Connecting device and electronic device assembly

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9362664-B2
Application number	US-201313845230-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 18, 2013
Priority date	Feb 4, 2013
Publication date	Jun 7, 2016
Grant date	Jun 7, 2016

Abstract

A connecting device is disclosed, which includes a connector structure having a housing, a plug connector, a plurality of electrical contacts and a magnetic-metal set. The housing has a surface on which the electrical contacts and the magnetic-metal set are disposed, and the plug connector protrudes from the housing and is electrically connected to the electrical contacts. An electronic device assembly is further disclosed, which includes an electronic device and the aforesaid connecting device. The connecting device can be inserted into a socket connector of the electronic device, so as to transform the socket connector into a non-pluggable magnetic connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A connecting device, comprising:
a connector structure having a first housing, a plug connector, a plurality of first electrical contacts and a first magnetic-metal set, wherein the first housing has a first surface on which the first electrical contacts are disposed, the first housing is formed of magnetic metal to be used as the first magnetic-metal set, and the plug connector protrudes from the first housing and is electrically connected to the first electrical contacts; and
a storage structure including a second housing, a data storage element within the second housing, a plurality of second electrical contacts and a second magnetic-metal set, wherein the second housing has a second surface that faces the first surface, the second electrical contacts and the second magnetic-metal set are disposed on the second surface, and the second electrical contacts are electrically connected to the data storage element;
wherein the first and second magnetic-metal sets are attracted toward each other to join the first and second housings, and thus the second electrical contacts make contact with the first electrical contacts respectively.

2. The connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the first electrical contacts include a power contact, a ground contact and a signal contact.

3. The connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic-metal set comprises a plurality of magnetic metals, and the first electrical contacts are located between the magnetic metals.

4. The connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the first magnetic-metal set comprises two magnets, and north-seeking poles of the two magnets are pointed toward two opposite orientations respectively.

5. The connecting device of claim 1 , wherein the storage structure further includes a battery disposed within the second housing and electrically connected to the second electrical contacts.

6. An electronic device assembly, comprising:
an electronic device, having a socket connector; and
the connector device of claim 1 , wherein the plug connector is inserted into the socket connector of the electronic device, and the first electrical contacts are located outside the electronic device.

Assignees

• Kingston Digital Inc

Inventors

• Yen Chin-Tang

Classifications

• G06F1/1613

  for portable computers (cooling arrangements therefor G06F1/203; constructional details or arrangements for pocket calculators, electronic agendas or books G06F15/0216; constructional details of portable telephone sets: with several bodies H04M1/0202) · CPC title

• G06F1/1656

  Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories (mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203) · CPC title

• H01R31/06

  Intermediate parts for linking two coupling parts, e.g. adapter (with a holder adapted for supporting apparatus to which its counterpart is attached H01R33/94) · CPC title

• G06F1/1632

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

• H01R13/6205 Primary

  Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet · CPC title