Docking connector

• US 9,389,642 B2
• Filed: 04/29/2013
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Ashcraft, Britt C., Chen, Eric, Song, Ki Bok, Kil, Heesang
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrera, Ramon M
• Application Number:
  US13/872,758
• Publication Number:
  US 20140321049A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,170 Days
• Field of Search: 36167941-67945
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/635 by mechanical pressure, e.g. spring force
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49117 Conductor or circuit manufacturing

Abstract

Examples provide mechanisms, methods, and systems for coupling a docking port of a computing device to a docking connector. In various examples, the docking connector includes a magnetic material to provide a mating force. The mating force may be utilized to extend the docking connector. Once extended, a release mechanism may be utilized to retract the docking connector.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving, by a docking station, a computing device comprising a docking port;

extending, by the docking station, a docking connector to couple to the docking port, wherein the extending is based on a magnetic mating force between the docking connector and the docking port; and

retracting, by the docking station, the docking connector from the docking port in response to actuation of a release mechanism by generating a magnetic retracting force that is greater than the magnetic mating force.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

applying, by the docking station, a magnetic pin to secure the computing device to the docking station.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

releasing, by the docking station, the magnetic pin in response to actuation of the release mechanism.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein retracting the docking corrector from the docking port in response to actuation of the release mechanism comprises actuating a solenoid to generate a magnetic retracing force.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

conveying, by the docking station, data to and from the computing device via the docking connector.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein retracting the docking connector from the docking port in response to actuation of the release mechanism comprises retracting the docking connector form the docking port in response to actuation of a button.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein retracting the docking connector from the docking port in response to actuation of the release mechanism comprises retracting the docking connector into a housing of the docking station.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the release mechanism is a component of the docking station.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

conveying, by the docking station, power to the computing device via the docking connector.

10. A system, comprising:

a portable computer comprising a docking port, wherein the docking port includes a magnetic material;

a docking station to couple to the portable computer, wherein the docking station comprises a docking connector to connect to the docking port in an extended position, wherein the docking connector comprises another magnetic material to move the docking connector to the extended position when the docking port is within a predetermined distance of the docking connecter of the docking station, and wherein the docking station comprises a release mechanism to move the docking connector from the extended position to a retracted position, wherein actuation of the release mechanism applies a magnetic force to the docking connector that is greater than a mating force coupling the docking connector to the docking port to release the docking connector from the docking port.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the release mechanism is a solenoid.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the docking station further comprises a magnetic pin to secure the portable computer to the docking station.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the magnetic pin releases the portable computer upon actuation of the release mechanism.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the release mechanism is a button.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the docking station comprises a coupler and wherein the release mechanism is attached to the docking connector via a coupler.

16. The system of claim 10 wherein the magnetic poles of the magnetic material in the docking port and the magnetic poles of the magnetic material in the docking connector facilitate proper alignment of the docking connector to the docking port.