CONNECTOR, COMPONENT AND METHOD FOR CAPACITIVE COUPLING IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND CAPACITIVELY COUPLED COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

Abstract

A connector for capacitive coupling of a first communicator and a second communicator of a communication system has a first, a second, a third and a fourth electrode, all of which are electrically conductive. The first and third electrodes are designed to be coupled to the first communicator. The second and fourth electrodes are designed to be coupled to the second communicator. The electrodes are designed to constitute capacitive couplings. Additionally, the first and the second electrode are designed to induce an attractive force between themselves by using a magnetic interaction. Analogously, the third and the fourth electrode are designed to induce an attractive force between themselves by using a magnetic interaction.

Claims

1. A connector for capacitive coupling of a first communicator and a second communicator of a communication system, the connector comprising a first electrode and a third electrode to be coupled to the first communicator; and a second electrode and a fourth electrode to be coupled to the second communicator; and wherein the first, the second, the third and the fourth electrode are designed to constitute a capacitive coupling between the first and the second electrode and an additional capacitive coupling between the third and the fourth electrode; to induce an attractive force between the first and the second electrode and an attractive force between the third and the fourth electrode, respectively, by using magnetic interactions.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the attractive force between the first and the second electrode aligns the first and the second electrode with respect to each other; and the attractive force between the third and the fourth electrode aligns the third and the fourth electrode with respect to each other.

3. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode features a first magnetization, the second electrode features a second magnetization, the third electrode features a third magnetization and the fourth electrode features a fourth magnetization.

4. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode features a first magnetization, the second electrode features a second magnetization, the third electrode features a third magnetization and the fourth electrode features a fourth magnetization; and at least one of the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetization is inherent to the respective of the electrodes or is electromagnetically induced.

5. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode features a first magnetization, the second electrode features a second magnetization, the third electrode features a third magnetization and the fourth electrode features a fourth magnetization; at least one of the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetization is inherent to the respective of the electrodes or is electromagnetically induced; and at least one of the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetization is induced by said inherent or electromagnetically induced magnetization.

6. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the first electrode comprises a first body, the second electrode comprises a second body, the third electrode comprises a third body and the fourth electrode comprises a fourth body; the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth body are made of a magnetic or a magnetizable material; and the first body comprises the first magnetization, the second body comprises the second magnetization, the third body comprises the third magnetization and the fourth body comprises the fourth magnetization; and the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth body are made of an electrically conductive material and/or the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth electrode comprise a conductive coating made of an electrically conductive material.

7. The connector according to claim 3, wherein the first electrode comprises a first body, the second electrode comprises a second body, the third electrode comprises a third body and the fourth electrode comprises a fourth body; the first, the second, the third and the fourth body are made of an electrically conductive material; the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth electrode comprises a magnetic coating made of a magnetic or a magnetizable material; and the magnetic coating of the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth electrode comprise the first, the second, the third and/or the fourth magnetization, respectively.

8. The connector according to claim 1, further comprising additional alignment elements designed to align and/or fix the first and the second electrode with respect to each other and/or to align and/or fix the third and the fourth electrode with respect to each other.

9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the additional alignment elements comprises at least one of the following: an extra magnet arrangement; a cavity/bulge pair comprised by the first and the second electrode and/or the third and the fourth electrode; a curvature of the first electrode adapted to a curvature of the second electrode and/or a curvature of the third electrode adapted to a curvature of the fourth electrode.

10. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first, second, third and fourth electrodes are designed to induce by using magnetic interactions a repulsive force between the first electrode and the fourth electrode; and a repulsive force between the second electrode and the third electrode.

11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector designed to transport information from the first communicator to the second communicator or vice versa via the first, the second, the third and the fourth electrode.

12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the first communicator is implemented as a transmitter, a receiver, and/or a transceiver.

13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the second communicator is implemented as a transmitter, a receiver, and/or a transceiver.

14. The connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector is a connector for a communication system.

15. A communication system comprising a connector according to claim 1, further comprising the first and the second communicator and wherein the first and the third electrode are coupled to the first communicator and wherein the second and the fourth electrode are coupled to the second communicator.

16. The communication system according to claim 15, wherein the first communicator is comprised by a first mobile electronic device; and the second communicator is comprised by a second mobile electronic device being independent from the first mobile electronic device or by a stationary electronic device.

