Magnetic connector for electronic device
First Claim
1. An electronic device comprising:
- a housing; and
a receptacle in the housing, the receptacle comprising;
a recess below a surface of the housing, the recess having a bottom surface and a sidewall including a first side, the first side extending from the bottom surface to the surface of the housing;
a plurality of contacts located on the bottom surface, the plurality of contacts including contacts for power, ground, and a signal, the plurality of contacts approximately in a line, the line approximately parallel to the first side; and
a magnetic element.
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Accused Products
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.
189 Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electronic device comprising:
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a housing; and a receptacle in the housing, the receptacle comprising; a recess below a surface of the housing, the recess having a bottom surface and a sidewall including a first side, the first side extending from the bottom surface to the surface of the housing; a plurality of contacts located on the bottom surface, the plurality of contacts including contacts for power, ground, and a signal, the plurality of contacts approximately in a line, the line approximately parallel to the first side; and a magnetic element. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A connector system comprising:
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a receptacle comprising; a recess, the recess having a bottom surface and a top edge, and a sidewall including a first side, the first side extending from the bottom surface to the top edge; a first plurality of contacts located on the bottom surface, the first plurality of contacts including contacts for power, ground, and a signal, the first plurality of contacts approximately in a line, the line approximately parallel to the first side; and a first magnetic element; and an insert comprising; a raised portion having a first edge; a second plurality of contacts located on the raised portion, the second plurality of contacts including contacts for power, ground, and a signal, the second plurality of contacts approximately in a line, the line approximately parallel to the first edge; and a second magnetic element, wherein the first edge of the raised portion of the insert is arranged to fit with the first side of the sidewall of the receptacle when insert and the receptacle are mated. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification