Magnetic members of docking devices

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10969825-B2
Application number	US-201716606903-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 22, 2017
Priority date	Jun 22, 2017
Publication date	Apr 6, 2021
Grant date	Apr 6, 2021

Abstract

Examples disclosed herein provide a docking device for a computing device. One example docking device includes a mounting device to align with a mating cavity of the computing device. The docking device includes a locking blade that extends from the mounting device into a slot in the mating cavity of the computing device. The mounting device includes a first magnetic member disposed within the mounting device to initiate extension and retraction of the locking blade from the mounting device into and out of the slot in the mating cavity.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system comprising a docking device and a computing device, wherein the docking device comprises:
a mounting device to align with a mating cavity of the computing device;
a locking blade that extends from the mounting device into a slot in the mating cavity of the computing device; and
a first magnetic member disposed within the mounting device, wherein the first magnetic member is to initiate extension and retraction of the locking blade from the mounting device into and out of the slot in the mating cavity.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the locking blade comprises a second magnetic member to interact with the first magnetic member, wherein the interaction between the first and second magnetic members is to initiate the extension and retraction of the locking blade.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein when the first and second magnetic members are to have a same magnetic polarity, a resulting repulsive magnetic force is to extend the locking blade from the mounting device into the slot in the mating cavity of the computing device.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein when the first and second magnetic members are to have opposite magnetic polarities, a resulting attractive magnetic force is to retract the locking blade out of the slot in the mating cavity of the computing device.

5. The system of claim 2 , wherein the interaction between the first and second magnetic members comprises sliding the first magnetic member with respect to the second member, wherein sliding the first magnetic member to a first position is to initiate the retraction of the locking blade, and wherein sliding the first magnetic member to a second position is to initiate the extension of the locking blade.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein when the first magnetic member is to be slid to the first position, the first and second magnetic members are to have opposite magnetic polarities, wherein an attractive magnetic force is generated.

7. The system of claim 5 , wherein when the first magnetic member is to be slid to the second position, the first and second magnetic members are to have a same magnetic polarity, wherein a repulsive magnetic force is generated.

8. The system of claim 2 , wherein the first magnetic member is circular and diametrically magnetized.

9. The system of claim 8 , wherein the interaction between the first and second magnetic members comprises rotating the first magnetic member, wherein rotating the first magnetic member to a first position is to initiate the retraction of the locking blade, and wherein rotating the first magnetic member to a second position is to initiate the extension of the locking blade.

10. A docking device for a computing device, the docking device comprising:
a mounting device to align with a mating cavity of the computing device, the mounting device comprising a first magnetic member disposed within the mounting device; and
a locking blade that extends from the mounting device into a slot in the mating cavity of the computing device, the locking blade comprising:
a second magnetic member to interact with the first magnetic member, wherein the interaction between the first and second magnetic members is to initiate extension and retraction of the locking blade from the mounting device into and out of the slot in the mating cavity.

11. The docking device of claim 10 , wherein when the first and second magnetic members are to have a same magnetic polarity, a resulting repulsive magnetic force is to extend the locking blade from the mounting device into the slot in the mating cavity of the computing device.

12. The docking device of claim 10 , wherein when the first and second magnetic members are to have opposite magnetic polarities, a resulting attractive magnetic force is to retract the locking blade out of the slot in the mating cavity of the computing device.

13. The docking device of claim 10 , wherein the interaction between the first and second magnetic members comprises sliding the first magnetic member with respect to the second member, wherein sliding the first magnetic member to a first position is to initiate the retraction of the locking blade, and wherein sliding the first magnetic member to a second position is to initiate the extension of the locking blade.

14. The docking device of claim 10 , wherein the first magnetic member is circular and diametrically magnetized.

15. The docking device of claim 14 , wherein the interaction between the first and second magnetic members comprises rotating the first magnetic member, wherein rotating the first magnetic member to a first position is to initiate the retraction of the locking blade, and wherein rotating the first magnetic member to a second position is to initiate the extension of the locking blade.

Assignees

• Hewlett Packard Development Co

Inventors

• Lo Jose Ticy
• Park Chan-Woo

Classifications

• G06F1/1632 Primary

  External expansion units, e.g. docking stations · CPC title

• H05K5/0234

  Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor · CPC title

• H05K5/0221

  Locks; Latches · CPC title

• H01F7/06

  Electromagnets; Actuators including electromagnets {(electric coils H01F5/00; devices for holding workpieces using electric force B23Q3/15; load-engaging elements for lifting articles electromagnetically B66C1/06; electromagnetic couplings F16D27/00; magnetic brakes F16D63/002; electromagnetically operated valves F16K11/24, F16K31/00; analysing materials by magnetic means G01N27/72, G01N27/80; electromagnets for winding mechanical clocks G04C1/02; electromagnetic relays H01H51/00; windings for salient poles of dynamo-electric machines H02K3/18; electromagnets for telegraphic communication H04L; for arc lamps H05B31/28)} · CPC title