CN215834853U

CN215834853U - Socket device

Info

Publication number: CN215834853U
Application number: CN202121695278.7U
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈涛; 童水波; 张翔
Original assignee: Anker Innovations Co Ltd
Current assignee: Anker Innovations Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-07-23
Filing date: 2021-07-23
Publication date: 2022-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-23
Also published as: WO2023001242A1

Abstract

A socket device includes a base, a movable member, a biasing member, and a receptacle. The movable member is movably provided to the base in a first direction between a use position and a storage position. The biasing member applies a force to the movable member toward the storage position. The receptacle is located at one of the base and the movable member. The movable member in the use position extends at least partially beyond the base. And, when the movable member is in the use position, a maximum dimension of the header assembly in the first direction is a first dimension; when the movable member is located at the receiving position, the maximum size of the socket device along the first direction is a second size, and the first size is larger than the second size. Therefore, the overall volume of the outlet device can be reduced for easy carrying and transportation.

Description

Socket device

Technical Field

The utility model relates to the technical field of electrical accessories, in particular to a socket device.

Background

The socket device is used for being matched with the plug device to be connected with a power line. Since the plug device is to receive the pins, the outlet device needs to be provided with a certain receiving space, which results in that the size of the outlet device is difficult to be significantly reduced. For example, in the length, width and height dimensions of the outlet device suitable for the medium, american, japanese standards, etc., the height thereof is at least about 24.5 mm. Such size limitations obviously adversely affect the portability of the outlet device.

Therefore, in view of the above facts, it is considered to provide a socket device to at least partially solve the above problems.

SUMMERY OF THE UTILITY MODEL

In the summary section a series of concepts in a simplified form is introduced, which will be described in further detail in the detailed description section. The inventive content of the present invention is not intended to define key features or essential features of the claimed solution, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed solution.

To at least partially solve the above problems, the present invention discloses a socket device, comprising:

a base having a cavity;

a movable member movably provided to the base in a first direction between a use position and a storage position;

a biasing member located within the cavity and abutting the movable member to apply a force to the movable member toward the stowed position; and

a receptacle at one of the base and the movable member;

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the movable member in the use position extends at least partially beyond the base,

the maximum dimension of the receptacle unit in the first direction is a first dimension when the movable member is in the use position; when the movable member is in the storage position, a maximum dimension of the receptacle unit in the first direction is a second dimension, and the first dimension is greater than the second dimension.

According to the socket device provided by the utility model, the whole volume can be reduced, so that the socket device is convenient to carry and transport. Since the movable member is movable relative to the base body, no loss of accommodation space for the pins of the plug device is incurred, and safe and reliable use is possible.

Preferably, the receptacle is located at the base and is aligned with the movable member in the first direction.

According to this aspect, the movable member can be moved away from the jack when moving to the use position to provide a space for connecting the plug device.

Preferably, the movable member includes a cover plate, and the insertion hole is located at the cover plate.

According to this aspect, the movable member provided with the insertion hole can be brought close to and into contact with the plug device when moving to the use position to provide a space for connecting the plug device.

Preferably, the aforementioned outlet device further comprises:

an intermediate member movably disposed within the cavity between an initial position and an actuated position along a second direction, the second direction being different than the first direction.

According to this aspect, the movable member can be directly or indirectly driven via the intermediate member, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the movable part of the outlet device.

Preferably, the intermediate member has a first guide surface inclined to the first direction and the second direction, the movable member has an engaging portion for engaging with the first guide surface,

wherein movement of the intermediate member from an initial position to the actuated position in the second direction causes the movable member to move from the stowed position to the use position in the first direction.

According to this aspect, it is possible to convert the movement of the intermediate member in the second direction into the movement of the movable member in the first direction, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the movable parts of the outlet device.

Preferably, the intermediate member has a second guide surface inclined to the first direction and the second direction,

wherein, in a state where the intermediate member is located at the initial position, the insertion hole is projected on the second guide surface in the first direction.

