EP0923166A1 - A plug and socket connection - Google Patents

A plug and socket connection Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0923166A1
EP0923166A1 EP98204188A EP98204188A EP0923166A1 EP 0923166 A1 EP0923166 A1 EP 0923166A1 EP 98204188 A EP98204188 A EP 98204188A EP 98204188 A EP98204188 A EP 98204188A EP 0923166 A1 EP0923166 A1 EP 0923166A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
plug
socket
connecting element
spring
socket connection
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Withdrawn
Application number
EP98204188A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Jan Ringenier
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Ascom Tateco BV
Original Assignee
Ascom Tateco BV
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Ascom Tateco BV filed Critical Ascom Tateco BV
Publication of EP0923166A1 publication Critical patent/EP0923166A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/629—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances
    • H01R13/633—Additional means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. aligning or guiding means, levers, gas pressure electrical locking indicators, manufacturing tolerances for disengagement only
    • 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
    • H01R13/62—Means for facilitating engagement or disengagement of coupling parts or for holding them in engagement
    • H01R13/627—Snap or like fastening
    • H01R13/6275—Latching arms not integral with the housing

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a plug and socket connection comprising two connecting elements, namely a plug and a socket, into which the plug can be inserted so as to make an electrical connection.
  • Such a plug and socket connection may be provided with a socket outlet, which houses the socket, which socket outlet can be surface-mounted on a wall or be flush-mounted in a wall.
  • the plug can be inserted into the socket of the socket outlet so as to make an electrical connection, for example for connecting a current supply to an appliance to be fed thereby.
  • Plug and socket connections of this kind are also used for connecting a loudspeaker to an amplifier, for example, or for transmitting other electrical signals.
  • the electrical connection can be made in that electrically conducting elements are pressed together or in that electrically conducting projections are inserted into corresponding recesses, or in other manners which are known per se.
  • inserting a plug into a socket which is used herein is to be understood to mean any form of making an electrical connection wherein a plug is moved in the direction of a socket, which may or may not be a fixed socket, in order to bring electrically conducting elements of the two in contact with each other. Also the plug may be provided with recesses into which conducting projections of the socket extend.
  • a break connection which breaks up into two parts when the pulling force exerted on the wire exceeds a predetermined value.
  • the two parts of the break connection are thereby held together by means of a magnetic force until the magnetic force is no longer able to withstand said pulling force.
  • Such a break connection may be used in order to prevent the electrically conducting wire from being damaged by an excessive pulling force.
  • the protection may also be aimed at other objects or even body parts that run a risk of being damaged as a result of an excessive pulling force being exerted on the conducting wire.
  • a person wearing headphones may be considered, whereby the conducting wire to the headphones is wound round said person's neck.
  • the objective of the invention is to provide a plug and socket connection which is pulled out when the pulling force exceeds a predetermined value, which is of simple construction and which operates in a reliable and reproducible manner.
  • the first connecting element is provided with spring means, which engage the second connecting element when the plug is inserted in the socket, so that the plug will be pulled out of the socket when a predetermined pulling force is exceeded.
  • the first connecting element is the socket and the second connecting element is the plug, which is engaged by the spring means of the socket.
  • the spring means When the plug is inserted in the socket, the spring means preferably engage the second connecting element in such a manner that the connecting elements are held at predetermined positions with respect to each other. In another preferred embodiment, the spring means press the plug and the socket together, so that they abut against each other. In both cases, the plug and the socket are held in an optimum position with respect to each other at all times, until the plug and socket connection is broken as a result of an excessive pulling force being exerted on the plug.
  • the spring means are provided with at least one spring element, which can move under spring force in a direction which extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of insertion, which spring element can abut against a surface of the second connecting element which extends obliquely with respect to the direction of insertion.
  • the second connecting element may thereby be provided with an upraised edge transversely to the direction of insertion, behind which edge the spring means can engage.
  • the spring means preferably comprise a leaf spring, which leaf spring may comprise at least two spring elements, which are capable of engaging the second connecting element in different places, for example on either side of the plug.
  • the plug shape can be selected so that a substantially constant pulling force is required at all times to pull the plug out, also if the pulling force is exerted in a direction other than the direction of insertion. If a spring element offers less resistance when the pulling force is exerted in an oblique direction, the other spring element will automatically offer greater resistance, so that the resistance against pulling the spring means loose will remain substantially the same.
  • the plug has a substantially rectangular cross-section, seen in a direction perpendicularly to the direction of insertion, at least that part of the plug which is positioned near the socket or in the socket when inserted, and the spring means engage the second connecting element at the location of the centre of at least one of the sides, preferably at the location of the centres of two sides positioned opposite each other, more preferably on three of the four sides.
