EP1516398B1 - Connection device for the production of an electric connection - Google Patents

Abstract

A connection device for the production of an electric connection, comprising a current transmitter unit consisting of magnet bodies provided with current contacts, and a current consumer unit consisting of magnet bodies provided with electric current connection contacts. When the current transmitter unit is placed on the current consumer unit, the magnet bodies of the current detector and the current consumer unit are arranged in an opposite position and the magnet bodies of the current consumer unit enter into contact with the magnet bodies of the current transmitter unit. The current transmitter unit is made up of modules which are respectively provided with a magnet body arranged in a receiving housing. The insides of the receiving housings of the modules are used as a guide for the magnet bodies moving in the direction of the current consumer unit. A respective retaining member or a path limiting device is provided on the receiving housing of the current transmitter unit on the side thereof opposite the current consumer unit.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting device for establishing an electrical connection between a current transmitter unit having provided with power connection contacts magnetic body as a switching part, and a Stromnehmereinheit having provided with electrical connection contacts magnetic body as a current receiving part, wherein when placing the current generator unit on the Stromnehmereinheit the magnetic body of the current generator unit and Stromnehmerereinheit are arranged opposite one another and wherein the magnetic body of the Stromnehmereinheit contact the magnetic body of the power supply unit.

A generic device is in the EP 0 573 471 described. In each case, a current inflow occurs via magnets forming flat contacts when the magnets of the power supply unit or power supply unit are attracted by the magnets of the load switching unit or power unit, which is placed on the power supply unit. This is effected in that the magnets are arranged on a magnet slide, which are moved together with the magnets located thereon and leading to the magnetic slide power connection contacts in the direction of the Verbraucherzuschalteinrichtung.

In the DE 296 10 996.7 a similar connecting device is shown, which is provided for the low-voltage or low voltage range.

In the WO 01/03249 A1 there is described an electromechanical connection device of substantially the same construction, wherein a plurality of magnetic bodies are disposed in an at least partially elastic wall to provide a proper contact surface for contact connections.

The present invention has for its object to further develop the electrical connecting devices described above such that they can be used in many ways depending on the required requirements, in particular, the number of individual the current connection producing magnetic body should be arbitrary.

According to the invention this object is achieved in that the current transmitter unit is formed of individual modules, wherein the modules are each provided with a magnetic body arranged in a receiving housing, wherein the receiving housing of the modules of the current generator unit in each case on the inside as a guide for in the direction of the Stromnehmereinheit in the Serve receiving housing movable magnet body, and wherein on the receiving housing of the current generator unit on the side remote from the Stromnehmereinheit side a retaining member or a Wegbegrenzungseinrichtung is provided for the magnetic body.

According to the invention, the current generator unit is now formed from modules, and this may preferably also apply to the current unit. Each arranged in a receiving housing magnetic body forms a unit and generated due to the mobility in the receiving housing of the power transmitter unit has its own switching contact, wherein the contact energy is provided by the magnetic force as soon as a magnetic body of the Stromnehmerereinheit is placed.

In general, one will carry out the current generator units such that the magnetic body in the idle state, that is, when the Stromnehmerereinheit is not mounted, is held by a retaining member in the form of a magnet or a magnetic member in a position in which there is no power connection to the outside of the power transmitter unit, as for example in the generic device EP 0 573 471 is described. However, if the modules are intended only to relay control or signal currents, such a retention member is not essential. In this case, it is sufficient if there is a Wegbegrenzungseinrichtung available, for example in the form of a stop member, so that the magnetic body of the modules for contacting with the magnetic bodies of the Stromnehmereinheit perform appropriately defined paths. This can be generated for example by a connection with a corresponding clearance between the stop member and the receiving housing or the housing structure.

In order to achieve a perfect contact and a surface contact of the magnetic body of the current transmitter unit and the Stromnehmereinheit to allow in particular high currents without arcing, can be provided in an advantageous embodiment of the invention that the Stromnehmereinheit facing side of the housing structure of the current generator unit is formed elastically.

Alternatively, it is also possible between the receiving housing and the magnetic body of the current generator unit an elastic To arrange intermediate member, which allows the corresponding displacement of the magnetic body.

If, according to a very advantageous development according to the invention, several modules are accommodated together with their magnet bodies arranged in the interior of the receiving housing together in a housing structure, the units can be expanded in any desired modular manner. It is only necessary to use the receiving housing with the magnetic bodies in correspondingly adapted recesses or holes in the housing structure. In this way, the most varied variations can be produced depending on the Einsetzart and Einsetzzahl the modules in a housing structure. The modules can be adapted to the local conditions in this way. For electrical connection then each of the prefabricated modules can be used according to the holes or recesses of the housing structure.

In the same way, the housing structures can also be produced as a basic body or standard part, with a certain number of recesses or holes, into which then, as desired, the magnetic modules are used.

In a very advantageous development, the housing structures can additionally be provided with connecting links. In this way, the application possibilities and the number of electrical connections can be further increased arbitrarily. Advantageously, this will provide simple and fast connecting members to be connected, such as snap connections. If you use this standard parts with snap links with each positive and negative parts (male / female connection), so leave to achieve the most diverse combinations. For this, for example, can use a link system, as is known, for example, building blocks ^® Lego ago.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments emerge from the dependent claims and from the exemplary embodiment described in principle below with reference to the drawing.

Fig. 1

eine prinzipmäßige Darstellung eines Moduls einer Stromgebereinheit und eines Moduls einer Stromnehmereinheit;

Fig.2

die beiden Module im kontaktierten Zustand von Stromgebereinheit und Stromnehmereinheit;

Fig.3

eine Draufsicht in prinzipieller Darstellung einer Stromgebereinheit mit mehreren Modulen in einer gemeinsamen Gehäusestruktur;

Fig.4

eine Draufsicht in prinzipieller Darstellung einer Stromgebereinheit mit mehreren Modulen in einer gemeinsamen Gehäusestruktur in einer anderen Ausgestaltung; und

Fig. 5

eine prinzipielle Darstellung eines Modules einer Stromgebereinheit in einer anderen Ausgestaltung;

Fig.6

eine Gehäusestruktur für ein Modul nach der Fig. 5;

Fig.7

einen Schnitt nach der Linie VII-VII der Fig. 6; und

Fig. 8

einen Magnetkörper mit einem Aufnahmegehäuse in Form eines Falzgliedes.

It shows:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of a module of a current transmitter unit and a module of a Stromnehmereinheit;

Fig.2

the two modules in the contacted state of current transmitter unit and Stromnehmerereinheit;

Figure 3

a plan view in a schematic representation of a current transmitter unit with a plurality of modules in a common housing structure;

Figure 4

a plan view in a schematic representation of a current transmitter unit with a plurality of modules in a common housing structure in another embodiment; and

Fig. 5

a schematic representation of a module of a current transmitter unit in another embodiment;

Figure 6

a housing structure for a module according to the Fig. 5 ;

Figure 7

a section along the line VII-VII of Fig. 6 ; and

Fig. 8

a magnetic body with a receiving housing in the form of a folding member.

Since the operation and the electrical connection via the flat contacts forming magnetic body from the writings already mentioned in the introduction is well known, will be discussed below only on the essential parts of the invention.

A current transmitter unit with a housing structure 2, as in the plan view in the Fig. 3 in principle and in Fig. 1 is shown in sections, has a plurality of modules 1, each with a receiving housing 3, which may for example consist of plastic, and arranged therein magnetic body 4.

In the context of the present invention, the term "magnetic body" is the general term for a magnet, a magnetizable body or a magnetic part, through which in conjunction with a second magnetic body, a magnetic field is generated or a magnetic force field.

The magnetic body 4 is axially displaceable in the interior of the receiving housing 3, which is designed as a guide for the magnetic body 4. Preferably, the magnetic body 4 and the receiving housing 3 are cylindrical. Of course, the receiving housing 3 and the magnetic body 4 may also have other shapes, such as rectangular or square cross-sectional shapes. In any case For example, the magnet body 4 must be displaceable or movable in the direction of a module 5 to be mounted on a current-carrying unit 6. If the receiving housing 3 is made of non-electrically conductive plastic, a front side 7, ie the side which is directed to the Stromnehmereinheit 6, must be provided in the region of the magnetic body 4 with an electrically conductive contact plate 8. The same applies to the module 5 of the Stromnehmereinheit 6, which in the Fig. 1 only dashed and partially shown. In this case, however, a magnetic body 9 may be fixedly disposed inside a receptacle housing 10. Either the magnetic body 9 rests directly against the front side of the receiving housing 10 or it likewise comes into electrical contact with the contact plate 8 of the current generator unit 1 via an electrically conductive contact plate 11 on the front side.

On the side facing away from the Stromnehmereinheit 6 side is located in the interior of the receiving housing 3 under the magnetic body 4, a retaining member 12 in the form of a magnet or magnetizable part. At rest, the magnetic body 4 is attracted by the retaining member 12 and is thus at a distance from the electrically conductive contact plate eighth

Will now - as from the Fig. 2 it can be seen - the Stromnehmerereinheit 6 with one or more modules 5 placed on the current generator unit 2, wherein the modules 1 and 5 come to lie one above the other, so there is a direct connection between the two magnetic bodies 4 and 9 via the two contact plates 8 and 11th

Since the magnetic body 4 is provided on its rear side via an extension member 13 with an elastic power connection contact 14, a current connection to the current generator unit 1 is produced in this way. When attached power unit 6 is due to the electrical contact connection via the magnetic body 4 and 9 with the contact plates 8 and 11, a power connection to a power terminal contact 15 on the back of the magnetic body 9 instead. The current introduced via the current generator unit 2 or else a voltage pulse can thus be used to control electrical or electronic devices and devices which are connected to the current-connection contact 15.

From the Fig. 3 is seen in plan view, as several modules 1 (in this case, seven pieces) are received together in holes 16 of the structural housing of the power supply unit 2. The structural housing thus forms the current generator unit 2.

The same applies to the current receiving unit 6. It is also designed as a structural housing with a plurality of bores for receiving the modules 5.

The number and shape of the housing structures 2 and 6 depends on the particular application. If you make the structure of the housing 2 and 6 made of plastic, can form a variety of forms. For mass production are, for example, injection molded parts, in which the holes 16 are already introduced in the production in the desired shape.

The Fig. 4 shows for this purpose a structural housing 2 'or 6' in a rectangular shape, wherein a plurality of modules 1 and 5 are arranged one behind the other. As continues from the Fig. 4 can be seen, can be provided on the structural housing 2 'and 6' connecting members 17a and 17b, which can be interconnected, for example, as snap-action members in the form of male / female parts. Such positive and negative parts 17a and 17b can be arranged at different points of the housing structure (see also dashed representation in the longitudinal walls), which can block-type current generator units 2 'and 6 Stromnehmerereinheiten connect in any direction or orientation.

The in the FIGS. 3 and 4 Housing structures shown are as mentioned in the same way both for the current generator unit 2, 2 'and for the Stromnehmereinheit 6, 6' possible.

It is essential both for the current generator unit 2 and for the Stromnehmerereinheit 6 that the modules 1 and 5 prefabricated units with power connectors 14 and 20 Stronamschlußkontakten form, which then depending on the desired requirement in any number and order in the holes 16 of each associated structural housing 2 or 6 are used and thus produce any number of power connections.

If the power supply to the power connector contacts 14 of the modules 1 is done individually or individually, so can be activated individually and thus each with a corresponding power addition, the modules 1 of the power supply unit 2 individually or individually produce a switching contact to the associated module 5 of the Stromnehmereinheit 6.

In the Fig. 5 an embodiment of a module 1 of a current generator unit 2 is shown in a housing structure, which is suitable for low currents or is particularly suitable for the forwarding of signal or control pulses. In this case, it is not essential to ensure that due to the low amperage to ensure that with a non-patch Stromnehmereinheit no contact of the constantly energized magnetic body 1 with the outside of the housing structure or attached to the outside contact plate, but here it is sufficient when the magnetic body 1 is arranged with a small clearance in the housing structure 2 such that it produces a perfect surface contact between the two magnetic bodies 4 and 9 when placing the magnetic body 9 of the Stromnehmereinheit 5. For this purpose, as can be seen between the magnetic body 4 and the receiving housing 3, an elastic intermediate member 18 is arranged, the corresponding relative movements of the magnetic body 4 relative to the housing housing 2 used in the housing structure 2 permitting. As an intermediate member 18 may serve, for example, an elastic sealing means, which is introduced into the intermediate space. For better anchoring of the magnetic body 4 in the elastic intermediate member 18, this may be provided with a circumferential collar or with corresponding peripheral projections 19. As Wegbegrenzungseinrichtung for the magnetic body 4 can according to Fig. 5 serve a threaded nut 20 which is screwed onto a threaded portion of the extension member 13 of the magnetic body 4. It is only necessary to ensure that a game, according to the intended movement of the magnetic body 4 for contacting the magnetic body 9 of the Stromnehmereinheit 5 to a rear wall 21 of the housing structure 2 is present.

In the FIGS. 6 and 7 the embodiment of a housing structure 2 for correspondingly square-shaped magnetic body 4 together with square receiving housings 3 is shown. As can also be seen, the housing structure 2 is square with, for example, nine square recesses 22 for accommodating one module 1 each consisting of magnetic body 4 and receiving housing 3 with interposed intermediate member 18.

