WO1992016002A1

WO1992016002A1 - Electromechanical connecting device

Info

Publication number: WO1992016002A1
Application number: PCT/EP1992/000372
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eberhard Beck; Hermann Neidlein
Original assignee: Eberhard Beck; Hermann Neidlein
Priority date: 1991-02-27
Filing date: 1992-02-21
Publication date: 1992-09-17
Also published as: EP0573471B1; EP0573471A1; DE59200629D1

Abstract

An electromechanical connecting device (1) comprises a switch device (2), which has a magnetic switch (4) and can be connected to a voltage source, and at least one trigger device (3), which has a trigger magnet (14 or 15) and can be connected to a consumer. The electromechanical connecting device (1) can bring the magnetic switch (4) from a rest position into a working position, thereby establishing the contact between at least one pair of contacts and the electrical connection between the switch device (2) and the trigger device (3). To produce a precisely defined switching point, the magnetic switch (4) has two magnets (5 and 6) which slide in the switch device (2) and close the contact between two pairs of contacts. The two magnets (5 and 6) are arranged on a magnet carriage (7) which, in the rest position, is urged by magnetic forces against a limit stop (9).

Description

Title: Ele tromechanical connection device

description

The invention relates to an electromechanical connecting device with a switching device that can be connected to a voltage source and has a bistable magnetic switch and with a triggering device that has at least one trigger and can be connected to a consumer, with which the magnetic switch can be brought from a rest position into a working position and thereby the contact of at least one contact pair and the electrical connection between the switching device and the triggering device can be established.

Connecting devices in which the switching device is designed as a bistable magnetic switch are known. For example, a magnetically operated electrical switch is described in DE 29 09 448, which has a switching device, the magnetic switch of which is actuated via a pivotably fixed magnet. In the open position, the switching magnet which actuates the magnetic switch is pivoted out of the area of the contact pair by two further magnets which have an opposing field so that the switch is open. This closes the switch achieved that the pivoted-out magnet is approximated in a release device provided trigger magnet which attracts the magnet and where it is pivoted far towards the contact pair until the magnet abuts the contact pair and closes it. The electrical connection from the voltage source to the consumer is finally established by placing the triggering device on the switching device. It has been found to be disadvantageous in this known arrangement that, due to the pivotable fixing of the magnet actuating the magnet switch in the switching device, a not inconsiderable overall depth and width is required, since the magnet has to pivot back a certain distance. In addition, it has been found to be disadvantageous that the switching point at which the contact pair is closed can only be set inaccurately, since this is dependent on the magnetic force of the magnet to be pivoted, on the magnetic force of the magnets deflecting, laterally arranged, and finally on the magnetic force of the Trigger magnet depends. This results in difficult to reproduce power relationships, which requires a generous geometric design of all elements. In particular, to avoid accidental switch-on in the event of vibrations. Due to the inaccurately adjustable switching point, there is the possibility that the contact pair by the magnet is brought into mutual contact and thereby the contact surface lying on the surface of the switching device is connected to the voltage source before this contact surface has been completely covered by the approximate triggering device. Even when the triggering device is lifted, there is a risk, in particular due to the hysteresis, that one can accidentally come into contact with the contact surface and receive an electric shock if the device is operated carelessly. This is avoided in the known device in that the contact surface of the switching device is surrounded by a large-sized edge into which the triggering device must be inserted. Child safety is only guaranteed to a limited extent. The principle of the protective contact plug common in the Federal Republic of Germany is therefore used. Although this prevents the contact surface and thus a live pole from being touched, it must be accepted that the depth of the device is increased even further by this measure and that the device is difficult to clean due to the protruding edge. In addition, with a protruding edge, the risk of damage to the edge is increased, which can lead to a safety impairment. Furthermore, the aesthetics of this device are only moderately attractive. The invention is therefore based on the object of providing an electromechanical connecting device of the type mentioned at the outset, which also has a more precisely definable switching point.

This object is achieved in that the contacts of two pairs of contacts are closed or opened in the magnetic switch by at least one magnet displaceably guided in the switching device, the magnet of the switching device being switchable into the working position and in the rest position by means of special magnetic fields realized in the triggering device is pushed against a stop with a certain threshold force.

