Magnetic connector for electronic device

• US 10,490,933 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2018
• Issued: 11/26/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Doutt, Mark Edward, Andre, Bartley K., Lim, Kanye, DiFonzo, John C., Gery, Jean-Marc
• Primary Examiner(s): Paumen, Gary F
• Application Number:
  US16/147,002
• Publication Number:
  US 20190036271A1
• Time in Patent Office: 424 Days
• Field of Search: 439 38- 40, 439660
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1633 Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/18 Packaging or power distribution
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/24 resilient; resiliently-mounted
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force from an electromagnet to maintain contact are disclosed. The plug and receptacle can be used as part of a power adapter for connecting an electronic device, such as a laptop computer, to a power supply. The plug includes electrical contacts, which are preferably biased toward corresponding contacts on the receptacle. The plug and receptacle each have a magnetic element. The magnetic element on one of the plug or receptacle can be a magnet or ferromagnetic material. The magnetic element on the other of the plug or receptacle is an electromagnet. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the electromagnet magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.

Claims

1. A connector system comprising:

a first connector comprising;

a raised portion;

a recess around the raised portion;

a first plurality of contacts on the raised portion, the first plurality of contacts including a first contact to convey a power supply and a second contact to convey a signal; and

a first magnetic element to be magnetically attracted to a second magnetic element of a second connector such that the first connector is held in a first direction to the second connector when the second connector is mated with the first connector; and

the second connector comprising;

the second magnetic element;

an opening in the second magnetic element; and

a second plurality of contacts located in the opening of the second magnetic element to mate with the first plurality of contacts of the first connector when the first connector and second connector are mated,

wherein the raised portion of the first connector is arranged to fit in the opening in the second magnetic element of the second connector and the recess of the first connector is arranged to accept the second magnetic element of the second connector such that the first connector is mechanically aligned with the second connector in a second direction and a third direction when the second connector is mated with the first connector.

2. The connector system of claim 1 wherein the first direction, second direction, and third direction are orthogonal to each other.

3. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the first magnetic element comprises a first magnet and the second magnetic element comprises a second magnet.

4. The connector system of claim 1 wherein the first plurality of contacts are spring biased.

5. The connector system of claim 4 wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element form a ground path when the first connector and the second connector are mated.

6. The connector system of claim 5 wherein the first connector and the second connector mate in at least two rotational positions.

7. The connector system of claim 2 wherein the first magnetic element comprises a magnet.

8. A connector system comprising:

a first connector comprising;

a first contact; and

a first magnetic element to be magnetically attracted to a second magnetic element in a second connector such that the first connector is held in a first direction to the second connector when the first connector is mated with the second connector, wherein the first magnetic element has an opening that forms a recess, the first contact in the recess; and

the second connector comprising;

the second magnetic element; and

a second contact, the second magnetic element around the second contact,

wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element form a ground path when the first connector and the second connector are mated, and the first contact and the second contact form a path for a power supply when the first connector and the second connector are mated, and

wherein the first connector and the second connector mate in at least two rotational positions.

9. The connector system of claim 8 wherein the first magnetic element comprises a first magnet and the second magnetic element comprises a second magnet.

10. The connector system of claim 8 wherein the first connector further comprises a third contact and a fourth contact.

11. The connector system of claim 10 wherein the first contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are arranged in a line.

12. The connector system of claim 11 wherein the third contact is located in the center of the opening.

13. The connector system of claim 12 wherein the first contact, the third contact, and the fourth contact are spring-biased.

14. The connector system of claim 8 wherein the second magnetic element comprises a magnet.

15. A connector system comprising:

a first connector comprising;

a recess;

a first plurality of contacts located in the recess, the first plurality of contacts including a first contact to convey a power supply and a second contact to convey a signal; and

a first magnetic element around the first plurality of contacts, and

a second connector comprising;

a second plurality of contacts including a first contact to convey the power supply and a second contact to convey the signal; and

a second magnetic element to be magnetically attracted to the first magnetic element in the first connector such that the second connector is held in a first direction to the first connector when the second connector is mated with the first connector,

wherein the second magnetic element includes an opening for the second plurality of contacts, the second magnetic element further formed to fit in the recess in the first connector, such that the second connector is mechanically aligned with the first connector in a second direction and a third direction when the second connector is mated with the first connector, the first direction, second direction, and third direction orthogonal to each other,

wherein the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element form a ground path when the first connector and the second connector are mated, and

wherein the first connector and the second connector mate in at least two rotational positions.

16. The connector system of claim 15 wherein each of the first plurality of contacts are spring-biased.