11

This may be more of a mechanical question, but does anyone know what these magnetic power connectors are called? You see these on Fitbits and other IoT devices.

I'm building an IoT board, that has a waterproofing requirement so a USB connector is out.

Typically there are these magnetic "dots" insert molded in a plastic enclosure, and then the DC adapter has a custom molded connector with matching "dots" that magnetically link to the unit.

Here is a image from a device that has the "dots" I am talking about.

Is there a name or manufacturer/s that are selling these pieces off-the-shelf, for designing electronics with these magnetic "dots"?

I'm thinking someone must sell a premade cable, like USB male end to "dots" on the other end, that you can put in a USB female end wall wart.

enter image description here

Leroy105
  • 1,837
  • 3
  • 21
  • 34
  • 1
    [magnetic+pogo+pins](https://www.google.com/search?biw=1371&bih=834&tbm=isch&sa=1&q=magnetic+pogo+pins). – Transistor Oct 13 '17 at 17:19
  • Boom goes the dynamite. Thanks, that's EXACTLY what I was looking for! – Leroy105 Oct 13 '17 at 17:24
  • I don't know of any USB cables that use magnetic pogo pins for the USB-male connector, but there are a number of micro-USB cables where the male micro-USB connector uses magnetic pogo pins. – jamesdlin Oct 14 '17 at 01:05

2 Answers2

13

You are looking for magnetic+pogo+pins.

enter image description here

Figure 1. One of many types available.

Transistor
  • 168,990
  • 12
  • 186
  • 385
3

Don't immediately discard a convenient usb connector, there are several waterproof options out there.

One of many types available.

Edgar A. Espinoza
  • 31
  • 3