Patent Publication Number: US-2023138042-A1

Title: Modular assembly with polymagnets

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This non-provisional patent application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/273,810, titled MODULAR FURNITURE ASSEMBLY WITH POLYMAGNETS, filed Oct. 29, 2021, which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to the field of modular assemblies, and more specifically to modular assemblies using magnetic connectors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Moving and buying furniture are often stress-inducing activities. Both require significant pre-planning, are expensive, and can deeply impact one’s routine. When moving, it can be difficult and expensive to properly pack one’s belongings. Large items in particular can be difficult to transport and may require hiring professional movers or renting a large vehicle. Buying furniture is likewise expensive and may similarly require hiring professionals or renting a vehicle. It may further require the frustration of significant at-home assembly. Furniture manufacturers in high-end markets have addressed these concerns, developing a specialty niche for multi-functional, modular furniture. This furniture allows for easier assembly and disassembly, leading to easier moving or storage. While these manufacturers have addressed the need for more easily assembled or moveable furniture in a specific market, less attention has been directed toward highly transient populations or populations in shared or micro housing. 
     These populations, such as students or recent graduates, often move one or more times per year in connection with the school year or job opportunities. They may stay in these different locations for very short periods of time, sometimes as little as a few months. Often these locations are small and are difficult to move into and out of. Logistics are further complicated by small or nonexistent budgets for covering moving expenses, limiting moving resources to a combination of friends, family, and the vehicle the individual moving owns. Improvements to affordable, space-conscious, and easily assembled and disassembled furniture stands to improve the moving and furniture buying process for these individuals. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1 A  is an isometric view of modular furniture, such as a bedframe, constructed with modular units in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG.  1 B  is an isometric view of modular furniture, such as a dresser, constructed with modular units in accordance with an embodiment of the present technology. 
         FIG.  2    is an isometric view of the modular unit with a drawer that provides an internal storage space. 
         FIG.  3    is an isometric view of the back of a modular unit with identified magnetic connector locations. 
         FIG.  4    is a planar view of the bottom of a modular unit with identified magnetic connector locations. 
         FIG.  5    is an enlarged isometric view of two magnetic connector sockets within a modular unit. 
         FIG.  6    is an isometric view of a magnetic connector in a shielded configuration. 
         FIG.  7    is an isometric view of a polymagnet shown removed from the magnetic connector of  FIG.  6   . 
         FIG.  8    is a graph of the optimized holding force of a polymagnet when functioning in polymagnet-to-polymagnet configurations. 
         FIG.  9    is a graph of the optimized holding force of a polymagnet when functioning in magnet-to-steel configurations. 
         FIG.  10    is an isometric view of two opposing magnetic connectors each in a shielded configuration. 
         FIG.  11    is an isometric view of two opposing magnetic connectors in a locked configuration. 
         FIG.  12    is an isometric view of a magnetic connector in a shielded configuration with a ferrous material placed on a cap of a magnetic connector. 
         FIG.  13    is a partially exploded isometric view of modular units being aligned and removably connected to each other by the magnetic connectors. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present technology provides modular structures that are easily assembled and disassembled without the need for additional hardware or tools. Modular structures in accordance with embodiments of the present technology are constructed with subassembly modular units that are releasably interconnected using magnetic connectors embedded within the modular units’ interior or exterior. These magnetic connectors utilize polymagnets or other similar magnet configurations that are optimized for polymagnet-to-polymagnet alignment and strong polymagnet-to-polymagnet holding forces at short separation distances. The magnetic connectors are configured with a shielded configuration and a locked configuration. In the shielded configuration, the polymagnets are retracted within their magnetic connectors to prevent attachment of the magnetic connector to unintended ferrous objects. However, when magnetic connectors are properly aligned and positioned immediately adjacent to one another, the magnetic connectors move to their locked configuration and their polymagnets move to their respective locked positions, wherein the polymagnets align with and firmly engage one another. 
     This technology overcomes obstacles presented by circumstances where structure assembly requires high-precision, high-strength, unusual alignment, or automated engagement—or a combination of two or more of these characteristics-in sensitive contact environments, or where using tools or additional hardware is difficult or dangerous, such as outer space, clinical or lab settings, industrial environments, construction or building environments, or similar applications. This technology also improves efficiency in circumstances where structure assembly or disassembly is performed often, such as high-volume manufacturing and/or building applications, close proximity human interaction environments such as consumer or commercial furniture, or children’s′ tactile toys. This technology also addresses limitations of polymagnets by creating a system that can modify a polymagnet’s effective holding force to control engagement or to prevent engagement, or both, between polymagnets. 
