Magnetic Connector
First Claim
1. A power charger comprising:
- a magnet;
a contact;
a housing; and
a plug, the plug comprising a first power trace and a second power trace;
wherein the plug is mounted in a fixed manner in the housing, the magnet is mounted in a fixed manner in the housing, the contact is mounted in the housing, the contact is electrically coupled to the first power trace, and the magnet is electrically coupled to the second power trace.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of magnetic connectors are disclosed. Embodiments show the use of magnetic connectors for power and/or signal bus coupling to electronic devices from support bases, stands, or cables. In some embodiments, spherical contacts, such as ball bearings, are pressed into firm contact with an electronic device by the use of conductive springs, which in turn electrically couple the spherical contacts to the bus lines. Contact arrangements are shown which allow rotation of the electronic device against an embodiment of magnetic connector. Arrangements of multiple magnets having differing polarities are shown when alignment of an electronic device in a particular orientation is required.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A power charger comprising:
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a magnet; a contact; a housing; and a plug, the plug comprising a first power trace and a second power trace;
wherein the plug is mounted in a fixed manner in the housing, the magnet is mounted in a fixed manner in the housing, the contact is mounted in the housing, the contact is electrically coupled to the first power trace, and the magnet is electrically coupled to the second power trace. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A magnetic coupler assembly comprising a first mating element and a second mating element, the first mating element comprising:
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a housing having an alignment cavity, a plug assembly fixedly mounted to the housing, the plug assembly comprising a plurality of conductive contacts, a first magnet comprising a magnetic mating surface, a first electrical contact electrically coupled to the first magnet; a contact member disposed within the first magnet and electrically insulated from the first magnet, a second electrical contact electrically coupled to the contact member; and the first electrical contact coupled to a first conductive contact of the plurality of conductive contacts, the second electrical contact coupled to a second conductive contact of the plurality of conductive contacts; and
the second mating element comprising;
an outer surface, a ferromagnetic conducting element having a mating surface, and a second conducting element insulated from the ferromagnetic conducting element;
the outer surface fitting within the alignment cavity of the first mating element such that the mating surface of the ferromagnetic conducting element mates with the magnetic mating surface and the second conducting element electrically couples to the contact member. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A magnetic connector comprising:
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a first mating element fixedly mounted in a housing, at least one contact member, a plug fixedly mounted in the housing; the plug having a plurality of leads, the first mating element electrically coupled to a first lead of the plurality of leads; and the contact member electrically coupled to a second lead of the plurality of leads, the first mating element being an annular permanent magnet having a center hole, the contact member being a ball bearing disposed within an electrically insulating column, the electrically insulated column disposed within the center hole of the annular permanent magnet. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification