EP0115687A1 - Electric sockets - Google Patents
Electric sockets Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0115687A1 EP0115687A1 EP83307814A EP83307814A EP0115687A1 EP 0115687 A1 EP0115687 A1 EP 0115687A1 EP 83307814 A EP83307814 A EP 83307814A EP 83307814 A EP83307814 A EP 83307814A EP 0115687 A1 EP0115687 A1 EP 0115687A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- plug
- socket
- sensing
- contact
- microswitch
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H15/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for actuation in opposite directions, e.g. slide switch
- H01H15/02—Details
- H01H15/06—Movable parts; Contacts mounted thereon
- H01H15/10—Operating parts
- H01H15/102—Operating parts comprising cam devices
- H01H15/107—Operating parts comprising cam devices actuating conventional selfcontained microswitches
-
- 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
- H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
- H01R13/7036—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling
- H01R13/7038—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
Definitions
- This invention concerns electric sockets, and in particular a socket suitable for a mains supply system and adapted for releasable connection of an electric plug having contact pins for cooperation with the socket contacts.
- an electric socket with means for sensing the presence of a plug inserted in the socket.
- a retractable plunger which is depressed by the plug when it is engaged with the socket, the plug being equipped with an additional pin for this purpose and which pin plays no part in the electrical connection between the plug and socket.
- the plunger may be arranged to actuate a microswitch, e.g. to prevent the supply of electric current to the socket contacts when there is no plug engaged with the socket.
- a disadvantage of the known plugs and sockets is that an additional bore is needed in the socket body to receive the sliding plunger. Consequently moulds required for manufacturing socket bodies which are to be fitted with plungers are different to the moulds needed to manufacture bodies which are not to have plungers.
- the plug bodies must also be modified in order to mount the extra pin for actuating the socket plunger.
- an electric socket comprising an earth contact and current carrying contacts carried by a body to cooperate with respective contact pins of an electric plug engageable with the socket, and means for sensing the presence of a plug inserted in the socket, said means including a member slidable relative to the body and arranged to be pushed inwardly by a pin of a plug when the plug is inserted into the socket, characterised in that said sensing member is located adjacent the earth contact so as to be displaced by the earth pin of the plug as the plug is inserted into the socket.
- the earth contact is tubular and the sensing member is slidable in this tubular contact.
- the plug does not require an extra pin and the same plugs can be used for sockets with or without plungers.
- the same moulded bodies can serve for all sockets whether or not sensing members or plungers are to be incorporated.
- the same moulding tools can be used for all plugs and all sockets a significant saving in manufacturing costs is possible.
- the socket illustrated in the drawings has a casing 1 including a mounting flange 2 and a hinged cover 3. Accommodated in the casing and fixed to it by screws 4 is a body 5 having three longitudinal through bores receiving respectively live, neutral and earth contacts 9-11.
- the body includes a main part and a. backing plate 6 fixed to the main part by a screw 7.
- the power contacts 9, 10 include terminals at their rear ends including conductor clamping screws (not shown) accessible through lateral openings 12 in the body.
- the earth contact is tubular with a stepped diameter and projects beyond the rear end of the body 5.
- the end portion of this contact is externally threaded and receives nuts 13 which secure an eyelet 14 crimped to the end of an earth wire 15.
- the live and neutral wires are not shown but it will be understood from the foregoing that they enter the openings 16, 17 at the rear end of body 5.
- a bracket 20 which supports a microswitch 21 with an insulating plate 22 interposed therebetween, and a linear cam mechanism for operating the actuating member 23 of the microswitch.
- the cam mechanism consists of a cam member in the form of a moulded plastics block 24 guided for linear sliding movement by a pair of screws 25 fixed to bracket 20 and passing through a slot 26 in the block.
- the surface of the block 24 facing the microswitch includes a ramp 27 for depressing the switch actuating member 23 when the cam member is pushed rearwardly.
