JP2004311313A

JP2004311313A - Power outlet

Info

Publication number: JP2004311313A
Application number: JP2003105831A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Kazuji Matsukawa; 和司松川; Masaru Yoshida; 大吉田; Masuo Kitamura; 満寿雄北村
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date: 2003-04-09
Filing date: 2003-04-09
Publication date: 2004-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2023-04-09
Also published as: JP4055629B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric outlet having an excellent appearance without being large-sized in a blade inserting direction even when using a normal blade. <P>SOLUTION: Two blade receiving members 5 for receiving the blade inserted from a blade inserting hole 21 are contained inside a housing consisting of a body 1 and a cover 2. Detecting springs 9 made of plate spring that would be deformed by insertion force from the tip of the blade when inserting the blade are respectively arranged on portions corresponding to the respective blade receiving members 5. When the detecting spring 9 receives insertion force of the blade, the detecting spring 9 pushes upward a pusher 94 placed on the tip part to the blade inserting hole 21 side, and the contact output of a micro switch 6 is reversed by the pusher 94. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、主として車両において用いられるコンセントであって、バッテリを電源とするインバータの出力である交流電源を電気機器に供給するために電気機器に設けたプラグが差し込まれるコンセントに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来から、車両用のコンセントとしては、コンセントのハウジングの外部に露出するとともにハウジングから突出する向きにばね付勢されたプッシュロッドを備え、プッシュロッドの進退に応じて接点を開閉させるアウトレットスイッチを設けたものが提案されている（たとえば、特許文献１参照）。
【０００３】
特許文献１に記載のものでは、バッテリを電源とするＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ電源回路の出力がコンセントに接続され、ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ電源回路の電源がアウトレットスイッチによってオンオフされる。すなわち、コンセントにプラグが差し込まれたときにプッシュロッドがプラグに押圧されることによってアウトレットスイッチがオフになると、ＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ電源回路の電源がオンになってコンセントに電源が供給され、逆に、コンセントからプラグを抜くとプッシュロッドが元の位置に復帰してＤＣ−ＤＣコンバータ電源回路の電源がオフになるように構成されている。
【０００４】
特許文献１に記載されたコンセントと同様にプラグの挿抜を検出するコンセントとしては、プラグの栓刃に係合受部を設けておき、コンセントのハウジング内に配置した移動片をプラグの栓刃の係合受部に係合させることによって、プラグの挿抜によってスイッチ機構を開閉するコンセントも提案されている。この構成では、栓刃に設けた移動片が栓刃の挿抜によって進退し、この部材の進退に伴ってスイッチ機構を開閉させている（たとえば、特許文献２参照）。特許文献２には、栓刃を抜いたときに移動片がばね力によって自動的に元の位置に復帰する構成と、栓刃を抜いたときに移動片が栓刃に係合していることによって元の位置に復帰する構成とが記載されている。
