Patent Publication Number: US-7896690-B1

Title: Electrical connection device

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to an electrical connection device. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Electrical connection devices, which are provided for the electrical connection between two electrical devices or cables, have been widely used. For the purpose of electrical connection, conductive lines are arranged in the electrical connection device, and the conductive lines should be firmly connected to the devices or cables. 
     Usually, electrical connection devices may be divided into two different types, i.e. the indoor connector and the outdoor connector. Waterproof effect is required for an outdoor connector so as to prevent imperfect contact or electrical short caused by the leakage of water into the connector. In the prior art, an elastic sleeve is employed to surround the connector to prevent water from leakage into the connector. However, this type of outdoor connectors has problems in complicated procedure of assembly. On the other hand, waterproof effect is not required for indoor connectors, which are advantageous in quick assembly and convenient usage. 
     Some electrical devices such as LED lighting apparatus may be installed indoors or outdoors. The electrical connector for these devices needs both requirements of quick assembly and waterproof effect. Therefore, there exists in this art a need of improved electrical connectors that would meet these requirements. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, an electrical connection device is provided. The electrical connection device includes a first base, a second base and a cover. The first base includes a first top surface, a first lateral surface, a first recess and a first conductor. The first recess is located on the first top surface. The first conductor extends into the first recess from a position out of the first base through the first lateral surface. The second base includes a second top surface, a second lateral surface, a second recess and a second conductor. The second recess is located on the second top surface. The second conductor extends into the second recess from a position out of the second base through the second lateral surface. The cover is for covering the first and second bases. The cover includes a body, a first convex ring, a second convex ring and a first metallic connector. The body has a bottom surface. Both the first and second convex rings are positioned on the bottom surface. The first metallic connector is embodied in the body and having a first and a second terminal protruding from the bottom surface, wherein the first and second terminals are respectively positioned in the first and second convex rings. When the cover covers the first and second bases, the first and second convex rings respectively engages with the first and second recesses so that a first and a second enclosed space are formed, and the first and second terminals respectively connect to the first and second conductors. 
     According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the electrical connection device includes a base, a cover and a wire. The base includes a recess and a conductor. The recess is located on a top surface of the base. The conductor extends into the recess through the lateral surface from a position out of the base. The cover includes a convex ring and a metallic connector. The convex ring is positioned on a bottom surface of the cover. The metallic connector is embodied in the cover. The metallic connector has a first terminal protruding from the bottom surface. The first terminal is positioned in the convex ring. The wire extends into the cover through a lateral surface of the cover and is electrically coupled to the metallic connector. When the cover engages with the base, the convex ring engages with the recess so that an enclosed space is formed, and the first terminal of the metallic connector connects to the conductor 
     According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the electrical connection device provides a waterproof effect and is advantageous in quick assembly. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are by examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description of the embodiments, with reference made to the accompanying drawings as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connection device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are breakdown drawings schematically illustrating the electrical connection device in  FIG. 1  from different viewing angles; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view schematically illustrating the electrical connection device in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connection device according to another embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the cover according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the present embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connection device  400  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  are breakdown drawings schematically illustrating the electrical connection device  400  in  FIG. 1  from two different viewpoints.  FIG. 4  is a side view schematically illustrating the electrical connection device  400 . With reference to  FIG. 1 , the electrical connection device  400  comprises a first base  100 , a second base  200  and a cover  300 . The cover  300  provides an electrical connection between the first base  100  and the second base  200 , and allowing the electrical connection device  400  to possess waterproof and airtight effects. The electrical connection device is described in detail in embodiments hereinafter. 
     With reference to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the first base  100  has a first top surface  110  and a first lateral surface  120 , and comprises a first recess  130  and a first conductor  140 . The first recess  130  is located on the first top surface  110 . The first conductor  140  extends into the first recess  130  from a position out of the first base  100  through the first lateral surface  120 . 
     In one embodiment, the first recess  130  may be a circular recess with a circular inlet, square recess with a square inlet or others. It is to be noted that the first recess  130  may not penetrate the first base  100 . In one example, the first top surface  110  is formed thereon with a flange  132  which surrounds the inlet of the first recess  130 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     The first conductor  140  is capable of transmitting an electrical current or a voltage signal into the first recess  130  from the exterior of the first base  100 . The first conductor  140  may be fabricated as a unitary part or be composed of several individual parts. In one embodiment, the first conductor  140  has a portion protruding from the first lateral surface  120  and thus forming a metallic terminal  144  for connecting or soldering to an external electronics (not shown) such as a light ribbon composed of light emitting diodes (also refers to “LED light ribbon”). The length, width and thickness of the metallic terminal  144  is non-limited so long as it may provide enough dimension for connection or soldering, and thus providing a desired electrical connection. 
     In one embodiment, the first conductor  140  comprises a first metallic piece  141  and a second metallic piece  142  extending into the first recess  130 , and a space  143  is formed between the first and second metallic pieces  141 ,  142 . In one example, the first and second metallic pieces  141 ,  142  are curved metallic pieces, and a cylinder space  143  is formed therebetween, as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Both the first and second metallic pieces  141 ,  142  are operable to connect to the first metallic connector  340  of the cover  300  (described in detail hereinafter). Therefore, the first and second metallic pieces  141 ,  142  may be designed as different shapes or size according to the demand. In another example, the portion, such as the first and second metallic piece  141 ,  142  of the first conductor  140  in the first recess  130 , does not exceed the top surface of the flange  132 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, the first base  100  further comprises a third recess  150  and a third conductor  160 . The third recess  150  is located on the first top surface  110  beside the first recess  130 . The third conductor  160  extends into the third recess  150  through the first lateral surface  120  from a position out of the first base  100 . In one example, the third conductor  160  has a structure the same as the first conductor  140  and is arranged in substantial parallel with the first conductor  140 . Although  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3  illustrates that the third conductor  160  is in parallel with the first conductor  140 , person skilled in the art, however, may realize that the third conductor  160  may be arranged not in parallel with the first conductor  140  and the third conductor  160  may has a different structure from the first conductor  140 . In examples, the first conductor  140  and third conductor  160  may respectively connect to different electrical signal. For example, the first conductor  140  may couple to a cathode while the third conductor  160  may couple to an anode. Alternatively, the first conductor  140  may couple to an anode whereas the third conductor  160  couples to a cathode. 
     With reference to  FIG. 4 , the second base  200  has a second top surface  210  and a second lateral surface  220 , and comprises a second recess  230  and a second conductor  240 . The second recess  230  is positioned on the second top surface  210 . The second conductor  240  extends into the second recess from a position out of the second base  200  through the second lateral surface  220 . The structure of the second base  200  may be the same as or different from the first base  100 . In one example, the second base  200  is the same as the first base  100  for the purpose of convenience in materials management. In another example, the second base  200  and the first base  100  are mirror-symmetric with respect to each other. In other example, the second base  200  has a different structure from the first base  100 . 
     The second conductor  240  is operable to transmit an electrical current or a voltage signal into the second recess  230  from the exterior of the second base  200 . The second conductor  240  may be the same as or different from the first conductor  140  in structure. In one example, the second conductor  240  comprises a third metallic piece  241  and a fourth metallic piece  242  extending into the second recess  230 , and a space  243  is formed between the third and fourth metallic pieces  241 ,  242 . In another example, both the third and fourth metallic pieces  241 ,  242  are curved metallic pieces, and a cylinder space is formed therebetween. The third and fourth metallic pieces  241 ,  242  serves as a connecting structure, and therefore may be designed as different shapes or size according to the demand. 