- a return spring 28 acts between the end of the bracket 20 and block 24 urging the latter forwardly to the position illustrated in the drawings.
- a sensing plunger 29 is slidable in the earth contact tube 11 and consists of a rod with an enlarged head and a threaded tip onto which is screwed a moulded plastics cap 30 which abuts against the front end of block 24.
- the cap 30 engages the end of contact 11 to limit the forward displacement of the plunger and the cam block under the bias of spring 28.
- the microswitch may be utilised for various purposes, e.g. to control supply of electric current to the power contacts by means of a contactor, whereby power can only be drawn from the socket when a plug has been correctly inserted.
- the switch may be used merely to detect and provide an indication at a remote location whether or not the socket has a plug connected to it.
- the socket of the invention simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacture because it allows the same bodies to be used in sockets with and without plungers.
- An additional advantage of the described socket is that it enables a wide variation in the longitudinal movement of the switch actuating cam to be tolerated. This variation in the longitudinal movement may be from approximately 4 mm to 8 mm, which enables quite large manufacturing tolerances to be absorbed.
- the socket Manufacture of the socket is facilitated by the microswitch and cam mechanism being supported on a common bracket and the sensing plunger having abutting engagement with the cam member.
- the cam member, microswitch and bracket can be pre-assembled and mounted on the socket as a unit.
Landscapes
- Insulated Conductors (AREA)
- Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
- Cable Accessories (AREA)
Abstract
An electric socket for a mains supply system includes means for sensing the presence of a plug inserted in the socket and comprising a plunger (29) slidable in a tubular earth contact (11) of the socket to be pushed in by the earth pin of a plug for operating a microswitch (21) through a linear ramp cam mechanism (24-28).
Description
- This invention concerns electric sockets, and in particular a socket suitable for a mains supply system and adapted for releasable connection of an electric plug having contact pins for cooperation with the socket contacts.
- It is known to provide an electric socket with means for sensing the presence of a plug inserted in the socket. In the body of the known electric socket there is included a retractable plunger which is depressed by the plug when it is engaged with the socket, the plug being equipped with an additional pin for this purpose and which pin plays no part in the electrical connection between the plug and socket. The plunger may be arranged to actuate a microswitch, e.g. to prevent the supply of electric current to the socket contacts when there is no plug engaged with the socket.
- A disadvantage of the known plugs and sockets is that an additional bore is needed in the socket body to receive the sliding plunger. Consequently moulds required for manufacturing socket bodies which are to be fitted with plungers are different to the moulds needed to manufacture bodies which are not to have plungers. The plug bodies must also be modified in order to mount the extra pin for actuating the socket plunger.
- The present invention seeks to overcome this drawback and resides in an electric socket comprising an earth contact and current carrying contacts carried by a body to cooperate with respective contact pins of an electric plug engageable with the socket, and means for sensing the presence of a plug inserted in the socket, said means including a member slidable relative to the body and arranged to be pushed inwardly by a pin of a plug when the plug is inserted into the socket, characterised in that said sensing member is located adjacent the earth contact so as to be displaced by the earth pin of the plug as the plug is inserted into the socket.
- In a preferred construction, the earth contact is tubular and the sensing member is slidable in this tubular contact.
- With a socket according to the invention the plug does not require an extra pin and the same plugs can be used for sockets with or without plungers. Furthermore, the same moulded bodies can serve for all sockets whether or not sensing members or plungers are to be incorporated. As the same moulding tools can be used for all plugs and all sockets a significant saving in manufacturing costs is possible.
- A full understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description of an embodiment of the invention, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:-
- Figure 1 is a side elevation of an electric socket in accordance with the invention;
- Figure 2 is a rear end view of the socket;
- Figure 3 is a side view with the earth contact and sensing plunger shown in section;
- Figure 4 is a side view of the socket body; and
- Figure 5 is a rear end view of the body.
- The socket illustrated in the drawings has a casing 1 including a
mounting flange 2 and a hingedcover 3. Accommodated in the casing and fixed to it byscrews 4 is abody 5 having three longitudinal through bores receiving respectively live, neutral and earth contacts 9-11. The body includes a main part and a.backing plate 6 fixed to the main part by ascrew 7. Thepower contacts lateral openings 12 in the body. As seen in Figure 3, the earth contact is tubular with a stepped diameter and projects beyond the rear end of thebody 5. The end portion of this contact is externally threaded and receivesnuts 13 which secure aneyelet 14 crimped to the end of anearth wire 15. The live and neutral wires are not shown but it will be understood from the foregoing that they enter theopenings body 5. - Also attached to the casing by the
screws 4 is abracket 20 which supports amicroswitch 21 with aninsulating plate 22 interposed therebetween, and a linear cam mechanism for operating the actuatingmember 23 of the microswitch. The cam mechanism consists of a cam member in the form of amoulded plastics block 24 guided for linear sliding movement by a pair ofscrews 25 fixed tobracket 20 and passing through aslot 26 in the block. The surface of theblock 24 facing the microswitch includes aramp 27 for depressing theswitch actuating member 23 when the cam member is pushed rearwardly. Areturn spring 28 acts between the end of thebracket 20 andblock 24 urging the latter forwardly to the position illustrated in the drawings. - A
sensing plunger 29 is slidable in theearth contact tube 11 and consists of a rod with an enlarged head and a threaded tip onto which is screwed amoulded plastics cap 30 which abuts against the front end ofblock 24. Thecap 30 engages the end ofcontact 11 to limit the forward displacement of the plunger and the cam block under the bias ofspring 28. - When there is no plug in the socket the parts take their illustrated positions. If a plug is introduced, the earth pin enters the
socket contact 11, engages the head ofplunger 29 and pushes the plunger, and hence thecam block 24, back against the force ofspring 28. Theramp surface 27 engagesmember 23 and depresses it whereby the microswitch is operated. When the plug is removed the parts are returned to the original positions byspring 28. - The microswitch may be utilised for various purposes, e.g. to control supply of electric current to the power contacts by means of a contactor, whereby power can only be drawn from the socket when a plug has been correctly inserted. Alternatively, the switch may be used merely to detect and provide an indication at a remote location whether or not the socket has a plug connected to it.
- As mentioned already, the socket of the invention simplifies and reduces the cost of manufacture because it allows the same bodies to be used in sockets with and without plungers. An additional advantage of the described socket is that it enables a wide variation in the longitudinal movement of the switch actuating cam to be tolerated. This variation in the longitudinal movement may be from approximately 4 mm to 8 mm, which enables quite large manufacturing tolerances to be absorbed.
- Manufacture of the socket is facilitated by the microswitch and cam mechanism being supported on a common bracket and the sensing plunger having abutting engagement with the cam member. The cam member, microswitch and bracket can be pre-assembled and mounted on the socket as a unit.
- It is to be understood the embodiment described above is given by way of example only and that the invention is applicable equally to other forms of electrical socket.
Claims (9)
1. An electric socket comprising an earth contact (11) and current carrying contacts (9,10) carried by a body (5) to cooperate with respective contact pins of an electric plug engageable with the socket, and means for sensing the presence of a plug inserted in the socket, said means including a member (29) slidable relative to the body and arranged to be pushed inwardly by a pin of a plug when the plug is inserted into the socket, characterised in that said sensing member (29) is located adjacent the earth contact (11) so as to be displaced by the earth pin of the plug as the plug is inserted into the socket.
2. An electric socket according to claim 1, wherein the earth contact (11) is tubular and the sensing member (29) is slidable in said earth contact.
3. An electric socket according to claim 2, wherein the tubular earth contact (11) includes an outer end portion for receiving the earth pin of the plug and an inner end portion of reduced diameter, and the sensing member (29) is guided for sliding movement in the inner end portion and includes an enlarged head accommodated in the outer end portion of the contact for engagement by the plug pin.
