US 5,334,223 AGranted

Electrical safety system for electrical device

AssigneeMinnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

InventorsAlan P. Dieken, David J. Fischer, Jonathan C. Platt, William L. Sondermann

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Abstract

Apparatus and electrical circuitry are provided for electrical devices in order to provide electrical isolation of exposed electrical contacts on at least one of multiple modules of the electrical device. The apparatus includes at least one actuating component in one module and at least one sensor component within a second module in electrical communication with electrical circuitry, whereby electrical isolation of the exposed electrical contacts ceases when the sensor apparatus senses a desired location of the module. Placement of the apparatus and electrical circuitry to reside within the modules promotes electrical safety while minimizing tampering with safety aspects of the device. The apparatus and circuitry are useful for medical devices such as handheld diagnostic devices and consumer devices such as telephones.

Claims17

Dependent claims

An apparatus for electrical isolation from a power source of exposed electrical contacts on multiple modules of an electrical device, wherein the isolation continues until proper alignment of the multiple modules, wherein the device comprises two modules capable of mechanical alignment and electrical connection, and wherein at least one module is portable,

the apparatus comprising:
unenergized, exposed electrical contacts on the first module,
at least one concealed actuating component within the first module,
at least one concealed sensor component within the second module,
unenergized, exposed electrical contacts on the second module, and
at least one electrical switching device in electrical communication with a corresponding concealed sensor component and with the power source,
wherein each switching device is normally open but when closed is in electrical communication with corresponding exposed electrical contacts on the second module and in energized electrical communication with electrical circuitry connected to the power source,
wherein alignment of a concealed actuating component and a corresponding concealed sensor component causes a corresponding switching device to close and to provide energized electrical communication with electrical circuitry to the exposed electrical contacts on the second module, and
wherein mechanical alignment of the first module and the second module causes energized electrical connection of exposed electrical contacts on the second module with corresponding exposed electrical contacts on the first module.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.