CA3061790A1 - Socket - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a socket. The socket according to embodiments of the present disclosure comprising: a base; a panel mounted on the base; a cover arranged between the base and the cover and comprising jacks provided therein;
and a shutter unit arranged inside the base and including a linked shutter and an E-pole driving shutter, wherein when a plug is inserted into the jacks, the E-pole driving shutter can be driven by an E-pole pin of the plug to actuate the linked shutter, so that the plug can be inserted into the jacks, and wherein in a state where the E-pole driving shutter is not driven by the E-pole pin, top surfaces of the linked shutter passing through the jacks toward the panel can be coplanar with the top surface of the cover. According to the embodiments of the present disclosure, it can advantageously realize that the shutter unit of the socket is coplanar with the outer surface of the socket, giving the socket a flat appearance and eliminating the risk of small objects being inserted into the jack of the socket.

Description

SOCKET
FIELD
[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to a socket, and more specifically, to a socket mounted with a shutter for a jack of the socket.
BACKGROUND

[0002] A socket is a common electrical connection device. By a plug of an electrical/electronic device being inserted into jacks of the socket, the electrical/electronic device is enabled to be electrically connected to a power source or a signal source/signal receiving end.

[0003] Jacks of conventional sockets are exposed, which incurs potential dangerous.
The user may accidentally insert foreign objects into the exposed jacks without any obstruction, resulting in an electric shock, short circuit and the like. In particular, children may put their fingers or small objects (such as iron wire) into the exposed jacks out of curiosity, leading to accidents such as electric shocks. The exposed jacks are also prone to accumulation of dust or foreign objects, resulting in blockage of the jacks or poor electrical conductive contacts.

[0004] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a socket which not only can avoid the above-mentioned issues, but also possesses a more aesthetic appearance and reliable performance.
SUMMARY

[0005] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a socket to at least partially address the above and other potential problems of conventional solutions.

[0006] In one aspect, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a socket.
The socket comprising: a base; a panel mounted on the base; a cover arranged between the base and the panel, and comprising jacks provided therein; and a shutter unit arranged inside the base and comprising a linked shutter and an E-pole driving shutter, wherein when a plug is inserted into the jacks, the E-pole driving shutter can be driven by an E-pole pin of the plug to actuate the linked shutter, so that the plug can be inserted into the jacks; and wherein in a state where the E-pole driving shutter is not driven by the E-pole pin, top surfaces of the linked shutter passing through the jacks toward the panel are coplanar with a top surface of the panel.

[0007] According to the socket of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the opening and closing of the shutter unit can be implemented by means of an E-pole driving, wherein the shutter unit may include a linked shutter and an E-pole driving shutter. By actuating the E-pole driving shutter, a movement of the plug along the axial direction of the socket can be translated into a movement of the shutter unit.
Thus, an outer surface of the shutter unit of the socket can be flush with the outer surface of the socket. Therefore, the socket according to the embodiments of the present disclosure may have a flat appearance. The surface of the socket nearly without a gap caused by the jacks can be seen when viewed from the outside of the socket, thereby at least avoiding the accumulation of dust. More importantly, electrical accidents caused by the object being inserted into the socket jack can be eliminated. Furthermore, the mechanical stability and reliability of the shutter unit of the socket according to the embodiments of the present disclosure can be relatively high due to the relatively small number of components.

[0008] In some embodiments, the linked shutter and the E-pole driving shutter can be integrally formed; and wherein an acting surface of the E-pole driving shutter in contact with the E-pole pin can be a slope or a concave surface.

[0009] In some embodiments, the acting surface of the E-pole driving shutter in contact with the E-pole pin can be a plane, and the acting surface can be coplanar with the top surface of the panel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the E-pole driving shutter can include a first protruding portion and a second protruding portion; the linked shutter can include a first receiving portion adapted to receive the first protruding portion and a second receiving portion adapted to receive the second protruding portion; wherein the first protruding portion can be moved along the first receiving portion when the E-pole pin drives the E-pole driving shutter toward the base, such that the shutter unit can be actuated by the plug to move toward the base.

