Patent Application
20150024611
The present invention relates to cable connectors for connecting power and/or data cables to electronic devices.
Traditionally, many hand-held electronic devices have a cable that brings power and/or signal wires to and from the device itself. In many cases, the cable is generally the most wearable part and often needs to be replaced. Strain relief designs have increased the durability of a cable assembly, but the cable assembly is most often the weak link and fails before the rest of the device. Replacing cables in the field can be costly for several reasons, including but not limited to: (1) time lost while the device is out of service, (2) cost of personnel to perform the rework action, (3) cost to ship the device back to the original equipment manufacturer (“OEM”) to provide the rework service (if required), and (4) cost of replacement components as the device is disassembled and reassembled during repair service.
Where a reliable connection between the cable and device is important, it is known to provide a mechanical coupling to secure the connection against inadvertent or unintended disconnection. A familiar mechanical coupling arrangement comprises one or more screws carried at the connector end of the cable and mating into corresponding threaded holes in the device. Such a connection is time consuming to tighten during installation and to disconnect for repair or replacement. Moreover, disconnection may be carried out by anyone with a common screwdriver. This may be undesirable from a security and/or safety standpoint in some settings, for example in hospitals or other health care settings.
There are magnetic “breakaway” cable connectors wherein magnetic force holds the connection between the cable and the device. These have a tendency to become disconnected inadvertently if tugged, even with a relatively low tugging force. As a result, cable wear is avoided but unintended disconnection is a problem.
There is a need for an invention that provides a reliable connection between the cable and the device, wherein the connection is efficient to connect during set-up and efficient to disconnect when replacement or repair is required. There is also a need for a cable connection that is relatively secure against disconnection by unauthorized personnel.
The present invention provides a connection apparatus for receiving and retaining a cable connector that meets the needs mentioned above.
The connection apparatus of the present invention receives and retains a cable connector having an external recess. The connection apparatus comprises a housing defining a receptacle sized to receive the cable connector, a compartment, and a passage communicating between the compartment and the receptacle. The connection apparatus also comprises a spring member located in the compartment and a retaining element coupled to the spring member. The retaining element is magnetic and is configured to extend through the passage in the housing and into the external recess of the cable connector when the cable connector is received in the receptacle, such that the retaining element acts to retain the cable connector in the receptacle. The retaining element is removable from within the external recess of the cable connector against the bias of the spring member by a magnetic force applied from a location external to the housing. A tool having a magnet may be used to apply the magnetic force to remove the retaining element from the recess in the cable connector to permit withdrawal of the cable connector from the receptacle. The retaining element may include a sloped surface such that the retaining element is displaced against the bias of the spring member during insertion of the cable connector and the retaining element snaps into the recess under spring force when the cable connector is fully inserted. In an embodiment of the invention, the spring member is a flat spring member, and the magnetic retaining element is fixed to a surface of the spring member.
The present invention also encompasses a connection assembly comprising a connection apparatus as summarized above in combination with a cable including a cable connector at an end thereof, wherein the cable connector has an external recess arranged to receive the retaining element.
The invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
In the drawing figures, spring member 16 is depicted as a flat spring member having a top surface 32 and a bottom surface 34 opposite the top surface, and magnetic retaining element 18 is fixed to the bottom surface 34 of spring member 16. As best understood from
Cover 20 may be arranged to enclose compartment 26, for example by snap-fitted arrangement. Cover 20 may include one or more fulcrums 40 for engaging spring member 16 to hold spring member 16 in position within compartment 26 yet allow the spring member to deflect. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of fulcrums 40 extend inwardly from a top portion 38 of cover 20 for engaging top surface 32 of spring member 16. Opposite ends of cover top portion 38 may be held at steps 27 at opposite sides of compartment 26. The magnetic retaining element 18 may be fixed to a mid-region 34A of the bottom surface 34 of spring member 16, and the bottom surface 34 may have a pair of bottom end regions 34B on opposite sides of magnetic retaining element 18. The bottom end regions 34B may be arranged to engage an internal surface 42 of compartment 26. Top surface 32 of spring member 16 may have a pair of top end regions 32B on opposite sides of the magnetic retaining element, and fulcrums 40 may be arranged for respectively engaging top end regions 32B.
Magnetic retaining element 18 may include a sloped surface 44 (visible in
Operation of the invention will now be described with reference to
Magnetic force applied from a location external to housing 14 may be used to quickly and easily displace magnetic retaining element 18 out of recess 30 to permit manual removal of cable connector 22 from receptacle 24.
As will be understood, application of magnetic force is required for disconnection, but may or may not be required for insertion of cable connector 22, depending upon whether retaining element 18 and/or cable connector 22 is configured to enable mechanical camming displacement of retaining element 18 during insertion of cable connector 22 as described above, for example by provision of sloped surface 44. If camming displacement of retaining element 18 is not enabled, then application of magnetic force may be used to displace retaining element 18 during insertion of cable connector 22 until recess 30 registers with retaining element 18, at which point magnetic force may be removed so that the bias of spring member 16 urges retaining element 18 into recess 30. Magnetic retaining element 18 may include a ferrous metal core (i.e. the retaining element may itself be a ferrous metal core or the retaining element may carry a ferrous metal core) for displacement in the presence of a magnetic field. As used herein, “magnetic” is intended broadly encompass elements and structures that are attracted or repelled by a magnetic field, and elements and structures that have or generate their own magnetic field. Modifications of tool 50 and retaining element 18 are of course possible, including without limitation the use of an electromagnet in place of rare earth magnet 52. While
Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail herein, however those skilled in the art will realize that modifications may be made. Such modifications do not stray from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
