PATENT DOCUMENT

Publication Number: US-11942722-B2
Application Number: US-202117543487-A
Country: US
Kind Code: B2

Title: Magnetic circuit for magnetic connector

Abstract:
Connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other examples can provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured.

Claims:
What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A spring-loaded contact comprising:
 a barrel having a front opening; 
 a plunger having a tip extending through the front opening and a body housed in the barrel; 
 a spring housed in the barrel; and 
 an intermediate object between a backside of the plunger and the spring, where the intermediate object simultaneously contacts an inside surface of the barrel at a first location and a second location, the first location and the second location on opposite sides of the intermediate object, and 
 wherein the first location is a first distance from the front opening and the second location is a second distance from the front opening, the first distance different than the second distance. 
 
     
     
       2. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate object has a capsule shape. 
     
     
       3. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate object has a stadium-of-rotation shape. 
     
     
       4. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate object has a spherocylindrical shape. 
     
     
       5. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate object has a shape defined by two hemispheres separated by a cylinder. 
     
     
       6. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the first location is a first distance from the front opening and the second location is a second distance from the front opening, the first distance different than the second distance. 
     
     
       7. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the inside surface of the barrel provides a first force along a first force vector against the intermediate object at the first location and the inside surface of the barrel provides a second force along a second force vector against the intermediate object at the second location, and wherein the first force vector and the second force vector are parallel and non-overlapping. 
     
     
       8. The spring-loaded contact of  claim 1  wherein the intermediate object has a first length and the barrel has a first inner diameter, and wherein the first length is greater than the first inner diameter. 
     
     
       9. A connector comprising:
 a magnet array comprising: 
 a plurality of pole pieces; and 
 a plurality of magnets spaced apart from one another and separated by the plurality of pole pieces, 
 wherein each pole piece is adjacent to two magnets in the plurality of magnets; 
 a first plurality of contacts having contacting portions at a front side of the magnet array; and 
 a magnetic element along a back side of the magnet array, and further along a first side and a second side of the magnet array, the first side opposite the second side, the first side and the second side adjacent to the back side. 
 
     
     
       10. The connector of  claim 9  wherein for each of the plurality of pole pieces, the pole piece is between and adjacent to two magnets in the plurality of magnets, wherein the two magnets have the same of either a north pole or a south pole facing the pole piece. 
     
     
       11. The connector of  claim 10  wherein the magnet array has a central passage, the first plurality of contacts are supported by a contact housing, the contact housing passes through the central passage, and a plurality of dampeners are positioned in the central passage between the contact housing and the magnet array. 
     
     
       12. The connector of  claim 10  wherein the magnet array is arranged as a ring and wherein the first plurality of contacts pass through the center of the ring. 
     
     
       13. The connector of  claim 11  wherein the magnet array comprises a first pole piece having a first magnet at a first surface and a second magnet at a second surface, the first surface adjacent to the second surface; and
 a second pole piece having a third magnet at a first surface and a fourth magnet at a second surface, the first surface opposite the second surface. 
 
     
     
       14. The connector of  claim 13  wherein the first plurality of contacts are arranged as a line of contacts, the first pole piece is at a first side of the line of contacts and the second pole piece is below the line of contacts. 
     
     
       15. A connector system comprising a magnetic circuit, the magnetic circuit a magnet array comprising:
 a plurality of pole pieces; and 
 a plurality of magnets spaced apart from one another and separated by the plurality of pole pieces, 
 wherein each pole piece is adjacent to two magnets in the plurality of magnets; 
 a magnetic element along a back side of the magnet array, and further along a first side and a second side of the magnet array, the first side opposite the second side, the first side and the second side adjacent to the back side; and 
 an attraction plate. 
 
     
     
       16. The connector system of  claim 15  wherein for each of the plurality of pole pieces, the pole piece is between and adjacent to two magnets in the plurality of magnets, wherein the two magnets have the same of either a north pole or a south pole facing the pole piece. 
     
     
       17. The connector system of  claim 16  wherein the magnet array and the magnetic element are housed in a connector receptacle and the attraction plate forms a face of a connector insert. 
     
     
       18. The connector system of  claim 17  wherein the connector receptacle comprises a first plurality of contacts and wherein the magnet array has a central passage and the first plurality of contacts pass through the central passage. 
     
     
       19. The connector system of  claim 18  wherein the connector insert comprises a second plurality of contacts, the second plurality of contacts to mate with the first plurality of contacts, wherein each of the second plurality of contacts comprises:
 a barrel having a front opening; 
 a plunger having a tip extending through the front opening and a body housed in the barrel; 
 a spring housed in the barrel; and 
 an intermediate object between a backside of the plunger and the spring, where the intermediate object simultaneously contacts an inside surface of barrel at a first location and a second location, the first location and the second location on opposite sides of the intermediate object. 
 
     
     