[0011] In some embodiments, the socket can further comprises a first elastic member in contact with both the linked shutter and the E-pole driving shutter;
and wherein the E-pole pin is disengaged from the socket, the first elastic member can be adapted to apply an elastic force to the E-pole driving shutter to enable the E-pole driving shutter to move relative to the linked shutter, until the E-pole driving shutter is returned in such a way that the acting surface can be coplanar with the top surface of the panel.

[0012] In some embodiments, the first elastic member can be a torsion spring with a first leg and a second leg. A coil of the torsion spring can be arranged around a protrusion of the linked shutter, the first leg can abut against the linked shutter, and the second leg can abut against the E-pole driving shutter.

[0013] In some embodiments, the socket can further comprise a shaft extending from the linked shutter toward the base and arranged within a shaft hole formed in the base.

[0014] In some embodiments, the socket can further comprises a second elastic member arranged around the shaft; and wherein with the E-pole pin is disengaged from the socket, the second elastic member can be adapted to apply an elastic force to the shutter unit to enable the shutter unit to move opposite to the base, until the linked shutter in is returned such a way that the top surfaces can be coplanar with the top surface of the panel.

[0015] In some embodiments, the second elastic member can be a torsion spring with a third leg and a fourth leg. The third leg can abut against the shutter unit, and the fourth leg can abut against a contact surface formed in the base, such that the shutter unit can be remained in position when not driven by the E-pole pin.

[0016] Further features of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments.

[0017] It should be understood that the scope of the present disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will be readily understood by the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, the above and other objectives, features, and advantages of example embodiments of the present disclosure will become more easily-understood.
In the figures, various embodiments of the present disclosure are described by way of example.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of a socket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a socket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a socket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0022] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b respectively illustrate a shutter unit of the socket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;

[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a socket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a linked shutter of a shutter unit of the socket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

[0025] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of an E-pole driving shutter of a shutter unit of the socket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

[0026] FIG's. 8a and 8b respectively illustrate different states of the shutter unit of the socket of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5;

[0027] FIG's. 9a, 9b and 9c respectively show cross-sectional views corresponding to different states of the shutter unit shown in FIG's. 8a and 8b; and

[0028] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a base of a socket in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0029] The concept of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to various exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. It is to be understood that the description of the embodiments is only to be understood by those skilled in the art, and is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure in any way. It should be noted that similar or identical reference signs may be used in the drawings to indicate similar or identical elements. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that alternative embodiments of the structures and/or methods described herein may be employed without departing from the principles and concepts of the present disclosure.

[0030] As used herein, the term "includes" and its variants are to be read as open-ended terms that mean "includes, but is not limited to." The term "based on" is to be read as "based at least in part on." The term "one example embodiment"
and "an example embodiment" are to be read as "at least one example embodiment."
The term "another embodiment" s to be read as "at least one other embodiment."

Other terms that may occur but are not mentioned herein are not to be interpreted or limited in a manner that is contrary to the concept on which the embodiments of the present disclosure are based, unless explicitly stated.

[0031] As mentioned above, there is a need for a socket with improved reliability and improved appearance. There is currently a socket with a shutter structure.
A
shutter is provided in the jacks of the socket. The shutter closes the jacks when the socket is not in use to avoid the dangers such as undesirable touch as mentioned above. When the plug is inserted into the jacks, the plug pushes a bevel of the shutter facing the plug, which converts the insertion of the plug perpendicular to the socket panel into a movement parallel to the socket panel of the shutter. In this way, the shutter moves towards a lateral side of the jacks to open the jacks, and thereby the plug can be inserted deep into the jacks. However, such sockets still have some disadvantages. Since all of the top surfaces of the shutter facing the plug are beveled, when viewed from the outside, the jacks still present three recesses that are recessed inwardly. These recesses are prone to accumulation of dust (especially a large amount of dust falling into it during decoration) which is hard to be completely removed causing the socket unaesthetic. What's more, recesses presented by the jacks on the outer surface of the socket would entice the young children to touch the inside of the jacks of the socket with hands or small objects (such as an iron wire), leading to an electric shock.

[0032] To this end, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide an effective solution to solve the above problems, by making the top surfaces of at least the N-pole shutter and the L-pole shutter of the shutter unit of the socket coplanar with the outer surface of the socket.

[0033] Generally, with the socket according to embodiments of the present disclosure, control of opening and closing of the shutter unit can be achieved by means of the E-pole driving. The shutter unit can include a linked shutter and an E-pole driving shutter. By actuating the E-pole driving shutter, the movement of the plug along an axial direction of the jacks can be converted into the movement of the shutter unit, so that the top surfaces of at least two poles of the shutter unit of the socket can be coplanar with the outer surface of the socket. In this manner, in the socket according to embodiments of the present disclosure, the recesses formed in the outer surface of the socket can be shallowed or even eliminated, thereby improving the safety and reliability of the socket.

[0034] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG's. 1 and 5 respectively illustrate a socket 300 that includes a shutter unit with a different configuration in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. In general, the socket as shown in FIG.
1 can comprise an integral shutter unit 100, while the socket as shown in FIG.
5 can comprise an assembled shutter unit 200.

[0035] The sockets in the embodiments as shown in FIG's. 1 and 5 can include four portions which might be arranged in sequence: a panel 301, a cover 304, a shutter unit and a base 303. The shutter unit is interposed between the cover 304 and the base 303. A jack 3041 is formed in the cover 304, and a cover hole 302 is formed in the panel 301. When the user needs to connect a plug (not shown) with the socket 300, pins of the plug can first pass through the panel hole 302, then pass through the jacks 3041 and into the socket 300. Thus, the plug can be electrically connected to the terminal of the socket 300 (not shown) to close the circuit between the plug and the socket. The shutter unit needs to be opened to allow the plug to be inserted into the base 3 to electrically connect the plug and the socket 300.

[0036] FIG's. 2, 3, 4a, and 4b illustrate a shutter unit 100 in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. The linked shutter 210 and the E-pole driving shutter 220 of the shutter unit 100 may be integrally formed.

[0037] When the plug is inserted into the jack 3041, the E-pole driving shutter 220 will be driven by the E-pole pin (not shown) of the plug to actuate the linked shutter 210. Then, the plug can be inserted into the jack 3041.

[0038] In a state where the E-pole driving shutter 220 is not driven by the E-pole, the top surfaces 110, 120 of the linked shutter 210 passing through the jacks toward the panel 301 are coplanar with the top surface 3011 of the panel 301.

[0039] The top surfaces 110, 120 are the top surfaces of the L-pole shutter portion and the N-pole shutter portion of the shutter unit 100, respectively. In particular, it can be seen from FIG. 3 that the acting surface 226 of the E-pole shutter in contact with the E-pole pin may be beveled or concave. That is, the acting surface 226 may have a curvature.

[0040] It would be advantageous for the acting surface 226 to have a curvature.
For example, when the shutter unit 100 is pushed toward the base 303, the curved acting surface 226 enables the E-pole pin to easily slide along the acting surface 226.
Thus, the E-pole pin can be moved generally toward the base 303.

[0041] In some embodiments, such as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, the shutter unit 100 can include a shaft 40. The shaft 40 extends from the linked shutter 210 toward the base 303, and may be arranged within a shaft hole formed for example in the base 303. Referring specifically to FIG. 10, the shaft hole 3031 is shown. The shaft hole herein may be, for example, a blind hole formed in a housing of the base 303.
The shaft 40 can abut against the closed end of the shaft hole 3031 to keep the shutter unit 100 in position in the base 300.

[0042] In some embodiments, still referring to FIG's. 4a and 4b, the shutter unit 100 may include an elastic member 50. The elastic member 50 may be, for example, a torsion spring that is arranged around the shaft 40. In some embodiments, the elastic member 50 in the form of a torsion spring may have two legs 51, 52. The leg 51 may abut against the shutter unit 100 and the leg 52 may abut against a portion of the base 303, thereby remaining the shutter unit 100 in a predefined position when the shutter unit 100 is not driven by the E-pole pin.

[0043] In some embodiments, a portion of a leg 51 of the torsion spring can be caught by a hook portion 228 (FIG. 4a) formed at the bottom of the E-pole driving shutter. Another portion of the leg 51 may abut against a projection 224 formed at the bottom of a linked shutter 210. In this way, the leg 51 can be fixed on the shutter unit 100. In some embodiments, the leg 52 of the torsion spring may abut against a contact surface 3030 formed in the base 303, which is shown in FIG.10.

[0044] Since one leg of the elastic member 50 abuts against the shutter unit 100 and the other leg abuts a portion of the base 303, a pre-tightening force is provided between the shutter unit 100 and the base 303. By this pre-tightening force, the shutter unit 100 can remain stationary in the socket 300 when it is not actuated by the plug without waggling or shifting.

[0045] The elastic member 50 may also function in such a way that, as the user pulls the plug out of the socket 300, that is, as the E-pole pin is disengaged from the socket 300, the elastic member 50 can apply an elastic force to the shutter unit 100.
In this way, the shutter unit 100 can be moved in a direction away from the base 303 until the linked shutter 210 is returned. That is, the top surfaces 110, 120 of the linked shutter 210 can be re-coplanar with the top surface 3011 of the panel 301.

[0046] With the driving of the plug, more specifically, of the E-pole pin of the plug, the movement trajectory of the shutter unit 100 generally follows two stages.
One stage is to move toward the base 303 and the other stage is to rotate about the shaft 40 in a plane parallel to the cover 304 or the panel 301.

[0047] In the first stage, the shutter unit 100 may move toward the base 303 in a direction perpendicular to the cover 304 or the panel 301. At this stage, since the shutter unit 100 is blocked by the panel 301 and further blocked by the cover 304 as moving down toward the base 303, the shutter unit 100 can only move downward in the direction perpendicular to the cover 304 or the panel 301.

[0048] In the second stage, the top surfaces of the three poles of the shutter unit 100 (including the top of the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter, and the top surfaces 110, 120) are all located below the cover 304. That is, the top surfaces are closer to the base 303 than the cover 304. As a result, the force for blocking the rotation of the shutter unit 100 becomes zero. Therefore, with the component force Fc (FIG. 3) of the force F exerted on the acting surface 226 by the E-pole pin, the E-pole driving shutter and in turn the shutter unit 100 can rotate about the shaft 40 through an angle, for example 40 , in a plane parallel to the cover 304 or the panel 301 to open the shutter unit 100.

[0049] Thereby, the three pins of the plug passing through the corresponding panel hole 302 and the corresponding jack 3041, respectively, can pass through a corresponding passage, which is provided after the shutter unit 100 is rotated, to be electrically connected to the corresponding terminals of the socket 300. In this way, the electrical connection between the plug and the socket can be achieved.

[0050] In some embodiments, the component force Fc may be a component of the force F that is parallel to the direction of the cover 304 or the panel 301.

[0051] Corresponding to the process in which the plug is inserted into the socket 300, when the E-pole pin is gradually separated from the socket 300, the shutter unit 100 would also undergo two stages of motions: a rotational motion around the shaft 40, and a movement away from base 303 and toward the panel 301. The direction of rotation at this time can be opposite to the direction of rotation in the aforementioned "first stage". For example, the rotation of the shutter unit 100 in the first stage as mentioned above is counterclockwise, and the rotation when the E-pole pin is gradually separated from the socket 300 is clockwise.

[0052] After rotating clockwise around the shaft 40 through an angle (for example, 40 ) from a position where the shutter unit 100 has rotated, the shutter unit 100 can return to 0 position. At the 0 position, the top surfaces of the N-pole, L-pole, and E-pole of the shutter unit 100 are respectively aligned with the corresponding jack 3041 and the panel hole 302.

[0053] From the 0 position, the elastic member 50 can apply a force to the shutter unit 100 in a direction away from the base 303. As a result, the shutter unit 100 can be moved along the direction away from the base 303 and perpendicular to the panel 301 (and the cover 304), until the shutter unit 100 is returned to the initial position.
That is, the top surfaces 110, 120 of the linked shutter 210 are re-coplanar with the top surface 3011 of the panel 301.

[0054] During return movement of the shutter unit 100 from the 0 position to the initial position, a stopper may be formed on the shutter unit 100. In this way, the return movement of the shutter unit 100 can be prevented from hitting the cover 304 and causing the shutter unit 100 to be accidentally broken.