Special magnetic fields are understood to mean magnetic fields that are not available in a normal, everyday environment, in particular cannot be generated by common household magnets, which increases the child safety of the connecting device. These special magnetic fields can e.g. can be realized by using particularly strong high-energy magnets, or they are realized by magnetic coding.

The fact that the magnetic switch at least one in the Switching device has displaceably guided magnet, which is pushed against a stop in the rest position, the contact of the two contact pairs is only closed when the magnet leaves the rest position and assumes the working position, whereby it performs a linear movement. In addition, the linear movement of the magnet is much easier to control than swivel movements or the like. In the case of linear movement, the contact between the two contact pairs is advantageously only closed when the magnet has completely passed through the displacement path and accordingly assumes its working position. The at least one magnet is advantageously arranged on a magnetic carriage. The rest position of the magnetic carriage is defined in that it is pushed against a stop by magnetic forces. If the one or two release magnets of the release device are moved in the direction of the switching device, then the magnetic forces of the release magnets act on the magnetic slide. Since the magnetic carriage is pressed against a stop due to the interaction of the magnetic forces of the magnets of the switching device with a ferromagnetic plate or a permanent magnet, the latter does not leave its rest position as long as the magnetic forces of the release magnet do not outweigh the magnetic forces of the magnets of the switching device. From a certain position of the trigger magnet in relation to the However, the switching device's magnetic forces are so great that they cancel the magnetic forces of the magnets of the switching device: The magnetic slide changes its position in the direction of the working position and closes the contacts of the two contact pairs. In contrast to the prior art, where the magnet gradually moves towards the contact pair as the triggering device approaches, the contact pair is closed spontaneously in the invention. This not only results in a precisely definable switching point, but also a spark-proof switching is guaranteed. The tripping magnets therefore have a tripping and a holding function.

In addition, the arrangement of the magnet or the magnets of the holding device on a magnetic carriage has the advantage that both contacts are either switched on or off at the same time, that there is a faster switch-off behavior, in particular when the trigger element is lifted obliquely, and that a switching operation only is triggered when the release magnets interact with the magnetic slide in the geometrically intended position. The simultaneous switching of both pairs of contacts also increases the security of the connecting device, thereby eliminating the possibility that, for example, when the trigger element is turned off, no contact is under voltage, for example via the consumer, and can possibly be touched. Since the magnetic force of the magnets of the switching device and the magnets of the triggering device are also reversibly temperature-dependent, a further safety aspect is created with the connecting device according to the invention in that the contacting is interrupted from a certain temperature. If, for example, there is a liquid film on the contact surface and this represents a resistance, its temperature is gradually increased by the current flowing through it. However, the housing of the switching device and the housing of the triggering device are also heated, which is harmless below a certain temperature limit. Above a certain temperature, however, this can damage the device. The magnets can now be selected so that their attraction is no longer sufficient for mutual attraction from a certain temperature that is below the critical temperature. If the device according to the invention heats up until this temperature is reached, the magnetic switch drops and returns to its rest position. Since there is no longer any current flowing, there is no further heating and the entire device gradually cools down again. If it has reached a temperature at which the magnets have regained their original attraction, the connection between the two becomes Facilities restored. Total failure due to thermal damage is therefore excluded by the connecting device according to the invention.

In a further development it is provided that the magnetic carriage is pushed into the rest position by means of the magnets by means of a ferromagnetic plate. The ferromagnetic plate forms the stop for the magnetic slide. If in this embodiment the release device with the release magnet is brought closer to the switching device, the magnetic carriage is only moved from its rest position into the working position when the adhesive force of the two magnets on the ferromagnetic plate is overcome by the release magnet or by the two release magnets of the release device . As long as the magnetic carriage is in contact with the ferromagnetic plate, the switching contact of the device has certainly not yet been established.

In another embodiment it is provided that the magnetic carriage is pushed into the rest position via magnetic elements arranged next to the magnets. These magnetic elements are formed, for example, by further magnets rigidly connected to the switching device, in particular ring magnets, which are poled so that they are the magnets push to the rest position with the magnetic slide. This embodiment also ensures a precisely defined switching point, since the magnetic carriage is only moved out of its rest position when the force of the magnetic elements rigidly connected to the switching device is overcome by the magnetic force of the release magnet.

