Abstract:
A connector uses complimentary magnetic arrays and mating surfaces on its plug and receptacle to facilitate connection and disconnection of the connector. The plug includes a magnetic array wherein the polarity of the magnets facing the receptacle when the plug and receptacle are connected is selected such that they can only be mated with a complimentary magnetic array on the receptacle when the plug has a desired orientation with respect to the receptacle. The plug and receptacle also have mechanical mating surfaces on their circumference that are shaped such that the plug and the receptacle can only be connected with the desired orientation. The plug can be separated from the receptacle by rotating the plug with respect to the receptacle such that the mechanical mating surfaces break the magnetic connection between the complimentary magnetic arrays.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed generally toward a magnetically coupled connector. More particularly, an embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a magnetic connector that uses magnetic and physical features to insure a proper plug to receptacle alignment or orientation when the connector is used. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A wide variety of electrical connectors are known and used in the prior art. These connectors generally consist of a plug and a receptacle designed to receive the plug. The connectors typically use a mechanical or friction fit to couple the plug to the receptacle. Unfortunately, the connectors are sometimes inadvertently decoupled due to an accident such as when a person trips over a cable attached to the connector. These inadvertent decouplings can result in a broken connector or even damage to the connected electronic device such as by pulling a lap top computer off of a table and causing it to drop to the floor. If the plug is designed to be easily removed from the receptacle to prevent this type of damage, the plug may not maintain satisfactory electrical contact between the electrical contacts in the plug and the receptacle. 
     Another problem with prior art connectors is that uncoupling the plug from the receptacle often temporarily breaks the connections between some of the electrical contacts in the plug and receptacle while leaving other electrical contacts connected. This can lead to surge currents in the device when the plug is disconnected from the receptacle that may damage the electronics associated with the device. Therefore, what is needed is an improved connector. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a connector that includes a plug having a plug magnet and a plug face and a receptacle having a receptacle magnet and a receptacle face. The plug and receptacle magnets are positioned on the faces such that a magnetic polarity of the magnets urges the plug to mate with the receptacle such that the plug has with a predetermined orientation or alignment with respect to the receptacle. The magnets can also be arranged to urge the plug and receptacle to mate with one of two predetermined orientations if desired. The plug face and the receptacle face also have mating surfaces that are shaped such that the plug and receptacle can only be connected when the plug has the predetermined orientation or orientations with respect to the receptacle. Preferably, each of the mating surfaces has a raised portion that mates with a corresponding lowered portion of the opposing mating surface when the plug has the predetermined orientation with respect to the receptacle. The plug can be disconnected from the receptacle by rotating the plug with respect to the receptacle. A ground contact is positioned on the plug face and the receptacle face. The ground contact on the plug face is electrically connected to the ground contact on the receptacle face prior to an electrical connection being established between any other electrical contacts on the plug and receptacle faces when the plug is mated to the receptacle. The electrical connection between the ground contacts of the plug and the receptacle remains connected until all other electrical connections between the plug and the receptacle are broken when the plug and the receptacle are disconnected. Preferably, one of the ground contacts is a conductive ring and the other of the ground contacts is a biased ground pin. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward an apparatus for establishing electrical connections between electrical contacts of a plug and electrical contacts of a receptacle. The apparatus includes at least one magnet positioned on the plug and at least magnet positioned on the receptacle. The magnets are positioned such that a magnetic polarity of the magnets forces the plug to mate with the receptacle such that the plug has a desired orientation with respect to the receptacle. The at least one magnet on the plug and the receptacle preferably include a circular array of magnets. The apparatus also has a mechanical feature that mates with a mechanical feature of the receptacle. The mechanical features force the plug to mate with the receptacle with the desired orientation with respect to the receptacle. The mechanical feature of the plug has raised portions and lowered portions positioned around a circumference of the plug that mate with corresponding raised and lower portions of the mechanical feature of the receptacle. One of the plug and the receptacle has a biased ground pin such that an electrical ground connection between the plug and the receptacle is established prior to an electrical connection being established between any of the electrical contacts in the plug and the electrical contacts in the receptacle when the plug is connected to the receptacle. The biased ground pin preferably mates with a grounding ring of the plug or receptacle. 
