . To facilitate combination with an electric wire, a length (height) L of the tube  230  may be smaller than a sum of a height of the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 . The tube  230  may be formed to expose a part of connection between the second metallic structure  222  and the electric wire. 
         [0041]    An inner shape of the tube  230  may be variable dependent on shapes of the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 . An outer shape of the tube  230  may be variable dependent on an electric/electronic circuit which is combined with the bottom of the magnet terminal  200 , or dependent on an electric wire which is combined with the top of the magnet terminal  200 . 
         [0042]    Although not shown in the accompanied figures, an adhesion part may be further provided to an inner surface of the tube  230  where combines with the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220 . 
         [0043]    Hereinafter, a magnet terminal  200  will be described in conjunction with  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Comparative to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magnet terminal  200  is same with that of  FIGS. 2 and 3  but different in a second metallic structure  222 , thus the same configuration will not be further described later. 
         [0044]    The second metallic structure  222  may have a cylindrical structure including an insertion part I, and conduct an electric signal from the first metallic structure  221  to the electric wire which is connected with the second metallic structure  222 . 
         [0045]    An electric wire may be fixedly inserted into the insertion part I of the second metallic structure  222 . A size and a shape of the insertion part I may be variable dependent on a size, a shape, or a physical characteristics of an electric wire or a connection terminal which is combined with the second metallic structure  222 . 
         [0046]    The first metallic structure  221  may be larger than the second metallic structure  222  in diameter. The first metallic structure  221  may be lower than the second metallic structure  222  in height (thickness). 
         [0047]    Hereinafter, a magnet terminal  200  will be described in conjunction with  FIG. 6 . Comparative to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the magnet terminal  200  is same with that of  FIGS. 2 and 3  but different in groove parts G 1  and G 2  and a projection part P, thus the same configuration will not be further described later. 
         [0048]    The magnet layer  210  and the first metallic structure  221  may further include the groove parts G 1  and G 2  on the outer surfaces which are combined with a tube  230 . The tube  230  may further include the projection part P on the inner surface which is combined with the magnet layer  210  and the first metallic structure  221 . 
         [0049]    The projection part P of the tube  230  may be fixedly inserted into the groove part G 1  of the magnet layer  210  and the groove part G 2  of the first metallic structure  221 . The groove parts respective to the magnet layer  210  and the first metallic structure may not be restrictive in number, and may be available with plurality. The inner projection part of the tube  230  may be formed in plurality in correspondence with a plurality of groove parts. 
         [0050]    Different from this scenario, the magnet layer  210  and the metallic structure  220  may include their respective projection parts and the tube  230  may include groove parts corresponding to the projection parts. 
         [0051]      FIG. 7  illustrates an example used for connection between a magnet bread board  100  and an electric wire through a magnet terminal. The electric wire and the magnet terminal may be formed for easy physical combination or separation. In the magnet terminal of  FIG. 7 , an electric wire (connection wire) may be connected with a second metallic structure of the magnet terminal through a sleeve without an additional soldering process. 
         [0052]    Through the magnet terminal  200 , a user may be able to conveniently fix an electric wire to a component or an electric/electronic circuit of the magnet bread board  100  without an additional connection set, thereby allowing other components to be connected therewith. 
         [0053]    The magnet terminal may be utilized in various applications, e.g., in physical computing education, and connection with a magnet bread board and an open hardware unit such as Arduino. 
         [0054]    A magnet terminal may allow easy connection with an open hardware apparatus, a magnet bread board, and a component or substrate attachable to a magnet. 
         [0055]    Additionally, since a soldering is unnecessary in connecting an electric wire with a component or substrate attachable to a magnet, it may be accomplishable to lessen stress of soldering and to provide a magnet terminal in low cost. 
         [0056]    While the inventive concept has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept. Therefore, it should be understood that the above embodiments are not limiting, but illustrative.