Electrical connector system with ferromagnetic actuators

摘要

Disclosed are interposer electrical connector embodiments including magnetic components used to facilitate interconnection of peripheral devices to standard input/output, or “I/O”, connectors (such as USB connectors) of devices such as mobile communications products (e.g. smart phones, tablets, and personal computers). The interposer connector embodiments disclosed include those in which a plurality of discrete permanent magnets are arranged with magnetic poles aligned in the same orientation perpendicular to and on one side of the electrical interface. Other embodiments include a plurality of bar permanent magnets located on opposite sides of the interface with all poles of the same type directed at the interface, but each one opposing a ferromagnetic element. These arrangements provide self-aligning capabilities useful for electrical connections that have restrictions on visibility or connection approach geometries. Other embodiments have a single magnet per mated connector pair and magnetic pole pieces and/or actuators to concentrate magnetic flux providing the magnetic attractive force for a plurality of electrical connections.

主权项

1. An electrical connector system comprising:
a first connector, the first connector comprising:
a housing;one or more first electrical contact surfaces;a compliant substrate;a first magnetic structure affixed to the compliant substrate wherein the first magnetic structure comprises
a permanent magnet characterized by a first and a second magnetic pole;a first ferromagnetic structure wherein a portion of the first ferromagnetic structure is disposed proximate the first magnetic pole and a portion of the first ferromagnetic structure is disposed proximate a first electrical contact surface;a second ferromagnetic structure wherein a portion of the second ferromagnetic structure is disposed proximate the second magnetic pole and a portion of the second ferromagnetic structure is disposed proximate a first electrical contact surface; and wherein the first magnetic structure is adapted to pivot and translate relative to the housing under magnetic forces.