     In particular, consumer modular furniture employing the present technology allows for easily moving from one living situation to the next or for easy reconfiguration, overcoming problems and obstacles presented by the prior art, in addition to providing other benefits. Modular furniture in accordance with embodiments of the present technology is constructed by releasably interconnecting roughly rectangular modular units vertically, horizontally, or in a combination of both vertically and horizontally to form furniture, such as bedframes, dressers, or a combination of furniture items. Provided within the modular units are drawers that may be used for storing clothing or other belongings when the modular furniture is either assembled or disassembled, as well as while moving. 
     As applied within modular furniture, when modular units are roughly aligned close to one another in a suitable arrangement, either vertically or horizontally, the opposing shielded configuration magnetic connectors within the modular units activate. Once activated, the polymagnets within the magnetic connectors move to their locked configuration and properly align the modular units, temporarily locking the modular units together. In some embodiment, the modular units are further engaged with each other interconnecting mating features, such as corresponding projections and grooves on opposing modular unit surfaces. This temporary lock is configured to withstand normal use of the modular furniture, such as opening and closing of drawers, use of the top surface, or placement of a bed on a furniture assembly. 
     When an owner wishes to disassemble the modular furniture, he or she must simply apply a great-than-normal-use, but manageable, force on one of the modular units to misalign the locked magnetic connectors. Once misaligned, the magnetic connectors return to their shielded configuration and the modular units can be easily separated. Separated, individual modular units may then easily be moved to a new location or a new arrangement. 
     Several specific details of the modular furniture technology and associated elements of the present technology are set forth in the following description and the Figures to provide a thorough understanding of certain embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the art, however, will understand that the present invention may have additional embodiments, and that other embodiments of the invention may be practiced without several of the specific features described below. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  are isometric views of modular furniture  100  constructed using modular units  110  illustrating two embodiments of the present technology. In  FIG.  1 A , the modular units  110  are combine horizontally alongside one another to create a platform bedframe. In  FIG.  1 B , the modular units  110  are combine vertically on top of one another to create a dresser. The modular units  110  may also be combine both vertically and horizontally to create a combine platform bedframe and dresser or other configuration of modular furniture  100 . The modular furniture  100  as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  further provides space-efficient storage with built-in drawers  120 . 
       FIG.  2    is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a modular unit  110 . The modular unit  110  is roughly rectangular in shape, having a width  112 , a depth  114 , and a height  116 . As illustrated, the modular unit width  112  is equal to 40 inches, the depth  114  is equal to 20 inches, and the height  116  is equal to 10 inches. One of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the width  112 , the depth  114 , and the height  116  can be modified as necessary for different modular unit  110  applications. These alternative applications may include modular units  110  intended for different modular furniture  100  arrangements or for special modular furniture  100  applications requiring modular units  110  with larger or smaller dimensions for one or more of its edges. 
     The modular unit  110  further has six sides, a front  130 , a top  140 , a back  150 , a bottom  160 , and sides  170  (any individual side, “a side  130 - 170 ;” collectively, “sides  130 - 170 ”). On the front  130 , a slot  118  is provided for storing the drawer  120 , which may be pulled from or placed within the modular unit  110 . The drawer  120  provides an interior area for storage of an owner’s belongings within the modular unit  110  and constructed modular furniture  100 . The exterior of the drawer  120  is shaped to fit within the slot  118  and provide for easy removal and reinsertion of the drawer  120  within the slot  118 . The drawer  120  is slid into and from the modular unit  110  using a handle  122 . 
     As illustrated, the modular unit  110  and drawer  120  are concurrently constructed using three-dimensional printing or another additive manufacturing processes so that the drawer  120  may be slid out, but not be removed, from the modular unit  110  once manufacturing is complete. The modular unit  110  and drawer  120 , and any subassembly elements thereof, may alternatively be individually constructed using three-dimensional printing or another additive manufacturing processes and combine after manufacturing is complete. When the drawer  120  is constructed separate from the modular unit  110 , the drawer  120  may be removably connected to the slot  118  and the modular unit  110  by drawer slide hardware or the drawer  120  and the slot  118  may be shaped so use of the drawer  120  does not require additional hardware. 