     In one example, the second base  200  further comprises a fourth recess and a fourth conductor  260 . The structure and the arrangement of the fourth recess and the fourth conductor  260  may be similar with the third recess  150  and the third conductor  160 , respectively. In particular, the fourth recess and the fourth conductor  260  are mirror-symmetric with the third recess  150  and the third conductor  160 . In this example, the second conductor  240  may electrically couple to the first conductor  140 , and the fourth conductor  260  may electrically couple to the third conductor  160 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 , the cover  300  is operable to connect the first base  100  with the second base  200  and also cover the first and second bases  100 ,  200 . The cover  300  comprises a body  310 , a first convex ring  320 , a second convex ring  330  and a first metallic connector  340 . The body  310  has a bottom surface  312 . The first convex ring  320  and second convex ring  330  are disposed on and protrude from the bottom surface  312  of the body  310 . The first metallic connector  340  is substantially embodied in the body  310 , and has a first terminal  341  and a second terminal  342  protruding from the bottom surface  312 . The first and second terminals  341 ,  342  are respectively positioned in the first and second convex rings  320 ,  330 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , when the cover  300  covers the first and second bases  100 ,  200 , the first convex ring  320  engages with the first recess  130  of the first base  100 , and forming a first enclosed space  351  which is surrounded by the first convex ring  320  and the first recess  130 . Simultaneously, the first terminal  341  of the first metallic connector  340  connects to the first conductor  140  in the first recess  130 . The second convex ring  330  engages with the second recess  230 , and forming a second enclosed space  352 . The second terminal  342  of the first metallic connector  340  connects to the second conductor  240  in the second recess  230 . Therefore, the first conductor  140  of the first base  100  may be electrically coupled to the second conductor  240  of the second base  200  through the first metallic connector  340 . 
     In one example, the first and second convex rings  320 ,  330  respectively engage with the first and second recess  130 ,  230 . In particular, both the first and second convex rings  320 ,  330  are substantially circular convex rings, and both the first and second recesses  130 ,  230  are circular recess with circular inlets. The outer edges of the first and second convex rings  320 ,  330  respectively engage with the inner edge of the first and second recesses  130 ,  230 . The first and second convex rings  320 ,  330  may respectively be contained in the first and second recesses  130 ,  230 , and thus forming the first and second enclosed spaces  351 ,  352 . Airtight effect and waterproof effect of the electrical connection device  400  may be obtained. 
     Although the first and second convex rings  320 ,  330  are disposed on the cover  300  while the first and second recesses  130 ,  230  are respectively located on the first and second bases  100 ,  200 , as described hereinbefore, one skilled in the art, however, may realize that the locations of the convex rings and recesses may be mutually exchanged. Specifically, the convex ring(s) may be disposed on the first and/or second base(s) while the feature of the recess may be located on the cover, and whereby the enclosed space may be formed. 
     In another example, the first terminal  341  of the first metallic connector  340  may be inserted into the space  143  formed between the first and second metallic pieces  141 ,  142  of the first conductor  140  in the first recess  130 . Specifically, the first and second metallic pieces  141 ,  142  may be constituted as two curved metallic pieces opposite to each other, and thus forming a cylinder space  143  therebetween. Furthermore, the first terminal  341  of the first metallic connector  340  may be shaped of a cylinder, and be inserted into the space  143 , as depicted in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 . Therefore, the first terminal  341  of the first metallic connector  340  may be electrically coupled to the first conductor  140 . By a similar way, the second terminal  342  of first metallic connector  340  may be connected to the second conductor  240  in the second recess  230 . The above-mentioned features of connection are for the purpose of illustration, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     In another embodiment, the cover  300  may further comprise a third convex ring  360 , a fourth convex ring  370  and a second metallic connector  380 . The third convex ring  360  is corresponding to the third recess  150  of the first base  100  while the fourth convex ring  370  is corresponding to the fourth recess  250  of the second base  200 . The second metallic connector  380  may be operable to electrically connect the third conductor  160  with the fourth conductor  260 . When the cover  300  covers and engages with the first and second bases  100 ,  200 , the third and fourth convex rings  360 ,  370  respectively engage with the third and fourth recesses  150 ,  250 , and forming two enclosed spaces. The feature of the second metallic connector  380  may be the same as the first metallic connector  340 . In particular, the second metallic connector  380  may be embodied in the cover  300  and has a third and a fourth terminal protruding from the bottom surface  312 , wherein the third and fourth terminals are respectively positioned in the third and fourth convex ring  360 ,  370 . The third conductor  160  of the first base  100  may be electrically connected to the fourth conductor  260  of the second base  200  through the second metallic connector  380 . 
     In still another embodiment, the cover  300  further comprises a connection part  390  extending downwards from two opposite sides of the body  310 , as depicted in  FIG. 2 . The connection part  390  is operable to connect the first and second bases  100 ,  200 . In one example, the connection part  390  comprises a first tenon  391  and a second tenon  392 . Moreover, the first base  100  has a mortice  171  corresponding to the first tenon  391 . Also, the second base  200  has a mortice  272  corresponding to second tenon  392 . By the engagement of the tenons  391 ,  392  and mortices  171 ,  272 , the cover  300 , first base  100  and second base  200  may be firmly bounded together. In some examples, more tenons and mortices may be employed to bind the cover  300 , first base  100  and second base  200  together. 
     In one example, the connection part  390  has a locating slot  393  and the first and second bases  100 ,  200  respectively has a first bump  181  and a second bump  282 . When the first base  100  comes into contact against the second base  200 , the first bump  181  and the second bump  282  get in touch with each other. When the cover  300  covers and engages with the first and second base  100 ,  200 , both the first and second bumps  181 ,  282  engage within the locating slot  393 . 
     In some embodiments, the electrical connection device  400  may further comprise a first sealing ring  190  and a second sealing ring  290  respectively disposed in the first recess  130  and the second recess  230 , as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The first sealing ring  190  may enhance the airtight effect between the first convex ring  320  and the first recess  130 . Also, the second sealing ring  290  may enhance the airtight effect between the second convex ring  330  and the second recess  230 . In these embodiments, the electrical connection device may satisfy the International Protection Rating of IP  67  or IP  68 .  FIG. 5  is a perspective view schematically illustrating an electrical connection device  500  according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The electrical connection device  500  includes a base  510 , a cover  520  and two wires  531 ,  532 . The base  510  may have the same structure as the first base  100  depicted in  FIG. 2 . In this embodiment, the base  510  may have two recesses (numbers  130  and  150  in  FIG. 2 ) and two conductors (numbers  140  and  160  in  FIG. 2 ).  FIG. 6  is a perspective view schematically illustrating the cover  520  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , two convex rings  521 ,  522  are disposed on the bottom surface of the cover  520 . The convex rings  521 ,  522  may have the same structure as the first and second convex rings  320 ,  330  in  FIG. 3 . Two metallic connectors  523 ,  524  are embodied in the cover  520 . The constitutions of the metallic connectors  523 ,  524  may be substantially the same as the first and second metallic connectors  340 ,  380  in  FIG. 3  except that the metallic connectors  523 ,  524  respectively are electrically connected to the wires  531 ,  532 . The wires  531 ,  532  extend into the cover  520  through a lateral surface of the cover  520 . When the cover  520  covers and engages with the base  510 , the two conductors of the base  510  are electrically connected to the wire  531 - 532  through the metallic connector  523 ,  524  of the cover  520 , respectively. 
     In this embodiment, the electrical connection device  500  may serve as a connector between LED light ribbons, as depicted in  FIG. 5 . Specifically, the two conductors (numbers  140  and  160  in  FIG. 2 ) of the base  510  may be soldered with the electrodes of the LED light ribbon  550  so that the LED light ribbon  550  may be electrically coupled to the wires  531 ,  532  through the metallic connectors  523 ,  524  in the cover  520 . 
     In one example, the electrical connection device  500  may further comprise another cover  540  connected to the other ends of the wires  531 ,  532 , as depicted in  FIG. 5 . The cover  540  is arranged in a way that is mirror-symmetric with the cover  520 . The wires  531 ,  532  of the electrical connection device  500  may be bended or curved, and thus the electrical connection device  500  has characteristics in bending and curving. In some examples, the other end of the wire  531 ,  532  may be connected to a power supply or driving means (not shown). 
     One skilled in the art may realize that the locations of the convex rings and recesses may be mutually exchanged, as described hereinbefore. Specifically, the convex rings may be disposed on the base while the recesses may be formed on the cover so that an enclosed space is formed between the convex ring and the recess. The airtight effect and waterproof effect may be obtained as well. 
     In view of the above, the electrical connection device according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may provide airtight effect and waterproof effect, and therefore prevents the water or moisture from leakage into the electrical connection device. Thereby, imperfect contacts or electrical short due to the deterioration of the metallic parts in the connector may be prevented as well. The electrical connection device disclosed herein may be employed indoors or outdoors, and is advantageous in convenient assembly. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the structure of the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. In view of the foregoing, it is intended that the present invention cover modifications and variations of this invention provided they fall within the scope of the following claims.