MAGNETICALLY ACTUATED AC POWER CONNECTOR

• US 20140302691A1
• Filed: 04/09/2013
• Published: 10/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lab 498 Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Lab 498 Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Janfada, Arash, Topping, William, Wong, Ka Lin
• Granted Patent: US 9,225,126 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/629 Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances separate tools or apparatus H01R43/26
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/78 with additional earth or shield contacts

Abstract

An apparatus for electrically connecting a power source to an electrical device is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a first component and a second component. The first component has a substantially planar contoured first face comprising a ferromagnetic plate, a first set of contacts electrically connectable to a power source, two power switches and a magnetically actuated sensor controlling the switches. The second component has a substantially planar contoured second face complementary to the first face comprising a magnet and a second set of electrically conductive contacts electrically connectable to a device. Connecting the first and second faces, results in the first and second pair of contacts electrically coupling and establishes an electrical path between the power source and the device, and connects the components by magnetic attractive force which actuates the power switches and initiates power to the device. The apparatus further comprises a safety circuit for preventing electric shock.

Claims

1. An apparatus for electrically connecting a power source to an electrical device, comprising:

a first component having a substantially planar contoured first face, said first face comprises a first set of 3 electrical pad contacts, one for each;

hot, neutral, and ground connected to said power source;

a second component having a substantially planar contoured second face complementary to said first face;

said second face comprises a second set of 3 electrical pad contacts, one for each;

hot, neutral, and ground connected to said electrical device;

wherein said first set of electrical contacts are electrically coupled to said second set of electrical contacts upon contacting said first face with said second face, thereby establishing an electrical path between said power source and said electrical device.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first component comprises a ferromagnetic element and said second component comprises a magnetic element, whereby said first electrical path is established upon magnetically coupling said ferromagnetic element to said magnetic element.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the said magnetic element comprises a permanent magnet.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said power source is an AC supply source, said first electrical path being an AC supply path, said first component further comprises a circuit branching off from the AC supply path and rectifying the AC supply to a DC supply for operation of a second electrical path.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said power rectification circuit comprises a transformer operated rectification circuit.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising at least one electrically operated sensor and at least one electrically operated switchable member initially in an open state, wherein said sensor is disposed in the said second electrical path and connected to the said switchable member, and said switchable member is disposed in said first electrical path, wherein connecting the said first and second components causes said sensing member to switch said switchable member to a closed state, thereby establishing power transmission.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said electrically operated sensor is a hall-effect sensor and said switchable member consists of a pair of power relay switches one of each:

hot and neutral electrical connections.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first indicator light circuit in the said first component, and a second indicator light circuit in the said second component for indicating establishment of said first electrical path.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said electrical contacts are symmetrically located on said first face and said second face.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a power supply connector electrically connected to a power supply;

at least one set of 3 electrical pad contacts, one for each;

hot, neutral, and ground; and

electrical sensor circuit electrically controlling the connection of said power supply to an electronic device via electrically operated switches;

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said electrically operated sensor is a hall-effect sensor and the switches are power relay switches.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said electrical circuit further comprises a rectification circuit converting an alternating current supply from said power supply connector to a direct current supply for the on-off actuation of the said sensor and switches.