EP2933880A1

EP2933880A1 - Plug and cord equipped with plug

Info

Publication number: EP2933880A1
Application number: EP12889936.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Shinichi Tsujino
Original assignee: Fuji Electric Wire Industries Co Ltd
Current assignee: Fuji Electric Wire Industries Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-12-11
Filing date: 2012-12-11
Publication date: 2015-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2032-12-11
Also published as: JPWO2014091552A1; WO2014091552A1; EP2933880A4; EP2933880B1; JP5916896B2

Abstract

The present invention provides an attachment plug 120 that includes a decreased number of components and is commonly usable for plug receptacles of different standards. The attachment plug 120 is connectable to a plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and a plug receptacle 300 of the French standards. The attachment plug 120 includes a ground terminal 30 formed of an integral body including a first terminal 32, which is a German ground terminal 35, and a second terminal 33 including a German ground terminal 37 and a French ground terminal 38. The housing 40 has a first opening 46 into which the first terminal 32 is inserted and a second opening 47 into which the second terminal 33 is inserted. The ground terminal 30 includes a first flat plate 36 and a second flat plate 39 respectively closing the first opening 46 and the second opening 47.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an attachment plug and an attachment-plug-inclusive cord commonly usable for, for example, plug receptacles of different standards.

BACKGROUND ART

Conventionally, an attachment plug connected to an electric device via an electric cord is connected to a plug receptacle such as, for example, an outlet installed in a wall surface or the like, so that electric power is supplied to the electric device.
Such a plug receptacle and such an attachment plug are used in various countries in the world. However, the specifications thereof, for example, the shape or position of plug pins and presence/absence of a ground terminal, are different country by country or region by region. Therefore, it is required to use an electric device with an attachment plug in accordance with the specifications of the country where the electric device is to be used, or to use a conversion adapter or the like that converts the attachment plug.
Attachment plugs or conversion adapters have been proposed that are connectable to plug receptacles provided with ground terminals of different shapes or positions, for example, a plug receptacle of the standards adopted in Germany and the like and a plug receptacle of the standards adopted in France and the like.
For example, a simple multi-type male/female connector described in Patent Document 1 has the following structure to be compatible to both of the plug receptacles adopted in Germany and France. The connector includes a connector main body having a basic external shape in accordance with the German standards. In an accommodation part of the connector main body, a ground piece for the German plug receptacle and a ground frame for the French plug receptacle are accommodated.
However, in the simple multi-type male/female connector described in Patent Document 1, the ground piece for the German plug receptacle and the ground frame for the French plug receptacle are provided separately from each other. Such a structure has a problem of increasing the number of components and thus increasing the number of assembly steps. In addition, an attachment plug having the structure of the simple multi-type male/female connector described in Patent Document 1 has the following undesirable possibility. During injection molding of a synthetic resin performed to form an external cover member that covers the connector main body and an electric cord, the synthetic resin is attached to the ground piece and the ground frame. As a result, stable conductivity may not be provided.

CITATION LIST

PATENT LITERATURE

Patent Document 1: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3075169

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

TECHNICAL PROBLEM

The present invention made in light of the above-described problems, has an object of providing an attachment plug and an attachment-plug-inclusive cord that include a decreased member of components and are commonly usable for plug receptacles of different standards.

SOLUTION TO PROBLEM

The present invention is directed an attachment plug including two plug pins connectable with conductive core wires of a predetermined length exposed from insulating covers of a plurality of covered wires included in a power cord, the power cord including the plurality of covered wires and a cover body covering the plurality of covered wires; a pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals contactable with a pair of ground electrode pieces of a first plug receptacle, the first plug receptacle allowing the plug pins to be connected thereto; a second plug receptacle ground terminal allowing a ground electrode pin of a second plug receptacle to be connected thereto, the second plug receptacle allowing the plug pins to be connected thereto; a housing accommodating and holding, while exposing, the plug pins and the first plug receptacle ground terminals, and accommodating and holding the second plug receptacle ground terminal in a state of being connectable with the ground electrode pin; and an outer cover member formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin, the outer cover member covering an area ranging from the housing to the cover body of the power cord. The attachment plug including the plug pins, the first plug receptacle ground terminals, the second plug receptacle ground terminal, the housing and the outer cover member is connectable with the first plug receptacle and the second plug receptacle. The attachment plug further comprises a ground terminal includes a first terminal as one of the pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals, a second terminal formed of an integral body including the other of the pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals and the second plug receptacle ground terminal, a coupling part coupling the first terminal and the second terminal to each other, and a core wire connector connectable with the core wire of one of the covered wires. The first terminal, the second terminal, the coupling part and the core wire connector are integrally formed. The housing accommodates a first partition defining, with an inner surface of the housing, a first opening allowing the first terminal to be inserted thereinto in a longitudinal direction of the plug pins, the first partition and the inner surface of the housing enclosing the first terminal; and a second partition defining, with the inner surface of the housing, a second opening allowing the second terminal to be inserted thereinto in the longitudinal direction, the second partition and the inner surface of the housing enclosing the second terminal. The attachment plug further comprises a closing unit closing the first opening and the second opening in a state where the ground terminal is accommodated in the housing.
The cover body may be a cover tube, a heat-shrinkable tube or the like covering the covered wires.
The first plug receptacle may be of the standards adopted in Germany, Portugal, Spain and the like.
The second plug receptacle may be of the standards adopted in France, Belgium and the like.
The synthetic resin may be poly (vinyl chloride) or the like.
According to the present invention, the attachment plug that allows the number of components to be decreased and is usable for plug receptacles of different standards is provided.
This will be described specifically. The ground terminal is formed of an integral body including the pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals and the second plug receptacle ground terminal. Owing to this, the number of components of the attachment plug is smaller than that in the case where the pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals and the second plug receptacle ground terminal are provided separately. This decreases the number of assembly steps, and the production cost, of the attachment plug.
The inner surface of the housing, the first partition and the second partition define an accommodation space accommodating the first terminal and an accommodation space accommodating the second terminal, which are formed in the housing of the attachment plug. Owing to the closing unit included in the attachment plug, the synthetic resin injected to form the outer cover member is prevented from flowing into the accommodation spaces through the first opening and the second opening.
Owing to this, in the case of the attachment plug, the synthetic resin is prevented from being attached to the first plug receptacle ground terminals and the second plug receptacle ground terminal accommodated in the accommodation spaces. Therefore, the attachment plug has neither the inconvenience that the conductivity is not securely provided due to the attachment of the synthetic resin, nor the inconvenience that the ground electrode pieces of the first plug receptacle or the ground electrode pin of the second plug receptacle is not connected.
In the step of accommodating the first terminal and the second terminal in the accommodation spaces, the first partition and the second partition may act as assembly guides for the first terminal and the second terminal. This improves the ease of assembly of the ground terminal of the attachment plug.
Therefore, the attachment plug allows the number of components to be decreased and is usable for plug receptacles of different standards.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the ground terminal may includes a first flat plate having a generally flat plate-like shape larger than the first opening as seen in the longitudinal direction, the first flat plate being integrally formed with a base part of the first terminal; and a second flat plate having a generally flat plate-like shape larger than the second opening as seen in the longitudinal direction, the second flat plate being integrally formed with a base part of the second terminal. The closing unit may include the first flat plate closing the first opening and the second flat plate closing the second opening.
According to the present invention directed to the attachment plug, the synthetic resin is prevented from flowing into the accommodation spaces through the first opening and the second opening, more easily and with a simpler structure than in the case where the closing unit is provided separately from the ground terminal.
This will be described more specifically. In the case where the closing unit is provided separately from the ground terminal, the first opening and the second opening need to be closed after the ground terminal is assembled with the housing. By contrast, in the attachment plug, the first flat plate is formed integrally with the base part of the first terminal, and the second flat plate is formed integrally with the base part of the second terminal. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening are closed when the ground terminal is assembled with the housing.
The first flat plate and the second flat plate are respectively larger than the first opening and the second opening. Therefore, the first opening and the second opening of the attachment plug are closed with certainty.
Thus, the above-described flow of the synthetic resin is prevented with the closing unit of a simpler structure without the ease of assembly being spoiled. Thus, the attachment plug guarantees more stable conductivity.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the first partition of the housing may include a first engageable part engageable with the first flat plate in the longitudinal direction; the second partition of the housing may include a second engageable part engageable with the second flat plate in the longitudinal direction; and the first engageable part may have substantially the same size as that of the first flat plate as seen in the longitudinal direction, the second engageable part may have substantially the same size as that of the second flat plate as seen in the longitudinal direction, a predetermined engaging depth of the first engageable part with the first flat plate in the longitudinal direction may be greater than a thickness of the first flat plate, and a predetermined engaging depth of the second engageable part with the second flat plate in the longitudinal direction may be greater than a thickness of the second flat plate.
The above-described predetermined engaging depths are, for example, depths with which the first engageable part and the second engageable part are not easily released from engagement with the first flat plate and the second flat plate.
According to the present invention directed to the attachment plug, the synthetic resin is prevented with more certainty from flowing into the accommodation spaces through the first opening and the second opening.
This will be described specifically. The engaging depths of the first engageable part and the second engageable part are respectively greater than the thicknesses of the first flat plate and the second flat plate. In the step of assembling the plug pins and the like with the housing, the ground terminal assembled with the housing may be shifted in the longitudinal direction due to, for example, a repelling force of the covered wires. Even in this case, in the case of the attachment plug, the first opening and the second opening are prevented from being easily released from the closed state owing to the above-described engaging depths.
As seen in the longitudinal direction, the first engageable part and the second engageable part respectively have substantially the same size as those of the first flat plate and the second flat plate. Therefore, in the case of the attachment plug, even if the ground terminal assembled with the housing is shifted in the longitudinal direction, it is difficult for the synthetic resin to flow into the accommodation spaces through the first opening and the second opening.
In the step of injecting the synthetic resin to form the outer cover member, the first flat plate and the second flat plate respectively engaged with the first engageable part and the second engageable part are pressed by the synthetic resin. Therefore, the ground terminal, even if being shifted by the repelling force of the covered wires or the like, is accommodated at a correct position with certainty owing to the injected synthetic resin.
In the case of the attachment plug, even if the ground terminal assembled with the housing is shifted in the longitudinal direction by, for example, the repelling force of the covered wires, the first opening and the second opening are respectively closed with the first flat plate and the second flat plate with more certainty.
Owing to the first engageable part and the second engageable part included in the attachment plug, the above-described flow of the synthetic resin is prevented even with a decreased number of components. Thus, the attachment plug guarantees more stable conductivity.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the second plug receptacle ground terminal may elastically support the ground electrode pin connected thereto; and the second plug receptacle ground terminal may include a protrusion protruding toward the second partition, the protrusion being contactable with the second partition in a state where the ground electrode pin is connected with the second plug receptacle ground terminal.
According to the present invention, more stable conductivity is guaranteed even with a decreased number of components.
This will be described specifically. When the ground electrode pin is connected to the second plug receptacle ground terminal, the elastic deformation of the second plug receptacle ground terminal in accordance with the size of the ground electrode pin is restricted by the protrusion contacting the second partition. Therefore, the second plug receptacle ground terminal holds the ground electrode pin by a cooperation of the elastic force thereof and the reaction force of the second partition. In other words, the second plug receptacle ground terminal guarantees a more stable holding force owing to including the protrusion.
Therefore, even if an outer diameter of the ground electrode pin is varied, the second plug receptacle ground terminal holds the ground electrode pin with a stable holding force. Thus, the attachment plug guarantees more stable conductivity.
In this manner, the attachment plug guarantees more stable conductivity even with a decreased number of components.
The present invention is also directed to an attachment-plug-inclusive cord comprising the above-described attachment plug; and the covered wires of the power cord connected to the plug pins and the ground terminal of the attachment plug.
According to the present invention, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord that allows the number of components to be decreased and is usable for plug receptacles of different standards is provided.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION

The present invention provides an attachment plug and an attachment-plug-inclusive cord that include a decreased member of components and are commonly usable for plug receptacles of different standards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[FIG. 1] FIG. 1 is an external isometric view showing an external appearance of an attachment-plug-inclusive cord.
[FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane having the one-dot chain lines extending in a top-bottom direction Y in FIG. 1 as two sides.
[FIG. 3] FIG. 3 shows a plug receptacle of the German standards and a plug receptacle of the French standards.
[FIG. 4] FIG. 4 shows elements of an attachment plug.
[FIG. 5] FIG. 5 is an external isometric view showing an external appearance of a plug pin.
[FIG. 6] FIG. 6 is an external isometric view showing an external appearance of a ground terminal.
[FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is an isometric cross-sectional view showing a cross-sectional shape of a housing.
[FIG. 8] FIG. 8 shows an inner shape of the housing.
[FIG. 9] FIG. 9 is a rear view of an assembled state before a plug body is formed by molding.
[FIG. 10] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane having the one-dot chain lines extending in the top-bottom direction Y in FIG. 1 as two sides, showing a state after the plug body is formed by injection molding.
[FIG. 11] FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view showing an external appearance of a housing of another attachment-plug-inclusive cord.
[FIG. 12] FIG. 12 is an external isometric view showing an external appearance of the another attachment-plug-inclusive cord.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an external isometric view of an attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane having the one-dot chain lines extending in a top-bottom direction Y in FIG. 1 as two sides. FIG. 3 shows a plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and a plug receptacle 300 of the French standards. FIG. 4 shows elements of an attachment plug 120. FIG. 5 is an external isometric view of a plug pin 20.
FIG. 6 is an external isometric view of a ground terminal 30. FIG. 7 is an isometric cross-sectional view of a housing 40. FIG. 8 shows an inner shape of the housing 40. FIG. 9 is a rear view of an assembled state before a plug body 50 is formed by molding. FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along a plane having the one-dot chain lines extending in the top-bottom direction Y in FIG. 1 as two sides, showing a state after the plug body 50 is formed by injection molding.
In FIG. 2, the plug body 50 is represented by the two-dot chain line in order to show the cross-sectional shape of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100.
Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3(a) is an external isometric view of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards, and FIG. 3(b) is an external isometric view of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards.
Referring to FIG. 8, FIG. 8(a) shows a rear view of the housing 40, and FIG. 8(b) is a cross-sectional view taken long line B-B in FIG. 8(a).
In FIG. 10, only the ground terminal 30 and a covered wire 10 connected to the ground terminal 30 are shown in order to clearly show the covered state of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100.
In this specification and the drawings, a front-rear direction X is a longitudinal direction of the plug pins 20 in an assembly state of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100. In the front-rear direction X, the side of the plug pins 20 (left side as seen from a viewer of FIG. 1) is the front side, and the opposite side thereto (right side as seen from a viewer of FIG. 1) is the rear side. The top-bottom direction Y is a direction which is perpendicular to the front-rear direction X and in which a power cord 110 is derived from an attachment plug 120. In the top-bottom direction Y, the side of the attachment plug 120 of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 (top side in FIG. 1) is the top side, and the side of the power cord 110 (bottom side in FIG. 1) is the bottom side.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 includes the power cord 110 including a plurality of covered wires 10, and the attachment plug 120 that is L-shaped as seen in a side view. The attachment plug 120 is connectable to both of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards (see FIG. 3) and the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards (see FIG. 3).
As shown in FIG. 3(a), the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards is installed in a wall surface or the like. The plug receptacle 200 includes a receiving part 201 that is recessed in the wall and has a generally circular shape as seen from the front side, two pin connectors 202 that allow the plug pins 20 (described later) of the attachment plug 120 to be inserted thereto for connection, and two ground electrode pieces 203 connectable to the attachment plug 120. The plug receptacle 200 further includes two pairs of holding inner walls 204 on an inner circumferential surface thereof. The two pairs of holding inner walls 204 protrude diametrically inward so as to face each other in the diametrical direction in order to hold the attachment plug 120. The plug receptacle 200 of the German standards are adopted in Germany, Portugal, Spain and the like, and is compatible to CEE7/4.
As shown in FIG. 3(b), the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards is installed in a wall surface or the like. The plug receptacle 300 includes a receiving part 301 that is recessed in the wall and has a generally circular shape, two pin connectors 302 that allow the plug pins 20 of the attachment plug 120 to be inserted thereto for connection, and one ground electrode pin 303 connectable to the attachment plug 120. The receiving part 301 has substantially the same diameter as that of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards as seen from the front side. The plug receptacle 300 of the French standards are adopted in France, Poland, Belgium and the like, and is compatible to CEE7/5.
Referring to FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, the power cord 110 includes a bundle of the plurality of covered wires 10 and a cover tube 13 that covers the plurality of covered wires 10. The plurality of covered wires 10 each include a core wire 11 and an insulating cover 12 that covers the core wire 11. The core wire 11 includes a plurality of conductive wires (not shown).
In this embodiment, three covered wires 10 to be connected to the two plug pins 20 (described later) and the ground terminal 30 are bundled and covered with the cover tube 13. The cover tube 13 is caulked by a cable tie 14 at a position in the vicinity of an end thereof.
As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, the attachment plug 120 includes the two plug pins 20, the ground terminal 30, the housing 40, and the plug body 50. The attachment plug 120 has a shape conformed to CEE7/7.
As shown in FIG. 5, the plug pins 20 each include a terminal 21 connectable to both of the pin connector 202 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and the pin connector 302 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards, a welding part 22 in which a portion of the core wire 11 exposed from the insulating cover 12 is welded to be fixed, and a caulking part 23 that caulks the core wire 11 and puts the core wire 11 into pressure contact therewith. The terminal 21, the welding part 22 and the caulking part 23 are formed integrally and in this order from the front side.
The terminal 21 extends in the front-rear direction X, is solid and is generally cylindrical.
The welding part 22 has a generally hexagonal prism external shape contacting a circumscribed circle having a larger diameter than that of the terminal 21, as seen from the front side. The welding part 22 is hollow and column-like. The welding part 22 has a welding opening 24 that is opened in the top-bottom direction Y and the front-rear direction X and has a predetermined size. The welding opening 24 is formed in order to weld and thus fix the core wire 11 to the plug pin 20.
The caulking part 23 has a generally cylindrical shape having substantially the same diameter as that of the terminal 21, so as to allow the core wire 11 to be inserted thereinto.
As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 6, the ground terminal 30 includes a core wire pressure-contact part 31, a first terminal 32, a second terminal 33, and a coupling part 34 that are integrally formed. The core wire pressure-contact part 31 has an open barrel shape and caulks the portion of the core wire 11 exposed from the insulating cover 12, so that the core wire 11 is put into pressure contact with the core wire pressure-contact part 31. The first terminal 32 is located on the bottom side in the top-bottom direction Y. The second terminal 33 is located on the top side in the top-bottom direction Y so as to face the first terminal 32. The coupling part 34 couples the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 33 to each other in the top-bottom direction Y. The ground terminal 30 has a three-dimensional shape and is formed by press-molding a thin plate having a corresponding two-dimensional shape and a predetermined thickness.
