GB2174556A - Remote operation of electrical connector using magnetism - Google Patents

Remote operation of electrical connector using magnetism Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2174556A
GB2174556A GB08511433A GB8511433A GB2174556A GB 2174556 A GB2174556 A GB 2174556A GB 08511433 A GB08511433 A GB 08511433A GB 8511433 A GB8511433 A GB 8511433A GB 2174556 A GB2174556 A GB 2174556A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
magnet
electro
mating
elements
unmating
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB08511433A
Other versions
GB2174556B (en
GB8511433D0 (en
Inventor
Lyndon Reginald Spicer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
STC PLC
Original Assignee
STC PLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by STC PLC filed Critical STC PLC
Priority to GB08511433A priority Critical patent/GB2174556B/en
Publication of GB8511433D0 publication Critical patent/GB8511433D0/en
Publication of GB2174556A publication Critical patent/GB2174556A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2174556B publication Critical patent/GB2174556B/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/6205—Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)

Abstract

An electrical connector which has to be mated and unmated remotely, e.g. in a space-ship, uses magnetism to assist in, or even to cause, the mating and unmating. The female element has a high-power bar magnet while the male element has an electro-magnet. The magnets can have their axes parallel to the elements' end faces. Both may be electro-magnets. Horse-shoe magnets or electro-magnets may be used. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Electrical connector This invention relates to an arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of the male and female elements of electrical connectors. One example of the use of such an arrangement is the remote control of an umbilical connector between a satellite or space station and a space vehicle such as a shuttle.
According to the invention, there is provided an arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which one of said elements is provided with a highstrength fixed magnet adjacent to its mating end while the other of said elements is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that is polarity is the reverse of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that the polarity is the same as that of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid repel each other.
According to the invention, there is also provided an arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which each said element is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnets or solenoids are oppositely energised so that they attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnets or solenoids are similarly energised so that they repel each other.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying highly schematic drawing, which shows in end on and sectional views the male and female elements of a connector pair embodying the invention.
In one arrangement embodying the invention a high strength bar magnet, made from one of the high permeability magnetic alloys now commercially available is mounted on one connector element so that one of its poles is end on to the end face of that element. The other connector element has an electro-magnet similarly mounted, so that when the elements are mated one pole of one magnet is adjacent to one pole of the other magnet. Thus in the drawing we see a permanent magnet 1 in the female element and an electromagnet's coil 2 in the male element.
To assist in the mating, or in some cases to effect the mating, the electro-magnet is energised in the opposite sense to the bar magnet, so that in the arrangement shown we have a North Pole adjacent to a South Pole. Hence the two magnets attract and pull the two elements together.
To assist in the unmating, or in some cases to effect the unmating, the electro-magnet is energised in the same sense as the bar magnet, so that we have two adjacent North Poles. Hence the two magnets repel and urge the elements apart.
For underwater applications the movable parts can be contained in oil-fitted containers.
Using modern high strength magnet material a bar magnet 1" (2.45cm) long can induce a force of 5.5 pounds (2.495kg) at a distance of 0.25" (0.6325cm). This, with the use of a powerful electro-magnet, gives an adequate force for the present purpose, especially for use in friction less nongravity outer space conditions. Even in normal conditions, the magnets should provide useful assistance to mating and unmating.
It is also possible for the axis of a bar magnet to be parallel to the end face of its connector element, in which case the axis of the electro-magnet is also parallel to the end face of its connector element. Here the use of pairs of poles co-operating should provide an enhanced effect when mating or unmating.
Alternatives to the arrangements described above include the use of horse-shoe magnets and electro-magnets, and the use of suitably controlled electro-magnets in both elements.
1. An arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which one of said elements is provided with a high-strength fixed magnet adjacent to its mating end while the other of said elements is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that its polarity is the reverse of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that the polarity is the same as that of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid repel each other.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the permanent magnet is a bar magnet and the electro-magnet is also of the bar type, and in which the axes of the magnet and of the electromagnet are designed with the axes of the connector elements.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the permanent magnet is a bar magnet and the electro-magnet is also of the bar type, and in which the axes of the magnet and of the electromagnet are parallel to the end faces of the connector elements.
4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the permanent magnet is a horse-shoe magnet with its two pole ends adjacent to the end face of its connector element, and in which the electromagnet is of the horse-shoe type with its pole ends adjacent to the end face of its connector element.
5. An arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which each said element is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnets or solenoids are oppositely energised so that they attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnets or solenoids are similarly energised so that they repel each other.
**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (6)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Electrical connector This invention relates to an arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of the male and female elements of electrical connectors. One example of the use of such an arrangement is the remote control of an umbilical connector between a satellite or space station and a space vehicle such as a shuttle. According to the invention, there is provided an arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which one of said elements is provided with a highstrength fixed magnet adjacent to its mating end while the other of said elements is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that is polarity is the reverse of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that the polarity is the same as that of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid repel each other. According to the invention, there is also provided an arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which each said element is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnets or solenoids are oppositely energised so that they attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnets or solenoids are similarly energised so that they repel each other. An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying highly schematic drawing, which shows in end on and sectional views the male and female elements of a connector pair embodying the invention. In one arrangement embodying the invention a high strength bar magnet, made from one of the high permeability magnetic alloys now commercially available is mounted on one connector element so that one of its poles is end on to the end face of that element. The other connector element has an electro-magnet similarly mounted, so that when the elements are mated one pole of one magnet is adjacent to one pole of the other magnet. Thus in the drawing we see a permanent magnet 1 in the female element and an electromagnet's coil 2 in the male element. To assist in the mating, or in some cases to effect the mating, the electro-magnet is energised in the opposite sense to the bar magnet, so that in the arrangement shown we have a North Pole adjacent to a South Pole. Hence the two magnets attract and pull the two elements together. To assist in the unmating, or in some cases to effect the unmating, the electro-magnet is energised in the same sense as the bar magnet, so that we have two adjacent North Poles. Hence the two magnets repel and urge the elements apart. For underwater applications the movable parts can be contained in oil-fitted containers. Using modern high strength magnet material a bar magnet 1" (2.45cm) long can induce a force of 5.5 pounds (2.495kg) at a distance of 0.25" (0.6325cm). This, with the use of a powerful electro-magnet, gives an adequate force for the present purpose, especially for use in friction less nongravity outer space conditions. Even in normal conditions, the magnets should provide useful assistance to mating and unmating. It is also possible for the axis of a bar magnet to be parallel to the end face of its connector element, in which case the axis of the electro-magnet is also parallel to the end face of its connector element. Here the use of pairs of poles co-operating should provide an enhanced effect when mating or unmating. Alternatives to the arrangements described above include the use of horse-shoe magnets and electro-magnets, and the use of suitably controlled electro-magnets in both elements. CLAIMS
1. An arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which one of said elements is provided with a high-strength fixed magnet adjacent to its mating end while the other of said elements is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that its polarity is the reverse of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnet or solenoid is energised such that the polarity is the same as that of the magnet, so that the magnet and the electro-magnet or solenoid repel each other.
2. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the permanent magnet is a bar magnet and the electro-magnet is also of the bar type, and in which the axes of the magnet and of the electromagnet are designed with the axes of the connector elements.
3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the permanent magnet is a bar magnet and the electro-magnet is also of the bar type, and in which the axes of the magnet and of the electromagnet are parallel to the end faces of the connector elements.
4. An arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the permanent magnet is a horse-shoe magnet with its two pole ends adjacent to the end face of its connector element, and in which the electromagnet is of the horse-shoe type with its pole ends adjacent to the end face of its connector element.
5. An arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of male and female connector elements, in which each said element is provided with an electro-magnet or solenoid, in which to assist in the mating the electro-magnets or solenoids are oppositely energised so that they attract each other, and in which to assist in the unmating the electro-magnets or solenoids are similarly energised so that they repel each other.
6. An arrangement for the remote mating and unmating of the male and female elements of an electrical connector, substantially as herein described.
GB08511433A 1985-05-04 1985-05-04 Electrical connector Expired GB2174556B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08511433A GB2174556B (en) 1985-05-04 1985-05-04 Electrical connector