According to this aspect, the movement of the intermediate member in the second direction can be driven with the force in the first direction, thereby further converting the movement of the intermediate member in the second direction into the movement of the movable member in the first direction, thereby improving the degree of freedom in the arrangement of the movable parts of the outlet device.

Preferably, the aforementioned outlet device further comprises:

an additional biasing member disposed in the second direction and abutting the intermediate member to apply a force to the intermediate member toward the initial position.

According to this aspect, the intermediate member can be always held at the initial position corresponding to the storage position of the movable member, thereby keeping the socket device small in volume.

Preferably, the movable member in the stowed position does not extend beyond the base.

According to this aspect, the size of the outlet device, particularly the height in the length, width, and height dimensions of the outlet device, can be reduced to improve the portability thereof.

Preferably, the movable member is configured in a U-shape in cross section, and the biasing member is disposed in the first direction and between the movable member and the base.

According to this aspect, the biasing member can be provided with a simple structure, and the outlet device can be made compact.

Preferably, the receptacle device is adapted to connect a plug device having a pin through the receptacle, wherein the first dimension is greater than the length of the pin and the second dimension is less than the length of the pin.

According to this solution, it is possible to make it possible for the pins of the plug device to accommodate, on the one hand, the complete insertion of the pins and, on the other hand, to make them as small as possible in the unused state.

Preferably, the outlet device is configured as a patch panel having a power cord, and is provided with a plurality of sets of movable members and jacks.

According to the scheme, the available interface and the utilization rate of the socket device can be improved.

Furthermore, the outlet device according to the present invention may also be defined by:

optionally, the socket device is for connecting a plug device having a pin through the receptacle, wherein the pin is contactable with the second guide surface of the intermediate member, and wherein a force applied by the pin to the first guide surface in the first direction causes the intermediate member to move from the initial position towards the actuated position in the second direction.

Optionally, the receptacle device is for connecting a plug device having a pin through the receptacle, wherein the pin is contactable with the movable member and a force applied to the movable member by the pin in the first direction causes the movable member to move in the first direction from the stowed position to the use position.

Optionally, the receptacle device is for connecting a plug device having pins through the receptacle, wherein the second dimension is less than or equal to 70% of the first dimension.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also disclosed a socket device, including:

a base having a cavity;

a movable member movably provided to the cavity base in a first direction between a use position and a storage position;

a receptacle at one of the base and the movable member;

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

the socket device is used for connecting a plug device with a pin through the jack, and when the insertion force of the pin into the jack overcomes the acting force of the biasing member, the movable member moves from the storage position to the use position.

Drawings

The following drawings of embodiments of the utility model are included as part of the present invention for an understanding of the utility model. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the utility model and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the utility model. In the drawings, there is shown in the drawings,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a header assembly according to the present invention, wherein the plug assembly is not inserted into the header assembly and the movable member is in the stowed position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a receptacle unit according to the present invention with a plug unit inserted therein and with the movable member still in the stowed position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a header assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the plug assembly has been inserted into the header assembly and the movable member is in the use position;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 2 taken along line A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 5 taken along line B-B of FIG. 8;

FIG. 8 is a front view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a header assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the plug assembly has been inserted into the header assembly and the movable member is in the use position;

FIG. 11 is a side view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 10;

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 2 taken along line A-A of FIG. 3;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 10, taken along line C-C of FIG. 13;

FIG. 13 is a front view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in FIG. 10;

fig. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the receptacle unit and the plug unit shown in fig. 13.

Description of reference numerals:

10-plug device 12-pin

100/200-socket device 102/202-jack

104-power line 106/206-substrate

108/208-Movable Member 108a/208 a-cover plate

108b/208 b-side wall 108c/208 c-flange

110-biasing member 112-intermediate member

112 a-first guide surface 112 b-second guide surface

114-mating portion 116-stop portion

118-additional biasing member

P1-use position P2-storage position

P3-actuated position P4-initial position

DP1/DP 1' -first size DP 2-second size

D1-first Direction

Detailed Description

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that embodiments of the utility model may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments of the utility model.

In the following description, a detailed structure will be presented for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the utility model. It is apparent that the implementation of the embodiments of the present invention is not limited to the specific details familiar to those skilled in the art.

