Electromagnetic electrical connector system
AssigneeOnanon, Inc.
InventorsDennis J. Johnson, Keyon Keshtgar
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electrical connector system for assisting in coupling and unmating electrical connectors. The system generally includes an electromagnet to assist in mating and, alternatively, unmating or uncoupling a first electrical connector with a second electrical connector. The system may include a first electrical connector having a first plurality of contacts, an electromagnet on the first electrical connector adapted to produce a magnetic force, and an input device adapted to receive an input and to provide an output that causes an electrical current to be supplied to the electromagnet. When coupled, the first plurality of electrical contacts are conductively engaged with a second plurality of electrical contacts on the second electrical connector.
Claims19
An electrical connector system comprising:
- a first connector having an electromagnet and a first plurality of electrical contacts that substantially surround the electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet produces a magnetic force responsive to an electrical current supplied to the electromagnet;
- a control circuit that functions to control the electrical current supplied to the electromagnet by selectively applying the electrical current to the electromagnet;
- and
- a second connector having a magnetic element and a second plurality of electrical contacts that substantially surround the magnetic element;
- and
- wherein the magnetic force acts on the magnetic element to cause the first connector to be attracted to and coupled with the second connector serving to electrically couple the first plurality of electrical contacts with the second plurality of electrical contacts.
An electrical connector system comprising:
- a first connector having an electromagnet and a first plurality of electrical contacts that substantially surround the electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet produces a magnetic force responsive to an electrical current supplied to the electromagnet, wherein the magnetic force is an attractive magnetic force responsive to the electrical current flowing in a first direction and wherein the magnetic force is a repulsive magnetic force responsive to the electrical current flowing in an opposite second direction;
- a control circuit that functions to control the electrical current supplied to the electromagnet by selectively applying the electrical current to the electromagnet;
- and
- a second connector having a magnetic element and a second plurality of electrical contacts that substantially surround the magnetic element;
- and
- wherein the attractive magnetic force acts on the magnetic element to cause the first connector to be attracted to and coupled with the second connector serving to electrically couple the first plurality of electrical contacts with the second plurality of electrical contacts.
An electrical connector system comprising:
- a first connector having an electromagnet, a proximity detector, and a first plurality of electrical contacts that substantially surround the electromagnet, wherein the electromagnet produces a magnetic force responsive to an electrical current supplied to the electromagnet and wherein the proximity detector indicates when the second connector is within a predetermined range of the first connector;
- a control circuit that functions to control the electrical current supplied to the electromagnet by selectively applying the electrical current to the electromagnet;
- and
- a second connector having a magnetic element and a second plurality of electrical contacts that substantially surround the magnetic element;
- and
- wherein the magnetic force acts on the magnetic element to cause the first connector to be attracted to and coupled with the second connector serving to electrically couple the first plurality of electrical contacts with the second plurality of electrical contacts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.