EP4224641A1

EP4224641A1 - Connecting device

Info

Publication number: EP4224641A1
Application number: EP22155405.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Joachim Elsner; Maximilian Löw; Jürgen KÖPPEL; Philipp Seissler; Florian GÜNTHER; Joachim Stump; Philipp Meyer; André Seidelt
Original assignee: Biotronik SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Biotronik SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2022-02-07
Filing date: 2022-02-07
Publication date: 2023-08-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to a connecting device (1) for establishing an electric connection between a power supply (12) and a power-consuming device (9), the connecting device (1) comprising a power supply connecting element (2) for electrically connecting the connecting device (1) with a power supply (12). According to an aspect of the invention, the connecting device (1) further comprises a first magnetic element for magnetically connecting the connecting device (1) with a power-consuming device (9) and a first contact surface (3) for electrically connecting the connecting device (1) with the same power-consuming device (9), wherein the first contact surface (3) comprises at least two electric leads (4) that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element (2) or with a power supply integrated in the connecting device (1).

Description

The present invention relates to a connecting device for establishing an electric connection between a power supply and a power-consuming device according to the preamble of claim 1, as well as to arrangements comprising such connecting device according to the preambles of claims 12 and 15.
According to prior art techniques, power-consuming devices are connected with power supplies, such as a wall socket or a power bank, using a firmly attached plug, such as a USB plug, or a cable. While cables are often perceived by users as disturbing, firmly connected USB plugs also have various disadvantages. Firstly, they do not allow a variation of the orientation of the power-consuming device with respect to the power supply. Secondly, they only compensate to a small extent forces accidentally acting between the power-consuming device and the power supply. Thirdly, elder people or people with limited motor activity can often not easily handle such firmly connected plugs.
It is an object of the present invention to provide the possibility of establishing a mechanically flexible electric connection between a power-consuming device and a power supply under avoidance of cables, wherein the electric connection shall be easily releasable and restorable, in particular for elder people and people with limited motor activity.
This object is achieved with a connecting device for establishing an electric connection between a power supply and a power-consuming device having the features of claim 1. Such a connecting device comprises a power supply connecting element that is suited for and typically serves for electrically connecting the connecting device with a power supply.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the connecting device further comprises a first magnetic element for magnetically connecting the connecting device with the power-consuming device and a first contact surface for electrically connecting the connecting device with the same power-consuming device. In this context, the first contact surface comprises at least two electric leads that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element or with a power supply integrated in the connecting device. Such a constructive design allows an electric connection between the power-consuming device via the first contact surface, the at least two electric leads and the power supply connecting element to a power supply. It should be noted that the connecting device does not comprise any cable for establishing an electric contact between the connecting device and the power-consuming device. Rather, the electric connection is established via the contact surface.
Since the connecting device does not only establish an electric connection with the power-consuming device, but also a magnetic connection it ensures mechanically stable connection between the connecting device and the power-consuming device that is easily releasable and likewise easily restorable. Forces accidentally exerted onto the connecting device or the power-consuming device (e.g., by an accidental collision with a person or object) will not destroy the electric connection, as this may be the case when using a cable as connector. Rather, the repositioning of the connecting device relative to the power-consuming device will compensate for the exerted forces. Depending on the strength and direction of the exerted forces, this repositioning will not interrupt the electric connection or will only temporarily interrupt the electric connection so that it can easily be restored afterwards. In many instances, the first contact surface will compensate for any movements of the connecting device relative to the power-consuming device in reaction to exerted forces onto the connecting device or the power-consuming device so that the electric connection will remain stable even upon such repositioning of the connecting device relative to the power-consuming device.
The term "magnetic element" as used, e.g., in the term "first magnetic element" relates to an element that is either an active magnet element like a permanent magnet or an anchor element made from or comprising a passively ferromagnetic material. Irrespective of the concrete design of such a magnetic element in the form of an active magnet or a passively magnetic element, it is able to form a magnetic connection with another magnetic element, provided that at least one of the magnetic elements is an active magnet.