[0055] In some embodiments, the stopper may be, for example, in the form of an element denoted by the reference signs "211", "229" in FIG's. 2, 3, and 4b. In this case, the stopper 211, 229 may be portions that extend beyond the top surface portions 110, 120 in a direction parallel to the cover 304. The stopper 211, 229 can serve to prevent the shutter unit 100 from impact.

[0056] Further, the stopper 211, 229 may also function as a limit. At the terminal of the further return process of the shutter unit 100 moving from the 0 position to the initial position, the surfaces (or upper surfaces) of the stopper 211, 229 facing the cover 304 may abut against the surface (or lower surface) of the cover 304 facing the base 303. In other words, in some embodiments, the position where the upper surfaces of the stopper 211, 229 are in contact with or abut against the lower surface of the cover 304 is the initial position of the shutter unit 100. That is, the initial position can be the position where the top surfaces 110 and 120 of the linked shutter 210 are coplanar with the top surface 3011 of the panel 301.

[0057] In the above embodiments, the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 may be a bevel or a curved surface. This can facilitate the sliding of the E-pole pin along the acting surface 226 toward the base 303, thereby actuating the shutter unit 100. Therefore, according to these embodiments, the socket 300 in which only the top surface 110 of the L pole and the top surface 120 of the N
pole are coplanar with the outer surface of the panel 301 can be obtained.

[0058] An example of another shutter unit 200 is shown in FIG's. 5 to 9c.
Although the shutter unit 200 is described in conjunction with FIG. 5, it should be understood that the shutter unit 100 and the shutter unit 200 may be used in the sockets as shown in FIG's. 1 and 5, and any other socket of a suitable type.

[0059] Hereinafter, the contents which are similar to those regarding the shutter unit 100 as described above, such as the shaft 40, the elastic member 50, and the like, will not be described further. The contents described with reference to FIG's. 5 to 9c will focus on the specific structure and function of the shutter unit 200.

[0060] Unlike the shutter unit 100, the shutter unit 200 is assembled from two separate parts. Specifically, the shutter unit 200 includes the linked shutter 210 and the E-pole driving shutter 220 as shown in FIG's. 6 and 7 respectively.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 7, the E-pole driving shutter 220 includes a first protrusion 221 and a second protrusion 222. The protrusions 221, 222 may be, for example, in the form of a shaft, or any other configuration that facilitates a movement of the E-pole driving shutter 220 relative to the linked shutter 210.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 6, the linked shutter 210 includes a first receiving portion 212 adapted to receive the first protruding portion 221, and a second receiving portion 213 adapted to receive the second protruding portion 222. The receiving portions 212, 213 may take the form of slots, recesses, or any other configuration that facilitates the movement of the E-pole driving shutter 220 relative to the linked shutter 210.

[0063] The relative movement between the E-pole driving shutter 220 and the linked shutter 210 will be described below with reference to FIG's. 8a, 8b and 9a-9c, wherein FIG's. 8a, 9a and 9c relate to the first state of the shutter unit 200. FIG's.
8b and 9b relate to the second state of the shutter unit 200.

[0064] Generally, when the E-pole pin drives the E-pole driving shutter 220 toward . the base 303, the first protrusion 221 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 is moved along the first receiving portion 212 of the linked shutter 210, until the E-pole driving shutter 220 and the linked shutter 210 cannot move any more relative to each other.

[0065] At this time, the shutter unit 200 assembled by the E-pole driving shutter 220 and the linked shutter 210 is the same as the overall configuration of the shutter unit 100 in the foregoing embodiments. Similar to the shutter unit 100, the shutter unit 200 can be actuated by the plug to move toward the base 303, until the shutter unit 200 is opened to form a passage for the plug to extend into the socket 300 for the electrical connection.

[0066] In some embodiments, for example, referring to FIG's. 6-8b, the first receiving portion 212 and the second receiving portion 213 extend obliquely relative to a plane in which the panel 301 or the cover 304 is located. The extension direction of the first receiving portion 212 is different from that of the second receiving portion 213. For example, when the E-pole driving shutter 220 is driven by the E-pole pin, the first protrusion 221 can move in the first receiving portion 212 in a direction toward the cover 304, and the second protrusion 222 can move in the second receiving portion 213 in a direction toward the base 303.

