Patent Description:
<CIT> relates to a plug connector having a terminal protector. When the plug connector is in a non working condition (not mated with a receptacle connector), moveable terminals are located in a through hole of an insulative housing. When the plug connector is in a working condition (mated with the receptacle connector), a magnetic element and a socket magnetic element are attracted to each other. The insulative housing is moved backwards by the force of the external force to drive elastic elements to be compressed backward, and the moveable terminals are exposed to the outside of the insulative housing. The plug connector and the receptacle connector are mated together and the moveable terminals are contacted with the circuit terminal to complete the electrical connection.

Examples are disclosed that relate to connector systems, magnetic plug assemblies and methods for mating a magnetic plug assembly with a plurality of receptacles. In one example, a magnetic plug assembly comprises a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets. A plug tip extends through the aperture, and one or more biasing elements urge the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, with the moveable member being moveable relative to the plug tip.

As noted above, some users may experience difficulties in mating the plug of an electronic connector with its corresponding receptacle, especially when such components are of a relatively smaller size. Additionally, when the receptacle is located in an inconvenient or awkward location, such as on the rear or side wall of a device, making such a connection can prove particularly challenging.

Some connector plugs may utilize magnets to attract the plug to a corresponding receptacle. Magnetic connection can offer an improved user experience by helping a user to align the plug tip and receptacle. Such connectors also may reduce the insertion force required to seat the plug tip. In some cases magnetic connectors also may protect the user's device from damage when the cable extending from the connector is inadvertently yanked from the device.

However, for some types of connectors the use of such magnetic assistance could be problematic. For example, USB-C is an industry standard that is utilized to provide connectivity options to many consumer electronic products. The standard USB-C plug and receptacle utilize a frictional engagement to attach and detach. Given the length of a standard USB-C receptacle, such a receptacle would require a strong magnetic force to cause the plug tip and receptacle to mate. For example, the inventors of the present disclosure have determined that for a standard USB-C plug and receptacle fitted with magnets, the length of the receptacle would require much greater than 20N of magnetic pull force for the plug tip to mate with the receptacle without user assistance. Additionally, to remove a magnetically seated plug, the user would have to pull the plug with greater than 30N of force, which is much higher than the standard extraction force of 20N specified by the USB-C standard. Such higher required insertion and disconnection forces could result in a poor user experience. Additionally, exerting greater than 30N of force to remove a seated plug could result in damage to the plug, connected cable or both.

Accordingly, the present disclosure describes connector systems, magnetic plug assemblies and receptacles, and related methods that address one or more of the above-described issues. As described in more detail below, the systems and assemblies of the present disclosure enable users to easily and conveniently mate the disclosed magnetic plug assemblies with both magnetic and non-magnetic receptacles with minimal human effort. Additionally, the force required to disconnect the plug assemblies from receptacles is reduced, thereby further improving the user experience and avoiding potential plug/receptacle damage caused by higher extraction forces.

While the following description is provided in relation to a USB-C connector, the features and concepts of the present disclosure also may be utilized with other electronic plugs and receptacles that may have different sizes and/or configurations, and may be associated with different communication and/or power protocols, or with no particular protocol. Examples of other protocols that may be utilized with the plug assemblies and receptacles of the present disclosure may include, but are not limited to, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt, HDMI, USB-A, Mini- and Micro-USB, etc..

With reference now to <FIG>, simplified illustrations of a computing device <NUM> including a magnetic receptacle <NUM> and a magnetic plug assembly <NUM> according to an example of the present disclosure are provided. <FIG> shows a perspective view of computing device <NUM> and magnetic plug assembly <NUM>, and <FIG> and <FIG> show the plug assembly and a partial view of the magnetic receptacle <NUM> of computing device <NUM>. <FIG> and <FIG> show views of the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> with an outer housing <NUM> removed to reveal biasing elements. As described in more detail below, in some examples the biasing elements enable the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> to also be utilized with a standard (non-magnetic) receptacle. Similarly, in some examples the magnetic receptacle <NUM> may be utilized with a standard (non-magnetic) plug. <FIG> shows the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> with outer housing <NUM> installed and connected to the magnetic receptacle <NUM>.

The magnetic receptacle <NUM> may include one or more receptacle magnets. In the present example, magnetic receptacle <NUM> includes a first receptacle magnet <NUM> and a second receptacle magnet <NUM> on opposing sides of an opening <NUM>. In this example, the receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are located behind the bottom wall <NUM> and internal to the computing device <NUM>, and thus are illustrated in dotted line. In other examples, one or both receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be located above and/or below the opening <NUM>. In other examples, a single, continuous magnet may encircle the opening <NUM>.

