MXPA00002340A - Connector for electric household appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns a female electric connector for an electric household appliance, capable of receiving a male electric plug (3) mounted on a removable part (16) of the appliance, comprising a terminal (21) arranged to be connected to the appliance power supply, and an intermediate member (20) having a first contact zone (22) designed to co-operate with the male plug (3) when it is initially engaged, a second contact zone (23) designed to co-operate with the terminal (21) when the male plug (3) is further engaged, the two contact zones (22) being electrically connected, the second contact zone (23) and the terminal (21) being coated with a conductive material resistant to electric arcs (6, 7). The invention is characterised in that the terminal (21) is capable of elastic deformation and/or is mounted mobile against elastic means.

Description

CONNECTOR FOR APPLIANCE APPLIANCES TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a connector for household appliance having a box capable of being connected to an electrical supply and a removable part having an electrical circuit. The present invention relates more particularly but not exclusively to a connector for electric kitchen appliance having a removable bowl comprising a shielded heating element disposed under its lower face. The present invention also relates to a household appliance having a connector.

PRIOR ART It is known from EP 0 587 300 to manufacture a fryer with removable bowl having a box forming a housing provided to receive a removable bowl. The removable bowl has a fixed heating element under the bottom of said bowl, the terminals of said heating element are capable of being connected to an electrical connector device arranged in the housing when the bowl is inserted into said housing. This construction offers a simple and safe to use apparatus, which has an easily cleanable bucket, and where the heating embodiments are good. However, in this construction the male part of the removable connection is simply formed by terminals of the heating element. These terminals cooperate with a fixed female part in the pedestal of the apparatus. This female part has two contact blades, connected to the power supply circuit of the apparatus. Arcs can be created after connecting or disconnecting the cuvette between the terminals of the heating element and the contact sheets. It is known to manufacture wireless kettles, in which a male part is electrically connected to the heating element in cooperation with a fixed female part in the pedestal. The male part and the female part each end with a silver rivet. At the time of connection, the silver rivets are put in contact. Silver is known for its resistance to damage created by electric arcs after the opening or abrupt lock of a circuit. This construction can hardly be applied to fryers. The frying pails are susceptible to being submerged for washing and it seems difficult to effectively and durably secure the tightness between the pail and an optional male related part. The construction adopted on the fryers is delicate on the point of geometric precision, due to the use of terminals of the heating element as the male part of the connector. The method of manufacturing the armored heating elements induces dispersions of length of the tube, between the axes of the output terminals, and dispersions concerning the coaxiality of the output with respect to the outer tube. The electric arcs between the terminals of the heating element and the contact sheets of the female part of the connector, caused by the opening or the lock of the electrical circuit, burn little by little the contact area of each piece until the insulating layer formed prevents the passage of current. The resistance of the connection / disconnection device of the fryers is thus short. The placement of silver rivets in the case of the construction of fryers poses problems. If placing a silver rivet on a metal band can be automated and have a low cost of labor, it is different to put a silver rivet on the terminal of a heating element that is cylindrical in shape. In addition, the poor precision of the position of the terminals of the heating element would make it necessary to place large, and therefore expensive, silver rivets on the female connector pedestal of the connector. More generally, the placement of silver rivets on unsuitable geometry surfaces generates significant costs. When there are important geometric tolerances of position between the sheets of the female pedestal and the electric plugs of the removable part of an apparatus, large-area contacts, equally expensive, can be provided. US 4 707 042 discloses an electrical connector according to the preamble of claim 1, mounted on a plate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the present invention is to provide a durable and economical electrical connection between an electric plug on a removable part of a household appliance and a female electric plug arranged in a box of this appliance. This object is achieved with a female electrical connector for household appliance, capable of receiving a male electric plug mounted on a removable part of the appliance, having a terminal provided to be connected to the electrical power supply of the appliance, and an intermediate member elastically deformable and or movable against an elastic means, said organ having on the one hand a first contact zone intended to cooperate with the male plug at the beginning of the connection, on the other hand a second contact zone intended to cooperate with the terminal after the subsequent connection of the male plug, the two contact zones are electrically connected, the second contact area and the terminal are covered by a conductive material resistant to electric arcs, in which the terminal is elastically deformable and / or mobile mounts against an elastic medium. So before the insertion of the plug into the connector the intermediate member is not under tension. After the insertion of the plug into the connector a first contact intervenes between the plug and the intermediate member. The pursuit of the insertion of the plug into the connector involves the deformation or displacement of said member until the area covered with this member comes into contact with the coated area of the terminal. Thanks to the mobile and / or deformable nature of the terminal with which the intermediate member comes into contact, it is possible to achieve a precise height positioning of the plug with respect to the connector. After removing the plug from the connector, the contact is again broken between the terminal and the intermediate member, then between the plug and the intermediate member when it is not under tension. Electric arcs between unprotected parts are avoided and it is not necessary to cover the plug of the appliance with a material resistant to electric arcs. This arrangement also allows to consider an easier deposit of the material resistant to electric arcs or still use this material in smaller quantity. Advantageously, the area of the first contact zone is at least three times greater than that of the second contact zone. This arrangement allows to achieve a precise lateral positioning of the pins with respect to the connector. According to a first embodiment, the intermediate member is a flexible metal foil. Advantageously, this flexible sheet has a prolonged fixing area after a fold by a flexible end on which the coating of material resistant to electric arcs is arranged, these arrangements simplifying the construction of the connector. Advantageously, the terminal and the intermediate member are constituted by two metal sheets of the same geometry, this construction allows to reduce investment costs. According to a second embodiment, the intermediate member is movable against a spring. Advantageously, the conductive material resistant to electric arcs is based on silver. The object of the invention is likewise achieved with a household appliance having a box capable of being connected to an electrical supply and a removable part comprising a male plug, having a female connector of the previously mentioned type.

