Safety device for electrically and mechanically coupling a temperature-sensing probe to a timing computer

• US 4,077,690 A
• Filed: 09/27/1976
• Issued: 03/07/1978
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/1976
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Technology Licensing Corporation
• Original Assignee: Food Automation Service Techniques Incorporated
• Inventors: Koether, Bernard G.
• Primary Examiner(s): McGlynn, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Desmond, E. F.
• Application Number:
  US05/726,850
• Time in Patent Office: 526 Days
• Field of Search: 339/DIG. 1, 339/89 R, 73/353, 73/362 AR, 219/523, 99/325, 99/328, 99/331, 99/333
• US Class Current: 439/320
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 7/023 provided with specially adapted connectors connectors per se H01R
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/562 Bending-relieving
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/633 for disengagement only in combination with safety switch H01R13/7132
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/66 Structural association with built-in electrical component coupling devices having concentrically or coaxially-arranged contacts H01R24/38
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/923 Separation or disconnection aid

Abstract

A probe safety coupling device adapted for use in a cooking system, such as in the deep fat frying of French fries, fish, chicken and the like, wherein the cooking is to be controlled by an electrical control unit responsive to the temperature of a predetermined portion of the cooking medium as sensed by a probe assembly containing a temperature-sensitive element at one end and delivering electrical signals to the control unit through a flexible conduit at the other end. The probe assembly is attached to the control unit with good electrical contact and with lessened risk of probe breakage by means of a safety coupling device which includes a first electrical connector fixedly secured to the timing computer and joined to a length of flexible conduit terminating in a second electrical connector. The second electrical connector joins the safety coupling device to the probe assembly so that their respective flexible portions have their longitudinal axes in alignment, and is arranged to be axially releasable, preferably being of the pin and socket type with the pins and sockets extending axially and releasing from one another upon the imposition of sufficient axial tension. Because of the flexibility of the probe assembly and coupling device, minimal bending stress is placed upon the electrical connection therebetween, thus maintaining reliable electrical contact. Relative movement between the control unit and probe assembly, arising for example from a failure to remember to disconnect the probe during nightly cleaning, is converted to an axial disconnecting stress automatically separating the probe assembly from the safety coupling without breakage.

Claims

1. In a cooking system wherein the cooking is to be controlled by an electrical control unit, such as a timing computer, responsive to a temperature sensed by a probe assembly containing a temperature-sensitive element delivering electrical signals to the timing computer through a flexible conduit, the improvement which comprises:

a probe safety coupling device for electrically and mechanically coupling the probe assembly to said control unit,

the probe safety coupling device including;

a first electrical connector fixedly secured to the computer,

a flexible conduit joined to the first electrical connector, and

a second electrical connector axially releasably joining the flexible conduit of the probe assembly to the flexible conduit of the coupling device with their longitudinal axes in alignment, and arranged to release upon the imposition of axial tension,

whereby bending strain upon the second electrical connector is reduced to thereby improve electrical contact, and whereby relative movement between said probe assembly and said control unit is converted to an axial stress upon the second electrical connector resulting in separation of the coupling device from the probe assembly without breakage.

2. A cooking system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the second electrical connector is of the pin and socket type and joins with a mating connector in the probe assembly, the pins and sockets thereof extending in alignment with the longitudinal axes of the flexible conduits.

3. A cooking system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the control unit and probe assembly are provided with pin and socket connectors of a type designed to mate with one another, and wherein the probe safety coupling device has its first and second electrical connectors mating with the computer and probe connectors.

4. A cooking system as claimed in claim 3 wherein the first electrical connector of the coupling device is mechanically secured to the control unit connector by means of a threaded ring, the probe connector has a similar threaded ring, and wherein the second electrical connector of the coupling device has a smooth surface in the region adjacent the threaded ring of the probe connector.

5. A cooking probe safety coupling device for electrically and mechanically coupling a flexible probe to an electrical control unit, such as a timing computer, but being self-releasable upon application of axial forces thereto, comprising:

a flexible conduit fixedly secured to the control unit; and

an electrical connector joining the probe to the flexible conduit in frictional engagement and being axially releasable from the probe upon the imposition of tensioning strain between the probe and coupling device, whereby relative movement between said probe and said control unit will separate same before damage occurs.

6. A probe safety coupling device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrical connector is of the pin and socket type with the pins and sockets extending along the longitudinal axis of the flexible conduit.

7. A probe safety coupling device as claimed in claim 5 further comprising electrical connection means for fixedly securing the flexible conduit to the timing computer.

8. A probe safety coupling device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the flexible conduit comprises a spiral cable and a heat-shrinkable plastic covering over the cable.

9. A probe safety coupling device as claimed in claim 5 wherein the electrical connector joining the probe to the flexible conduit comprises a pin connector and a mating socket connector and wherein the flexible conduit is secured to the timing computer by means of a second pin connector and second socket connector compatible with the first pin and socket connectors.