     In other embodiments, the modular unit  110  and the drawer  120 , and any subassembly element thereof, may be constructed using wood, plastic, metal, or composite. These elements further be constructed using any suitable material providing adequate strength for the modular furniture  100  built using the modular units  110  and adequate strength for holding an owner’s belongings within the drawer  120 . To construct the modular units  110  and the drawer  120  in these other embodiments, the elements may be integrally formed as a single piece of construction or may be partially or entirely formed independently and combined using fasteners or other physical or chemical means for connection. 
     The modular units  110  of modular furniture  100  are secured together by magnetic connectors  200 . More specifically, the magnetic connectors  200  may secure the modular units  110  together using optimized magnetic fields produced by polymagnets having specific magnetic properties. Polymagnets as illustrated within the magnetic connectors  200  have optimized magnetic fields for exerting high polymagnet-to-polymagnet (“PTP”) holding forces when in close proximity to one another and aligning opposing polymagnets along their cylindrical axes. Using magnetism and specifically optimized polymagnets for securing the modular units  110  together allows for easy modular furniture  100  assembly and disassembly without sacrificing a secure, rigid connection. Polymagnets optimized for inter-magnet alignment easily align the modular units  110  when building modular furniture  100  and do not require traditional mechanical alignment (i.e., aligning individual furniture elements that may easily be incorrectly oriented). Further, polymagnets optimized for strong PTP connection at short separation distances create a secure connection between the modular units  110  to construct sturdy, reliable modular furniture  100  without the hassle of traditional mechanical furniture assembly (i.e., use of tools and fasteners like screws to assemble or disassemble individual furniture elements). 
     In some embodiments, the modular units  110  can further include alignment features or interconnecting mating features coupled to or integrally formed with a surface of the modular unit  110 . The alignment features can be corresponding structures of the modular units  110  that interlock when assembled, providing additional structural support between the modular units  110  while also providing visual guides for interconnecting the modular units  110 . For example, the alignment feature can be corresponding protrusions and recesses on opposing surfaces, such as pegs and holes, ribs and troughs, and any similar structures allowing for the protrusion to align with and fit within the recess when the module units  110  are assembled. 
       FIG.  3    is an isometric view of the back  150  of a modular unit  110  and  FIG.  4    is a planar view of the bottom  160  of a modular unit  110 . Together,  FIGS.  3  and  4    illustrate one mapping of magnetic connectors  200  on a modular unit  110 . This mapping provides four magnetic connectors  200  evenly spaced along a centerline of the back  150 , two magnetic connectors  200  evenly spaced along a centerline of the sides  170 , and one magnetic connector  200  centered within each of four evenly divided quadrants of the top  140  and bottom  160 . No magnetic connectors  200  are mapped on the front  130 . This mapping of magnetic connectors  200  allows for multiple modular units  110  with corresponding mappings to interchangeably connect and securely attach to one another. For example, the four magnetic connectors  200  evenly spaced on the top  140  of a first modular unit  110  will align with the four magnetic connectors  200  evenly spaced on the bottom  160  of a second modular unit  110 . Similarly, considering the same modular units  110 , the two magnetic connectors  200  on a left side  170  of the first modular unit  110  will align with two magnetic connectors  200  on a right side  170  of the second modular unit  110 . 
     In other embodiments, the magnetic connectors  200  may be mapped on each side  130 - 170  of the modular unit  110 . Alternatively, magnetic connectors  200  may be mapped on less than all or as few as one side  130 - 170  of the modular unit  110 . Relative to the mapping of  FIGS.  3  and  4   , additional magnetic connectors  200  may be needed on any one or more sides of the modular unit  110 , or an application may allow for fewer magnetic connectors  200 . Mapping of other embodiments may map magnetic connectors  200  using a standard separation distance, such as a specified distance, to allow for assembly of modular units  110  is any configuration regardless of orientation of adjacent modular units  110 . Mapping may also be unique to a specific modular unit  110  or modular furniture  100  setup to act as an alignment key for specific modular unit  110  assembly options. The ultimate decision for which modular unit sides  130 - 170  to include magnetic connectors  200  and their mapping depends on the shape, size, and intended modular unit  110  arrangement or modular furniture  100  to be built using the modular units  110 . 