[0067] Referring to FIG's. 8a and 8b, in some embodiments, the shutter unit may also include an elastic member 60. Similar to the elastic member 50 as mentioned in the foregoing, the elastic member 60 may also be in the form of a torsion spring. Thus, the two legs of the torsion spring can simultaneously contact both of the linked shutter 210 and the E-pole driving shutter 220. Unlike the elastic member 50, the elastic member 60 can be used to realize the stationary state and the return movement of the E-pole driving shutter 220.

[0068] In the stationary state where the shutter unit is not actuated by the plug, the elastic member 60 can provide a pre-tightening force between the E-pole driving shutter 220 and the linked shutter 210. In this way, the E-pole driving shutter 220 remains stationary with the pre-tightening force.

[0069] During the return process, as the E-pole pin is disengaged from the socket 300, the elastic member 60 is adapted to apply an elastic force to the E-pole driving shutter 220. Thus, the E-pole driving shutter 220 is enabled to move relative to the linked shutter 210, until the E-pole driving shutter 220 is returned to a position where the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 is re-coplanar with the top surface 3011 of the panel 301.

[0070] Referring to FIG. 8a, in the embodiment where the elastic member 60 is embodied as the torsion spring, the torsion spring has a first leg 61, a second leg 62, and a coil spring 63. The coil spring 63 of the torsion spring can be sleeved on the protrusion 214 of the linked shutter 210. In this embodiment, the first leg 61 may abut against the linked shutter 210, and the second leg 62 may abut against the E-pole driving shutter 220.

[0071] More specifically, in some embodiments, the first leg 61 may abut against the rib 215 formed at the edge of the linked shutter 210, while the second leg 62 may be secured to the second protrusion 222. For example, the second leg 62 may enter from one side of the columnar portion 223 of the second protrusion 222 and pass out from the other side of the columnar portion 223. In this way, a portion of the second leg 62 can be retained in the second protrusion 222, which ensures that the second leg 62 can be fixed to the E-pole driving shutter.

[0072] Similar to the "protrusion" and "receiving portion" as mentioned above, the "rib" mentioned herein may also be formed at a position outside the edge of the linked shutter 210. Likewise, the way in which between the second leg 62 and the second protrusion 222 is fixed is also not limited to the exemplary means described herein.
Any arrangement suitable for fixing the elastic member 60, as well as for retention and resetting action of the E-pole driving shutter, will be contained within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0073] FIG's. 8a, 9a and 9c show the first state of the E-pole driving shutter 220.
In the first state, similar to the top surfaces 110, 120 of the linked shutter 210, the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 is also coplanar with the top surface 3011 of the panel 301. The coplanar position, at which the E-pole driving shutter 220 is located in the first state, is referred to as an "E-pole initial position (Fig.

9a)".

[0074] FIG. 9c more clearly shows the position at which the first protrusion 221 and the second protrusion 222 of the E-pole driving shutter 200 are located in the first state, i.e., when they are not driven. The first protrusion 221 is located at one end of the first receiving portion 212 near the base 303. The second protrusion 222 is located at an end of the second receiving portion 213 near the cover 304. This end may be, for example, an open end, so that the second protrusion 221 can enter the second receiving portion 213.

[0075] FIG's. 8b and 9b show the second state of the E-pole driving shutter 220. In the second state, the E-pole driving shutter 220 has been assembled with the linked shutter 210 to provide the shutter unit 200. That is, the shutter unit 200 as a whole can move according to the movement manner of the shutter unit 100 described in the foregoing embodiments.

[0076] Therefore, the same movement process of the shutter units 100, 200 toward the base 303 may be referred to as a "first driving process", and the same movement process of the shutter units 100, 200 away from the base 303 may be referred to as "first return process".

[0077] Correspondingly, when being actuated by the plug, the E-pole shutter may be moved relative to the linked shutter 210 until they are relatively stationary.
The above movement of the E-pole shutter 220 may be referred to as a "second driving process". When the plug is pulled out, the return movement of the E-pole driving shutter 220 to the E-pole initial position under the action of the elastic member 60 may be referred to as a "second return process".