【０００５】
特許文献２に記載のコンセントは、プラグの栓刃を受ける刃受に栓刃が接続されたか否かをハウジングの内部に設けた部材によって検出しており、しかも栓刃が刃受に接続された後にスイッチ機構がオンになって刃受に通電され、栓刃を抜く際には栓刃が刃受に接触している状態でスイッチ機構をオフにして通電を遮断する構成を採用している。したがって、特許文献１に記載されたアウトレットスイッチに比較すると、プラグの挿抜を検出してスイッチ機構を開閉させるためにハウジングの外部に露出する部分を設ける必要がなく、特許文献１の構成に比較すると外観に優れた構成になっている。
【０００６】
【特許文献１】
特開２０００−３０１９９１号公報（第００１４−００２８段落、図２−５）
【特許文献２】
特許第２０１１４２８号公報（第６−１０欄、第２図、第４図）
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
上述した特許文献１に記載の技術では、プラグの挿抜を検出するためにハウジングの外部に突出するプッシュロッドを設ける必要があり、外観を損なうという問題がある。
【０００８】
一方、特許文献２に記載の技術では、係合受部を形成した特殊な形状の栓刃を用いることが必要であって、通常の栓刃を備えるプラグには適合しないという問題がある。とくに、栓刃を抜いたときに移動片が元の位置に自動的に復帰しないものでは、移動片を係合受部と係合させることが必須であって特殊形状の栓刃が必要になる。栓刃を抜いたときに移動片がばね力によって自動的に復帰する構成では、栓刃の先端で移動片を押圧する構成とすることが可能ではあるが、移動片を進退させるために栓刃の進退する方向におけるハウジングの寸法が大きくなる。その上、移動片に復帰力を与えるためのばねを収納するスペースもハウジング内に必要であるから、特許文献２の技術を採用して係合受部を備えていない通常の栓刃を備えたプラグを使用できる構成を実現しようとすれば、栓刃の挿入方向におけるハウジングの寸法が非常に大きくなるという問題が生じる。
【０００９】
本発明は上記事由に鑑みて為されたものであり、その目的は、通常の栓刃を用いながらも栓刃の挿入方向における寸法が大型化することがなく、しかも優れた外観を呈するコンセントを提供することにある。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
請求項１の発明は、プラグの栓刃を挿入する栓刃挿入口が開口したハウジングと、栓刃挿入口を通してハウジング内に挿入された栓刃の側面に栓刃の挿入方向の中間部において弾接する接触部を備えた刃受部材と、栓刃の挿入方向において刃受部材の接触部よりも栓刃挿入口から離れた部位で栓刃の先端に接触可能に配置され栓刃の挿入力を受けて栓刃の挿入方向に交差する一方向に移動する可動部材と、可動部材とともにハウジングに収納され栓刃の先端に接触可能となる位置に可動部材を付勢する復帰ばねと、ハウジングに収納され栓刃の挿入力により可動部材が移動したときに可動部材により押圧力を受けて接点出力を反転させるアクチュエータを備えたスイッチと、スイッチの接点出力をハウジングの外部に取り出す信号端子部とを備えることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
請求項２の発明では、請求項１の発明において、前記可動部材は栓刃の挿入力を受けて栓刃の挿入方向に交差する一方向の力に変換する傾斜面を有することを特徴とする。
【００１２】
請求項３の発明では、請求項２の発明において、前記可動部材は、前記ハウジングの内部の定位置に一端部が固定され他端部が前記アクチュエータに押圧力を作用させる自由端であって中間部に前記傾斜面を形成するように板厚方向において屈曲した板ばねからなる検知用ばねを備え、検知用ばねが前記復帰ばねを兼ねていることを特徴とする。
【００１３】
請求項４の発明では、請求項３の発明において、前記検知用ばねは、前記栓刃の挿入方向を含む１つの面内において板厚方向に屈曲されたものであって、前記栓刃挿入口の側方において前記ハウジングに固定される固定片と、一端部が固定片に連続するとともに固定片から栓刃に近付くに従って栓刃挿入口から離れる向きに傾斜した前記傾斜面を少なくとも一部に備えた検知片と、一端部が検知片の他端部に連続し検知用ばねの自由端となる他端部が固定端に対して栓刃の挿入方向における栓刃の先端側に離間したスイッチ駆動片とを有する形状に形成されていることを特徴とする。
【００１４】
請求項５の発明では、請求項３または請求項４の発明において、前記可動部材は、前記検知用ばねの自由端に結合され前記スイッチの前記アクチュエータに押圧力を作用させる合成樹脂成形品の押子を備えることを特徴とする。
【００１５】
請求項６の発明では、請求項５の発明において、前記ハウジングの内側には、前記栓刃の挿入に伴って前記アクチュエータを押圧する向きに前記押子を移動させるように押子を案内する案内面が形成されていることを特徴とする。
