Inductive spring system
AssigneeApple Inc.
InventorDarshan R. Kasar
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An electrical connector system for communication or power transfer between a two connectors in which the first of the two connectors may be inserted into a receptacle of a second connector in order to align a coil within the first connector with a coil within the second connector to promote inductive communication between the first and second connector. In many embodiments, at least one of the two coils may also be used as a spring, providing a mechanical force. The mechanical force may assist in joining or separating the connectors. For example, the spring coil may be used in conjunction with a push-push mechanism to retain the first connector within the second connector and to eject the first connector when the connectors should be separated.
Claims23
An electrical connector system comprising:
- a first connector comprising:
- an insert portion;
- and
- a first electromagnetic coil positioned within the insert portion;
- a second connector comprising:
- a receptacle sized to receive the insert portion of the first connector;
- and
- a second electromagnetic coil configured to compress to a first selected dimension in response to receiving the insert portion within the receptacle;
- wherein the first selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the insert portion is received in the receptacle.
A method of electromagnetic transmission comprising:
- positioning a first electromagnetic coil inductively proximate a second electromagnetic coil;
- compressing the second electromagnetic coil to a selected dimension;
- and
- varying a magnetic field in the first electromagnetic coil;
- wherein the selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the second electromagnetic coil is compressed.
An electrical connector system comprising:
- a first connector comprising:
- a housing;
- and
- a first electromagnetic coil positioned within the housing and configured to compress to a first selected dimension in response to a compressive force applied to the housing;
- a second connector comprising:
- a receptacle sized to receive the housing of the first connector;
- and
- a second electromagnetic coil positioned around the receptacle;
- wherein the first selected dimension is based at least in part on a mutual inductance characteristic between the first electromagnetic coil and the second electromagnetic coil when the insert portion is received in the receptacle.
A method of electromagnetic transmission comprising:
- positioning a first electromagnetic coil within a second electromagnetic coil;
- tightening the second electromagnetic coil to a selected diameter so as to at least partially restrain the first electromagnetic coil within the second electromagnetic coil;
- varying a magnetic field in the first electromagnetic coil to induce a voltage within the second electromagnetic coil;
- loosening the second electromagnetic coil;
- removing the first electromagnetic coil from the second electromagnetic coil.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.