Magnetic connector for electronic device
DCFirst Claim
1. A magnetic connector system comprising:
- a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets; and
a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts and a magnetic element, the second plurality of electrical contacts being adapted to mate with the first plurality of electrical contacts when the first connector couples to the second connector, wherein the plurality of magnets of the first connector are proximally located and are arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector.
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Abstract
An electrical plug and receptacle relying on magnetic force 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 or both of the plug and receptacle can be a magnet, which is preferably a permanent rare earth magnet although electromagnets may also be used. The magnetic element on the plug or receptacle that does not include a magnet is composed of ferromagnetic material. When the plug and receptacle are brought into proximity, the magnetic attraction between the magnet and its complement, whether another magnet or a ferromagnetic material, maintains the contacts in an electrically conductive relationship.
281 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A magnetic connector system comprising:
- a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets; and
a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts and a magnetic element, the second plurality of electrical contacts being adapted to mate with the first plurality of electrical contacts when the first connector couples to the second connector, wherein the plurality of magnets of the first connector are proximally located and are arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets; and
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16. A magnetic connector system comprising:
a first connector comprising; a first plurality of electrical contacts, the first plurality of electrical contacts to mate with a second plurality of electrical contacts when the first connector couples to a second connector, wherein when the first connector couples to the second connector, the first and second plurality of electrical contacts define a corresponding plurality of electrical paths, wherein the plurality of electrical paths comprises at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path to convey a signal; and a magnetic element, the magnetic element to mate with a plurality of magnets in the second connector that are proximally located and arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the first connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the second connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A magnetic connector system comprising:
a first connector comprising; a plurality of movable first contacts to make electrically conductive paths with a plurality of second contacts in a second connector when the first connector is mated with the second connector, each of the movable first contacts biased by one of a plurality of first springs; and a fixed magnetic element, the fixed magnetic element to mate with a plurality of magnets in the second connector that are proximally located and arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the fixed magnetic element of the first connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the second connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A magnetic connector system comprising:
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a first connector comprising; a plurality of first contacts to make a plurality of electrical paths with a plurality of second contacts in a second connector when the first connector is mated with the second connector; an attraction plate to be magnetically attracted to a plurality of magnets in the 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 attraction plate is formed to fit in a recess in the second connector such that the first plurality of contacts are mechanically aligned with the second plurality of contacts in a second direction and a third direction when the first connector is mated with the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification