EP3507870A1

EP3507870A1 - Electric connection device

Info

Publication number: EP3507870A1
Application number: EP17777652.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Matteo BIASIZZO
Original assignee: Il Mas Srl
Current assignee: Il Mas Srl
Priority date: 2016-09-02
Filing date: 2017-09-04
Publication date: 2019-07-10
Also published as: WO2018042397A1; MA46103A; IT201600089424A1

Abstract

Electrical connection device for recharging and/or powering an electrical and/or electronic device (43) comprising a containing body (11), a first connector (12) and a second connector (13) connectable to a power source (42) and to the electrical and/or electronic device (43) respectively, an electric energy conversion unit (14) connected to the first connector (12) and to the second connector (13) with a first electric cable (15) and a second electric cable (16) respectively, and a winding/unwinding device (17) for winding/unwinding the second electric cable (16).

Description

"ELECTRICAL CONNECTION DEVICE"

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to an electrical connection device usable for recharging and/or powering electrical and/or electronic devices, such as cell phones, tablets, portable computers, electric accumulators, lamps, electrical appliances, electric shavers or other.

STATE OF THE ART

There are various types of electrical connection devices typically provided with two connectors connectable to a power source, for instance the electrical power network, and to an electrical and/or electronic device that needs to be recharged and/or powered.

It is known that such electrical connection devices can provide an electric energy conversion unit able to supply electric energy with values of voltage and of electric current suitably adapted based on the supply specifications of the electrical and/or electronic device connected.

Known electrical connection devices are typically portable and can have the connectors directly arranged on the outer wall of the containing body of the electrical connection device, or they can be connected to the latter with electric cables having a defined length.

In this latter case, known electrical connection devices typically comprise a winding/unwinding device, i.e. a reel, arranged inside the containing body around which the electric cable can be wound.

Some known solutions provide also that the winding/un winding device cooperates with one or several elastic return elements to rewind the electric cable, so that it can reduce the bulk given by the portion of electric cable outside the containing body.

When the electric cable is connected to an outside device, the length of the retractable electric cable is typically adjusted by means of a holding device that acts directly on the electric cable and/or on the winding/unwinding device, so as to counter the action of the elastic element that would tend to rewind the electric cable.

In case of holding devices acting in direct contact with the electric cable, it is known that they can damage the electric cable by deforming it and/or cutting it along its outside surface placed in direct contact with the holding device.

In case of holding devices acting in direct contact with the winding/unwinding device, for instance a braking mechanism acting laterally on a flange of the reel, the fact of holding the reel in position is not fixed and is not defined in a precise manner.

In particular, because of wear the mechanical parts lose their grip with the reel flange and do not allow for a precise holding in the desired position.

In such a case, it often becomes necessary to replace also the whole electrical connection device even though the electrical parts are still perfectly working.

Said known solutions entail various problems both in terms of realization, and from a point of view of wear of the surfaces of the winding/un winding device and of the mechanical parts, as well as from the point of view of production costs.

Further examples of connection devices are described in the documents CN-U- 202.308.669 and WO-A-2006/010292.

In particular, the connection device described in CN-U-202.308.669 comprises a containing body in which, rotatable around an axis of rotation, a winding body is positioned. The winding body has a substantially cylindrical shape and two lead wires are wound on it.

The winding body is defined by a first element and by a second element, coupled to each other and together defining a cavity for containing a circuit component with which the ends of the lead wires are connected. Additionally, in the containing cavity a torsion spring is arranged for allowing an automated rewinding of the wires.

This solution of implementation, however, leads to the realization of an extremely bulky connection device, since the winding body must have dimensions, in this specific case a diameter, that are extremely big, in order to allow for the insertion both of the torsion spring and of the circuit component in it.

Further to that, the presence of circuit components in the containing cavity leads to the positioning, in this containing cavity, of a torsion spring having rather limited dimensions and able to rewind reduced lengths of leading wires. It also needs to be borne in mind that the dimensions of the diameter of the winding body increase and, as a consequence, also the overall dimensions of the containing body increase because of the dimensions of the wire that is wound around the winding body.

