Magnetic connector for electronic device

An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:

• a housing for internal electronics;
• a first connector connectable to the relation, the first connector having a first magnetic element positioned on the first connector and having at least one first contact electrically connected to the electrical relation;
• and
• a second connector connectable to the device, the second connector having a second magnetic element positioned on the second connector and having at least one second contact electrically connected to the internal electronics,
• wherein the at least one first contact comprises a metallic contact extending from a first face of the first connector and biased relative to the first face,
• wherein magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
• wherein the first and second connectors each comprises two axes of symmetry such that the first and second connectors couple together in only two orientations relative to one another, and
• wherein the at least one first and second contacts of the first and second connectors each comprise a signal contact on the connector for establishing a signal path between the device and the relation, wherein the signal contacts of the first and second connectors form an electrically conductive relationship with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the connectors are magnetically coupled.

An apparatus, comprising:

• an electronic device having a first connector, the first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts;
• and
• a power adapter connectable to a power source and having a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector, the second connector having a second magnetic element and having a plurality of second contacts,
• wherein
• the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in only two orientations relative to one another,
• magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
• the first and second contacts form at least three distinct paths of electrical communication between the electronic device and the power adapter, the at least three distinct paths including a signal path for signals, a forward path for direct current power, and a return path for direct current power, and
• the first and second contacts form their respective distinct paths of electrical communication with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.

An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:

• a first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device, at least three of the first contacts substantially aligned along a first axis of the first connector;
• and
• a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation, at least three of the second contacts substantially aligned along a second axis of the second connector,
• wherein
• the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in only two orientations relative to one another,
• magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
• the first and second contacts form at least three distinct paths of electrical communication between the electronic device and the electrical relation, and
• the first and second contacts form their respective distinct paths of electrical communication with one another regardless of which of the two orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.

An electronic device connectable to an electrical relation, comprising:

• a first connector having a first magnetic element and having a plurality of first contacts electrically connected to the electronic device;
• and
• a second connector positionable adjacent the first connector and having a second magnetic element, the second connector having a plurality of second contacts electrically connected to the electrical relation,
• wherein
• the first and second connectors magnetically couple together in at least more than one orientation relative to one another,
• magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements substantially maintains the first and second contacts in an electrically conductive relationship,
• the first and second contacts form at least one electrical power path and at least one signal path between the electronic device and the electrical relation, and
• the first and second contacts form the at least one electric power path and the at least one signal path regardless of which of the at least more than one orientations the first and second connectors are magnetically coupled.

A magnetic connector system comprising:

• a first connector having a first plurality of electrical contacts and a plurality of magnets;
• and
• a second connector having a second plurality of electrical contacts and a magnetic element, the second plurality of electrical contacts being adapted to mate with the first plurality of electrical contacts when the first connector couples to the second connector,
• wherein, the plurality of magnets of the first connector are proximally located and are arranged in opposing polarities with respect to each other so that when the first connector is brought in close proximity to the, second connector, magnetic field lines travel through the magnetic element of the second connector from one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector to another one of the plurality of magnets in the first connector, thereby increasing magnetic attraction between the first connector and the second connector.