Electrical connectors – With magnet
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-17
2001-07-24
Gellner, Michael L. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With magnet
C439S289000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06264473
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to an electromechanical connecting device according to the type defined in more detail in the preamble of claim
1
.
A connecting device of this type is described in EP 0 573 471 B1. This already known connecting device, which comprises a switching mechanism which takes over the function of a socket-outlet of conventional type, and a tripping mechanism which takes over the function of a plug connected to a consumer, provides a connecting device which has a very shallow overall depth and which, in addition, satisfies stringent safety requirements.
In this connecting device, the mechanical and the electric contacts are made via coded magnets, coded magnets signifying that each magnet is assembled from magnet parts with different polarities. An electric connection between the switching mechanism and the tripping mechanism is made only when the coded magnet parts of the switching mechanism cooperate with the correspondingly coded tripping magnet parts of the tripping mechanism. It is only this cooperation which brings the operating slide of the switching mechanism into a position such that the current passes from contact elements of the switching mechanism to contact elements of the tripping mechanism. Again, it is also disadvantageous that the electric contact also takes place via the coded magnets.
It is the object of the present invention to achieve a further improvement in the electromechanical connecting device mentioned at the beginning, in particular a further increase in the safety and/or avoidance of maloperations which can lead to short circuits.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by means of the features named in the characterizing part of claim
1
.
The centering elements according to the invention ensure that it is only in a specific position and a specific position of the contact elements that the switching mechanism and the tripping mechanism can be brought into a relationship with one another in such a way that current flows. This means that the contact elements or contact poles cannot be reversed. This measure is suitable, in particular, in the case of use of the electromechanical connecting device for the field of direct current, and in particular in this case for the low-voltage range for controllers, computers and the like, since it is impermissible in this case for there to be any confusion between positive and negative poles. Otherwise there would be short circuits and associated destruction of components.
A simple configuration of the centering elements can consist in that the latter are provided at least with a projection in the end face of one part, it being possible, in addition, for there to be present an elevation which rises above the projection and which is assigned a correspondingly adapted depression or additional trough in the end face of the other mechanism.
Projections and depressions required for the said purpose can be relatively flat and therefore do not lead to an increase in the overall size, or do so only negligibly.
A very advantageous development of the centering elements can consist in that the mechanism is constructed as a bulging partial annular bead which is arranged in the outer region of the end face and, when the electric connection is made, is situated in a partial annular groove adapted with reference to shape and position, in the other mechanism.
The elevation has the effect that very fast and precise separation occurs during disengagement, which is generally performed by a slight rotation of the switching mechanism and tripping mechanism relative to one another, with the result that the current is likewise interrupted very quickly and precisely.
A simple solution which aids rotation during detachment of the switching mechanism from the tripping mechanism can consist in that the partial annular bead is provided with the elevation and in that the trough is formed in the partial annular groove.
In this configuration, it is possible in a simple way to provide the partial annular bead with the elevation and to form the trough correspondingly in the partial annular groove.
The contact elements in the switching mechanism and the tripping mechanism are advantageously separated from the coded magnets.
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patent: 3521216 (1970-07-01), Tolegian
patent: 4004298 (1977-01-01), Freed
patent: 4317969 (1982-03-01), Riegler et al.
patent: 4647120 (1987-03-01), Karabakakis
patent: 4719334 (1988-01-01), Rebel
patent: 5829987 (1998-11-01), Fritsch et al.
patent: 5921783 (1999-07-01), Fritsch et al.
patent: 681121 (1993-01-01), None
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patent: 29516069 (1996-02-01), None
patent: WO92/16002 (1992-09-01), None
Bullinger Achim
Fritsch Klaus-Dieter
Neidlein Hermann
Bullinger Achim
Gellner Michael L.
Mohamed Mahmoud Anwar A.
Sonnenschein Nath & Rosenthal
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