| United States Patent Application |
20120148195
|
| Kind Code
|
A1
|
|
Umeno; Hiroo
|
June 14, 2012
|
POWER AND DATA CONNECTOR
Abstract
A power and data connector includes a symmetrical planar connection
surface, a pair of symmetrical power interfaces, and one or more magnetic
attractors. The planar connection surface is at a terminal end of a
tapered extension that protrudes from a lip surface of the power and data
connector.
| Inventors: |
Umeno; Hiroo; (Seattle, WA)
|
| Assignee: |
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
Redmond
WA
|
| Family ID:
|
46199467
|
| Appl. No.:
|
13/070331
|
| Filed:
|
March 23, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
| | | | |
|
| Application Number | Filing Date | Patent Number | |
|---|
| | 61421587 | Dec 9, 2010 | | |
|
|
| Current U.S. Class: |
385/53 ; 439/38 |
| Current CPC Class: |
G02B 6/3817 20130101; H01R 11/30 20130101; H01R 13/629 20130101; H01B 11/22 20130101; G02B 6/3897 20130101; H01R 13/6205 20130101 |
| Class at Publication: |
385/53 ; 439/38 |
| International Class: |
G02B 6/36 20060101 G02B006/36; H01R 11/30 20060101 H01R011/30 |
Claims
1. A power and data connector, comprising: a lip surface; a tapered
extension protruding from the lip surface; a planar connection surface at
a terminal end of the tapered extension, the planar connection surface
being symmetrical about a first axis and symmetrical about a second axis
perpendicular to the first axis; the first axis and the second axis being
perpendicular to a connection axis of the planar connection surface; a
first power interface on the planar connection surface, the first power
interface aligned with the first axis and spaced a first distance away
from the second axis; a second power interface on the planar connection
surface, the second power interface aligned with the first axis and
spaced the first distance away from the second axis opposite the first
power interface such that the first power interface and the second power
interface are symmetrical about the second axis; one or more magnetic
attractors flush with or recessed behind the planar connection surface,
the tapered extension, and/or the lip surface.
2. The power and data connector of claim 1, where the first power
interface and the second power interface extend parallel to the
connection axis past the planar connection surface and all other portions
of the power and data connector.
3. The power and data connector of claim 1, wherein the first power
interface is operatively connected to a connection assistant resiliently
biasing the first power interface past the planar connection surface
parallel to the connection axis.
4. The power and data connector of claim 1, wherein the first power
interface includes an electrical conductor.
5. The power and data connector of claim 1, wherein the first power
interface is configured to operatively couple with a complementary power
interface of a power and data connector receptor such that electrical
power is transferred between the first power interface and the
complementary power interface.
6. The power and data connector of claim 1, where the first power
interface and the second power interface are recessed into the planar
connection surface parallel to the connection axis.
7. The power and data connector of claim 1, further comprising one or
more optical interfaces on the planar connection surface.
8. The power and data connector of claim 7, wherein the one or more
optical interfaces includes an optical interface aligned with the first
axis and the second axis at a center of the planar connection surface.
9. The power and data connector of claim 7, wherein the one or more
optical interfaces includes a first optical interface and a second
optical interface, the first optical interface aligned with the first
axis and spaced a second distance away from the second axis, the second
optical interface aligned with the first axis and spaced the second
distance away from the second axis opposite the first optical interface
such that the first optical interface and the second optical interface
are symmetrical about the second axis.
10. The power and data connector of claim 7, wherein each of the one or
more optical interfaces includes an optical fiber connector.
11. The power and data connector of claim 7, wherein each of the one or
more optical interfaces is operatively connected to a connection
assistant resiliently biasing that optical interface past the planar
connection surface parallel to the connection axis.
12. The power and data connector of claim 7, wherein each of the one or
more optical interfaces is configured to operatively couple with a
complementary optical interface of a power and data connector receptor
such that optical signals are transferred between that optical interface
and a complementary optical interface of a power and data connector
receptor.
13. A power and data connector, comprising: a lip surface; a tapered
extension protruding from the lip surface; a planar connection surface at
a terminal end of the tapered extension, the planar connection surface
being symmetrical about a first axis and symmetrical about a second axis
perpendicular to the first axis; the first axis and the second axis being
perpendicular to a connection axis of the planar connection surface; a
first power interface on the planar connection surface, the first power
interface aligned with the first axis and spaced a first distance away
from the second axis; a second power interface on the planar connection
surface, the second power interface aligned with the first axis and
spaced the first distance away from the second axis opposite the first
power interface such that the first power interface and the second power
interface are symmetrical about the second axis; one or more optical
interfaces on the planar connection surface; and one or more magnetic
attractors flush with or recessed behind the planar connection surface,
the tapered extension, and/or the lip surface.
14. The power and data connector of claim 13, wherein the first power
interface is configured to operatively couple with a complementary power
interface of a power and data connector receptor such that electrical
power is transferred between the first power interface and the
complementary power interface.
15. The power and data connector of claim 13, wherein each of the one or
more optical interfaces includes an optical fiber connector.
16. The power and data connector of claim 13, wherein each of the one or
more optical interfaces is operatively connected to a connection
assistant resiliently biasing that optical interface past the planar
connection surface parallel to the connection axis.
17. The power and data connector of claim 13, wherein each of the one or
more optical interfaces is configured to operatively couple with a
complementary optical interface of a power and data connector receptor
such that optical signals are transferred between that optical interface
and a complementary optical interface of a power and data connector
receptor.
18. An electronic device, comprising: a housing; and a plurality of power
and data connector receptors located at different sites around the
housing to selectively couple with one or more power and data connectors,
each of the plurality of power and data connector receptors including: a
lip receptor surface; a tapered opening receding from the lip receptor
surface; a planar receptor surface at a terminal end of the tapered
opening, the receptor surface being symmetrical about a first axis and
symmetrical about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis; the
first axis and the second axis being perpendicular to a connection axis
of the power and data connector when the power and data connector is
coupled to that power and data connector receptor; a first power
interface aligned with the first axis and spaced a first distance away
from the second axis; a second power interface aligned with the first
axis and spaced the first distance away from the second axis opposite the
first power interface such that the first power interface and the second
power interface are symmetrical about the second axis; and one or more
magnetic attractors flush with or recessed behind the receptor surface.
19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the plurality of power and
data connector receptors are operatively connected to one another such
that power received via one power and data connector receptor is output
via another power and data connector receptor.
20. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the lip receptor surface
is an uninterrupted portion of a housing of the electronic device.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/421,587, filed Dec. 9, 2010, the entirety of which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electronic devices often have one or more interfaces for receiving
electrical power and/or data. The design of such interfaces has a
profound effect on functional and aesthetic aspects of the electronic
device.
SUMMARY
[0003] A power and data connector includes a planar connection surface and
one or more magnetic attractors for magnetically holding the power and
data connector in place relative to a complementary power and data
connector receptor. The power and data connector further includes one or
more power interfaces for transferring electrical power and/or one or
more optical or electrical interfaces for transferring data.
[0004] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a
simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed
Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to
be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Furthermore,
the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve
any or all disadvantages noted in any part of this disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 shows a power and data connector in accordance with an
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0006] FIG. 2 shows an electronic device including a plurality of
connector receptors configured to selectively couple with the power and
data connector of FIG. 1.
[0007] FIGS. 3 and 4 show the power and data connector of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 5 shows a schematic cross section of the power and data
connector of FIG. 1 coupled to the electronic device of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a nonlimiting example of a power and data connector
10. Power and data connectors in accordance with the present disclosure,
such as power and data connector 10, provide a mechanically simple and
aesthetically pleasing mechanism for delivering power and/or data to
and/or from an electronic device, such as electronic device 12 of FIG. 2.
[0010] As described in more detail below, power and data connectors in
accordance with the present disclosure include a planar connection
surface that is substantially flat and protrudes in front of the rest of
the power and data connector. For example, FIG. 1 shows an example planar
connection surface 14 of power and data connector 10. The planar
connection surface is designed to mate with a planar receptor surface of
the electronic device. FIG. 2 shows an example planar receptor surface 16
of electronic device 12. FIG. 1 also shows a lip surface 13 and a tapered
extension 15. The tapered extension 15 protrudes from the lip surface 13,
and the planar connection surface 14 is located at a terminal end of the
tapered extension.
[0011] Magnetic attractors of the power and data connector and the
electronic device magnetically hold the planar connection surface in
place relative to the planar receptor surface. FIG. 2 shows power and
data connector 10 magnetically held in place relative to a planar
receptor surface (hidden by power and data connector 10). When held in
this manner, various power interfaces and/or optical or electrical data
interfaces of the power and data connector are operatively coupled to
complementary power interfaces and optical data interfaces of the
electronic device. As such, power and/or data may be transferred to
and/or from the electronic device via the power and data connector.
[0012] Because the connector surface and the receptor surface are planar
and magnetic force is used to hold the power and data connector to the
electronic device, the electronic device can be designed with a
substantially smooth surface. It is believed that the substantially
smooth surface allowed by the herein disclosed power and data connector
is aesthetically pleasing, is resistant to mechanical failures associated
with mechanically complicated designs, is easy to keep clean, and
provides countless other benefits.
[0013] Planar connection surface 14 is symmetrical about a first axis A
and symmetrical about a second axis B that is perpendicular to axis A.
Axis A and axis B are perpendicular to a connection axis C (shown in FIG.
3) of the planar connection surface. The symmetrical shape of the planar
connection surface allows the power and data connector to be connected to
an electronic device in either of at least two different orientations. In
other words, the power and data connector may be connected with a first
orientation or a second orientation that is rotated one hundred eighty
degrees relative to the first orientation.
[0014] Power and data connectors in accordance with the present disclosure
may include one or more pairs of power interfaces. Such power interfaces
may be electrical conductors, for example. In the illustrated example,
power and data connector 10 includes a first power interface 22 and a
second power interface 24 on planar connection surface 14. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4, first power interface 22 and second power interface 24 are
aligned with axis A. Furthermore, first power interface 22 and second
power interface 24 are each spaced the same distance away from axis B so
that the first power interface and the second power interface are
symmetrical about axis B.
[0015] Each power interface is configured to operatively couple with a
complementary power interface of a power and data connector receptor such
that electrical power is transferred between the first power interface
and the complementary power interface. As one nonlimiting example, one
power interface may be held at a first voltage and the other power
interface may be held at a different voltage such that a voltage
differential is established for providing a direct current for powering
an electronic device. The symmetrical arrangement of the power interfaces
allows the power and data connector to be orientation agnostic.
[0016] Power and data connectors in accordance with the present disclosure
may include one or more power interfaces configured to ground the power
and data connector. In the illustrated example, power and data connector
10 includes a ground power interface 26 and a ground power interface 28.
In other embodiments, the planar connection surface or another aspect of
the power and data connector may be used to ground the power and data
connector.
[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, power and data connector 10 includes
two working power interfaces for establishing a DC voltage and two ground
power interfaces for grounding the power and data connector. However,
power and data connectors may include virtually any number of working
and/or grounding power interfaces without departing from the scope of
this disclosure.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the power interfaces may extend parallel to
connection axis C past the planar connection surface 14 and all other
portions of the power and data connector. In other words, the power
interfaces may be the forward most aspect of the power and data
connector. In other embodiments, the power interfaces may be recessed
into the planar connection surface parallel to the connection axis C. As
discussed below, optical interface(s) may extend or recede similar to the
power interfaces. In general, the amount of extension and/or recession
will be relatively minor--e.g., less than two millimeters. Further, any
extension and/or recession may be accommodated by complementary recession
and/or extension of the power and data connector receptor, such that
reliable connections can be established between the power and data
connector and the electronic device.
[0019] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a plane D, which is
illustrated in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, a power interface, such as
power interface 22, may be operatively connected to a connection
assistant 30. Connection assistant resiliently biases the power interface
past the planar connection surface 14 parallel to connection axis C. The
connection assistant provides the power interface with a variable amount
of extension so that a solid contact may be made with a complementary
power interface of the electronic device. In some embodiments, the
electronic device may alternatively or additionally include a connection
assistant to resiliently bias the power interfaces of the electronic
device. The connection assistant may include a spring in some
embodiments.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 5, power and data connector 10 includes a first
magnetic attractor 32 and a second magnetic attractor 34 that are
configured to cooperate with magnetic attractor 36 and magnetic attractor
38 of electronic device 12 to magnetically hold the power and data
connector 10 in place relative to the electronic device. The magnetic
attractors may be flush with or recessed behind the planar connection
surface 14, as shown in FIG. 5. In some embodiments, one or more magnetic
attractors may alternatively or additionally be flush with or recessed
behind the lip surface and/or the tapered extension. In some embodiments,
the magnetic attractors may include a permanent magnet and/or an
electromagnet. While the illustrated embodiment shows a power and data
connector that includes two magnetic attractors, it is to be understood
that virtually any number of magnetic attractors may be used without
departing from the scope of this disclosure.
