CA2117406C - Temperature controlled electrical receptacle - Google Patents
Temperature controlled electrical receptacle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2117406C CA2117406C CA002117406A CA2117406A CA2117406C CA 2117406 C CA2117406 C CA 2117406C CA 002117406 A CA002117406 A CA 002117406A CA 2117406 A CA2117406 A CA 2117406A CA 2117406 C CA2117406 C CA 2117406C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- electrical
- temperature
- housing
- set temperature
- contact
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G05—CONTROLLING; REGULATING
- G05D—SYSTEMS FOR CONTROLLING OR REGULATING NON-ELECTRIC VARIABLES
- G05D23/00—Control of temperature
- G05D23/19—Control of temperature characterised by the use of electric means
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
- H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
- H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
- H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
Landscapes
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
Abstract
A temperature responsive electrical receptacle has a housing with slots for receiving prongs of an electrical plug, electrical contacts in the housing adjacent each slot for engagement with a prong and a terminal associated with each contact for connecting each contact to an electrical conductor, a switch between one of the contacts and its associated terminal and a temperature sensor for closing the switch when the ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperature and opening the switch when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature.
Description
(~A2i ~ 6 The present invention relates, generally, to electrical receptacles and, more specificaliy, to exterior electrical receptacles for use with vehicle blockheaters.
There is currently considerable concern about conservation of energy and resources. In the electrical industry, energy efficient motors, power saving ballasts, motion sensors, self ballasting fluorescent bulbs and watt-miser fluorescent tubes have been developed. These are but a few items 10 which have saved companies thousands of dollars, not to mention the savings to the utility companies on the production of power. These savings help the environment and conservation of natural resources. One area that has yet to be targeted is the common automobile block heater. It is commonplace for car owners to plug in their automobile block heaters every 15 evening in the winter, regardless of the actual temperature. In addition, many business establishments provide exterior receptacles for their personnel. These receptacles also tend to be used more often than is necessary. As a result, a considerable amount of energy is needlessly consumed at significant expense. There is a need for a device which will 20 overcome both problems without the need of re-training consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a temperature controlled electrical receptacle which automatically turns OFF and ON at a predetermined 25 threshold ambient temperature, such as for example -5C. This allows an energy conscious consumer to plug in his automobile in the evening or in the morning at his workplace and be confident that no energy will be consumed until the ambient temperature drops below the threshold temperature.
Switching can be achieved by either bi-metallic strips or by 30 electronically controlled contacts. The receptacle is sized to fit into any standard electrical box. While the receptacle is susceptible to many CA2il740~
There is currently considerable concern about conservation of energy and resources. In the electrical industry, energy efficient motors, power saving ballasts, motion sensors, self ballasting fluorescent bulbs and watt-miser fluorescent tubes have been developed. These are but a few items 10 which have saved companies thousands of dollars, not to mention the savings to the utility companies on the production of power. These savings help the environment and conservation of natural resources. One area that has yet to be targeted is the common automobile block heater. It is commonplace for car owners to plug in their automobile block heaters every 15 evening in the winter, regardless of the actual temperature. In addition, many business establishments provide exterior receptacles for their personnel. These receptacles also tend to be used more often than is necessary. As a result, a considerable amount of energy is needlessly consumed at significant expense. There is a need for a device which will 20 overcome both problems without the need of re-training consumers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a temperature controlled electrical receptacle which automatically turns OFF and ON at a predetermined 25 threshold ambient temperature, such as for example -5C. This allows an energy conscious consumer to plug in his automobile in the evening or in the morning at his workplace and be confident that no energy will be consumed until the ambient temperature drops below the threshold temperature.
Switching can be achieved by either bi-metallic strips or by 30 electronically controlled contacts. The receptacle is sized to fit into any standard electrical box. While the receptacle is susceptible to many CA2il740~
applications, it is primarily intended for exterior use with standard automobile block heaters.
The present invention is broadly defined as an improvement in an electrical receptacle having a housing with slots for receiving prongs of an 5 electrical plug, an electrical contact in the housing adjacent each slot for engagement with a prong and a terminal associated with each contact for connecting each contact to an electrical conductor, the improvement comprising switch means interposed between one of the contacts and its associated terminal and temperature responsive means for closing the 10 switch means when the ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperature and opening the switch means when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an electrical receptacle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventions; 0 FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the electrical receptacle of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a top view of the rear portion of the housing of the electrical receptacle illustrating a pair of bi-metallic strips;
FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; 5 FIGURE 5 is an electrical schematic illustrating the electrical connections of a receptacle with an unbroken tab to provide for one circuit operation;
and FIGURE 6 is an electrical schematic illustrating the electrical connections of a receptacle with a broken tab to provide for two circuit operation.
CA2 1 1 /4()~
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment 10 of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGURES 1 and Z illustrate side and front elevational views of an 5 electrical receptacle 12 having a housing body 14 formed of electrical insulating material. The housing includes a front portion 16 and a rear portion 18 which are non-detachably connected together. Tabs 20 extend from each end. Screws 22 extend through the tabs for threaded connection to an electrical box (not shown) in a manner well know in the art. Two sets 10 of slots 24 are formed in the front portion of the receptacle for receiving mating prongs 26 of an electrical plug 28. Two sets of contacts are disposed within the housing, one contact associated with each slot for electrical engagement with a prong inserted into the slot. Each set of contacts includes a first contact 32 electrically connected to first terminals 15 34 including screws 36 for connection to a first electrical conductor, a second contact 38 connected to second terminals 40 including screws 42 for connection to a second electrical conductor and a ground contact 44 connected to ground terminal 46 including a screw 48 for connection to a ground conductor. A breakable tab 50 (Fig. 6) extends between first 20 contact terminals 34. The electrical receptacle thusfar described is entirely conventional.
In accordance with the present invention, switch means is interposed between each of first contacts 32 and first terminals 34 and temperature responsive means is provided for closing the switch means when the 25 ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperat~lre, such as for example -5C, and opening the switch means when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature. Thus, the receptacle is operable only when the ambient temperature is at or below the set point temperature.
Accordingly, when the plug of a block heater 52, shown in dotted lines in 30 FIGURE 5, is connected to the receptacle, the block heater will not be energized until the ambient temperature reaches or drops below the set point temperature.
CA2i 1 /40~
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch means and temperature responsive means comprises, in combination, a pair of bi-metallic strips 62, each having one end 64 which is electrically connected to one of first contacts 32 by a conductor 66 (see FIGURES 5 5 and 6) and a free end 68 remote from one end 64 which is removably engageable with the stationary contact 34. Both bi-metallic strips and their associated stationary contacts are disposed within the housing such that their respective free ends engage their associated stationary contacts when the ambient temperature is at or below the predetermined set temperature 10 to permit electrical current flow between the first terminal and its associated first contact and the free ends are displaced from their associated stationary contacts when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature to prevent electrical current flow between the first terminals and their associated first contacts.
The present invention further includes means for adjusting the set point temperature of the bi-metallic strips. The adjustment means includes a screw 80 which is threaded into an insulated contact bar 82 and into the housing. The contact bar is engageable with the underside of the both bi-metallic elements for moving the free ends of the bi-metallic strips away 20 from their respective stationary contacts when screw 80 is turned into the housing. The bi-metallic strips are resilient and are mounted in such a manner that their resiliency tend to urge them towards their respective stationary contacts. Abutments or guides 84 integral with the rear portion of the housing prevent the contact bar from turning when the screw is 25 actuated. The screw may be provided with a pointer 86 and temperature markings 88 may be affixed to or formed in the housing to facilitate adjustment of the set point temperature.
It will be understood that various modifications and alterations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the present 30 invention. For example, while it is preferred that the set screw 80 be mounted inside the housing to prevent the homeowner from changing the preset set temperature, the screw may be arranged so that it is accessible CA2i 1 740~
from the outside of the housing. While the preferred embodiment provides bi-metallic strips which provide both the switching and temperature sensing functions, it will be understood that separate means may provide the two functions.
The present invention is broadly defined as an improvement in an electrical receptacle having a housing with slots for receiving prongs of an 5 electrical plug, an electrical contact in the housing adjacent each slot for engagement with a prong and a terminal associated with each contact for connecting each contact to an electrical conductor, the improvement comprising switch means interposed between one of the contacts and its associated terminal and temperature responsive means for closing the 10 switch means when the ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperature and opening the switch means when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of an electrical receptacle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present inventions; 0 FIGURE 2 is a front elevational view of the electrical receptacle of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 is a top view of the rear portion of the housing of the electrical receptacle illustrating a pair of bi-metallic strips;
FIGURE 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; 5 FIGURE 5 is an electrical schematic illustrating the electrical connections of a receptacle with an unbroken tab to provide for one circuit operation;
and FIGURE 6 is an electrical schematic illustrating the electrical connections of a receptacle with a broken tab to provide for two circuit operation.
CA2 1 1 /4()~
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The preferred embodiment 10 of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
FIGURES 1 and Z illustrate side and front elevational views of an 5 electrical receptacle 12 having a housing body 14 formed of electrical insulating material. The housing includes a front portion 16 and a rear portion 18 which are non-detachably connected together. Tabs 20 extend from each end. Screws 22 extend through the tabs for threaded connection to an electrical box (not shown) in a manner well know in the art. Two sets 10 of slots 24 are formed in the front portion of the receptacle for receiving mating prongs 26 of an electrical plug 28. Two sets of contacts are disposed within the housing, one contact associated with each slot for electrical engagement with a prong inserted into the slot. Each set of contacts includes a first contact 32 electrically connected to first terminals 15 34 including screws 36 for connection to a first electrical conductor, a second contact 38 connected to second terminals 40 including screws 42 for connection to a second electrical conductor and a ground contact 44 connected to ground terminal 46 including a screw 48 for connection to a ground conductor. A breakable tab 50 (Fig. 6) extends between first 20 contact terminals 34. The electrical receptacle thusfar described is entirely conventional.
In accordance with the present invention, switch means is interposed between each of first contacts 32 and first terminals 34 and temperature responsive means is provided for closing the switch means when the 25 ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperat~lre, such as for example -5C, and opening the switch means when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature. Thus, the receptacle is operable only when the ambient temperature is at or below the set point temperature.
Accordingly, when the plug of a block heater 52, shown in dotted lines in 30 FIGURE 5, is connected to the receptacle, the block heater will not be energized until the ambient temperature reaches or drops below the set point temperature.
CA2i 1 /40~
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the switch means and temperature responsive means comprises, in combination, a pair of bi-metallic strips 62, each having one end 64 which is electrically connected to one of first contacts 32 by a conductor 66 (see FIGURES 5 5 and 6) and a free end 68 remote from one end 64 which is removably engageable with the stationary contact 34. Both bi-metallic strips and their associated stationary contacts are disposed within the housing such that their respective free ends engage their associated stationary contacts when the ambient temperature is at or below the predetermined set temperature 10 to permit electrical current flow between the first terminal and its associated first contact and the free ends are displaced from their associated stationary contacts when the ambient temperature is above the set temperature to prevent electrical current flow between the first terminals and their associated first contacts.
The present invention further includes means for adjusting the set point temperature of the bi-metallic strips. The adjustment means includes a screw 80 which is threaded into an insulated contact bar 82 and into the housing. The contact bar is engageable with the underside of the both bi-metallic elements for moving the free ends of the bi-metallic strips away 20 from their respective stationary contacts when screw 80 is turned into the housing. The bi-metallic strips are resilient and are mounted in such a manner that their resiliency tend to urge them towards their respective stationary contacts. Abutments or guides 84 integral with the rear portion of the housing prevent the contact bar from turning when the screw is 25 actuated. The screw may be provided with a pointer 86 and temperature markings 88 may be affixed to or formed in the housing to facilitate adjustment of the set point temperature.
It will be understood that various modifications and alterations may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit of the present 30 invention. For example, while it is preferred that the set screw 80 be mounted inside the housing to prevent the homeowner from changing the preset set temperature, the screw may be arranged so that it is accessible CA2i 1 740~
from the outside of the housing. While the preferred embodiment provides bi-metallic strips which provide both the switching and temperature sensing functions, it will be understood that separate means may provide the two functions.
Claims (5)
1. In an electrical receptacle having a housing having slots for receiving prongs of an electrical plug, an electrical contact in the housing adjacent each slot for engagement with a prong and a terminal associated with each said contact for connecting each contact to an electrical conductor, the improvement comprising:
switch means interposed between one of said contacts and its associated terminal and temperature responsive means for closing said switch means when the ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperature and opening said switch means when the ambient temperature is above said set temperature.
switch means interposed between one of said contacts and its associated terminal and temperature responsive means for closing said switch means when the ambient temperature is at or below a predetermined set temperature and opening said switch means when the ambient temperature is above said set temperature.
2. In an electrical receptacle as defined in claim 1, further including means for adjusting said set temperature.
3. In an electrical receptacle as defined in claim 1, said switch means and said temperature responsive means comprising, in combination, a bi-metallic strip having one end electrically connected to said one of said contacts and a free end remote from said one end, a stationary contact connected to said associated terminal, said free end of said bi-metallic strip being engageable with said stationary contact, said bi-metallic strip being disposed in said housing such that said free end engages said stationary contact when the ambient temperature is at or below said predetermined set temperature to permit electrical current flow between said associated terminal and said one of said contacts and said free end is displaced from said stationary contact when the ambient temperature is above said set temperature to prevent electrical current flow between said associated terminal and said one of said contacts.
4. In an electrical receptacle as defined in claim 3, further including means for adjusting said set temperature, set adjusting means including a screw threaded into said housing and being engageable with said bi-metallic element for moving said free end of said bi-metallic strip toward and away from said stationary contact.
5. In an electrical receptacle as defined in claim 4, said screw being disposed within said housing so that said set temperature can be preset only prior to final assembly of said receptacle.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002117406A CA2117406C (en) | 1994-07-25 | 1994-07-25 | Temperature controlled electrical receptacle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002117406A CA2117406C (en) | 1994-07-25 | 1994-07-25 | Temperature controlled electrical receptacle |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2117406A1 CA2117406A1 (en) | 1996-01-26 |
| CA2117406C true CA2117406C (en) | 2000-05-09 |
Family
ID=4153059
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002117406A Expired - Fee Related CA2117406C (en) | 1994-07-25 | 1994-07-25 | Temperature controlled electrical receptacle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2117406C (en) |
-
1994
- 1994-07-25 CA CA002117406A patent/CA2117406C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2117406A1 (en) | 1996-01-26 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |