Magnetic connector for electronic device

• US 8,177,560 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2011
• Issued: 05/15/2012
• 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:
  US13/325,024
• Publication Number:
  US 20120083137A1
• Time in Patent Office: 154 Days
• Field of Search: 439 38- 40
• US Class Current: 439/39
• 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 receptacle comprising:

a recessed portion having a longer first axis and a shorter second axis, the recessed portion further having a bottom surface and sidewalls substantially orthogonal to the bottom surface;

at least three contact pins located in the recessed portion, extending above the bottom surface of the recessed portion, and not extending above a top of the sidewalls of the recessed portion, the at least three contacts to convey power and a return path, the at least three contacts arranged substantially in a line along the first axis; and

a first magnet positioned under the bottom surface of the recessed portion, and towards a first end of the first axis; and

a second magnet positioned under the bottom surface of the recessed portion, and towards a second end of the first axis, the first magnet and the second magnet having opposing polarities,

wherein the recessed portion and the at least three contacts are arranged such that the connector receptacle is at least substantially symmetrical along the first axis and the second axis.

2. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion has an oblong shape.

3. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein two of the at least three contacts are used as a return path.

4. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the recessed portion has two long sides that are substantially straight and two shorter sides that are rounded.

5. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the three contacts have a substantially bowled top surface.

6. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are positioned next to each other along the first axis.

7. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the bottom surface is substantially flat.

8. The connector receptacle of claim 1 wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are rare-earth magnets.

9. A connector receptacle comprising:

a bottom surface having two opposing straight sides and two opposing curved sides, the two opposing curved sides at a first end and a second end of the connector receptacle;

a sidewall surrounding the bottom portion and substantially orthogonal to the bottom portion;

three contacts, each extending above the bottom surface and not above a top of the sidewall, the three contacts to form power and ground paths and arranged in a substantially straight line parallel to the two opposing straight sides of the bottom surface;

a first magnet under the bottom surface of the connector receptacle and towards the first end of the connector receptacle; and

a second magnet under the bottom surface of the connector receptacle and towards the second end of the connector receptacle, the first magnet and the second magnet having opposing polarities.

10. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein the connector receptacle comprises exactly three contacts.

11. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein the bottom surface and the three contacts are arranged such that the connector receptacle is at least substantially symmetrical along a first axis and a second axis.

12. The connector receptacle of claim 11 wherein the first axis and the second axis are orthogonal to each other.

13. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein two of the three contacts are used as a return path.

14. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein the first magnet and the second magnet are rare-earth magnets.

15. The connector receptacle of claim 9 wherein the bottom surface is substantially flat.

16. A connector receptacle comprising:

a recessed portion defined by a bottom surface having two opposing straight sides and two opposing curved sides, the two opposing curved sides at a first end and a second end of the connector receptacle, and a sidewall surrounding the bottom portion and substantially orthogonal to the bottom portion,

three contacts, each extending above the bottom surface and not above a top of the sidewall, the three contacts arranged to mate with contacts in a connector insert and to form power and ground paths, the three contacts arranged in a substantially straight line;

a first magnet under the bottom surface of the connector receptacle and towards the first end of the connector receptacle; and

a second magnet under the bottom surface of the connector receptacle and towards the second end of the connector receptacle, the first magnet and the second magnet having opposing polarities such that when the connector insert is brought in close proximity to the connector receptacle, magnetic field lines travel through a magnetic element of the connector insert from the first magnet in the connector receptacle to the second magnet in the connector receptacle.

17. The connector receptacle of claim 16 wherein an attraction between the magnetic element in the connector insert and the first and second magnets in the connector receptacle hold the connector insert and the connector receptacle together in a first direction, and the recessed portion of the connector receptacle is arranged to hold the connector insert and the connector receptacle together in a second direction and a third direction.

18. The connector receptacle of claim 17 wherein the recessed portion of the connector receptacle is arranged to hold the connector insert without requiring an interference fit.

19. The connector receptacle of claim 17 wherein the connector insert may be removed from the connector receptacle with a non-axial force.

20. The connector receptacle of claim 16 wherein the connector insert and the connector receptacle may be mated in one of at least two orientations.

21. The connector receptacle of claim 16 wherein the recessed portion is arranged to accept the connector insert in at least two orientations.

22. The connector receptacle of claim 16 wherein the three contacts are arranged in a substantially straight line parallel to the two opposing straight sides of the bottom surface.