Electrical contact surface having numerous protrusions

Abstract

Electrical contacting surfaces are disclosed having numerous electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions. These contacting surfaces may be used repeatedly in low voltage applications. The numerous electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions provide points of high pressure thereby forming multiple parallel electrically conductive pathways across the contacting surfaces to establish good electrical continuity.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a cross sectional view of a sliding contactor of the prior art having smooth surfaces

FIG. 2 shows a star type washer for providing good grounding between an internal grounding wire and metal housing.

FIG. 3 shows an electrically conductive surface suitable for use in low voltage applications having numerous conductive protrusions.

FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of a sliding contactor of the present invention having numerous protrusions FIG. 5 shows a relay contactor having numerous conductive protrusions in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a 12 volt battery clamp having numerous conductive protrusions along the inner contacting surface.

FIG. 7 shows a cross sectional view of an electrically conductive metal surface having protrusions on both sides that may be placed between electrically contacting surfaces in order to improve continuity.

FIG. 8 shows a cross sectional view of a conductive copper metal sheet having protrusions on one surface that may be soldered to other electrical contacting surfaces to improve continuity.

FIG. 9 shows a low voltage single cell consumer battery having a positive contact with numerous conductive protrusions.

FIG. 10 shows an incandescent light bulb having numerous conductive protrusions at the base contact.

FIG. 11 shows an electrically conductive multi-protrusion contacting element for improving the continuity between a battery post and clamp.

FIG. 12 shows an automotive battery having a traditional clamp along with the added contacting element of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of a sliding contactor of the present invention having numerous protrusions having added interlocking protrusions on the second contacting surface.

FIG. 14 shows a cross sectional view of a sliding contactor of the present invention having numerous protrusions on both contacting surfaces that are in alignment and in electrical contact with each other.

FIG. 15 shows a cross sectional view of a sliding contactor of the present invention having numerous protrusions on one contacting surface in contact alignment with concavities in the other contact surface.

FIG. 16 shows a cross sectional view of an electrically conductive metal surface having protrusions with a second outer layer of smaller protrusions.

FIG. 17 shows a cross sectional view of an electrically conductive metal surface having protrusions with a second outer layer of smaller protrusions that form a flat planar surface.

FIG. 18 shows a cross sectional view of an electrical contactor having two contacting surfaces each having protrusions in contact with the protrusions of the other contacting surface.

FIG. 19 shows a cross sectional view of an electrical contactor having two contacting surfaces, one contacting surface having protrusions and the other contacting surface having concavities that are aligned to the protrusions of the other contacting surface.

FIG. 20 shows a cross sectional view of a light bulb having an electrical contactor with numerous protrusions screwed into a socket having an electrical contactor with numerous protrusions.

Claims

1. A sliding electrical contactor suitable for multiple connection and disconnection cycles comprising: an electrically conductive first contacting surface;an electrically conductive second contacting surface;said electrically conductive first contacting surface having electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions extending in an outward direction toward said electrically conductive second contacting surface and;said electrically conductive first contacting surface having electrical contact with said second electrically conductive contacting surface, wherein at least one of said electrically conductive contacting surfaces has sufficient compression spring properties to establish multiple parallel electrically conductive pathways between said first electrically conductive contacting surface and said second electrically conductive contacting surface.

2. A sliding electrical contactor as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive second contacting surface has electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions extending from said electrically conductive second contacting surface in an outward direction.

3. A sliding electrical contactor as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive first contacting surface interlock with said substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive second contacting surface.

4. A sliding electrical contactor as recited in claim 2 wherein said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive first contacting surface are in direct contact with said substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive second contacting surface.

5. A sliding electrical contactor as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive second contacting surface has a top surface geometry providing electrically conductive matching concavities to said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said first contacting surface.

6. A sliding electrical contactor as recited in claim 1 wherein said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive first contacting surface have an outer layer comprising a plurality of smaller electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions.

7. A sliding electrical contactor as recited in claim 6 wherein said plurality of smaller electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions form a flat planar surface.

8. An electrical contactor suitable for multiple connection and disconnection cycles comprising: an electrically conductive first contacting surface;an electrically conductive second contacting surface;said electrically conductive first contacting surface having electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions extending in an outward direction toward said electrically conductive second contacting surface and;said electrically conductive first contacting surface having electrical contact with said electrically conductive second contacting surface to provide multiple parallel electrically conductive pathways from said electrically conductive first contacting surface to said electrically conductive second contacting surface upon the application of downward stationary pressure.

9. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrically conductive second contacting surface has electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions extending from said electrically conductive second contacting surface in an outward direction.

10. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 9 wherein said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive first contacting surface are in direct contact with said substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive second contacting surface.

11. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 9 wherein said electrically conductive second contacting surface has a top surface geometry providing electrically conductive matching concavities to said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said first contacting surface.

12. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 8 wherein said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive first contacting surface have an outer layer comprising a plurality of smaller electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions.

13. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 12 wherein said plurality of smaller electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions form a flat planar surface.

14. An electrical contactor suitable for multiple connection and disconnection cycles comprising: an electrically conductive first contacting surface;an electrically conductive second contacting surface;said electrically conductive first contacting surface having electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions extending in an outward direction toward said electrically conductive second contacting surface and;said electrically conductive first contacting surface having electrical contact with said electrically conductive second contacting surface to provide multiple parallel electrically conductive pathways to said first electrically conductive contacting surface upon the application of rotary sliding pressure.

15. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 14 wherein said electrically conductive second contacting surface has electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions extending from said electrically conductive second contacting surface in an outward direction.

16. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 14 wherein said electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions on said electrically conductive first contacting surface have an outer layer comprising a plurality of smaller electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions.

17. An electrical contactor as recited in claim 16 wherein said plurality of smaller electrically conductive substantially spherical protrusions form a flat planar surface.