Magnetically actuated AC power connector
First Claim
1. An apparatus comprising:
- a first component comprising;
a first set of electrical contacts;
a ferromagnetic element; and
a first face having the first set of electrical contacts and the ferromagnetic element disposed thereon;
a second component comprising;
a second set of electrical contacts;
a magnetic element producing a magnetic field; and
a second face having the second set of electrical contacts and the magnetic element disposed thereon;
a sensor; and
a switching element for enabling a flow of current;
wherein coupling the first component with the second component causes the first set of electrical contacts to form an electrical connection with the second set of electrical contacts;
wherein coupling the first component with the second component generates an attractive force between the ferromagnetic element and the magnetic element; and
wherein the sensor, responsive to detecting the magnetic field, is configured to cause the switching element to enable current to flow between the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for electrically connecting a power source to an electrical device is disclosed. The apparatus has a first component and a second component. The first component has a first face having a ferromagnetic plate, a first set of contacts electrically connectable to a power source, two power switches and a magnetically actuated sensor controlling the switches. The second component has a second face complementary to the first face having a magnet and a second set of electrically conductive contacts electrically connectable to the electrical device. Connecting the first and second faces, results in the first and second pair of contacts electrically coupling and establishes an electrical path between the power source and the device, and connects the components by magnetic attractive force which actuates the power switches and initiates power to the device. The apparatus further has a safety circuit for preventing electric shock.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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a first component comprising; a first set of electrical contacts; a ferromagnetic element; and a first face having the first set of electrical contacts and the ferromagnetic element disposed thereon; a second component comprising; a second set of electrical contacts; a magnetic element producing a magnetic field; and a second face having the second set of electrical contacts and the magnetic element disposed thereon; a sensor; and a switching element for enabling a flow of current; wherein coupling the first component with the second component causes the first set of electrical contacts to form an electrical connection with the second set of electrical contacts; wherein coupling the first component with the second component generates an attractive force between the ferromagnetic element and the magnetic element; and wherein the sensor, responsive to detecting the magnetic field, is configured to cause the switching element to enable current to flow between the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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providing a first component, the first component comprising; a first set of electrical contacts; a ferromagnetic element; and a first face having the first set of electrical contacts and the ferromagnetic element disposed thereon; providing a second component, the second component comprising; a second set of electrical contacts; a magnetic element producing a magnetic field; and a second face having the second set of electrical contacts and the magnetic element disposed thereon; coupling the first component with the second component to; generate an attractive force between the ferromagnetic element and the magnetic element; and form an electrical connection between the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts; detecting, by a sensor, the magnetic field; and responsive to the sensor detecting the magnetic field, causing, by the sensor, a switching element to enable current to flow between the first set of electrical contacts and the second set of electrical contacts. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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Specification