In an embodiment, the power supply connecting element is a plug or a further contact surface that can be designed like the first contact surface. In an embodiment, the power supply connecting element is designed as a USB plug such as a USB type A or USB type C plug, a 2-pin plug, a multipoint connector, or a grounding-type plug as typically used for connecting a power-consuming device with a wall socket providing electric power with a voltage of, e.g., 110 V or 230 V.
In an embodiment, the first contact surface and/or the whole connecting device has a rotationally symmetric geometry. Such an arrangement makes it particularly easy to allow a relative movement of the connecting device with respect to a connected power-consuming device while maintaining an electric connection between the connecting device and the power-consuming device. The rotational symmetry enables a rotation of the connecting device around the symmetry axis without changing the connecting device's electric properties regarding the connection to the power-consuming device. Furthermore, by such movement of the connecting device relative to a connected power-consuming device, a movement of the electric leads of the contact surface with respect to the corresponding contact points of a connected power-consuming device is achieved. Such relative movement results in a removal of thin oxide layers on the electric leads due to frictional forces. Consequently, it is not necessary to protect the electric leads against oxidation since formed oxide layers will be automatically removed by an (intentional or unintentional) movement of the connecting device with respect to a connected power-consuming device.
In an embodiment, the first contact surface and/or the at least two electric leads are undergird with soft elastic material so that a magnetic force exerted by the first magnetic element well ensure a stable contacting, by the at least two electric leads, of all necessary contact points of the power-consuming device to be electrically contacted.
In an alternative embodiment, the electric leads of the connecting device are designed in a rigid manner. This typically requires a realization of corresponding contact points in the power-consuming device in the form of spring contacts.
In an embodiment, the first contact surface has a flat shape like a surface of a disc. The connecting device is, in this embodiment, typically designed as circular disc, wherein a virtual central axis penetrating this circular disc likewise serves as rotational axis. A movement of the connecting element around this central axis will typically not alter the electric connection properties of the connecting device. Rather, such movement around the central axis will not result in an interruption of an electric connection established with a power-consuming device, as long as the at least two electric leads are uniformly arranged over the specific part of the first contact surface. By enabling such a rotational movement around the central axis, it is particularly easy to adjust the orientation of a power-consuming device connected to the connecting device in a way desired by a user.
To give an example, if the power-consuming device comprises a display, the power-consuming device can be rotated around the central axis of the connecting device such that the display can be easily read by the user, while the electric connection does not change upon such rotation. Furthermore, orientation variants of the power supply can be compensated by a rotation of the connecting device or a power-consuming device connected to the connecting device while not negatively influencing the electric connection between the connecting device and the power-consuming device. If a force is applied to a power-consuming device connected to the connecting device, this will typically not result in a disconnection of the power-consuming device. Rather, the relative orientation of the power-consuming device with respect to the connecting device will be altered due to a rotation of the power-consuming device. Consequently, the electric connection established between the connecting device and the power-consuming device remains stable irrespective of such forces exerted onto the connected power-consuming device.
In an embodiment, the first contact surface has a domed shape. This domed shape can be a concave shape (like the inner surface of a spherical body) or a convex shape (like the outer surface of a spherical body). Such a three-dimensional design of the contact surface does not only allow a rotation of the contact surface around a rotational axis (like in case of the previously described two-dimensional flat shape of the contact surface), but also a further movement in directions being perpendicular to such rotational axis. This increases the possibilities of the connecting device to compensate for intentional or unintentional forces exerted onto the connecting device or a power-consuming device connected to the connecting device while maintaining an electrical contact between the connecting device and the connected power-consuming device.
In an embodiment, at least one of the electric leads has the shape of a full or a partial ring running around a central axis of the contact surface or the connecting element, respectively. To give an example, one of the electric leads may be designed as a full ring running around the central axis, wherein the second electric lead is designed as a central contact arranged in the area of the central axis. In another example, two electric leads are designed as full rings running around the central axis in a coaxially manner.
In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises 2 to 16 electric leads, in particular 3 to 15, in particular 4 to 14, in particular 5 to 13, in particular 6 to 12, in particular 7 to 11, in particular 8 to 10 electric leads. Such a number of electric leads is typically fully sufficient to enable an electric connection between the connecting device and a power-consuming device. In this context, two electric leads are generally sufficient for establishing an electric connection enabling a power transfer or data transfer. More than two electric leads are typically only necessary if a data transfer is to be achieved in addition to a power transfer. The contact surface or the connecting device features, in an embodiment, a technical interface corresponding to the USB standard, to the I2c standard, or to a proprietary solution like a bipolar connection at a temperature-dependent resistor.
In an embodiment, at least one of the electric leads has the shape of a partial ring. In this context, a lead-free segment (i.e., a segment in which no lead is present) of a virtual circle being limited by the at least one electric lead acting as circumference covers an angle lying in a range of from 5° to 30°, in particular of from 10° to 25°, in particular of from 15° to 20°. By providing such a lead-free segment, it is possible to position the connecting element with respect to the power-consuming device such that the electric contacts of the power-consuming device are located in the region in which the lead-free segment of the connecting device is positioned. Then, no electric contact will be made between the connecting device and the power-consuming device. However, by simply turning the connecting device around its central axis, the electric leads of the connecting device will be moved such that they contact the contact elements of the power-consuming device. Thus, by realizing a lead-free segment on the contact surface, it is possible to use the connecting device as switch that can be switched between an ON and an OFF position by rotating it about the central axis. Such a switch makes it particularly easy to temporarily interrupt the electric connection between the connecting device and the power-consuming device while being able to reactivate the electric connection in a very simple manner by rotating the connecting device relative to the power-consuming device. This function can be used, e.g., to realize a flight mode in which the electric connection is deactivated. This can be helpful when using the connecting device in an airplane.
In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises a latching element that is configured to enable a latching of the connecting device on a power-consuming device in a defined position of the lead-free segment. By such a latching, it is possible to temporarily fix the connecting device relatively to a connected power-consuming device to ensure an interruption or an establishment of the electric connection between the connecting device and a power-consuming device. The latching is typically a reversible latching, wherein a disengagement between the latching element and the connected power-consuming device can be easily achieved by applying a slightly higher force onto the connecting device or the connected power-consuming device. Typically, the latching device will enable a latching of the connecting device on a connected power-consuming device only to stabilize a position in which an electric connection between the connecting device and the power-consuming device is interrupted (i.e., an OFF position in which the lead-free segment of the contact surface faces electrical contacts of the power-consuming device). Then, a rotation or other movement of the connecting device is still possible when an electric connection between the connecting device and the power-consuming device is realized so that any forces exerted onto the connecting device or the connected power-consuming device can be well compensated by such movement.
In an embodiment, the power supply connecting element is positioned on a first side of the connecting device and the first contact surface is positioned on a second side of the connecting device. In this context, the second side is opposite the first side. By such an arrangement, it is particularly easy to place the connecting device in between a power supply and a power-consuming device to be connected with the power supply by the connecting device.
In an embodiment, the power supply connecting element is movable with respect to a surface of the connecting device. In this context, the power supply connecting element can be present in a connecting position and in a non-connecting position. In the connecting position, it protrudes from the surface of the connecting device. In the non-connecting position, it is flush with the surface of the connecting device. This embodiment is particularly helpful in case that the power supply connecting element is designed in form of a plug like a USB plug. It can then be stored in a flush position with respect to the surface of the connecting device in the non-connecting position. If the connecting device is to be connected with a USB port of a power supply, the power supply connecting element in form of a USB plug can be swung out to protrude from the surface of the connecting device. Then, it can be easily connected with the USB port of the power supply.