     The magnetic connectors  200  are secured to the modular unit  110  in sockets  190  corresponding to the mapping.  FIG.  5    is an enlarged isometric view illustrating one embodiment of sockets  190  within the interior of the modular unit  110 . The sockets  190  are formed as recesses from the interior of a side  130 - 170  of a modular unit  110 . The sockets have a depth  192  and diameter  194  corresponding to the shape of the magnetic connector  200 . In an alternative embodiment, the sockets  190  are formed as blind holes through a side  130 - 170  of a modular unit, where the thickness of the blind hole is 1 mm. 
     The magnetic connectors  200  may be secured within any embodiment of the socket  190  byway of press-fit assembly, adhesives, or similar setting materials, or may be secured within the sockets  190  using hardware such as fasteners or additional nesting framework provided within the sockets  190  or the modular unit  110 . Some magnetic connectors  200  may instead include mechanical connection features such as threading, keyways, or similar features on their exterior for direct engagement with the modular unit  110 . Once secured within the sockets  190 , the magnetic connectors  200  may be covered with a cosmetic cap or another suitable sealing compound to further secure the magnetic connector  200  within the modular unit  110 , to create an aesthetically pleasing finish, or both. In an alternative embodiment where the modular units  110  are constructed using three-dimensional printing or another additive manufacturing processes, magnetic connectors  200  may instead in-part be integrally formed within a modular unit side  130 - 170 , as independently detailed for magnetic connector  200  elements below. 
       FIG.  6    is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a magnetic connector  200  in a shielded configuration. Magnetic connectors  200  have a shielded configuration and a locked configuration. In the shielded configuration, a polymagnet  260  within the magnetic connector  200  is retracted to a shielded position located centrally in the magnetic connector  200 , and when the magnetic connector  200  is installed in a modular unit  110 , the shielded position is recessed away from the exterior and interior surfaces of a modular unit side  130 - 170 . The magnetic field optimization of the polymagnet  260  is configured such that when in the shielded position, the polymagnet  260  will not engage with other magnets or ferrous objects other than similarly optimized polymagnets in close proximity and alignment. In the locked configuration, the polymagnet  260  within the magnetic connector  200  is in a locked position just below a cap  220  and engaged with the polymagnet  260  of an immediately adjacent magnetic connector  200 . In the locked position, engaged polymagnets  260  exert a strong holding force against one another, releasably locking the immediately adjacent magnetic connectors  200  together. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the magnetic connector  200  of  FIG.  6   , the exterior of the magnetic connector  200  is defined by a hollow cylindrical cage  210 , a base  212 , and the cap  220 . Within the cylindrical cage  210 , the magnetic connector  200  has a polymagnet void  250 , a polymagnet  260 , a bridge  270 , a steel mass  280 , and a steel mass void  290 . The cylindrical cage  210  is a non-ferrous, non-magnetic, thin-walled tube with an open end and a closed end at its base  212  with cylindrical cage’s  210  length dictated by the lengths of its internal components. The cylindrical cage  210  has an interior diameter corresponding with or slightly larger than the exterior diameter of the polymagnet  260  and an exterior diameter sized to fit within the recesses formed in the sides  130 - 170  of the modular unit  110  in the selected mapping pattern, given a desired assembly method. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the cap  220  is generally a disk corresponding with the shape of the cylindrical cage  210  and has a thickness  230 . The disk is constructed using a non-ferrous or non-magnetic material, is nonobstructive to magnetic forces, and may also include a flange for engaging with the open end of the cylindrical cage  210 . The cap  220  may be attached to the cylindrical cage  210  using press-fit assembly, adhesives or similar setting materials, threading, using hardware such as fasteners, or any alternative means for securely attaching the cap  220  to the cylindrical cage  210 . Once attached, the cap  220  provides a contact surface  222  perpendicular to the axis of the cylindrical cage  210 . 