       20. The connector system of  claim 19  wherein the intermediate object has a capsule shape.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/033,514, filed Sep. 25, 2020, and claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 63/259,910, filed Sep. 24, 2021, which are incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The number of types of electronic devices that are commercially available has increased tremendously the past few years and the rate of introduction of new devices shows no signs of abating. Devices such as tablet computers, laptop computers, desktop computers, all-in-one computers, cell phones, storage devices, wearable-computing devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, adapters, and others, have become ubiquitous. 
     Electronic devices can share power and data over cables that can include one or more wires, fiber optic lines, or other conductors. Connector inserts can be located at each end of these cables and can be inserted into connector receptacles in the communicating electronic devices to form pathways for power and data. 
     A connector insert can have contacts that mate with corresponding contacts in a connector receptacle. These contacts can form portions of electrical paths for data, power, or other types of signals. One type of contact, a spring-loaded contact, can be used in either a connector insert or a connector receptacle. But a spring-loaded contact can have a reduced reliability, particularly if currents for a power supply flow through the spring. 
     A connector receptacle can be positioned in an opening in an electronic device. In many devices, this opening can be on a side of the electronic device. But these electronic devices are becoming thinner, making such positioning increasing difficult. This difficulty can be particularly exacerbated when the connector receptacle is a magnetic connector. For example, it can be difficult to provide sufficient magnetic force in a low-profile connector receptacle to reliably hold a corresponding connector insert. 
     Thus, what is needed are connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. 
     SUMMARY 
     Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts having reliable contacts, as well as connector receptacles having improved magnetic circuits for use in electronic devices having a thin form factor. These and other embodiments of the present invention can further provide connector receptacles that can be easily aligned to an opening in an electronic device, as well as connector inserts and connector receptacles that can be readily manufactured. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide contacts for connector inserts and connector receptacles that are highly reliable. These contacts can be spring-loaded contacts having a contacting portion or plunger biased by a spring or other biasing structure. As a connection is made between a spring-loaded contact and a corresponding contact, the biased plunger can be depressed. As a result, the spring can apply a force between the plunger and the corresponding contact to form an electrical connection. Current in the electrical connection can flow through the plunger and a barrel or other housing for the plunger that is in contact with the plunger. But in some circumstances, as the plunger is depressed, contact between the plunger and the barrel can be broken. When this happens, current can flow through the spring. If the contact is a power supply contact, the current can damage or destroy the spring thereby rendering the contact and possibly the connector inoperable. 
     Accordingly, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide spring-biased contacts that include an intermediate object between a plunger and a spring or other biasing structure. The intermediate object can have a first length that is greater than an inner diameter of a barrel that houses the plunger, spring and intermediate object. The intermediate object can be between a backside of the plunger and the spring, where the intermediate object simultaneously contacts an inside surface of barrel at a first location and a second location. The first location and the second location can be on opposite sides of the intermediate object. The first location can be a first distance from a front opening of the barrel and the second location can be a second distance from the front opening of the barrel, where the first distance is different than the second distance. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, an inside surface of the barrel can provide a first force along a first vector against the intermediate object at the first location and the inside surface of the barrel can provide a second force along a second vector against the intermediate object at the second location. The first force vector and the second force vector can be parallel and non-overlapping. 
     The intermediate object can have various shapes. For example, the intermediate object can have a capsule shape. The intermediate object can have a stadium-of-rotation shape. The intermediate object can have a spherocylinder shape. The intermediate object can have a shape defined by two hemispheres separated by a cylinder. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, an interface between the plunger and the intermediate object can be arranged to provide a force between the intermediate object and the barrel as well as a force between the plunger and the barrel. For example, a backside of the plunger can have a sloped surface. The backside of the plunger can have a conical surface. The backside of the plunger can have an off-center conical surface. The backside of the plunger can have a sloped off-center conical surface. The contact can be one of several contacts in a connector receptacle or connector insert. 
     These and other embodiments of the present invention can provide a connector system having an improved magnetic circuit This magnetic circuit can provide a magnet array arranged to provide a strong attachment that allows the use of a low profile connector receptacle and connector insert. The magnet array can include magnets and magnetic elements, where the magnetic elements can be magnetically conductive pole pieces. Each pole piece can have magnets at two or more of its sides. The magnets can be arranged in an alternating manner such that the field lines of the pole pieces provide a strong magnetic attachment to a magnetically conductive attraction plate of a corresponding connector. The magnetic circuit can further include the attraction plate, which can be arranged to be attracted to the magnet array and to fit in a connector that houses the magnet array. 
     An illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide a connector receptacle that can be easily aligned with an opening in a device enclosure for an electronic device. The electronic device can include a printed circuit board or other substrate, and can be at least partially housed in a device enclosure. The device enclosure can have an opening. A connector receptacle can be mounted on a portion of the device enclosure, the board, or other substrate. The connector receptacle can be attached to the enclosure or board using brackets. The brackets can be positionable within a housing of the connector receptacle such that the connector receptacle can be positionable within the electronic device in at least one dimension. This can allow the connector receptacle to be aligned with the opening in the device enclosure of the electronic device. 
     While embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles for delivering power, these and other embodiments of the present invention can be used as connector receptacles in other types of connector systems, such as connector systems that can be used to convey power, data, or both. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, shields, plungers, springs, intermediate objects, pistons, barrels, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle or connector insert can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, CNC machining, micro-machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The nonconductive portions, such as housings, locks, pistons, and other structures can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, glass-filled nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The printed circuit boards or other boards used can be formed of FR-4 or other material. The magnets can be permanent magnets formed of recycled rare-earth magnets, other rare-earth magnets, or other magnetic elements. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that can be located in, and can connect to, various types of devices such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, smart phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts can provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™, Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Peripheral Component Interconnect express, Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that can be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles and connector inserts can be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     Various embodiments of the present invention can incorporate one or more of these and the other features described herein. A better understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention can be gained by reference to the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    illustrates an electronic system that can be improved by the incorporation of embodiments of the present invention; 
