Patent Publication Number: US-2023155322-A1

Title: PCB Card Magnetic Connector System

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The described example embodiments in general relate to connectors for connecting to a printed circuit board (“PCB”). A PCB may include a connector to connect the PCB to other PCBs or to other devices. The connector on the PCB may be along the edge of the PCB, which is referred to as an edge connector. Generally, an edge connector on a PCB is a male connector that inserts into a female connector to establish a mechanical and electrical connection. Prior art edge connectors have used stamped contact pins with weld tabs to increase the mechanical strength of connection between the male edge connector and the female connector. Connectors would benefit from a system that uses a magnetic force to connect the edge connector to another connector. 
     SUMMARY 
     Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a printed circuit board (“PCB”) with an edge connector. Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure include magnetic couplers to hold an edge connector in contact with another connector. Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure include magnetic couplers to decrease a force of insertion of a PCB with an edge connector into another connector. In an example embodiment, a PCB with a male edge connector may include one or more magnetic couplers. The male edge connector is adapted to be inserted into a female connector to connect the PCB to the female connector and/or to the component connected to the female connector. The one or more magnetic couplers of the male edge connector are adapted to retain the PCB in the female connector after it has been inserted. In other words, the one or more magnetic couplers of the male edge connector are adapted to hold the male edge connector in the female connector. The magnetic couplers use a magnetic force to retain the male edge connector in the female connector. The magnetic couplers use the magnetic force to reduce the insertion force needed to insert the male edge connector into the female coupler. 
     Magnetic couplers may also be used to key the edge connector so that the edge connector can be connected to another connector only while the edge connector is positioned at a particular orientation. For example, magnetic couplers may exert a magnetic force (e.g., repulsion) to prevent the insertion of the edge connector into another connector if the orientation of the edge connector does not match the expected orientation. 
     In some embodiments, a male edge connector is inserted into a female connector and held in place by a magnetic force exerted by magnetic couplers. In other embodiments, a female edge connector is inserted over (e.g., around) a male connector and held in place by a magnetic force exerted by magnetic couplers. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the present disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the various embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     To better understand the nature and advantages of the present disclosure, reference should be made to the following description and the accompanying figures. It is to be understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the scope of the present disclosure. Also, as a general rule, and unless it is evidence to the contrary from the description, where elements in different FIGS. use identical reference numbers, the elements are generally either identical or at least similar in function or purpose. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view of a male edge connector and a female connector in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  2    is a cross-section of the male edge connector and the female connector of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a female edge connector and a male connector in accordance with an example embodiment. 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-section of the female edge connector and the male connector of  FIG.  3   . 
         FIG.  5    is a diagram of a male edge connector that has been keyed to a female connector. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A. Overview. 
     Some of the various embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a printed circuit board (“PCB”) (e.g.,  10 ) with an edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ). An edge connector, such as the example embodiments of the male edge connector  20  and the female edge connector  40 , are positioned on an edge of a PCB  10  so that the PCB  10  may connect to another connector such as, for example, female connector  30  or male connector  50  respectively. 
     An edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ) include pins (e.g.,  26 ,  46 ). The pins of the edge connector (e.g.,  26 ,  46 ) are adapted to connect to the pins (e.g.,  36 ,  56 ) of the connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ). In an example embodiment, the connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ) is connected to the PCB  12 , so connecting the edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ) to the connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ) connects the PCB  10  to the PCB  12  via the pins (e.g., to  36 ,  46  to  56 ). The PCB  10  remains coupled to the PCB  12  as long as the edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ) remains coupled to the connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ). Conventionally, the PCB  10  would be mechanically held in contact with the female connector  30  or the male connector  50 ; however, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure, the male edge connector  20  and the female edge connector  40  include magnetic couplers (e.g.,  22 ,  24 ,  32 ,  34 ,  42 ,  44 ,  52 ,  54 ) that magnetically hold (e.g., retain) the male edge connector  20  and the female edge connector  40  to the female connector  30  and the male connector  50  respectively. 
