Electrical connector assembly

• US 9,004,930 B2
• Filed: 08/11/2011
• Issued: 04/14/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Original Assignee: Schneider Electric Industries SAS (Schneider Electric SE)
• Inventors: Gualino, David, Makhlouche, Rachid, Blondel, Charles
• Primary Examiner(s): TA, THO DAC
• Application Number:
  US13/883,868
• Publication Number:
  US 20130295781A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 439/39, 439/136, 439/138, 439/142, 439/289, 439/310
• US Class Current: 439/136
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/2421 using coil springs
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/4538 Covers sliding or withdrawing in the direction of engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

A set of outlets including a sheet and a base adapted for electrical work to each other in a detachable manner, the sheet including at least two electric tracks in a concentric ring configured to respectively cooperate with electrical contacts of an electrical socket. A magnetic mechanism generates a first control force for positioning and holding the sheet on the base. The base includes at least two movable electric contacts movable between a first position inside the base and a second position outside the base to be respectively in direct electrical contact with the electrical tracks, the first force control to move the electrical contacts between the first and the second positions.

Claims

1. A set of outlets comprising:

an electrical plug and an electrical socket adapted for electrical work are configured to be connected to each other in a detachable manner;

the electrical plug including at least two concentric electrical tracks configured to respectively annularly cooperate with at least two movable electrical contacts of the electrical socket;

magnetic means generating a first control force for positioning and holding the electrical plug on the electrical socket so that the at least two concentric electrical tracks are respectively in contact with the electrical contacts of the electrical socket;

the at least two movable electrical contacts of the electrical socket are movable between a first position inside the electrical socket and a second position such that end surfaces of the at least two movable electrical contacts extend beyond an outside side surface of the electrical socket that contacts the electrical plug, the at least two movable electrical contacts are configured to be respectively in direct electrical contact with the electrical tracks of the electrical plug, the first control force being capable of moving the electrical contacts between the first position and the second position; and

shutter means to move from a closed position to an open position under action of the first control force to pass the electrical contacts from the first position to the second position, the shutter means being pushed to the open position by contact with the electrical contacts as the electrical contacts move from the first position to the second position,

wherein the shutter means respectively comprises two sealing flaps, each sealing flap being connected to a closing spring.

2. A set of outlets according to claim 1, wherein the electrical socket comprises elastic means generating a second biasing force displacement of lower intensity and opposite in direction to the first control force, the second biasing force to displace the electrical contacts between the second position and the first position.

3. A set of outlets according to claim 1, wherein the at least two concentric electrical tracks are electrically insulated from each other.

4. A set of outlets according to claim 1, wherein the electrical plug and the electrical socket respectively comprise an electrical power contact for connection to a ground.

5. A set of outlets according to claim 1, wherein the magnetic means comprises:

at least a first magnet integrated in the electrical plug and at least one movable magnetic member integral with the electrical socket; and

electrical contacts secured to the magnetic member so that the first control force simultaneously moves the movable magnetic member and electrical contacts between the second position and the first position.

6. A set of outlets according to claim 5, wherein the electrical socket includes contact springs integrally connecting the electrical contacts to the magnetic member.

7. A set of outlets according to claim 5, wherein the at least first magnet and the at least one magnetic member are annular.

8. A set of outlets according to claim 7, wherein the at least one magnetic member comprises a magnet.