Module assembly and connector and electronic device

{
  "publication_number": "US9748689B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Module assembly and connector and electronic device",
  "abstract": "Provided are a module assembly, a connector, and an electronic device, the module assembly including a first module that includes a pin configured to selectively protrude from a side thereof, a pin installation portion in which the pin is installed to be movable, and a first magnet configured to attract the pin into the pin installation portion, a second module to be coupled to the first module, the second module including a pin receiver configured to receive the pin when the pin protrudes from the first module, and a second magnet configured to attract the pin into the pin receiver, wherein the second magnet is configured to apply, to the pin, a greater magnitude of magnetic force than the first magnet in a case in which a distance between the first module and the second module is less than a preset distance.",
  "claims": [
    "1. An electronic device to be connected with a connector, the electronic device comprising: a first frame; a first terminal connected to a substrate provided in the first frame via a conducting wire and exposed to an outside of the first frame; a pin configured to selectively protrude from the first frame and be coupled to the connector; a pin installation portion in which the pin is installed to be movable between a first position and a second position, the pin in the first position not protruding from the first frame and the pin in the second position protruding from the first frame; and a first magnet configured to maintain the pin in the first position by applying a magnetic force to the pin, wherein the pin protrudes from the first frame in response to the magnetic force applied by the first magnet to the pin being smaller than a magnetic force applied by a magnet of the connector to the pin.",
    "2. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the pin comprises a head and a projection protruding from the head.",
    "3. The electronic device of claim 2, wherein the pin installation portion comprises a head guide configured to provide a space in which the head is movable and to guide a movement of the head, a projection guide configured to provide a space in which the projection is movable and to guide a movement of the projection, and a stopper provided between the head guide and the projection guide to prevent the head from being separated toward an outside of the electronic device.",
    "4. A connector for connecting with the electronic device of claim 1, the connector comprising: a second frame; a pin receiver provided on a side of the second frame and configured to receive a pin selectively protruding from the electronic device; a magnet installed in the second frame and configured to attract the pin into the pin receiver; and a second terminal provided on a side of the second frame, and configured to be connected to the first terminal of the electronic device, wherein the second terminal of the connector is fixedly connected to the first terminal of the electronic device in response to the pin being received in the pin receiver.",
    "5. The connector of claim 4, wherein the connector further comprises conducting wires, and the second terminal is an end portion of the conducting wires.",
    "6. An electronic device to be connected with a connector including a pin, the electronic device comprising: a frame in which a pin receiver is formed such that the pin selectively protruding from the connector is to be inserted into the pin receiver; a magnet installed in the frame and configured to attract the pin into the pin receiver; a terminal connected to a substrate provided in the frame via a conducting wire and exposed to an outside of the frame; an electromagnet operator configured to supply current to the magnet; and a controller configured to control the electromagnet operator to selectively supply current to the magnet.",
    "7. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein: the magnet is an electromagnet, and the controller is configured to magnetize the magnet when a terminal of the connector is connected to the terminal of the electronic device.",
    "8. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to control the electromagnet operator to demagnetize the magnet based on an instruction input through a user interface.",
    "9. An electronic device coupling system comprising: an electronic device; and a connector configured to be connected with the electronic device, wherein the connector comprises: a first frame; a first terminal provided on a side of the first frame; a pin configured to selectively protrude from the first frame and be coupled to the electronic device; a pin installation portion in which the pin is installed to be movable; and a first magnet configured to maintain a state in which the pin is received in the first frame, and wherein the electronic device comprises: a second frame in which a pin receiver is formed such that the pin selectively protruding from the connector is to be inserted into the pin receiver; a second magnet installed in the second frame and configured to attract the pin into the pin receiver; and a second terminal connected to a substrate provided in the second frame via a conducting wire and exposed to an outside of the second frame.",
    "10. The electronic device coupling system of claim 9, wherein the electronic device further comprises a controller configured to control an electromagnet operator to selectively supply current to the second magnet, and the controller is configured to magnetize the second magnet when the first terminal of the connector is connected to the second terminal of the electronic device.",
    "11. The electronic device coupling system of claim 10, wherein the controller is configured to control the electromagnet operator to demagnetize the second magnet based on an instruction input through a user interface.",
    "12. The electronic device coupling system of claim 9, wherein the second magnet is configured to apply, to the pin, a greater magnitude of magnetic force than the first magnet in a case in which a distance between the electronic device and the connector is less than a preset distance.",
    "13. The electronic device coupling system of claim 9, wherein the pin is configured to protrude from the first frame in response to a magnetic force applied by the second magnet to the pin being greater than a magnetic force applied by the first magnet to the pin.",
    "14. The electronic device coupling system of claim 9, the first terminal of the connector is in contact with the second terminal of the electronic device when the connector is coupled to the electronic device."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "1. Field\n\nOne or more example embodiments relate to a module assembly, a connector, and an electronic device.\n\n2. Description of Related Art\n\nRecently, various module-based designing tools have been suggested for the purpose of education, hobbies, research, and manufacture. Modules included in such designing tools may each perform a predetermined function, and be connected to another to form a module assembly. The modules may be electrically connected to one another to exchange energy, signals, or data. A user may design a module assembly to achieve a predetermined purpose by assembling modules according to a provided manual or in a creative manner.\n\nSuch modules are provided in the form of blocks having predetermined three-dimensional shapes, in general, the shapes of rectangular parallelepipeds or regular hexahedra. Connecting structures for maintaining coupling between the modules and transferring electrical signals are being adopted.\n\nIn an example, US2013/0343025 A1 discloses modules coupled to each other using a male protrusion and a female indentation to be coupled to each other, magnets to maintain engagement therebetween, and spring probes configured to transfer current.\n\nIn another example, US2015/0251104 A1 discloses modules coupled to each other using a male protruding coupling plug and a female coupling recess to be coupled to each other, a male annular protruding bar having protrusions and a female annular groove having undercuts, the annular protruding bar and the annular groove to be coupled to each other, and plug contacts and slip ring contacts for electrical contact.",
  "cpc": [
    "H01R 13/6205",
    "A63H 33/06",
    "H01R 11/30",
    "H01R 13/514",
    "H01R 9/2458"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "H01R 11/30",
    "H01R 13/62"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Luxrubo"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Seok Jung Kim",
    "Yoon Son",
    "Sang Hun Oh"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2017-06-21",
  "publication_date": "2017-08-29",
  "grant_date": "2017-08-29",
  "priority_date": "2016-03-07",
  "application_number": "US-201715629432-A",
  "family_id": "59654824",
  "cited_by_count": 10,
  "citations": [
    "US20110263177A1",
    "WO2012035567A1",
    "US8672228B1",
    "US20130343025A1",
    "US20150251104A1",
    "CN103394200A"
  ]
}