MAGNETIC FORCE ASSISTED CONNECTOR ADAPTERS

Abstract

 A magnetic force assisted connector adapter comprising:
a. a magnet (406),
b. said magnet (406) on first contact surface of first holder (401) of said adapter,
c. a magnet attractable piece (405) ,
d. said magnet attractable piece (405) on second contact surface of second holder (402) of said adapter,
e. a plurality of matching contact circuits and channels (403,404) on said both first and second contact surfaces of said first and said second holders (401,402), and
f. a conventional connector (407) connects to said contact circuits and said channels on said contact surface of said holder (401), whereby said conventional connector is converted into said magnetic force assisted connector by said adapter.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of US Provisional Application No 62/071,187, filed September 18,2014.

[0002] This application also incorporates by reference the US Patent 7,717,717 "User-Friendly USB Connector" in its entirety. Joseph Lai is the sole inventor of the US patent 7,717,717 and the invention is disclosed in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This present invention will improve the existing conventional difficult-to-use electrical connectors such as USB type A, micro USB, USB type C and many other computer and smart phone connectors. It also improves non-electrical connectors which are not designed for user-friendly quick and easy connection and disconnection. It adds magnet force to assist the mating for the existing male and female connectors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Why is this invention necessary?

[0005] We all know the electronics devices with magnetic force assisted connectors are very cool to have. How about the rest of million other devices are not built-in with the magnetic force assisted connectors?

[0006] -The problems:

1. Small connectors, such as the micro USB for phones, get damaged very easily and quickly as they are not user-friendly and not reversible. Often the connectors are made too flimsy and if too much force is applied it will end-up damaging the connectors.

2. It is too expensive or not possible to convert existing non-reversible connectors to be reliably reversible. Some newly developed computer connectors are extremely difficult to re-engineer to make them reversible. USB 3.0/3.1 and micro USB connectors are examples. They cannot be made user-friendly to be reversible and reliable.

3. Small reversible connectors such as iPhone's Lightning connectors are too small, too expensive to handle and too easy to break. Again, making small connectors reversible is not an easy task.

4. Furthermore, reversibility is nice, but for those who are vision impaired or have other handicaps, they need something better to help them, it should be something better than reversible for user-friendly.

5. We need more durable connectors because we are connecting and disconnecting them all the time.

6. There are safety issues. Some equipment is too dangerous for normal connectors to tightly attach. The home hot water boiler is one example: The power supply cord attached to the boiler may be accidentally tripped over and not be able to release. That could cause serious injuries. Magnetic force assisted connector adapters can be useful to prevent mishaps from happening, since magnetic forces are weaker than the current connections which always tightly hold by frictions and simply do not easily separate from the cord.

7. There are EMI and RFI problems for certain high-speed leaky transmission lines and connectors. USB3.0 is an example.

8. Yes, wireless chargers are user-friendly but they are too expensive, too slow, too bulky, and waste too much energy.

9. Many other non-electrical connectors never have any improvements made to be user-friendly.

10. Planned obsolescence: New connectors need new cables with new mating connectors. When new phones come out, the old cables and connectors are not compatible anymore. Imagine if you have whole bunch old cables with old connectors, what will you do?

[0007] -The solution:

Our present invention modifies male or female connectors by adding a magnet, using low-cost magnetic forces to help guide, attract, and attach the connectors. This allows a clean signal and makes connections at either normal or reversed positions when the magnets are engaged for both electrical and non-electrical applications.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Using magnets to help make connections is not new. Apple, Microsoft and many others have their computers, phones, tablets, and smart watches using magnets to assist their connections. However, existing non-magnetic assisted connectors may be modified to have such capability for user-friendliness.

[0009] The present invention relates to a magnetic force assisted connector adapter as claimed in claim 1 and to a method of magnetic force assisted connector adapter as claimed in claim 11.

[0010] The following description and the appended dependent claims relate to different aspects and embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] 

Fig. 1. (Prior Art) Shows user-friendly magnetic force assisted connector built-in Japanese made water boiler without an adapter

Fig. 2. (Prior Art) shows user-friendly magnetic force assisted connector built-in Apple's Macbook, Microsoft's PC and Pebble watch without an adapter

Fig. 3. (Prior Art) shows regular non-user-friendly, non-magnetic force assisted male and female connector without magnetic force assisted adapter

Fig. 4. Shows improvised user-friendly regular male and female connector with magnetic force assisted adapter for electrical connections

Fig. 5. Shows improvised non-electrical connectors by magnetic force assisted adapters

Fig. 6. Shows the Smartphone with the user-friendly magnetic force assisted adapter

Fig. 7. Shows the locking and holding mechanism for magnetic force assisted adapter for smartphones

Fig. 8. Shows the reversibility of magnetic force assisted electrical connector adapter

Fig. 9. Shows alternative circuit diagram for reversibility of magnetic force assisted adapter using bridge rectifier diodes

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Smartphones, computers and all modem electronic devices have at least one thing in common; they are all required to be plugged in for either power or other type of applications. Normally, these devices are not designed to be user-friendly in their original design. Therefore, user-friendly modifications can be very important for many of the users who use these devices all the time.

[0013] Of course, not all devices must be user-friendly but it sure is nice to have that feature available which will not cost much more. Some peripheral devices, such as printers and keyboards, mice for desktop computers, only have to plug in the power and the cable one time. It does not have to be detached.

[0014] However, most of other devices such as laptop computers, cellular phones or other portable electronic devices running on portable power (battery) do require charging the battery regularly. It is absolutely necessary for a user-friendly way of using these devices.

[0015] Today's smartphone for example, is designed as a pocket computer and communication device. Power consumption is very high. Charging is required at least once a day by going through AC adapters or battery power banks. The connector on the phone is constantly plugged and un-plugged all the time. This can test both the patience of the user and the durability of the connector. Typical connectors on the phones made by Apple are already converted to be reversible. The vast majority of the other non-Apple phones are still using the non-reversible micro USB connectors. Micro USB connectors are too small and are not the best connectors for being installed on the phones. However, EU has already mandated that micro USB is the standard for all cellular phones. It is extremely difficult to make the small micro USB to be reversible and user-friendly. Making the micro USB to be reversible is going to be very expensive and extremely unreliable or just not possible. This presented invention uses magnetic force as the alternative solution for making all non user-friendly connectors become user-friendly for electrical and non-electrical connectors with magnetic force assisted connector adapters.

[0016] Fig. 1. Shows prior art of possibly the first user-friendly magnetic assisted connection by Japanese Panasonic and others as they adopted the technologies since early 1990's. 105 is a portable hot water boiler with 103 nozzle to dispense hot water to 104 tea cup. 101 is the male connector for AC power with magnetic force to connect to 102 as the AC power receptacle. 106 is the AC power cord attached to the 101. Please notice the original design has safety in mind as the magnetic force holding the 101 to 102 is relatively weaker force than a normal power cord plugged into to a hot water boiler. The water boiler is designed to be portable with a handle 107. When someone accidently trips over the power cord 106, it will automatically detach instead of dragging the hot water boiler and spilling it all over.

[0017] Fig. 2. Also shows the prior art of other consumer electronics use magnetic force to assist connect power to their devices. Fig. 2A shows Apple's Macbook laptop computer has built-in magnetic force connectors 202 on the cable end 106 with 201 is the power receptacle. Apple called it "MagSafe" as the plug and receptacle will be separated when someone accidentally trips over or drags the 106 instead of the whole computer being dragged and dropped down to the floor and getting damaged. Please also notice the MagSafe was designed to be "reversible" for user-friendly sake.

[0018] Fig. 2B. Shows the Microsoft's tablet PC as the brand of "Surface". It has the same design with magnetic force to help the user to plug-in the power with its reversibility. Fig. 2C is a Smart Watch made by Pebble also with magnets as the assisting force when the watch need to be charged. 208 is the contacting circuits on the watch to mate 207 have "pogo" or spring loaded pins. With the magnetic force, when 207 has 2 magnets near 208, 207 will attract 208 and snap onto the surface with the contacting points to make connections for delivering the power to charge the Pebble watch. The Pebble watch connector, however, is not designed to be reversible.