In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises a rechargeable battery and/or a charging device. According to prior art solutions, rechargeable batteries are often integrated into a power-consuming device. If a specific type of rechargeable battery is discontinued and no longer supported by the manufacturer, a novel type of rechargeable battery needs to be integrated into the device. As a result, the whole device requires a new market authorization if the power-consuming device is, e.g., a medical device. In order to avoid such a complex process, a separation between the rechargeable battery and the power-consuming device is generally desired. For complying with this desire, the rechargeable battery can be incorporated into the connecting device according to an embodiment. The connecting device can then be connected to a charging device serving as power supply. The charging device, in turn, is connected to a regular power supply such as a wall socket. By transferring the rechargeable battery from the power-consuming device to the connecting device, the complexity of the power-consuming device is reduced. Consequently, the costs of the power-consuming device can also be reduced. Since the connecting device typically does not require a market authorization or official approval, it can still be used even in case that the first type of rechargeable battery has to be replaced by the second type of rechargeable battery due to discontinued support of the rechargeable battery by the manufacturer. As a result, the follow-up costs of the power-consuming device and the connecting device are significantly reduced with respect to prior art solutions.
For applications in which the power-consuming device still comprises a rechargeable battery, the connecting device needs only to contain a charging device and to establish a connection between the power-consuming device and a regular power supply.
For a preferably universal application of the connecting device, it comprises, in an embodiment, both a rechargeable battery and a charging device. Then, the connecting device can be used as a power bank for the power-consuming device, wherein the rechargeable battery of the power bank can be charged by connecting the connecting device to a regular power supply like a wall socket and charging the rechargeable battery via the charging device integrated in the connecting device.
In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises a rechargeable battery arranged in a first connecting device unit and a charging device arranged in a second connecting device unit. The connecting device further comprises, in this embodiment, a second magnetic element for magnetically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit. In addition, the connecting device comprises a second contact surface for electrically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit. The second contact surface comprises at least two electric leads that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element. The at least two leads of the first connecting surface are connected to the rechargeable battery (serving as power supply) via the second connecting surface. This embodiment enables a particular easy connection between a power-consuming device and the rechargeable battery located in the first connecting device unit, wherein the first connecting device unit serves as power bank for the power-consuming device.
For charging the rechargeable battery, the second connecting device unit is simply attached to the first connecting device unit and enables a mechanically stable, yet flexible electric connection between the rechargeable battery and an external power supply. Such a modular construction of the connecting device reduces the complexity of the individual parts, but maintains full functionality of the connecting device. It is possible to combine a single second connecting device unit with more than one first connecting device units since not each rechargeable battery present in different first connecting device units needs to be recharged at the same time. Furthermore, this embodiment employs a technically similar electrical and mechanical connection between the first connecting device unit and the second connecting device unit as in case of connecting the whole connecting device (or the first connecting device unit, respectively) with the power-consuming device.
In an aspect, the present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a connecting device according to the preceding explanations as well as a power-consuming device magnetically and electrically connected to the connecting device by the first contact surface and the first magnetic element. To establish a magnetic contact between the power-consuming device and the connecting device, the power-consuming device comprises a further magnetic element. As outlined above, at least one of the first and a further magnetic element is an active magnet, wherein the other of the first and further magnetic element may be a passive anchor element made from or comprising a passively ferromagnetic material. An electric contact between the connecting element and the power-consuming device is realized via the first contact surface and the leads of the first contact surface as well as with corresponding conductors (or contact elements) arranged on the surface of the power-consuming device. These conductors can be realized in form of point conductors that contact or push against the contact surface so that an electric contact to the electric leads of the first contact surface is established.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a medical device. Many medical devices require electrical power and are operated by a cable connection to a power supply or by an integrated rechargeable battery. By transferring part of the complexity from the medical device to the connecting device, the risk of novel market authorization procedures for the medical device is significantly reduced. At the same time, proper functioning of the medical device is still guaranteed upon combining it with the connecting device.