     In another embodiment, the cap  220  may be integrally formed with the cylindrical cage  210  and instead the base  212  independent from and attached to the cylindrical cage  210  following a similar method as disclosed regarding the cap  220  of the illustrated embodiment in  FIG.  6   . In another embodiment, the cylindrical cage  210  may instead be a thin-walled tube with two open ends where the base  212  and cap  220  are respectively attached to the cylindrical cage  210  following a similar method as disclosed regarding the cap  220  of the illustrated embodiment in  FIG.  6   . Alternatively, in a further embodiment, the cylindrical cage  210  may be integrally formed within a side  130 - 170  of the modular unit  110  during modular unit side  130 - 170  manufacture. In this embodiment, the cap  220  and base  212  are either also integrally formed or later attached thereto using a similar method as disclosed regarding the cap  220  of the illustrated embodiment in  FIG.  6   . 
     Adjacent to the cap  220  is the polymagnet void  250  with a length  232 . The length  232  is at most half the diameter of the polymagnet  260  and acts to prevent the polymagnet  260  from reversing orientation within the cylindrical cage  210  or from binding against the interior of the cylindrical cage  210 . In the shielded configuration, the polymagnet  260  is in its shielded position within the polymagnet void  250 . The polymagnet  260  is a polymagnet as generally understood in the art, providing for custom, optimized magnet performance in specified use cases. In the present illustration, the polymagnet  260  is a cylinder, disk, or ring shaped polymagnet. When the polymagnet  260  is implemented as a ring, the inner diameter of the ring is substantially large relative to the outer diameter of the ring. In any implemented shape, the polymagnet  260  produces an optimized magnetic field for strong PTP holding force along its cylindrical axis at short separation distances and alignment along cylindrical axes between two polymagnets  260 . This field may exert a holding force against other magnets or ferrous objects also, but at weaker strengths than against other polymagnets  260 . Similarly, polymagnets  260  may only achieve their strongest PTP holding force when engaged with another polymagnet  260 . Referencing  FIG.  7   , an isometric view of the polymagnet  260  shown removed from the magnetic connector  200 , the illustrated polymagnet  260  is a cylindrical or disk-shaped neodymium polymagnet with a diameter  265 , attraction surfaces  268 , and a three-layer nickel-copper-nickel plating. In alternative embodiments, the polymagnet  260  may have varied magnetic field optimization or may likewise be varied in diameter  265  or length to provide stronger or weaker PTP holding forces for different magnetic connector  200  or modular unit  110  applications. Accordingly, the polymagnet void length  232  may be longer or shorter than half the diameter of the polymagnet  260  or otherwise modified to allow the polymagnet  260  to move within the polymagnet void  250  or to regulate the magnetic field of the polymagnet  260  at the cap contact surface  222 . 
       FIGS.  8  and  9    provide graphs of the magnetic holding force specifications for the illustrated polymagnet  260 . Referencing  FIG.  8   , a graph of PTP holding force given separation distance between polymagnets, polymagnet  260  is optimized for PTP applications, providing axial alignment of two polymagnets  260  along their cylindrical axis with peak PTP holding force when separated by less than 0.02 inches.  FIG.  8    shows near exponential increase in holding force as separation between polymagnets  260  decreases. The illustrated polymagnet  260  presents weaker magnet-to-steel holding forces than PTP forces. This difference is shown by comparing  FIG.  9   , detailing the magnet-to-steel holding force given separation between the polymagnet  260  and a steel plate of 0.031 inches thickness, with  FIG.  8   . Holding forces of  FIG.  8    (PTP) range from ~30% to ~500% greater that holding forces of  FIG.  9    (magnet-to-steel) given the same separation between magnet and magnet or magnet and steel. 
     Returning to  FIG.  6   , the polymagnet  260  is unobstructed to slide along the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical cage  210  within the polymagnet void  250 . In the shielded configuration, however, the polymagnet  260  is held in its shielded position by a holding force the polymagnet  260  exerts against the steel mass  280 , herein referenced as the shielded holding force. The shielded holding force is relative to a length  234  of the bridge  270  separating the polymagnet  260  and the steel mass  280  and the mass of the steel mass  280 . More specifically, the shielded holding force is directly a function of the bridge length  234  and the mass of the steel mass  280 . 
     The bridge  270  is made of a non-ferrous and non-magnetic material, is nonobstructive to magnetic forces, and acts as a barrier between the polymagnet  260  and the steel mass  280 , separating the polymagnet  260  and the steel mass a distance equal to length  234 . As illustrated, the bridge length  234  is 0.093 inches. The length  234  may be larger or smaller, however, given different magnetic connector  200  or modular unit  110  applications or when implementing polymagnets  260  having different optimizations. The bridge  270  may be integrally formed with the cylindrical cage  210  at the time of cylindrical cage  210  manufacture. Alternatively, the bridge  270  may be assembled within the cylindrical cage  210  by press-fit assembly, adhesives or similar setting materials assembly, or mechanical assembly using fasteners extending through the exterior of the cylindrical cage  210  and into the bridge  270 . Where the cylindrical cage  210  is integrally formed within a side  130 - 170  of the modular unit  110 , the bridge  270  may also be integrally formed within the cylindrical cage  210  in the side  130 - 170 . The bridge  270  may alternatively be assembled within the integral cylindrical cage  210  using the assembly methods described regarding a non-integral cylindrical cage  210 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the steel mass  280  is a cylinder or disk-shaped steel mass unobstructed to move within the steel mass void  290  and, when in the shielded configuration, is held against the bridge  270  by the shielded holding force. The steel mass  280  has a mass sufficient for the shielded holding force to hold the steel mass against the bridge  270 . The steel mass may alternatively be spherical, square, or any shape of a metal slug that fits within and may freely move within the steel mass void  290  when not in the shielded state. Although labeled “steel,” one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate that the steel mass  280  may be any ferrous or magnetic material suitable for attraction to the polymagnet  260 . 
     The steel mass void  290  as illustrated has a length  236  of at most half the diameter of the steel mass  280  to prevent the steel mass  280  from moving out of alignment with the cylindrical axis of the cylindrical cage  210  when the steel mass  280  is not held against the bridge  270 . In the varied embodiments of the steel mass  280 , the tail length  236  may alternatively be larger or smaller than the diameter of the steel mass  280  to allow the steel mass  280  to move unobstructed within the steel mass void  290 . The tail length  236 , in combination with the bridge length  234 , also acts to offset the polymagnet  260  in a shielded position away from the base  212  of the cylindrical cage  210 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the steel mass  280  may be rigidly coupled adjacent to the bridge  270 , either to the bridge  270  or to the cylindrical cage  210 . The steel mass  280  may be coupled to the bridge  270  or cylindrical cage  210  using press-fit assembly, adhesives or similar setting materials, threading, using hardware such as fasteners, or the steel mass  280  may be overmolded within the cylindrical cage  210  during an additive or molding manufacturing processes. In embodiments where the steel mass  280  is coupled adjacent to the bridge  270 , the steel mass void  290  instead acts to offset the polymagnet  260  from the base  212  of the cylindrical cage  210  when in the shielded configuration. The steel mass void  290  may be excluded from cylindrical cage  210  entirely when the steel mass  280  is coupled adjacent to the bridge  270 . When the steel mass void  290  is excluded, the polymagnet  260  of an embedded magnetic connector  200  may be offset from the interior surface of a side  130 - 170  by modifications in the socket depth  192 . 
       FIG.  10    is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of two opposing magnetic connectors  200 , both in the shielded configuration. The opposing contact surfaces  222  of the magnetic connectors  200  are separated by a gap  300 . The polymagnets  260  of each magnetic connector  200  presently exert a shielded holding force against their respective steel masses  280  equal to F s , holding both polymagnets  260  and steel masses  280  against their respective bridge  270  and, when embedded in a modular unit  110 , in a recessed location away from the exterior surfaces of the modular unit  110 . The optimized magnetic field produced by the polymagnets  260  of each magnetic connector  200  also exerts a holding force against the opposing polymagnet  260 , denoted F m . This PTP holding force is related to a shielded polymagnet void gaps  252 , the cap thicknesses  230 , and the gap  300 . More specifically, this holding force is a direct function of the sum of twice the shielded polymagnet void gap  252 , twice the cap thickness  230 , and the gap  300 . 
