Magnetic connector for electronic device
First Claim
1. A magnetic connector system comprising:
- a first connector comprising;
a first plurality of pins comprising at least a first power supply pin to convey a first power supply, a second power supply pin to convey a second power supply, and a signal pin to convey a signal; and
a first magnetic element to magnetically attract a second magnetic element in a second connector, the first and second magnetic elements comprising an attraction plate and a plurality of magnets, where the plurality of magnets are proximally located and 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 attraction plate from one of the plurality of magnets to another one of the plurality of magnets.
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Accused Products
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.
404 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A magnetic connector system comprising:
a first connector comprising; a first plurality of pins comprising at least a first power supply pin to convey a first power supply, a second power supply pin to convey a second power supply, and a signal pin to convey a signal; and a first magnetic element to magnetically attract a second magnetic element in a second connector, the first and second magnetic elements comprising an attraction plate and a plurality of magnets, where the plurality of magnets are proximally located and 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 attraction plate from one of the plurality of magnets to another one of the plurality of magnets. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A magnetic connector system comprising:
a first connector comprising; a first plurality of pins to mate with a second plurality of pins when the first connector couples to a second connector, wherein when the first connector couples to the second connector, the first and second plurality of pins define a corresponding plurality of paths, wherein the plurality of paths comprises at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path to convey a signal; and a plurality of magnets that are proximally located and arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the second connector is brought in close proximity to the first connector, magnetic field lines travel through a 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. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. A magnetic connector system comprising:
a first connector comprising; a plurality of movable first contacts, each of the movable first contacts biased by one of a plurality of first springs, the plurality of moveable first contacts comprising at least a first power supply contact, a second power supply contact, and a signal contact; and a first magnetic element to magnetically attract a second magnetic element in a second connector, the first and second magnetic elements comprising an attraction plate and a plurality of magnets, where the plurality of magnets are proximally located and 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 attraction plate from one of the plurality of magnets to another one of the plurality of magnets. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A magnetic connector system comprising:
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a first connector comprising; a plurality of first pins including a first power supply pin to convey a first power supply, a second power supply pin to convey a second power supply, and a signal pin to convey a signal; a first magnetic element to be magnetically attracted to a second magnetic element in a second connector such that the first connector is held in a first direction to the second connector when the first connector is mated with the second connector, wherein the first magnetic element is formed to fit in a recess in the second connector such that the first connector is mechanically aligned with the second connector in a second direction and a third direction when the first connector is mated with the second connector. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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Specification