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a patient device for home monitoring a medical status of a patient or the status of an implantable medical device implanted to a patient. Such monitoring device has a long lifetime (of typically more than 5 years) and requires a minimum user interaction. Therefore, a possible device failure (like a loose contact to the power supply) may not be recognized by the user. Therefore, a maximum error-tolerant power supply is desired. Such an error-tolerant power supply is provided by the connecting device presently described. It enhances the reliability of the function of the patient device over the whole lifetime. In an embodiment, the patient device for monitoring reports a cardiac status of the patient to a home monitoring service center. In an embodiment, the implantable medical device, the status of which is monitored by the patient device, is an implantable cardiac pacemaker.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a smart phone. Charging the smart phone with a connecting device according to the present disclosure is an energy saving alternative to an inductive charging procedure. Such an inductive charging procedure often has a degree of efficiency of approximately only 50 %. Due to the establishment of a direct contact between the connecting element and the power-consuming device, the degree of efficiency of charging a smart phone with the presently described connecting device is close to 100 %.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a lamp such as a bicycle lamp. Battery driven bicycle lamps are used - especially in the winter period - for a longer time so that they need to be regularly recharged. This can be easily achieved by connecting such a bicycle lamp (or other lamp) to a connecting device according to the present disclosure.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a small electric appliance. Examples of such small electric appliances are household appliances, kitchen appliances and battery driven electric hand tools. These small electric appliances can be easily connected by the connecting device according to the present disclosure with a charging device or a wall socket, respectively.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is an electric toothbrush. While such toothbrushes are regularly charged in an inductive manner, the efficiency degree of charging could be increased by connecting them via a connecting device according to the present disclosure with a charging device or a wall socket.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a network device for non-professional use. An example for such a network device is a Wi-Fi repeater that is typically directly connected with a wall socket. By connecting such a Wi-Fi repeater via a connecting device according to the present disclosure with a wall socket, a more flexible positioning of individual Wi-Fi repeaters is possible in a particularly easy way.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device is a smoke detector.
In an embodiment, the power-consuming device comprises at least one of an air pressure sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, and an air quality sensor.
In an embodiment, the connecting device comprises a rechargeable battery arranged in a first connecting device unit and a charging device arranged in a second connecting device unit. The connecting device further comprises, in this embodiment, a second magnetic element for magnetically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit. In addition, the connecting device comprises a second contact surface for electrically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit. The second contact surface comprises at least two electric leads that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element. The at least two leads of the first connecting surface are connected to the rechargeable battery (serving as power supply) via the second connecting surface. In this context, a first magnetic force between the first connecting device unit and the power-consuming device is bigger than a second magnetic force between the first connecting device unit and the second connecting device unit. If an external force is then applied to either the connecting device or the power-consuming device, the magnetic connection between the power-consuming device and the first connecting device unit will first be released. In contrast, the magnetic connection between the first connecting device unit and the second connecting device unit will only be released in case of the impact of bigger forces. Such an arrangement typically results in that the two connecting device units remain connected to each other so that the connecting device (representing a power bank) remains intact, even if it is released from the power-consuming device.
In an aspect, the present invention relates to an arrangement comprising a power supply and a connecting device according to any of the preceding explanations. In this context, the power supply connecting element is electrically connected with the power supply. If the power supply connecting element is designed as a typical plug (such as a USB plug or a standard power connector), it can be simply inserted into corresponding ports of the power supply.
In an embodiment, the power supply connecting element is designed as further contact surface (in particular designed like the first contact surface). Then, the wall socket comprises two or more contacts for directly contacting the further contact surface of the connecting device. This electrical contact can be established in the same way as between contact elements of the power-consuming device and the first contact surface. Thus, it is possible to design the connecting element in a symmetric way, wherein the first contact surface and the further contact surface are basically identically constructed. Then, the further contact surface serves for establishing an electric contact with the power supply. The first contact surface serves - as explained above in detail - for a contact with the power-consuming device.
All embodiments explained with respect to the connecting device can be combined in any desired manner and can be transferred either individually or in any arbitrary combination to the described arrangements. Likewise, all embodiments of the described arrangements can be combined in any desired way and can be transferred either individually or in any arbitrary manner to the connecting device or to the respective other arrangement.