[0078] A second driving process can be initiated when the E-pole pin of the plug exerts a downward force on the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter toward the base 303. In the second driving process, as described above, the first protrusion 221 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 can move in the direction toward the cover 304 in the first receiving portion 212, and the second protrusion 222 can move in the direction toward the base 303 in the second receiving portion 213, until a bent portion 227 of the E-pole driving shutter (which extends substantially in a lateral direction or a direction parallel to the panel 301) abuts against the side wall 216 of the linked shutter 210.

[0079] In particular, it can be seen in FIG's. 8b and 9b that the bent portion 227 may be received in a recess formed by the side wall 216 of the linked shutter 210.
At this point, the E-pole driving shutter 220 cannot continue to move under the action of the E-pole pin so as to remain relatively stationary with the linked shutter 210.
In this way, the E-pole driving shutter 220 and the linked shutter 210 can together form the shutter unit 200, whose movement manner can be in conformity with that of the shutter unit 100.

[0080] Thereafter, the shutter unit 200 can implement the "first driving process"
consistent with that described in connection with the shutter unit 100. Since the contents relating to the elastic member 50, the deflection angle, and the like are the same or similar, they will not be described further hereinafter.

[0081] When the user pulls the plug out of the socket 300, the E-pole pin starts to be disengaged from the socket to release the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter. As the E-pole pin is disengaged from the socket 300, the shutter unit will undergo the "first return process" consistent with that described in connection with the shutter unit 100. Since the contents relating to the elastic member 50, the deflection angle, and the like are the same or similar, they will not be described further hereinafter.

[0082] After the first return process of the shutter unit 200 is completed, the second return process of the E-pole driving shutter can be started. In the second return process, with the elastic member 60, the first protrusion 221 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 can move in the first receiving portion 212 in the direction toward the base 303, and the second protrusion 222 can move in the direction toward the cover 304 in the second receiving portion 213, until the bent portion 227 of the E-pole driving shutter is disengaged from the side wall 216 of the linked shutter 210.

[0083] At this time, the E-pole driving shutter can be returned to the initial position of the E-pole shown in FIG. 9a. That is, the E-pole driving shutter can be returned to the position where the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter 220, the top surfaces 110 and 120 of the linked shutter 210, and the outer surface 3011 of the panel 301 are coplanar.

[0084] The shutter unit may be designed to be split type or assembled type.
That is, the shutter unit 200 may be assembled by the E-pole shutter 220 and the linked shutter 210 that can move relative to each other. Moreover, the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter 220 may not be a bevel or curved surface. In this manner, it is ensured that the acting surface 226 of the E-pole driving shutter 220, the top surfaces 110 and 120 of the linked shutter 210, and the outer surface 3011 of the panel 301 are coplanar. This is an important improvement distinguishing from the shutter unit 100.

[0085] By assembling the shutter unit 200 in the socket 300, it is possible to form no pits, recessions or depressions in corresponding positions of any of the jacks, thereby achieving zero gap or near seamlessness of the outer surface of the panel 301.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent children from inserting a small object such as a wire or the like into the socket 300 through the pit on the surface of the panel 301.
In this way, an improved safety level of the socket 300 can be achieved.

[0086] As previously mentioned, in some embodiments, the elastic member 50 and the elastic member 60 may be in the form of torsion springs. The special configuration of the torsion spring ensures a close connection between two independent mechanisms/components, such as the shutter unit and the base, the linked shutter and the E-pole driving shutter. Furthermore, by providing only one elastic member in association with two separate mechanisms/components, the number of required components can be reduced. Thus, the configuration of the action mechanism can be simplified, and mechanical instability due to multiple components can be reduced.

[0087] The shapes and positions of the elements mentioned in any of the above embodiments, or in any of the figures, are exemplary in principle and are merely illustrated or indicated for the purpose of description. It should be understood, however, that any alternative elements that are capable of implementing the mechanisms and functions of the embodiments of the present disclosure are technically included within the scope of the present disclosure, including those currently known or developed in the future.

[0088] While some specific embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown by way of example, it is understood that the above examples are intended to be illustrative only and not limiting the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above-described embodiments may be modified without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosure. The scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0089] In the specification and the claims below, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" are understood to include the recited component or group of ingredients, but does not exclude any other component or group of ingredients.

[0090] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an admission or suggestion that such prior art constitutes common knowledge.

[0091] It should be understood that the appended claims are only temporary claim and may be examples of claims and not intended to limit the scope of the claims to any future patent application based on this application. Contents may be added or deleted in the following claims to further define or redefine the utility.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. A socket (300), comprising:
a base (303);
a panel (301) mounted on the base (303);
a cover (304) arranged between the base (303) and the panel (301) and comprising jacks (3041) provided therein; and a shutter unit (100; 200) arranged inside the base (303) and comprising a linked shutter (210) and an E-pole driving shutter (220), wherein when a plug is inserted into the jacks (3041), the E-pole driving shutter (220) is driven by an E-pole pin of the plug to actuate the linked shutter (210), so that the plug can be inserted into the jacks (3041); and wherein in a state where the E-pole driving shutter (220) is not driven by the E-pole pin, top surfaces (110, 120) of the linked shutter (210) passing through the jacks (3041) toward the panel (301) are coplanar with a top surface (3011) of the panel (301).

2. The socket (300) of Claim 1, wherein the linked shutter (210) and the E-pole driving shutter (220) are integrally formed; and wherein an acting surface (226) of the E-pole driving shutter (220) in contact with the E-pole pin is a slope or a concave surface.

3. The socket (300) of Claim 1, wherein the acting surface (226) of the E-pole driving shutter (220) in contact with the E-pole pin is a plane, and the acting surface (226) is coplanar with the top surface (3011) of the panel (301).

4. The socket (300) of Claim 3, wherein the E-pole driving shutter (220) comprises a first protruding portion (221) and a second protruding portion (222);
wherein the linked shutter (210) comprises a first receiving portion (212) adapted to receive the first protruding portion (221) and a second receiving portion (213) adapted to receive the second protruding portion (222); and wherein the first protruding portion (221) moves along the first receiving portion (212) when the E-pole pin drives the E-pole driving shutter (220) toward the base (303), such that the shutter unit (200) is actuated by the plug to move toward the base (303).

5. The socket (300) of Claim 4, wherein the shutter unit (200) further comprises:
a first elastic member (60) in contact with both of the linked shutter (210) and the E-pole driving shutter (220); and wherein with the E-pole pin being disengaged from the socket (300), the first elastic member (60) is adapted to apply an elastic force to the E-pole driving shutter (220) to move the E-pole driving shutter (220) relative to the linked shutter (210), until the E-pole driving shutter (220) is returned such that the acting surface (226) of the E-pole driving shutter (220) is coplanar with the top surface (3011) of the panel(301).

6. The socket (300) of Claim 5, wherein the first elastic member (60) is a torsion spring with a first leg (61) and a second leg (62); and wherein a coil (63) of the torsion spring is arranged around a protrusion (214) of the linked shutter (210) with the first leg (61) abutting against the linked shutter (210), and the second leg (62) abutting against the E-pole driving shutter (220).

7. The socket (300) of any one of Claims 1-6, wherein the shutter unit (100;
200) further comprises:
a shaft (40), extending from the linked shutter (210) toward the base (303) and arranged within a shaft hole (3031) formed in the base (303).

8. The socket (300) of claim 7, wherein the shutter unit (100; 200) further comprises:
a second elastic member (50) arranged around the shaft (40); and wherein with the E-pole pin being disengaged from the socket (300), the second elastic member (50) is adapted to apply elastic force to the shutter unit (100; 200) to move the shutter unit away from the base (303), until the linked shutter (210) is returned such that the top surfaces (110, 120) are coplanar with the top surface (3011) of the panel(301).

9. The socket (300) of Claim 8, wherein the second elastic member (50) is a torsion spring with a third leg (51) and a fourth leg (52); and wherein the third leg (51) abuts against the shutter unit (100; 200), and the fourth leg (52) abuts against a contact surface (3030) formed in the base (303), such that the shutter unit (100; 200) is remained in position when not driven by the E-pole pin.