U.S. patent number 3,786,391 [Application Number 05/270,709] was granted by the patent office on 1974-01-15 for magnetic self-aligning electrical connector.
Invention is credited to William R. Mathauser.
United States Patent |
3,786,391 |
Mathauser |
January 15, 1974 |
MAGNETIC SELF-ALIGNING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR
Abstract
A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector comprising a pair
of connector or coupling havles each having electrical contact
means therein and one of said coupling halves having magnetic means
therein disposed opposite means in said other coupling half for
cooperation with said magnet means to hold said coupling halves
together with the electrical contact means in electrically
conducting contacting relationship with one another, said
electrical contact means in one of said coupling halves mounted for
movement relative to the coupling half to insure alignment between
the electrical contact means even though the coupling halves are
misaligned.
Inventors: |
Mathauser; William R. (Sun
Valley, ID) |
Family
ID: |
23032460 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/270,709 |
Filed: |
July 11, 1972 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/39; 335/205;
439/246 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/6205 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H01R
13/62 (20060101); H01r 011/30 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/12R,12V,12L,12G,64R,64M,65,27,46,47R,47C,48,222,253R,125R,125L
;335/205,285 ;248/26A |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Champion; Marvin A.
Assistant Examiner: Hafer; Robert A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Luke A. Mattare et al.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A magnetic, self-aligning electrical connector, comprising a
pair of mating coupling halves having opposed, confronting faces,
magnet means in one coupling half at said face, electrical contact
means in said one coupling half at said face, a plate floatably
mounted in said other coupling half for both lateral and
perpendicular movement relative to said other coupling half, said
plate including a magnetically permeable means in alignment with
said magnet means for cooperation therewith to hold the coupling
halves together, and electrical contact means carried by said
magnetically permeable means for movement therewith and in
alignment with the contact means in said one coupling half and
engageable therewith to establish electrical connection between the
halves, said contact means in said coupling halves having
interfitting tapered projection and recess means, to thus align
said contact means even if said coupling halves are misaligned.
2. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 1,
wherein said one coupling half comprises a body made of a suitable
insulating material and having an upper face and a lower face, said
electrical contact means fixedly embedded in said body with said
tapered portions thereof extending downwardly below the lower face
of said body, said magnet means being embedded in said body in the
lower face thereof and exposed at said face, and electrical leads
connected with said electrical contact means and extending through
said body and beyond one edge thereof.
3. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 1,
wherein said magnet is a permanent magnet.
4. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 3,
wherein said magnet is substantially rectangularly shaped.
5. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 4,
wherein said magnetically permeable means comprises said plate,
said plate comprising steel and having a raised portion extending
upwardly therefrom for cooperation with said magnet in said one
coupling half, said electrical contact means in said other coupling
half being mounted through openings spaced around a marginal edge
portion of said steel plate.
6. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 5,
wherein said other coupling half includes a wall, an opening
through said wall, the extreme outer marginal edge portion of said
steel plate loosely received in a channel in said wall in
surrounding relationship to said opening, said plate closing said
opening.
7. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 6,
wherein said electrical contacts in said other coupling half are
mounted in said plate between said extreme outer marginal edge
thereof and said raised portion thereof.
8. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 7,
wherein insulating means is positioned between said electrical
contacts and said steel plate in said other coupling half to
insulate said contacts from said steel plate, said contacts being
loosely received in said insulating means for limited movement
relative to said plate.
9. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 8,
wherein each said electrical contact in said other coupling half
has a reduced diameter lower end defining a shoulder thereon below
the plate, a retaining washer received over said reduced diameter
end and against said shoulder, said reduced diameter end being
crimped over said retaining washer to hold said retaining washer on
said contact, and a radially outwardly extending flange on the
other end of said contact in overlying relationship to said plate
and said insulating means, said retaining washer and said flange
spaced apart a distance greater than the thickness of said plate
and said insulating means.
10. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 9,
wherein a conical recess is in the upper end of each said
electrical contact in said other coupling half for mating
cooperating relationship with the conical tip on said contact means
in said one coupling half.
11. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 10,
wherein a spring washer is interposed between said insulating means
and said radially outwardly extending flange to constantly urge
said electrical contact means upwardly relative to said plate.
12. A magnetic self-aligning electrical conn ctor as in claim 11,
wherein said one coupling half is generally circular in shape.
13. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 12,
wherein there are four electrical contacts in each coupling half
spaced outwardly from the opposite side and end edges of said
magnet and said raised portion of said plate, respectively.
14. A magnetic self-aligning electrical connector as in claim 11,
wherein said one coupling half is generally rectangular in shape
and has two electrical contacts therein.
15. A magnetic self-aligning electrical coupler as in claim 1,
wherein said electrical contact means carried by said plate are
mounted thereon for movement relative thereto.
Description
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a quick connect electrical connector for
low voltage electrical current, wherein magnet means is used to
hold the coupling halves together.
In the prior art, various electrical connectors are known for
conducting low voltage electrical currents and the like and such
connectors usually have threaded connections or clamping means for
holding the coupling halves together, or rely upon frictional
engagement between projecting means on a male coupling half and
recess means on a female coupling half to hold the coupling halves
together. Such prior art devices require considerable hand and eye
coordination in order to properly align the parts of the coupling
halves to insure positive connection therebetween and a good
electrical contact between the electrical contact means in each of
the coupling halves.
With the present invention, male and female coupling halves are
provided with the male coupling half having magnet means therein
and fixed electrical contact means projecting beyond one face
thereof. The female coupling half has means therein for cooperation
with the magnet means in the male coupling half for holding the
coupling halves together, and electrical contact means are
floatably mounted in said female coupling half in substantial
alignment with the electrical contact means in the male coupling
half so that when the coupling halves are brought together, the
magnet means holds the coupling halves together against relative
displacement therebetween, and the floating electrical contact
means are enabled to move a limited amount to compensate for
misalignment between the coupling halves and to insure a good
electrical connection therebetween. The magnetic self-aligning
electrical connector of the present invention is simple and
economical to manufacture and is quickly and easily connected
together with only a minimum of hand and eye coordination
required.
The electrical connector of the present invention may be used in
any application where a secure connection is required between the
coupling halves of a low voltage electrical connector and wherein
it is desirable to be able to connect a coupler or connector with
only a minimum of hand and eye coordination required. For example,
the electrical connector of the present invention can be used in
the signalling device described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No.
3,644,919, wherein it is desirable to have a readily connected and
disconnected electrical connector for establishing electrical
conduction or connection between the signalling units positioned at
the ankles or knees of the person and the signalling device or box
mounted at the waist or other portion of the body of the person
using the signalling device.
An object of this invention is, therefore, to provide a magnetic
self-aligning electrical connector which is quick and easy to
connect and which requires only a minimum of hand and eye
coordination in order to insure proper alignment of the electrical
contacts in the respective coupling halves. In particular, it is an
object of this invention to provide an electrical connector having
magnet means and fixed electrical contact pins in one half of the
connector and means in the other coupling half for cooperation with
the magnet means for holding said coupling halves together and
floating electrical contact means in the other coupling half for
cooperation with the contact pins when the coupling halves are
joined together to insure proper electrical connection between the
coupling halves. Even further, another object of the invention is
to construct the electrical contact means in the respective
coupling halves so that they are self-aligning and so that they
cannot be separated with lateral movement therebetween but must be
separated with a straight axial pull, thus substantially increasing
the holding force or effect of the magnet means for holding the
coupling halves together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a top perspective fragmentary view of an electrical
connector or coupler in accordance with the invention and showing
the male coupling half spaced upwardly from the female coupling
half;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the electrical connector of
FIG. 1 and showing the male and female coupling halves in aligned
spaced apart relationship;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the
connector of FIG. 2 and showing the details of construction of one
of the electrical contact means in the female coupling half;
FIG. 4 is a view of the bottom face of the male coupling half of
FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of the top face of the female
coupling half of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective fragmentary view of a second form
of electrical connector in accordance with the invention and
wherein only two electrical contacts are provided.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like
parts throughout the several views, a unique magnetic self-aligning
electrical connector is indicated generally at 1 in FIG. 1 and
comprises a male coupling half 2 and a female coupling half 3. The
male coupling half 2 comprises an insulating body 4 of a suitable
rubber or plastic material or the like and having a generally
circular configuration with a substantially planar upper face 5 and
a substantially planar lower face 6. An integral extension 7
extends radially from one side of the body 4. A generally
rectangularly shaped magnet 8 of a suitable magnetic material, such
as Alnico or ceramic or the like, and preferably a permanent
magnet, is embedded within the lower face 6 of the body 4 with the
bottom side of the magnet 8 extending slightly below the face 6 of
the body 4.
