Device interfaces with non-mechanical securement mechanisms

• US 7,963,774 B2
• Filed: 07/06/2010
• Issued: 06/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Tham, Christopher C. L., Shiff, Victor E., Friedman, Jonathan D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zarroli; Michael C
• Application Number:
  US12/830,562
• Publication Number:
  US 20100267250A1
• Time in Patent Office: 350 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/700, 439 38- 40, 439/500, 439/923, 439/929, 439/824, 235/441, 235/449, 235/486, 235/493, 320/115
• US Class Current: 439/38
• 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

Abstract

A number of device interfaces that may use magnetic forces to secure different devices together are disclosed. The device interfaces may include magnetic material positioned in between parallel rows of electrical contact elements in the devices. Magnetic forces may be exerted on and from the electrical contact elements to cause mutually cooperating elements from the devices to be substantially attracted and drawn towards each other. Once the contact elements make contact and are engaged, their mutual attractive forces may cause them to resist being separated. Additionally, the distal ends of the contact elements may have mutually cooperating male and female engagement surface configurations.

Claims

1. A device and a connector, comprising:

a body of the device with an outer surface, the body having a recessed portion of the outer surface;

a magnet arranged within the body, first and second electrical contacts passing through corresponding openings in the outer surface at the recessed portion, the first electrical contact having a first contact surface recessed into the body relative to the outer surface, and the second electrical contact having a second contact surface recessed into the body relative to the outer surface;

the connector comprising third and fourth electrical contacts protruding from a surface of the connector; and

wherein when the connector is mated with the recessed portion;

the connector fits into the recessed portion and magnet attraction of the magnet to the connector provides connective force between the connector and the device, the first and third electrical contacts contact each other, and the second and fourth electrical contacts contact each other.

2. A device and connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector and the recessed portion have matching keyed shapes that allow mating of the recessed portion and the connector with only one alignment of the connector relative to the recessed portion.

3. A device and connector according to claim 1, wherein the third and fourth electrical contacts have a concave or convex shaped electrical contact surface, wherein when the connector is mated with the recessed portion two convex shaped electrical contact surfaces contact two concave electrical contact surfaces, respectively.

4. A device and connector according to claim 1, wherein the first and second electrical contacts are fixed relative to the device.

5. A device and connector according to claim 1, wherein the third and fourth electrical contacts comprise respective pins that are fixed relative to the connector.

6. A device and connector according to claim 5, wherein the first and second electrical contacts are fixed relative to the device.

7. A device and connector according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a battery and a battery within the device is charged with power received through the contacting first and third electrical contacts and through the contacting second and fourth electrical contacts.

8. A computing device comprising:

a processor, memory, a rechargeable battery, and a first body;

a first electrical connector comprising;

a recess in the first body,

two electrical contacts within the recess, each having a concave contact surface; and

a magnet arranged within the body and providing a magnetic field within the recess.

9. A computing device according to claim 8, further comprising:

a second electrical connector, comprising;

a plug comprising a second body and a face having two openings, each opening containing a contact pin, each contact pin having a convex contact surface;

magnetically attractable material;

a cable connected to the plug; and

two conductive paths through the body and cable, each conductive path including a respective one of the contact pins.

10. A computing device according to claim 9, wherein the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are configured such that if the first electrical connector is mated with the second electrical connector:

the convex surfaces of the contact pins contact the concave surfaces of the electrical contacts, respectively;

a portion of the body of the plug fits within the recess of the computing device; and

the second electrical connector is held mated with the first electrical connector by magnetic pull of the magnet on the magnetically attractable material.

11. A computing device according to claim 9, wherein the two electrical contacts are immobile relative to the computing device.

12. A computing device according to claim 9, wherein the electrical paths carry data to and from the computing device or carry current to the computing that charges the battery.

13. A computing device according to claim 9, wherein each conductive path includes a spring controlling movement of a corresponding one of the contact pins.

14. An apparatus, comprising:

a first electrical connector that is part of a connector cable and a second electrical connector that is part of a computing device, the first electrical connector and second electrical connector connecting the connector cable with the device;

the first electrical connector comprising;

a body including a protruding portion and a first surface;

a first electrical contact and a second electrical contact within the first surface; and

magnetically attractable material; and

the second electrical connector comprising a third electrical contact and a fourth electrical contact;

wherein when the first connector is connected to the second connector;

the first electrical contact contacts the third electrical contact, the second electrical contact contacts the fourth electrical contact, and magnetic pull of a magnet on the magnetically attractable material causes the first connector to stay connected to the second connector, wherein the protruding portion comprises a plug portion, the second electrical connector comprises a recess or opening in a body of the computing device, and the plug fits the recess when the first electrical connector is connected to the second electrical connector.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first electrical connector comprises a first pin moveable within the body, and the second electrical connector comprises a second pin moveable within the body.

16. An apparatus according to claim 15, wherein a first spring in the body controls movement of the first pin, and a second spring in the body controls movement of the second pin.

17. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the third electrical contact and the fourth electrical contact are moveable relative to the second electrical connector.

18. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the first and second electrical contacts each comprise a convex shaped electrical contact surface, wherein the recess or opening has a second surface that faces the first surface when the first connector is connected to the second electrical connector, and the third contact and the fourth contact each have a concave shaped electrical contact surface, wherein when the first electrical connector is connected with the second electrical connector the convex shaped electrical contact surfaces contact the concave shaped electrical contact surfaces, respectively.