Additionally, the connection device described in CN-U-202.308.669 is provided with a holding device designed to constrain the positioning of the winding body with respect to the containing body.

In particular, the winding body is provided with an annular edge, protruding radially towards the outside and in which, radially, a hollow is formed. The holding device can be selectively coupled/uncoupled with the hollow.

This solution of implementation, however, makes the constraint between the winding body and the containing body rather unstable because of its conformation of implementation.

A further example of implementation of a connection device is described in the document WO-A-2006/010292, which also comprises a containing body with which an electrical connection plug is integrally associated.

The containing body comprises a cover for accessing a containing compartment of the containing body.

A winding body around which a lead wire is wound is positioned in the containing compartment. The winding body is provided centrally, in its thickness, with a housing seating in which a holding element is positioned, in a through manner. The holding element is associated both with the housing seating and with the winding body and allows to hold the winding body in a predefined position with respect to the containing body. The presence of a central housing seating, however - the diameter of the winding body being equal - determines the reduction of the useful space for winding the leading wire. Also the connection device described in the WO-A-2006/010292 allows for the winding of a leading wire having a reduced overall length.

There is, therefore, the need to improve the known prior art and to provide an electrical connection device that overcomes at least one of the drawbacks of the state of the art.

The object of the present invention is to achieve an electrical connection device that can be easily manufactured and that allows to recharge and/or power an electrical and/or electronic device while adjusting the length of the electric cable based on the user's requirements without damaging the electric cable and, at the same time, while guaranteeing a stable and precise holding of the winding/unwinding device in the desired position.

To overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and to achieve these as well as other objects and advantages, the Applicant studied, experimented and realized the present invention.

EXPOSITION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim. The dependent claims expound other features of the invention or variants to the main idea of solution.

In accordance with the above-mentioned purposes, the present invention relates to an electrical connection device comprising:

- a containing body;

- a first connector and a second connector connectable to a power source and to an electrical and/or electronic device respectively;

- an electric energy conversion unit connected to the first connector and to the second connector with a first electric cable and with a second electric cable respectively;

- at least one winding/unwinding device comprising at least one flange arranged at the ends of a cylindrical body rotating around an axis, so as to wind/unwind at least one of either the first electric cable or the second electric cable;

- an elastic return element associated with the winding/unwinding device.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the electrical connection device comprises also a covering element attached to at least one flange on a first side and provided with a plurality of striker portions protruding from a second side, opposite the first side.

According to the invention, the electrical connection device comprises a holding device cooperating with the covering element so as to clamp and define in a removable manner the angular position with respect to the axis of the winding/unwinding device.

According to a possible form of embodiment, the holding device is provided with an abutment portion associated with at least one striker portion, and with a drive button to command the disassociation of the abutment portion from the striker portion.

According to a form of embodiment, the electrical connection device comprises a pin located inside a through hole made along the axis of the winding/unwinding device, of which one end is attached to a support base and the other end to the second side of the covering element.

According to a possible form of embodiment, the elastic return element is a torsion spring, of which one first end is anchored in an anchoring seating provided in the proximity of the flange of the winding/un winding device and the second end is attached to an attachment seating made inside the pin.

ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention will be clear from the following description of forms of embodiment, provided by way of a non- limiting example, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a perspective view of a form of embodiment of an electrical connection device according to the present invention;

- figure 2 is a top view of figure 1 ;

- figure 3 is a side view of figure 1 ;

- figure 4 is a section along the section line IV- IV of figure 2;

- figure 5 is a section along the section line V-V of figure 2;

- figure 6 is an exploded view of a form of embodiment of an electrical connection device according to the present invention;

- figure 7 is a variant of figure 1 ;

- figure 8 is a section view of figure 7.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the figures. It shall be understood that elements and features of a form of embodiment can be suitably incorporated in other forms of embodiment without any further specifications.

DESCRIPTION OF FORMS OF EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings, which represent non-limiting examples of the invention, forms of embodiment of an electrical connection device 10 for recharging and/or powering an electrical and/or electronic device 43 shall be described hereinafter. With electrical and/or electronic devices 43 cell phones, smartphones, tablets, portable computers, electric accumulators, batteries, lamps, electrical appliances, electric shavers or other shall be meant by way of example, but not in a limiting manner.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the electrical connection device 10 can comprise:

- a containing body 11 ;

- a first connector 12 and a second connector 13 connectable to a power source 42 and to the electrical and/or electronic device 43 respectively;

- an electric energy conversion unit 14 connected to the first connector 12 and to the second connector 13 with a first 15 and with at least one second electric cable 16 respectively;

- at least one winding/unwinding device 17 comprising a cylindrical body 23 rotating around an axis Z, so as to wind/unwind the second electric cable 16, and two flanges 24 arranged at the ends of the cylindrical body 23;

- an elastic return element 18 associated with the winding/un winding device 17.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the containing body 11 innerly defines a containing compartment 19 in which a part of the components of the electrical connection device 10 is arranged.

In particular, it is provided that in the containing body 1 1 at least the above- mentioned electric energy conversion unit 14, the winding/unwinding device 17, the elastic return element 18 and the covering element 25 are arranged.

In forms of embodiment, the containing compartment 19 has a substantially cylindrical shape to house the cylindrical body 23 and the two flanges 24 inside. This allows for a high compactness of the electrical connection device 10.

In accordance with possible solutions of embodiment, the cylindrical body 23 and the flanges 24 are integrally associated to one another, for instance they can be made in a single body.

The flanges 24 have a bigger diameter than that of the cylindrical body 23, and the difference in diameter existing between the cylindrical body 23 and the flanges 24 defines the winding capacity of the electric cable 16.

Merely by way of example, with reference to the embodiment of figure 8, it can be provided that the flanges 24 associated with the cylindrical body 23 shall have a diameter that is substantially the same as the diameter of the containing compartment 19. The containing body 11 can comprise at least two separable shells 20, so that the containing compartment 19 can be accessed in order to allow its assembly and possibly to repair faults and/or malfunctions.

According to a possible form of embodiment, which can be combined with other forms of embodiment, the containing body 11 is provided with at least one opening 21 through which a portion of the second electric cable 16 is arranged in a through manner so as to allow for its removal or its rewinding. The opening 21 can be made in at least one of the shells 20.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the first connector 12 can be designed and configured in a known manner so as to be connected to a desired power source 42, such as, for instance, the electrical power network, an outside feeder or other.

According to a possible form of embodiment of the present invention, the first connector 12 can be integrally associated with the containing body 11.

In accordance with a possible form of embodiment illustrated in figures 1-6, the first connector 12 can be a separate element integrally installed in a through hole made in the containing body 11, for example in at least one of the two shells 20, in the case of figures 1-6 in both.

In accordance with a possible variant of embodiment, the first connector 12 can be made at least partly in a single body with the containing body 11, for example with one of the two shells 20, thereby allowing for a greater compactness of the winding/unwinding device 17 and for a bigger winding capacity of the cable on the cylindrical body 23.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the first connector 12 is connected to the electric energy conversion unit 14 with the above-mentioned first electric cable 15.

The first electric cable 15 can comprise at least one of either a leading wire, a conductor track, an electrically conductive foil or similar and comparable components.

For example, the first connector 12 can comprise a plug connectable to the power source 42, for instance to an electrical power socket. According to possible forms of embodiment, the second connector 13 can be designed in a known manner to connect a desired electrical and/or electronic device 43.

The second connector 13 can comprise a Universal Serial Bus USB connector, or other similar or comparable connectors.

The second connector 13 is electrically connected to the second electric cable 16 at an end of the latter.

According to a possible solution of embodiment, the second electric cable 16 is electrically connectable to the electric energy conversion unit 14 by means of sliding contacts, not illustrated in the drawings, provided between the winding/unwinding device 17 and a fixed part of the electrical connection device 10.

The electrical connection device 10 can comprise one or more auxiliary connectors 22 to connect further electrical and/or electronic devices.

The auxiliary connectors 22 can be installed in the containing body 1 1, for instance at one or more auxiliary openings 44 made in the containing body 11.

The auxiliary connectors 22 can be connected, on their part, to the electric energy conversion unit 14 to receive the electric energy required from the latter.

Also the auxiliary connectors 22 can comprise a USB connector or a connector of another type similar to the second connector 13.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the electric energy conversion unit 14 can be configured to convert, adapt and/or manage the electric energy supplied to the second connector 13 based on the electric energy supplied at the input by the first connector 12.

For example, the electric energy conversion unit 14 can convert an alternating supply voltage into a continuous output voltage having a desired value.

According to a possible form of embodiment, the electric energy conversion unit 14 is positioned in the bottom part of the containing compartment 19.

In accordance with a form of embodiment of the present invention, the electric energy conversion unit 14 is positioned in the containing body 1 1, under the winding/unwinding device 17. With said positioning, the electric energy conversion unit 14 does not interfere with the movement of the winding/unwinding device 17, nor does it condition the useful winding dimensions of the second electric cable 16. In fact, this solution of embodiment allows to increase the winding capacity of the second electric cable 16, i.e. its length.

According to possible variants, the electrical connection device 10 can comprise also one or more auxiliary connectors 22, possibly connected to the electric energy conversion unit 14. In this case, the containing body 1 1 provides further openings 21 to allow for the connection of the devices outside said auxiliary connectors 22.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the elastic return element 18 can comprise a torsion spring configured to become deformed when the winding/unwinding device 17 is rotated around its axis Z, for example during the unwinding of the second electric cable 16, and to return to the original position when the second electric cable 16 is not held.

The elastic return element 18 is structurally connected to the winding/unwinding device 17 and to a fixed part with respect to the containing body 11.

According to a preferred form of embodiment, the axis Z corresponds to the central axis of the cylindrical body 23 of the winding/unwinding device 17.

In accordance with an aspect of possible forms of embodiment, the electrical connection device 10 comprises also a covering element 25 attached to the winding/unwinding device 17 on a first side 25a and provided with a plurality of striker portions 26 protruding from a second side 25b, opposite the first side 25a.

In particular, according to an aspect of the present invention, it is provided that the covering element 25 is attached to, i.e. made integral with, one of the flanges 24, in this specific case the flange located above.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the covering element 25 can comprise, or be defined by, a disk or another similar element.

According to further forms of embodiment of the invention, at least one of either the covering element 25 or the flange 24, in this specific case the upper flange, comprises, along at least part of its perimeter, a containing wall 27 defining a housing compartment 28 in which the elastic return element 18 is positioned.

With reference to figure 6, the flange 24 - during use: the upper flange - can be provided with a containing wall 27 along at least part of its perimeter. In this case, the contour or edge of the containing wall 27 can be attached to the covering element 25, so as to define a housing compartment 28 inside which the elastic return element 18 is arranged.

According to possible variants, not illustrated, the covering element 25 can be disk-shaped and can possibly comprise also a containing wall 27 along at least part of the perimeter of the disk. In this case, the contour of the containing wall 27 is attached to the upper flange 24, so as to define the housing compartment 28 analogous to the foregoing case.

In particular, the covering element 25 is provided with the first side 25a facing the housing compartment 28, and with a second side 25b opposite said first side, 25 a, and provided with the above-mentioned striker portions 26.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment of the present invention, the containing wall 27 is placed protruding over the at least one flange 24. In this way, it is possible to define a housing compartment 28 with extremely big dimensions, i.e. an extremely big diameter, and able to contain an elastic return element 18 having dimensions suitable to allow for the winding of a great length of the electric cable 16.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the electrical connection device 10 comprises a support element 45 arranged in the containing body 1 1 and configured to support the winding/unwinding device 17. The support element 45 is provided with a pin 29 and the cylindrical body 23 is provided with a through hole 30 made along the axis Z and into which the pin 29 is inserted.

In accordance with a possible solution of embodiment, the support element 45 comprises a support base 31, which is installed in the containing body 1 1 and to which the pin 29 is connected with an end 29a thereof.

The pin 29 is positioned in a through manner through the cylindrical body 23 and extends inside the housing compartment 28 with a second end 29b.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the diameter of the pin 29 is smaller than the diameter of the through hole 30, so that the winding/un winding device 17 can rotate around the axis Z without friction.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the support element 45, in this specific case the support base 31, can be placed above the electric energy conversion unit 14.

According to possible forms of embodiment, the support base 31 can be supported by support pegs 32 which extend over a length defined inside the containing compartment 19 by one of the shells 20. The support pegs 32 are associated with the containing body 11 and are placed inside it.

In order to reduce friction between the flange 24 of the winding/unwinding device 17 close to the support base 31, a spacer 33 can be provided between the winding/unwinding device 17 and the support element 45.

According to a form of embodiment, the elastic return element 18 is configured to rotate the winding/un winding device 17 until it winds around it, i.e. around the cylindrical body 23, the maximum length that can be rolled of at least one of either the first or the second electric cable 15 and 16.

In accordance with possible forms of embodiment, the elastic return element 18 can comprise an end 18a anchored to the containing wall 27 and another end 18b connected to the pin 29.

In particular, it can be provided that the end 18a is anchored in an anchoring seating 34 made in the containing wall 27 and the other end 18b is attached to an attachment seating 35 made in the pin 29.

In this way, the elastic return element 18 has a fixed reference given by the attachment seating 35 and another reference integral with the winding/unwinding device 17, so that, after rotating the winding/un winding device 17 by unwinding the second cable 16 to extend the latter, the elastic return element 18, and therefore also the winding/unwinding device 17, can return to the starting position.

According to an aspect of possible forms of embodiment, the electrical connection device 10 comprises a holding device 36, removably associable with the covering element 25, i.e. with at least one of the striker portions 26, so as to clamp and define the angular position with respect to the axis Z of the winding/unwinding device 17.

The holding device 36 can be positioned above the covering element 25 to allow its interaction with the striker portions 26 provided in the latter. In accordance with possible solutions of embodiment, the winding/unwinding device 17 is interposed between the electric energy conversion unit 14 and the holding device 36 which are placed under and over the winding/unwinding device 17 respectively.

In particular, according to a possible form of embodiment, the holding device 36 can comprise a lever 37 provided with an abutment portion 38 associable abutting against at least one striker portion 26 of the covering element 25.

The lever 37 has an oblong shape along a longitudinal axis that is placed orthogonal to the above-mentioned axis Z of rotation of the winding/unwinding device 17.

The lever 37 is arranged in the containing body 1 1. The holding device 36 comprises an elastic holding element 40 associated at least to the lever 37, and in this specific case to the containing body 11, to normally hold the abutment portion 38 abutting against the striker portion 26. This ensures that the winding/unwinding device 17 is held in position with respect to the containing body 11.

According to possible forms of embodiment, in a groove 39 made along the lever 37 and/or one of the shells 20 of the containing body 11, the above- mentioned elastic holding element 40 can be provided, which stabilizes the association in abutment of the abutment portion 38 with the striker portion 26. For example, the elastic holding element 40 can comprise a spiral spring that forces the lever 37 to be clamped to the covering element 25 in a precise position.

By means of said configuration, it is possible to securely clamp in the desired position, defined by the striker portion 26, the covering element 25 without acting directly on the winding/unwinding device 17, for example acting at a side of a flange 24.

This ensures that the winding/un winding device 17 shall not be damaged and that a precise and stable positioning of the holding device 36 that clamps the winding/unwinding device 17 in a position predefined by the position of the striker portion 26 can be achieved.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the holding device 36 can comprise a drive button 41 to command the disassociation of the abutment portion 38 from the striker portion 26.

In accordance with a possible solution of embodiment of the present invention, the lever 37 is provided, at one end, with the above-mentioned drive button 41. In particular, the drive button 41 can protrude laterally from an opening 46 made in the containing body 1 1, for example provided on a shell 20. If the drive button 41 is actuated, i.e. if a force is applied towards the axis Z on the drive button 41, the elastic holding element 40 is compressed, so that it releases the abutment portion 38 from the striker portion 26.

Unlike what happens in the prior art, in accordance with the present invention there is no risk of damaging the winding/unwinding device 17 and/or of not having a secure grip of the winding/unwinding device 17 to clamp it in the desired angular position, since the forces involved do not directly act on it and/or on a flange 24, like it happens when a known braking mechanism is used, but on the holding device 36, and are damped by the elastic holding element 40.

It is evident that modifications and/or additions of parts can be made to the electrical connection device 10 described heretofore, without, for this, departing from the scope of the present invention.

It is also clear that, even though the present invention was described with reference to some specific examples, a person skilled in the art will certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of electrical connection device 10, having the characteristics set out in the claims and, hence, all of them falling within the scope of protection defined by them.

Claims

1. Electrical connection device for recharging and/or powering an electrical and/or electronic device (43) comprising:

- a containing body (1 1);

- a first connector (12) and a second connector (13) connectable to a power source (42) and to said electrical and/or electronic device (43) respectively;

- an electric energy conversion unit (14) connected to said first connector (12) and to said second connector (13) with a first electric cable (15) and with at least a second electric cable (16) respectively;

- at least one winding/unwinding device (17) comprising a cylindrical body (23) rotating around an axis (Z) and on which said second electric cable (16) is wound, and two flanges (24) arranged at the ends of said cylindrical body (23);

- an elastic return element (18) associated with said winding/unwinding device (17),

characterized in that it comprises a covering element (25) attached to one of said flanges (24), in that at least one of said covering element (25) and said flange (24) comprises, along at least part of its perimeter, a containing wall (27) defining a housing compartment (28) in which said elastic return element (18) is positioned, in that said covering element (25) is provided with a first side (25a) facing said housing compartment (28), and with a second side (25b) opposite said first side (25a) and provided with a plurality of striker portions (26) protruding from said second side (25b), and in that it comprises a holding device (36) removably associable with at least one of said striker portions (26), so as to clamp and define the angular position with respect to said axis (Z) of said winding/unwinding device (17).

2. Electrical connection device as in claim I, characterized in that said holding device (36) comprises a lever (37) provided with an abutment portion (38) associable abutting against at least one of said striker portions (26).

3. Electrical connection device as in claim 2, characterized in that said holding device (36) comprises an elastic holding element (40) configured to stabilize the association in abutment of said abutment portion (38) with said at least one striker portion (26).

4. Electrical connection device as in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that said holding device (36) comprises a drive button (41) to command the disassociation of said abutment portion (38) from said at least one striker portion (26).

5. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said electric energy conversion unit (14) is positioned in said containing body (19), under said winding/unwinding device (17).

6. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said containing wall (27) is placed protruding over said flange (24).

7. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises a support element (45) arranged in said containing body (1 1) and configured to support said winding/unwinding device (17), and in that said support element (45) is provided with a pin (29), and said cylindrical body (23) is provided with a through hole (30) made along said axis (Z) and into which said pin (29) is inserted.

8. Device as in claim 7, characterized in that said pin (29) is positioned in a through manner through said cylindrical body (23) and extends in said housing compartment (28) with an end (29b).

9. Device as in claim 8, characterized in that said elastic return element (18) comprises an end (18a) anchored to said containing wall (27) and another end ( 18b) connected to said pin (29).

10. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that said winding/unwinding device (17) is interposed between said electric energy conversion unit (14) and said holding device (36) which are placed under and over said winding/unwinding device (17) respectively.

1 1. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that it comprises one or more auxiliary connectors (22) able to connect other electrical and/or electronic devices.

12. Device as in any claim hereinbefore, characterized in that at least said second connector (12) is a Universal Serial Bus (USB) type connector.