A plurality of fixed electrical contact pins 9 made of brass or
other suitable material are also embedded within the body 4 spaced
outwardly from the opposite side and end edges of the magnet 8 and
have conical tips 10 thereon projecting downwardly below the face 6
of the body 4. Each of the pins 9 has an annular notch or groove 11
adjacent the upper end thereof for connection thereto of a suitable
electrical lead or wire 12, 13, 14 and 15, respectively, which lead
from the pins 9 through the body 4 and extension 7 to a suitable
source of electricity or point of use of electricity, as desired.
The electrical leads 12, 13, 14 and 15 connected with the
respective fixed contact pins 9 may be confined or embedded in a
suitable sheath or casing such as a band or tape type covering
16.
The female coupling half 3 comprises a substantially circular plate
17 made of steel or other suitable ferromagnetic material and
having a plurality of openings 18 spaced around the maginal edge
thereof and a rectangularly shaped raised portion 19 in the center
thereof spaced between the openings 18. A plurality of floating
electrical contacts 20 are mounted in the openings 18 spaced around
the plate 17 and each contact 20 has an elongate body 21 with a
reduced diameter end 22 on the lower end thereof defining a
shoulder 23. A retaining washer 24 is disposed over the reduced
diameter end 22 and against the shoulder 23 and is held thereon by
crimping the reduced diameter end 22 over the washer 24 as
indicated at 25. The upper end of each contact 20 has a radially
outwardly extending flange 26 thereon and a central conically
shaped recess 27 therein of substantially the same size and shape
as the conical tip 10 on the electrical contact pins 9.
An insulating sleeve 28 of a suitable plastic or rubber material or
the like is fitted within each opening 18 and is interposed between
the electrical contacts 20 and the steel plate 17 to insulate the
contacts 20 from the plate 17.
As seen best in FIG. 3, each insulating sleeve 28 has a central
opening 29 therethrough of substantially larger diameter than the
outer size of the body 21 of the electrical contact 20 so that the
contact 20 is enabled to move relative to the insulating sleeve 28
and plate 17. Further, the retaining washer 24 and radially
outwardly extending flange 26 are spaced further apart than the
width or thickness of the insulating sleeve 28 so that the contact
20 is enabled to move a limited distance axially relative to the
opening 18 and sleeve 28. A suitable spring washer 30 of
conventional construction is fitted around the body 21 of contact
20 beneath flange 26 and between the flange 26 and insulating
sleeve 28 to constantly urge the contact 20 upwardly relative to
plate 17.
A suitable electrical lead or wire 31 is connected to the lower end
of each contact 20 as by soldering or the like and extends to a
suitable point of use or source of electrical energy, as
desired.
The marginal edge 32 of the plate 17 is loosely received in an
annular notch or channel 33 formed in an opening 34 in a suitable
partition, wall, or casing 35 or the like.