【００１６】
請求項７の発明では、請求項３ないし請求項６の発明において、前記刃受部材は、板材からなり前記接触部において前記栓刃を挟持する第１の刃受ばねおよび第２の刃受ばねと、第１の刃受ばねと第２の刃受ばねとにおける前記栓刃挿入口から離れた端部同士を連続一体に結合する連結片とを備え、第１の刃受ばねには、接触部と連結片との間の部位における幅方向の中央部において、前記検知用ばねにおける前記検知片および前記スイッチ駆動片の一部が挿通される挿入用開口が形成されていることを特徴とする。
【００１７】
請求項８の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項７の発明において、前記スイッチは、前記ハウジングとは別に独立した器体を備えるマイクロスイッチであることを特徴とする。
【００１８】
請求項９の発明では、請求項８の発明において、前記マイクロスイッチは、前記ハウジング内に収納された回路基板の周部に実装され、回路基板の中央部には前記刃受部材が挿入される開口窓が形成されて成ることを特徴とする。
【００１９】
請求項１０の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項９の発明において、前記ハウジング内に前記刃受部材が複数個収納され、各刃受部材に対応する部位にそれぞれ前記スイッチが設けられていることを特徴とする。
【００２０】
請求項１１の発明では、請求項１０の発明において、前記スイッチが直列接続されていることを特徴とする。
【００２１】
請求項１２の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項１１の発明において、前記スイッチは、前記栓刃を挿抜する際に栓刃が前記刃受部材に接触している状態において反転することを特徴とする。
【００２２】
請求項１３の発明では、請求項１２の発明において、前記スイッチは、前記栓刃が前記刃受部材に接続された状態において前記刃受部材に通電する回路に挿入されていることを特徴とする。
【００２３】
請求項１４の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項１３の発明において、前記信号端子部は、相手側コネクタと着脱可能なコネクタであることを特徴とする。
【００２４】
請求項１５の発明では、請求項１４の発明において、前記コネクタは、前記刃受部材と電気的に接続されたコンタクトを備えることを特徴とする。
【００２５】
【発明の実施の形態】
（第１実施形態）
本実施形態のコンセントは、図１ないし図３に示すように、合成樹脂成形品のボディ１およびカバー２を結合して形成される直方体状のハウジングを備え、ハウジングにはカバー２の前面（図１における上面）を覆う位置とカバー２の前面を開放する位置との間で開閉するようにハウジングの前面の一側縁を中心として回動する外カバー３が取着される。
【００２６】
ボディ１は前面が開放された直方体状であって、ボディ１の内部には、カバー２に設けた栓刃挿入口２１を通して挿入されたプラグ４（図５、図６参照）の栓刃４ａを受ける刃受部材５と、栓刃４ａの挿抜を検出するためのマイクロスイッチからなるスイッチ６および外部電線を接続する信号端子部としてのコネクタ７を実装した回路基板８と、栓刃４ａの挿入力を受けてスイッチ６のアクチュエータ（図示せず）に押圧力を作用させる検知用ばね９とが収納される。
【００２７】
カバー２はボディ１の前面に覆着される。本実施形態のコンセントは平板状の栓刃が互いに対向するように配置されたプラグ４に対応するものであって、図１２に示すように、矩形状に開口する２個の栓刃挿入口２１が並設される。さらに、丸ピン状の接地極を備えるプラグを差し込むことができるように、栓刃挿入口２１の近傍にはダミー口２２が形成される。カバー２の内周面においてダミー口２２の周部からは円筒状のガイド筒２２ａ（図１３、図１５参照）が突出し、ボディ１においてダミー口２２に対応する部位にはガイド筒２２ａと突き合わされるガイド孔２２ｂ（図７、図８参照）が形成される。カバー２の前面は、図３（ａ）のように接地極付きのプラグ４を装着したり、図３（ｂ）のようにＡＣアダプタ４′を装着したりすることができる寸法に設定される。
【００２８】
ところで、ボディ１の両外側面にはそれぞれ前後方向に延長された２本の組立溝１１が形成され（図９、図１０参照）、各組立溝１１の底面にはそれぞれ組立突起１１ａが突設される。一方、カバー２の両側縁には各一対の組立脚２３が後方に向かって突設され、組立脚２３には組立突起１１ａと嵌合する組立孔２３ａが形成されている。したがって、ボディ１にカバー２を押し付けることによって、組立突起１１ａが組立孔２３ａに嵌合し、ボディ１とカバー２とが結合される。ボディ１にカバー２を結合した状態においてカバー２の周部はボディ１の外周面の外側に突出する。
【００２９】