     Yet another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward a connector. The connector includes a first connector end having at least one magnet positioned on a mating surface thereof and a second connector end having at least one magnet positioned on mating surface thereof. The magnets are arranged such that a polarity of the magnets forces the first connector end to have a predetermined orientation with respect to the second connector end when the first and second connector ends are mated. A mating surface of the first connector end is shaped such that it can only mate with a mating surface of the second connector end when the first connector end has the predetermined orientation with respect to the second connector end. The first mating surface slopes between a high portion and a low portion such that the first connector end can be separated from the second connector end by rotating the first connector end with respect to the second connector end. The first connector end and the second connector end each have an electrical ground contact. The electrical ground contacts are electrically connected when the first connector end is mated to the second connector end prior to any other electrical contacts of the first connector end and the second connector end being electrically connected. One of the electrical ground contacts is preferably a spring biased pin and the other is a conductive ring. In a most preferred embodiment, one of the plug and the receptacle is mounted on a portable electronic device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1(   a - c ) are illustrations of a plug and receptacle of a magnetically aligned connector constructed in accordance an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a plug and receptacle of a magnetically aligned connector constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a close up illustration of the plug of the magnetically aligned connector of  FIG. 2  constructed in accordance an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a close up illustration of the receptacle of the magnetically aligned connector of  FIG. 2  constructed in accordance an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a magnetically aligned connector for use with a portable media player constructed in accordance an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1(   a - c ), a pair of mating connectors constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Each of the connector ends  1  and  3  has a pair of magnets  5 ,  7 ,  9  and  11 , preferably Neodymium magnets, positioned thereon. The magnets are constructed such that the polarity of the magnets is aligned such that magnetic attraction between the magnets draws and holds the connector ends  1  and  3  together when the connector ends are properly aligned. The magnets  9  and  11  on one connector end  3  are recessed while the magnets  5  and  7  on the other end  1  protrude to provide a limited physical connection as well as a magnetic connection when the connector ends  1  and  3  are properly aligned and coupled. In addition, in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1(   a )-( c ), the magnets are electrically connected to conductors in the cable  13  and connector  15 . These electrical connections allow electrical signals and power to be transferred from a device coupled to the connector  15  and the cable  13 . For example, if the other end of the cable  15  is connected to a power supply and the connector  13  is coupled to a portable electronic device such as a digital media player, the magnetic connections can be used to transfer power for charging the portable electronic device from the power supply. However, the magnetic connection between the magnets  5 ,  7 ,  9  and  11  can be more easily, quickly and safely broken than the physical connection between the connector  13  and the portable electronic device. Thus, if the cord is pulled on, the device or connector  13  will not be damaged. While two magnetic connections are shown in  FIGS. 1(   a - c ) for exemplary purposes, any number of connections could be made. The polarity of the magnets will simply be alternated individually or in groups such that the connectors will attract when properly aligned. In addition, physical features may be used to further facilitate proper alignment as described below. Also, while the conductivity of the magnets is generally sufficient for data transmission, the magnets may be coated with a conductive material to improve their conductivity if desired. 
     Another embodiment of the present invention is directed toward an alignment and engagement device that couples two given bodies at a specific orientation through use of (1) strategically positioned and polarized magnet arrays, and (2) complementarily shaped mating surfaces. Referring now to  FIG. 2 , the connector consists of a plug  2  and receptacle  4 , each containing an array of magnets  6  and  8  that coerce the plug  2  and receptacle  4  into a preferred orientation when they are in close proximity, and a series of mechanical features  10  and  12  that coerce the plug  2  and receptacle  4  into a specific orientation when they are touching. Once the plug  2  and receptacle  4  are coupled in the proper orientation, a magnetic bond between the magnetic arrays  6  and  8  of the plug  2  and receptacle  4  sustains the engagement between the plug  2  and receptacle  4 .  FIG. 3  is a close up view of the plug of  FIG. 2  more clearly showing the mating surface  12  and  FIG. 4  is a close up view of the receptacle of  FIG. 2  showing the mating surface  10 . 
     The magnets in the magnetic arrays  6  and  8  are preferably cylindrical magnets that have a “north” polarity on one end face and a “south” magnetic polarity on the other face. The magnets are arranged in the arrays  6  and  8  such that when the plug  2  is properly oriented with respect to the receptacle  4 , the magnets in the receptacle array  6  align with magnets of opposite polarity in the magnetic array  8  of the plug  2  thereby holding the plug  2  firmly against the receptacle  4 . Conversely, when a user guides the plug  2  towards the receptacle  4  at an unfavorable magnetic polar orientation, the magnet arrays  6  and  8  exert forces of magnetic repulsion that the user can circumvent by rotating the plug  2  several degrees in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction such that the opposite polarity magnets in the magnetic arrays  6  and  8  are properly aligned. When the magnetic array  8  on the plug  2  encounters a favorable polar orientation with respect to the magnetic array  6  on the receptacle  4 , the magnetic forces of attraction pull the plug  2  towards the receptacle  4 . As the plug  2  and receptacle  4  are drawn closer together, the mechanical mating surfaces  10  and  12  of plug  2  and receptacle  4  make contact, at which point the user is able to release the plug  2  and allow the combination of magnetic attraction and mechanical guidance to couple the connector with a specific, desired orientation. Thus, a connector constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is easier to properly connect than prior art connectors. 
     A connector constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is also easier to disconnect than prior art connectors. The plug  2  can be disconnected from the receptacle  4  by simply rotating the plug  2  in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction. The effect of this rotation is twofold. First, due to the complementary shapes of the plug and receptacle&#39;s respective mating surfaces  10  and  12 , rotating the plug  2  will cause the protruding edge of the plug to move towards the leading edge of the receptacle  4 . This movement will increase the distance between plug  2  and receptacle  4 , thereby diminishing the magnetic bond between the magnetic arrays  6  and  8  positioned thereon. Secondly, due to the strategic polarization of their respective magnet arrays  6  and  8 , rotating the plug  2  will cause the magnets of the plug to move out of a favorable polar orientation with the magnets of the receptacle  4 . This movement will cause the magnets  6  and  8  of plug  2  and receptacle  4  to repulse each other, thereby leading to disengagement of the connector ends. Thus, the coincidence of the mechanical separation of, and the magnetic disorientation of, the plug  2  and receptacle  4  allow for a graceful and effortless disengagement of the connector. Alternatively, the plug can be pulled straight back from the receptacle by a user applying sufficient force to simply overcome the magnetic attraction between the magnets  6  and  8 . 
     An embodiment of the present invention directed toward a magnetic and mechanical engagement device for a wired electrical connector provides a number of advantages. A wired electrical connector, such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector, consists of a plug and receptacle that connect to each other in a specific orientation. To prevent damaging currents, pins that communicate data, power, and ground, must connect to each other in a certain sequence. For example, in the case of a USB connector, the ground pins must be the first to connect and the last to disconnect. Previously, the shape of wired electrical connectors has been constrained by this necessity. However, embodiments of the present invention provide for a wired electrical connector that can be coupled and decoupled much more easily than prior art connectors. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention allow the plug to be disconnected from the receptacle at any angle without damaging the electrical circuits of the serial bus. This is accomplished by ensuring that, regardless of the angle of decoupling, the ground pins of the connector will always be the last pins to disconnect. The order in which the pins disconnect is determined by the arrangement and height of the ground pins  14  on the receptacle  4  in relation to a ground contact ring  18  on the plug  2 . Taller, spring-loaded, ground pins  14  on the contact platter of the receptacle circumscribe shorter data pins  16 . These ground pins  14  make contact with a ground contact ring  18  on the plug  2  that circumscribes a contact platter of data pins  20 . At any angle of decoupling, the last pin to disconnect will necessarily be one of the taller, spring-loaded, ground pins  14  on the contact platter of the receptacle  4 . 
     Embodiments of the present invention also prevent damage to associated electronic devices by insuring that the magnetically coupled connector will decouple when subjected to a force that exceeds the magnetic attraction of the connector. Sometimes cable connectors are inadvertently decoupled when a person trips over the associated cable. This often leads to a broken connector and possibly even to damage to the connected electronic device (e.g., by pulling the device off of a table and causing it to drop to the floor). Because embodiments of the present invention utilize a magnetic connection, they allow for the connector to decouple when a sudden force is applied without resulting in any damage to the connector or the associated electronic device. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5  an embodiment of the present invention used to secure a remote control  30  to a portable electronic device  32  is shown. The details of the device  32  and the remote  30  are beyond the scope of the present invention and omitted for clarity. Complimentary mating surfaces  34  are positioned on the device  32  and the remote  30 . In addition, complimentary magnetic arrays  36  are positioned on a magnetic platter  38  of the device  32  and the remote  30 . Thus, the remote  30  can be attached to the device  32  merely by placing the remote  30  in close proximity to the mating surface  34  of the device  32 . The remote  30  will then rotate to correctly orient itself on the face of the device  32 . Furthermore, the remote  30  can be removed from the device  32  by simply twisting the remote  30  with respect to the device  32  and thereby causing the mating surfaces  34  and magnetic arrays  36  to interact and disconnect the remote  30  from the device  32 . Also, if a shock force is applied to the remote  30  or the device  32 , the remote  30  will simply separate from the device  32  with damaging any connecting components. Thus, the present invention can be used to connect any two devices or components desired, with or without establishing an electrical connection. Therefore, the present invention represents a substantial improvement upon the prior art. 
     The magnets discussed herein may be permanent or electric/electromagnets. In embodiments using electric magnets, the magnets can be turned off or switch polarity such that the connector will disconnect upon the occurrence of an event. This triggering event could be the completion of a charging cycle or because of detected compatibility or authorization problems. The magnets may also deactivate when the power is removed such that the connection automatically is broken. The device may also sense the connections and then alter the magnets polarity accordingly to either enable or disable the connection. 
     The magnets discussed herein may also be covered with a conductive coating to improve the electrical connections between aligned magnets in embodiments that communicate or transfer signals through the magnets. Preferably, the magnets are coated with nickel. 
     In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the magnetic connectors of the present invention may also be incorporated into portable device cases to provide external access to the electrical contacts of the device concealed within the case. The connectors are beneficial in such a situation in that they can provide airtight access to the contacts of the device contained within the case while also providing all of the above discussed alignment and disconnection benefits of the magnetically aligned connector contacts discussed herein. 
     Although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful MAGNETIC CONNECTOR herein, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.