Connecting device

US7018223B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Leopold KOSTAL GmbH & Co. KG · DE

Inventors

• Horst Kober · Weinheim, DE
• Ralf Heinrich · Schwegenheim, DE
• Friedel Brink-Spalink · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Holger Lettmann · Plettenberg, DE
• Maik Frenzel · Lüdenscheid, DE
• Norbert Andresen · Schwerte, DE
• Achim Gruber · Langenau, DE
• Jurgen Henke · Viernheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 3, 2005
• Grant date: Mar 28, 2006
• Expiry date: Feb 3, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H01R35/025
• WIPO field: Electrical machinery, apparatus, energy
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A connecting device includes first and second housing parts which are rotatable relative to one another and are coupled together to define a space therebetween. At least one flexible cable is provided in the space defined by the housing parts. Each cable includes first and second end sections which are configured to be rolled and unrolled in a spiral or helix on associated contact surfaces of the housing parts, respectively. The end sections normally extend in opposite directions from each other circumferentially around the housing parts so that a U-shaped turning area at which cable movement reverses is formed in the space defined by the housing parts. Magnetic areas are arranged on at least one of each cable, the first housing part, and the second housing part to cause the end sections of each cable to removably adhere to the respective contact surfaces of the housing parts.