Further details of aspects of the present invention will be explained in the following making reference to exemplary embodiments and accompanying Figures. In the Figures:

Fig. 1: shows a first embodiment of a connecting device in a partially exploded depiction;
Fig. 2: shows a second embodiment of a connecting device;
Fig. 3: shows an embodiment of an arrangement of a connecting device and a power-consuming device in a partially exploded depiction; and
Fig. 4: shows an embodiment of an arrangement of a connecting device and a power supply in a partially exploded depiction.

Figure 1 shows an accessory 1 serving as connecting device. It comprises a USB plug 2 serving as power supply connecting element. It furthermore comprises a contact surface 3 that is attached to a rear side of the accessory 1 and is depicted in Figure 1 a partially exploded view for better visualization. The contact surface 3 comprises eight leads 4 for establishing an electric connection between the accessory 1 and the device to be charged. One of the leads 4 is arranged as a central contact in the region of a central axis A serving as rotational axis for the contact surface 3 and the whole accessory 1. The seven other leads are designed as co-axially arranged rings that are positioned around the rotational axis A. By such an arrangement, rotation of the accessory 1 around the rotational axis A will not change the electrical contacting properties of the accessory 1 since the eight leads 4 are uniformly conductive. Consequently, a movement of the accessory 1 and thus a movement of the contact surface 3 tightly applied to the surface of the accessory 1 will result in a rotation of the individual leads 4 without having any impact on their capability of conducting electric energy.
A front side 5 of the accessory 1 has a flat surface like the surface of a disc. The USB plug 2 can be swiveled about an axis and positioned within a USB plug receptacle 6, if desired. In the depiction of Figure 1, the USB plug 2 is shown in its connecting position. In this connecting position, it can be connected to a USB port. After transferring the USB plug to enter the USB plug receptacle 6, it will be present in a non-connecting position. Then, it is essentially flush with the remaining surface of the front side 5. Opposite the front side 5, the accessory 1 has a backside 7 onto which the contact surface 3 is applied. The backside 7 has also a flat shape like the surface of a disc. Furthermore, the contact surface 3 itself has also a flat shape like the surface of a disc. Due to the rotational axis A, the accessory 1 has a rotationally symmetric geometry.
Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an accessory 1. In this and all following Figures, similar elements will be denoted with the same numeral reference.
The main features of the accessory 1 of Figure 2 are similar or identical to the corresponding features of the accessory 1 of Figure 1. Therefore, reference is made to the above explanations. The main difference between the two embodiments of the accessory 1 shown in Figures 1 and 2 is that the accessory 1 of Figure 2 has a domed backside 7 so that the first contact surface 3 also has a domed shape. To be more precise, it has a convex shape and can thus be connected with a power-consuming device that has a concave receiving portion for the accessory 1. Rotation of the accessory 1 about the central axis A will not influence its electric properties since also this accessory 1 has a rotationally symmetric geometry. The accessory 1 can even be moved slightly perpendicular to the rotational axis a while maintaining its electric properties. For this purpose, the individual leads 4 are thicker than in the embodiment shown in Figure 1. This guarantees that an electric contact established by each of the electric leads 4 will remain active even if the accessory 1 is moved somewhat perpendicular to the rotational axis A.
Figure 3 shows an arrangement 8 comprising an accessory 1 and a patient home monitoring device 9. The patient home monitoring device 9 serves as power-consuming device. It comprises eight contact elements 10 that are spaced apart from each other in such a way that each of the contact elements 10 is able to contact exactly one electric lead 4 of the accessory 1. As can be easily seen from the depiction of Figure 3, a rotation of the accessory 1 around the rotational axis A will not interrupt the individual electric contacts established between each of the electric leads 4 and the corresponding contact element 10. Therefore, an electric connection between the accessory 1 and the patient home monitoring device 9 will be established regardless of the concrete orientation of the accessory 1 with respect to the patient home monitoring device 9.
