ELECTROMAGNETIC CONNECTOR FOR ELECTRONIC DEVICE

• US 20150171550A1
• Filed: 03/02/2015
• Published: 06/18/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/26/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: DiFonzo, John C., Andre, Bartley K., Rohrbach, Matthew Dean, Doutt, Mark Edward, Gery, Jean-Marc, Lim, Kanye
• Granted Patent: US 9,634,428 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 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement

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 comprising:

a first contact;

an electromagnet positioned on the connector; and

a mechanical switch coupled to the electromagnet to control energization of the electromagnet, wherein the mechanical switch comprises a micro switch actuatable by a user,

wherein the electromagnet is energizable to produce magnetic attraction with a magnetic element in a second connector and substantially maintain contact between the first contact and a second contact of the second connector in an electrically conductive relationship.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the electromagnet comprises a ferromagnetic core wrapped with a coil, the coil connectable to a power supply.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein the first contact and the second contact form a signal path.

4. The connector of claim 1 wherein the first contact is one of a plurality of movable first contacts to make electrically conductive paths with a plurality of second contacts in the 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.

5. The connector of claim 4 wherein the connector is a plug.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein the connector is a receptacle.

7. The connector of claim 1 wherein the mechanical switch is coupled between a power adapter and the electromagnet.

8. A connector comprising:

a first contact;

an electromagnet positioned on the connector; and

a motion sensor coupled to the electromagnet to control energization of the electromagnet,

wherein the electromagnet is energizable to produce magnetic attraction with a magnetic element in a second connector and substantially maintain contact between the first contact and a second contact of the second connector in an electrically conductive relationship, and

wherein when the connector and the second connector are being mated, the motion sensor detects movement of the connector and allows the electromagnet to be energized, and a signal is passed via the first contact and the second contact to the motion detector causing the motion sensor to continue to allow the electromagnet to be energized.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein when after the connector and the second connector are mated and the motion sensor detects a sudden movement, the motion sensor causes the electromagnet to be de-energized.

10. The connector of claim 8 wherein the electromagnet comprises a ferromagnetic core wrapped with a coil, the coil connectable to a power supply.

11. The connector of claim 8 wherein the first contact is one of a plurality of movable first contacts to make electrically conductive paths with a plurality of second contacts in the 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.

12. The connector of claim 11 wherein the connector is a plug.

13. The connector of claim 8 wherein the connector is a receptacle.

14. The connector of claim 8 wherein the motion sensor is coupled between a power adapter and the electromagnet.

15. A connector comprising:

a first contact;

an electromagnet positioned on the connector; and

a switch and a proximity sensor coupled to the electromagnet to control energization of the electromagnet,

wherein the electromagnet is energizable to produce magnetic attraction with a magnetic element in a second connector and substantially maintain contact between the first contact and a second contact of the second connector in an electrically conductive relationship, and

wherein when the switch is activated, the electromagnet is energized at a first level, and when the connector and the second connector are being mated, the proximity sensor causes the electromagnet to be energized at a second level, the second level higher than the first level.

16. The connector of claim 15 wherein the proximity sensor is a hall-effect sensor.

17. The connector of claim 15 wherein the first contact and the second contact form a signal path.

18. The connector of claim 15 wherein the first contact is one of a plurality of movable first contacts to make electrically conductive paths with a plurality of second contacts in the 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.

19. The connector of claim 18 wherein the connector is a plug.

20. The connector of claim 15 wherein the connector is a receptacle.