17. (canceled)

18. A component of a communication system for capacitive coupling of a first communicator to a second communicator, the first communicator being coupled to a first electrode and to a third electrode, the component comprising a second electrode and a fourth electrode to be coupled to the second communicator, wherein the second and the fourth electrode are designed to constitute together with the first and the third electrode, respectively, the capacitive coupling; and to induce together with the first and the third electrode, respectively, an attractive force between the first and the second electrode and an attractive force between the third and the fourth electrode, respectively, by using magnetic interactions.

19. A method for capacitive coupling of a first communicator and a second communicator of a communication system, the method comprising steps of approaching the first communicator to the second communicator and/or vice versa; establishing a capacitive coupling between a first electrode coupled to the first communicator and a second electrode coupled to the second communicator; establishing an additional capacitive coupling between a third electrode coupled to the first communicator and a fourth electrode coupled to the second communicator; aligning the first and the second electrode with respect to each other by using a magnetic interaction between the first electrode and the second electrode; and aligning the third and the fourth electrode with respect to each other by using a magnetic interaction between the third and the fourth electrode.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic interactions originate from a first magnetization of the first electrode, a second magnetization of the second electrode, a third magnetization of the third electrode and a fourth magnetization of the fourth electrode.

21. The method according to claim 19, wherein the magnetic interactions originate from a first magnetization of the first electrode, a second magnetization of the second electrode, a third magnetization of the third electrode and a fourth magnetization of the fourth electrode; and at least one of the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetization are inherent to the respective of the electrodes or are electromagnetically induced.

22. An industrial connector arrangement comprising a communication system according to claim 15.

23. A robotics system comprising a communication system according to claim 15.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] In the following the improved concept is explained in detail with the aid of exemplary implementations by reference to the drawings. Components that are functionally identical or have an identical effect may be denoted by identical references.

[0051] Identical or effectively identical components may be described only with respect to the Figure where they occur first, their description is not necessarily repeated in successive Figures.

[0052] FIG. 1 shows a connector of a communication system;

[0053] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept;

[0054] FIG. 3 shows schematic equivalent circuits of a communication system according to the improved concept;

[0055] FIG. 4A shows a schematic illustration of electrodes of an exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept;

[0056] FIG. 4B shows a schematic illustration of electrodes of a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept;

[0057] FIG. 5A shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept;

[0058] FIG. 5B shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept;

[0059] FIG. 5C shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept;

[0060] FIG. 5D shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept; and

[0061] FIG. 5E shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0062] In FIG. 1, a connector of a communication system is shown. The connector comprises a first electrode E1 coupled to a first communicator TX and a second electrode E2 coupled to a second communicator RX. The first and the second communicator TX, RX may for example be coupled to or comprised by electronic devices (not shown in FIG. 1, see FIG. 3).

[0063] In the shown example, the first and second electrodes E1, E2 have shapes of congruent or approximately congruent rectangular plates arranged on top of each other and facing each other. The first and the second electrode E1, E2 feature a first and a second magnetization, respectively. A resulting magnetic field is indicated by the arrows pointing from a lower side of the first electrode E1, representing a magnetic north pole N, to an upper side of the second electrode E2, representing a magnetic south pole S. This arrangement causes an attractive force acting between the first and second electrodes E1, E2, in particular aligning the first and second electrodes E1, E2 in a desired geometry, in a certain sense leading to a self-alignment of the first and second electrodes E1, E2. Naturally, in equivalent implementations, for example featuring opposite magnetizations, the lower side of the first electrode E1 may represent a magnetic south pole and the upper side of the second electrode E2 may represent a magnetic north pole.

[0064] FIG. 2 shows an exemplary implementation of a connector in a communication system, in particular of a differential communication system, according to the improved concept. The connector is based on the one shown in FIG. 1. Additionally it comprises a third electrode E3 coupled to the first communicator TX and a fourth electrode E4 coupled to the second communicator RX.

[0065] In the present example, the first communicator TX is implemented as a transmitter TX and the second communicator RX is implemented as a receiver RX. Therein, the transmitter TX and the receiver RX may or may not share the same ground potential. In alternative embodiments, the first communicator may for example be implemented as a receiver and the second communicator as a transmitter. In further embodiments, the first and/or the second communicator may be implemented as a transceiver.

[0066] In the shown example, the first and second electrodes E1, E2 have shapes of congruent or approximately congruent rectangular plates arranged on top of each other and facing each other. The third and fourth electrodes E3, E4 also have shapes of congruent or approximately congruent rectangular plates arranged on top of each other and facing each other.