The present invention provides a socket device capable of reducing the height in the length, width and height dimensions by structural improvement, thereby reducing the overall volume to improve the portability thereof.

A socket device according to the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 1 to 14.

< first embodiment >

As known to those skilled in the art, a receptacle device refers to a device having a jack for insertion of an electric cable to access a power line. Common jacks include standard three-hole jacks, standard two-hole jacks, USB jacks, and the like. The following and accompanying figures illustrate a receptacle unit according to the present invention in the form of a standard three-hole jack, but other types of jacks are also suitable for use with the present invention.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a socket device 100 according to the present invention, and also shows a plug device 10 for inserting the socket device 100. As shown, the outlet device 100 is illustrated as a multi-outlet having multiple sets of receptacles 102, and having a power cord 104 shown on the right side of the figure. It is understood that in other embodiments not shown, the outlet device 100 may have only a single set of jacks 102 and/or may not have an extended power cord. The outlet device 100 according to the present invention is preferably a portable outlet, i.e. it can be moved from place to place before or during use. For example, the outlet device 100 according to the present invention may be a so-called patch panel.

Fig. 2 is similar to fig. 1, wherein the plug device 10 of fig. 1 has not been inserted into the outlet device 100, and the plug device 10 of fig. 2 has been inserted into the outlet device 100, but has not yet been powered on, as shown in particular in fig. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a front view of fig. 2, and fig. 4 is a sectional view of fig. 3. Obviously, in this case, the pins 12 of the header assembly 10 are still partially exposed to the holes 102 of the socket assembly 100, and there is no electrical connection between the header assembly 10 and the socket assembly 100 for safety.

Referring next to fig. 5, which is similar to fig. 1 and 2, but with the plug device 10 fully inserted into the receptacle device 100 and completing the power circuit. In this case, according to the present invention, a portion of the outlet device 100 is displaced to increase the internal volume thereof, thereby providing a space sufficient to receive the pins 12 of the plug device 10. This structure can significantly reduce the volume of the outlet device 100 according to the present invention, relative to the conventional outlet device.

To provide such a receiving space, in one embodiment, the header assembly 100 includes a base 106 and a movable member 108. The base 106 has a cavity to receive electrical components known in the art, such as electrical contacts. The movable member 108 is mounted to the base 106 and is movable in a first direction D1 relative to the base 106 between a use position P1 (see fig. 5) and a stowed position P2 (see fig. 1 and 2). When in the use position P1, the movable member 108 extends at least partially beyond the base 106 such that the prongs 12 of the plug device 10 are fully received in the receptacle device 100. As shown in the side view of fig. 6 and the front view of fig. 8, a portion of the mobility member 108 in the use position P1 extends beyond the base 106. Preferably, the movable member 108 does not extend beyond the base 106 when located at the storage position P2, so that the outlet device 100 is downsized in an unused state where the plug device 10 is not connected. More preferably, when in the stowed position P2, the movable member 108 is flush with the surface of the base 106 such that the header assembly 100 has a substantially planar exterior surface for ease of carrying or shipping.

Referring to fig. 3 and 8, 4 and 9, when the movable member 108 is located at the use position P1, the maximum dimension of the header assembly 100 along the first direction D1 is the first dimension DP 1; when the movable member 108 is located at the storage position P2, the maximum dimension of the outlet device 100 in the first direction D1 is the second dimension DP2, and the first dimension DP1 is greater than the second dimension DP 2. That is, the volume of the outlet device 100 in the unused state is smaller than the volume of the outlet device 100 in the used state, thereby allowing, on the one hand, the complete insertion of the pins 12 of the plug device 10 and, on the other hand, the reduction of the space occupied by the outlet device 100. Considering that the housing of the outlet device 100 also has a certain thickness to maintain strength, the second dimension DP2 is preferably less than or equal to 70% of the first dimension DP 1.

To make the structure of the outlet device 100 as compact as possible, the first direction D1 in which the movable member 108 moves is preferably parallel to the direction in which the header device 10 is inserted into the outlet device 100. Accordingly, the first dimension DP1 and the second dimension DP2 of the outlet device 100 may also be exemplarily illustrated by the dimensions of the pins 12 of the header device 10. Preferably, the first dimension DP1 is greater than the length of the pin 12 and the second dimension DP2 is less than the length of the pin 12. For example, for the standard three-prong female receptacle 102 shown in the figures, the length of the pins 12 of the corresponding standard three-prong plug is a minimum of 18mm, and thus the first dimension DP1 is greater than 18mm and the second dimension DP2 is less than 18 mm. That is, the height of the socket device 100 in the length, width, and height dimensions in the unused state is less than 18 mm. For another example, for a standard two-prong female receptacle 102, not shown, the length of the prong 12 of a corresponding standard two-prong plug is a minimum of 16mm, and thus the first dimension DP1 is greater than 16mm and the second dimension DP2 is less than 16 mm. That is, the height of the socket device 100 in the length, width, and height dimensions in the unused state is less than 16 mm. The second dimension DP2 of the socket device 100 according to the utility model is preferably smaller than 18mm, more preferably smaller than 17mm, even more preferably smaller than 16 mm. For reference, the height in the length, width and height dimensions of the conventional outlet device having the standard three-hole/two-hole jack is generally in the range of 24.5 to 30.0mm, and thus the outlet device 100 according to the present invention can significantly reduce the height dimension, thereby reducing the space occupied by the whole thereof to improve portability, compared to the conventional outlet device. However, the above numerical values are merely examples, and the size of the outlet device 100 according to the present invention is not limited to the above numerical value range.

To allow the movable member 108 to remain in the stowed position P2, the header assembly 100 according to the present invention further includes a biasing member 110. As shown in fig. 4 and 9, the biasing member 110 is located within the cavity of the base 106 and abuts the movable member 108 to apply a force to the movable member 108 toward the stowed position P2. In this way, the movable member 108 is always held in the stored position P2, and/or always tends to return to the stored position P2 unless the force of the biasing member 110 is overcome. That is, in the unused state, the volume of the header assembly 100 may be kept small because the movable member 108 does not extend beyond the base 106. Preferably, the biasing member 110 is made of a material having elasticity, and the applied force is an elastic force. This makes the structure of the outlet device 100 simple, and makes the operation of moving the movable member 108 from the storage position P2 to the use position P1 convenient.

Preferably, the biasing member 110 is disposed along the first direction D1 and is located between the movable member 108 and the base 106. Wherein the biasing member 110 abuts against the movable member 108 at one end and the base 106 at the other end, thereby directly applying a force to both the movable member 108 and the base 106, which can reduce the number of parts and facilitate the production and assembly of the outlet device 100.

The arrangement of the biasing member 110 may be described with reference to the sectional views of fig. 7A and 7B. The movable member 108 further includes a cover plate 108a and a sidewall 108b, the cover plate 108a being formed substantially planar, the sidewall 108b extending from the cover plate 108a along the first direction D1. Thus, the cross-section of the movable member 108 is configured in a U-shape. The end of sidewall 108b remote from cover plate 108a is formed with a flange 108 c. The biasing member 110 abuts the movable member 108 at the flange 108c, but is not shown in the figures. In this manner, the biasing member 110 is positioned so as not to interfere with other electrical components, such as electrical contacts, within the base 106 of the header assembly 100.

In addition, since the movable member 108 has the above-described U-shaped cross-sectional configuration, it is also possible to block foreign matter from entering the cavity of the base 106 during movement of the movable member 108. Also, the flange 108c protrudingly formed on the movable member 108 also has a stopper function, so that the movable member 108 can move only between the storage position P2 and the use position P1 with respect to the base 106 without moving beyond the use position P1.

In this embodiment, the receptacle 102 of the outlet device 100 is located on a cover 108a of the movable member 108, the cover 108a having a surface contactable with the plug device 10. For convenience of illustration, the cover plate 108a provided with the insertion holes 102 is shown to be positioned at the top of the outlet device 100, i.e., the header device 10 is to be inserted downward into the outlet device 100 through the insertion holes 102 at the top. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the plug device 10 is inserted downward, and the movable member 108 of the outlet device 100 is moved upward to provide the accommodation space. It is to be understood that the terms "top," "upward," and "downward," as used herein, will vary depending on the particular location of use of the header assembly 100.

The inventors of the present invention have found that it is particularly advantageous to utilize the insertion force of the plug device 10 to overcome the force of the biasing member 110. Generally, the outlet device 100 needs to be provided with a safety device (not shown) such as a protective door for safety, and a user needs to release the safety device by applying a certain amount of force when inserting the plug device 10. According to the present invention, the urging force of the biasing member 110 can be overcome with the insertion force that is originally intended to be exerted to move the movable member 108 from the storage position P2 to the use position P1. In this process, no additional force or any other operation is required, and thus the outlet device 100 according to the present invention can be conveniently used.

Taking the illustrated embodiment as an example, the movable member 108 of the outlet device 100 moves upward while the plug device 10 is inserted downward. That is, in the present embodiment, the direction of action of the insertion force of the plug device 10 is opposite to the moving direction of the movable member 108. To achieve this configuration, the outlet device 100 according to the present invention further includes an intermediate member 112. By means of the intermediate member 112, the plug device 10 is able to drive the movable member 108 in a direction opposite thereto. The intermediate member 112 is disposed within the cavity of the base 106 and is movable relative to the base 106 between an initial position P4 and an actuated position P3 in a second direction D2 that is different from the first direction D1. Preferably, the second direction D2 is perpendicular to the first direction D1, which makes the outlet device 100 compact.

As best shown in fig. 7A and 7B, in a preferred embodiment, the intermediate member 112 has a first guide surface 112 a. The first guide surface 112a is contactable with the movable member 108 so as to be able to push the movable member 108. The movable member 108 has an engaging portion 114 for engaging with the first guide surface 112a, and the engaging portion 114 is movable thereon along the first guide surface 112 a. The first guide surface 112a is inclined to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. For example, the first guide surface 112a may be angled at 45 ° with respect to the first direction D1, and may be angled at 45 ° with respect to the second direction D2. Of course, the relative angle of the first guide surface 112a is not limited to the above value. Based on the structure of the first guide surface 112a, movement of the intermediate member 112 in the second direction D2 from the initial position P4 (see fig. 7A) to the actuated position P3 (see fig. 7B) may cause the movable member 108 to move in a first direction D1 different from the second direction D2 from the stowed position P2 (see fig. 7A) to the use position P1 (see fig. 7B). The initial position P4 of intermediate member 112 corresponds to the stowed position P2 of movable member 108 and the actuated position P3 of intermediate member 112 corresponds to the use position P1 of movable member 108. Wherein the intermediate member 112 located at the initial position P4 may not contact the mating portion 114 of the movable member 108.

Further, the intermediate member 112 also has a second guide surface 112 b. The second guide surface 112b is contactable with the pin 12 of the header assembly 10 so as to be capable of being pushed by the pin 12. The second guide surface 112b is inclined to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. For example, the second guide surface 112b may be angled at 45 ° with respect to the first direction D1, and at 45 ° with respect to the second direction D2. Of course, the relative angle of the second guide surface 112b is not limited to the above-described value. Based on the structure of the second guiding surface 112b, insertion of the prong 12 of the plug device 10 in a direction parallel to the first direction D1 may cause the intermediate member 112 to move from the initial position P4 to the actuated position P3 in the second direction D2, which in turn causes the movable member 108 to move from the stowed position P2 to the use position P1 in a direction opposite to the insertion of the plug device 10.

As shown in fig. 7A, the second guide surface 112b of the intermediate member 112 is arranged such that, in a state where the intermediate member 112 is located at the initial position P4, the insertion hole 102 is projected on the second guide surface 112b in the first direction D1. In this way, the prongs 12 of the plug device 10 are necessarily in contact with the intermediate member 112 when inserted along the insertion hole 102, thereby enabling better use of the insertion force of the inserted plug device 10 as a driving force for the use of the outlet device 100.

Preferably, the header assembly 100 further includes an additional biasing member 118. The additional biasing member 118 is disposed in the second direction D2 and abuts the intermediate member 112 to apply a force to the intermediate member 112 toward the initial position P4. This may keep the intermediate member 112 always in the initial position P4, again ensuring that the prongs 12 of the plug device 10 necessarily contact the intermediate member 112 when inserted along the receptacle 102. The additional biasing means may be made of a material having elasticity to apply an elastic force to the intermediate member 112. Additional biasing members 118 for intermediate member 112 are schematically illustrated in fig. 7A and 7B, and biasing member 110 for movable member 108 is not illustrated.

Further, the intermediate member 112 may have a stop 116 for maintaining the intermediate member 112 in the actuated position P3 to maintain the movable member 108 in the use position P1. For example, the stopper 116 is formed as a plane parallel to the first direction D1 to avoid ejecting the plug device 10 from the outlet device 100 and/or the intermediate member 112 to return to the initial position P4. Based on the above configuration, when the intermediate member 112 reaches the actuation position P3, the movable member 108 can be held at the use position P1, the cover plate 108a provided with the insertion hole 102 can be brought into contact with the plug device 10, and the plug device 10 can be securely inserted in the outlet device 100.

Only one intermediate member 112 is shown so that insertion of the plug assembly 10 to actuate the movable member 108 is achieved. However, with respect to the center axis of the pin 12 of the plug device 10, another intermediate member (not shown) may be further provided on the opposite side of the illustrated intermediate member 112, that is, the intermediate members 112 may be provided on both sides symmetrical with respect to the center plane. In addition, an intermediate member 112 may be provided for each pin 12 at a position corresponding to each socket 102.

< second embodiment >

While the receptacle 102 is described above as being located in the movable member 108 of the receptacle unit 100, embodiments in which the receptacle 202 is located in the base 206 of the receptacle unit 200 are described below in conjunction with fig. 10-14.

Similar to fig. 5, fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the outlet device 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the plug device 10 being fully inserted into the outlet device 200 and completing a power circuit. In contrast, the mobility member 108 of fig. 5 projects out of the base 106 facing the socket 102 in the use position P1, while the mobility member 208 of fig. 10 projects out of the base 206 facing away from the socket 202 in the use position P1.

The movable member 208 according to the present embodiment has substantially the same structure as that of the movable member 108 according to the first embodiment. Briefly, the movable member 208 is mounted to the base 206 and is movable in a first direction D1 relative to the base 206 between a use position P1 (see fig. 10) and a stowed position P2 (see fig. 1 and 2). As shown in the side view of fig. 11 and the front view of fig. 13, a portion of the mobility member 208 in the use position P1 extends beyond the base 206.

Referring to fig. 3 and 13, 4 and 14, when the movable member 208 is in the use position P1, the maximum dimension of the header assembly 200 along the first direction D1 is the first dimension DP 1'; when the movable member 208 is located at the storage position P2, the maximum dimension of the outlet 200 in the first direction D1 is the second dimension DP2, and the first dimension DP 1' is greater than the second dimension DP 2. That is, the volume of the outlet device 200 in the unused state is smaller than the volume of the outlet device 200 in the used state, thereby allowing, on the one hand, the prongs 12 of the plug device 10 to be fully inserted and, on the other hand, the space occupied by the outlet device 200 to be reduced. In view of the thickness of the housing of the outlet device 200, the second dimension DP2 is preferably less than or equal to 70% of the first dimension DP 1'. The other descriptions regarding the first dimension DP1 and the second dimension DP2 in the first embodiment are equally applicable to this embodiment.

Referring to the cross-sectional views shown in fig. 12A and 12B, in this embodiment, the movable member 208 still has a U-shaped cross-sectional configuration including a cover plate 208a and a side wall 208B (and a flange 208c), except that no receptacle 202 is provided in the cover plate 208a of the movable member 208. Instead, the receptacle 202 of the header assembly 200 is positioned on the base 206 and aligned with the movable member 208 in the first direction D1. Specifically, the insertion hole 202 is projected on the cover plate 208a of the movable member 208 in the first direction D1 such that the movable member 208 is more and more distant from the insertion hole 202 as the movable member 208 moves from the storage position P2 to the use position P1 in the first direction D1. This may increase the internal volume of the header assembly 200, thereby providing sufficient space to accommodate the prongs 12 of the plug assembly 10.