         FIG.  2    illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3    illustrates the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  5    illustrates a cutaway side view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2    in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  7 B  illustrate portions of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  8    illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a transparent side view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    illustrates a cutaway side view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a more detailed view of an intermediate object that can be used in the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  13 A  and  FIG.  13 B  illustrate an intermediate object according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  14    is a more detailed view of a plunger for the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  15    illustrates another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  16    is a more detailed view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    illustrates another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  18 A  and  FIG.  18 B  illustrate another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  19    illustrates another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  20    is an exploded view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  19   ; 
         FIG.  21    illustrates a magnet array according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  22    illustrates a magnetic circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG.  23    is an alternative exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG.  1    illustrates an electronic system that can be improved by the incorporation of an embodiment of the present invention. This figure, as with the other included figures, is shown for illustrative purposes and does not limit either the possible embodiments of the present invention or the claims. 
     This figure illustrates an electronic device  300  including connector receptacle  100 . Electronic device  300  can include bottom enclosure  301  encasing connector receptacle  100 . Electronic device  300  can further include top enclosure  302  over bottom enclosure  301 . Top enclosure  302  can house a screen or monitor, or other electronic components (not shown.) Bottom enclosure  301  can house a keyboard, processor, battery, or other electronic components (not shown.) The electronic components in top enclosure  302  and bottom enclosure  301  can receive and provide power and data using connector receptacle  100 . In one example, the electronic components in top enclosure  302  and bottom enclosure  301  can receive power via connector receptacle  100  and can provide data regarding a charging status of a battery (not shown) of electronic device  300  via connector receptacle  100 . 
     Connector receptacle  100  can include shield  170  having tabs  172 . Tabs  172  can be inserted into and soldered to openings (not shown) in a printed circuit board (not shown) in bottom enclosure  301  of electronic device  300 . Connector insert  200  can be plugged into or mated with connector receptacle  100 . Connector insert  200  can include passage  202  for a cable (not shown.) 
     In this example, electronic device  300  can be a laptop or portable computer. In these and other embodiments of the present invention, electronic device  300  can instead be another portable computing device, tablet computer, desktop computer, all-in-one computer, wearable-computing device, smart phone, storage device, portable media player, navigation system, monitor, power supply, video delivery system, adapter, remote control device, charger, or other device. 
     Examples of connector receptacles  100  and connector inserts  200  are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  2    illustrates a connector receptacle according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector receptacle  100  can include mesa  112  supporting contacting surfaces  122  of contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   .) Mesa  112  can emerge through opening  182  in faceplate  180 . Contacts  120  can terminate in through-hole contacting portions  124 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, contacts  120  can terminate in surface-mount contacting portions (not shown.) Housing  130  can include posts  136 . Shield  170  can include tabs  172 . Through-hole contacting portions  124 , posts  136 , and tabs  172  can be inserted into corresponding openings in a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate  620  (shown in  FIG.  6   .) Housing  130  can further include tab  132  that can fit an opening  192  of shield  190 . Shield  170  can be attached to shield  190  at points  191  by spot or laser-welding or other technique. Bracket  160  can be used to secure connector receptacle  100  in place in electronic device  300  (shown in  FIG.  1   ) as shown further below. 
       FIG.  3    illustrates the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   . Brackets  160  can emerge through the openings  194  in shield  190 . Shield  170  can include tabs  172 . Contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) can terminate in through-hole contacting portions  124 . Housing  130  can include posts  136 . Through-hole contacting portions  124 , posts  136 , and tabs  172  can be fit in corresponding openings in a printed circuit board, flexible circuit board, or other appropriate substrate  620  (shown in  FIG.  6   .) Brackets  160  can be used secure connector receptacle  100  in place in electronic device  300  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) 
       FIG.  4    is an exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   . Contacts  120  can be supported by contact housing  110 . Contact housing  110  can terminate in mesa  112 . Contacts  120  can include contacting surfaces  122  on mesa  112  and through-hole contacting portions  124 . Mesa  112  can emerge from opening  182  in faceplate  180 . Faceplate  180  can protect magnet array  150 . Faceplate  180  can be formed of a soft magnetic alloy to optimize the attachment force between magnet array  150  and attraction plate  250  (shown in  FIG.  8   .) For example, faceplate  180  can be formed of a soft magnetic alloy or other magnetically conductive material, such as martensitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, low-carbon steel, iron-cobalt, an iron-silicon or nickel-iron alloy, or other ferro-magnetic material, or other material. 
     Magnet array  150  can be positioned around contact housing  110 . Contact housing  110  can pass through an opening  168  in magnet array  150 . Magnet array  150  can include pole piece  152 , pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , pole piece  156   b , and pole piece  158 . Magnet array  150  can include magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , magnet  153   b , magnet  155   a , magnet  155   b , magnet  157   a , magnet  157   b , and magnet  159 . Each of pole piece can be formed of a soft magnetic alloy or other magnetically conductive material, such as martensitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, low-carbon steel, iron-cobalt, an iron-silicon or nickel-iron alloy, or other ferro-magnetic material, or other material. 
     Each of these pole pieces can be abutted by two or more magnets. For example, pole piece  152  can be abutted by magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b . Pole piece  152  can guide field lines of magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b . For example, magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b  can have their north pole adjacent to pole piece  152  and their south pole away from pole piece  152 , such that pole piece  152  can guide field lines from their north poles. Alternatively, magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b  can have their south pole adjacent to pole piece  152  and their north pole away from pole piece  152 , such that pole piece  152  can guide field lines to their south poles. Pole piece  152 , pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , pole piece  156   b , and pole piece  158  can guide field lines of alternating polarities. For example, pole piece  152 , pole piece  156   a , and pole piece  156   b  can guide field lines of a first polarity, while pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , and pole piece  158  can guide field lines of a second polarity. Additional magnet  167  and additional magnet  169  can be included in magnet array  150 . For example, additional magnet  167  can be adjacent to pole piece  152 . In the example where magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b  have their north poles adjacent to pole piece  152 , additional magnet  167  can also have its north pole adjacent to pole piece  152  while the south pole of additional magnet  167  can face away from pole piece  152 . Additional magnet  167  and additional magnet  169  can further increase a magnetic attraction provided at a face of connector receptacle  100 . Further details of magnet array  150  can be found in  FIG.  21    and  FIG.  22    below. 
     Contact housing  110  can further be supported by housing  130  and lock  140 . Contact housing  110  can be positioned between housing  130  and lock  140 . Housing  130  can include post  136 , tabs  132 , and tabs  134 . Tab  132  can fit in opening  192  of shield  190 . Tab  134  can fit in opening  174  of shield  170 . Shield  170  can further include tabs  172 . Lock  140  can include posts  142 , which can fit in corresponding notches (not shown) in housing  130 . Brackets  160  can fit in openings  194  of shield  190 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, brackets  160  can be replaced with a single bracket, such as bracket  2360  (shown in  FIG.  23   .) 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, connector receptacle  100  can be located in an electronic device that also includes speakers, haptic components, actuators, or other components. These can cause vibrations in nearby components, such as connector receptacle  100 , that can result in audible noise. Similarly, the magnetic field generated by magnet array  150  interacting with variable current flowing through contacts  120  can also induce vibrations resulting in audible noise. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention can provide dampeners that can reduce the tendency of connector receptacle  100  to generate vibrational noise. These dampeners can also protect magnet array  150  from cracking, chipping, or other damage. For example, foam pieces, adhesives, silicone, plastic insulators, elastomers, and other materials or structures can be placed or formed between or among portions of connector receptacle  100 . These can be formed of epoxy, room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone or other silicone or other elastomeric material, or other material. For example, dampeners can be placed between magnet array  150  and shield  170 , between magnet array  150  and shield  190 , between magnet array  150  and faceplate  180 , between contact housing  110  and magnet array  150 , or elsewhere in connector receptacle  100 . 
