Electromechanical connection device

• US 5,921,783 A
• Filed: 09/29/1997
• Issued: 07/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Achim Bullinger, Klaus-Dieter Fritsch
• Original Assignee: Achim Bullinger, Klaus-Dieter Fritsch
• Inventors: Bullinger, Achim, Neidlein, Hermann, Fritsch, Klaus-Dieter
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Assistant Examiner(s): BIGGI, BRIAN JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US08/875,827
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38, 439/39, 439/40, 439/180, 439/188, 439/246, 439/289, 439/507, 439/510-514, 439/700, 439/919, 439/923, 439/955, 335/84, 335/103, 335/136, 335/205-207, 335/229-234, 335/255, 335/259, 335/261, 335/285
• US Class Current: 439/38
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence

Abstract

The invention concerns an electromechanical connection device comprising a switching device which can be connected to a current source via power supply contacts and comprises switching magnets. A tripping device, provided with tripping magnets, can be connected to the switching device. Switching magnets are thus moved from a rest position, against a restraining force, into an operating position, the contact between pairs of contacts and hence the electrical connection between the switching device and the tripping device being established. The switching magnets and the tripping magnets are provided with a special code. The pairs of contacts are disposed at least approximately in a region of the housing between the center thereof and the switching magnets. An electrically conductive bridge is provided on the operating slide for the contact between the pairs of contacts and the power supply contacts.

Claims

1. An electromechanical connecting device for connecting a load to a power source comprising:

a) a tripping mechanism, having

i) a tripping magnet assembly composed of first individual magnets disposed in an array of a specific polarity, and

ii) tripping mechanism contact elements electrically connectable to the load;

b) a switching mechanism connectable to the tripping mechanism having

i) a housing with

(1) power supply contacts to connect to the power source,

(2) switching mechanism contact elements capable of being electrically connected to the tripping mechanism contact elements,

ii) a operating slide encased in the housing, having

(1) an actuating magnet assembly composed of second individual magnets disposed in an array opposite in polarity to the first individual magnets, thereby moving the operating slide by attraction to the tripping magnet assembly,

(2) contact bridges capable of being electrically connected to the power supply contacts and to the switching mechanism contact elements,

(3) a rest position where the power supply contacts and the switching mechanism contact elements are electrically separated, and

(4) a working position where the contact bridges electrically connect the power supply contacts and the switching mechanism contact elements, and

iii) restoring means to return the operating slide to the rest position when the tripping magnet assembly is not attracting the actuating magnet assembly;

wherein, when the tripping mechanism is brought into proximity with the switching mechanism such that the tripping magnet assembly attracts the actuating magnet assembly, an attractive force moves the operating slide into the working position from the resting position, and the tripping mechanism contact elements electrically connect with the switching mechanism contact elements, resulting in an electrical pathway from the power source to the load.

2. The electromechanical device according to claim 1, wherein the housing has a middle and the power supply contacts are arranged at least approximately in a region of the housing between the middle of the housing and the actuating magnet assembly, the contact bridges being constructed as an electrically conductive support on the operating slide.

3. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the operating slide, is constructed approximately in a circular fashion, and a plurality of actuating magnet assemblies are arranged with a spacing from one another in an outer circumferential region.

4. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 3, wherein the switching mechanism and tripping mechanism are constructed approximately in a circular fashion with a plurality of switching magnet assemblies of second individual magnets are distributed over a circumferential region of the switching mechanism and a plurality of tripping magnet assemblies of first individual magnets are distributed over a circumferential region in the tripping mechanism.

5. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 4, wherein the individual magnets are arranged in alternating north-south combinations having 180°

symmetry.

6. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 4, wherein each magnet assembly is constructed as a quad group having individual magnets of different polarity, each quad group consisting of two north-pole and south-pole segments and south and north poles respectively facing one another radially and tangentially.

7. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein resetting springs producing the retaining force for the actuating magnets are guided in the guide ring.

8. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the contact elements are constructed as contact pins in the switching mechanism and in the tripping mechanism.

9. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 8, having a side facing the switching mechanism, wherein, in the non-connected state, the contact pins in the tripping mechanism project from the side facing the switching mechanism and the contact pins are mounted resiliently in the tripping mechanism.

10. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a) an earthing conductor to ground electrical current;

b) a tripping mechanism earthing ring on the tripping mechanism capable of being electrically connected to the load; and

c) a switching mechanism earthing ring on the switching mechanism capable of being electrically connected to the earthing conductor, and capable of being electrically connected to the tripping mechanism earthing ring.

11. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 10, wherein projecting from the earthing ring of the tripping mechanism, are resiliently mounted earthing pins which are flush with the surface of the earthing ring in the connected state.

12. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 10 wherein the switching mechanism earthing ring simultaneously serves as a guide ring for the actuating magnet assembly.

13. The electromechanical connecting device according to claim 1 further comprising:

a) a guide ring for the actuating magnet assembly.