In use, the male coupling half 2 is brought into close proximity
with the female coupling half 3 as seen in FIG. 2, and the magnetic
attraction between magnet 8 and upstanding portion 19 of plate 17
causes the coupling halves to move toward one another with a "snap"
action. The loose fit of the extreme marginal edge 32 of plate 17
in the channel 33 of casing or partition 35, and the floating
mounting of the contacts 20 in the plate 17 enables the plate 17
and electrical contacts 20 to move a limited distance to insure
alignment of the electrical contacts 9 and 20 in the male and
female coupling halves, respectively, upon engagement of the
tapered ends 10 of the pins 9 with the recesses 27 of the contacts
20 even though the male and female coupling halves may be somewhat
misaligned. Accordingly, all that is needed to properly and
accurately connect the male and female coupling halves of the
invention is to bring the halves into close proximity with one
another and the magnet means will then pull or draw the coupling
halves together with the tapered pins and recesses in the
respective coupling halves insuring proper alignment between the
electrical contact means and the respective coupling halves.
Moreover, the interfitting tapered pins and recesses prevent
separation of the coupling halves in a lateral direction relative
to one another and requires that they be separated with a straight,
axial movement, thus substantially increasing the holding force of
the magnets.
In FIG. 6, a modified electrical connector 36 is illustrated and is
substantially identical with the form of the invention illustrated
in FIGS. 1 through 5 except that a substantially rectangularly
shaped male coupling half 2' is provided, having a housing 4' with
only two electrical contacts 9' embedded therein. The electrical
contacts 9' are constructed identically to the contacts 9 in the
FIG. 1 embodiment and have conical tips 10' projecting downwardly
below the lower face 6' of the male coupling half 2'. Similarly, a
magnet 8' is embedded in the underside of the coupling half 2' and
projects slightly downwardly below the face 6' thereof. A suitable
sheath, such as a tape or the like 16' extends from one end of an
integral extension 7' in one end of the male coupling half 2' and
encloses a pair of electrical leads 12' and 13' extending from the
contacts 9' to a suitable source or point of use of
electricity.
The female coupling half 3' is also substantially identical to the
female coupling half 3 in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1
through 5 and has a substantially rectangularly shaped opening 34'
in a casing or partition 35' or the like. A generally rectangularly
shaped steel plate 17' having an extreme outer peripheral marginal
edge portion 32' is mounted within the opening 34' with the edge
32' loosely received in a shallow channel or recess 33'. A pair of
electrical contact means 20' are mounted in the plate 17' adjacent
the opposite ends thereof and a raised portion 19' is in the center
of the plate 17' between the contacts 20'. Each contact 20' has a
conically tapered recess 27' in the center thereof for mating
cooperation with the conical tips 10' on the electrical contacts 9'
in the male coupling half 2'. In all other respects, the form of
the invention illustrated in FIG. 6 is identical to the form of the
invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 5.
As many electrical leads and contact points may be provided in each
coupling half as desired in order to connect as many different
electrical circuits as desired, and any suitable materials may be
used for the electrical contacts, the housings or casings, the
magnets, and the plates for cooperating with the magnets, as
desired. Further, the electrical contacts may be suitably plated or
coated to reduce or prevent corrosion and to insure a durable, good
electrical connection.
If the present invention is used in the signalling device
illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,919, the
electrical connector shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 would be used at
the signalling device 10 mounted at the waist of the person, with
two of the leads 12 and 13 connected to the sending unit 14 at one
ankle and the other two leads 14 and 15 connected to the sending
unit 15 at the other ankle of the person. The electrical connector
illustrated in FIG. 6 would be used at each sending unit.
Although the magnet has been described and illustrated herein as
being on the male coupling half, the magnet could equally as well
be on the female half and the ferromagnetic plate for cooperation
therewith on the male half. The same is of course true with respect
to the male and female electrical contacts.
As this invention may be embodied in several forms without
departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, the
present embodiment is therefore illustrative and not restrictive,
since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims
rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that
fall within the metes and bounds of the claims or that form their
functional as well as conjointly cooperative equivalents, are
therefore intended to be embraced by those claims.
* * * * *