  • a plug having a rectangular cross-section is often preferable to a plug having a circular cross-section, because it is easier to insert a plug having a rectangular cross-section in the correct position into the socket.
  • the rectangular cross-section makes it possible to have the spring means engage the straight parts of the edge of the plug. In particular when a leaf spring is used, an effective engagement can be effected.
  • the socket can be designed so that the direction of insertion is substantially parallel to the wall on which the socket is mounted.
  • one spring element of the spring means is preferably present on the side of the plug that faces towards the wall, so that the plug is engaged on that side.
  • this is the side of the plug that will be released from the socket first.
  • the socket is provided with a leaf spring mounted therein, which leaf spring comprises three spring elements, one of which engages the plug at the location of the side of the plug that faces towards the wall, and two of which engage the plug at the location of the two sides that extend substantially perpendicularly to the wall.
  • a leaf spring of this kind comprising three spring elements is relatively simple. The spring means need not engage the plug on the side that faces away from the wall, because this side will not be loaded with a pulling force exerted on the plug from the socket when the plug is pulled out in an oblique direction.
  • the invention furthermore relates both to the plug and to the socket individually, with said plug and said socket being constructed as described above.
  • the invention furthermore relates to a method for securing a releasable electric plug and socket connection against being pulled apart unintentionally, wherein the plug and socket connection is provided with spring means as described before, which prevent said pulling apart as long as the pulling force remains below a predetermined value.
  • the invention furthermore relates to a method for preventing damage and/or injury caused by an electrically conducting wire, wherein the conducting wire is provided with a releasable connection as described before.
  • Figure 1 is a perspective view of a plug 1, which is inserted in the socket of a socket outlet 2.
  • Socket outlet 2 is secured to baseplate 4 by means not shown, which baseplate is secured to a wall by means of screws. Socket outlet 2 can be attached to baseplate 4 by means of a snap connection, so that socket outlet 2 can be removed from baseplate 4 when a sufficiently large force is exerted.
  • plug 1 With the socket outlet 2 as shown in Figure 1, the direction of insertion of plug 1 is parallel to the wall.
  • the plug and socket connection is constructed so that the various parts only project from the wall to a limited degree, whereby the cord which is attached to plug 1 can be laid along the wall from the plug and socket connection.
  • Plug 1 is provided with a mark 17 on one side, for example a red dot, which must be positioned near the corresponding mark 18 on socket outlet 2 if the plug is correctly inserted in the socket.
  • the side of plug 1 on which mark 17 is provided is the side which is represented as the underside of the plug hereafter.
  • Figure 2 is a side view of plug 1, showing a projecting part 5 of the plug on the front (left-hand) side, which part 5 can extend into the socket of socket outlet 2.
  • Contact elements are present in said projecting part 5 of plug 1, which contact elements make contact with corresponding contact elements in the socket of socket outlet 2 when the plug 1 is inserted.
  • the contact elements themselves are not shown in the figures. They are well-known parts of a plug and socket connection, which generally comprise electrical conductors, which can be brought into contact with each other.
  • Plug 1 has a substantially rectangular cross-section, seen in the direction of insertion, as has the projecting part 5 of the plug.
  • Projecting part 5 is provided with an edge 6 on its front side, which edge extends along three sides of said projecting part 5.
  • Figure 3 (plan view of plug 1) shows edge 6 on the short side in side view, and it shows edge 6 on one of the long sides in plan view.
  • Figure 2 (side view of plug 1) shows edge 6 on the upper side of projecting part 5 in side view, and it also shows that the underside of projecting part 5 is not provided with an edge.
  • Figure 4 is a bottom view of plug 1.
  • FIG. 5 shows edge 6 present on three of the four sides.
  • Figure 5 does not show the contact elements which are present in the plug, but only the space in which said contact elements can be accommodated.
  • Figure 6 is a rear view of plug 1, wherein hole 7 can be distinguished, through which the cord to which the plug is attached can extend.
  • Plug 1 and conducting part 3 may be made in one piece of plastic material, in a manner which is known per se.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of plug 1.
  • FIG 8 shows socket outlet 2 with its open side directed upwards, which open side is mounted on baseplate 4 in Figure 1.
  • socket outlet 2 comprises four side walls 8 and one front wall 9. Illustrated within circle 10 is a socket, which is mounted in one of the side walls 8.
  • Figure 9 is a more detailed view of that which is shown within circle 10 in Figure 8.
  • a substantially rectangular opening 11 is provided in side wall 8, through which the projecting part 5 of plug 1 can extend.
  • contact elements Present near said recess 11 are contact elements, which are capable of making contact with corresponding contact elements in plug 1. The contact elements are not shown in the figures.
  • Figure 9 shows a leaf spring 12, which is mounted on two supporting elements 13 of socket outlet 2 by means of screws (not shown).
  • Figure 10 is a more detailed view of leaf spring 12.
  • Leaf spring 12 is made of a resilient metal, and it is provided with three spring elements 14, 15.
  • Figure 10 shows that said spring elements 14, 15 are formed so that they are capable of engaging behind the edge 6 of the projecting part 5 of plug 1.
  • Spring element 15 can thereby engage behind edge 6 along the upper side of projecting part 5, and spring means 14 can engage behind edge 6 on the short side of projecting part 5.
  • Leaf spring 12 is furthermore provided with two fasteners 16, by means of which the leaf spring can be screwed onto supporting elements 13.
  • Figure 9 shows the manner in which leaf spring 12 is positioned in the socket. Two spring elements 14 are thereby present on either side of opening 11, whilst a spring element 15 is present on the long side of opening 11, on a side of opening 11 that faces towards the wall.

Landscapes

  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
EP98204188A 1997-12-11 1998-12-11 A plug and socket connection Withdrawn EP0923166A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NL1007765A NL1007765C2 (nl) 1997-12-11 1997-12-11 Stekkerverbinding.
NL1007765 1997-12-11

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0923166A1 true EP0923166A1 (en) 1999-06-16

Family

ID=19766168

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98204188A Withdrawn EP0923166A1 (en) 1997-12-11 1998-12-11 A plug and socket connection

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0923166A1 (nl)
NL (1) NL1007765C2 (nl)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2338124B (en) * 1998-04-29 2002-08-21 Static Systems Group Plc A releasable plug
CN111140888A (zh) * 2020-03-04 2020-05-12 嵊州市浙江工业大学创新研究院 一种便捷式电器置换集成灶

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4008940A (en) * 1975-06-09 1977-02-22 Roanwell Corporation Telephone apparatus including electrical connector
EP0594937A1 (de) * 1992-10-30 1994-05-04 Contact GmbH Elektrische Bauelemente Elektrische Steckverbindung
EP0697754A1 (en) * 1994-08-09 1996-02-21 Molex Incorporated Locking system for an electrical connector assembly
US5558534A (en) * 1994-06-30 1996-09-24 The Whitaker Corporation Self sacrificing latching system
US5695355A (en) * 1995-01-04 1997-12-09 Itt Cannon Gmbh Locking device for a connector

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4008940A (en) * 1975-06-09 1977-02-22 Roanwell Corporation Telephone apparatus including electrical connector
EP0594937A1 (de) * 1992-10-30 1994-05-04 Contact GmbH Elektrische Bauelemente Elektrische Steckverbindung
US5558534A (en) * 1994-06-30 1996-09-24 The Whitaker Corporation Self sacrificing latching system
EP0697754A1 (en) * 1994-08-09 1996-02-21 Molex Incorporated Locking system for an electrical connector assembly
US5695355A (en) * 1995-01-04 1997-12-09 Itt Cannon Gmbh Locking device for a connector

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2338124B (en) * 1998-04-29 2002-08-21 Static Systems Group Plc A releasable plug
CN111140888A (zh) * 2020-03-04 2020-05-12 嵊州市浙江工业大学创新研究院 一种便捷式电器置换集成灶

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
NL1007765C2 (nl) 1999-06-14

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