Electricity: magnetically operated switches – magnets – and electr – Electromagnetically actuated switches – Automatic circuit-interrupting devices
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-06
2001-06-26
Barrera, Ramon M. (Department: 2832)
Electricity: magnetically operated switches, magnets, and electr
Electromagnetically actuated switches
Automatic circuit-interrupting devices
C335S021000, C335S167000, C200S541000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06252477
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a power shut-off connector for breaking the connection between a pair of contact terminals by sliding a moving pin on receiving an external signal.
2. Related Art
A fusible link
37
(hereinafter called FL) or a strong current fuse as shown in
FIG. 21
has heretofore been employed for protecting an automobile wire harness. In case overcurrent flows through a circuit as shown in
FIG. 22
, the soluble substance in the FL
37
will fuse, thus cutting off the current. In
FIG. 22
, reference numeral
35
denotes a battery;
36
, an FL box;
37
, FLs;
75
, loads such as power windows;
76
, a junction or relay box; and
77
, blade fuses for a weak current.
However, the protection of the wire harness still remains unsatisfactory because the FL
37
is not fused instantly by a slight short arising from, for example, the rubbing of the wire harness against a vehicle body and the inconvenience is that an electric wire is damaged or injured. Moreover, it poses a serious problem that the FL box
36
for housing a plurality of FLs
37
tends to become large-sized and is hard to hold in the narrow space of a vehicle.
As indicated by a dotted line i in
FIG. 23
, further, if the instant fusibility in the fusing characteristics (indicated by a solid line ii) is improved so that the FL
37
may be fused quickly even by the slight short, the FL will be fused as a result of the repetition of starting current generation when a motor or the like is started as indicated by a solid line iii. Thus, in the FL
37
, there is an electric current area where the protection of the wire harness is difficult since the electric current waveform (i) of the slight short and the starting waveform (iii) of the motor become close to each other.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A first object of the present invention made in view of the foregoing problems is to provide a power shut-off means capable of shutting off power certainly in an abnormal condition. A second object of the present invention is to make compact a power shut-off means in order that the power shut-off means is efficiently held in the narrow space of an automobile. Further, a third object of the present invention is to prevent a power shut-off means from malfunctioning.
In order to accomplish the objects above according to the present invention, a power shut-off connector comprises a plurality of contact terminals on an input and an output side, a slidable electroconductive moving pin which is brought into contact with the plurality of contact terminals in a plurality of places in the axial direction, a mating portion provided for the moving pin, retaining means with respect to the mating portion, urging means for urging the moving pin in the axial direction, and driving means which is actuated on receiving an external signal and used for breaking the engagement between the mating portion and the retaining means.
The driving means may be a solenoid. Further, the retaining means may be a plunger for the solenoid.
It is also acceptable that the moving pin is provided with a second mating means for fixing a terminal contact position and that urging retaining means is provided for the mating portion.
It is also acceptable according to the present invention that one side of a locking member as the retaining means is coupled to the plunger of the solenoid and that the other side of the locking member is pivotally supported with a bracket, the locking member being capable of mating with the mating portion of the moving pin.
It is also acceptable that the mating portion is provided in the leading end portion of the moving pin. It is also acceptable that the locking member and the bracket are disposed on the projecting side of the moving pin and that the solenoid is disposed on the side of the moving pin. It is also acceptable that the locking member comprises a solenoid coupling portion which is pivotal in the direction in which the plunger is moved back and forth, a base portion extending in a direction perpendicular to the solenoid coupling portion, and a locking portion which is perpendicularly provided for the base portion.
It is also acceptable according to the present invention that a second plunger is provided for the solenoid in symmetrical relation to the plunger and that a second locking member is coupled to the second plunger, the second locking member being capable of mating with the second mating portion of the moving pin. Further, it is also acceptable according to the present invention that the plunger is pulled by a wire in the locking direction of the locking member and that a weight having at least the same weight as that of the plunger is coupled to the turning side of the wire, the weight being subjected to inertial force in the same direction as that of the plunger.
It is also acceptable that the locking member has a plastic tip mating with the mating portion. Further, it is also acceptable that a housing portion with respect to a coil spring as the urging means is formed in the moving pin. Further, it is also acceptable that the plurality of contact terminals each have cylindrical contact portions coming in contact with the moving pin.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3211154 (1965-10-01), Becker et al.
patent: 3223802 (1965-12-01), Horst
patent: 4401958 (1983-08-01), Noorigian
patent: 8-45642 (1996-02-01), None
Endo Takayoshi
Inaba Shigemitsu
Maeda Akira
Nakamura Goro
Totsuka Mitsuhiko
Barrera Ramon M.
Sughrue Mion Zinn Macpeak & Seas, PLLC
Yazaki -Corporation
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