     When gap  300  is reduced and the opposing magnetic connector contact surfaces  222  approach one another, F m  increases, aligning the polymagnets  260  and their corresponding magnetic connectors  200 . When the gap  300  reaches a certain small distance, F m  will exceed F s  an achieve an activation holding force. At the activation holding force, the holding force polymagnets  260  exert against one another exceeds the shielded holding force the polymagnets  260  exert against their respective steel masses  280 . Because the activation holding force exceeds the shielded holding force, the polymagnets  260  move axially within their respective polymagnet voids  250  toward one another and their respective caps  220 . If polymagnets  260  do not begin to move axially, a slight perturbance to the magnetic connector  200  will help energize the polymagnets  260  to begin moving away from their locked position. The polymagnets  260  will continue to move toward one another until they contact their respective caps  220  and move to a locked position. In the locked position, the polymagnets  260  will work to eliminate any remaining gap  300  and exert a locked holding force against one another directly related to the thickness  230  of the caps  220 . More specifically, the locked holding force is a direct function of the sum of the cap thicknesses  230 . This locked holding force represents the greatest force the polymagnets  260  will exert against one another in this illustration. In other embodiments, the cap thickness  230  may be modified to produce stronger or weaker locked holding forces for different magnetic connector  200  or modular unit  110  applications. 
       FIG.  11    is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of two opposing magnetic connectors  200 , each in a locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the polymagnets  260  are aligned, in their respective locked positions, and exerting a locked holding force against one another. In reaching the locked position, the distance between the polymagnets  260  and the steel masses  280  increased, reducing the holding force exerted on the steel masses  280 . When this holding force on the steel masses  280  falls below a certain threshold, the steel masses  280  disconnect from their respective bridges  270  and move to a resting position within their respective steel mass voids  290 . The steel masses  280  will remain in their resting positions until the magnetic connectors  200  are removed from one another. In the resting position, steel masses  280  are separated from their respective bridges  270  by a steel mass void gap  284 . While in the locked position, the polymagnets  260  continue to exert a weak holding force on their respective steel masses  280 . This holding force is related to the locked polymagnet void gap  254 , the bridge length  234 , and the steel mass void gap  284 , and the mass of the steel mass  280 . More specifically, the holding force exerted is a direct function of the sum of the locked polymagnet void gap  254 , the bridge length  234 , and the steel mass void gap  284 , and the mass of the steel mass  280 . 
     In the locked configuration, the magnetic connectors  200  are aligned along their cylindrical axes and their contact surfaces  222  directly touch and oppose one another. The polymagnets  260 , separated only by their caps  220 , exert a strong locked holding force against one another. This locked holding force prevents the magnetic connectors  200  from separating without considerable external forces overcoming it. Considerable external forces can be an owner pulling or otherwise intentionally forcing adjacent modular units  110  apart from each other so that their magnetic connectors  200  are separated along their cylindrical axes. Alternatively, considerable external forces can be an owner pivoting an assembled modular unit  110  about its corner placing the cylindrical axes of the adjacent magnetic connectors  200  at a non-parallel angle and misaligning the optimization of the polymagnets  260 . As a further alternative, considerable external forces can be an owner sliding or otherwise laterally shifting adjacent modular units  110  and their associated magnetic connectors  200  away from one another while keeping their cylindrical axes and contact surfaces  222  in parallel, respectively. Each of these methods for separating the magnetic connectors  200  acts to increase the gap  300  between the magnetic connector contact surfaces  222 , thereby reducing the PTP holding force between the polymagnets  260 . 
     As the magnetic connectors  200  are separated and the gap  300  is increased, the holding force F m  between the polymagnets  260  will decrease. When F m  falls below the activation force F a , the shielded holding force F s  will exceed F m  and the polymagnets  260  will move within their respective polymagnet void  250  toward their respective steel mass  280 . The polymagnets  260  will continue to move toward their respective steel mass  280  until they return to their shielded position against their respective bridge  270 , again holding the steel masses  280  against their respective bridges  270  and returning the magnetic connectors  200  to their shielded configuration. 
       FIG.  12    is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of a magnetic connector  200  in the shielded configuration with a ferrous object  500  touching the magnetic connector contact surface  222 . Here, from the shielded position, the polymagnet  260  exerts a magnetic holding force against the ferrous object  500  and a shielded holding force against the steel mass  280 , as previously discussed. The holding force against the ferrous object  500  is related to the shielded polymagnet void gap  252 , the cap thickness  230 , and properties of the ferrous object  500 . More specifically, the holding force against the ferrous object  500  is a direct function of the sum of the shielded polymagnet void gap  252  and the cap thickness  230 , and the ferrous object’s  500  mass and shape. The shielded holding force is directly related to the bridge length  234  and the mass of the steel mass  280 . These distances (shielded polymagnet void gap  252 , cap thickness  230 , and bridge length  234 ) and the mass of the steel mass  280  are configured such that the shielded holding force exceeds the holding force the against ferrous object  500 , substantially regardless of the mass or shape of the ferrous object  500 . In this configuration, polymagnet  260  remains in the shielded position and away from the cap  220  when the magnetic connector  200  is in the shielded configuration. 
     Further, given the optimized magnetic field of the polymagnet  260 , the holding force against the ferrous object  500  is considerably weak. This force is weak so that the ferrous object  500  cannot activate the polymagnet  260  and force the magnetic connector  200  to be held against the ferrous object  500 . Similarly, this force is weak so the ferrous object  500  may not be held against the magnetic connector contact surface  222  by the polymagnet  260  in its shielded position. This configuration reduces the chances for the magnetic connector  200  to inadvertently connect to unintended ferrous objects  500 . 
       FIG.  13    is an isometric view illustrating one embodiment of magnetic connectors  200  installed within modular units  110  for alignment and securing modular units  110  to construct modular furniture  100 . The magnetic connectors  200  embedded within the sockets  190  of the modular units  110  are in the shielded configuration when the modular units  110  rest unassembled. When an owner wants to build modular furniture  100  using the modular units  110 , the owner places the modular units  110  near one another with the magnetic connectors  200  roughly aligned along their cylindrical axes  1310 . Then, the owner manually pushes the modular unit  110  toward one another  1320 , closing a gap  1330 . Once the gap  1330  is small, the opposing magnetic connector polymagnets  260  begin to exert PTP holding forces against one another. When the gap  1330  becomes very small, the holding force between the polymagnets  260  within the magnetic connectors  200  embedded in the modular units  110  will reach their activation holding force. Once activated, the polymagnet  260  move to their locked positions and cause the opposing magnetic connectors  200  to move to their locked configuration. In the locked configuration, the magnetic connectors  200  engage and draw the modular units  110  toward one another until their contact surfaces  222  connect. With the polymagnets  260  in their locked position and the magnetic connectors  200  in their locked configurations, the modular units  110  are rigidly assembled to form modular furniture  100 . 
     Rigidly assembled modular furniture  100  is temporarily locked together by the PTP forces between the polymagnets  260  within the magnetic connectors  200 . This temporary lock is dictated by the optimized holding force strength of the polymagnets  260  and configured to withstand normal use of the modular furniture, such as opening and closing of drawers, use of the top surface, or placement of a bed on a furniture assembly. When an owner wishes to disassemble the modular furniture  100 , he or she must simply apply a great-than-normal-use force on one of the modular units  110  to misalign the magnetic connectors  200 . Once misaligned, the magnetic connectors  200  return to their shielded configuration and the modular units  110  can be easily separated. Separated, individual modular units  110  may then easily be transported in a vehicle or by hand to a new location or a new arrangement. 
     The above description and drawings are illustrative and are not to be construed as limiting. Numerous specific details are described to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. However, in some instances, well-known details are not described in order to avoid obscuring the description. Further, various modifications may be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments. 
     Reference in this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the disclosure. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, nor are separate or alternative embodiments mutually exclusive of other embodiments. Moreover, various features are described which may be exhibited by some embodiments and not by others. Similarly, various requirements are described which may be requirements for some embodiments but not for other embodiments. 
     The terms used in this specification generally have their ordinary meanings in the art, within the context of the disclosure, and in the specific context where each term is used. It will be appreciated that the same thing can be said in more than one way. Consequently, alternative language and synonyms may be used for any one or more of the terms discussed herein, and any special significance is not to be placed upon whether or not a term is elaborated or discussed herein. Synonyms for some terms are provided. A recital of one or more synonyms does not exclude the use of other synonyms. The use of examples anywhere in this specification, including examples of any term discussed herein, is illustrative only and is not intended to further limit the scope and meaning of the disclosure or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the disclosure is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification. 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 disclosure pertains. In the case of conflict, the present document, including definitions, will control. 
     As used herein, the word “or” refers to any possible permutation of a set of items. For example, the phrase “A, B, or C” refers to at least one of A, B, and C, or any combination therefore, such as any of A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; A, B, and C; or multiple of any item such as A and A; B, B, and C; A, A, B, C, and C; etc. 
     Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Specific embodiments and implementations have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but various modifications can be made without deviating from the scope of the embodiments and implementations. The specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims that follow. Accordingly, the embodiments and implementations are not limited except as by the appended claims.