     Silicone, such as a room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone, can be placed between contact housing  110  and magnet array  150 . For example, silicone can be placed or formed along sides of contact housing  110 , along top and bottom sides of contact housing  110 , or a combination thereof. The silicone or other material can be formed ahead of time and placed in the desired location. The silicone or other material can instead be injected between contact housing  110  and magnet array  150  and cured in place. In this example, silicone can be injected between sides of contact housing  110  and pole piece  152 , and between contact housing  110  and pole piece  158  to form dampener  117  and dampener  119 , respectively. Dampener  117  can be formed between a left side (as seen from a front of contact receptacle  100 ) of contact housing  110  and pole piece  152 , while dampener  119  can be formed between a right side of contact housing  110  and pole piece  158 . The silicone for dampener  117  and dampener  119  can be injected using a needle placed between contact housing  110  and magnet array  150  from a back side (not shown) of magnet array  150  before housing  130  and lock  140  are attached. 
     Alternatively, dampener  117  and dampener  119  can be formed as pieces of silicon, foam, or other material ahead of time and inserted or otherwise placed between contact housing  110  and magnet array  150 . For example, dampener  117  and dampener  119  can be inserted between contact housing  110  and magnet array  150  from a back side of magnet array  150  before housing  130  and lock  140  are attached. Alternatively, dampener  117  and dampener  119  can be attached to sides of contact housing  110 , and then magnet array  150  can be formed around contact housing  110 , dampener  117 , and dampener  119 . 
     It can be desirable to accurately align mesa  112  and contacting surfaces  122  to an opening in bottom enclosure  301  of electronic device  300  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) Connector receptacle  100  can be positioned on a surface of or associated with bottom enclosure  301 . This can help to provide an accurate alignment. However, various manufacturing tolerances can remain. Accordingly, it can be desirable to be able to adjust a connection between connector receptacle  100  and bottom enclosure  301  in at least one direction. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG.  5    illustrates a cutaway side view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   . A bottom surface  101  of connector receptacle  100  can be placed near a printed circuit board, enclosure surface, or other appropriate substrate  620  (shown in  FIG.  6   .) Brackets  160  can be used to secure connector receptacle  100  to substrate  620 . To improve alignment of connector receptacle  100  to an opening in bottom enclosure  301  (shown in  FIG.  1   ), it can be desirable that bracket  160  be able to move in at least one direction relative to the other portions of connector receptacle  100 . Accordingly, bracket  160  can be positioned in slot  135  in housing  130 . In this way, tab  162  of bracket  160  can slide vertically in slot  135 . This can allow bracket  160  to move relative to the remainder of connector receptacle  100 . This relative movement can allow connector receptacle  100  to be adjusted relative to substrate  620  and allow connector receptacle  100  and mesa  112  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) to be accurately positioned in the opening in bottom enclosure  301 . 
     In this example bracket  160  can be capable of moving up board until tab  162  hits a top  137  of slot  135 . Also or instead, the upward travel can be limited by an edge  197  at a top of opening  194  in shield  190 . Also or instead, the upward travel can be limited by edge  139  of housing  130  engaging bracket  160 . Bracket  160  can be capable of moving downward until bracket  160  hits bottom edge  195  of opening  194 . This arrangement can allow bracket  160  to move vertically relative to a remaining portion of connector receptacle  100 . In this example, mesa  112  can be located in recess  113 . In these and other embodiments of the present invention, brackets  160  can be replaced with a single bracket, or with three or more than three brackets. A single bracket, such as bracket  2360  (shown in  FIG.  23   ) can be used. This single bracket  2360  can be adjustable in a similar manner as brackets  160 , or single bracket  2360  can be fixed in place to shield  190 . 
       FIG.  6    illustrates a side view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2    in a device enclosure according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, connector receptacle  100  can be attached to substrate  620  via bracket  160 . Substrate  620  can be a printed circuit board, portion of bottom enclosure  301  (shown in  FIG.  1   ), or other appropriate substrate. Substrate  620  can include fastener opening  630  to accept fastener  610 . Fastener  610  can pass through opening  164  in bracket  160  to secure bracket  160  and connector receptacle  100  to substrate  620 . Again, tab  162  of bracket  160  can move vertically in slot  135  of housing  130 . Fastener  610  can pass through opening  194  in shield  190 . When a bracket, such as bracket  2360  (shown in  FIG.  23   ) is fixed to shield  190 , or other structure such as magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  (shown in  FIG.  22   ), bracket  2360  can be pre-biased (that is, sloped relative to substrate  620  in the illustrated plane) as it extends away from shield  190  and slot  135 . This slope can be either towards or away from substrate  620 . As fastener  610  is inserted into fastener opening  630  in substrate  620 , for example by turning a screw used as fastener  610  into a threaded fastener opening  630 , bracket  2360  can flatten (that is, become parallel to substrate  620 .) This change can provide a range through which mesa  112  of connector receptacle  100  can be positioned in recess  113  (shown in  FIG.  5   .) 
       FIG.  7 A  and  FIG.  7 B  illustrate portions of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   . Housing  130  can include slot  135  for accepting bracket  160 . Bracket  160  can include tab  162  and opening  164 . 
       FIG.  8    illustrates a connector insert according to an embodiment of the present invention. Connector insert  200  can be arranged to mate with connector receptacle  100 , as shown in  FIG.  1   . Connector insert  200  can be at a first end of cable  290 . Connector insert  200  can include an attraction plate  250  that can be magnetically attracted to magnet array  150  (shown in  FIG.  4   .) Attraction plate  250  can include opening  251  for accepting mesa  112  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) of connector receptacle  100 . Attraction plate  250  can fit in recess  113  of connector receptacle  100  (both shown in  FIG.  5   .) Contacting surfaces  122  of contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  2   ) can form electrical connections at contacting surfaces  812  of spring-loaded contacts  800 . 
       FIG.  9    illustrates a spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spring-loaded contact  800  can include plunger  810 . Plunger  810  can include contacting surface  812 . Plunger  810  can emerge from front opening  822  in barrel  820 . 
     As contact is made between spring-loaded contact  800  and a corresponding contact, such as contacting surface  122  of contact  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), the biased plunger  810  can be depressed. Spring  860  (shown in  FIG.  10   ) in spring-loaded contact  800  can apply a force between plunger  810  and the corresponding contact thereby forming an electrical connection. Typically, current in the electrical connection can flow through the plunger and barrel  820 . But in some configurations, as plunger  810  is depressed, contact between plunger  810  and the barrel  820  can be broken. In this circumstance, current can flow through spring  860 . If spring-loaded contact  800  is a power supply contact, such as a contact providing a power supply voltage or ground, the current can damage or destroy spring  860  thereby rendering the contact inoperable. 
     Accordingly, an illustrative embodiment of the present invention can provide spring-biased contacts that include an intermediate object between plunger  810  and spring  860  or other biasing structure. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  10    illustrates a transparent side view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   . Plunger  810  can include contacting surface  812 . Plunger  810  can further include neck  816  leading to body  818 . Body  818  can be retained inside barrel  820  by front opening  822 . Plunger  810  can include backside  814 . Backside  814  can contact intermediate object  850 . Intermediate object  850  can be positioned between plunger  810  and spring  860 . Spring  860  can act to push plunger  810  out of barrel  820  and can be compliant such that plunger  810  can be depressed into barrel  820  of spring-loaded contact  800  when mated with a corresponding contacting surface  122  (shown in  FIG.  2   .) 
       FIG.  11    illustrates a cutaway side view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   . Spring-loaded contact  800  can include intermediate object  850  in barrel  820 . Intermediate object  850  can be positioned between plunger  810  and spring  860 . Intermediate object  850  can contact backside  814  of plunger  810 . Plunger  810  can further have tip or contacting surface  812 . Spring  860  can push intermediate object  850  against backside  814  of plunger  810 . 