[0019] Fig. 3. Shows a typical prior art of a pair of male and female electrical connectors. Fig. 3A with 301 is the female receptacle or socket to allow the 302 male plugs to be inserted in it for making the connection. 106 is the cable attached for delivering either power or signal to the female 301. Fig. 3B shows when these two connectors 301 302 mate and make the connection. Many different electrical connectors, such as Lighting, USB, HDMI, RJ-45, and Thunderbolt are designed to mate like this.

[0020] Fig. 4. Shows the magnetic force assisted adapter by this present invention. For all the above mentioned and not mentioned connectors, they are either non-user-friendly, non-reversible, or non-magnetic force assisted. We can make an adapter to make it reversible and be magnetic force assisted to create user-friendly connection applications.

[0021] Fig. 4A. Shows the 302 conventional male connector is split into two parts, 401 and 402 sub-assemblies. 401 and 402 are also holders which hold the magnet, contact surface and contacting circuits or channels. On 402, we have 2 magnets 405 and some spring loaded pogo pins 404. On 401, we also have either 2 magnets 406 or magnetic attractable surface with some flat contact points 403. We also have 407 which is the conventional male plug which has the same male plug as 302 does.

[0022] Fig. 4B. Shows the 401 sub-assembly plugs into the 301 female receptacle with 406 and 403 exposed to the outside. Fig. 4C. Shows the magnetic force attraction of the 402 sub-assembly by the 405 magnets to 406 flat magnetic attractable surface when they are getting closer.

[0023] Fig. 4D. Shows the 401 and 402 sub-assemblies are connected now. The 405 and 406 physically touch and the pogo pins 404 pushed in and retracted because of 403 surface forced by the magnetic force. The adapter is now making connections.

[0024] Please note both 405 the magnets and 406 the magnetic attractable piece/surface do not necessarily have to be just a single round/square individual magnet or magnets. It can also be a donut shaped, or oval shaped with a hole or holes to let the pogo pins go through for a tight mate from the 405 surface with the magnet or 406 just a magnetic attractable piece. For strengthening the magnetic force if we have to, 406 can also be real magnets with the matching polarity of the N and S of the magnets.

[0025] Fig. 5. Shows the non-electrical type of magnetic force assisted connection applications. The non-electrical connections can be fiber-optical signals/data, or solid, liquid or gas types of materials. For example, Fig. 5A shows the 405 and 406 are magnets or magnetic attractable surfaces which are installed on 502 and 501 assemblies. 504, 505, 506 are carrying channels. 507 is the supplying channel for many different type of materials, for example, water hose or compressed air hose. Fig. 5B shows half of the adapter is plugged into the regular 501 female receptacle and leaves the magnetic attractable surface and the channel exposed outside. Fig. 5C. Shows these two parts of the adapter getting closer. Fig. 5D. Shows the connection is made with the magnetic force.

[0026] Of course, when connecting non-electrical air, gas or liquid stuffs, additional leakage prevention apparatus are necessary to prevent leak.

[0027] Fig. 6 shows a typical smartphone has the charging and communication port at the bottom of the phone. Fig. 6A shows the 401. The part will go inside and stays inside the phone of the adapter. For 402 as the other half of the adapter which connects to the power supply cables. Fig. 6B shows the 401 already plug in and stays inside of the phone. 402 is ready to be attracted to mate with the 401 which is exposed outside of the phone.

[0028] Fig. 7. Shows the locking and unlocking mechanism of the magnetic force assisted connector adapter. Fig. 7A shows the locking part does not exist and the 401 can be held by friction when inserted into the female micro USB connector of the phone as Fig. 7B. Fig. 7C shows the locking hook 701 is installed on the 401 so at 7D when inserted into 301 female micro USB, it will be lock in to prevent un-intentionally release when someone pulls the 402 apart of the adapter. It is suggested to use an un-locking mechanism such as a push rod level inside 401 to lower the spring loaded hook 701 so it can be released when necessary.

[0029] Another suggestion is to use an L shape of a piece as 7E. For a typical Smartphone, the L shape 703 extending to the back side of the phone so many ways can be done to hold the L shaped piece that holds the 401 when inserted into the 301 without un-intentionally releasing the 401 assembly. Double sided adhesive tape is one example.

[0030] Also, if the smartphone, tablets or other devices, has a protection case, it is recommend to use the case to help hold/lock the assembly of the adapter which plugs into the devices. Fig 7G is showing the front view of the adapter without the supporting plate that holds the 401 and Fig 7H shows the 401 part of the adapter is supported by a supporting plate of metal or plastic 705 which is located in between the phone and the protection case when the 401 is completely inserted into the female receptacle of the phone or other devices. No special instruction is required when user disconnect their 402 part of the adapters. The adapter 401 for sure it won't fall off. For removing or releasing the 401, the user has to remove the protection case first. Of course, when designing a new protection case, with or without battery, 401 can be considered to build into the protection case. 401 will never fall off unintentionally.

[0031] The other way to prevent the un-intentional release of 401 is to bend the 402 assembly to disconnect the 402 from 401. Strong magnet is used for this application and the weak part of the 401 402 bond is to bend and break apart if L shaped 703, 705 piece for protection case or locking hook 701 are not implementable.

[0032] Fig. 8. Shows the reversibility of the magnetic force assisted connector adapter. Fig. 8A. Shows the detailed 5 pin micro USB is off centered to the left side of the 402 with 5 pogo pins 404. Fig. 8C also shows the detailed 5 pin micro USB is off centered to the right side of the 402. Fig. 8B has the 401 assembly surfaced with a PCB which has 5 rings of circuitry to connect to the 404 pogo pins in either normal or reversed positions.

[0033] Fig. 9. Shows the reversibility of magnetic force assisted connector adapter using bridge rectifier diodes for reversed and normal connections. Bridge rectifier diodes can be smaller in size compared to a PC board but it has the voltage drop of typical diodes. Schottky diode has low drop voltages around 0.2V which are more appropriate for this application to only deliver power to the device.

[0034] It worth mentioning that magnets are capable of inducing electrical currents, and therefore could reduce EMI or RFI for high-speed data transmission. Normally, engineers are using ferrite beads to wrap around high-speed transmission wires/cables to reduce the noise for FCC and other agencies for their compliance tests. In this invention, a magnet will help to reduce these annoying RFI and EMI noise without the expense of the ferrite core/bead.

[0035] Another feature that is necessary to have is the circuitry for supplying the power must have protection circuitry in case of short circuits as the strong magnets might attract conductive metal, which could cause problems. Over current protection is one electrical way, and a recessed surface on 402 is another mechanical method. In other words, if the magnet attracts to a flat conductive metal, the pogo pin will not touch the surface of that metal.

Conclusion:

[0036] Magnetic force may not be something we understood but we can use this amazing material and making our life easier. Magnetic force assisted connector is a great way to connect. For those devices do not have this feature, a magnetic force assisted connector adapter is the best solution for converting non-magnetic, non-reversible, non-user-friendly connectors to being user-friendly.

Warning:

[0037] 

Magnets may be dangerous at stronger strengths. When working with strong magnets, be careful to protect your body parts not to be exposed to both sides of attracting magnets.

Strong magnets can be very dangerous for causing injuries to humans and animals when attracted either to another magnet or magnetic attractable metal surfaces.

Claims

1. A magnetic force assisted connector adapter comprising:

a. a magnet,

b. said magnet on first contact surface of first holder of said adapter,

c. a magnet attractable piece,

d. said magnet attractable piece on second contact surface of second holder of said adapter,

e. a plurality of matching contact circuits and channels on said both first and second contact surfaces of said first and said second holders, and

f. a conventional connector connects to said contact circuits and said channels on said contact surface of said holder, whereby said conventional connector is converted into said magnetic force assisted connector by said adapter.

2. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 1, wherein said magnetic force assisted connector adapters are for conducting electrical and non-electrical related connections.

3. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 2, wherein said electrical related connections are for USB type A, type B, 1.0/1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, mini USB, micro USB, USB type C, Lightning, RJ-45, RJ-11, HDMI, Thunderbolt, DockPort, DisplayPort, DB9/DB15/DB25 RS-232 serial, parallel, SCSI, VGA, AC outlet, phone jack to delivery power, audio, video, analog and digital signals.

4. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 2, wherein said non-electrical connector adapters are for conducting fiber optical, solid, liquid and gas type of connections.

5. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 1, wherein said conventional connector is provided for connecting to conventional receptacle connector on smartphone, tablet personal computer and all electronic devices.

6. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 1, wherein said adapter has locking/holding and unlocking/releasing means on said conventional connector for both electrical connectors and non-electrical connectors to prevent unintentionally release from said conventional receptacle connector on smartphone, tablet computer and all electronic and non-electronic devices when disconnect the said connection is desired.

7. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 1, wherein said contact surfaces are attracted by magnetic force and making said connection in either regular orientation or reversed orientation by means of electronic circuits.

8. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 7, wherein said electronic circuits are done by an integrated circuit (IC) chip or printed circuit board (PCB).

9. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 1, wherein said plurality of contact circuits on said first surface or said second surface are spring loaded pins for better electrical connections.

10. The magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 1, wherein said magnet force is for reducing radio frequency interference (RFI) and electro-magnetic interference (EMI) noise on the transmission line in the electrical cables or said contact circuits.

11. A method of magnetic force assisted connector adapter comprising the steps of:

a. providing a magnet,

b. providing said magnet on first contact surface of first holder of said adapter,

c. providing a magnet attractable piece,

d. providing said magnet attractable piece on second contact surface of second holder of said adapter,

e. providing a plurality of matching contact circuits and channels on said both first and second contact surfaces of said first and said second holders, and

f. providing a conventional connector connects to said contact circuits and said channels on said contact surface of said holder, whereby said conventional connector is converted into said magnetic force assisted connector by said adapter.

12. The method of magnetic force assisted connector adapter in claim 11, wherein said magnetic force assisted connector adapters are for conducting electrical and non-electrical related connections; and preferably
said electrical related connections are for USB type A, type B, 1.0/1.1/2.0/3.0/3.1, mini USB micro USB, USB type C, Apple's Lightning, RJ-45, RJ-11, HDMI, Thunderbolt, DockPort, DisplayPort, DB9/DB15/DB25 RS-232 serial, parallel, SCSI, VGA, AC outlets, phone jack to delivery power, audio, video, analog and digital signals; or
said non-electrical connector adapters are for conducting fiber optical, solid, liquid and gas type of connections.

13. The method of magnetic force assisted connector adapter in claim 11, wherein said conventional connector is provide for connecting to conventional receptacle connector on smartphone, tablet personal computer and all electronic devices; or
wherein said adapter has locking/holding and unlocking/releasing means of said conventional connector for both electrical connectors and non-electrical connectors to prevent unintentionally release from said conventional receptacle connector on smartphone, tablet computer and all electronic and non-electronic devices when disconnect the said connection is desired.

14. The method of magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 11, wherein said contact surfaces are attracted by magnetic force and making said connection in either regular orientation or reversed orientation by means of electronic circuitry; and preferably said electronic circuits are done by a integrated circuit (IC) chip or printed circuit board (PCB).

15. The method of magnetic force assisted connector adapter of claim 11, wherein said plurality of matching contact circuits on said first surface or said second surface are spring loaded pins for better electrical connections; or
wherein said magnet force is for reducing radio frequency interference (RFI) and electro-magnetic interference (EMI) noise on the transmission line in the electrical cables or said contact circuits.

Drawing