[0067] The first and the second electrode E1, E2 feature a first and a second magnetization, respectively. The third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 feature a third and a fourth magnetization, respectively. Resulting magnetic fields are indicated by arrows pointing from a lower side of the first electrode E1, representing a magnetic north pole N, to an upper side of the second electrode E2, representing a magnetic south pole S and from an upper side of the fourth electrode E4, representing a magnetic north pole N, to a lower side of the third electrode E3, representing a magnetic south pole S.

[0068] This arrangement causes attractive forces acting between the first and second electrodes E1, E2 and between the third and the fourth electrodes E3, E4, respectively. In particular, the attractive forces align the first and second electrodes E1, E2 as well as the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 in desired geometries. In a certain sense, this leads to a self-alignment of the first and second electrodes E1, E2 and of the third and fourth electrodes E3, E4. Naturally, in equivalent implementations, for example featuring opposite magnetizations, the lower side of the first electrode E1 and the upper side of the fourth electrode E4 may represent magnetic south poles S. Then, for example the upper side of the second electrode E2 and the lower side of the third electrode E3 may represent magnetic north poles N. Also other combinations of poles may be suitable.

[0069] The third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 constitute a second communication path in parallel to a first communication path constituted by the first and the second electrode E1, E2.

[0070] In the arrangement of FIG. 2, the lower side of the first electrode E1 and the upper side of the fourth electrode E4 feature the same magnetic north polarity N. Analogously, the upper side of the second electrode E2 and the lower side of the third electrode E3 feature the same magnetic south polarity S. Therefore, repulsive magnetic forces are induced between the first electrode E1 and the fourth electrode E4 as well as between the second electrode E2 and the third electrode E3. In this way, in a sense an automatic connection of the first electrode E1 to the second electrode E2 may be achieved, while an accidental or wrong connection of the first electrode E1 to the fourth electrode E4 may be avoided. Analogously, an automatic connection of the third electrode E3 to the fourth electrode E4 may be achieved, while an accidental or wrong connection of the third electrode E3 to the second electrode E2 may be avoided.

[0071] As for the first and second electrodes E1, E2, also the third and fourth electrodes E3, E4 are both electrically conductive and magnetic. Thus, the first and the second electrode E1, E2 as well as the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 capacitively couple the transmitter TX to the receiver RX.

[0072] The third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 are implemented in analogy to the first and second electrode E1, E2 according to one of the implementations of the connector described below or earlier. It is highlighted, however, that in the connector of FIG. 2, the structural implementations of the third and fourth electrodes E3, E4 do not necessarily have to be identical to the structural implementations of the first and second electrodes E1, E2. Any combination of the described implementations may be suitable for specific applications or purposes.

[0073] Due to the improved alignment of the first and second electrodes E1, E2 and the third and fourth electrodes E3, E4, an undesired cross coupling may for example be reduced or avoided in a differential communication system with a connector as in FIG. 2. The cross-coupling may for example correspond to a undesired capacitive coupling between the first electrode E1 and the fourth electrode E4 and/or between the third electrode E3 and the second electrode E2.

[0074] In an application, the electronic devices comprising the transmitter TX and the receiver RX, respectively, may for example be in direct physical contact while the capacitive coupling is active. However, it is obviously preferable that the first and second electrodes E1, E2 are not electrically connected. In respective implementations of the connector, the first and second electrodes E1, E2 may for example be electrically isolated from each other, for example by means of an isolating coating and/or a housing. The analog holds for the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4. Alternatively, there may be a distance between the first and second electrodes E1, E2 and/or between the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4.

[0075] The first and the third electrode E1, E3 may for example be detachable from the second and the fourth electrode E2, E4, respectively. In this way the capacitive coupling between the transmitter TX and the receiver RX may be lifted, for example if it is not necessary or not desired in the application.

[0076] In the shown example, the first, the second, the third and the fourth magnetization may for example be caused by permanent magnetic materials comprised by the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4. Alternatively, the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4 may be implemented for example as electromagnets. In further alternative implementations, at least one of the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4 is for example implemented as a permanent magnet or an electromagnet, while at least another one of the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4 is implemented as a paramagnet or ferromagnet. In such an implementation, the permanent magnets or electromagnets may for example induce respective magnetizations in the paramagnets or ferromagnets. Then, the magnetizations result in the attractive force between the first and second electrode E1, E2 and between the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4.

[0077] The magnetizations cause magnetic fields and consequently attractive forces between the first and the second electrode E1, E2 and between the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 are induced, aligning said electrodes with respect to each other. In particular, defined distances as well as desired orientations and/or congruencies between the first and the second electrode E1, E2 and between the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4 may be achieved in this way. Also, an undesired tilt of the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4 with respect to each other may be avoided.