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB08511433A GB2174556B (en) 1985-05-04 1985-05-04 Electrical connector

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8511433D0 GB8511433D0 (en) 1985-06-12
GB2174556A true GB2174556A (en) 1986-11-05
GB2174556B GB2174556B (en) 1988-08-24

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Family Applications (1)

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GB08511433A Expired GB2174556B (en) 1985-05-04 1985-05-04 Electrical connector

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Cited By (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0306741A2 (en) * 1987-08-24 1989-03-15 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for making contacts on an electrical circuit board
GB2250727A (en) * 1990-11-29 1992-06-17 Geco As Method of and apparatus for releasing a cable for instance of a seismic array
US5211569A (en) * 1991-11-27 1993-05-18 Petrina Havens Electrical power cord and appliance using same
GB2288079A (en) * 1994-03-31 1995-10-04 Mitsubishi Electric Corp A connector with remote locking engagement
FR2807098A1 (en) * 2000-04-03 2001-10-05 Philippe Cosio Electromagnetic device for maintaining temperature and circulation of oil in IC engine, has automatic disconnection electromagnetic device which supplies circulation module
US7901216B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2011-03-08 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US8497753B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2013-07-30 Apple Inc. Electromagnetic connector for electronic device
US8535088B2 (en) 2009-10-20 2013-09-17 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector having a unitary housing
US8770857B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2014-07-08 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector with optical signal path
US8888500B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2014-11-18 Apple Inc. Robust magnetic connector
US8944826B1 (en) 2013-07-16 2015-02-03 Curbell Medical Products, Inc. Magnetic connection for cable assembly of electronic device
EP2846418A1 (en) * 2013-09-06 2015-03-11 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Subsea connection assembly
US9065205B2 (en) 2011-08-11 2015-06-23 Apple Inc. Connector insert having a cable crimp portion with protrusions and a receptacle having label in the front
CN105846245A (en) * 2011-04-27 2016-08-10 汽车连接器有限公司 Improved structure of electromagnetic electrical connection device
US9791634B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2017-10-17 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector with optical signal path
CN109050278A (en) * 2018-06-28 2018-12-21 安徽科微智能科技有限公司 Unmanned boat automatic charging system and its control method
US11424573B2 (en) 2020-09-24 2022-08-23 Apple Inc. Magnetic connectors with self-centering floating contacts