[0021] Power and data connectors in accordance with the present disclosure
may include one or more electrical or optical interfaces configured to
transmit data signals. In the illustrated example, power and data
connector 10 includes optical interface 40 in the form of an optical
fiber connector that terminates a fiber optic cable capable of
transmitting data signals in the form of light.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, optical interface 40 is aligned with axis A and
axis B at a center of planar connection surface 14. In some embodiments,
a pair of optical interfaces may be aligned with axis A and spaced the
same distance away from axis B so that the pair of optical interfaces are
symmetrical about axis B.
[0023] Like the power interfaces, the optical interface is configured to
operatively couple with a complementary optical interface of a power and
data connector receptor. In this way, optical signals may be transferred
between the optical interface of the power and data connector and the
complementary optical interface of the electronic device.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 5, optical interface 40 may be operatively
connected to a connection assistant 42 resiliently biasing that optical
interface past planar connection surface 14.
[0025] Turning back to FIG. 2, electronic device 12 includes a housing 44
and a plurality of power and data connector receptors to selectively
couple with power and data connectors. In the illustrated embodiment,
electronic device includes an empty power and data connector receptor 17
and a power and data connector receptor 18 that is occupied by power and
data connector 10. A device may include virtually any number of power and
data connector receptors without departing from the scope of this
disclosure.
[0026] The power and data connector receptors may be formed as an integral
part of the device chassis or housing so that there is not a separate
user-visible connector housing. Furthermore, the power and data connector
may include a tapered opening that recedes to the planar receptor surface
at its terminal end. The tapered opening may be sized and shaped to mate
with the tapered extension of the power and data connector. The tapered
arrangement helps guide the power and data connector into a mated
arrangement with the power and data connector receptor in either of two
orientations (i.e., 180 degree rotation). In the mated arrangement, the
magnetic attractors can hold the power and data connector in place.
[0027] The power and data connector receptors may be located at different
sites around housing 44. An auxiliary device or power source may be
connected to any of the different connector receptors via a power and
data connector, thus providing connection flexibility that may facilitate
using the electronic device in a desired orientation, with a desired case
or covering, and/or with a desired grip.
[0028] Furthermore, when plural connector receptors are included in the
same electronic device, two or more auxiliary devices (or an auxiliary
device and a power source) may be simultaneously connected to the
electronic device via different power and data connectors. In such cases,
the plurality of connector receptors may be operatively connected to one
another such that power received via one connector receptor may be output
via another connector receptor; and data received via an optical
interface of one connector receptor may be output via an optical
interface of another connector receptor. In this way, power and/or data
may not only be delivered to the electronic device, but also through the
electronic device to another auxiliary device.
[0029] In general, each power and data connector receptor may be
configured to complement the power and data connector. As such, each of
the plurality of power and data connector receptors may include a
receptor surface 16. In some embodiments, the receptor surface may be
planar. Furthermore, the receptor surface may be recessed less than six
millimeters from the housing so as to provide a substantially continuous
and uninterrupted surface from the housing and across the connector
receptor. The overall smoothness of the connector receptor in relation to
the housing provides a clean appearance that does not include any
protrusions that can be easily broken or large gaps into which debris and
other contaminants may collect. The overall smoothness is also thought to
produce an aesthetically pleasing appearance.
[0030] Like the corresponding planar connection surface of the power and
data connector, the connector receptor may be substantially symmetrical.
Furthermore, the connector receptor may include power interfaces and/or
optical interfaces positioned to align with the corresponding power
interfaces and optical interfaces of the power and data connector when
the power and data connector is magnetically held to the electronic
device. To facilitate such magnetic holding, the connector receptor may
include one or more magnetic attractors flush with or recessed behind the
receptor surface.
[0031] It is to be understood that the configurations and/or approaches
described herein are exemplary in nature, and that these specific
embodiments or examples are not to be considered in a limiting sense,
because numerous variations are possible. The specific routines or
methods described herein may represent one or more of any number of
processing strategies. As such, various acts illustrated may be performed
in the sequence illustrated, in other sequences, in parallel, or in some
cases omitted. Likewise, the order of the above-described processes may
be changed.
[0032] The subject matter of the present disclosure includes all novel and
nonobvious combinations and subcombinations of the various processes,
systems and configurations, and other features, functions, acts, and/or
properties disclosed herein, as well as any and all equivalents thereof.
* * * * *