[0078] In other implementations, the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4 may for example comprise electrically conductive bodies and magnetic coatings as described below with respect to FIG. 4A.

[0079] Alternatively, the electrodes E1, E2, E3, E4 may for example comprise magnetic bodies and electrically conductive coatings as described below with respect to FIG. 4B.

[0080] The upper part of FIG. 3 shows schematically a block diagram of an equivalent circuit of a communication system according to the improved concept. A first device D1 is coupled to, in particular comprises, a first communicator TX implemented as a transmitter TX and a second device D2 is coupled to, in particular comprises, a second communicator RX implemented as a receiver RX. The transmitter TX is coupled to, and for example comprises, a first electrode E1 and a third electrode E3, while the receiver RX is coupled to, and for example comprises, a second electrode E2 and a fourth electrode E4.

[0081] The first electrode E1 and the second electrode E2 are in close proximity in the upper part of the Figure which results in a capacitive coupling. The analog holds for the third and the fourth electrode E3, E4. The electrode E1, E2, E3, E4 feature a first, a second, a third and a fourth magnetization, respectively. In the present example, this is indicated by arrows pointing from the magnetic north poles (not shown) at the first and the fourth electrodes E1, E4 to the magnetic south poles (not shown) at the second and the third electrodes E2, E3. This leads to attractive forces between the first and the second electrode E1, E2 and between the third and the fourth electrodes E3, E4, yielding an alignment of said electrodes with respect to each other.

[0082] The upper part of FIG. 3 may for example represent a situation where the first device D1, for example an electronic device, for example a mobile electronic device, is in close proximity to the second device D2, for example an electronic device, for example a stationary electronic device.

[0083] In the lower part of FIG. 3, a schematic equivalent circuit is shown for a situation where the communication system is detached. Only a part of the communication system is shown, including the first device D1, the transmitter TX and the first and third electrodes E1, E3.

[0084] FIGS. 4A to 5E show illustrations of the first and the second electrode E1, E2 of the connector according to the improved concept. For the sake of clarity, the third and fourth electrodes E3, E4 are not shown, but they may be implemented in the same way or according to another implementation, in particular another implementation according to the improved concept.

[0085] FIG. 4A shows schematically a cross section through the first and the second electrode E1, E2. In the shown example, the first electrode E1 comprises a first body B1 and a first magnetic coating MC1, while the second electrode E2 comprises a second body B2 and a second magnetic coating MC2. The first and second magnetic coatings MC1, MC2 cover the first and second bodies B1, B2, respectively. In alternative embodiments, said coverage may for example be partial, for example may be present only on those sides of the first and second electrodes E1, E2 which are facing each other.

[0086] The first and the second body B1, B2 are made of an electrically conductive material, for example made of a metal or a metal alloy, for example copper, aluminum or another metal. The first and the second body may also be made of several layers, some or all of which may be electrically conductive. The layers may for example be of different materials.

[0087] In the shown implementation, the first and the second body B1, B2 may for example be made of a non-magnetic or non-magnetizable material. The first and second magnetization are then comprised by the first and the second magnetic coating MC1, MC2, respectively. Alternatively, the first and the second body B1, B2 may for example be made of a magnetic or a magnetizable material, too. Then, the first and second magnetization are comprised partially by the first and the second body B1, B2, respectively, and partially by the first and the second magnetic coating MC1, MC2, respectively. In the present example, the lower side of the first electrode E1 represents the magnetic north pole N and the upper side of the second electrode E2 represents the magnetic south pole S. A resulting magnetic field between the first and the second electrode E1, E2 is indicated by arrows pointing from the north pole N to the south pole S. In this way, an attractive force between the first and the second electrode E1, E2 is induced, aligning the first and the second electrode E1, E2 with respect to each other.

[0088] FIG. 4B shows an illustration of the first and the second electrode E1, E2 of the connector. Shown is schematically a cross section through the first and the second electrode E1, E2. In the shown example, the first electrode E1 comprises a first body B1 and a first conductive coating CC1, while the second electrode E2 comprises a second body B2 and a second conductive coating CC2. The first and second conductive coatings CC1, CC2 cover the first and second bodies B1, B2, respectively.

[0089] The first and the second body B1, B2 are made of a magnetic material, for example made of a permanent magnet of a paramagnetic material, for example a paramagnetic metal or a metal alloy, designed as an electromagnet. The first and the second body B1, B2 may also be made of several layers, some or all of which may be magnetic. The layers may for example be of different materials.