       FIG.  12    is a more detailed view of an intermediate object that can be used in the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   . Intermediate object  850  can be positioned between plunger  810  and spring  860 . Intermediate object  850  can encounter backside  814  of plunger  810  as well as spring  860 . Intermediate object  850  can provide multiple paths for currents in spring-loaded contact  800 . For example, current can flow though plunger  810  into intermediate object  850  and through first location  852  to barrel  820 . Current can also flow though plunger  810  into intermediate object  850  and through second location  854  to barrel  820 . These current paths can help to limit current through spring  860 . The currents in barrel  820  can then flow through other conduits that are connected to barrel  820 , such as wires, board traces, or others (not shown.) 
     Intermediate object  850  can have a first length L 1  that is greater than an inner diameter D 1  of barrel  820 . Intermediate object  850  can be between a backside  814  of plunger  810  and spring  860 , where intermediate object  850  simultaneously contacts an inside surface of barrel at first location  852  and second location  854 . First location  852  and second location  854  can be on opposite sides of intermediate object  850 . First location  852  can be a first distance (not shown) from front opening  822  of barrel  820  and second location  854  can be a second distance (not shown) from front opening  822 , the first distance different than the second distance. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, an inside surface of barrel  820  can provide a first force along a first force vector F 1  against intermediate object  850  at first location  852 . The inside surface of barrel  820  can provide a second force along a second force vector F 2  against intermediate object  850  at second location  854 . The first force vector F 1  and the second force vector F 2  can be parallel and non-overlapping. Backside  814  of plunger  810  can provide third force vector F 3  to intermediate object  850  at location  858 . Spring  860  can provide fourth force vector F 4  to intermediate object  850  at location  856 . 
       FIG.  13    illustrates an intermediate object according to an embodiment of the present invention. Intermediate object  850  can have various shapes. For example, intermediate object  850  can have a capsule shape. Intermediate object  850  can have a stadium-of-rotation shape. Intermediate object  850  can have a spherocylinder shape. Intermediate object  850  can have a shape defined by two hemispheres  1310  and  1312  separated by cylinder  1314 . 
       FIG.  14    is a more detailed view of a plunger for the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  9   . Plunger  810  can include contacting surface  812 . Plunger  810  can further include neck  816  leading to body  818 . Plunger  810  can include backside  814 . Backside  814  can be sloped. Backside  814  can have a conical indentation. Backside  814  can have a conical surface. Backside  814  can have an off-center conical surface. Backside  814  can have a sloped off-center conical surface. The conical indention can have an apex at point  815 . Plunger  810  can be used as the other plungers shown herein or otherwise provided by embodiments of the present invention. 
       FIG.  15    illustrates another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spring-loaded contact  1500  can be used as spring-loaded contact  800  (shown in  FIG.  8   .) Spring-loaded contact  1500  can include plunger  1510 , intermediate object  1570 , piston  1580 , and spring  1560 . At least a portion of plunger  1510 , intermediate object  1570 , piston  1580 , and spring  1560  can be housed in barrel  1520 . Piston  1580  can include head  1582  and tail  1584 . Some of spring  1560  can encircle tail  1584  of piston  1580 , thereby keeping piston  1580  aligned to spring  1560 . Spring  1560  can apply force against head  1582  of piston  1580 , thereby pushing head  1582  of piston  1580  into intermediate object  1570 . Intermediate object  1570  can push against a backside  1514  of piston  1580 . As spring-loaded contact  1500  engages a corresponding contact, such as contacting surface  122  of contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), plunger  1510  can be depressed into barrel  1520 . This can compress spring  1560 . In this way, spring  1560  can continue to apply a force pushing plunger  1510  against contacting surface  122  when the contacts are mated. 
       FIG.  16    illustrates a close-up view of a portion of the spring-loaded contact  FIG.  15   . Spring  1560  can push against head  1582  of piston  1580 . Some of spring  1560  can encircle tail  1584  of piston  1580 . Spring  1560  can provide force F 1  at location  1574  to intermediate object  1570  through head  1582  of piston  1580 . This force can be resisted by force F 2  applied to location  1572  of intermediate object  1570  by backside  1514  of plunger  1510 . These forces can push intermediate object  1570  into barrel  1520  at location  1576  with force F 3 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, intermediate object  1570  can be formed of a conductive material, while piston  1580  can be formed of a nonconductive or insulating material. This arrangement can provide current flow through spring-loaded contact  1500  while protecting spring  1560  from excessive currents. Plunger  1510  can contact intermediate object  1570  at location  1572 . Currents can flow through this location through intermediate object  1570  and to barrel  1520  at location  1576 . When piston  1580  is nonconductive, current does not flow through intermediate object  1570  to piston  1580  via location  1574 . This can protect spring  1560  from seeing excessive current. When piston  1580  is conductive, currents can flow through intermediate object  1570  to piston  1580  via location  1574 . Piston  1580  can be can then contact inside surface of barrel  1520  providing and other current path to protect spring  1560 . 
       FIG.  17    illustrates another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spring-loaded contact  1700  can be used as spring-loaded contact  800  (shown in  FIG.  8   .) Spring-loaded contact  1700  can include plunger  1710 , intermediate object  1750 , and spring  1760 . At least portion  1716  of plunger  1710 , intermediate object  1750 , and spring  1760  can be housed in barrel  1720 . Tip  1712  of plunger  1710  can extend beyond opening  1722  of barrel  1720 . An end of barrel  1720  can be sealed by seal  1724 . Spring  1760  can apply force against intermediate object  1750 , thereby pushing intermediate object  1750  against a backside  1714  of plunger  1710 . As spring-loaded contact  1700  engages a corresponding contact, such as contacting surface  122  of contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), plunger  1710  can be depressed into barrel  1720 . This can compress spring  1760 . In this way, spring  1760  can continue to apply a force pushing tip  1712  of plunger  1510  against contacting surface  122  when the contacts are mated. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, intermediate object  1750  can be formed of a conductive material. When spring-loaded contact  1700  is mated with a corresponding contact, plunger  1710  can contact intermediate object  1750  at its backside  1714 . Current can flow through plunger  1710  and through this location to intermediate object  1750  and then to barrel  1720  at location  1756 . Plunger  1710  can tilt in barrel  1720  making contact with barrel  1720  at location  1715  and location  1719 . As a result, current can also flow through plunger  1710  to barrel  1720  at location  1715  and location  1719 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, backside  1714  of plunger  1710 , and the other backsides of the other plungers shown here, can have various contours. For example, they can be flat, sloped, or otherwise curved, they can be conical or have conical indentations or other non-uniform surfaces. Backside  1714  of plunger  1710  can have an off-center conical surface. The backside of the plunger can have a sloped off-center conical surface. 
       FIG.  18 A  and  FIG.  18 B  illustrate another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spring-loaded contact  1800  can be used as spring-loaded contact  800  (shown in  FIG.  8   .) Spring-loaded contact  1800  can include plunger  1810 , piston  1850 , and spring  1860 . At least some of plunger  1810  including wide portion  1816 , narrow portion  1815 , and wide portion  1813 , piston  1850 , and spring  1860  can be housed in barrel  1820 . Tip  1812  of plunger  1810  can extend through opening  1822  of barrel  1820 . Plunger  1810  can include narrow portion  1815  between wide portion  1813  and wide portion  1816 . Barrel  1820  can be sealed with seal  1824 . Piston  1850  can include head  1852  and tail  1854 . Some of spring  1860  can encircle tail  1854  of piston  1850 , thereby keeping piston  1850  aligned to spring  1860 . Spring  1860  can apply force against head  1852  of piston  1850 , thereby pushing head  1852  of piston  1850  into backside  1814  of plunger  1810 . As spring-loaded contact  1800  engages a corresponding contact, such as contacting surface  122  of contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), plunger  1810  can be depressed into barrel  1820 . This can compress spring  1860 . In this way, spring  1860  can continue to apply a force pushing tip  1812  of plunger  1810  against contacting surface  122  when the contacts are mated. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, piston  1850  can be formed of a conductive material. When spring-loaded contact  1800  is mated with a corresponding contact, plunger  1810  can contact piston  1850  at its backside  1814 . Current can flow through plunger  1810  and through this location to piston  1850  and to barrel  1820  at location  1856 . Plunger  1810  can tilt in barrel  1820  making contact with barrel  1820  at location  1811  of wide portion  1816  and location  1819  of wide portion  1813 . As a result, current can also flow through plunger  1810  to barrel  1820  at location  1811  and location  1819 . The inclusion of wide portion  1816  and wide portion  1813  can help to improve the connection between plunger  1810  and barrel  1820 , thereby reducing an impedance of spring-loaded contact  1800 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, backside  1814  of plunger  1810 , and the other backsides of the other plungers shown here, can have various contours. For example, they can be flat, sloped, or otherwise curved, they can be conical or have conical indentations or other non-uniform surfaces. Backside  1814  of plunger  1810  can have an off-center conical surface. The backside of the plunger can have a sloped off-center conical surface. 
       FIG.  19    illustrates another spring-loaded contact according to an embodiment of the present invention. Spring-loaded contact  1900  can be used as spring-loaded contact  800  (shown in  FIG.  8   .) Spring-loaded contact  1900  can include plunger  1910 , piston  1950 , and spring  1960 . At least a portion  1916  of plunger  1910 , piston  1950 , and spring  1960  can be housed in barrel  1920 . Tip  1912  of plunger  1910  can extend through opening  1922  of barrel  1920 . Barrel  1920  can be sealed by back portion  1980 . Back portion  1980  can include sleeve  1982  that can fit in barrel  1920 . Piston  1950  can include head  1952  and tail  1954 . Some of spring  1960  can encircle tail  1954  of piston  1950 , thereby keeping piston  1950  aligned to spring  1960 . Spring  1960  can apply force against piston  1950 , thereby pushing head  1952  of piston  1950  into backside  1914  of plunger  1910 . As spring-loaded contact  1900  engages a corresponding contact, such as contacting surface  122  of contacts  120  (shown in  FIG.  4   ), plunger  1910  can be depressed into barrel  1920 . This can compress spring  1960 . In this way, spring  1960  can continue to apply a force pushing tip  1912  of plunger  1910  against contacting surface  122  when the contacts are mated. 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, piston  1950  can be formed of a conductive material. When spring-loaded contact  1900  is mated with a corresponding contact, plunger  1910  can contact piston  1950  at its backside  1914 . Current can flow through plunger  1910  and through this location to piston  1950  and to barrel  1920  at location  1956 . Plunger  1910  can tilt in barrel  1920  making contact with barrel  1920  at location  1915  and location  1919  of portion  1916  of plunger  1910 . As a result, current can also flow through plunger  1910  to barrel  1920  at location  1911  and location  1919 . 
     In these and other embodiments of the present invention, backside  1914  of plunger  1910 , and the other backsides of the other plungers shown here, can have various contours. For example, they can be flat, sloped, or otherwise curved, they can be conical or have conical indentations or other non-uniform surfaces. Backside  1914  of plunger  1910  can have an off-center conical surface. The backside of the plunger can have a sloped off-center conical surface. 
     While piston  1950  can be conductive, it can still be desirable to protect spring  1960  from current. Accordingly, a portion of piston  1950  can be insulated or nonconductive. An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG.  20    is an exploded view of the spring-loaded contact of  FIG.  19   . Spring-loaded contact  1900  can include plunger  1910 . Plunger  1910  can include tip  1912 , which can extend through opening  1922  of barrel  1920  and portion  1916 , which can be housed in barrel  1920 . Barrel  1920  can be sealed by back portion  1980 . Back portion  1980  can include sleeve  1982 , which can be fit inside barrel  1920  and can be fixed in place, for example by soldering or laser or spot-welding. Barrel can house piston  1950 . Piston  1950  can include head  1952  that can contact backside  1914  of plunger  1910 . Piston  1950  can include tail  1954 , which can be partially encircled by spring  1960 . Spring  1960  can bias piston  1950  and plunger  1910 . 
     Insulating piece  1958  can help to prevent piston  1950  from electrically contacting spring  1960 , thereby protecting spring  1960 . Insulating piece  1958  can be tape, molded plastic, or other insulating material. Insulating piece  1958  can be die cut, molded, or formed in other ways. 
     Connector receptacle  100  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) can be employed in a side surface of electronic device  300  (shown in  FIG.  1   .) When electronic device  300  is thin or has a low-z height (that is, it has a low profile), it can be difficult for connector receptacle  100  to provide enough magnetic hold force to secure connector insert  200  (shown in  FIG.  8   ) in place. Accordingly, these and other embodiments of the present invention can provide a connector system having an improved magnetic circuit. This magnetic circuit can provide a magnet array arranged to provide a strong attachment that allows the use of a low-profile connector receptacle and connector insert. The magnet array can include magnets and magnetic elements, where the magnetic elements can be magnetically conductive pole pieces and the magnets can be permanent magnets. Each pole piece can have magnets at two of its sides. The magnets can be arranged in an alternating manner such that the field lines guided by the pole pieces provide a strong magnetic attachment to a magnetically conductive attraction plate of a connector insert at a connecting face. The magnetic circuit can further include an attraction plate arranged to be attracted to the connecting face of the magnet array and to fit in a connector housing the magnet array. Examples are shown in the following figures. 
       FIG.  21    illustrates a magnet array according to an embodiment of the present invention. Magnet array  150  can be positioned around contact housing  110  (shown in  FIG.  4   .) Magnet array  150  can have connecting face  2100  adjacent to faceplate  180  (shown in  FIG.  4   .) Contact housing  110  can pass through opening  168  in magnet array  150 . Magnet array  150  can include pole piece  152 , pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , pole piece  156   b , and pole piece  158 . Magnet array  150  can include magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , magnet  153   b , magnet  155   a , magnet  155   b , magnet  157   a , magnet  157   b , and magnet  159 . Additional magnets including additional magnet  167  and additional magnet  169  can also be included. 
     Each pole piece can be abutted by two or more magnets. In general, each pole piece can have magnets at two or more surfaces. Each pole piece can direct or guide the magnetic field provided by poles of two or more magnets at its surfaces. A pole piece can have two or more magnets oriented with their north poles at surfaces of the pole piece and their south poles away from the surfaces of the pole piece, and the pole piece can direct the magnetic field from the magnet&#39;s north poles to connecting face  2100  of magnet array  150 . Another pole piece can have magnets oriented with their south poles at surfaces of the pole piece and their north poles away from the surfaces of the pole piece, and the pole piece can direct the magnetic field to the magnet&#39;s south poles from connecting face  2100  of magnet array  150 . For example, pole piece  152  can be abutted by a north pole of magnet  151 , a north pole of magnet  153   a , and a north pole of magnet  153   b . Pole piece  152  can guide magnetic field lines from the north pole of magnet  151 , the north pole of magnet  153   a , and the north pole of magnet  153   b  to connecting face  2100 . (Pole piece  152  can be labeled “N” in this figure to indicate that magnetic field lines are directed from north poles of magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b  to connecting face  2100 . It should be noted that pole piece  152 , and the other pole pieces, are magnetically soft and do not have an intrinsic polarity.) Accordingly, magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b  can have their north pole adjacent to pole piece  152  and their south pole away from pole piece  152 . More specifically, pole piece  152  can have the north pole of magnet  151  at first surface  2110 , and the north poles of magnet  153   a  and magnet  153   b  at second surface  2130 , where first surface  2110  and second surface  2130  are opposing surfaces. Pole piece  152  can further have additional magnet  167  at third surface  2120 , where third surface  2120  is adjacent to first surface  2110  and adjacent to second surface  2130 . Additional magnet  167  can have its north pole adjacent to third surface  2120 . 
     Pole piece  154   a  can have a south pole of magnet  153   a  at fourth surface  2140  and a south pole of magnet  155   a  at fifth surface  2150 , where fourth surface  2140  and fifth surface  2150  are opposing surfaces. (Pole piece  154   a  can be labeled “S” in this figure to indicate that magnetic field lines are directed to south poles of magnet  153   a  and magnet  153   b  from connecting face  2100 .) Similarly, pole piece  154   b  can have a south pole of magnet  153   b  and a south pole of magnet  155   b  at opposing surfaces. Pole piece  156   a  can have a north pole of magnet  155   a  and a north pole of magnet  157   a  at opposing surfaces. Pole piece  156   b  can have a north pole of magnet  155   b  and a north pole of magnet  157   b  at opposing surfaces. Pole piece  158  can have a south pole of magnet  157   a  and a south pole of magnet  157   b  at a surface that opposes a surface adjacent to a south pole of magnet  159 . 
     Alternatively, pole piece  152  can have a south pole of magnet  151  at first surface  2110  and a south pole of magnet  153   a  and a south pole of magnet  153   b  at second surface  2130 , where first surface  2110  and second surface  2130  are opposing surfaces. Pole piece  152  can also have a south pole of additional magnet  167  at third surface  2120 , where third surface  2120  is adjacent to first surface  2110  and adjacent to second surface  2130 . Pole piece  154   a  can have a north pole of magnet  153   a  at fourth surface  2140  and a north pole of magnet  155   a  at fifth surface  2150 , where fourth surface  2140  and fifth surface  2150  are opposing surfaces. Similarly, pole piece  154   b  can have a north pole of magnet  153   b  and a north pole of magnet  155   b  at opposing surfaces. Pole piece  156   a  can have a south pole of magnet  155   a  and a south pole of magnet  157   a  at opposing surfaces. Pole piece  156   b  can have a south pole of magnet  155   b  and a south pole of magnet  157   b  at opposing surfaces. Pole piece  158  can have a north pole of magnet  157   a  and a north pole of magnet  157   b  at a surface that opposes a surface adjacent to a north pole of magnet  159 . 
     Pole piece  152 , pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , pole piece  156   b , and pole piece  158  can guide field lines having alternating polarities. For example, pole piece  152 , pole piece  156   a , and pole piece  156   b  can guide field lines of a first polarity, while pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , and pole piece  158  can guide field lines of a second polarity. That is, pole piece  152  can guide field lines from north poles of magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b , pole piece  154   a  can guide field lines to south poles of magnet  153   a  and magnet  155   a , pole piece  154   b  can guide field lines to south poles of magnet  153   b  and magnet  155   b , pole piece  156   a  can guide field lines from north poles of magnet  155   a  and magnet  157   a , pole piece  156   b  can guide field lines from north poles of magnet  155   b  and magnet  157   b , and pole piece  158  can guide field lines to south poles of magnet  157   a , magnet  157   b , and magnet  159 . Additional magnet  167  and additional magnet  169  can be included. For example, additional magnet  167  can be adjacent to pole piece  152 . In the example where magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , and magnet  153   b  have their north poles adjacent to pole piece  152 , additional magnet  167  can also have its north pole adjacent to pole piece  152  while the south pole of additional magnet  167  can face away from pole piece  152 . Additional magnet  169  can have its south pole adjacent to pole piece  158 , while its north pole faces away from pole piece  158 . Additional magnet  167  and additional magnet  169  can further increase a magnetic field at connecting face  2100 . 
     Each pole piece, such as pole piece  152 , pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , pole piece  156   b , and pole piece  158 , as well as magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2212  (both shown in  FIG.  22   ) and faceplate  180  (shown in  FIG.  4   ) can be formed of a magnetically conductive material, for example a soft magnetic alloy or other magnetically conductive material, such as martensitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, low-carbon steel, iron-cobalt, an iron-silicon or nickel-iron alloy, or other ferro-magnetic material, or other type of material. Each magnet, such as magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , magnet  153   b , magnet  155   a , magnet  155   b , magnet  157   a , magnet  157   b , and magnet  159 , as well as additional magnets including additional magnet  167 , additional magnet  169 , additional magnet  2240   a , and additional magnet  2242   a  (both shown in  FIG.  22   ), as well as additional magnet  2240   b  and additional magnet  2242   b  (not shown) can be a permanent magnet formed of recycled rare-earth magnets, or other rare-earth or other ferro-magnetic material, such as neodymium, neodymium iron boron or nickel-cobalt, or other material. 
       FIG.  22    illustrates a magnetic circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention. Magnetic flux generated by magnet array  150  can be guided by one or more magnetic elements. In this example, the magnetic flux generated by magnet array  150  can be guided by magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220 . In these and other embodiments, magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can be combined into a single magnetic element, or separated into still further magnetic elements. Magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can be positioned along a backside  2230  of magnet array  150  and to the sides  2232  of magnet array  150 . These or other magnetic elements can be positioned above or below magnet array  150 , or they can be omitted to reduce a thickness of the magnetic circuit. Magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can guide field lines of magnetic flux from magnet array  150  to attraction plate  250 . Magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can reduce the reluctance of magnet array  150 . That is, magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can increase and concentrate the magnetic flux of magnet array  150  into attraction plate  250 . Contacting surfaces  122  of contacts  120  (both shown in  FIG.  4   ) can be available at a connecting face  2100  of magnet array  150  to form electrical connections with contacting surfaces  812  in opening  251  (both shown in  FIG.  8   ) of attraction plate  250  of connector insert  200  (shown in  FIG.  8   .) 
     In this configuration, magnet  151 , magnet  153   a , magnet  153   b  (shown in  FIG.  21   ), magnet  155   a , magnet  155   b  (shown in  FIG.  21   ), magnet  157   a , magnet  157   b  (shown in FIG.  21 ), and magnet  159  can be positioned to provide flux into pole piece  152 , pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b  (shown in  FIG.  21   ), pole piece  156   a , pole piece  156   b  (shown in  FIG.  21   ), and pole piece  158 . The interface between each magnet and pole piece, such as first surface  2110  (shown in  FIG.  21   ) can be increased in area, as can the thickness of each magnet. Strong rare-earth magnets can be used to further increase the flux provided by magnet array  150 , thereby increasing the magnetic attraction between magnet array  150  and attraction plate  250 . 
     Additional magnets including additional magnet  167  and additional magnet  169  can also be positioned at, and coincident with, rear surfaces of pole piece  152  and pole piece  158 , respectively. Further additional magnets including additional magnet  2240   a , additional magnet  2240   b  (not shown), additional magnet  2242   a , and additional magnet  2242   b  (not shown) can be positioned at, and coincident with, rear surfaces of pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , and pole piece  156   b , respectively. These further additional magnets can increase the magnetic flux in pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , and pole piece  156   b , thereby increasing the attraction force of magnet array  150 . 
     Magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can be formed of various materials. For example, magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can be formed of a magnetically conductive material, for example a soft magnetic alloy or other magnetically conductive material, such as martensitic stainless steel, ferritic stainless steel, low-carbon steel, iron-cobalt, an iron-silicon or nickel-iron alloy, or other ferro-magnetic material, or other type of material. 
     The configuration of this magnetic circuit including magnet array  150  can vary in these and other embodiments of the present invention. For example, attraction plate  250  can be formed of a pole piece and magnet assembly similar to magnet array  150 . Different numbers of pole pieces and magnets can be used. For example, one, two, or more than two permanent magnets can be used. Additional magnet  167 , additional magnet  169 , additional magnet  2240   a , additional magnet  2240   b , additional magnet  2242   a , and additional magnet  2242   b  can be included or omitted, as can magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220 . Also, the relative thickness and dimensions of the pole pieces and magnets can vary. For example, pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , and pole piece  156   b  can be narrower or shorter than magnet  153   a , magnet  153   b , magnet  155   a , magnet  155   b , magnet  157   a , and magnet  157   b . Alternatively, magnet  153   a , magnet  153   b , magnet  155   a , magnet  155   b , magnet  157   a , and magnet  157   b  can be narrower or shorter than pole piece  154   a , pole piece  154   b , pole piece  156   a , and pole piece  156   b . The same can be true for pole piece  152  and pole piece  158  as compared to magnet  151  and magnet  159 . 
     The addition of magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can increase the size of connector receptacle  100 . Accordingly these and other embodiments of the present invention can employ alternative structures to reduce a size of connector receptacle  100 . An example is shown in the following figure. 
       FIG.  23    illustrates an alternative exploded view of the connector receptacle of  FIG.  2   . Connector receptacle  2300  can be used as connector receptacle  100  (shown in  FIG.  2   .) Connector receptacle  2300  can include magnet array  2350 . Magnet array  2350  can be the same or similar to magnet array  150  (shown in  FIG.  21   ), and can include or omit additional magnet additional magnet  2240   a , additional magnet  2240   b , additional magnet  2242   a , and additional magnet  2242   b  (shown in  FIG.  22   .) Connector receptacle  2300  can further include magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220 . Magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220  can have backside  2230  and sides  2232  around magnet array  2350 . 