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN106207674B (en) * 2016-08-29 2019-05-24 广州视睿电子科技有限公司 Male socket, female plug, electronic equipment and connector

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0174210A2 (en) * 1984-09-06 1986-03-12 Integrated Circuit Systems Limited Connector apparatus
GB2165404A (en) * 1984-09-06 1986-04-09 Ian Charles Savill Powered disconnection of connector apparatus

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0174210A2 (en) * 1984-09-06 1986-03-12 Integrated Circuit Systems Limited Connector apparatus
GB2165404A (en) * 1984-09-06 1986-04-09 Ian Charles Savill Powered disconnection of connector apparatus

Cited By (38)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0306741A2 (en) * 1987-08-24 1989-03-15 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for making contacts on an electrical circuit board
EP0306741A3 (en) * 1987-08-24 1989-04-05 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Device for making contacts on an electrical circuit board
GB2250727A (en) * 1990-11-29 1992-06-17 Geco As Method of and apparatus for releasing a cable for instance of a seismic array
US5199003A (en) * 1990-11-29 1993-03-30 Geco A.S. Method and apparatus for release of a seismic array, especially streamers in the event of overloading
GB2250727B (en) * 1990-11-29 1994-08-10 Geco As Method of and apparatus for releasing a cable,for instance of a seismic array
US5211569A (en) * 1991-11-27 1993-05-18 Petrina Havens Electrical power cord and appliance using same
GB2288079A (en) * 1994-03-31 1995-10-04 Mitsubishi Electric Corp A connector with remote locking engagement
US5641299A (en) * 1994-03-31 1997-06-24 Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha Connector device and an electronic apparatus with the same
GB2288079B (en) * 1994-03-31 1997-10-15 Mitsubishi Electric Corp A connector device and an electronic apparatus with the same
FR2807098A1 (en) * 2000-04-03 2001-10-05 Philippe Cosio Electromagnetic device for maintaining temperature and circulation of oil in IC engine, has automatic disconnection electromagnetic device which supplies circulation module
US10090618B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2018-10-02 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US9112304B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2015-08-18 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US8177560B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2012-05-15 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US8497753B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2013-07-30 Apple Inc. Electromagnetic connector for electronic device
US9711893B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2017-07-18 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US8690582B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2014-04-08 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US8087939B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2012-01-03 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US7901216B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2011-03-08 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US11233356B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2022-01-25 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US8970332B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2015-03-03 Apple Inc. Electromagnetic connector for electronic device
US10490933B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2019-11-26 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector for electronic device
US9634428B2 (en) 2005-09-26 2017-04-25 Apple Inc. Electromagnetic connector for electronic device
US8770857B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2014-07-08 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector with optical signal path
US9791634B2 (en) 2008-09-30 2017-10-17 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector with optical signal path
US8535088B2 (en) 2009-10-20 2013-09-17 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector having a unitary housing
US9923301B2 (en) 2009-10-20 2018-03-20 Apple Inc. Magnetic connector having a unitary housing
CN105846245B (en) * 2011-04-27 2018-05-04 汽车连接器有限公司 The improvement construction of electromagnetic electrical connection device
CN105846245A (en) * 2011-04-27 2016-08-10 汽车连接器有限公司 Improved structure of electromagnetic electrical connection device
US9461403B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2016-10-04 Apple Inc. Robust magnetic connector
US9923290B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2018-03-20 Apple Inc. Robust magnetic connector
US8888500B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2014-11-18 Apple Inc. Robust magnetic connector
US9660376B2 (en) 2011-08-11 2017-05-23 Apple Inc. Connector insert having a cable crimp portion with protrusions and a receptacle having a label in the front
US9065205B2 (en) 2011-08-11 2015-06-23 Apple Inc. Connector insert having a cable crimp portion with protrusions and a receptacle having label in the front
US8944826B1 (en) 2013-07-16 2015-02-03 Curbell Medical Products, Inc. Magnetic connection for cable assembly of electronic device
WO2015032634A1 (en) * 2013-09-06 2015-03-12 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Subsea connection assembly
EP2846418A1 (en) * 2013-09-06 2015-03-11 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Subsea connection assembly
CN109050278A (en) * 2018-06-28 2018-12-21 安徽科微智能科技有限公司 Unmanned boat automatic charging system and its control method
US11424573B2 (en) 2020-09-24 2022-08-23 Apple Inc. Magnetic connectors with self-centering floating contacts

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2174556B (en) 1988-08-24
GB8511433D0 (en) 1985-06-12

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PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee