Electrical power-point assembly with electrical disconnection solution

• US 10,122,116 B2
• Filed: 07/04/2016
• Issued: 11/06/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gulplug
• Original Assignee: Gulplug
• Inventors: Troufflard, Ronan, Bray, Amandine
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta, Tho D
• Application Number:
  US15/741,613
• Publication Number:
  US 20180198232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 855 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/53 Bases or cases for heavy duty; Bases or cases for high voltage with means for preventing corona or arcing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6485 Electrostatic discharge protection in general H05F1/00, for electric apparatus H05K9/0067
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/38 having concentrically or coaxially arranged contacts

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical power-point assembly including: a socket comprising at least two first electrical contacts and a first magnetic portion arranged to be moved by a magnetic effect, in order to move the two first electrical contacts toward the exterior of the socket; a plug comprising two second electrical contacts that are intended to be electrically connected to the two first electrical contacts and a second magnetic portion for moving, via a magnetic effect, the first magnetic portion, in order to drive the first electrical contacts toward the exterior of the socket; detecting means comprising a sensor for measuring the magnetic flux flowing between the two magnetic portions and a processing unit that is arranged to generate a control signal (SIG); and disconnecting means arranged to disconnect the power supply circuit on reception of the control signal (SIG).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising an electrical-connector assembly, wherein said electrical-connector assembly comprises a socket, a plug, a detector, and a disconnector, wherein said socket comprises at least two first electrical contacts and a first magnetic portion, wherein said at least two first electrical contacts are linked to an electrical power supply circuit, wherein said first magnetic portion is constrained to move with said two first electrical contacts, wherein said first magnetic portion is arranged to move by magnetic effect between first and second positions, wherein, in said first position, said first electrical contacts are retracted inside said socket, wherein, in said second position, said first electrical contacts are outside said socket, wherein said plug is configured to be coupled to said socket, wherein said plug comprises two second electrical contacts that are configured to be electrically connected to said two first electrical contacts when said two first electrical contacts are outside said socket, wherein a second magnetic portion is arranged to face said first magnetic portion when said plug is coupled to said socket in order to move, by magnetic effect, said first magnetic portion toward said second position thereof, thereby driving said first electrical contacts toward an outside of said socket, wherein said detector comprises a processing unit and a sensor, wherein said sensor is a magnetic-flux measurement-sensor, wherein said sensor is arranged to measure magnetic flux between said first and second magnetic portions, wherein said processing unit is arranged to receive magnetic flux data arising from said magnetic-flux measurement-sensor and to generate a control signal when said plug is separated from said socket, and wherein said disconnector is configured to cooperate with said detector to disconnect said electrical power supply circuit when said control signal is received.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises a first monitor, said first monitor being configured to monitor a level of variation in magnetic flux with respect to a first threshold value.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises first and second monitors, wherein said first monitor is configured to monitor a level of variation in magnetic flux with respect to a first threshold value and wherein said second monitor is configured to monitor a level of variation in magnetic flux with respect to a second threshold value.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said processing unit comprises a first monitor, a second monitor, and a logic circuit, wherein said first monitor is configured to monitor a level of variation in magnetic flux with respect to a first threshold value and wherein said second monitor is configured to monitor a level of variation in magnetic flux with respect to a second threshold value, wherein said logic circuit is arranged to apply a logical OR operation between a detection signal that is generated by said first monitor and a detection signal that is generated by said second monitor.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said disconnector comprises an electromechanical relay that is connected to said power supply circuit.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of said first magnetic portion and said second magnetic portion includes at least one permanent magnet.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sensor is positioned in said circuit along lines of a magnetic field that is generated by a permanent magnet, wherein said permanent magnet is a constituent of at least one of said first and second magnetic portions.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a ferromagnetic part that is arranged with respect to said permanent magnet to cause magnetic flux arising from said permanent magnet to be oriented toward said sensor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said socket comprises a housing and an electronic circuit board, wherein said electronic circuit board is housed in said housing, and wherein said processing unit and said sensor are disposed on said electronic circuit board.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said permanent magnet and said ferromagnetic part are housed in said housing.