Figure 4 shows an embodiment of an arrangement 11 comprising an accessory 1 and a wall socket 12. The wall socket 12 comprises a regular power socket 13 as well as two USB ports 14. The USB plug 2 of the accessory 1 can be easily applied to either of the USB ports 14 of the wall socket 12 to allow a power transfer through the accessory 1 with its contact surface 3 to a connected power-consuming device. Since the orientation of the USB ports 14 and the wall socket 12 is fixed and possibly not optimal for a fixed USB connection, a prior art power-consuming device that would be directly connected with its USB port to the wall socket 12 would be disadvantageously oriented. The arrangement 11 of Figure 4 overcomes this problem since any power-consuming device being connected to the contact surface 3 of the accessory 1 can be rotated around the rotational axis A around 360° without interrupting the established electrical connection. Thus, such a power-consuming device can be oriented in any desired way irrespective of the orientation of the USB ports 14 of the wall socket 12.

Claims

Connecting device (1) for establishing an electric connection between a power supply (12) and a power-consuming device (9), the connecting device (1) comprising a power supply connecting element (2) for electrically connecting the connecting device (1) with a power supply (12),
characterized
in that the connecting device (1) further comprises a first magnetic element for magnetically connecting the connecting device (1) with a power-consuming device (9) and a first contact surface (3) for electrically connecting the connecting device (1) with the same power-consuming device (9), wherein the first contact surface (3) comprises at least two electric leads (4) that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element (2) or with a power supply integrated in the connecting device (1).
Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one of the first contact surface (3) and the whole connecting device (1) has a rotationally-symmetric geometry.
Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first contact surface (3) has a flat shape like a surface of a disc.
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first contact surface (3) has a domed shape like an inner or outer surface of a spherical body.
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the at least two electric leads (4) has the shape of an at least partial ring running around a central axis (A).
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the at least two electric leads (4) has the shape of a partial ring, wherein a lead-free segment of a virtual circle limited by the at least one of the at least two electric leads (4) as circumference covers an angle of 5° to 30°.
Connecting device according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting device (1) comprises a latching element that is configured to enable a latching of the connecting device (1) on a power-consuming device (9) in a defined position of the lead-free segment.
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply connecting element (2) is positioned on a first side (5) of the connecting device (1) and that the first contact surface (3) is positioned on a second side (7) of the connecting device opposite the first side (5).
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the power supply connecting element (2) is movable with respect to a surface of the connecting device (1) and can be present in a connecting position, in which it protrudes from the surface of the connecting device, and in a non-connecting position, in which it is flush with the surface of the connecting device (1).
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device comprises (1) at least one of a rechargeable battery and a charging device.
Connecting device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting device (1) comprises a rechargeable battery arranged in a first connecting device unit, a charging device arranged in a second connecting device unit, a second magnetic element for magnetically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit, and a second contact surface for electrically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit, wherein the second contact surface comprises at least two electric leads (4) that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element (2), wherein the at least two leads (4) of the first contact surface (3) are connected to the rechargeable battery via the second contact surface.
Arrangement (8) comprising a connecting device (1) according to any of the preceding claims and a power-consuming device (9) magnetically and electrically connected to the connecting device (1) via the first contact surface (3) and the first magnetic element.
Arrangement according to claim 12, characterized in that the power-consuming device (9) is chosen from the group consisting of a medical device, a patient device for home monitoring a medical status of a patient or a status of an implantable medical device implanted to a patient; a smartphone; a lamp; a small electric appliance like a household appliance, a kitchen appliance, and an electric hand tool; an electric toothbrush; a network device for non-professional use; and a smoke detector.
Arrangement according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that the connecting device (1) comprises a rechargeable battery arranged in a first connecting device unit, a charging device arranged in a second connecting device unit, a second magnetic element for magnetically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit, and a second contact surface for electrically connecting the first connecting device unit with the second connecting device unit, wherein the second contact surface comprises at least two electric leads (4) that are electrically connected with the power supply connecting element (2), wherein the at least two leads (4) of the first contact surface (3) are connected to the rechargeable battery via the second contact surface, wherein a first magnetic force between the first connecting device unit and the power-consuming device (9) is bigger than a second magnetic force between the first connecting device unit and the second connecting device unit.
Arrangement (11) comprising a power supply (12) and a connecting device (1) according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the power supply connecting element (2) is electrically connected with the power supply (12).