In a further development it is provided that the direction of displacement of the magnets from their rest position into the working position corresponds to the direction in which the release device is placed on the switching device. This gives the connecting device a simple design. In addition to placing the triggering device on the switching device, no additional manipulations are required to establish the electrical contact.

In a further development it is provided that the magnets and / or the magnetic plate are pushed into the rest position via additional mechanical elements such as springs or the like. The spring generates a restoring force with a linear characteristic, which acts on the carriage in the direction of its rest position, whereby the hysteresis behavior of the switching characteristic is reduced to a minimum. A further simplification of the configuration of the device according to the invention is achieved in that the magnets of the holding device and / or the release magnets of the release device are designed as current-carrying elements. This avoids additional components, since the current can be fed directly to the corresponding assigned contacts via the magnets. In addition to a simpler construction of the device, this measure can also reduce the construction volume.

A greater security, an increase in the adhesive force, particularly against lateral displacement in connection with a rapid switch-off when the trigger device is lifted, is preferably achieved in that the magnets of the switching device and the trigger magnets of the trigger device have mutually corresponding magnetic codes, in particular are designed as nested ring magnets. Ring magnets have the advantage that they can be produced in a particularly simple manner, namely by inserting a cylindrical magnetic core into a sleeve-shaped ring magnet. However, this core has opposite polarity. If the magnets of the switching device and the release device are coded in this way, for example, the magnetic force of the release magnet only acts on the Magnets of the switching device when the magents assume positions corresponding to one another. Due to the lack of a guide frame, contact can be made even in places that are difficult to access, for example behind furniture and the like. Despite the great adhesive force, the release device can be easily removed from the switching device, since it can be turned sideways. In particular, furniture standing in front of the connecting device does not represent an obstacle.

In one embodiment it is provided that the magnetic carriage is permanently connected to the voltage source. This has the advantage that the switch can be closed and the contact made only by changing the position of the magnetic carriage, which comes to rest on the contact pairs.

In another embodiment it is provided that the magnetic slide bridges the poles of two contacts in the working position and thereby establishes the electrical connection. This configuration has the advantage that the overvoltage-proof air gap between the magnetic slide and the poles can be selected to be smaller, which reduces the overall depth of the device and the non-linear one The course of the magnetic force is more controllable.

A preferred embodiment of the connecting device provides that the switching device has a flat surface and the contacts accessible from the outside consist of a low-resistance, non-ferromagnetic material. This flat and compact design of the switching device has the advantage that it is easy to clean and therefore hygienically unproblematic and also reduces the risk of damage. In addition to these advantages, the switching device offers novel design options with attractive applications that meet the latest aesthetic criteria.

The fact that the switching device and the triggering device each have a grounding ring surrounding the contacts further reduces the security against unintentional contact with the contacts when the connecting device is switched on. If a flat object is pushed between the triggering device and the switching device, it is always in contact with the earthing ring, so that an electric shock is largely avoided. This safety is also guaranteed when there is a liquid film on top. In a particularly preferred exemplary embodiment of the invention, the housing of the triggering device has an edge surrounding the part of the magnets which projects beyond the flat side of the housing, an elastic element which surrounds the magnets and which projects beyond the edge and the magnets and the magnets being arranged within the edge are in contact with the elastic element penetrating contact elements, in particular elastically. This configuration of the side of the triggering device facing the switching device makes it deformable to a certain degree. In addition, small unevenness on the contact surface of the switching device can be easily compensated. This has the advantage that the two elements can be manufactured with less precision in terms of the flatness of their contact surfaces and are therefore less expensive to manufacture. Furthermore, lifting the triggering device on one side does not immediately lead to the disconnection of the connecting device. Furthermore, the elastic element serves as a seal, so that, for example, no water can penetrate between the contact surfaces from the outside in the switched state. This configuration also offers increased spark safety outside the housing of the switching device, since the trigger element is only lifted when the slide is in its rest position, in which the contact pairs are already open. The contact elements are preferably duck-shaped and take up the free end of the magnets, the bottom of the contact elements forming the contact point of the trigger element. This creates the advantage that a certain freedom of play between the magnets of the switching device and the triggering device is created without the contact being interrupted immediately. An in particular also elastic plate inserted in the elastic element forms the contact surface of the release device and thus ensures a snug fit against the switching device, but the release device can carry out relative movements, since the plate is received in a floating manner via the elastic element.

The plate, the bottom of the contact elements and the earthing ring preferably form a flat contact surface, which among other things. easy cleaning of the contact surface of the release device allows. A simple structure is achieved in that the trigger magnets are connected to a current conductor. This can e.g. by the fact that the ends of the current conductor are soldered directly to the release magnets.

In an advantageous embodiment variant, it is provided that the connecting device is formed in one piece and has both the switching device and the triggering device. In this embodiment, the connecting device can be used both as a switching device and as a triggering device, and form an expandable, combinable multiple connector strip. This connector strip is to be connected to the network via a cable and can accommodate a corresponding number of triggering devices via one or more switching devices, which in turn, since they have a switching device, can accommodate triggering devices. The individual elements can have the same design on the outside, so that a large number of coupling devices coupled to one another also have an appealing aesthetic appearance. The single ones

However, connecting devices can also differ in shape and color, so that they each result in different structures due to the individual combination.

In a further development it is provided that the switching device has a conventional plug and / or the triggering device has a conventional socket. Due to this configuration, a child safety device is created in that the switching device can be plugged into a conventional socket and thus this socket can be converted for the system of the connecting device according to the invention. The plugs of the consumers can also be converted in that the triggering device Has conventional socket, so that it can be connected to the conventional plug. The devices designed in this way can be handled like adapters. In order to avoid unintentional detachment from the conventional plugs or sockets, they have screw or snap devices with which only a controlled removal is possible.

A further reduction in the size of the device according to the invention is achieved in that the magnets are designed as high-energy magnets and in particular consist of the group of rare earths such as samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron. Magnets made of such compounds are characterized by a high energy product and a high coercive field strength and therefore have an extraordinarily high adhesive force. Furthermore, the magnets have a low electrical resistance, which can be reduced even further by electroplating with copper.

Further advantages, features and details of the invention emerge from the following description, in which particularly preferred exemplary embodiments are described in detail with reference to the drawing. It can be mentioned in the description and in the drawing reproduced features can be realized individually for themselves or in any combination in the invention. The drawing shows:

1 shows a longitudinal section through a first

Embodiment of the device according to the invention with the trigger device lifted off the switching device and the magnetic switch in the rest position;

Figure 2 is a force-displacement diagram, the

Switching characteristic of an embodiment of the device according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows another force-displacement diagram, the

Switching characteristic of the embodiment of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a section IV-IV according to Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of an embodiment of the

Magnetic sled; FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of the connecting device;

Figure 7 shows an arrangement of the switching magnets and their electrical circuit;

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the contact side of a further embodiment of the triggering device;

FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through an embodiment of a triggering device;

10 each shows a cross section through two further and 11 embodiments of the switching device according to the invention;

Figure 12 is a schematic representation of a multiple connector device;

FIG. 13 shows an application example of the multiple connection device shown in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 shows a switching device designed as an adapter for use with conventional sockets; and Figure 15 is designed as an adapter

Release device for use with common European flat plugs.

FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a first embodiment of a connecting device, generally designated 1, which has a switching device, designated 2, and a triggering device, designated 3. A magnetic switch 4 is arranged in the switching device 2 and consists of two magnets 5 and 6 and a magnetic slide 7 connecting the magnets 5 and 6. The magnetic carriage 7 is essentially plate-shaped and carries the two magents 5 and 6 on one flat side, high-energy magnets from the rare earth group, such as samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron, preferably being used. On the opposite flat side, the magnetic carriage 7 bears against a ferromagnetic plate 8 fixed to the housing, which serves as a stop 9. The position of the magnetic switch 4 shown in FIG. 1 or the position of the magnetic carriage 7 with the magnets 5 and 6 represents the rest position. This rest position is stable since the magnetic carriage 7 is attracted to the ferromagnetic plate 8 by the attraction force of the magnets 5 and 6 is pushed to this. This attraction depends on the Magnetic force of the magnets 5 and 6 and the distance of these magnets from the ferromagnetic plate 8. This distance is determined by the thickness 10 of the magnetic carriage 7 and possibly by a galvanizing layer 11 or another electrically conductive connection between the ferromagnetic plate 8 and the Magnets 5 and 6 is applied to one flat side of the magnetic carriage 7. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 1 that spring elements 12, shown schematically, rest against the magnetic carriage 7 without pretensioning.

The tripping device 3 consists essentially of a housing 13 and two tripping magnets 14 and 15 fixed in the housing 13, of which in this embodiment one pole is flush with the flat side facing the switching device 2.

If this triggering device 3 is brought closer to the switching device 2, the two triggering magnets 14 and 15 exert magnetic forces on the magnets 5 and 6. If the attraction force of the two release magnets 14 and 15 is so great that it outweighs the holding force of the magnets 5 and 6 with respect to the ferromagnetic plate 8, the magnetic slide 7 is linearly displaced in the direction of the release element 3, ie vertically upwards in FIG . The end of the displacement path 22 is reached when the magnets 5 and 6 rest on the inside of contact caps 17 and 18 inserted into the housing 16 of the switching device 2. In this position, the electroplating layers 11 of the magnetic carriage 7 also rest on contact points 19 and 20, which in turn are connected to a voltage source, not shown. The magnetic carriage 7 is now in the working position and connects the contact points 19 and 20 with the contact caps 17 and 18. At these contact caps 17 and 18, the trigger agents 14 and 15 are in contact, which in turn are connected to a consumer, also not shown.

A good electrical contact between the contact points 19 and 20 and the consumer is ensured in that the magnets 5 and 6 or 14 and 15 have a low electrical resistance, the electrical conductivity possibly being reduced even further by galvanizing with copper. The magnets 5 and 6 are soldered onto the magnetic carriage 7, the electrical connection between the magnets 5 and 6 being interrupted by at least the surge-proof air gap 21. The thin, low-resistance and non-ferromagnetic contact caps 17 and 18 are located at a distance 22 from the magnets 5 and 6, the distance 22 corresponds to the working path of the magnetic carriage 7 from the rest to the working position. This distance 22 also corresponds to the distance 23 of the contact points 19 and 20 from the electroplating layer 11 of the magnetic slide 7. The sum of the two distances 22 and 23 correspond at least to the surge-proof air gap 21. Finally, the housing has an earthing ring 56 in the region of its edge.

The diagram reproduced in FIG. 2, which can only be understood qualitatively, shows the switching characteristics of the embodiment of FIG. 1, the spring elements 12 not being taken into account, ie the spring elements 12 have a spring force of zero. The distance s between the magnets 5 and 6 and the release magnets 14 and 15 is plotted in mm along the abscissa, whereas the ordinate indicates the force F acting on the magnetic carriage 7. The switch-on and switch-off points 24 and 25 are reached when the magnets 5 and 6 are in contact with the contact caps 17 and 18 or are detaching from them. When the triggering device 3 approaches, the force curve follows the curve 26. From the line of intersection with the abscissa, the magnetic carriage 7 begins to move freely over the working path 22 (dashed line) until the magnets 5 and 6 on the inner surfaces of the contact caps 17 and 18 concerns. At the When the triggering device 3 is lifted, the force curve follows the curve 27 until the magnetic slide 7 is pulled back into the rest position at the switch-off point 25. From the switch-off point 25, the magnetic carriage 7 moves along the dashed line there to the curve 26. The switching characteristic shows a pronounced hysteresis behavior. The triggering device 3 must be lifted a few mm (in the drawing approx. 9 mm) before switching off. In order to avoid a geometrical safety precaution in the form of a depression, the restoring force is supplemented by the spring elements 12 with a linear characteristic. This allows the hysteresis to be narrowed to approx. 0.1 to 0.5 mm. Such a switching characteristic is shown in the force-displacement diagram of FIG. 3, which is also only to be understood qualitatively. The switch-on and switch-off points 24 and 25 can be set close above the surface of the switching device 2.

As already mentioned, the spring element 12 shown in FIG. 1 is only shown schematically. An embodiment of this spring element 12 is shown in FIG. 4, which shows a section IV-IV of FIG. 1. In this embodiment, the spring element 12 is designed as a leaf spring 28, which is clamped on both sides in the housing 16 and is centered over the entire contact surface of the electroplating layer 11 of the magnetic carriage 7 extends and is attached to it. The magnetic carriage 7 is therefore no longer freely movable, but is guided in a defined manner by the leaf spring 28. This avoids frictional forces and losses. In order to ensure safe, resilient contacts, the contact point 20 is also designed as a leaf spring and has a small spring travel 29. The leaf spring 28 is not biased in the rest position.