[0090] In the shown implementation, the first and the second body B1, B2 may for example be made of an electrically conductive or an electrically non-conductive material. The first and the second conductive coatings CC1, CC2 may then for example render the first and second electrodes E1, E2, respectively, electrically conductive or improve their electrical conductivity. Such implementation may be particularly advantageous if the material of which the first and the second body B1, B2 comprise or partially comprise does not achieve desired minimum values for an electrical conductivity.

[0091] FIG. 5A shows an exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept comprising additional alignment means or elements AM. The shown connector is similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. Additionally, the connector of FIG. 4A includes additional alignment means or elements AM represented in the present example by mutually adapted curvatures of the first and second electrodes E1, E2. In this way, an additional improvement of physical alignment and/or mechanical stability may for example be achieved. The displayed curved plates are chosen for illustrational reasons only. In particular, other suitably adapted geometrical shapes of the first and second electrodes E1, E2 may be preferable in specific applications.

[0092] FIG. 5B shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept with additional alignment means AM. In addition to a connector shown in for example in FIG. 1, the first electrode E1 of the connector shown in FIG. 4B comprises two bulges AM on the side facing the second electrode E2. The second electrode E2 on the other hand has two cavities AM adapted to the bulges AM of the first electrode E1. Also here, the resulting additional alignment means may for example further improve a physical alignment and/or a mechanical stability in certain applications. The number of cavities AM and bulges AM is not restricted to two, in particular the first and second electrodes E1, E2, may for example also comprise only one bulge AM and one cavity AM or may comprise more than two bulges AM and cavities AM, respectively. Also, some implementations may feature both bulges and cavities on each of the first and second electrodes E1, E2.

[0093] FIG. 5C shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept with additional alignment means AM. In the shown implementation, the first electrode E1 is comprised by the transmitter TX and represents the magnetic north pole N. The second electrode E2 is comprised by the receiver and represents the magnetic south pole S. The resulting attractive force between the first and the second electrode E1, E2 leads to an alignment of said electrodes and/or the transmitter TX and the receiver RX with respect to each other.

[0094] The additional alignment means AM consist of shapes of a housing of the receiver RX and a housing of the transmitter TX being adapted to each other. In the shown example, the housing of the receiver RX has a cavity AM whose size is adapted such that the housing of the transmitter TX or a part of the housing of the transmitter TX fits into the cavity. This may lead to an improved mechanical stability in some applications.

[0095] FIG. 5D shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept with additional alignment means AM. Here, the additional alignment means AM is represented by an additional magnet AM placed for example below the second electrode E2.

[0096] In the shown example, the first electrode E1 comprises for example a permanent magnet or an electromagnet indicated by the magnetic north pole N. The second electrode E2 may for example comprise a paramagnetic material such that the first magnetization of the first electrode E1 induces the second magnetization in the second electrode E2 resulting in the attractive force. Consequently the first and the second electrode E1, E2 are aligned with respect to each other.

[0097] The additional magnet AM is oriented such that a magnetic south pole S of the additional magnet AM faces the magnetic north pole N of the first electrode E1. In this way, an additional attractive force between the first electrode E1 and the additional magnet AM is induced which may improve the alignment of the receiver RX and the transmitter TX in specific applications.

[0098] Alternatively, the second electrode E2 may for example not contain a magnetic or magnetized material. In this case, the magnetization of the additional magnet AM takes over all purposes of the second magnetization.

[0099] FIG. 5E shows a further exemplary implementation of a connector according to the improved concept with additional alignment means AM. Here, the additional alignment means are represented by two additional magnets AM implemented in the transmitter TX and two additional magnets AM implemented in the receiver RX. By the shown arrangement of the additional magnets AM, an improved alignment of the receiver RX and the transmitter TX may be achieved in certain applications. The orientation of the magnetic poles N, S may for example be chosen as shown. That is one of the additional magnets AM of the transmitter TX has a south pole S facing a north pole N of one of the additional magnets AM of the receiver RX. The other one of the additional magnets AM of the transmitter TX has a north pole N facing a south pole S of the other one of the additional magnets AM of the receiver RX. This has for example the effect that an orientation of the transmitter TX with respect to the receiver RX is predetermined. Alternative implementations may comprise only one or more than two additional magnets in each of the receiver RX and the transmitter TX.

[0100] By the various implementations and embodiments of a connector according to the improved concept, a magnetic alignment of electrodes constituting the capacitive coupling of a first and a second communicator is achieved. In particular, such alignment may result in a constant, a consistent, an optimized and/or a maximized capacitance between the first and the second electrode and between the third and the fourth electrode. Additional alignment means may be combined with the magnetic alignment, for example as described in FIGS. 5A-5E, but are not obligatory.