     Connector receptacle  2300  can include connector housing  2310  around contacts  2320 . Connector housing  2310  can include mesa  2312 . Contacts  2320  can include contacting surfaces  2322  on mesa  2312 . Contact housing  2310  and contacts  2320  can be the same or similar to contact housing  110  and contacts  120  (both shown in  FIG.  4   .) Contacts  2320  can be further supported by housing  2330 . Contacts  2320  can pass through openings  2334  in housing  2330 . Housing  2330  can include posts  2332 , which can fit in openings (not shown) in substrate  620  (shown in  FIG.  6   .) 
     Connector receptacle  2300  can include brackets and associated structures, such as brackets  160 , slots  135 , and openings  194  as shown in  FIG.  5    above. When housing  2330  includes posts  2332 , the adjustment provided by brackets  160  can be omitted. Instead, a single bracket  2360  can include vertical portion  2364  that can be attached to backside  2230  of magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220 , for example by spot or laser welding. Bracket  2360  can include openings  2362  for fasteners  610  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) to secure connector receptacle  2300  to substrate  620  (shown in  FIG.  6   .) Bracket  2360  can be pre-biased (that is, sloped relative to substrate  620 ) as it extends away from magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220 . The slope can be either towards or away from substrate  620 . As fastener  610  is inserted into fastener opening  630  (shown in  FIG.  6   ) in substrate  620 , for example by turning a screw used as fastener  610  into a threaded fastener opening  630 , bracket  2360  can flatten (that is, become parallel to substrate  620 .) This change can provide a range through which mesa  2312  of connector receptacle  2300  can be positioned in recess  113  (shown in  FIG.  5   .) 
     Connector receptacle  2300  can include further include faceplate  2380 . Faceplate  2380  can include opening  2382 , which can provide a passage for contact housing  2310 . Mesa  2312  can be adjacent to faceplate  2380 . Faceplate  2380  can be the same or similar to faceplate  180  (shown in  FIG.  4   .) Connector receptacle  2300  can be shielded by top cover  2370  and bottom cover  2375 . Top cover  2370  and bottom cover  2375  can be formed of stainless steel or other shielding material. 
     Various structures and materials can be used to provide further support for contacts  2320 . For example, an adhesive, epoxy, silicone, or other material can be formed or otherwise inserted around portions of contacts  2320 . For example, a room-temperature-vulcanizing silicone or other silicone can form dampener  2390 , which can be inserted or formed between magnet array  2350 , housing  2330 , contact housing  2310 , magnetic element  2210 , and magnetic element  2220 . Dampener  2390  can reduce a vibration of contacts  2320  that can be caused by speakers, haptic components, actuators, or other components in or near electronic device  300  housing connector receptacle  2300 , or by the magnetic field generated by magnet array  2350  interacting with variable current flowing through contacts  2320 . The silicone for dampener  2390  can be injected through opening  2372  in top cover  2370 . Alternatively, dampener  2390  can be formed ahead of time and slid over contacts  2320 . 
     Other dampeners can be utilized for noise reduction and the protection of magnet array  2350 . For example, silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can be positioned between a top surface  2352  of magnet array  2350  and top cover  2370 . Top cover  2370  and bottom cover  2375  can attach to magnetic element  2210  and magnetic element  2220 , for example using spot or laser welding. Silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can be used to consume the vertical space between top cover  2370  and bottom cover  2375  that is not used by magnet array  2350 . Silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can prevent vibration between top cover  2370  and magnet array  2350 , and between bottom cover  2375  and magnet array  2350 . Silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can be formed ahead of time and placed on top surface of magnet array  2350  and then covered by top cover  2370 , or silicone in the pattern of silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can be dispensed on top surface  2352  of magnet array  2350  and then covered by top cover  2370  during assembly. Alternatively, silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can be formed ahead of time and placed on top cover  2370 , which can then be placed against top surface  2352  of magnet array  2350 , or silicone in the pattern of silicone strips  2392 ,  2394 , and  2396  can be dispensed on top cover  2370 , which can then be placed against top surface  2352  of magnet array  2350  during assembly. Additional dampers (not shown) can be located between magnet array  150  and bottom cover  2375 . 
     As before dampeners can be positioned between contact housing  2310  and magnet array  2350  to protect magnet array  2350  and to reduce vibration. For example, silicone can be placed or formed along sides of contact housing  2310  to form dampeners, such as dampener  117  and dampener  119  (shown in  FIG.  4   .) Additional dampeners (not shown) can be include along top and bottom sides of contact housing  2310 . The silicone or other material for dampener  117  and dampener  119  can be formed ahead of time and placed in the desired location. The silicone or other material for dampener  117  and dampener  119  can instead be injected between contact housing  2310  and magnet array  2350  and cured in place. 
     While embodiments of the present invention can provide connector inserts and connector receptacles for delivering power, these and other embodiments of the present invention can be used as connector receptacles in other types of connector systems, such as connector systems that can be used to convey power, data, or both. 
     In various embodiments of the present invention, contacts, shields, plungers, springs, pistons, intermediate objects, barrels, and other conductive portions of a connector receptacle or connector insert can be formed by stamping, metal-injection molding, machining, micro-machining, CNC machining, 3-D printing, or other manufacturing process. The conductive portions can be formed of stainless steel, steel, copper, copper titanium, phosphor bronze, or other material or combination of materials. They can be plated or coated with nickel, gold, or other material. The springs can be coated with parylene. The nonconductive portions, such as housings, locks, pistons, and other structures can be formed using injection or other molding, 3-D printing, machining, or other manufacturing process. The nonconductive portions can be formed of silicon or silicone, rubber, hard rubber, plastic, nylon, glass-filled nylon, liquid-crystal polymers (LCPs), ceramics, or other nonconductive material or combination of materials. The printed circuit boards or other boards used can be formed of FR-4 or other material. 
     Embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that can be located in, and can connect to, various types of devices such as portable computing devices, tablet computers, desktop computers, laptops, all-in-one computers, wearable computing devices, smart phones, storage devices, portable media players, navigation systems, monitors, power supplies, video delivery systems, adapters, remote control devices, chargers, and other devices. These connector receptacles and connector inserts can provide interconnect pathways for signals that are compliant with various standards such as one of the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standards including USB Type-C, High-Definition Multimedia Interface® (HDMI), Digital Visual Interface (DVI), Ethernet, DisplayPort, Thunderbolt™, Lightning™ Joint Test Action Group (JTAG), test-access-port (TAP), Peripheral Component Interconnect express, Directed Automated Random Testing (DART), universal asynchronous receiver/transmitters (UARTs), clock signals, power signals, and other types of standard, non-standard, and proprietary interfaces and combinations thereof that have been developed, are being developed, or will be developed in the future. Other embodiments of the present invention can provide connector receptacles and connector inserts that can be used to provide a reduced set of functions for one or more of these standards. In various embodiments of the present invention, these interconnect paths provided by these connector receptacles and connector inserts can be used to convey power, ground, signals, test points, and other voltage, current, data, or other information. 
     It is well understood that the use of personally identifiable information should follow privacy policies and practices that are generally recognized as meeting or exceeding industry or governmental requirements for maintaining the privacy of users. In particular, personally identifiable information data should be managed and handled so as to minimize risks of unintentional or unauthorized access or use, and the nature of authorized use should be clearly indicated to users. 
     The above description of embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Thus, it will be appreciated that the invention is intended to cover all modifications and equivalents within the scope of the following claims.

Metadata:
Filing Date: 20211206
Publication Date: 20240326
Grant Date: 20240326
Priority Date: 20200925
Inventors: DIFONZO, JOHN C.
HAMEL, BRADLEY J.
TZIVISKOS, GEORGE
ZHU, HAO
GERY, JEAN-MARC
HACK, PAUL J.
Assignee: APPLE INC
CPC Classifications: [{"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2421", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/629", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6581", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2421", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": true, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6205", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/629", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/2421", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}, {"code": "H01R13/6581", "inventive": true, "first": false, "tree": "[]"}]
Family ID: 80821541