The Fig. 8 shows the embodiment of the module 1, which is particularly suitable for mass production. In this case, the magnetic body 4 is rectangular or square and is partially enclosed by a folding member 23, which may be a sheet metal part, for example, as a receiving housing. The folding member 23 has laterally Umbordelungen 24 for holding and clamping the magnetic body 4. On the side remote from the Stromnehmereinheit 6 side of the folding member 23 is provided with a Umfalzung as a stop member 25, wherein the Umfalzung with an angled portion at the same time an extension member 13 'for one not illustrated power connection forms. The Umfalzung is arranged such that it lies with play under or behind the base plate 21. In the same way as in the embodiment of the Fig. 5 is located between the folding member 23 and this at a distance surrounded receiving housing 3, the elastic intermediate member 18 (not shown).

Claims (16)

1. Connection device for producing an electrical connection between an electrical current supply unit, which has magnetic bodies which are provided with electrical current connection contacts as a switching member, and an electrical current consumption unit which has magnetic bodies which are provided with electrical current connection contacts as an electrical current input unit, the magnetic bodies of the electrical current supply unit and the electrical current consumption unit being arranged opposite each other when the electrical current supply unit is placed on the electrical current consumption unit and the magnetic bodies of the electrical current consumption unit contacting the magnetic bodies of the electrical current supply unit,
   characterised in that the electrical current supply unit (2) is formed from individual modules (1), the modules (1) each being provided with a magnetic body (4) which is arranged in a receiving housing (3), the receiving housings of the modules (1) of the electrical current supply unit (2) each acting internally as a guide for the magnetic body (4) which can be moved in the direction towards the electrical current consumption unit (6) in the receiving housing (3), and a retaining member (12) or a path limitation device for the magnetic body (4) being provided in each case on the receiving housing (3) of the electrical current supply unit (2) at the side remote from the electrical current consumption unit (6), the receiving housings (3) with their magnetic bodies (4) arranged therein being received in a common housing structure which is constructed as an electrical current supply unit (2).
2. Connection device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the retaining member (12) is formed by a magnet or a magnetic component.
3. Connection device according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   the side of the housing structure of the electrical current supply unit (2) facing the electrical current consumption unit (6) is constructed in a resilient manner.
4. Connection device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   a resilient intermediate member (18) is arranged in each case between the receiving housing (3) and the magnetic body (4) of the electrical current supply unit (2).
5. Connection device according to claim 1 and claim 4, characterised in that the path limitation device is formed by a stop member (20) which is connected to the magnetic body (4) and which is provided with a clearance and which, when the magnetic body (4) of the electrical current supply unit (2) comes into contact with the positioned magnetic body (9) of the electrical current consumption unit (6), moves into abutment against the receiving housing (3).
6. Connection device according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the receiving housing (3) is formed by a folding member which at least partially comprises the magnetic body (4), the folding member being provided with a fold as a stop member (25) at the side remote from the electrical current consumption unit (6).
7. Connection device according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the folding member at the same time also forms the extension member (13') for a current connection contact (14).
8. Connection device according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the electrical current consumption unit (6) is formed from individual modules (5) which each have a magnetic body (9) which is arranged in a receiving housing (10).
9. Connection device according to claim 8,
   characterised in that
   a plurality of receiving housings (10) with the magnetic bodies (9) arranged in the interior are received in a common structural housing which is constructed as an electrical current consumption unit (6).
10. Connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterised in that
    the receiving housings (2, 6) comprise a non-electrically conductive material, preferably plastics material, electrically conductive contact plates (8, 11) being arranged at the side of the receiving housing (3 or 10) directed towards the other unit.
11. Connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 10,
    characterised in that
    the receiving housings (3, 10) are received in recesses or holes (16) of the associated housing structure.
12. Connection device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
    characterised in that
    the housing structures can be connected to each other in a modular manner by means of connection members (17a, 17b) which are arranged on the housing structures.
13. Connection device according to claim 12,
    characterised in that
    the connection members (17a, 17b) are constructed as resiliently formed snap-fit connections with a positive component and a negative component in the form of a male/female connection.
14. Connection device according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the modules (1) of the electrical current supply unit (2) can be switched individually and independently of each other by means of selective electrical current supplies to the electrical current connection contacts (14) of the magnetic bodies (4).
15. Connection device according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the modules (1) can be switched together by supplying electrical current to the electrical current connection contacts (14) of the magnetic bodies (4).
16. Connection device according to claim 1,
    characterised in that
    the magnetic bodies (4, 9) comprise encoded magnets, magnetic bodies (4, 9) with different polarisation being arranged opposite each other in the electrical current supply unit (2) and the electrical current consumption unit (6).

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