     A magnetic coupler may be a magnet (e.g., permanent) or formed of a ferrous metal (e.g., a tab formed of ferrous metal). A magnet may be paired with a tab or another magnet to magnetically couple an edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ) to a connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ). In an example embodiment, magnetic coupler  22  is a magnet and magnetic coupler  32  is a tab formed of a ferrous metal. The magnet is adapted to establish a magnetic force of attraction between itself and the tab  32  thereby magnetically coupling the male edge connector  20  to the female connector  30 . In another example embodiment, the magnetic coupler  22  is a tab formed of a ferrous metal and the magnetic coupler  32  is a magnet. The magnet  32  is adapted to establish a magnetic force of attraction between itself and the tab thereby magnetically coupling the male edge connector  20  to the female connector  30 . Any appropriate combination of magnets and tabs may be used to magnetically couple the edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ) to a connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ). 
     Magnetic couplers formed of magnets having a polarity may be used to key the connection between the edge connector and the connector so that the PCB may be inserted into the connector at a single orientation. 
     B. Male Edge Connector. 
     The male edge connector  20 , as best seen in  FIGS.  1 - 2   , is a connector positioned on or near an edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The male edge connector  20  that is adapted to be inserted into a female connector  30 . The female connector  30  that receives the male edge connector  20  may be positioned on a second PCB, such as for example PCB  12 . While the male edge connector  20  is inserted into the female connector  30 , the PCB  10  is electrically connected to the PCB  12 . Connecting the PCB  10  to the PCB  12  may connect components (e.g., electronic circuits, integrated circuits, electrical devices) of the PCB  10  to components of the PCB  12 . 
     In an example embodiment, the male edge connector  20  includes the PCB  10 , one or more pins  26  connected to the PCB  10  along the edge  18  of the PCB  10  and a first magnetic coupler  22  positioned on or near the edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The edge  18  of the PCB  10  is adapted to be inserted into the female connector  30 . The female connector  30  may be positioned on the PCB  12 . The female connector  30  includes one or more pins  36  and a second magnetic coupler  32 . The first magnetic coupler  22  is connected to the PCB  10 . The first magnetic coupler  22  may be connected to the PCB  10  on or near the edge  18  at any position along a length of the edge  18 . In an example embodiment, the magnetic coupler  22  is connected proximate to a side  16  of the PCB  10 . In an example embodiment, the magnetic coupler  22  is connected near a midway point between the side  14  and the side  16  of the PCB  10 . 
     The second magnetic coupler  32  is connected to the female connector  30 . The second magnetic coupler  32  may be inside a slot of the female connector  30  that receives the edge  18  of the PCB  10  or it may be outside of the slot. In an example embodiment, the magnetic coupler  32  is positioned inside the slot of the female connector  30 . While the male edge connector  20  is inserted into the female connector  30 , the one or more pins  26  along the edge  18  of the PCB  10  are adapted to contact the one or more pins  36  of the female connector  30  to establish one or more electrical connections. The first magnetic coupler  22  is adapted to establish a first force of attraction with the second magnetic coupler  32  of the female connector  30 . According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the first force of attraction is a magnetic force of attraction. The first force of attraction is adapted to retain the edge  18  of the PCB  10  inserted into the female connector  30 , which in turn retains the pins  26  in contact with and electrically connected to the pins  36 . In other words, the force that holds the PCB  10 , and the male edge connector  20  in particular, in the female connector  30  is a magnetic force rather than a mechanical force. The force of contact between the pins  26  and the pins  36 , and the force of contact between the PCB  10  and the sides of the female connector  30  may provide some mechanical force that operates to retain the male edge connector  20  inserted into the female connector  30 ; however, the majority of the force that retains the male edge connector  20  inserted into the female connector  30  is the magnetic attractive force of attraction between the magnetic coupler  22  and the magnetic coupler  32 . 
     The first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32 , as best seen in  FIG.  2   , may be any combination of magnets or formed of a ferrous metal (e.g., a tab) that results in a magnetic force that attracts the first magnetic coupler  22  to the second magnetic coupler  32  or vice versa. In an example embodiment, the first magnetic coupler  22  is a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic coupler  32  is formed of a ferrous metal. For example, the second magnetic coupler  32  may be a metal tab connected to the female connector  30 . Because the tab is formed of a ferrous metal, the magnetic force from the magnet attracts the tab to the magnet. The force between the magnet on the male edge connector  20  and the tab on the female connector  30  (e.g., the first force of attraction) retains the male edge connector  20  in the female connector  30 . In another example embodiment, the first magnetic coupler  22  is formed of a ferrous metal and the second magnetic coupler  32  is a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet. For example, the first magnetic coupler  22  may be a metal tab connected on or near the edge of the PCB  10 . Again, because the tab is formed of a ferrous metal, the magnetic force from the magnet attracts the tab to the magnet. The force between the tab on the PCB  10  and the magnet on the female connector  30  (e.g., the first force of attraction) retains the male edge connector  20  in the female connector  30 . In the above example embodiments, at least one of the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  is a magnet. 
     In another example embodiment, the first magnetic coupler  22  is a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, and the second magnetic coupler  32  is also a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet. The pole of the magnet on the male edge connector  20  and the pole of the magnet on the female connector  30  are arranged (e.g., position) so that the magnet on the PCB  10  is attracted to the magnet on the female connector  30 . Because the magnets are attracted to each other, the force between the magnet on the PCB  10  and the magnet on the female connector  30  (e.g., the first force of attraction) retains the male edge connector  20  in the female connector  30 . 
     The force that retains the male edge connector  20  in (e.g., connected to) the female connector  30  (e.g., first force of attraction, second force of attraction) is proportional to the magnetic force provided by the magnet. A magnet may provide a magnetic force of attraction of sufficient strength (e.g., magnitude) to retain the male edge connector  20  inserted into the female connector  30  and the pins  26  connected to the pins  36  under normal circumstances of use. 
     When the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  are implemented as magnets, it is possible to arrange the pole of the magnet on the male edge connector  20  and the pole of the magnet on the female connector  30  so that the magnet on the male edge connector  20  repels the magnet on the female connector  30 ; however, a repelling force does not retain the male edge connector  20  in the female connector  30 , so it is desirable to position the poles of the magnets so that they attract each other. The repulsive force between magnets may be used to key how the edge connector (e.g.,  20 ,  40 ) mates with the connector (e.g.,  30 ,  50 ) as discussed below. 
     The attractive force between the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  not only retains the male edge connector  20  connected to the female connector  30 , but the first force of attraction between the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  is adapted to draw the edge  18  of the PCB  10  into the female connector  30  thereby reducing a force of insertion between the PCB  10  and the female connector  30 . In other words, the force of attraction between the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  makes it easier to insert the male edge connector  20  on the PCB  10  into the female connector  30 . 
     In another example embodiment, as best seen in  FIG.  2   , the male edge connector  20  includes a third magnetic coupler  24  and the female connector  30  includes a fourth magnetic coupler  34 . The third magnetic coupler  24  is connected to the male edge connector  20  of the PCB  10  at or near the edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The third magnetic coupler  24  may be connected to the male edge connector  20  of the PCB  10  at any position along the edge  18 . In an example embodiment, the third magnetic coupler  24  is connected to the male edge connector  20  of the PCB  10  at or near the edge  18  of the PCB  10  proximate to the side  14  of the PCB  10 . The fourth magnetic coupler  34  is connected to the female connector  30 . The fourth magnetic coupler  34  may be inside the slot that receives the edge  18  of the male edge connector  20  of the PCB  10  or it may be outside of the slot. In an example embodiment, the fourth magnetic coupler  34  is positioned inside the slot of the female connector  30 . 
     The third magnetic coupler  24  is adapted to establish a second force of attraction with the fourth magnetic coupler  34 . According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the second force of attraction is a magnetic force of attraction. The first force of attraction, adapted to be established by the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  discussed above, and the second force of attraction are adapted to retain the edge  18  of the PCB  10  inserted into the female connector  30 . As discussed above, the first force of attraction and the second force of attraction not only retain the edge  18  of the PCB  10  inserted into the female connector  30 , but the first force of attraction and the second force of attraction are adapted to draw the edge  18  of the PCB  10  into the female connector  30  thereby reducing a force of insertion between the PCB  10  and the female connector  30 . 
     As discussed above with respect to the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32 , the third magnetic coupler  24  and the fourth magnetic coupler  34  may be any combination of magnets or tabs formed of a ferrous metal that establishes the second force of attraction between the third magnetic coupler  24  and the fourth magnetic coupler  34 . In an example embodiment, at least one of the third magnetic coupler  24  and the fourth magnetic coupler  34  is a magnet. In another example embodiment, third magnetic coupler  24  is a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, and the fourth magnetic coupler  34  is a tab formed of a ferrous metal. In another example embodiment, third magnetic coupler  24  is a tab formed of a ferrous metal and the fourth magnetic coupler  34  is a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet. In another example embodiment, the third magnetic coupler  24  is a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet, and the fourth magnetic coupler  34  is also a magnet, preferably a permanent magnet. The pole of the magnet on the male edge connector  20  of the PCB  10  and the pole of the magnet on the female connector  30  are arranged so that the magnet on the PCB  10  is attracted to the magnet on the female connector  30 . 
     In an example embodiment in which the male edge connector  20  includes a first magnet coupler  22  and a third magnetic coupler  24  and the female connector  30  includes the second magnetic coupler  32  and a fourth magnetic coupler  34 , at least one of the first magnetic coupler  22  and the second magnetic coupler  32  is a magnet. In another example embodiment, at least one of the third magnetic coupler  24  and the fourth magnetic coupler  34  is a magnet. 
     C. Magnetic Connector System with Male Edge Connector and Female Connector. 
     The PCB  10  with a male edge connector  20  may cooperate with the female connector  30  to operate as a magnetic connector system, as best seen in  FIGS.  1  and  2   . In an example embodiment, a magnetic connector system includes the female connector  30  and the PCB  10 . The female connector  30  has one or more pins  36  and a first magnetic coupler  32 . The female connector  30  may be mechanically and/or electrically coupled to the PCB  12 . The first magnetic coupler  32  is connected to the female connector  30 . The PCB  10  has the one or more pins  26  positioned along the edge  18  of the PCB  10  and a second magnetic coupler  22  positioned on or near the edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The second magnetic coupler  22  is connected to the PCB  10 . The edge  18  of the PCB  10  is adapted to be inserted into the female connector  30 , so the edge  18  of the PCB  10  operates as a male edge connector  20  as discussed above. The one or more pins  26  of the PCB  10  are adapted to contact the one or more pins  36  of the female connector  30  to establish one or more electrical connections. The first magnetic coupler  32  is adapted to establish a first force of attraction with the second magnetic coupler  22 . The first force of attraction is adapted to retain the edge  18  of the PCB  10  inserted into the female connector  30 . 
     In the above example embodiment of the magnetic connector system, the edge  18  of the PCB  10  performs the functions of the male edge connector  20  as discussed above and the female connector  30  performs the functions of the female connector  30  discussed above. So, all of the operations and interactions between the male edge connector  20  of the PCB  10  and the female connector  30  discussed above applies to the PCB  10  and the female connector  30  of the magnetic connector system discussed herein. For example, the female connector  30  may include a third magnetic coupler  34  and the PCB  10  may include a fourth magnetic coupler  24 . The first magnetic coupler  32  and the second magnetic coupler  22  are adapted to establish a first force of attraction while the third magnetic coupler  34  and the fourth magnetic coupler  24  are adapted to establish a second force of attraction. The first force of attraction and/or the second force of attraction are adapted to retain the edge  18  of the PCB  10  inserted into the female connector  30 . The first force of attraction and/or the second force of attraction are adapted to draw the edge  18  of the PCB  10  into the female connector  30  thereby reducing the force of insertion between the PCB  10  and the female connector  30 . The first magnetic coupler  32  and the second magnetic coupler  22 , or the third magnetic coupler  34  and the fourth magnetic coupler  24 , of the magnetic connector system may be any combination of magnets or formed of a ferrous metal (e.g., a tab). 
     D. Female Edge Connector. 
     In another example embodiment, as best seen in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the PCB  10  includes a female edge connector  40  that is adapted to connect to a male connector  50 . The female edge connector  40  may be along a portion or the entire length of the edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The female edge connector  40  includes structure adapted for enclosing or encircling the male connector  50 . The male connector  50  may be coupled to the PCB  12 . The female edge connector  40  and the male connector  50  form a magnetic connector system in which the male connector  50  is adapted to couple to the female edge connector  40  using a magnetic force. 
