Magnetic connector for electronic device

• US 7,311,526 B2
• Filed: 09/26/2005
• Issued: 12/25/2007
• 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:
  US11/235,875
• Publication Number:
  US 20070072443A1
• Time in Patent Office: 820 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439/218, 439/217, 439/700, 439/39
• 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 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.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electrically connecting an electronic device to an electrical relation, comprising:

a first connector having a first magnetic element and having at least one first contact electrically connected to the electronic device; and

a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector, the second connector having a second magnetic element and having at least one second contact electrically

connected to the electrical relation,

wherein the at least one first contact comprises a metallic contact extending from a first face of the first connector and biased relative to the first face,

wherein magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,

wherein the first and second connectors each comprise two axes of symmetry such that the first and second connectors couple together in only two orientations relative to one another, and

wherein the at least one first and second contacts of the first and second connectors each comprise a pair of first path contacts on the connector for establishing a first path of electrical communication between the device and the relation, wherein the pairs of first path contacts form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors each comprise a corresponding element to align the first and second connectors in one orientation.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein the second magnetic elements comprise a permanent magnet or a ferromagnetic material capable of magnetic attraction to the first magnetic element.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first or second magnetic elements comprises a plurality of permanent magnets arranged in an opposing polarity configuration on the connector of the at least one first or second magnetic elements.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the at least one magnetic element comprising the plurality of permanent magnets arranged in the opposing polarity configuration further comprises a magnetically-conductive plate positioned against one side of each of the magnets.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first contact comprises a metallic pin biased relative to the first face by a spring.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the second contact comprises a metallic plate positioned on a second face of the second connector so as to be engaged by the metallic pin when the first and second faces are positioned adjacent one another.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:

a second path contact on the connector for establishing a second path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,

wherein the second path contacts form electrically conductive relationships with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:

a third path contact on the connector for establishing a third path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,

wherein the third path contacts form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the third path contact on each of the connectors comprises a shell positioned symmetrically on the connector.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the third path contact on each of the connectors comprises at least two permanent magnet positioned symmetrically on the connector.

12. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:

a housing for internal electronics;

a first connector connectable to the relation, the first connector having a first magnetic element positioned on the first connector and having at least one first contact electrically connected to the electrical relation; and

a second connector connectable to the device, the second connector having a second magnetic element positioned on the second connector and having at least one second contact electrically connected to the internal electronics,

wherein the at least one first contact comprises a metallic contact extending from a first face of the first connector and biased relative to the first face,

wherein magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,

wherein the first and second connectors each comprises two axes of symmetry such that the first and second connectors couple together in only two orientations relative to one another, and

wherein the at least one first and second contacts of the first and second connectors each comprise a signal contact on the connector for establishing a signal path between the device and the relation, wherein the signal contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

13. The electronic device of claim 12, further comprising a transformer connected to the first connector and connected to the relation.

14. The electronic device of claim 13, wherein the first connector comprises a plug attached to the transformer by a cable.

15. The electronic device of claim 14, wherein the second connector comprises a receptacle attached to the housing of the electronic device.

16. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first and second magnetic elements each comprise a permanent magnet.

17. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein either the first or second magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet, and wherein the other magnetic element comprises a ferromagnetic material.

18. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first contact comprises a metallic pin biased relative to the first face by a spring.

19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the second contact comprises a metallic plate positioned on a second face of the second connector so as to be engaged by the metallic pin when the first and second faces are positioned adjacent one another.

20. The electronic device of claim 12, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:

at least one forward path contact on the connector for establishing a forward path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,

wherein the forward path contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

21. The electronic device of claim 20, wherein the first and second connectors each further comprise:

at least one return path contact on the connector for establishing a return path of electrical communication between the device and the relation,

wherein the return path contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

22. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the return path contact on each of the connectors comprises a shell positioned symmetrically on the connector.

23. The electronic device of claim 21, wherein the return path contact on each of the connectors comprises at least two permanent magnets positioned symmetrically on the connector.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

an electronic device having a first connector, the first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts; and

a power adapter connectable to a power source and having a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector, the second connector having a second magnetic element and having a plurality of second contacts,

wherein

the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in only two orientations relative to one another,

magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,

the first and second contacts form at least three distinct paths of electrical communication between the electronic device and the power adapter, the at least three distinct paths including a signal path for signals, a forward path for direct current power, and a return path for direct current power, and

the first and second contacts form their respective distinct paths of electrical communication with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.

25. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:

a first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device, at least three of the first contacts substantially aligned along a first axis of the first connector; and

a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation, at least three of the second contacts substantially aligned along a second axis of the second connector,

wherein

the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in only two orientations relative to one another,

magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,

the first and second contacts form at least three distinct paths of electrical communication between the electronic device and the electrical relation, and

the first and second contacts form their respective distinct paths of electrical communication with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.

26. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein at least a first portion of the first magnetic element of the first connector is positioned on one side of the first axis, and wherein at least a second portion of the first magnetic element of the first connector is positioned on another side of the first axis.

27. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein the first portion of the first magnetic element exhibits stronger magnetic attraction than the second portion.

28. The electronic device of claim 26, wherein the first portion of the first magnetic clement comprises a first pair of permanent magnets, and wherein the second portion of the first magnetic element comprises a second pair of permanent magnets.

29. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein a first of the distinct paths of electrical communication is formed by a first set of the first and second contacts, each of the contacts of the first set being substantially centered on the axis of its connector, whereby the contacts of the first set form the first distinct path regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

30. The electronic device of claim 29, wherein at least one second of the distinct paths of electrical communication is formed by at least one second set of the first and second contacts, each of the contacts of the second set being aligned on the axis of its connector and being positioned on both sides of the contacts of the first set, whereby the contacts of the at least one second set form the at least one second distinct path regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

31. The electronic device of claim 25, wherein the at least three distinct paths of electrical communication comprise:

a signal path for signals between the electronic device and the electrical relation;

a forward path for direct current power between the electronic device and the electrical relation; and

a return path for direct current power between the electronic device and the electrical relation.

36. The magnetic connector system of claim 26 wherein the magnetic element of the second connector comprises an attraction plate made of permanent magnet.

32. An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:

a first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device; and

a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation,

wherein

the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in at least more than one orientation relative to one another,

magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,

the first and second contacts form at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path between the electronic device and the electrical relation, and

the first and second contacts form the at least one electric power path and the at least one signal path regardless of which of the at least more than one orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.

33. The electronic device of claim 32, wherein the first connector comprises at least more than three of the first contacts, and wherein the second connector comprises at least more than three of the second contacts.

34. 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.

35. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the magnetic element of the second connector comprises an attraction plate made of ferromagnetic material.

37. The magnetic connector system of claim 35 wherein the attraction plate comprises one or more openings for passage of the second plurality of electrical contacts.

38. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein, when the first connector couples to the second connector, the first and second plurality of electrical contacts define a corresponding plurality of electrical communication paths.

39. The magnetic connector system of claim 38 wherein the plurality of electrical communication paths comprises at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path.

40. The magnetic connector system of claim 38 wherein, when the first connector couples to the second connector, the plurality of magnets and the magnetic element define an additional electrical communication path.

41. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein at least one of the plurality of magnets is disposed on a first side of the first plurality of electrical contacts and at least another one of the plurality of magnets is disposed on a second side of the first plurality of electrical contacts.

42. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the first connector further comprises a magnetic element arranged so that when the first connector couples to the second connector the plurality of magnets are sandwiched between the magnetic element of the first connector and the magnetic element of the second connector.

43. The magnetic connector system of claim 42 wherein the back plate comprises one or more openings for passage of the first plurality of electrical contacts.

44. The magnetic connector system of claim 42 wherein the magnetic element of the second connector comprises a back plate made of ferromagnetic material.

45. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector maintains both physical and electrical contact between the first connector and the second connector without requiring an interference fit.

46. The magnetic connector system of claim 45 wherein, the first connector can break free from the second connector when pulled away from each other by a non-axial force.

47. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the first connector comprises a plug attached to a cable.

48. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the first connector is disposed inside an electronic device.

49. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the second connector comprises a plug attached to a cable.

50. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the second connector is disposed inside an electronic device.

51. The magnetic connector system of claim 46 wherein properties of magnets in the first pair of magnets and properties of magnets in the second pair of magnets are designed to result in asymmetrical torque values when the first connector and the second connector are pulled away from each other by a non-axial force.

52. The magnetic connector system of claim 51 wherein the first pair of magnets comprises a first magnet that is larger than a second magnet, and the second pair of magnets comprises a third magnet that is larger than a fourth magnet.

53. The magnetic connector system of claim 51 wherein one of the first pair of magnets and one of the second pair of magnets have magnetic flux lines in a direction that point at a direction that is a predetermined angle from the direction of coupling between the first connector and the second connector.

54. The magnetic connector system of claim 53 wherein the predetermined angel is about 20 degrees.

55. The magnetic connector system of claim 34, wherein the first connector further includes a first alignment mechanism and the second connector further includes a second alignment mechanism, wherein the first alignment mechanism and the second alignment mechanism align the first connector with the second connector when the first connector is positioned proximally to the second connector.

56. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the first plurality of electrical contacts is mechanically biased to provide compressive force to improve electrical contact when the first connector and the second connector are mated.

57. The magnetic connector system of claim 34 wherein the first connector and the second connector include two axes of symmetry and are adapted to couple together along one of the two axes of symmetry.