As illustrated in this example, the magnetic receptacle <NUM> may be a USB-C receptacle and the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> may be a USB-C plug. The magnetic receptacle <NUM> may include an electronic connector <NUM>. In examples where the magnetic receptacle <NUM> is a USB-C receptacle, the electronic connector <NUM> may be a USB-C printed circuit board (PCB) tongue comprising a plurality of receptacle electronic contacts, such as metal contacts. As it will be appreciated, the electronic contacts may engage corresponding plug electronic contacts in the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> to enable data and/or power communication between the receptacle and the plug assembly.

As described in more detail below, in this example the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> includes a moveable member <NUM> that comprises an enclosure <NUM> in which a first plug magnet <NUM> and a second plug magnet <NUM> are located (See also <FIG> showing moveable member <NUM> with the enclosure removed). In this example, the first plug magnet <NUM> and the second plug magnet <NUM> are located on opposing sides of a plug tip <NUM>. The plug tip <NUM> extends through an aperture <NUM> formed in an end face <NUM> of the moveable member <NUM>. A plurality of plug electronic contacts are provided inside the plug tip <NUM>. The plug electronic contacts are configured to engage corresponding receptacle contacts as described above when the plug tip is at least partially inserted into the receptacle.

In other examples, one or both plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may be located above and/or below the aperture and the plug tip <NUM>. In the present example, the number of receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> and plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> is the same. In other examples of connector systems, the number of receptacle magnets and plug magnets may be different. In another example of a magnetic plug assembly <NUM>, and with reference now to <FIG>, one or more magnet(s) <NUM> may encircle the plug tip <NUM> and aperture <NUM>.

Returning to <FIG>, the receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> and/or plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may comprise any suitable type of magnet, such as permanent magnets and/or electromagnets, and may be formed of various magnetic materials. In various examples, the magnetic materials may include rare-earth magnets, such as neodymium ferrite boron (NdFeB), ferromagnetic materials, or other types of magnets. The receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> and plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may each generate a magnetic force. The magnetic force may be <NUM> Newtons (N), <NUM> N, <NUM> N, <NUM> N, <NUM> N, <NUM> N, or any other suitable value.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> further comprises a housing <NUM> that includes an opening <NUM> at a plug tip end of the housing. A cable <NUM> may extend from a cable end of the housing <NUM>. As described and illustrated in more detail below, the housing <NUM> encloses a portion of the moveable member <NUM>, such that the moveable member extends through the opening <NUM> of the housing and is moveable relative to the housing. The housing <NUM> may enclose one or more electrical and/or mechanical components of the magnetic plug assembly <NUM>.

As described in more detail below, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> may be inserted into the magnetic receptacle <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, as the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> is moved closer to the magnetic receptacle <NUM>, magnetic fields from the plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> and the receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> may pull the magnetic plug assembly toward the magnetic receptacle such that the plug tip <NUM> is drawn onto and over the electronic connector/tongue <NUM> and seated within the magnetic receptacle. Inserting the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> into the magnetic receptacle <NUM> may comprise aligning the magnetic plug assembly with the receptacle. The orientations of the poles ("N" for North, "S" for South) of the plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> and the receptacle magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to facilitate drawing the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> and plug tip <NUM> into the magnetic receptacle <NUM> and/or aligning the plug assembly with the receptacle. In some examples, such as with USB-C, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> may be inserted into the magnetic receptacle in either of two <NUM> degree orientations. It will be appreciated that the pole orientations shown in <FIG> are just one example, and other various orientations may be utilized.

With reference again to <FIG>, the magnetic receptacle <NUM> may be shorter than the standard USB-C receptacle. For example, within the opening <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM>, a distance C from the bottom wall <NUM> to a rear face <NUM> of the receptacle may be approximately <NUM>. Additionally and as described in more detail below, the moveable member <NUM> is moveable between an extended position as shown in <FIG> (which is its default position) and a retracted position (shown in <FIG>) that enables the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> to be used with longer receptacles, such as a standard length USB-C receptacle. For example and as described in more detail below, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> may comprise one or more biasing elements that urge the moveable member <NUM> and the plug magnets <NUM>, <NUM> toward a distal end of the plug tip <NUM>, with the moveable member being moveable relative to the plug tip and to the housing <NUM> and a base member <NUM> interior to the housing. In the examples of <FIG>, the one or more biasing elements comprise a first spring <NUM> and a second spring <NUM>. In other examples, any suitable form of one or more biasing elements may be utilized, such as one or more elastomeric members.