     In an example embodiment, the magnetic connector system includes the male connector  50  having one or more pins  56  and a first magnetic coupler  52  and the PCB  10  having a female edge connector  40  along the edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The female edge connector  40  includes one or more pins  46  and a second magnetic coupler  42  positioned inside the female edge connector  40 . The male connector  50  is adapted to be inserted into the female edge connector  40  (e.g., slot therein) whereby the one or more pins  46  of the female edge connector  40  contact the one or more pins  56  of the male connector  50  to establish one or more electrical connections. The first magnetic coupler  52  is adapted to establish a first force of attraction with the second magnetic coupler  42 . According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the first force of attraction is a magnetic force of attraction. The first force of attraction is adapted to retain the male connector  50  inserted into the female edge connector  40 . 
     In an example embodiment of the magnetic connector system that includes the PCB  10  with a female edge connector  40  and a male connector  50 , the male connector  50  may further include a third magnetic coupler  54  and the female edge connector  40  may include a fourth magnetic coupler  44 . The third magnetic coupler  54  is adapted to establish a second force of attraction with the fourth magnetic coupler  44 . According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the second force of attraction is a magnetic force of attraction. 
     As discussed above with respect to magnetic couplers  22 ,  24 ,  32  and  34 , the first magnetic coupler  52 , the second magnetic coupler  42 , the third magnetic coupler  54  and the fourth magnetic coupler  44 , as best seen in  FIG.  4   , may be any combination of magnets or tabs formed of a ferrous metal that establishes the first force of attraction between the first magnetic coupler  52  and the second magnetic coupler  42  and/or the second force of attraction between the third magnetic coupler  54  and the fourth magnetic coupler  44 . As further discussed above, the first force of attraction and/or the second force of attraction are adapted to draw the male connector  50  into the female edge connector  40  thereby reducing the force of insertion between the PCB  10  and the male connector  50 . 
     The second magnetic coupler  42  and the fourth magnetic coupler  44  are connected to the PCB  10  and the female edge connector  40  respectively. The second magnetic coupler  42  and/or the fourth magnetic coupler  44  may be positioned at any location along a length of the edge  18  of the PCB  10 . The second magnetic coupler  42  and/or the fourth magnetic coupler  44  may be positioned inside or outside of the female edge connector  40 . In an example embodiment, the second magnetic coupler  42  is positioned inside the female edge connector  40  proximate to the side  16  of the PCB  10 . The fourth magnetic coupler  44  is positioned inside the female edge connector  40  proximate to the side  14  of the PCB  10 . 
     The pins (e.g.,  26 ,  36 ,  46 ,  56 ) may be formed in any manner and of any conductive material. In an example embodiment, the pins are stamped contact pins. In another example embodiment, the pins are machined pins (e.g., screw contacts). In another example embodiment, the pins may be formed of metal flowed onto the PCB  10 . In an example embodiment, the tab formed of a ferrous metal that performs the function of a magnetic coupler includes a conventional weld tab. 
     E. Magnetically Keyed Edge Connector. 
     As discussed above, the magnetic couplers may be used to key the edge connector on a PCB so that the edge connector will connect to another connector only in a single orientation. 
     For example, as best seen in  FIG.  5   , the pins  26  are spaced along the edge  18  of the PCB  10  at unequal intervals. In order for the pins  26  to mate with the pins  36  of the female connector  30 , the PCB  10  must be inserted into the female connector  30  so that sides  16  and  14  of the PCB  10  are positioned proximate to the sides  39  and  38  respectively of the female connector  30 . If the PCB  10  were to be inserted into the female connector  30  so that side  16  of the PCB were proximate to a side  38  of the female connector  30  the pins  26  would not align with the pins  36  to provide the desired electrical connections. 
