초록 ▼

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 electri

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.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A mateable pair of electrical connectors comprising: a first connector comprising first and second holes in the first connector, a first conductive pin moveably arranged in the first hole and a second conductive pin moveably arranged in the second hole, where retractile force

What is claimed is: 1. A mateable pair of electrical connectors comprising: a first connector comprising first and second holes in the first connector, a first conductive pin moveably arranged in the first hole and a second conductive pin moveably arranged in the second hole, where retractile force opposes movement of the first conductive pin out of the first hole and retractile force opposes movement of the second conductive pin out of the second hole, and where the first conductive pin and the second conductive pin are magnetized; a second connector comprising third and fourth holes in the second connector, a third conductive pin moveably arranged in the third hole and a fourth conductive pin moveably arranged in the fourth hole, where retractile force opposes movement of the third conductive pin out of the third hole and retractile force opposes movement of the fourth conductive pin out of the fourth hole, and where the third conductive pin and the fourth conductive pin are magnetized; and where the conductive pins are arranged such that: when the first connector is mated with the second connector the first conductive pin is aligned with and magnetically attracted to the third conductive pin such that the first conductive pin and the second conductive pin move towards each other in their respective holes and contact each other, and the second conductive pin is aligned with and magnetically attracted to the fourth conductive pin such that the second and fourth conductive pins move towards each other in their respective holes and contact each other, the contacting conductive pins forming electrical connections between the first and second connectors. 2. A mateable pair of electrical connectors according to claim 1, the first connector further comprising a first magnet that magnetizes the first and second conductive pins, the second connector further comprising a second magnet that magnetizes the third and fourth pins. 3. A mateable pair of electrical connectors according to claim 1, each conductive pin having a conductive spring that both connects the conductive pin with the electrical connection formed therewith and provides the retractile force to the conductive pin. 4. A mateable pair of electrical connectors according to claim 1, wherein the conductive pins are magnets. 5. A mateable pair of electrical connectors according to claim 1, wherein when the first and second connector are in proximity with each other and are not mated and the first conductive pin opposes the fourth conductive pin, the first and fourth conductive pin magnetically repel each other. 6. A mateable pair of electrical connectors according to claim 1, wherein when the first and second connectors are uncoupled the retractile forces pull the conductive pins back into the corresponding connectors. 7. A mateable pair of electrical connectors according to claim 1, wherein the first conductive pin has a convex end, the third conductive pin has a concave end, and the convex and concave ends mate when the first and second connectors mate. 8. A connector comprising: a first electrical connector comprising: a body with an outer surface and first and second conductive paths exiting the first electrical connector, the outer surface configured to physically mate with a second electrical connector; a first hole and second hole each within the body and each having an opening through the outer surface; the first hole holding a first pin fitted to the first hole and able to move within the first hole, where the first pin is conductive, magnetized, has an outer exposed end and an opposing inner end within the body, the first pin is electrically connected with the first conductive path, and the first pin has a force applied thereto in a direction going into the first hole; the second hole holding a second pin fitted to the second hold and able to move within the second hole, the second pin is conductive, magnetized, and has an outer exposed end and an opposing inner end within the body, the second pin is electrically connected with the second conductive path, and the second pin has a force applied thereto in a direction going into the second hole; the second electrical connector comprising: third and fourth conductive paths exiting the second electrical connector; a surface configured to physically mate with the surface of the first electrical connector; a first electrical contact point and a second electrical contact point, wherein when the first connector and the second connector are physically mated: magnetic force forces the first pin in a direction outward from the first hole and into contact with the first contact to conductively connect the first conductive path with the third conductive path; and magnetic force forces the second pin in a direction outward from the second hole and into contact with the second contact to conductively connect the second conductive path with the fourth conductive path. 9. A connector according to claim 8, wherein the first electrical connector further comprises: a first spring and a second spring, the first spring connected with the first pin and providing the force applied thereto, the second spring connected with the second pin and providing the force applied thereto. 10. A connector according to claim 9, wherein the first spring conductively connects the first pin with the first conductive path, and the second spring conductively connects the second pin with the second conductive path. 11. A connector according to claim 9, wherein when the second electrical connector and the first electrical connector unmate, the first and second spring move the pins in a direction into the respective holes. 12. A connector according to claim 8, further comprising a magnet within the body and magnetizing the pins thereby providing the magnetic force. 13. A connector according to claim 8, wherein the first pin and second pin are permanently magnetized and provide the magnetic force. 14. A connector according to claim 8, wherein the outer end of the first pin has either a convex or concave shape, and the third contact is shaped to fit the outer end of the first pin. 15. A connector according to claim 8, wherein the body comprises the body of a mobile computing device having a circuit and a body and the first and second conductive paths connect with a circuit of the mobile computing device. 16. A connector according to claim 8, wherein the first electrical connector comprises an end of a connector cable and the first and second conductive paths comprises wires of the connector cable. 17. A connector according to claim 8 wherein: the first electrical connector includes a first permanent magnet that magnetizes the first and second pin thereby providing the magnetic force; the second electrical connector includes third hole therein, a fourth hole therein, a third pin that is conductive, fitted to the third hole, and moveable therein, a fourth pin that is conductive, fitted to the fourth hole, and moveable therein, where the first contact comprises an end of the third pin and the second contact comprises an end of the fourth pin, a second permanent magnet magnetizes the third and fourth pins. 18. A connector according to claim 17, wherein when the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector are physically mated, the first magnet is magnetically attracted to the second magnet, the first and third pins are magnetically attracted, and the second and fourth pins are magnetically attracted.