4. An electric socket according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the sensing member (29) protrudes through the inner end of the contact (11) and includes a stop (30) for abutment with the inner end of the contact to limit forward displacement of the sensing member.
5. An electric socket according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the sensing means includes a microswitch (21), and the sensing member operates the microswitch through a cam mechanism (24).
6. An electric socket according to claim 5, wherein the cam mechanism comprises a member (24) guided for linear movement in a direction parallel with the sensing member (29), and the cam member and sensing member are arranged to move together.
7. An electric socket according to claim 6, wherein a spring (28) acts on the cam member (24) and urges the cam member and sensing member forwardly relative to the earth contact.
8. An electric socket according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the cam member (24) has a ramp surface (27) for operating the actuating member (23) of the microswitch in response to linear displacement of the cam member.
9. An electric socket according to claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the microswitch (21) and cam member (24) are supported on a common bracket (20), and the sensing member (29) abuts against the cam member thereby to enable the cam mechanism, microswitch and bracket to be pre-assembled and mounted on the socket as a unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB8300256 | 1983-01-06 | ||
GB838300256A GB8300256D0 (en) | 1983-01-06 | 1983-01-06 | Electric sockets |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0115687A1 true EP0115687A1 (en) | 1984-08-15 |
Family
ID=10535963
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP83307814A Withdrawn EP0115687A1 (en) | 1983-01-06 | 1983-12-21 | Electric sockets |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0115687A1 (en) |
DK (1) | DK601183A (en) |
ES (1) | ES285068Y (en) |
FI (1) | FI834716A (en) |
GB (1) | GB8300256D0 (en) |
NO (1) | NO834862L (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007015274A1 (en) * | 2005-08-02 | 2007-02-08 | Diemme S.R.L. | Electric safety socket |
FR2995147A1 (en) * | 2012-08-30 | 2014-03-07 | Legrand France | Socket for use in public charging station for charging battery of motor vehicle, has pin moved against return unit and moved back toward back of socket in actuation position for actuating sensor such that that pin acts on control circuit |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3778569A (en) * | 1971-12-30 | 1973-12-11 | Empire Prod Inc | Electrical connector with safety switch |
DE2656214A1 (en) * | 1975-12-12 | 1977-06-23 | Parrier | ELECTRIC SAFETY SOCKET |
-
1983
- 1983-01-06 GB GB838300256A patent/GB8300256D0/en active Pending
- 1983-12-21 EP EP83307814A patent/EP0115687A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1983-12-21 FI FI834716A patent/FI834716A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1983-12-27 DK DK601183A patent/DK601183A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1983-12-29 NO NO834862A patent/NO834862L/en unknown
-
1984
- 1984-01-05 ES ES1984285068U patent/ES285068Y/en not_active Expired
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3778569A (en) * | 1971-12-30 | 1973-12-11 | Empire Prod Inc | Electrical connector with safety switch |
DE2656214A1 (en) * | 1975-12-12 | 1977-06-23 | Parrier | ELECTRIC SAFETY SOCKET |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2007015274A1 (en) * | 2005-08-02 | 2007-02-08 | Diemme S.R.L. | Electric safety socket |
FR2995147A1 (en) * | 2012-08-30 | 2014-03-07 | Legrand France | Socket for use in public charging station for charging battery of motor vehicle, has pin moved against return unit and moved back toward back of socket in actuation position for actuating sensor such that that pin acts on control circuit |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
ES285068U (en) | 1985-08-01 |
FI834716A0 (en) | 1983-12-21 |
ES285068Y (en) | 1986-05-01 |
DK601183A (en) | 1984-07-07 |
GB8300256D0 (en) | 1983-02-09 |
DK601183D0 (en) | 1983-12-27 |
NO834862L (en) | 1984-07-09 |
FI834716A (en) | 1984-07-07 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE FR GB IT LI LU NL SE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 19841218 |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19860421 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19861104 |
|
RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: BEALE, MICHAEL DAND |