Monitored Current Connector for Safe Pressure-Activated Power Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors pose a risk of accidental energization, potentially causing physical injury when a user inadvertently touches a powered prong, and there is a need for safe and controlled power transfer between devices.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector system with a monitor component to check connection state and a management component to energize or deenergize based on this state, utilizing an engagement set, plunger, energy storage device, and contact mechanism to ensure safe activation only upon proper engagement, and a cable design with separate conduits for electrical current and data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the electrical connector is designed to transfer power directly without monitoring connection state, then the power transfer is simple and fast, but the risk of accidental energization increases causing potential physical injury
Solution Approach 1:
The monitor component performs preliminary detection of the connection state before the management component energizes the electrical connector. This preliminary action ensures that power is only transferred when proper engagement is confirmed, preventing accidental energization while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a monitor component as an intermediary between the physical connection and the power transfer control. This intermediary component detects connection state and provides information to the management component, adding safety without requiring complex direct control mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the contact is kept touching the current receiver connector when not engaged, then the connector is always ready for power transfer, but accidental energization occurs when user inadvertently touches the powered prong
Solution Approach 1:
The energy storage device applies a preliminary counteracting force to prevent the contact from touching the current receiver connector unless proper engagement occurs. The spring mechanism creates a force balance that actively prevents premature contact, countering the tendency toward accidental energization while maintaining operational readiness.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact mechanism transitions from a static always-touching state to a dynamic state where contact is established only when engagement forces overcome the spring's restraining force. This dynamic approach allows the connector to be ready for power transfer while preventing accidental energization through force-based control.
3Reliability
If separate conduits are used for electrical current and data transfer, then safety and controlled power transfer are ensured, but the cable structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The cable is segmented into separate conduits: an outer conduit for electrical current transfer and an inner conduit for data transfer. This segmentation physically separates power and data pathways, ensuring safe and controlled power transfer while preventing interference between electrical and data signals despite the increased structural complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system prevents accidental energization and ensures safe, controlled power transfer by ensuring the connector remains deenergized until proper engagement is achieved, while allowing simultaneous data and power transmission through separate conduits.
Implementation Method 1
an energy storage device physically coupled to the plunger
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments are described that relate an electrical current connector. The electrical current connector can be configured to provide electrical current when pressure is applied to a prong set. This pressure can cause a contact to engage with a connector. This can complete a circuit that allows the electrical current to flow. The connector can be coupled to a cable that can be configured to transfer data along with the electrical current. The cable can have an inner portion that transfers the data while an outer portion that surrounds the inner portion transfers the current.