This will be described in more detail. The first terminal 32 includes a German ground terminal 35 contactable with the lower ground electrode piece 203 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and a first flat plate 36 engageable with a first engageable part 45a (described later) of the housing 40. The German ground terminal 35 and the first flat plate 36 are integrally formed.
The German ground terminal 35 includes a generally rectangular terminal main body 35a having a thickness in the top-bottom direction Y and extending in the front-rear direction X, a generally rectangular bent tip 35b extending, and slightly bent upward, from a front end of the terminal main body 35a, and two generally rectangular side parts 35c extending, and bent upward generally at a right angle, from rear side surfaces of the terminal main body 35a. The terminal main body 35a, the bent tip 35b and the side parts 35c are integrally formed.
The first flat plate 36 extends, and is bent upward generally at a right angle, from a rear end of the terminal main body 35a of the German ground terminal 35. The first flat plate 36 is generally rectangular, is larger than the German ground terminal 35 as seen from the front side, and has an area size larger than an opening area size of a first opening 46 (described later) of the housing 40 as seen from the front side.
The second terminal 33 includes a German ground terminal 37 contactable with the upper ground electrode piece 203 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards, a French ground terminal 38 that is elastically deformed by the ground electrode pin 303 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards and allows the ground electrode pin 303 to be connected therewith, and a second flat plate 39 engageable with a second engageable part 45b (described later) of the housing 40. The German ground terminal 37, the French ground terminal 38 and the second flat plate 39 are integrally formed.
The German ground terminal 37 includes a generally rectangular terminal main body 37a having a thickness in the top-bottom direction Y and extending in the front-rear direction X, a generally rectangular bent tip 37b extending, and slightly bent downward, from a front end of the terminal main body 37a, and two generally rectangular side parts 37c extending, and bent downward generally at a right angle, from rear side surfaces of the terminal main body 37a. The terminal main body 37a, the bent tip 37b and the side parts 37c are integrally formed.
The German ground terminal 37 of the second terminal 33 has substantially the same shape as that of the German ground terminal 35 of the first terminal 32 except for the direction in which the bent tip 37b and the side parts 37c are bent.
The French ground terminal 38 includes generally rectangular supports 38a located below the side parts 37c of the German ground terminal 37 and extending in the front-rear direction X, and contact parts 38b. The contact parts 38b are respectively folded inward in an inverting manner from front side surfaces of the supports 38a while being mildly curved so as to be along an external shape of the ground electrode pin 303. A set of the support 38a and the contact part 38b are integrally formed, and another set of the support 38a and the contact part 38b are integrally formed. The supports 38a respectively extend from the two side parts 37c of the German ground terminal 37 such that the contact parts 38b hold the ground electrode pin 303. The contact parts 38b are curved and face each other while having therebetween a gap slightly smaller than a diameter of the ground electrode pin 303.
The supports 38a each include a generally dome-shaped protrusion 38c at substantially a central position in the front-rear direction X and in the top-bottom direction Y. The protrusion 38c of each support 38a protrudes in a direction opposite to the direction toward the other support 38a. The protrusions 38c are each sized to contact a second partition (described later) of the housing 40 when the ground electrode pin 303 is connected.
The second flat plate 39 extends, and is bent downward generally at a right angle, from a rear end of the terminal main body 37a of the German ground terminal 37. The second flat plate 39 is generally square, is larger than each of the German ground terminal 37 and the French ground terminal 38 as seen from the front side, and has an area size larger than an opening area size of a second opening 47 (described later) of the housing 40 as seen from the front side.
The coupling part 34 is a generally rectangular flat plate extending in the top-bottom direction Y. The coupling part 34 extends upward from one of the side surfaces 35c of the German ground terminal 35 of the first terminal 32 and is connected to one of the supports 38a of the French ground terminal 38 of the second terminal 33, such that the German ground terminal 35 of the first terminal 32 and the German ground terminal 37 of the second terminal 33 face each other while having the French ground terminal 38 therebetween. The coupling part 34 includes two generally dome-shaped protrusions 34a with a predetermined interval being provided therebetween in the top-bottom direction Y. The dome-shaped protrusions 34a protrude outward and are located at positions substantially the same as those of the rear ends of the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 33 in the front-rear direction X.
The core wire pressure-contact part 31 is formed of a thin plate material extending rearward from substantially a central position in the top-bottom direction Y of the coupling part 34. The core wire pressure-contact part 31 is formed by folding the thin plate material into a U-shape, more specifically, an open barrel shape, as seen from the front side.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4, the housing 40 includes a generally circular bottom part 41 having a thickness in the front-rear direction X, a generally cylindrical front cylindrical part 42 extending from the bottom part 41, and a generally cylindrical rear cylindrical part 43 having an outer diameter larger than that of the front cylindrical part 42. The bottom part 41, the front cylindrical part 42 and the rear cylindrical part 43 are integrally formed.
The bottom part 41 has an outer diameter smaller than an inner diameter of the receiving part 201 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and also smaller than an inner diameter of the receiving part 301 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards. The bottom part 41 has two pin insertion holes 41a that respectively allow the plug pins 20 to be inserted thereinto in the front-rear direction X, and one French insertion hole 41b that allows the ground electrode pin 303 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards to be inserted thereinto in the front-rear direction X. The two pin insertion holes 41a are away from each other by an interval corresponding to the interval between the pin connectors 202 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and also corresponding to the interval between the pin connectors 302 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards. The French insertion hole 41b is located in the vicinity of a top area of an outer edge of the bottom part 41.
The front cylindrical part 42 is generally cylindrical and extends rearward from the outer edge of the outer part 41. The front cylindrical part 42 includes two boxes 44 at an outer circumferential surface thereof, at positions facing each other in the top-bottom direction Y while having the pin insertion holes 41a therebetween as seen from the front side. The boxes 44 protrude diametrically outward and extend in the front-rear direction X.
The boxes 44 respectively have German openings 44a that extend in the front-rear direction X and expose the German ground terminals 35 and 37 of the ground terminal 30.
The rear cylindrical part 43 has a generally cylindrical shape having an outer diameter larger than that of the front cylindrical part 42, and has side portions thereof cut off. The rear cylindrical part 43 has a bottom cut-off part 43a (see FIG. 7) through which the power cord 110 is derived.
As shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, in the front cylindrical part 42 of the housing 40, an inner wall 45 provided between the boxes 44 facing each other in the top-bottom direction Y is integrally formed. The inner wall 45 is formed of an integral body including a first partition, a second partition, and a coupling wall (in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, not shown as being clearly distinguished from each other). The first partition and a bottom inner surface of the housing 40 define a first opening 46 that allows the first terminal 32 to be inserted thereinto in a rear-to-front direction, and enclose the first terminal 32 inserted into the first opening 46. The second partition and a top inner surface of the housing 40 define a second opening 47 that allows the second terminal 33 to be inserted thereinto in the rear-to-front direction, and enclose the second terminal 33 inserted into the second opening 47. The coupling part couples the first partition and the second partition to each other in the top-bottom direction Y.
In other words, the inner surface of the housing 40 and the inner wall 45 define a first accommodation space S1 that is communicated to the bottom German opening 44a and accommodates the first terminal 32, and a second accommodation space S2 that is communicated to the top German opening 44a and the French insertion hole 41b and accommodates the second terminal 33.
The first partition of the inner wall 45 includes, at a rear end thereof, the first engageable part 45a engageable with the first flat plate 36 of the ground terminal 30. The second partition of the inner wall 45 includes, at a rear end thereof, the second engageable part 45b engageable with the second flat plate 39.
The first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 45b respectively have substantially the same size as those of the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 as seen from the rear side. In addition, the first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 45b respectively have engaging depths greater than the thicknesses of the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 in the front-rear direction X.
The coupling wall of the inner wall 45 has a slit 45c that is open in a generally slit-like shape so as to communicate to the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2. The slit 45c allows the coupling part 34 of the ground terminal 30 to be inserted thereinto, so that the coupling part 34 is held in the slit 45c.
The inner wall 45 has pin holding holes 45d respectively communicated to the pin insertion holes 41a of the bottom part 41 in the front-rear direction X to allow the plug pins 20 to be inserted thereinto, so that the welding parts 22 of the plug pins 20 are held in the pin holding holes 45d. The pin holding holes 45d each have an inner shape substantially the same as an outer shape of the welding part 22 of the plug pin 20. The inner shape of the pin holding hole 45d is generally hexagonal as seen from the rear side.
In the housing 40, six generally column-like power cord holders 48 extending rearward from an inner surface of the bottom part 41 are integrally formed. The power cord holders 48 are generally elliptical as seen from the rear side. The six power cord holders 48 are located at a predetermined interval in a circumferential direction as seen from the rear side.
This will be described in more detail. The power cord holders 48 include two power cord holders 48a, two power cord holders 48b, and two power cord holders 48c. The two power cord holders 48a are located in the vicinity of the first opening 46 and symmetrically with respect to a diametrical direction while having the first opening 46 therebetween. The two power cord holders 48b are located below the pin insertion holes 41a and symmetrically with respect to the diametrical direction while having the inner wall 45 therebetween. The two power cord holders 48c are located above the pin insertion holes 41a and symmetrically with respect to the diametrical direction while having the inner wall 45 therebetween.
The power cord holders 48b and the power cord holders 48c define, together with the inner wall 45 and the inner surface of the housing 40, pin openings 49 that are communicated to the pin holding holes 45d and the pin insertion holes 41a and allow the plug pins 20 to be inserted thereinto.
As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the plug body 50 is formed of a synthetic resin such as, for example, insulating poly(vinyl chloride) and covers an area ranging from a front surface of the housing 40 to a region rear to the cable tie 14.
This will be described in more detail. The plug body 50 includes a front cover 51 that covers a front part of the front cylindrical part 42 of the housing 40, a rear cover 52 that covers a rear part of the front cylindrical part 42 and the covered wires 10, and a cord cover 53 that covers the power cord 110 derived from the housing 40. The front cover 51, the rear cover 52 and the cord cover 53 are integrally formed.
The front cover 51 has an outer diameter substantially the same as an inner diameter of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and has an outer shape having areas corresponding to the holding inner walls 204 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards cut off. This will be described in more detail. The front cover 51 has side portions thereof cut off as seen from the front side, and includes engageable protrusions 51a engageable with the pair of holding inner walls 204. The engageable protrusions 51a protrude diametrically outward.
The rear cover 52 is generally circular as seen from the rear side, and has a larger diameter than that of the front cover 51.
The cord cover 53 extends downward from the rear cover 52.
Now, a method for assembling the power cord 110, the plug pins 20, the ground terminal 30 and the housing 40 described above and forming the plug body 50 by injection molding to produce the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 will be described.
Specifically, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 is produced as follows. The portions of a predetermined length of the core wires 11 exposed from the insulating covers 12 are inserted into the plug pins 20 up to the welding openings 24 of the welding parts 22. The welding parts 22 and the core wires 11 are fused together while the caulking parts 23 are caulked to put the core wires 11 into pressure contact with the caulking parts 23. Thus, the plug pins 20 and the covered wires 10 are connected to each other.
The portion of a predetermined length of the core wire 11 exposed from one insulating cover 12 is located on the core wire pressure-contact part 31 of the ground terminal 30, and then the core wire pressure-contact part 31 is caulked by a predetermined caulking tool to put the core wire 11 into pressure contact with the core wire pressure-contact part 31. Thus, the ground terminal 30 and the corresponding covered wire 10 are connected to each other.
Then, the plug pins 20 connected with the covered wires 10 are inserted into the pin openings 49 from the rear side of the housing 40. Thus, the welding parts 22 of the plug pins 20 are held in the pin holding holes 45d of the housing 40, and the terminals 21 of the plug pins 20 are exposed outside via the pin insertion holes 41a of the housing 40.
Next, the ground terminal 30 is assembled with the housing 40 from the rear side of the housing 40. This will be described in more detail. The first terminal 32 of the ground terminal 30 is inserted into the first opening 46 to be accommodated in the first accommodation space S1, and the second terminal 33 is inserted into the second opening 47 to be accommodated in the second accommodation space S2. The coupling part 34 is inserted into the slit 45c of the housing 40. Thus, the ground terminal 30 is assembled with the housing 40.
The assembly is performed such that the two protrusions 34a of the coupling part 34 are engaged with the slit 45c, such that the first flat plate 36 of the ground terminal 30 is engaged with the first engageable part 45a and such that the second flat plate 39 is engaged with the second engageable part 45b.
The covered wires 10 derived from the plug pins 20 are wound along the power cord holders 48 of the housing 40 and fixedly held by the housing 40. This will be described in more detail. As shown in FIG. 9, the covered wires 10 are each derived from the diametrically inner side, wound along a top part of the power cord holder 48c, wound from the outer side to the diametrically inner side of the power cord holder 48b, and then wound along the diametrically inner side of the power cord holder 48a to be fixedly held. Then, the power cord 110 is derived downward from the housing 40 via the cut-off part 43a of the housing 40.
In this manner, the plug pins 20, the ground terminal 30 and the power cord 110 are assembled with the housing 40. In this state, as shown in FIG. 10, the area ranging from the front surface of the housing 40 to the region rear to the cable tie 14 is covered with a synthetic resin formed by injection molding to form the plug body 50 that is L-shaped as seen in a side view. Thus, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 is produced. In this step, the synthetic resin used to form the plug body 50 of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 does not flow into the first accommodation space S1 or the second accommodation space S2 of the housing 40.
The attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 described above may be inserted into the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards shown in FIG. 3(a). In this case, the plug pins 20 of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 are connected to the pin connectors 202, and the German ground terminals 35 and 37 respectively contact the ground electrode pieces 203. Thus, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 is electrically connected to the plug receptacle 200.
The attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 may be inserted into the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards shown in FIG. 3(b). In this case, the plug pins 20 of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 are connected to the pin connectors 302, and the French ground terminal 38 is connected to the ground electrode pin 303. Thus, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 is electrically connected to the plug receptacle 300. In this step, the French ground terminal 38 is elastically deformed such that the contact parts 38b are expanded by the ground electrode pin 303, and the protrusions 38c contact the second partition.
The attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 having the above-described structure allows the number of components to be decreased and is usable for plug receptacles of different standards, namely, for the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and also for the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards.
This will be described specifically. The ground terminal 30 is formed of an integral body including the pair of German ground terminals 35 and 37 and the French ground terminal 38. Owing to this, the number of components of the attachment plug 120 is smaller than that in the case where the pair of German ground terminals 35 and 37 and the French ground terminal 38 are provided separately. This decreases the number of assembly steps, and the production cost, of the attachment plug 120.
The inner surface of the housing 40 and the inner wall 45 of the attachment plug 120 define the first accommodation space S1 that accommodates the first terminal 32 and the second accommodation space S2 that accommodates the second terminal 33. The first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2 are defined inside the housing 40. The first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 of the ground terminal 30 respectively close the first opening 46 and the second opening 47. This prevents the synthetic resin from flowing into the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2 through the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 when the synthetic resin is injected to form the plug body 50 of the attachment plug 120.
Owing to this, in the case of the attachment plug 120, the synthetic resin is prevented from being attached to the first terminal 32 accommodated in the first accommodation space S1 and the second terminal 33 accommodated in the second accommodation space S2. Therefore, the attachment plug 120 has neither the inconvenience that the conductivity is not securely provided due to the attachment of the synthetic resin, nor the inconvenience that the ground electrode pieces 203 of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards or the ground electrode pin 303 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards is not connected.
In the step of accommodating the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 33 in the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2, the inner wall 45 may act as an assembly guide for the first terminal 32 and the second terminal 33. This improves the ease of assembly of the ground terminal 30 of the attachment plug 120.
Therefore, the attachment plug 120 allows the number of components to be decreased and is usable for the plug receptacles of different standards, namely, for the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and also for the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards.
The ground terminal 30 includes the first flat plate 36 having an area size larger than an opening area size of the first opening 46 and the second flat plate 39 having an area size larger than an opening area size of the second opening 47. Owing to this, in the case of the attachment plug 120, the synthetic resin is prevented from flowing into the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2 through the first opening 46 and the second opening 47, more easily and with a simpler structure than in the case where a closing unit closing the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 is provided separately from the ground terminal 30.
This will be described more specifically. In the case where the closing unit is provided separately from the ground terminal 30, the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 need to be closed after the ground terminal 30 is assembled with the housing 40. By contrast, in the attachment plug 120, the first flat plate 36 is an integral part of the first terminal 32 and the second flat plate 39 is an integral part of the second terminal 33. Therefore, the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 are closed when the ground terminal 30 is assembled with the housing 40.
The first flat plate 36 is larger than the first opening 46, and the second flat plate 39 is larger than the second opening 47. Owing to this, in the case of the attachment plug 120, the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 are closed with certainty.
Therefore, the above-described flow of the synthetic resin is prevented with a closing unit of a simpler structure without the ease of assembly being spoiled. Thus, the attachment plug 120 guarantees more stable conductivity.
The attachment plug 120 includes the first engageable part 45a engageable with the first flat plate 36 and the second engageable part 45b engageable with the second flat plate 39. Therefore, in the case of the attachment plug 120, the synthetic resin is prevented with more certainty from flowing into the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2 through the first opening 46 and the second opening 47.
This will be described specifically. The engaging depths of the first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 46b are respectively greater than the thicknesses of the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39. In the step of assembling the plug pins 20 and the like with the housing 40, the ground terminal 30 assembled with the housing 40 may be shifted in the longitudinal direction due to, for example, a repelling force of the covered wires 10. Even in this case, in the case of the attachment plug 120, the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 are prevented from being easily released from the closed state owing to the above-described engaging depths.
As seen from the rear side, the first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 45b respectively have substantially the same size as those of the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39. Therefore, in the case of the attachment plug 120, even if the ground terminal 30 assembled with the housing 40 is shifted in the front-rear direction X, it is difficult for the synthetic resin to flow into the first accommodation space S1 and the second accommodation space S2 through the first opening 46 and the second opening 47.
In the step of injecting the synthetic resin to form the plug body 50, the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 respectively engaged with the first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 45b are pressed by the synthetic resin. Therefore, the ground terminal 30, even if being shifted by the repelling force of the covered wires 10 or the like, is accommodated at a correct position with certainty owing to the injected synthetic resin.
As described above, in the case of the attachment plug 120, even if the ground terminal 30 assembled with the housing 40 is shifted in the front-rear direction X by, for example, the repelling force of the covered wires 10, the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 are respectively closed with the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 with more certainty.
Owing to the first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 45b included in the attachment plug 120, the above-described flow of the synthetic resin is prevented even with a decreased number of components. Thus, the attachment plug 120 guarantees more stable conductivity.
Owing to including the protrusions 38c, the attachment plug 120 guarantees more stable conductivity even with a decreased number of components.
This will be described specifically. When the ground electrode pin 303 is connected to the French ground terminal 38, the elastic deformation of the French ground terminal 38 in accordance with the size of the ground electrode pin 303 is restricted by the protrusions 38c contacting the second partition. Therefore, the French ground terminal 38 holds the ground electrode pin 303 by a cooperation of the elastic force thereof and the reaction force of the second partition. In other words, the French ground terminal 38 guarantees a more stable holding force owing to including the protrusions 38c.
Therefore, even if an outer diameter of the ground electrode pin 303 is varied, the French ground terminal 38 holds the ground electrode pin 303 with a stable holding force. Thus, the attachment plug 120 guarantees more stable conductivity.
For this reason, the attachment plug 120 guarantees more stable conductivity even with a decreased number of components.
The coupling part 34 is inserted into the slit 45c such that the two protrusions 34a of the coupling part 34 are engaged with the slit 45c. Therefore, in the case of the attachment plug 120, the ground terminal 30 is prevented with more certainty from being shifted in the front-rear direction X.
The covered wires 10 of the power cord 110 are connected to plug pins 20 and the ground terminal 30 of the attachment plug 120. This decreases number of components of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100, and makes it possible to use the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 for the plug receptacles of different standards, namely, for both of the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards and also for the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards.
In the above-described embodiment, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 is L-shaped as seen in a side view. The present invention is not limited to this. The power cord 110 may be derived to the side or rearward from the attachment plug 120.
In the above-described embodiment, the core wire pressure-contact part 31 of the ground terminal 30 is of an open barrel type. The present invention is not limited to this. The core wire pressure-contact part 31 may be of a closed barrel type or any other type as long as the core wire pressure-contact part 31 caulks the core wire 11 so that the core wire 11 is put into pressure contact with the core wire pressure-contact part 31.
In the above-described embodiment, the French ground terminal 38 extends respectively from the two side parts 37c of the German ground terminal 37. The present invention is not limited to this. The French ground terminal 38 may have any shape as long as the second terminal part 33 is formed of an integral body including the German ground terminal 37 and the French ground terminal 38. For example, the second terminal part 33 may have the following structure. The support 38a of the French ground terminal 38 extends from one of the side parts 37c of the German ground terminal 37 and is folded diametrically internally in an inverting manner from the front side surface of the support 38a. Thus, a contact part that that is ring-shaped as seen from the front side and embraces the contact pin 303 is formed. In this case, the other side part 37c of the German ground terminal 37 and the coupling part 34 are coupled to each other.
In the above-described embodiment, the ground terminal 30 includes the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 as the closing unit that closes the first opening 46 and the second opening 47. The present invention is not limited to this. The closing unit that closes the first opening 46 and the second opening 47 may be provided separately from the ground terminal 30.
In the above-described embodiment, the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 are respectively engageable with the first engageable part 45a and the second engageable part 45b. The present invention is not limited to this. The first opening 46 and the second opening 47 may be directly closed by the first flat plate 36 and the second flat plate 39 with no provision of the first engageable part 45a or the second engageable part 45b.
In the above-described embodiment, the inner wall 45 formed of an integral body including the first partition, the second partition and the coupling wall is formed inside the housing 40. The present invention is not limited to this. The first partition, the second partition and the coupling wall may be provided separately.
The attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 may accommodate a thermistor connected to the covered wires 10, in addition to the plug pins 20 and the ground terminal 30. In this case, the inner wall 45 inside the housing 40 has a thermistor insertion hole into which the thermistor is to be inserted.
The cover body according to the present invention corresponds to the cover tube 13 in the embodiment; and similarly,
the outer cover member corresponds to the plug body 50;
the core wire connector corresponds to the core wire pressure-contact part 31;
the first plug receptacle corresponds to the plug receptacle 200 of the German standards;
the first plug receptacle ground terminal corresponds to the German ground terminal 35, 37;
the second plug receptacle corresponds to the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards;
the second plug receptacle ground terminal corresponds to the French ground terminal 38;
the first partition and the second partition correspond to the inner wall 45;
the closing unit correspond to the first flat plate 36, the second flat plate 39, the first engageable part 45a, and the second engageable part 45b; and
the longitudinal direction corresponds to the front-rear direction X.
However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be carried out in various other embodiments.
For example, the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 may have a housing of a structure different from that in the above-described embodiment.
This will be described specifically. FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of a housing 60 of another attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100. As shown in FIG. 11, the housing 60 includes a first housing 610 that accommodates and holds the plug pins 20, and a second housing 620 that accommodates and holds the ground terminal 30.
The first housing 610 includes two generally cylindrical holding cylinders 611 and a cylinder coupling part 614 that couples the holding cylinders 611 in a diametrical direction. The holding cylinders 611 and the cylinder coupling part 614 are integrally formed.
Each of the holding cylinders 611 is generally cylindrical and has a front end enlarged so as to allow the plug pin 20 to be inserted thereinto. The holding cylinder 611 has an engageable groove 612 in the vicinity of a rear end thereof. The engageable groove 612 is recessed and extends in a circumferential direction and is engageable with an engageable claw (not shown) of the second housing 620. The holding cylinder 611 also has a slit-like opening groove 613 having a predetermined length and extending forward from the rear end thereof.
The cylinder coupling part 614 has a predetermined thickness in the top-bottom direction Y and couples the holding cylinders 611 at positions in the vicinity of the front ends thereof. The cylinder coupling part 614 has a thermistor insertion part (not shown) on a rear surface thereof, at substantially a central position thereof. The thermistor insertion part allows a thermistor (not shown) to be inserted thereinto.
The second housing 620 includes a bottom part 621, a front cylindrical part 622, and a rear cylindrical part 623. The second housing 620 is different from the housing 40 in the above-described embodiment mainly in the shape of the front cylindrical part 622 and the shape of the bottom part 621.
As compared with the front cylindrical part 42 of the housing 40 in the above-described embodiment, the front cylindrical part 622 is shorter in the front-rear direction X, and has a generally cylindrical external shape having side portions thereof cut off. Like the first cylindrical part 42 in the above-described embodiment, the front cylindrical part 622 includes two boxes 624 facing each other in the top-bottom direction Y, at an outer circumferential surface thereof. The boxes 624 protrude diametrically outward and extend in the front-rear direction X.
The bottom part 621 includes a first bottom part 625 connectable to a front end of the front cylindrical part 622, and second bottom parts 626 protruding forward from the first bottom part 625 so as to be respectively continuous from the boxes 624. The second bottom parts 626 are generally rectangular as seen from the front side.
The first bottom part 625 has a recessed part positionally corresponding to the first housing 610 as seen from the front side. In the recessed part of the first bottom part 625, two insertion openings 625a that allow the holding cylinders 611 to be inserted thereinto, and a thermistor insertion part 625b that allows a thermistor to be inserted thereinto, are formed.
The upper second bottom part 626 has a French insertion hole 626a that allows the ground electrode pin 303 of the plug receptacle 300 of the French standards to be inserted thereinto.
In the housing 60, the first housing 610 and the second bottom parts 626 of the second housing 620 are formed such that in the state where the first housing 610 and the second housing 620 are assembled together, a front surface of the first housing 610 and front surfaces of the second bottom parts 626 of the second housing 620 are flush with each other.
FIG. 12 is an external isometric view of the another attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100. The attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 shown in FIG. 12 is produced as follows. The plug pins 20, the ground terminal 30 and the thermistor are assembled with the housing 60 including the first housing 610 and the second housing 620 described above, and a plug body 70 is formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin.
As shown in FIG. 12, in the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100, the housing 60 is covered with the plug body 70 such that the front surface of the first housing 610, front surfaces of the boxes 624 of the second housing 620, and the front surfaces of the second bottom parts 626 of the second housing 620 are exposed.
As described above, the housing 60 may include the first housing 610 and the second housing 620. In this case, the first housing 610 and the second housing 620 of the attachment-plug-inclusive cord 100 may be formed of different materials.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

10: Covered wire
11: Core wire
12: Insulating cover
13: Cover tube
20: Plug pin
30: Ground terminal
31: Core wire pressure-contact part
32: First terminal
33: Second terminal
34: Coupling part
35: German ground terminal
36: First flat plate
37: German ground terminal
38: French ground terminal
38c: Protrusion
39: Second flat plate
40: Housing
45: Inner wall
45a: First engageable part
45b: Second engageable part
46: First opening
47: Second opening
50: Plug body
60: Housing
70: Plug body
100: Attachment-plug-inclusive cord
110: Power cord
120: Attachment plug
200: Plug receptacle of the German standards
203: Ground electrode piece
300: Plug receptacle of the French standards
303: Ground electrode pin

Claims

An attachment plug, comprising:
two plug pins connectable with conductive core wires of a predetermined length exposed from insulating covers of a plurality of covered wires included in a power cord, the power cord including the plurality of covered wires and a cover body covering the plurality of covered wires;

a pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals contactable with a pair of ground electrode pieces of a first plug receptacle, the first plug receptacle allowing the plug pins to be connected thereto;

a second plug receptacle ground terminal allowing a ground electrode pin of a second plug receptacle to be connected thereto, the second plug receptacle allowing the plug pins to be connected thereto;

a housing accommodating and holding, while exposing, the plug pins and the first plug receptacle ground terminals, and accommodating and holding the second plug receptacle ground terminal in a state of being connectable with the ground electrode pin; and

an outer cover member formed by injection molding of a synthetic resin, the outer cover member covering an area ranging from the housing to the cover body of the power cord;
wherein:
the attachment plug including the plug pins, the first plug receptacle ground terminals, the second plug receptacle ground terminal, the housing and the outer cover member is connectable with the first plug receptacle and the second plug receptacle;

the attachment plug further comprises a ground terminal including:
a first terminal as one of the pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals,

a second terminal formed of an integral body including the other of the pair of first plug receptacle ground terminals and the second plug receptacle ground terminal,

a coupling part coupling the first terminal and the second terminal to each other, and

a core wire connector connectable with the core wire of one of the covered wires,

wherein the first terminal, the second terminal, the coupling part and the core wire connector are integrally formed;

the housing accommodates:
a first partition defining, with an inner surface of the housing, a first opening allowing the first terminal to be inserted thereinto in a longitudinal direction of the plug pins, the first partition and the inner surface of the housing enclosing the first terminal; and

a second partition defining, with the inner surface of the housing, a second opening allowing the second terminal to be inserted thereinto in the longitudinal direction, the second partition and the inner surface of the housing enclosing the second terminal; and

the attachment plug further comprises a closing unit closing the first opening and the second opening in a state where the ground terminal is accommodated in the housing.
An attachment plug according to claim 1, wherein:
the ground terminal includes:
a first flat plate having a generally flat plate-like shape larger than the first opening as seen in the longitudinal direction, the first flat plate being integrally formed with a base part of the first terminal; and

a second flat plate having a generally flat plate-like shape larger than the second opening as seen in the longitudinal direction, the second flat plate being integrally formed with a base part of the second terminal; and

the closing unit includes the first flat plate closing the first opening and the second flat plate closing the second opening.
An attachment plug according to claim 2, wherein:
the first partition of the housing includes a first engageable part engageable with the first flat plate in the longitudinal direction;

the second partition of the housing includes a second engageable part engageable with the second flat plate in the longitudinal direction; and

the first engageable part has substantially the same size as that of the first flat plate as seen in the longitudinal direction, the second engageable part has substantially the same size as that of the second flat plate as seen in the longitudinal direction, a predetermined engaging depth of the first engageable part with the first flat plate in the longitudinal direction is greater than a thickness of the first flat plate, and a predetermined engaging depth of the second engageable part with the second flat plate in the longitudinal direction is greater than a thickness of the second flat plate.
An attachment plug according to any one of claims 1 through 3, wherein:
the second plug receptacle ground terminal elastically supports the ground electrode pin connected thereto; and

the second plug receptacle ground terminal includes a protrusion protruding toward the second partition, the protrusion being contactable with the second partition in a state where the ground electrode pin is connected with the second plug receptacle ground terminal.
An attachment-plug-inclusive cord, comprising:
the attachment plug according to any one of claims 1 through 4; and

the covered wires of the power cord connected to the plug pins and the ground terminal of the attachment plug.