Since the pins 12 of the plug device 10 are inserted through the receptacles 202, in this embodiment, the base 206 provided with the receptacles 202 has a surface contactable with the plug device 10, rather than the movable member 208 being in contact with the outlet device 200. For ease of illustration, the surface of the base 206 that is provided with the receptacles 202 is shown at the top of the header assembly 200, i.e., the header assembly 10 will be inserted down into the header assembly 200 through the top receptacle 202. In other words, according to the present embodiment, the plug device 10 is inserted downward, and the movable member 208 of the outlet device 200 is also moved downward to provide the accommodation space. As mentioned above, the directional terms "top," "upward," and "downward" as used herein will vary depending on the particular location of use of the header assembly 200.

In this case, the direction of action of the insertion force of the plug apparatus 10 is the same as the moving direction of the movable member 208. Accordingly, the intermediate member 112 of the first embodiment may be omitted from the outlet device 200 herein. The plug device 10 may apply a force, directly or indirectly, to the movable member 208 to cause the movable member 208 to move from the stowed position P2 (see fig. 12A) to the use position P1 (see fig. 12B) in the same direction as the insertion of the plug device 10. In this way, the insertion force with which the plug device 10 is inserted can be utilized to overcome the force of the biasing member 110 (see fig. 14) by a simple structure to effect the movement of the movable member 208, thereby facilitating the operation of the outlet device 200.

The various preferred features described above may be combined without conflict.

According to the above description, the outlet of the present invention does not need to lose the accommodation space for the pins of the plug device to reduce the volume, and thus the pins of the plug device are not exposed to the outside when inserted into the outlet, thereby being safely and reliably used. In this case, the outlet of the present invention advantageously drives the movable member of the outlet by means of the insertion force of the inserting plug device, thereby enabling the operation of the outlet to be facilitated. In addition, the socket device has simple structure, small volume and convenient carrying and transportation.

Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the utility model. Terms such as "disposed" and the like, as used herein, may refer to one element being directly attached to another element or one element being attached to another element through intervening elements. Features described herein in one embodiment may be applied to another embodiment, either alone or in combination with other features, unless the feature is otherwise inapplicable or otherwise stated in the other embodiment.

The present invention has been described in terms of the above embodiments, but it should be understood that the above embodiments are for purposes of illustration and description only and are not intended to limit the utility model to the scope of the described embodiments. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations and modifications may be made to the teachings of the utility model, which fall within the scope of the utility model as claimed.

Claims

1. An outlet device, comprising:

a base having a cavity;

a receptacle at one of the base and the movable member;

wherein the content of the first and second substances,

2. A header assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said receptacle is located at said base and is aligned with said movable member in said first direction.

3. A header assembly in accordance with claim 1, wherein said movable member comprises a cover plate, said receptacle being located at said cover plate.

4. The header assembly of claim 3, further comprising:

5. A header assembly according to claim 4, wherein said intermediate member has a first guide surface inclined to said first direction and said second direction, said movable member has an engaging portion for engaging with said first guide surface,

6. A header assembly in accordance with claim 5 wherein said intermediate member has a second guide surface inclined to said first direction and said second direction,

7. The header assembly of any one of claims 4 to 6, further comprising:

8. A header assembly in accordance with any one of claims 1-6, wherein said movable member in said stowed position does not extend beyond said base.

9. A header assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the movable member is configured in a U-shape in cross-section, the biasing member being disposed in the first direction and between the movable member and the base.

10. The header assembly of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the header assembly is configured to connect a plug assembly having pins through the receptacle, wherein the first dimension is greater than the length of the pins and the second dimension is less than the length of the pins.

11. The outlet device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outlet device is configured as a patch panel having a power cord, and is provided with a plurality of sets of movable members and insertion holes.