Electrical power coupling with magnetic connections
First Claim
1. An electrical power coupling comprising:
- a pair of power coupling parts each having a base configured for mounting to a respective surface, and a coupling portion that is movable relative to said base;
a first electrical contact at each of said coupling portions and spaced laterally outboard a first distance from a center of each of said coupling portions;
a second electrical contact at each of said coupling portions and spaced a second distance laterally outboard from said center of each of said coupling portions, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance; and
a magnetic element in each of said coupling portions, wherein said magnetic elements are attracted to one another when said coupling portions are positioned in close proximity to one another;
wherein each of said coupling portions is configured to move relative to its respective base to thereby align said coupling portions with one another and to establish electrical connections between said first electrical contacts and between said second electrical contacts upon positioning said coupling portions in close proximity.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An electrical power coupling includes a pair of power coupling parts, each having a base and a coupling portion that is movable relative to said base. Each coupling portion has first and second electrical contacts that are spaced laterally outboard, by respective first and second distances, from centers of the coupling portions. Magnetic elements attract the respective coupling portions to one another when the coupling portions are positioned closely to one another. Each coupling portion moves relative to its respective base to align the coupling portions with one another and establish electrical connections between the first electrical contacts and between the second electrical contacts. Optionally, at least two electrical contacts are arcuate or circular in shape.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An electrical power coupling comprising:
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a pair of power coupling parts each having a base configured for mounting to a respective surface, and a coupling portion that is movable relative to said base; a first electrical contact at each of said coupling portions and spaced laterally outboard a first distance from a center of each of said coupling portions; a second electrical contact at each of said coupling portions and spaced a second distance laterally outboard from said center of each of said coupling portions, wherein said second distance is greater than said first distance; and a magnetic element in each of said coupling portions, wherein said magnetic elements are attracted to one another when said coupling portions are positioned in close proximity to one another; wherein each of said coupling portions is configured to move relative to its respective base to thereby align said coupling portions with one another and to establish electrical connections between said first electrical contacts and between said second electrical contacts upon positioning said coupling portions in close proximity. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electrical power coupling comprising:
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a power transmitter having a transmitter base configured for mounting to a first surface, and a power transmission portion coupled to said transmitter base; a power receiver having a receiver base configured for mounting to a second surface, and a power receiver portion coupled to said receiver base; at least four electrical contacts, said electrical contacts comprising at least two power transmission contacts at said power transmission portion and at least two power receiver contacts at said power receiver portion and configured to electrically engage respective ones of said at least two power transmission contacts; a magnetic element in each of said power transmission portion and said power receiver portion, wherein said magnetic elements are attracted to one another when said power transmission portion and said power receiver portion are positioned in close proximity to one another; wherein at least one of said power transmission portion and said power receiver portion is pivotably coupled to a respective one of said transmitter base and said receiver base to thereby permit said power receiver portion to automatically align with said power transmitter portion and to establish electrical connections between said power receiver contacts and said power transmission contacts upon positioning said power transmission portion and said power receiver portion in close proximity; wherein at least two of said electrical contacts are arcuately shaped and have respective radii of curvature corresponding to a respective radial distance of each of said arcuately shaped electrical contacts to a center of a respective one of said power transmission portion or said power receiver portion; and wherein at least two others of said electrical contacts are (i) configured and positioned to engage respective ones of said arcuately shaped electrical contacts, and (ii) selectively positionable at different discrete locations that are spaced circumferentially apart along said respective ones of said arcuately shaped electrical contacts when said power receiver is rotated relative to said power transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An electrical power coupling comprising:
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a power transmitter having a transmitter base configured for mounting to a first surface, and a power transmission portion coupled to said transmitter base, wherein said power transmission portion is movable relative to said transmitter base; a power receiver having a receiver base configured for mounting to a second surface, and a power receiver portion coupled to said receiver base, wherein said power receiver portion is movable relative to said receiver base; at least four electrical contacts, said electrical contacts comprising at least two power transmission contacts at said power transmission portion and at least two power receiver contacts at said power receiver portion and configured to electrically engage respective ones of said at least two power transmission contacts; wherein at least two of said electrical contacts are arcuately shaped and have respective radii of curvature corresponding to a respective radial distance of each of said arcuately shaped electrical contacts to a center of a respective one of said power transmission portion or said power receiver portion; and wherein at least two others of said electrical contacts are (i) configured and positioned to engage respective ones of said arcuately shaped electrical contacts, and (ii) selectively positionable at different discrete locations that are spaced circumferentially apart along said respective ones of said arcuately shaped electrical contacts when said power receiver is rotated relative to said power transmitter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification