Electrical plug and socket assembly
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising an electrical connector assembly, the electrical connector assembly comprising a socket and a plug, wherein the socket comprises at least one first electrical contact and a first magnetic part integral in motion with the first electrical contact, the first magnetic part being arranged to move by magnetic effect between first and second positions, wherein, in the first position, the first electrical contact is retracted inside the socket and wherein in the second position the first electrical contact is outside the socket, wherein the plug fits into the socket and includes at least one second electrical contact that connects electrically to the first electrical contact when the latter is outside the socket and a second magnetic part arranged opposite the first magnetic part when the plug is fitted on the socket so as to displace, by magnetic effect, the first magnetic part toward its second position, driving the first electrical contact outward from the socket, wherein one of the first and second magnetic parts comprises at least one permanent magnet in such a way as to form a magnetic circuit when the plug is brought closer to the socket, wherein the first magnetic part comprises a first air-gap surface and a second air-gap surface and a first ferromagnetic piece fixed on the one hand on a surface opposite to its first air-gap surface and on the other hand on a surface opposite to its second air-gap surface, wherein the second magnetic part comprises a first air-gap surface intended to be opposite the first air-gap surface of the first magnetic part so as to form a first air-gap, a second air-gap surface intended to be opposite the second air-gap surface of the first magnetic part so as to form a second air-gap when the plug is brought closer to the socket and a second ferromagnetic piece fixed on the one hand on a surface opposite to its first air-gap surface and on the other hand on a surface opposite to its second air-gap surface, wherein the magnetic circuit is formed between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part so as to generate a magnetic flux that passes through the first air gap in a first direction and that passes through the second air gap in a second direction that is opposite said first direction.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to an electrical plug and socket assembly comprising: a base including at least two first electrical contacts and a first magnetic portion arranged so as to move by magnetic attraction to move the first two electrical contacts toward the outside of the base; a plug comprising two second electrical contacts intended to electrically connect to the first two electrical contacts when same are outside the base and a second magnetic portion to move, by magnetic attraction, the first magnetic portion to drive the first electrical contacts toward the outside of the base; the first magnetic portion or the second magnetic portion comprises at least one permanent magnet such as to form a magnetic circuit when the plug is brought near the base.
22 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. An apparatus comprising an electrical connector assembly, the electrical connector assembly comprising a socket and a plug, wherein the socket comprises at least one first electrical contact and a first magnetic part integral in motion with the first electrical contact, the first magnetic part being arranged to move by magnetic effect between first and second positions, wherein, in the first position, the first electrical contact is retracted inside the socket and wherein in the second position the first electrical contact is outside the socket, wherein the plug fits into the socket and includes at least one second electrical contact that connects electrically to the first electrical contact when the latter is outside the socket and a second magnetic part arranged opposite the first magnetic part when the plug is fitted on the socket so as to displace, by magnetic effect, the first magnetic part toward its second position, driving the first electrical contact outward from the socket, wherein one of the first and second magnetic parts comprises at least one permanent magnet in such a way as to form a magnetic circuit when the plug is brought closer to the socket, wherein the first magnetic part comprises a first air-gap surface and a second air-gap surface and a first ferromagnetic piece fixed on the one hand on a surface opposite to its first air-gap surface and on the other hand on a surface opposite to its second air-gap surface, wherein the second magnetic part comprises a first air-gap surface intended to be opposite the first air-gap surface of the first magnetic part so as to form a first air-gap, a second air-gap surface intended to be opposite the second air-gap surface of the first magnetic part so as to form a second air-gap when the plug is brought closer to the socket and a second ferromagnetic piece fixed on the one hand on a surface opposite to its first air-gap surface and on the other hand on a surface opposite to its second air-gap surface, wherein the magnetic circuit is formed between the first magnetic part and the second magnetic part so as to generate a magnetic flux that passes through the first air gap in a first direction and that passes through the second air gap in a second direction that is opposite said first direction.
Specification