MAGNETIC CONNECTOR FOR A COMPUTING DEVICE

• US 20150194764A1
• Filed: 07/31/2012
• Published: 07/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Magana, Giovanni Mata, Gioscia, Richard, Bryan, Philip
• Granted Patent: US 9,735,500 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/64 Means for preventing incorrect coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/642 by position or shape of contact members

Abstract

A magnetic connector for a computing device is disclosed. The magnetic connector can include a housing. The housing includes an asymmetric shape, a connector interface including at least one contact element to carry at least one of data or power, and a magnetic component provided on the connector interface. The housing and the magnetic component are oriented to key the connector interface into proper alignment when mated with an opposing connector that includes at least two magnetic components of opposite polarity.

Claims

1. A magnetic connector for a computing device, the magnetic connector comprising:

a housing including an asymmetric shape;

a connector interface including at least one contact element to carry at least one of a data signal or a power signal;

a magnetic component provided on the connector interface; and

wherein the housing and the magnetic component are oriented to key the connector interface into proper alignment when mated with an opposing connector, the opposing connector including at least two magnetic components of opposite polarity.

2. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the housing is D-shaped.

3. The magnetic connector of claim 2, wherein the magnetic component is provided on a face of the connector interface.

4. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector interface includes less than four contact elements to transmit at least one of ground, power, or data.

5. The magnetic connector of claim 3, wherein the connector interface includes only three contact elements.

6. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the connector interface includes non-magnetic material.

7. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the magnetic connector is provided on a terminal end of a cable to mate with the opposing connector provided on a device.

8. The magnetic connector of claim 7, wherein the at least one contact element of the connector interface is a pogo-style contact element.

9. The magnetic connector of claim 1, wherein the magnetic connector is extended from a circuit board to receive the opposing connector provided on a terminal end of a cable.

10. A connector assembly comprising:

a first connector comprising;

a first housing including a first asymmetric shape;

a first connector interface including at least one contact element to carry at least one of a data signal or a power signal;

a first magnetic component provided on the connector interface;

a second magnetic component provided on the connector interface;

a second connector comprising;

a second housing including a second asymmetric shape that is capable of being mated with the first housing of the first connector;

a second connector interface including at least one contact element, the second connector interface being oriented to align with the first connector interface when the first and second housing are mated;

a first magnetic component provided on the second connector interface to mate with the first magnetic component provided on the first connector interface of the first connector and to magnetically repel the second magnetic component provided on the first connector interface of the first connector.

11. The connector system of claim 10, wherein one of the first or second connector is provided on a terminal end of a cable, and the other of the first or second connector is extended from a circuit board of a computing device.

12. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the first connector interface and the second connector interface each include non-magnetic material.

13. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the first connector interface and the second connector interface each include only three contact elements to carry at least one of ground, power, or data.

14. The connector system of claim 10, wherein the first housing and the second housing are each D-Shaped.

15. A computing device comprising:

a magnetic connector including;

a housing including an asymmetric shape;

a connector interface including at least one contact element to carry at least one of a data signal or a power signal;

a magnetic component provided on the connector interface; and

wherein the housing, and the magnetic component are oriented to key the connector interface into proper alignment when mated with an opposing connector, the opposing connector including at least two magnetic components of opposite polarity.