Magnetic connector apparatus

Abstract

A magnetic electrical connector is provided which has particular application to use in vehicles or aircraft to prevent damage due to passenger movement. The connector includes a socket having a housing with a front face, a plurality of conductor contact regions provided on the front face, and a magnet provided in the housing to physically retain a plug in connection with the socket in use.

1 . An electrical connector socket for selective electrical connection with a first plug and a second plug, the first and second plugs having different configurations, the electrical connector socket comprising:
 a housing having a first face;   a plug pin receiver comprising an aperture extending rearwardly of the first face, the receiver being adapted to axially receive, and electrically connect to, a plug pin of the first plug and second plug; and   a plurality of conductor contact regions provided on the housing to physically and electrically contact conductors of the second plug.   
     
     
         2 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a magnet provided in the housing to physically retain the second plug in connection with the socket in use. 
     
     
         3 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one electrical connection of a plug pin to the plug pin receiver comprises functionality able to be provided by electrical contact between the conductor contact regions and the conductors of the second plug. 
     
     
         4 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the socket is configured to receive an audio plug. 
     
     
         5 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the socket has a shape adapted to align the first and/or second plug in use. 
     
     
         6 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conductor contact regions are substantially flush with the first face. 
     
     
         7 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the conductor contact regions is a power contact region adapted to make a power supply available to the second plug. 
     
     
         8 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first plug corresponds to an existing audio jack. 
     
     
         9 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the conductor contact regions are formed on a printed circuit board. 
     
     
         10 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a detector to detect correct connection of the second plug. 
     
     
         11 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the housing comprises one or more contours to align the first or second plug. 
     
     
         12 . An electrical connector socket as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plug pin receiver is configured to electrically connect to stub pins of the second plug. 
     
     
         13 . An audio connector comprising:
 a socket comprising a plug pin receiver and a plurality of conductor contact regions, the plug pin receiver comprising an aperture extending rearwardly of the first face; and   one of a plurality of possible plugs adapted to engage with the socket, each plug comprising at least one plug pin to engage the plug pin receiver and at least one of the plugs comprising a plurality of conductors adapted to engage the conductor contact regions;   wherein in use at least one of the plurality of possible plugs and the socket are electrically connected by at least one plug pin and at least one of the conductor contact regions.   
     
     
         14 . An audio connector as claimed in  claim 13  wherein the plug pin receiver is configured to electrically connect to stub pins of at least one of the possible plugs. 
     
     
         15 . An audio connector as claimed in  claim 13  comprising a magnet provided in the socket to physically retain the at least one of the plurality of possible plugs in connection with the socket in use. 
     
     
         16 . An audio connector as claimed in  claim 13  comprising a magnet provided in at least one of the plurality of possible plugs to physically retain the socket in a connection with the at least one of the plurality of possible plugs in use. 
     
     
         17 . An audio connector as claimed in  claim 13  wherein at least one of the plugs is configured to electrically connect to the socket with stub pins. 
     
     
         18 . An electrical connector plug for an electrical connector socket, the electrical connector plug comprising:
 a housing having a first face;   a plurality of conductor contacts provided on the housing to physically and electrically contact conductors on the electrical connector socket; and   a plurality of plug pin stubs extending forwardly of the first face, the plug pin stubs arranged to align the electrical connector plug and the electrical connector socket and to make electrical contact with the electrical connector socket.   
     
     
         19 . An electrical connector plug as claimed in  claim 17  comprising a magnet provided in the housing to physically retain the electrical connector socket in connection with the electrical connector plug in use. 
     
     
         20 . An electrical connector plug as claimed in  claim 17  wherein the plug pin stubs are arranged to engage with a conventional socket.