     In an embodiment, the magnetic couplers  22 ,  24 ,  32  and  34  are all magnets. The positive pole of the magnetic coupler  22  is positioned to be attracted to the negative pole of the magnetic coupler  32  so that the magnetic force between the magnetic coupler  22  and the magnetic coupler  32  attracts the magnetic couplers  22  and  32  toward each other. The negative pole of the magnetic coupler  24  is positioned to be attracted to the positive pole of the magnetic coupler  34 , so that the magnetic force between the magnetic coupler  24  and the magnetic coupler  34  attracts the magnetic couplers  24  and  34  toward each other. 
     When the PCB  10  is inserted into the female connector  30 , the magnetic force between the magnetic couplers  22  and  32  and the magnetic force between the magnetic couplers  24  and  34  attract the magnetic coupler  22  to the magnetic coupler  32  and the magnetic coupler  24  to the magnetic coupler  34  thereby pulling the PCB  10  into the female connector  30 . Once the edge  18  of the PCB  10  is inserted into the slot of the female connector  30 , the attractive magnetic force between the magnetic couplers  22  and  32  and the magnetic force between the magnetic couplers  24  and  34  retains the PCB  10  in the female connector  30 . 
     When the PCB  10  is inserted into the female connector  30 , if the orientation of the PCB  10  has been flipped so that side  16  of the PCB  10  is proximate to the side  38  of the female connector  30  and side  14  of the PCB  10  is proximate to the side  39  of the female connector  30 , the magnetic force from the magnetic couplers  22  and  32  will repel each other because their poles have the same polarity. Further, magnetic force from the magnetic couplers  24  and  34  will repel each other because their poles also have the same polarity. Because the force between the magnetic couplers  22  and  32 , and magnetic couplers  24  and  34  is repellent, the PCB  10  cannot be inserted into the female connector  30 . Arranging the poles of the magnetic couplers (e.g.,  22 ,  32 ,  24 ,  34 ) so that the forces between the magnetic couplers attract when the PCB  10  is oriented properly and repel when the PCB is not oriented properly keys the edge connector of the PCB  10  to the female connector  30  so that the PCB  10  can only be inserted into the female connector  30  at a single orientation. 
     F. Operation of Preferred Embodiment. 
     In use, magnetic couplers retain an edge connector on a PCB connected to a connector and reduce the insertion force of the edge connector into the connector. For example, as the PCB  10  with male edge connector  20  is brought proximate to the female connector  30 , the first force of attraction between the magnetic couplers  22  and  32  and the second force of attraction between the magnetic couplers  24  and  34  pull the male edge connector  20  into the female connector  30 . The first force of attraction and the second force of attraction reduces the amount of force required to insert the male edge connector  20  into the female connector  30  thereby resulting in a low insertion force. 
     Inserting the male edge connector  20  into the female connector  30  brings the pins  26  of the male edge connector  20  into contact with the pins  36  of the female connector  30 . Contact between the pins  26  and the pins  36  establishes electrical connections between the pins  26  and the pins  36  that are in contact with each other. 
     Once the male edge connector  20  has been inserted into the female connector  30 , the first force of attraction between the magnetic couplers  22  and  32  and/or the second force of attraction between the magnetic couplers  24  and  34  retain the male edge connector  20  in the female connector  30  thereby maintaining the electrical connections between the pins  26  and the pins  36 . The first force of attraction and/or the second force of attraction must be overcome to remove the PCB  10  from the female connector  30 , so the male edge connector  20  remains in the female connector  30  during normal use. 
     To remove the PCB  10  from the female connector  30 , a force must be applied to pull the male edge connector  20  from the female connector  30 . The force that removes the male edge connector  20 , and thereby the PCB  10 , from the female connector  30  must overcome the first force of attraction and the second force of attraction. The force that removes the PCB  10  from the female connector must be maintained on the PCB  10  until the male edge connector  20  is far enough away from the female connector  30  so that the first force of attraction and the second force of attraction cannot pull the male edge connector  20  back into the female connector  30 . 
     Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the various embodiments of the present disclosure, suitable methods and materials are described above. All patent applications, patents, and printed publications cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, except for any definitions, subject matter disclaimers or disavowals, and except to the extent that the incorporated material is inconsistent with the express disclosure herein, in which case the language in this disclosure controls. The various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the various embodiments in the present disclosure be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.