Magnetic power connector including a grounding contact.

Abstract

Power connector (1, 2, 3), comprising: two connecting elements (11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32) a magnetic holding device, characterized in that when assembling the connecting elements (11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32), an electrical contact is first made between a resilient grounding contact (116, 216, 316) and a rigid grounding contact (126, 226, 326), then between two active male contacts (112, 212, 312) and two active female contacts (124, 224, 324), and when disconnecting the connecting elements (11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32), the electrical contact is first interrupted between the active male contacts (112, 212, 312) and the active female contacts (124, 224, 324), then between the elastic grounding contact (116, 216, 316) and the rigid grounding contact (126, 226, 326). Figure 12

Description

Title of the invention: Magnetic power connector comprising a grounding contact. Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of electrical power connectors for an electrical device arranged to operate with voltages supplied by an electrical network. State of the prior art

[0002] Electrical appliances for general public use, such as a fryer, a fondue maker, a raclette maker, a crepe maker or a waffle maker, require a removable electrical power supply between a power outlet positioned in a frame and said electrical appliance.

[0003] It is known that the removable power supply is provided by means of a power cord comprising an electrical cable equipped with a part of a power connector. Said part of the power connector is configured to be electrically connected to a complementary part of the power connector which is fixed to the electrical appliance.

[0004] When the two parts of the power connector are assembled with each other, an electric current is capable of being transmitted to the electrical appliance.

[0005] In order to ensure that accidental pulling on said power cord does not lead to a risk of falling or injury, it is necessary to allow easy detachment of the power cord from the electrical appliance. For this, it is known to hold the two parts of the power connector together by means of a magnet. Thus, a brief pulling force on the cord is sufficient to immediately detach the part of the power connector from the complementary part of the power connector so as to preserve the stability of the electrical appliance.

[0006] The disadvantage of this power connector is that it cannot be used in all countries because it does not allow a secure power supply according to the IEC60335-1 standards of September 2020 and IEC60320-1 of June 2015, which guarantee the electrical safety of people, in particular by grounding the electrical appliance. Indeed, in particular, the IEC60335-1 standard requires in point 27.3 that "If a detachable part having an earth connection is connected to another part of the appliance, the earth connection must be made before the live connections are made. The live connections must be separated before the earth connection when removing the part." and the standard IEC60320-1 requires in point 11 that "Equipment couplers with protective earth contact shall be constructed so that the protective earth contact will make first and break last in relation to any other contact." Statement of the invention

[0007] One embodiment relates to an electrical power connector for an electrical appliance, comprising: - a first connecting element provided with at least two active male contacts and at least one elastic earthing contact, - a second connecting element comprising at least two active female contacts and at least one rigid earthing contact, - a magnetic holding device for the first connecting element to the second connecting element,

[0008] the first connecting element and the second connecting element being configured to be reversibly assembled to each other in an assembly direction so as to pass from a disconnection position in which the first connecting element is physically separated from the second connecting element, to a connection position in which the at least two active male contacts are electrically in contact with the at least two active female contacts, and the at least one elastic grounding contact is electrically in contact with the at least one rigid grounding contact,

[0009] characterized in that during an assembly of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, an electrical contact is first made between the at least one elastic earthing contact and the at least one rigid earthing contact, then an electrical contact is made between the at least two active male contacts and the two active female contacts, and

[0010] when disconnecting the first connecting element and the second connecting element, the electrical contact is first interrupted between the at least two active male contacts and the two active female contacts, then the electrical contact is interrupted between the at least one elastic grounding contact and the at least one rigid grounding contact.

[0011] The electrical power connector is configured to electrically power the electrical appliance. For this purpose, the electrical connector comprises two connection elements that can be reversibly assembled with each other. When the two connection elements are physically separated or moved away from each other, the connector is in the disconnection position, while when the two connection elements are electrically in contact, the connector is in the connection.

[0012] The term connection designates an assembly of the first connection element and the second connection element, that is to say a passage from the disconnection position to the connection position for all of the contacts.

[0013] The term disconnection refers to a disassembly of the first connecting element and the second connecting element, i.e. a change from the connection position to the disconnection position for all of the contacts.

[0014] The first connecting element is more specifically configured to be fixed to the electrical device. The first connecting element notably comprises two active male contacts, i.e. male electrical terminals configured to receive an electrical current, for example a current having an electrical voltage of 110V or 230V.