With reference to <FIG>, in this example the first spring <NUM> is positioned adjacent to first plug magnet <NUM> and the second spring <NUM> is positioned adjacent to the second plug magnet <NUM>. In other examples, the first spring <NUM> and/or second spring <NUM> may be located in other positions relative to the magnets.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG> showing the moveable member <NUM> in the extended position, in this example the plug tip <NUM> extends from the aperture <NUM> in the end face <NUM> of the moveable member by a distance A of approximately <NUM>. The first and second springs <NUM>, <NUM> maintain the moveable member <NUM> in this extended position, which creates an extended gap B between a rear wall <NUM> of the moveable member and a shoulder <NUM> of the base member <NUM>. In this manner, and with reference to <FIG>, the plug tip <NUM> may be fully seated within magnetic receptacle <NUM> when it extends into the receptacle by approximately <NUM>, such that the plug electronic contacts mate with the receptacle electronic contacts to electronically couple the plug assembly <NUM> to the receptacle <NUM>. Additionally and as depicted in <FIG>, the magnetic receptacle <NUM> is configured to allow the plug tip <NUM> to seat inside the magnetic receptacle without causing movement of the moveable member <NUM> relative to the plug tip. In other words and as shown in <FIG>, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> and the magnetic receptacle <NUM> are configured to cause the plug tip <NUM> to seat within the receptacle while the extended gap B remains substantially unchanged.

In this manner, and in one potential advantage of the present disclosure, the shortened length of the magnetic receptacle <NUM> in combination with the configurations of magnets described above may enable the plug tip <NUM> to seat within the receptacle with a reduced mating force of approximately <NUM> N. Accordingly and in some examples, when a user moves the plug tip <NUM> toward the magnetic receptacle <NUM>, the magnets may pull and seat the plug tip <NUM> within the receptacle without any additional force from the user. In some examples and as described in more detail below, one or more latching features in the plug tip <NUM> also may cooperate with the length of the receptacle <NUM> and the magnet configuration to enable the plug tip <NUM> to seat within the receptacle with a reduced mating force. Similarly and as described below, in some examples a guiding angle and interference dimensions of the electronic connector/tongue <NUM> of the magnetic receptacle <NUM> also may be configured to reduce the insertion force as described above.

Additionally, and in another potential advantage of the present disclosure, the shortened length of the magnetic receptacle <NUM> in combination with the configurations of magnets described above may reduce the disconnect force required to remove the plug tip <NUM> from the receptacle. In the example of <FIG>, the disconnect force may be approximately <NUM>. In some examples and as described in more detail below, one or more latching features in the plug tip <NUM> also may cooperate with the length of the receptacle <NUM> and the magnet configuration to enable a user to disconnect the plug tip <NUM> from the receptacle with a reduced disconnect force. Similarly and as described below, in some examples a guiding angle and interference dimensions of the electronic connector/tongue <NUM> of the magnetic receptacle <NUM> also may be configured to reduce the required disconnect force.

With reference now to <FIG>, and in another potential advantage of the present disclosure, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> also may be utilized to fully seat the plug tip <NUM> within other configurations of receptacles. For example and as shown in <FIG>, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> may be utilized with a standard, non-magnetic USB-C receptacle <NUM>. As described in more detail below, the moveable member <NUM> may enable the plug tip <NUM> to fully extend into the opening <NUM> of the receptacle <NUM> and seat within the longer cavity of the receptacle.

With reference now to <FIG>, a user may partially insert the plug tip <NUM> into the opening <NUM> until the end face <NUM> of the moveable member <NUM> contacts a wall <NUM> of the computing device in which the receptacle <NUM> is installed. In this position, the moveable member is in the extended position as described above, but the electronic contacts of the plug tip may not be engaging the corresponding contacts in the receptacle <NUM>. Accordingly and as shown in <FIG>, the user may then push the moveable member in the -X axis direction to further insert the plug tip <NUM> into the receptacle <NUM> and cause the electronic contacts of the plug tip to engage the corresponding contacts of the receptacle, and to seat the plug tip in the receptacle. In this manner, the plug tip <NUM> moves in the X-axis direction relative to the body <NUM> of the moveable member <NUM>, such that the plug tip extends further outwardly from the aperture <NUM> in the end face <NUM> of the moveable member.

<FIG> provides an illustration of the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> with the moveable member <NUM> in the retracted position. As best seen in this figure and <FIG>, when the plug tip <NUM> is seated within receptacle <NUM>, the moveable member <NUM> is in a retracted position relative to the base member <NUM> of the magnetic plug assembly. In this example, in this retracted position the plug tip <NUM> extends from the aperture of the moveable member by a longer distance F of approximately <NUM>. In this retracted position, first spring <NUM> and a second spring <NUM> are compressed and create a smaller gap D between rear wall <NUM> of the moveable member and shoulder <NUM> of the base member <NUM>. In this example the gap D may be approximately <NUM>.

Accordingly, and in another potential advantage of the present disclosure, the magnetic plug assembly <NUM> also may be utilized with other magnetic and non-magnetic receptacles having contacts located deeper into the receptacle, such as standard USB-C receptacles.

<FIG> illustrates one example of a plug contact configuration that may be utilized within the plug tip <NUM> to further enable the plug tip to easily seat within a receptacle and be easily disconnected and removed from the receptacle. In this example, a first plug contact <NUM> and opposing second plug contact <NUM> are shown. Each plug contact is configured to have an insertion guiding angle <NUM> of between approximately <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. In one example the insertion guiding angle may be approximately <NUM> degrees. Each plug contact also may have a radius <NUM> of between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>. In one example the radius may be approximately <NUM> degrees. Each plug contact also may have an interference dimension <NUM> of between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>. In one example the interference dimension may be approximately <NUM>. In this manner, and using one or more of these plug contact dimensions, the plug tip may be easily seated within a receptacle and also may be easily disconnected and removed from the receptacle.

With reference now to <FIG>, one example of a latch mechanism is illustrated that may be utilized inside the plug tip <NUM> to further enable the plug tip to easily seat within a receptacle and be easily disconnected and removed from the receptacle. The latch mechanism may cooperate with a corresponding electronic connector, such as PCB tongue <NUM> shown in <FIG>, of a receptacle to create an interference between the plug tip and the receptacle that needs to be overcome during attachment and detachment of the two parts. In this example, a first latch <NUM> and opposing second latch <NUM> are shown. Each latch is configured to have an insertion guiding angle <NUM> of between approximately <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. In one example the insertion guiding angle <NUM> may be approximately <NUM> degrees. The latches <NUM> and <NUM> also may be configured to create an interference dimension <NUM> of between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>. In one example the interference dimension <NUM> may be approximately <NUM>. In this manner, and using one or more of these latch configurations, the plug tip may be easily and securely seated within a receptacle, and also may be easily disconnected and removed from the receptacle.

In a similar manner and with reference now to <FIG>, one example of a PCB tongue <NUM> for a receptacle is illustrated that may be utilized with a latch mechanism as described herein. In this example a guiding angle, radius and interference dimensions of the tongue are configured cooperate with a latch mechanism of a plug tip to enable a user to easily and securely seat the plug tip within the receptacle, while also enabling easy disconnection and removal from the receptacle. In this example, a guiding angle <NUM> of the tongue <NUM> may be between approximately <NUM> degrees and <NUM> degrees. In one example the guiding angle may be approximately <NUM> degrees. The tongue <NUM> also may have a radius <NUM> of approximately <NUM>. The tongue <NUM> also may have an interference dimension <NUM> of between approximately <NUM> and <NUM>. In one example the interference dimension <NUM> may be approximately <NUM>. In this manner, and using one or more of these tongue configurations, a plug tip may be easily and securely seat over the tongue, and also may be easily disconnected and removed from the receptacle.

With reference now to <FIG>, an example of a method. <NUM> for mating a magnetic plug assembly with a plurality of receptacles is provided. The following description of method <NUM> is provided with reference to the components described herein and shown in <FIG>. It will be appreciated that method <NUM> also may be performed in other contexts using other suitable hardware and software components.

With reference to <FIG>, at <NUM> the method <NUM> may include inserting the magnetic plug assembly into a magnetic receptacle, wherein the magnetic plug assembly comprises a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets; a plug tip extending through the aperture; and one or more biasing elements urging the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the plug tip; and the magnetic receptacle comprises one or more magnets configured to attract the one or more magnets of the moveable member to cause the plug tip to slide at least partially into the magnetic receptacle. At <NUM> the method <NUM> may include inserting the plug tip of the magnetic plug tip assembly into a non-magnetic receptacle.

At <NUM> the method <NUM> may include wherein the magnetic receptacle is configured to allow the plug tip to seat inside the magnetic receptacle without causing movement of the moveable member relative to the plug tip. At <NUM> the method <NUM> may include, wherein inserting the plug tip into the non-magnetic receptacle further comprises causing movement of the moveable member relative to the plug tip from an extended position to a retracted position. At <NUM> the method <NUM> may include, wherein the magnetic plug assembly further comprises a housing enclosing a portion of the moveable member, and inserting the plug tip into the non-magnetic receptacle further comprises causing movement of the moveable member relative to the housing.

The following paragraphs provide additional support for the claims of the subject application. One aspect provides a magnetic plug assembly, comprising a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets; a plug tip extending through the aperture; and one or more biasing elements urging the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the plug tip. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, a housing enclosing a portion of the moveable member, wherein the housing comprises an opening at a plug tip end through which the moveable member extends. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member is also moveable relative to the housing. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member comprises <NUM> magnets located on opposing sides of the aperture. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, wherein a first biasing element is positioned adjacent to a first magnet of the <NUM> magnets, and a second biasing element is positioned adjacent to a second magnet of the <NUM> magnets. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member comprises a magnet encircling the aperture. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the plug tip extends from the aperture of the moveable member by approximately <NUM>. when the moveable member is in the extended position. The magnetic plug may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the plug tip extends from the aperture of the moveable member by approximately <NUM>. when the moveable member is in the retracted position.

Another aspect provides a connector system comprising a magnetic plug assembly, with the magnetic plug assembly comprising a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets; a plug tip extending through the aperture; and one or more biasing elements urging the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the plug tip; and a magnetic receptacle comprising one or more magnets configured to attract the one or more magnets of the moveable member to at least partially cause the plug tip to slide into the magnetic receptacle. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the magnetic plug assembly further comprises a housing enclosing a portion of the moveable member, wherein the housing comprises an opening at a plug tip end through which the moveable member extends. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the housing. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member comprises <NUM> magnets located on opposing sides of the aperture. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein a first biasing element is positioned adjacent to a first magnet of the <NUM> magnets, and a second biasing element is positioned adjacent to a second magnet of the <NUM> magnets. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member comprises a magnet encircling the aperture. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the moveable member is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position, and the plug tip extends from the aperture of the moveable member by approximately <NUM>. when the moveable member is in the extended position. The connector system may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the plug tip extends from the aperture of the moveable member by approximately <NUM>. when the moveable member is in the retracted position.

Another aspect provides a method for mating a magnetic plug assembly with a receptacle, the method comprising: inserting the magnetic plug assembly into a magnetic receptacle, wherein the magnetic plug assembly comprises: a moveable member comprising an aperture and one or more magnets; a plug tip extending through the aperture; and one or more biasing elements urging the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the plug tip, and the magnetic receptacle comprises one or more magnets configured to attract the one or more magnets of the moveable member to cause the plug tip to slide at least partially into the magnetic receptacle; and inserting the plug tip of the magnetic plug assembly into a non-magnetic receptacle. The method may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the magnetic receptacle is configured to allow the plug tip to seat inside the magnetic receptacle without causing movement of the moveable member relative to the plug tip. The method may additionally or alternatively include, wherein inserting the plug tip into the non-magnetic receptacle further comprises causing movement of the moveable member relative to the plug tip from an extended position to a retracted position. The method may additionally or alternatively include, wherein the magnetic plug assembly further comprises a housing enclosing a portion of the moveable member, and inserting the plug tip into the non-magnetic receptacle further comprises causing movement of the moveable member relative to the housing.

Claim 1:
A magnetic plug assembly (<NUM>), comprising:
a moveable member (<NUM>) comprising an aperture (<NUM>) and one or more magnets (<NUM>, <NUM>), wherein the moveable member is moveable between an extended position and a retracted position;
a plug tip (<NUM>) extending through the aperture; and
one or more biasing elements (<NUM>, <NUM>) urging the moveable member and the one or more magnets toward a distal end of the plug tip, wherein the moveable member is moveable relative to the plug tip and wherein the one or more biasing elements maintain the moveable member in the extended position,
characterised in that the magnetic plug assembly is configured to electronically couple to a magnetic receptacle (<NUM>) when the moveable member is in the extended position.