ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR CONNECTING EXTERNAL DEVICE TO DRAW POWER FROM POWER SOURCE FOR VIDEO CAMERA

• US 20160020556A1
• Filed: 04/30/2015
• Published: 01/21/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 1593563 Ontario Incorporated
• Original Assignee: 1593563 Ontario Incorporated
• Inventors: Soos, Emery Tibor
• Granted Patent: US 10,014,632 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/665 with built-in electronic circuit H01R13/70, H01R13/719 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6658 on printed circuit board H01R13/6666 - H01R13/6691 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6666 with built-in overvoltage protection
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7175 Light emitting diodes (LEDs)

Abstract

In another aspect, a kit of parts for an electrical connector, which includes a plurality of housing portions, a first male terminal and a second male terminal, and an output device. The plurality of housing portions are matable together to form a housing. The printed circuit board positionable in the housing. The male terminals are connected to the printed circuit board and are positioned to connect to an electrical power source. The output device is connected to the printed circuit board. The printed circuit board is connectable to an electrical conduit and is configured to electrically connect the electrical conduit to the male terminals, and contains a microprocessor that is programmed to indicate via the output device at least one property of a circuit formed with the electrical connector and the electrical power source.

Claims

1. A kit of parts for an electrical connector, comprising:

a plurality of housing portions that are matable together to form a housing;

a first male terminal and a second male terminal that are positionable in the housing, and wherein the male terminals are connectable to an electrical conduit and are positioned to connect an electrical power source to the electrical conduit; and

a current flow preventer positioned to prevent current flow through the electrical conduit if the polarity at the male terminals is other than a selected polarity.

2. A kit of parts for an electrical connector, comprising:

a plurality of housing portions that are matable together to form a housing;

a first male terminal and a second male terminal, wherein the male terminals extend from the housing and are positioned to connect to an electrical power source, wherein the male terminals are connectable to an electrical conduit; and

an output device configured to indicate whether the polarity at the male terminals is other than a selected polarity.

3. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 2, further comprising:

a printed circuit board positionable in the housing,

wherein the male terminals are connected to the printed circuit board,

and wherein the output device is connected to the printed circuit board, wherein the printed circuit board is connectable to an electrical conduit and is configured to electrically connect the electrical conduit to the male terminals, and contains a microprocessor that is programmed to control the output device to indicate whether the polarity at the male terminals is other than a selected polarity.

4. A kit of parts for an electrical connector, comprising:

a plurality of housing portions that are matable together to form a housing;

a printed circuit board positionable in the housing;

a first male terminal and a second male terminal, wherein the male terminals are connected to the printed circuit board and are positioned to connect to an electrical power source; and

an output device connected to the printed circuit board,

wherein the printed circuit board is connectable to an electrical conduit and is configured to electrically connect the electrical conduit to the male terminals, and contains a microprocessor that is programmed to indicate via the output device at least one condition of a circuit formed with the electrical connector and the electrical power source.

5. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 4, wherein the output device is an LED.

6. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 4, wherein the output device is a multicolour LED.

7. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 4, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to indicate via the output device at least one condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of:

whether the voltage at the first and second male terminals is above a selected maximum permitted voltage, whether the voltage at the first and second male terminals is below a selected minimum permitted voltage, whether the voltage at the first and second male terminals is within a selected range of permitted voltages, whether the current is above a selected permitted current, and whether the temperature in the circuit is above a selected maximum permitted temperature.

8. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 7, wherein the microprocessor is programmed to prevent current flow between the male terminals and the electrical power source based on a determination by the microprocessor of at least one condition selected from the group of conditions consisting of:

whether the voltage at the first and second male terminals is above a selected maximum permitted voltage, whether the voltage at the first and second male terminals is below a selected minimum permitted voltage, whether the current is above a selected maximum permitted current and whether the temperature in the circuit is above a selected maximum permitted temperature.

9. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 8, wherein the selected minimum permitted voltage is a first selected minimum permitted voltage that is indicative of an undervoltage condition, and wherein the microprocessor is further programmed to indicate via the output device if the sensed voltage is below a second selected minimum permitted voltage, to notify a user that an undervoltage condition is approaching.