Advantageously, the male plug, capable of cooperating with the intermediate member of the connector, belongs to a shielded heating element. The connector according to the invention is particularly interesting in this apparatus. In fact, the armored heating elements have important dimensional tolerances due to their manufacture, without counting the phenomena of thermal expansion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS invention will be better understood by studying the embodiments taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated in the attached figures in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a first embodiment of a connector according to the invention . Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a variant embodiment of the connector shown in Figure 1. Figures 3 and 4 are top views of tabs belonging to the connector shown in Figure 2. Figure 5 is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a second embodiment of a connector according to the invention. Figure 6 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a third embodiment of a connector according to the invention.

BEST WAY TO CARRY OUT THE INVENTION The invention relates to a female electrical connector for household appliances. The present description and the Figures each refer to a connector 2; 32; 82 provided for receiving a male electric plug 3; 33; 83. The male electric plug 3; 33; 83 is mounted on a removable part 16; 46; 86 of the device. The connector 2; 32; 82 has at least one terminal 21; 51; 91 intended to be connected to the power supply of the device. The connector according to the invention shown in Figures have an intermediate organ 20; fifty; 90 elastically deformable and / or movable against an elastic means, said organ presents on the one hand a first contact zone 22; 52; 92 intended to cooperate with the male plug 3; 33; 83 at the beginning of the connection; on the other hand, a second contact zone 23; 53; 93 intended to cooperate with terminal 21; 51; 91 after the subsequent connection of the male plug 3; 33; 83, the two contact zones 22, 23; 52, 53; 92, 93 are electrically connected, the second contact area 23; 53; 93 and terminal 21; 51; 91 are coated by a conductive material resistant to electric arcs 6, 7; 36, 37; 76, 77. Advantageously, the area of the first contact zone 22; 52; 92 is at least three times higher than that of the second contact zone 23; 53; 93 Figure 1 shows a first embodiment in which the connector 2 is mounted in a box 12 belonging to an electric cooking appliance such as a fryer. The apparatus has a removable part 16 formed by a removable bowl 13 under which a shielded heating element 1 is fixed. The box 12 is capable of being connected to an electrical supply. The heating element 1 is terminated by the male plug 3 capable of cooperating with the intermediate member 20 of the connector 2. The connector 2 comprises a cap 9 having an opening 10 capable of receiving the plug 3 belonging to the heating element 1. The organ intermediate 20 of the connector 2 is a flexible metal sheet 4. This sheet has a fixing zone 4b extended after a bend 14 by a flexible end 4a in which the coating of material resistant to electric arcs 6 is arranged. Fixation 4b is prolonged after a second fold 24 by a free end 4c. The terminal 21 of the connector 2 is advantageously constituted by a metal sheet 5 of the same geometry as the sheet 4 forming the intermediate member 20. Thus the terminal 21 is elastically deformed. The sheet 5 has a fixing area 5b prolonged after a fold 15 by the flexible end 5a on which the coating of material resistant to the electric arcs 7 is arranged. The fixing zone 5b is extended after a second fold 25 by means of a free end 5c. The faces facing the flexible ends 4a, 5a have the covering 6, 7. The variant embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 4 differs from the previous embodiment in that the free end 5c of the sheet 5 forming the terminal 21 the connector 2 is folded over the flexible end 5a, so that it is clearly visible in Figure 2. The sheets 4 and 5 are obtained from flat pieces having identical cuts, but whose free ends 4a and 5a are then folded back different way On the other hand, the free end 4a of the sheet 4 is coated with silver to improve electrical contact with the male pin (not shown in Figure 2) inserted in the connector 2. The thickness of the silver coating is, for example, some mieras. In addition, the free end 4a of the sheet 4 has a silver rivet 16, whose lower surface silver-plated in the shape of a spherical cap forms a coating of material resistant to the electric arcs 6. The free end 5a of the sheet 5 also has a rivet of silver 17, whose lower surface silver-plated spherical cap shape forms the coating of material resistant to electric arcs 7. The thickness of the linings 6 and 7 of the rivets 16 and 17 is far more important, for example, of the order of a few tenths of a millimeter. The rivet 16 is mounted in a hole 18 provided on the sheet 4 and the rivet 19 is mounted in a hole 19 provided on the sheet 15. The holes 18 and 19 are present on each of the sheets 4 and 5. As shown in FIG. can see in Figure 2, the rivets 16 and 17 are not aligned but slightly displaced, so as to remain in contact after the deformation of the sheets 4 and 5. Figure 5 shows a second embodiment in which the connector 32 is mounted in a box 42 capable of being connected to an electrical supply. This box forms a pedestal 44 provided to receive a removable portion 46 of an electrical appliance. This wireless electrical appliance can be, for example, a kettle or a plate. The movable part 46 has a pin 33, connected to the electrical circuit of the apparatus, and capable of cooperating with the intermediate member 50 of the connector 32. The intermediate member 50 is a rigid metal tongue 60 mounted on a joint 61, immobile against a spring 55. The terminal 51 mounts movably against an elastic means formed by a spring 56. The parts with respect to the tongue 60 and the terminal 51 have the cladding 36, 37 resistant to electric arcs. The spring 56 mounted between the pedestal 42 and the terminal 51 has a greater rigidity than the spring 55 mounted between the terminal 51 and the intermediate member 50, so as to favor electrical contact between the terminal 51 and the intermediate member 50. Figure 6 shows a third embodiment in which the connector 82 is mounted in a box 72 capable of being connected to an electrical supply. This box forms a pedestal 74 provided to receive a removable portion 86 of an electrical appliance. This wireless electrical appliance can be, for example, a kettle or a plate. The movable part 86 has a pin 83, connected to the electrical circuit of the apparatus, and capable of cooperating with the intermediate member 90 of the connector 82. The intermediate member 90 is a cup 94 whose upper face forms the first contact zone 92 and the face lower has a rod 95 on the end of which the coating of material resistant to electric arcs 76 is disposed to form the second contact zone 93. The cup 94 is movably mounted on a spring 96. The terminal 91 mounts movable against a elastic means formed by a spring 99. The area of the terminal 91 opposite the end of the rod 95 has the coating 77 resistant to electric arcs. The spring 99 is mounted between the terminal 91 and the housing 72. The spring 96 is mounted between the intermediate member 90 and the housing 72. The conducting material is resistant to the electric arcs 6, 7.; 36, 37; 76, 77 is for example based on silver. The invention works and is used in the following manner. When the user enters or puts the removable part 16; 46; 86 putting pin 3; 33; 83 in or on box 12; 42; 72 of the apparatus, this pin comes into contact with the intermediate member 20; fifty; 90 of connector 2; 32; 82. Following the insertion of pin 3; 33; 83 involves the deformation of the sheet 4, the displacement of the rigid metal tongue 60 or of the dome 94 forming the intermediate member until the surface of the intermediate member and the terminal covered by the material resistant to the electric arcs 6, 1; 36, 37; 76, 77 get in touch. The electrical contact between pin 3; 33; 83 of the removable part 16; 46; 86 and terminal 21; 51; 91 of connector 2; 32; 82 is connected to the external power supply intervenes between the surfaces covered by the material resistant to electric arcs, which limits the risks of electric arcs. Thanks to the deformable character of the sheet 5 or the movable mounting of the terminals 51, 91, the height dispersions of the male pins inserted in the connector 2; 32; 82 do not generate the establishment of electrical contacts. When the user removes the removable part 16; 46; 86 of box 12; 42; 72 then pin 3; 33; 83 is electrically powered, the elastic return of the flexible part 4a of the first sheet 4 or of the springs 55 or 96 is caused by the withdrawal of the pin 3; 33; 83. This elastic return breaks the electrical contact between the surface covered by the material resistant to electric arcs. When the pin 3; 33; 83 ceases contacting the intermediate organ 20; fifty; 90 this one no longer feeds electrically. The connector according to the invention can have several intermediate members each associated with a terminal and provided for each to cooperate with an electric plug mounted on a removable part of the device. However, when the phase is connected to a specific terminal, it is not necessary to provide or for the neutral an intermediate member associated with a terminal, in particular if the connection of the phase is made after the connection of the neutral. Likewise it is not necessary to provide an intermediate organ for the connection of the earth. For example, according to a variant of the embodiment presented in Figure 1, the connection with the phase can be made on the end 5c of the tongue 5 cooperating with the tongue 4, when the connection with the neutral or the earth will be made on the end 4c of another tongue 4. Preferably the connector will be designed so that the earth connection intervenes first, followed by the connection of the neutral, followed by the connection of the phase. Numerous improvements can be made to this connector within the framework of the claims POSSIBILITIES OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The invention finds its application in the technical field of household appliances that have a removable part associated with a power supply pedestal.

Claims (15)

1. Electrical female connector for household appliance; capable of receiving a male electric plug (3; 33; 83) mounted on a removable part (16; 46; 86) of the appliance, having a terminal (21; 51; 91) provided to be connected to the electrical supply of the appliance, and an intermediate member (20, 50, 90) elastically deformable and / or movable against an elastic means, said member has on the one hand a first contact zone (22; 52; 92) provided to cooperate with the male plug (3; 33; 83) at the start of the connection, on the other hand a second contact area (23; 53; 93) intended to cooperate with the terminal (21; 51; 91) after the subsequent connection of the male plug (3; 33; 83) the two contact zones (22, 23, 52, 53, 92, 93) are electrically connected, the second contact zone (22; 52; 92) and the terminal (21; 51; 91) are clad by a conductive material resistant to electric arcs (6, 7; 36, 37; 76, 77) characterized in that the terminal (21; 51; 91) is elastically deformed and / or is mounted movable with tra elastic medium. Connector according to claim 1, characterized in that the area of the first contact area (22; 52; 92) is at least three times greater than that of the second contact area (23; 53; 93). Connector according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate member (20) is a flexible metal sheet (4). Connector according to claim 3, characterized in that the flexible sheet (4) has a prolonged fixing area (4b) after a fold (14) by means of a flexible end (4a) on which the coating of resistant material is disposed. the electric arcs (6). Connector according to claim 4, characterized in that the fixing area (4b) is extended after a second fold (24) by means of a free end (4c). Connector according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the terminal (21) and the intermediate member (20) are constituted by two metal sheets (4, 5) of the same geometry. Connector according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the intermediate member (50; 90) moves against a spring (55; 96). Connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the conductive material resistant to electric arcs (6, 7; 36, 37; 76, 77) is based on silver. 9. A household appliance having a box (12; 42; 72) capable of being connected to an electrical supply and a removable part (16; 46; 865) comprising a male plug (3; 33; 83), characterized in that the box ( 12; 42; 72) has a female connector (2; 32; 82) according to any of the preceding claims. 9, characterized in that the male plug (3) capable of cooperating with the intermediate member (20) of the connector (2) belongs to a shielded heating element (1). Household electrical appliance according to claim 10, characterized in that the movable part (16) is a removable cooking tray (13) under which the heating element (1) is fixed. 1

2. Household appliance according to claim 11, characterized in that it forms a fryer. Household electrical appliance according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterized in that the housing (42; 72) on which the connector (32; 82) is mounted forms a pedestal (44; 74), the removable part (46; forms a wireless electrical appliance 14. Household appliance according to the claim 13, characterized in that it forms a kettle. 15. Household electrical appliance according to claim 13, characterized in that it forms a plate.