[0015] The first connecting element also comprises a resilient grounding contact, i.e. an electrical terminal configured to be electrically connected to a metal casing of the electrical appliance.

[0016] In certain embodiments, the first contact element comprises a housing provided with an opening, the two active male contacts being positioned on a bottom of the housing opposite said opening, the elastic grounding contact being able to be positioned on the bottom of the housing opposite said opening or on an inner side of the housing.

[0017] The second connection element is more specifically configured to be fixed to an electrical cable. The second connection element comprises in particular two active female contacts, i.e. female electrical terminals configured for the passage of an electrical current, for example a current having an electrical voltage of 110V or 230V.

[0018] The active male contacts have an elongated shape configured to cooperate with an elastic recessed shape of the active female contacts when the power connector is in the connection position. An elastic recessed shape is a hole that can deform elastically. During connection, the active male contacts are inserted by a sliding action into the active female contacts. Due to the elasticity of the female contacts, there is therefore a sliding force between the active male contacts and the active female contacts in the connection position.

[0019] The electrical appliance comprising the connector according to the invention is therefore arranged to operate with voltages supplied by a domestic or industrial electrical network. The electrical appliance is for example a consumer appliance such as a fryer, a fondue set, a raclette set.

[0020] The second connecting element also comprises a rigid grounding contact earth, that is, an electrical terminal configured to be electrically connected to the earth contact of an electrical outlet in the domestic or industrial electrical network.

[0021] The elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact have a complementary shape to each other allowing electrical contact between them when the electrical connector is in the connection position.

[0022] In some embodiments, the second connecting element comprises a body provided with a connection face, the two active female contacts being positioned on the connection face, the rigid grounding contact being able to be positioned on the connection face or on a face lateral to the connection face.

[0023] The power connector further comprises a magnetic holding device. The magnetic holding device ensures secure retention of the first connection element on the second connection element in the connection position, said retention being independent of the electrical connections between the active male contacts and the active female contacts and between the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact. In other words, the holding device exerts a magnetic force between the first connection element and the second connection element.

[0024] In the connection position, the body of the second connection element is inserted into the housing of the first connection element in an assembly direction so that the connection face comes into contact with the bottom of the housing.

[0025] More precisely, during connection, the connection face of the second connecting element is positioned opposite the opening of the housing of the first connecting element. Then the connection face is inserted into the housing so as to be brought closer to the bottom of the housing. During this insertion, the electrical contact is made first between the rigid grounding contact and the elastic grounding contact, then between the two active male contacts and the two active female contacts. The magnetic holding device ensures that the physical connection between the first connecting element and the second connecting element is maintained beyond a certain force.

[0026] Thus, the metal casing of the electrical device is electrically connected to earth before the electrical device is supplied with an electric current.

[0027] Upon disconnection, the body of the second connecting element is removed from the housing of the first connecting element such that the connecting face is moved away from the bottom of the housing until the connecting face is removed from the opening.

[0028] During this withdrawal, the electrical contact is first interrupted between the two active male contacts and the two active female contacts, then between the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact.

[0029] Thus, the electrical device is no longer supplied with electric current before its casing is disconnected from the ground.

[0030] The subject matter of the present disclosure may also have one or more of the following characteristics taken alone or in combination.

[0031] In some embodiments, in the disconnected position, a power supply distance measured between the two active male contacts and the two active female contacts along the assembly direction at their contact point is relatively greater than a grounding distance measured between the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact at their contact point along the assembly direction.

[0032] The power supply and grounding distance is measured in the same disconnection position.

[0033] The feed distance is the distance between the active male contacts and the active female contacts along the assembly direction at their contact point.

[0034] The grounding distance is the distance between the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact at their point of contact along the assembly direction.

[0035] The power supply distance being relatively greater than the grounding distance for the same disconnection position, the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact are electrically connected before the electrical connection of the active male contacts with the active female contacts.

[0036] In certain embodiments, the at least one elastic grounding contact is fixed, respectively movable, relative to the first connection element, and the at least one rigid grounding contact is movable, respectively fixed, relative to the second connection element.

[0037] Thus, during connection, the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact electrically come into contact with each other, i.e. the grounding distance is equal to zero, then the insertion force of the first connecting element on the second connecting element makes it possible to erase the elastic grounding contact or the rigid grounding contact while maintaining the established electrical contact, so that the power supply distance can decrease until it also becomes equal to zero and allows contact between the active male contacts and the active female contacts.

[0038] In some embodiments, the at least one resilient grounding contact is movable relative to the first connecting element, and the at least one rigid grounding contact is movable relative to the second connecting element.

[0039] Thus, during connection, the force of insertion of the first connection element on the second connection element makes it possible to partially erase the contact. elastic grounding contact and rigid grounding contact while maintaining established electrical contact.

[0040] In certain embodiments, the at least one elastic grounding contact and / or the at least one complementary rigid grounding contact is movable in rotation and translation or in translation.

[0041] In some embodiments, upon assembly, the at least one resilient grounding contact and the at least one complementary rigid grounding contact form a sliding electrical contact.

[0042] Thus, upon connection, the elastic grounding contact and the rigid grounding contact electrically come into contact with each other, i.e. the grounding distance at the point of contact is equal to zero, then the insertion force of the first connecting element on the second connecting element allows sliding of the elastic grounding contact on the rigid grounding contact allowing the power supply distance to decrease until it also becomes equal to zero at the point of contact while maintaining the previously established electrical contact.

[0043] In some embodiments, the at least one resilient grounding contact has a tab shape having elasticity in a direction transverse to the assembly direction.

[0044] During connection, when the second element is inserted into the first element in the assembly direction, the rigid grounding contact exerts a force transverse to the assembly direction on the elastic grounding contact. The elasticity of the elastic grounding contact allows it to deform so as to ensure good electrical contact with the rigid grounding contact.

[0045] In some embodiments, the magnetic holding device comprises a first portion positioned on the first connecting element and a second portion positioned on the second connecting element, said first portion being held connected to the second portion in the connection position below a force threshold of at least 20N.

[0046] Thus this force allows good mechanical maintenance of the two connection elements in the connection position and allows rapid disconnection in the event of accidental force on the electrical cable connected to the power connector.

[0047] In some embodiments, the first portion and / or the second portion comprises a permanent magnet.

[0048] In some embodiments, the first portion or the second portion comprises a ferromagnetic element.

[0049] In some embodiments, the power connector includes a sealing system configured to at least partially cover the at least two active female contacts in the disconnection position following the assembly direction.

[0050] Thus, in the disconnected position, the active female contacts are covered by the shutter system so that they are not directly accessible. The shutter system makes it possible to comply with international standards IEC 60335-1 and IEC 60320-1 so as to ensure user safety.

[0051] In some embodiments, the closure system comprises a set of interdependent closures configured to at least partially cover a set of the active female contacts in the disconnected position, or at least one first contact closure configured to at least partially cover a first active female contact, and at least one second contact closure configured to at least partially cover a second active female contact, the first and second closures being independent of each other. Brief description of the drawings

[0052] The invention will be better understood, thanks to the following description, which relates to several embodiments according to the present invention, given as non-limiting examples and explained with reference to the appended schematic drawings, in which:

[0053] [Fig. 1] is a three-dimensional representation of a second connecting element of a power connector according to a first embodiment,

[0054] [Fig.2] is a three-dimensional representation of a front view of a first connecting element of the power connector according to the first embodiment,

[0055] [Fig.3] is a three-dimensional representation of a rear view of the first connecting element of [Fig.3],

[0056] [Fig.4] is a sectional view of the power connector according to the first embodiment, in the connection position,

[0057] [Fig.5] is a three-dimensional representation of a second connecting element of a power connector according to a second embodiment,

[0058] [Fig.6] is a three-dimensional representation of a front view of a first connecting element of the power connector according to the second embodiment,

[0059] [Fig.7] is a three-dimensional representation of a rear view of the first connecting element of [Fig.6],

[0060] [Fig.8] is a sectional view along a first plane of the power connector according to the second embodiment, in the connection position,

[0061] [Fig.9] is a sectional view along a second plane of the power connector according to the second embodiment, in the connection position,

[0062] [Fig. 10] is a three-dimensional representation of a power connector according to a third embodiment, in the disconnected position,

[0063] [Fig. 11] is a representation of a second connecting element of the power connector according to a third embodiment,

[0064] [Fig. 12] is a sectional view along a first plane of the power connector according to the third embodiment, in the disconnected position,

[0065] [Fig. 13] is a first view of a portion of the first connecting element and a portion of the second connecting element of the power connector according to the third embodiment, in the disconnected position,

[0066] [Fig.14] is a second view of [Fig.13],

[0067] [Fig. 15] is a sectional view along the first plane of the power connector according to the third embodiment, in the connection position. Description of the embodiments

[0068] Only the elements necessary for understanding the invention have been shown. To facilitate reading of the drawings, the same elements bear the same references from one figure to another.

[0069] The invention relates to a power connector 1, 2, 3 for an electrical appliance comprising a first contact element 11, 21, 31 and a second contact element 12, 22, 32.

[0070] The electrical power connector 1, 2, 3 is configured to electrically power the electrical appliance. For this purpose, the electrical connector 1, 2, 3 comprises two connection elements 11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32 which can be assembled in a reversible manner, i.e. removable, with each other. When the two connection elements 11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32 are physically separated or distant from each other, the connector 1, 2, 3 is in the disconnected position, while when the two connection elements 11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32 are electrically in contact, the connector 1, 2, 3 is in the connected position.

[0071] The term connection designates an assembly of the first connection element 11, 21, 31 and the second connection element 12, 22, 32, i.e. a passage from the disconnection position to the connection position for all of the contacts.

[0072] The term disconnection denotes a disassembly of the first connection element 11, 21, 31 and of the second connection element 12, 22, 32, i.e. a passage from the connection position to the disconnection position for all of the contacts.

[0073] The first connection element 11, 21, 31 is more specifically configured to be fixed to the electrical device. For this, the first contact element 11, 21, 31 comprises a housing 110, 210, 310 provided with an opening 111,211,311.

[0074] The first connection element 11, 21, 31 comprises two active male contacts 112, 212, 312 positioned on a bottom 113, 213, 313 of the housing 110, 210, 310 opposite the opening 111, 211, 311. The bottom 113, 213, 313 of the housing 110, 210, 310 corresponds to an inner face of the rear wall of the housing 110, 210, 310.

[0075] The active male contacts 112, 212, 312 are male electrical terminals configured to receive an electrical current, for example a current having an electrical voltage of 110V or 230V. The active male contacts 112, 212, 312 have an elongated shape. The active male contacts 112, 212, 312 are electrically connected to electrical terminals 114, 214, 314 which are positioned on an outer face 115, 215 of the rear wall of the housing 110, 210, 310. The electrical terminals 114, 214, 314 are connectors for crimped wires.

[0076] The first connection element 11, 21, 31 also comprises at least one elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316, i.e. an electrical terminal configured to be electrically connected to a metal casing of the electrical appliance. The at least one elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 is electrically connected to at least one electrical terminal 117, 217, 317 which is positioned on the outer face 115, 215 of the rear wall of the housing 110, 210, 310. The electrical terminals 117, 217, 317 are connectors for crimped wires.

[0077] According to a first embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the first connection element 11 comprises two grounding contacts 116 positioned on an inner side of the housing 110. More particularly, each elastic grounding contact 116 has a tongue shape having elasticity in a direction transverse to an assembly direction. Each elastic grounding contact 116 extends over an entire thickness of the housing 110 taken in the assembly direction so that one end of the elastic grounding contact 116 is in contact with an edge of the opening 111 of the housing 110.

[0078] According to a second embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, the first connection element 21 comprises an elastic earthing contact 216 positioned on the bottom 213 of the housing 110.

[0079] More particularly, the elastic grounding contact 216 has an elongated shape.

[0080] The elastic grounding contact 216 extends over an entire thickness of the housing 210 taken along the assembly direction so that one end of the elastic grounding contact 216 is in contact with an edge of the opening 211 of the housing 210.

[0081] The elastic grounding contact 216 is movable, in translation, relative to the first connection element 210.

[0082] According to a third embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 to 15, the first connection element 31 comprises an elastic grounding contact 316 positioned on an inner side of the housing 110. More particularly, the elastic grounding contact 316 has a tongue shape having elasticity in a direction transverse to an assembly direction.

[0083] The elastic grounding contact 316 extends over an entire thickness of the housing 310 taken along the assembly direction so that one end of the elastic grounding contact 316 is in contact with an edge of the opening 311 of the housing 110.

[0084] The first connecting element 11, 21, 31 finally comprises a first part 118, 218, 318 of a magnetic holding device.

[0085] The first part 118, 218 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment comprises a magnetic metal element extending on the bottom 113, 213 of the housing 110, 210.

[0086] The first part 318 of the third embodiment comprises a permanent magnet extending over the bottom 313 of the housing 310.

[0087] The second connection element 12, 22, 32 is more specifically configured to be fixed to an electric cable provided with at least three wires 121, 221: two electric power wires and one grounding wire.

[0088] The second connection element 12, 22, 32 comprises a body 122, 222, 322 provided with a connection face 123, 223, 323 on which are positioned two active female contacts 124, 224, 324, i.e. female electrical terminals configured for the passage of an electrical current, for example a current having an electrical voltage of 110V or 230V.

[0089] The active female contacts 124, 224, 324 have an elastic hollow shape. An elastic hollow shape is defined as an orifice that can deform elastically. The active female contacts 124, 224, 324 are electrically connected to electrical terminals 325 which are positioned in the body 122, 222, 322 of the second connecting element 12, 22, 32. The electrical terminals 325 are connectors for crimped wires.

[0090] The second connection element 12, 22, 32 also comprises at least one complementary rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326, i.e. an electrical terminal configured to be electrically connected to the ground contact of an electrical outlet of the domestic or industrial electrical network. The at least one rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326 is electrically connected to at least one electrical terminal 127, 227, 327 which is positioned in the body 122, 222, 322 of the second connection element 12, 22, 32. The electrical terminals 127, 227, 327 are connectors for crimped wires.

[0091] According to the first embodiment, the second connection element 12 comprises two complementary earthing contacts 126 positioned on a lateral face 128 of the body 122, said lateral face 128 being in contact with the connection face 123.

[0092] More particularly, each rigid grounding contact 126 has an elongated shape along the assembly direction. Each rigid grounding contact 126 has one end in contact with the connection face 123.

[0093] According to the second embodiment, the second connection element 22 comprises a rigid earthing contact 226 positioned on the connection face 223.

[0094] More particularly, the rigid grounding contact 226 has a plate shape extending over the connection face 223.

[0095] According to a third embodiment, the second connection element 32 comprises a rigid earthing contact 326 positioned on a lateral face 328 of the body 322, said lateral face 328 being in contact with the connection face.

[0096] More particularly, the rigid grounding contact 326 has an elongated shape along the assembly direction. The rigid grounding contact 326 has one end in contact with the connection face.

[0097] The second connecting element 12, 22, 32 finally comprises a second part 129, 229, 329 of the magnetic holding device.

[0098] The second portion 129, 229 of the first embodiment and the second embodiment comprises a permanent magnet extending into the body 122, 222 in contact with the connection face 123, 223.

[0099] The second part 329 of the third embodiment comprises a magnetic metal element extending over the connection face 323.

[0100] The third embodiment of the second connection element 32 also comprises a closure system 330 configured to at least partially cover the two active female contacts 324 in the disconnection position following the assembly direction. Thus, in the disconnection position, the active female contacts 324 are at least partially covered by the closure system 330 so that they are not directly accessible. The closure system 330 makes it possible to comply with international standards IEC-60335-1 and IEC 60320-1 so as to ensure user safety.

[0101] In some embodiments, the shutter system 330 comprises a set of interdependent shutters configured to at least partially cover a set of the active female contacts 324 in the disconnected position, or, as illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 15, at least one first contact shutter 331 configured to at least partially cover a first active female contact 324, and at least one second contact shutter 332 configured to at least partially cover a second active female contact 324, the first 331 and the second shutters 332 being independent of each other.

[0102] In the disconnected position of the power connector 1, 2, 3, a power supply distance measured between the two active male contacts 112, 212, 312 and the two active female contacts 124, 224, 324 along the assembly direction at their contact point is relatively greater than a grounding distance measured between the at least one elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the at least one rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326 at their contact point along the assembly direction.

[0103] The power supply and grounding distance is measured in the same disconnection position.

[0104] The power supply distance being relatively greater than the grounding distance, the elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326 are electrically connected before the electrical connection of the active male contacts 112, 212, 312 with the active female contacts 124, 224, 324 during connection.

[0105] During connection, the connection face 123, 223, 323 of the second connection element 12, 22, 32 is positioned opposite the opening 111, 211, 311 of the housing 110, 210, 310 of the first connection element 11, 21, 31. Then the connection face 123, 223, 323 is inserted into the housing 110, 210, 310 so as to be brought closer to the bottom 113, 213, 313 of the housing 110, 210, 310. During this insertion, the electrical contact is made first between the elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326, then between the two active male contacts 112, 212, 312 and the two active female contacts 124, 224, 324. The magnetic holding device ensures that the physical connection between the first connection element 11, 21, 31 and the second connection element 12, 22, 32 is maintained beyond a certain force.

[0106] Thus, the metal casing of the electrical device is electrically connected to earth before the electrical device is supplied with an electric current.

[0107] When connected, the elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326 have a complementary shape to each other allowing electrical contact between them.

[0108] More specifically, in the first and third embodiments, the at least one elastic grounding contact 116, 316 and the at least one rigid grounding contact 126, 326 form a sliding electrical contact. Thus, during connection, when the second connecting element 12, 32 is inserted into the first connecting element 11, 31 in the assembly direction, the rigid grounding contact 126, 326 exerts a force transverse to the assembly direction on the elastic grounding contact 116, 316. The elasticity of the elastic grounding contact 116, 316 allows it to be deformed so as to ensure good electrical contact. with the rigid grounding contact. The elastic grounding contact 116, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 326 then electrically contact each other, i.e. the grounding distance is equal to zero. Then, the insertion force of the first connecting element 11, 21, 31 on the second connecting element 12, 22, 32 allows sliding of the elastic grounding contact 116, 316 on the rigid grounding contact 126, 326 allowing the power supply distance to decrease until it also becomes equal to zero while maintaining the previously established electrical contact.

[0109] In the second embodiment, the elastic grounding contact 216 and the rigid grounding contact 226 electrically contact each other, i.e. the grounding distance at the contact point is zero, then the insertion force of the first connecting element 21 on the second connecting element 22 makes it possible to erase the elastic grounding contact 216 while maintaining the established electrical contact, so that the power supply distance can decrease until it also becomes zero at the contact point and allows contact between the active male contacts 212 and the active female contacts 224.

[0110] During connection, after electrical connection of the elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326, the active male contacts 112, 212, 312 are inserted by a sliding action in the assembly direction into the active female contacts 124, 224, 324. The elongated shape of the active male contacts 112, 212, 312 is therefore configured to cooperate with the hollow shape of the active female contacts 124, 224, 324 when the power connector 1, 2, 3 is in the connection position.

[0111] Due to the elasticity of the active female contacts, there is a sliding force between the active male contacts 112, 212, 312 and the active female contacts 124, 224, 324 in the connection position.

[0112] In the connection position, the body 122, 222, 322 of the second connection element 12, 22, 32 is inserted into the housing 110, 210, 310 of the first connection element 11, 21, 31 in the assembly direction so that the connection face 123, 223, 323 comes into contact with the bottom 113, 213, 313 of the housing 110, 210, 310.

[0113] When the power connector 1, 2, 3 is in the connection position, the magnetic holding device ensures secure retention of the first connection element 11, 21, 31 on the second connection element 12, 22, 32, said retention being independent of the electrical connections between the active male contacts 112, 212, 312 and the active female contacts 124, 224, 324 and between the elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326. In other words, the holding device exerts a magnetic force between the first connection element 11, 21, 31 and the second connection element 12, 22, 32 below a force threshold of at least 20N. Thus this force allows good mechanical maintenance of the two connection elements 11, 21, 31, 12, 22, 32 in the connection position and allows rapid disconnection in the event of accidental force greater than the force threshold on the electrical cable connected to the power connector.

[0114] During disconnection, the body 122, 222, 322 of the second connecting element 12, 22, 32 is removed from the housing 110, 210, 310 of the first connecting element 11, 21, 31 so that the connection face 123, 223, 323 is moved away from the bottom 113, 213, 313 of the housing 110, 210, 310 until the connection face 123, 223, 323 is extracted from the opening 111, 211, 311.

[0115] During this withdrawal, the electrical contact is first interrupted between the two active male contacts 112, 212, 312 and the two active female contacts 124, 224, 324, then between the elastic grounding contact 116, 216, 316 and the rigid grounding contact 126, 226, 326.

[0116] Thus, the electrical device is no longer supplied with electric current before its casing is disconnected from the ground.

[0117] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In particular, individual features of the various illustrated / mentioned embodiments may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

[0118] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to a method are transposable, alone or in combination, to a device, and conversely, all the characteristics described with reference to a device are transposable, alone or in combination, to a method.

Claims

Claims

1. Electrical power connector (1, 2, 3) for an electrical appliance, comprising: - a first connecting element (11, 21, 31) provided with at least two active male contacts (112, 212, 312) and at least one elastic earthing contact (116, 216, 316), - a second connecting element (12, 22, 32) comprising at least two active female contacts (124, 224, 324) and at least one rigid earthing contact (126, 226, 326), - a magnetic holding device for the first connecting element (11, 21, 31) to the second connecting element (12, 22, 32), the first connecting element (11, 21, 31) and the second connecting element (12, 22, 32) being configured to be reversibly assembled to each other in an assembly direction so as to pass from a disconnection position in which the first connecting element (11, 21, 31) is physically separated from the second connecting element (12, 22, 32), to a connection position in which the at least two active male contacts (112, 212, 312) are electrically in contact with the at least two active female contacts (124, 224, 324), and the at least one elastic earthing contact (116, 216, 316) is electrically in contact with the at least one rigid earthing contact (126, 226, 326), characterized in that during an assembly of the first connecting element (11, 21, 31) and the second connecting element (12, 22, 32), an electrical contact is first made between the at least one elastic grounding contact (116, 216,316) and the at least one rigid grounding contact (126, 226, 326), then an electrical contact is made between the at least two active male contacts (112, 212, 312) and the at least two active female contacts (124, 224, 324), and, upon disconnection of the first connecting element (11, 21, 31) and the second connecting element (12, 22, 32), the electrical contact is first interrupted between the at least two active male contacts (112, 212, 312) and the two active female contacts (124, 224, 324), then the electrical contact is interrupted between the at least one elastic contact grounding contact (116, 216, 316) and the at least one rigid grounding contact (126, 226, 326).

2. A power connector (1, 2, 3) according to claim 1, wherein, in the disconnected position, a power distance measured between the two active male contacts (112, 212, 312) and the two active female contacts (124, 224, 324) along the assembly direction at their contact point is relatively greater than a grounding distance measured between the elastic grounding contact (116, 216, 316) and the rigid grounding contact at their contact point (126, 226, 326) along the assembly direction.

3. Power connector (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one elastic earthing contact (216) is fixed, respectively movable, relative to the first connection element (21), and the at least one rigid earthing contact (226) is movable, respectively fixed, relative to the second connection element.

4. A power connector (2) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one resilient grounding contact (216) is movable relative to the first connecting element (21), and the at least one rigid grounding contact is movable relative to the second connecting element.

5. A power connector (1, 3) according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein, upon assembly, the at least one resilient grounding contact (116, 316) and the at least one rigid grounding contact (126, 326) form a sliding electrical contact.

6. Power connector (1, 3) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one elastic grounding contact (116, 316) has a tab shape having elasticity in a direction transverse to the assembly direction.

7. A power connector (1, 2, 3) according to any preceding claim, wherein the magnetic holding device comprises a first portion (118, 218, 318) positioned on the first connecting element (11, 21, 31) and a second portion (129, 229, 329) positioned on the second connecting element (12, 22, 32), said first portion (118, 218, 318) being held connected to the second portion (129, 229, 329) in the connection position below a force threshold of at least 20N.

8. Power connector (1, 2, 3) according to claim 7, wherein the first part (118, 218, 318) and / or the second part (129, 229, 329) comprises a permanent magnet.

9. A power connector according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the first portion (118, 218, 318) or the second portion (129, 229, 329) comprises a ferromagnetic element.

10. Power connector (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a sealing system (330) configured to at least partially cover the at least two active female contacts (324) in the disconnection position along the assembly direction.

11. The power connector (3) of claim 10, wherein the sealing system (330) comprises a set of interdependent seals configured to at least partially cover a set of the active female contacts in the disconnected position, or at least one first contact seal (331) configured to at least partially cover a first active female contact (324), and at least one second contact seal (332) configured to at least partially cover a second active female contact (324), the first (331) and second seals (332) being independent of each other.

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