FIG. 5 shows a top view of an embodiment of the magnetic carriage 7, which essentially has the shape of a rectangle, in which contact tongues 30 project on both sides in the longitudinal axis. These contact tongues 30 are used to fasten the leaf springs 28. A magnetic slide 7 designed in this way, which carries the magnets 5 and 6, has the advantages over independently switchable individual magnets that both contacts are either switched on or off at the same time, so that they are switched on Have faster switch-off behavior, in particular when the triggering device 3 is lifted at an angle, and that a switching operation is only triggered when both triggering magnets 14 and 15 interact with the magnetic slide 7 in the geometrically intended position. The power of a single magnet is not enough. to move the magnetic carriage 7 from the rest position into the working position or to hold it there.

In order to prevent the magnetic carriage 7 from being switched with any sufficiently strong magnets, in particular potential household magnets, the magnets 5 and 6 or 14 and 15 used are coded in a preferred embodiment. This is done e.g. in that the magnets 5 and 6 or 14 and 15 are composed of a plurality of alternately polarized magnets. The most expedient is the coding shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in which a cylindrical inner magnet 31 is inserted with opposite polarity into a ring magnet 32 of approximately the same volume. Other encodings are conceivable as long as they meet the requirement of rotational symmetry around point 33.

Another advantage of alternately polarized fields is the increased adhesive force, which is significantly improved especially against lateral displacement. With the proposed coding, this improvement in adhesive force is easily achieved in all directions of the surface plane. Another advantage of magnetic fields with opposite polarity is finally a faster switch-off behavior of the bistable magnetic switch 4, in particular when turning off. FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section through a further embodiment of the connecting device 1, in which the double function of the trigger magnets 14, 15, namely on the one hand the triggering of the switching process and on the other hand the mechanical liability of the triggering device 3 on the switching device 2, is separated. The triggering device 3 additionally has a magnet 57 which is attached centrally between the two magnets 14, 15, the magnets 14, 15 serving as holding magnets and the magnet 57 as the trigger magnet. Correspondingly, the switching device contains a switching magnet 58 corresponding thereto, which is applied to the electrically insulating magnetic carriage 7. In this embodiment, the contact surfaces 17, 18 can be made of ferromagnetic material with good electrical conductivity or permanent magnets or a combination which, when the magnets 14, 15 are in place, enable a closed magnetic circuit with the highest adhesive force. Electrically conductive surfaces 11 are provided on the magnetic carriage 7, via which the live leads 19, 20 are bridged with the contact surfaces 17, 18 in the switched state. The switching magnet 58 can be dimensioned relatively small in this embodiment since it only has to provide the contact forces required for secure contacts. The return springs 12 can thus be smaller. In addition, the contact plates 17, 18 can be relative be thick. Furthermore, the distance between the magnets 57 and 58 can be relatively large.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the interdependency of the contact production is generated by electrical switching processes. Two switching magnets 5, 6 are applied to two slides 7a, 7b and can be switched independently of one another, each of the magnetic slides 7a, 7b being electrically connected upstream of the other. In the working position, the upstream magnetic slide releases the respective voltage source for the other slide for switching, in that the leads 19, 20 attached to the housing cover through the electrical conductor tracks 59, 60 on the slide, with the bridging webs 61, 62 also attached to the housing ceiling be electrically connected.

By means of suitably fitted geometric elevations or depressions on the switching device 2 and correspondingly on the triggering device 3, it can be achieved that the contacts are only made or also held when the triggering device 3 is in the position provided for it. For example, the contact surfaces 17, 18 could be designed as a slight elevation or elevations or depressions have, the height differences in the range of 1 to 2 mm height.

FIG. 8 shows a plan view of the contact surface of the release device 3, in which the release magnets 14 and 15 are firmly connected to the non-magnetic and insulating housing 13. The connecting cables, not shown, are, for example, soldered directly to the release magnets 14 and 15. It can also be seen in FIG. 8 that the two magnets 14 and 15 are surrounded by an earthing ring 34 which is flush with the electrically insulating housing 13 and has at least one surge-proof air gap 35 from the magnets 14 and 15. If a flat metal object is pushed between the triggering device 3 and the switching device 2 and a live pole is touched in such a triggering device 3, the danger of an electric shock is avoided by the grounding ring 34.

In the longitudinal section shown in FIG. 9 through a preferred embodiment of a triggering device 3, the housing 13 is provided with a peripheral edge 48. This edge 48 encloses an elastic element 49, which the release magnets 14 and 15 in corresponding recesses takes up and also acts as a seal. The trigger magnets 14 and 15 are rigidly connected to the housing 13 and have lines 50 soldered to their rear sides. The opposite sides of the two trigger magnets 14 and 15 are overlapped by two contact elements 51 and 52, which are cup-shaped and overlap with their edge the free end of the two trigger magnets 14 and 15. The edges are angled so that they are slightly bent inwards and enclose an angle of less than 90 ^* . This creates increased spark safety outside the switching device. The elastic element 49 is designed, for example, as a rubber layer and also has a peripheral edge 53 which surrounds the grounding ring 34. Finally, there is a base plate 54 within the grounding ring 34, which has recesses through which the two contact learners 54 and 52 can pass. The base plate 54 allows the triggering device 3 to rest snugly on the switching device 2, but the elastic element 49 allows mutual relative movements of the two devices 2 and 3 to a small extent. The spring travel possible for the two release magnets 14 and 15 through the elastic element 49 is designated 55 and also represents the travel distance of the two contact elements 51 and 52. When the release device 3 is attached, this is so elastic element 49 compressed by an amount 55. As a result, it is almost almost impossible to insert a flat metal object between the switching device 2 and the tripping device 3 without triggering a short circuit to the grounding ring 34. A risk to people is therefore largely excluded. Furthermore, no water can penetrate between the two devices 2 and 3 due to the compressed elastic element or because of its edge 53 in the switched state of the device 1.

Further embodiments of the construction of the switching device 2 are shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. FIG. 10 shows a magnetic switch 4, in which an inner magnet 36 is seated in an opposite pole in an outer ring magnet 37. The inner magnet 36 is in the equilibrium of forces when the center planes of the inner magnet 36 and the ring magnet 37 coincide. When the release magnet 14 approaches, the inner magnet 36, guided by an insulation ring 38, is pressed towards the bottom of the housing 16 due to the repulsive forces, where it finally bridges the live contact point 19 and a conductor strip 39, which is connected to the contact cap 17 . When using a magnetic switch 4 constructed in this way, a spring element 12 can be omitted. In the embodiment of a magnetic switch 4 shown in FIG. 11, a cylindrical inner magnet 36 is provided with the same poles in an outer ring magnet 37 fixedly arranged in the housing 16. The inner magnet 36 is located in an insulation ring 38 and is pushed into the rest position due to the repulsive forces against the bottom of the housing 16. If the release magnet 14 approaches, the internal magnet 36 is pulled against the contact cap 17 by the attractive forces from the switch-on point. The repelling force generated by the ring magnet 37 shows a parabolic course with a maximum in the central plane 41 with a decreasing distance 40. By suitable geometrical dimensioning of the inner magnet 36 and ring magnet 37 in combination with a rear ferromagnetic plate 8, the corrective spring force can be significantly reduced or possibly are even completely eliminated and the structure is simplified. The inner magnet 36 has only the function of making contact and can therefore be dimensioned relatively small. The adhesive force with which the release magnet 14 is held is essentially based on the interaction with the ring magnet 37 (see also FIG. 10).

FIG. 12 schematically shows an embodiment of a multiple connection device 42 shown, which has both the switching device 2 and the release device 3, which are indistinguishable from the outside, but only because of the effect of their magnetic forces. Several of these multiple connection devices 42 can be joined together in a modular manner and in this way form a type of multiple socket, the maximum size of which is determined by the permissible total load. In this combination arrangement, a nut element is connected to the network via a cable and can accommodate a multiple connection device 42 with a consumer connected to each of the remaining three side edges. The nut element has fuses that are accessible from the outside. The mother element and the are advantageous

Multiple connecting devices are optically identical, so that an elegant, handy and appealing in form and color combination arrangement can be built. Such an arrangement is shown schematically in FIG. 13.

One form of application of the switching device 2 according to the invention is shown in FIG. 14 and can serve, for example, as an alternative to the child locks for conventional sockets which have been customary to date. This arrangement consists of a socket adapter 43 on its underside is designed in accordance with the standardized power plugs with contact pins 44 and protective contact. This adapter 43 is designed in shape and dimension so that it sits as flush as possible and with high adhesive force in the conventional socket and can only be removed with a special tool. The adhesive force is considerably higher than the adhesive forces of a triggering device 3 connected to a switching device 2.

For simple conversion, a plug adapter 45 is proposed, which is shown in FIG. 15. This plug adapter has a socket into which plug contact pins 46 of conventional flat European plugs 47 can be inserted. The trigger device 3 according to the invention is located on the top, the magnets of which are electrically connected to the plug contact pins 46. With the adapters 43 and 45, conventional sockets and plugs can thus be converted to the connecting device 1 according to the invention without having to be replaced.

Claims

1. Electromechanical connecting device (1) with a switching device (2) that can be connected to a voltage source and has a magnetic switch (4) and a triggering device (3) that has at least one trigger magnet (14 or 15) and that can be connected to a consumer, with which the magnetic switch (4) can be brought from a rest position into a working position and the contact of at least one contact pair and the electrical connection between the switching device (2) and the triggering device (3) can be established, characterized in that in the magnetic switch (4) the contacts of at least two Contact pairs are closed or opened by at least one magnet (5 or 6) displaceably guided in the switching device (2), the magnet (5 or 6) of the switching device (2) being realized by special magnetic fields realized in the triggering device (3) switchable into the working position and in particular in the rest position with a certain threshold force a stop (7) is pushed.

2. Connecting device according to claim 1, characterized in that the magnets (5 and 6, 14 and 15, 36 and 37) of the switching device are designed as high-energy magnets and in particular consist of the group of rare earths, such as samarium-cobalt or neodymium-iron-boron.

3. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnets

(5 and 6) of the switching device (2) and the tripping magnets (14 and 15) of the tripping device (3) have mutually corresponding magnetic codes, in particular fulfilling the condition of rotational symmetry, in particular are designed as nested ring magnets.

4. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the contacts of the contact pairs are closed and opened by at least one switching magnet (5 or 6) arranged in particular on a magnetic slide (7), the switching magnets (5 and 6 ) are moved at the same time.

5. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic carriage (7) is pushed into the rest position via the magnets (5 and 6) by means of a ferromagnetic plate (8) or permanent magnets.

6. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic carriage (7) over next to the magnets (5 and 6 or 36) arranged magnetic elements (37) is pushed into the rest position.

7. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the direction of displacement of the magnets (5 and 6) from their rest position in the working position of the mounting direction of the triggering device (3) corresponds to the switching device (2).

8. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnets

(5 and 6) and / or the magnetic plate (7) via additional mechanical elements, such as springs (12, 28) or the like, are pushed into the rest position.

9. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnets (5 and 6) and / or the release magnets (14 and 15) are designed as current-carrying elements and in particular are connected to a voltage source or a consumer via a connecting cable.

10. Connection device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic carriage (7) is permanently connected to the voltage sources or bridges the contacts of the contact pairs in the working position.

11. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (2) has a flat surface and the externally accessible contacts consist of a low-resistance, non-ferromagnetic material.

12. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the switching device (2) and the triggering device (3) each have a grounding ring surrounding the contacts (34, 56).

13. Connecting device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the housing (13) of the triggering device (3) has an edge (48) surrounding the part of the magnets (14, 15) which projects beyond the flat side of the housing (13), that an inside the edge (48) Elastic element (49) surrounding magnets (14, 15) is arranged, which projects beyond the edge (48) and the magnets (14, 15), and that the magnets (14, 15) with contact elements (9) penetrating the elastic element (49) 51, 52), in particular are elastically connected.

14. Connecting device according to claim 13, characterized in that the contact elements (51, 52) are cup-shaped and receive the free end of the magnets (14, 15), the bottom of the contact elements (51, 52) the contact point of the triggering device (3rd ) forms.

15. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the trigger magnets (14, 15) are connected to a current conductor (50).

16. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is formed in one piece and has both the switching device (2) and the release device (3).

17. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is designed as an adapter and the switching device (2) has a conventional plug and / or the triggering device (3) has a conventional socket.

18. Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the ceiling of the housing (16) contact plates are provided in the form of contact springs, each of which is connected to a pole of the voltage source.