Connectors and methods of connecting devices with flexible sleeves

摘要

There is disclosed magnetic connectors and electronic devices including such connectors. A connector may include a magnet rotatable about at least one axis of the magnet; wherein the magnet rotates to magnetically engage a magnet of another connector to form an electrical connection between the two magnets. A connector may also include a cylindrical magnet to magnetically engage a magnet of another connector; and a sleeve wrapped around at least part of the magnet, the sleeve comprising a contact for forming an electrical connection with a contact on the other connector. A connector may be adapted for selective connection with other connectors. A connector may be adapted such that a moveable magnet may move between an engaged position proximate a contacting surface of the connector and a disengaged position recessed from a contacting surface, wherein the moveable magnet is biased to the disengaged position.

主权项

1. An electronic device comprising:
a housing having walls defining an outer surface, said housing having a cavity proximate said outer surface; processing electronics enclosed in an interior of said housing; a magnet movably received in said cavity for magnetically holding an adjacent electronic device against said housing; a flexible sleeve comprising a plurality of contacts, with a first end extending from said cavity into said interior of said housing in communication with said processing electronics and a second end wrapped at least partly around said magnet; wherein said magnet is configured to be urged outwardly by magnetic attraction to an adjacent electronic device, thereby deforming said sleeve and moving said contacts of said sleeve to form connections with corresponding contacts of an adjacent electronic device.