Charging systems (10, 70) are disclosed that generally employ forces
generated by at least one magnet (16-22) or (76-82) to guide and
urge a rechargeable, portable or mobile electronic device (12, 72) toward
a charging position with respect to a charging base (14, 74) therefor. By
using magnetic forces to guide or urge the device (12, 72) to the charging
position, substantially frictionless charging systems (10, 70) can be provided
herein for shifting the device (12, 72) to its charging position. Either
repulsion or attraction forces can be employed. Accordingly, depending on which
magnetic force is used to urge the device (12, 72) to its charging position,
an opposite magnetic force is preferably provided to provide the user a tactile
indication of improper alignment of the device (12, 72) and charging base
(14, 74). Preferably, pairs of opposite single pole magnets are used so
that there is one pair (16, 18) or (76, 78) associated with the device
(12, 72) and another pair (20, 22) or (80, 82) associated
with the base (14, 74).