ボディ１の外周面のうち組立溝１１を設けていない２面には各一対の取付突起１２が突設される。ハウジング１は取付パネル（図示せず）に取着可能であって、ボディ１の外周面の形状にほぼ一致するように取付パネルに矩形状に開設した取付孔（図示せず）にボディ１側からハウジング１を挿入することによって、取付孔の周部を取付突起１２とカバー２の周部とにより挟持し、ハウジング１を取付パネルに固定できるようにしてある。
【００３０】
さらに、カバー２の前面であって組立脚２３を設けていない２辺のうちの１辺の中央部には軸受部２４が形成され、軸受部２４には芯軸２５が挿入される。図１３および図１４に示すように、軸受部２４は後方に開放された断面Ｕ字状であって、芯軸２５の両端部は軸受部２４の両端から突出してカバー２の前面に露出する。さらに、芯軸２５には開放ばね２６が装着される。開放ばね２６は、一対のねじりコイルばねを一体に連結した形状に形成されたものであって、両端部にねじりコイルばねとして機能するばね部２６ａをそれぞれ備え、両ばね部２６ａの一端同士がコ字状の連結片２６ｂを介して一体に連結された形状を有する。つまり、コ字状の連結片２６ｂの各脚片にそれぞればね部２６ａが一体に連続している。また、各ばね部２６ａの他端には駆動片２６ｃがそれぞれ延設される。ここに、軸受部２４の両端部は、ばね部２６ａが収納可能となるように内側の断面積が中間部よりも大きく形成されており、両ばね部２６ａは芯軸２５が挿通された状態で軸受部２４の両端部に収納される。この状態において連結片２６ｂはカバー２の後面に当接し、駆動片２６ｃは軸受部２４の両端からカバー２の前面側に突出する。
【００３１】
外カバー３は、カバー２の前面を全面に亘って覆うことができるように、カバー２の外周形状にほぼ一致する外周形状を有する。図１７および図１９に示すように、外カバー３においてカバー２の軸受部２４に対応する部位には軸受部２４が嵌る形状である軸側切欠部３１が形成され、外カバー３において軸側切欠部３１の両側には芯軸２５の両端部がそれぞれ挿入される支承孔３２（図１７、図１８参照）が形成される。支承孔３２は外カバー３の外周面に貫通しており、一方の支承孔３２から芯軸２５を挿入することによって、芯軸２５の両端部を両支承孔３２に挿入することができるようになっている。ここに、芯軸２５の一端部は一方の支承孔２５に圧入されることによって抜止がなされるように形成されている。カバー２に外カバー３を装着するにあたっては、開放ばね２５をカバー２の軸受部２４に装着した状態で、外カバー３の裏面に駆動片２６ｃを当接させるようにして外カバー３の軸側切欠部３１をカバー２の軸受部２４に嵌め合わせ、芯軸２５を支承孔３２に挿入する。このようにして、外カバー３がカバー２に対して軸着され、かつ開放ばね２５によって外カバー３が開放側に付勢されることになる。
【００３２】
カバー２における残りの１辺の中央部には、左右両側がカバー２から分離された押操作部２７が形成される。図１３に示すように、押操作部２７の１辺の後部は撓み部２７ａを介してカバー２に連続している。また、ハウジングを取付パネルに取り付けた状態で押操作部２７を後方に押し込むことができるように、押操作部２７において撓み部２７ａの反対側の１辺の後端は、カバー２における取付パネルとの当接面よりも前方に位置する。つまり、押操作部２７の後面のうち撓み片２７ａを設けた１辺を除く部位は、撓み片２７ａから離れるほど取付パネルとの距離を拡げる形の切取部２７ｂを形成する。
【００３３】
外カバー３には、押操作部２７に対応する部位に押操作部２７が嵌る受側切欠部３３が形成され、受側切欠部３３の中央部には図１７ないし図２０に示すように、止め爪３４が突設される。止め爪３４は、押操作部２７において撓み部２７ａの近傍であって撓み部２７ａよりも前方に形成した止め孔２７ｃ（図１３参照）に係合可能になっている。外カバー３がカバー２を覆う状態においては止め爪３４が止め孔２７ｃに係合し、開放ばね２５のばね力に抗して外カバー３がカバー２を覆う状態が保たれる。一方、外カバー３がカバー２を覆う状態において、押操作部２７を後方に押せば、止め孔２７ｃに対する止め爪３４の係合状態が解除され、開放ばね２５のばね力によって外カバー３がカバー２の前面を開放する。ここに、外カバー３はカバー２の前面に対して略１８０度の範囲で開閉するように開閉範囲が規制される。
【００３４】
ところで、刃受部材５は、図２１ないし図２４に示すように、１枚の金属の板材によって形成され、栓刃挿入口２１を通してハウジング内に導入される栓刃４ａを挟持する第１の刃受ばね５１および第２の刃受ばね５２を備える。ここに、刃受部材５については図２１での上下方向を用いて説明する。図２１において上側は栓刃４ａが導入されるカバー２側になる。両刃受ばね５１，５２は、栓刃４ａの中間部に弾接する接触部５１ａ，５２ａを備え、接触部５１ａ，５２ａにおける上端には上方ほど互いの距離を拡げるように傾斜した導入部５１ｂ，５２ｂが連続する。また、接触部５１ａ，５２ａの下端には互いに離間した弾性付与部５１ｃ，５２ｃが形成される。両刃受ばね５１，５２の下端同士は連結片５３を介して連続一体に結合される。連結片５３は、第１の刃受ばね５１の下端から第２の刃受ばね５２の下端に向かって延長された橋絡部５３ａと、第２の刃受ばね５２の弾性付与部５２ｃと略同一平面上で延長された差込部５３ｂとを連続させた断面Ｌ字状に形成される。連結片５３の橋絡部５３ａには第１の刃受ばね５１における弾性付与部５１ｃの側方において上方に突出する接続片５４が連続する。ここにおいて、２個の刃受部材５のうちの一方（図１の左側）では接続片５４を１個だけ設けているが、他方では接続片５４を２個設けてある。
【００３５】
第１の刃受ばね５１は、図２１における正面視では下向きに開放されたコ字状であって、接触部５１ａと連結片５３との間の部位における幅方向の中央部において挿入用開口５１ｄが形成される。つまり、第１の刃受ばね５１は第２の刃受ばね５２よりも広幅であって、接触部５１ａのうちの上端部でのみ接触部５２ａに対向しており、接触部５１ａの下部および弾性付与部５１ｃは第２の刃受ばね５２とは対向しない。また、連結片５３における橋絡部５３ａは、第２の刃受ばね５２の下方に重複せず、第２の刃受ばね５２の下方両側を通って延長される。
【００３６】
上述した刃受部材５は、ボディ１の内部で仕切壁１３により区画された２つの収納室内にそれぞれ収納される。図７および図１１に示すように、各収納室には刃受部材５の差込部５３ｂの両側部を挿入する受け溝１３ａが形成され、受け溝１３ａに差込部５３ｂを挿入することによって刃受部材５がボディ１に対して位置決めされる。また、刃受部材５に設けた接続片５４は、ボディ１に内蔵される回路基板８に実装される。ここに、両収納室はボディ１にカバー２を結合した状態においてカバー２の裏面に突設された分離壁１６（図１４〜図１６参照）により絶縁される。つまり、両刃受部材５を分離する仕切壁１３についてはボディ１の内底面からの突出寸法を比較的小さくして刃受部材５のボディ１への収納を容易にしながらも、カバー２をボディ１に結合した後には分離壁１６によって両刃受部材５の絶縁が確保できるようにしてある。
【００３７】
回路基板８は図２５および図２６に示す形状の印刷配線基板であって、中央部には刃受部材５が挿入される１つの開口窓８１が形成される。回路基板８の周部のうち各刃受部材５が挿入される部位の近傍にはそれぞれスイッチとしてのマイクロスイッチ６が実装され、回路基板８の周部のうちマイクロスイッチ６とは異なる部位には外部電線を接続するためのコネクタ７が実装される。ここに、マイクロスイッチ６およびコネクタ７は回路基板８をボディ１に収納したときにボディ１の内底面に対向する面に実装される。図２６において開口窓８１の周部のうち左右の３個ずつのランド８２がマイクロスイッチ６に対応し、開口窓８１の周部のうち上の２個のランド８３がそれぞれ刃受部材５の接続片５４に対応する。
また、図２６における右上部の６個の孔８４はコネクタ７に対応しており、左上部の２個のランド８５は発光ダイオードからなる通電表示灯（図示せず）に対応する。図２６に示す回路パターン８６により明らかなように、２個のマイクロスイッチ６は直列接続され、マイクロスイッチ６の直列回路の両端がコネクタ７の２個のコンタクト７１（図２参照）に接続される。また、コネクタ７の他の２個のコンタクト７１には刃受部材５に通電する電源が接続される。図において一方の刃受部材５とコネクタ７との間の回路パターン８６は接続されていないが、この刃受部材５とコネクタ７とはジャンパ線を用いて電気的に接続される。また、回路基板８には、通電表示灯を電源によって点灯させるための降圧用の抵抗（図示せず）も実装される。
【００３８】
ところで、各マイクロスイッチ６は、プラグ４（図５、図６参照）の栓刃４ａが各刃受部材５に挿入されたことを検知するために設けられている。マイクロスイッチ６は、周知のように、ハウジングとは別の独立した器体を備え、一端部を器体に枢着したレバー６１の他端部に押圧力を受けるとアクチュエータが押されて接点のオンオフが反転するように構成されている。本実施形態では、刃受部材５への栓刃４ａの挿入によってマイクロスイッチ６のレバー６１を介してアクチュエータに押圧力を作用させるために、板ばねにより形成した検知用ばね９を用いる。すなわち、検知用ばね９は、図２７および図２８に示すように、板ばねを厚み方向に屈曲させて形成したものであって、図２８の正面視においてコ字状である固定片９１を備える。固定片９１における横片の中央部には、固定片９１に連続して固定片９１の厚み方向に突出し、その後、図２７において下り傾斜する傾斜面を備えた検知片９２が形成される。さらに、検知片９２の先端にはスイッチ駆動片９３が連続する。スイッチ駆動片９３は先端部が検知片９２の基部の下方に位置するように、検知片９２の先端から下り傾斜する形状に形成されている。ここに、検知片９２とスイッチ駆動片９３とはいずれもく字状に形成され、固定片９１と検知片９２とスイッチ駆動片９３とにより図２７の正面視において五角形状に形成されている。また、固定片９１の幅方向の中央部には厚み方向に膨らんだ突条部９１ａが形成されている。
【００３９】
検知用ばね９をハウジングに収納するに際しては、ボディ１において刃受部材５を収納する区画に設けたスリット溝１４（図７参照）に固定片９１の両側部を圧入し、さらにカバー２の裏面に設けたスリット溝２９に固定片９１の中央部を圧入する。この状態において、固定片９１は栓刃挿入口２１の側方においてハウジングに固定されることになる。つまり、検知用ばね９において検知片９２のうちの固定片９１に連続する一端部が固定端となり、スイッチ駆動片９３の一端部が自由端になる。また、検知用ばね９と刃受部材５とをハウジングに収納した状態では、検知用ばね９における検知片９２およびスイッチ駆動片９３の一部が刃受部材５の挿入用開口５１ｄに挿通され、検知片９２における傾斜面が接触部５１ａ，５２ａの下方に位置する。検知用ばね９の自由端であるスイッチ駆動片９３の先端部には合成樹脂成形品の押子９４が圧入される。
【００４０】
図４ないし図６に示すように、押子９４はマイクロスイッチ６に設けたレバー６１に当接可能となるように配置され、ボディ１の内底面には押子９４を案内して移動させる案内面１５が形成される。案内面１５は刃受部材５から離れるに従って上り傾斜する（カバー２に近付く）ように傾斜した傾斜面になっている。すなわち、図５に示すように、栓刃４ａが刃受部材５に導入されることによって、栓刃４ａの先端面が検知片９２における傾斜面に当接すると、栓刃４ａの挿入力が、検知片９２の傾斜面によって栓刃４ａの挿入方向に交差する一方向（図５における左右方向）の力に変換され、検知用ばね９は押子９４を栓刃４ａから離すように変形する。ここにおいて、案内面１５が形成されていることによって押子９４は検知用ばね９の固定端に近付く向き、すなわち上方に向かって移動し、マイクロスイッチ６に設けたレバー６１を押し上げる。つまり、押子９４によりレバー６１が押圧力を受け、図６のように栓刃４ａが十分に差し込まれるとマイクロスイッチ６のアクチュエータは押子９４からの押圧力を受けて接点のオンオフを反転させる。ここで、検知用ばね９には栓刃４ａが直接接触するが、絶縁材料により形成された押子９が栓刃４ａとマイクロスイッチ６との間に介在していることによって、栓刃４ａとマイクロスイッチ６との間の絶縁を保つことができる。また、上述のように、第１の刃受ばね５１の中央部に設けた挿入用開口５１ｄを通して両刃受ばね５１，５２の間に検知用ばね９の検知片９２が挿入されているから、栓刃挿入口２１と検知片９２とがほぼ一直線上に配列されることになり、栓刃４ａが傾いて挿入された場合でも検知片９２に接触させて栓刃４ａの挿入に応答してマイクロスイッチ６を操作することが可能になる。
【００４１】
上述したように、マイクロスイッチ６は各刃受部材５に対応させて２個設けてあり、しかも両マイクロスイッチ６は接点が直列接続されている。つまり、両マイクロスイッチ６の接点の直列回路によって得られる接点出力は、両刃受部材５にともに栓刃４ａが挿入されたときに反転するのであって、いたずらなどによって一方の刃受部材５にのみ栓刃４ａが挿入されても接点出力が反転することはない。また、両マイクロスイッチ６の直列回路で得られる接点出力を信号端子部としてのコネクタ７を通して外部に取り出すから、２個のマイクロスイッチ６によって各別に栓刃４ａの差込状態を検知しながらも２個のコンタクト７１のみを用いて接点出力を外部に取り出すことができる。ここで、接点出力は、栓刃４ａを挿抜する際に栓刃４ａが刃受部材５に接触している状態において反転するように反転のタイミングが設定されている。つまり、図５のように栓刃４ａが刃受部材５に接触した状態であっても不完全にしか挿入されていない状態では、マイクロスイッチ６の接点は反転せず、図６のように栓刃４ａが完全に挿入されるとマイクロスイッチ６の接点が反転するのである。
【００４２】
また、上述のようにコネクタ７には刃受部材５に通電するコンタクト７１も設けられており、たとえば自動車に搭載したバッテリを電源として交流電源を出力する回路としての電力変換装置（インバータ）の出力がコネクタ７を介して刃受部材５に通電される。この場合、マイクロスイッチ６によって得られる接点出力は電力変換装置から刃受部材５への通電の入切に用いることができ、接点出力の反転のタイミングを上述のように設定していることによって、栓刃４ａが刃受部材５に接続された状態において刃受部材５に通電する回路としての電力変換装置の入切が可能になる。言い換えると、栓刃４ａの差し込む際には栓刃４ａが刃受部材５に電気的に接続された状態において電力変換装置から刃受部材５に通電され、また栓刃４ａを抜く際には電力変換装置から刃受部材５への通電が停止した後に刃受部材５から栓刃４ａが離脱することになる。その結果、刃受部材５と栓刃４ａとの間でアークが生じることが防止される。
【００４３】
なお、カバー２において通電表示灯に対応する部位には窓孔２９が形成され、窓孔２９には透光性合成樹脂により形成されたレンズ２９ａが装着される。したがって、電力変換装置からの通電に伴う通電表示灯の点灯をレンズ２９ａを通して確認することができる。また、上述した構成では検知用ばね９が栓刃４ａに接触し、しかも検知用ばね９が栓刃４ａの挿入力を受けて変位することによりマイクロスイッチ６のアクチュエータに押圧力を作用させ、さらには検知用ばね９の復帰力を利用して位置の復帰を行う構成を採用しているから、検知用ばね９が複数機能を兼用していることによって部品点数が少なくなっている。ただし、栓刃４ａの挿入力を受けて栓刃４ａの挿入方向に交差する方向に変位してマイクロスイッチ６のアクチュエータを押圧する機能を持つ可動部材と、可動部材に復帰力を与える復帰ばねとを別部材とした構成も可能である。また、この場合に可動部材には栓刃４ａの挿入力を挿入方向とは異なる向きに可動部材を移動させる力に変換するために、可動部材において栓刃４ａの先端に当接する部位に傾斜面を設けるのが望ましい。この傾斜面は検知用ばね９における検知片９２の傾斜面と同様に機能する。さらにまた、本実施形態ではマイクロスイッチ６を用いているが、他のスイッチを用いることも可能である。
【００４４】
（第２実施形態）
上述した第１実施形態では２個のマイクロスイッチ６を用いることによって、各刃受部材５ごとに栓刃４ａの挿入の有無を検知しているが、本実施形態では図２９および図３０に示すように、マイクロスイッチ６を一方の刃受部材５に対応するように１個だけ設けた構成を採用している。本実施形態の構成では、いたずらなどによって、マイクロスイッチ６を並設した一方の刃受部材５に異物が挿入されたときに、プラグ４の栓刃４ａが挿入されたと誤認することになるものの、通常のプラグ４の栓刃４ａが挿入されたときには、栓刃４ａの挿抜を確実に検知することができる。
【００４５】
【発明の効果】
請求項１の発明は、プラグの栓刃を挿入する栓刃挿入口が開口したハウジングと、栓刃挿入口を通してハウジング内に挿入された栓刃の側面に栓刃の挿入方向の中間部において弾接する接触部を備えた刃受部材と、栓刃の挿入方向において刃受部材の接触部よりも栓刃挿入口から離れた部位で栓刃の先端に接触可能に配置され栓刃の挿入力を受けて栓刃の挿入方向に交差する一方向に移動する可動部材と、可動部材とともにハウジングに収納され栓刃の先端に接触可能となる位置に可動部材を付勢する復帰ばねと、ハウジングに収納され栓刃の挿入力により可動部材が移動したときに可動部材から押圧力を受けて接点出力を反転させるアクチュエータを備えたスイッチと、スイッチの接点出力をハウジングの外部に取り出す信号端子部とを備えるものであり、栓刃の差込を検出するスイッチとスイッチを駆動するための可動部材とをハウジングに収納しているから、栓刃の差込を検出するための部材がハウジングの外部に露出せず、ハウジングの外観を損なうことがない。また、栓刃の挿入力を栓刃の先端から受ける可動部材を用いて栓刃の差込を検出するから、従来構成のような係合受部を設けた特殊形状の栓刃を用いる必要がなく、電気機器において使用されている通常の栓刃を用いることができる。その上、可動部材は栓刃の挿入力を栓刃の挿入方向に交差する一方向に移動するから、従来構成のように栓刃の挿入力を直接受けて栓刃が挿入される向きに移動する部材が不要であって、栓刃の挿入方向におけるハウジングの寸法の大型化を回避することができる。つまり、奥行寸法の小さいスペースに適用可能になる。
【００４６】
請求項２の発明では、請求項１の発明において、可動部材が栓刃の挿入力を受けて栓刃の挿入方向に交差する一方向の力に変換する傾斜面を有しているので、簡単な形状の可動部材によって請求項１の作用を実現することができる。
【００４７】
請求項３の発明では、請求項２の発明において、可動部材は、ハウジングの内部の定位置に一端部が固定され他端部がアクチュエータに押圧力を作用させる自由端であって中間部に傾斜面を形成するように板厚方向において屈曲した板ばねからなる検知用ばねを備え、検知用ばねが復帰ばねを兼ねているものであり、栓刃の差込を検知して移動する検知用ばねが、栓刃を抜いたときに検知用ばねを元の位置に復帰させる復帰ばねを兼ねているから、２部品を用いる場合に比較すると少ない部品点数で実現できるという利点がある。
【００４８】
請求項４の発明では、請求項３の発明において、検知用ばねは、栓刃の挿入方向を含む１つの面内において板厚方向に屈曲されたものであって、栓刃挿入口の側方においてハウジングに固定される固定片と、一端部が固定片に連続するとともに固定片から栓刃に近付くに従って栓刃挿入口から離れる向きに傾斜した傾斜面を少なくとも一部に備えた検知片と、一端部が検知片の他端部に連続し検知用ばねの自由端となる他端部が固定端に対して栓刃の挿入方向における栓刃の先端側に離間したスイッチ駆動片とを有する形状に形成されているものであり、検知用ばねがハウジングに固定する固定片と栓刃の挿入力を受ける検知片とアクチュエータに押圧力を作用させるスイッチ駆動片とを一体に備えるから、複数の機能を１部品で実現することができ部品点数の削減につながる。
【００４９】
請求項５の発明では、請求項３または請求項４の発明において、可動部材は、検知用ばねの自由端に結合されスイッチのアクチュエータに押圧力を作用させる合成樹脂成形品の押子を備えるものであり、スイッチのアクチュエータに押圧力を作用させる部位に合成樹脂成形品の押子を用いるから、検知用ばねが刃受部材に接触していたとしても、押子によって検知用ばねとスイッチとの間の絶縁性を保つことができる。
【００５０】
請求項６の発明では、請求項５の発明において、ハウジングの内側には、栓刃の挿入に伴ってアクチュエータを押圧する向きに押子を移動させるように押子を案内する案内面が形成されているので、スイッチのアクチュエータに確実に押圧力を作用させることができるように案内面を設計することができ、栓刃の抜き差しを失敗なく高い信頼性で検知することができる。また、案内面を適宜に設計することにょって押子からアクチュエータに作用させる押圧力を適正に設定することができる。
【００５１】
請求項７の発明では、請求項３ないし請求項６の発明において、刃受部材は、板材からなり接触部において栓刃を挟持する第１の刃受ばねおよび第２の刃受ばねと、第１の刃受ばねと第２の刃受ばねとにおける栓刃挿入口から離れた端部同士を連続一体に結合する連結片とを備え、第１の刃受ばねには、接触部と連結片との間の部位における幅方向の中央部において、検知用ばねにおける検知片およびスイッチ駆動片の一部が挿通される挿入用開口が形成されているものであり、刃受部材の接触部に栓刃を確実に接触させることによって電気的接続の信頼性を確保しながらも、検知用ばねの検知片を栓刃の先端に対応する部位に位置させることができ、栓刃が傾いて挿入されたり栓刃が変形していたりしても栓刃の先端から検知用ばねに挿入力を確実に伝達することができる。
【００５２】
請求項８の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項７の発明において、スイッチは、ハウジングとは別に独立した器体を備えるマイクロスイッチであるから、ハウジング内にほこりのような異物が入ってもスイッチの開閉に影響しないという利点がある。
【００５３】
請求項９の発明では、請求項８の発明において、マイクロスイッチは、ハウジング内に収納された回路基板の周部に実装され、回路基板の中央部には刃受部材が挿入される開口窓が形成されているので、栓刃の挿入方向における刃受部材の奥行寸法内で回路基板を配置することができ、結果的にハウジングの奥行寸法の増加を防止することができる。しかも、マイクロスイッチを回路基板に実装しているから、マイクロスイッチのハウジングへの組み込みが容易である上に、回路基板に形成する回路パターンの設計によってハウジング内でマイクロスイッチの接続関係を変更することができるから、種々の設計に容易に対応することができる。
【００５４】
請求項１０の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項９の発明において、ハウジング内に刃受部材が複数個収納され、各刃受部材に対応する部位にそれぞれスイッチが設けられているものであり、各刃受部材にそれぞれスイッチを設けていることによって、すべての刃受部材に栓刃が挿入されたか否かを判別することができる。
【００５５】
請求項１１の発明では、請求項１０の発明において、スイッチが直列接続されているので、スイッチの直列回路を含む１回路だけですべての刃受部材に栓刃が挿入されたか否かを判別することができ、回路構成が簡単になる。
【００５６】
請求項１２の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項１１の発明において、スイッチは、栓刃を挿抜する際に栓刃が刃受部材に接触している状態において反転するので、スイッチの開閉状態によって刃受部材に栓刃が接触していることを確実に知ることができる。
【００５７】
請求項１３の発明では、請求項１２の発明において、スイッチは、栓刃が刃受部材に接続された状態において刃受部材に通電する回路に挿入されているので、栓刃の抜き差しに連動して刃受部材への通電が入切され、しかも栓刃が刃受部材に接触した状態において通電が入切されるから、栓刃の入切の際にアークが生じることがない。また、栓刃が栓刃挿入口に深く挿入されることによって刃受部材に栓刃が十分に挿入されるまでは刃受部材に通電されないから、栓刃の抜き差しの際に栓刃に指が触れることによる感電事故を低減することができる。
【００５８】
請求項１４の発明では、請求項１ないし請求項１３の発明において、信号端子部は、相手側コネクタと着脱可能なコネクタであるから、スイッチの開閉状態を外部に取り出すための外部電線をコンセントに接続する結線作業が容易である。
【００５９】
請求項１５の発明では、請求項１４の発明において、コネクタは、刃受部材と電気的に接続されたコンタクトを備えるから、刃受部材に通電する回路をスイッチに接続する回路とともに一括して接続することができ、コンセントへの外部電線の結線作業が容易になる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１実施形態を示す分解斜視図である。
【図２】同上を示し、（ａ）は正面図、（ｂ）は平面図、（ｃ）は背面図、（ｄ）は側面図である。
【図３】（ａ）（ｂ）同上において外カバーを開いた状態の正面図である。
【図４】同上において栓刃挿入前の断面図である。
【図５】同上において栓刃挿入途中の断面図である。
【図６】同上において栓刃挿入後の断面図である。
【図７】同上に用いるボディを示す正面図である。
【図８】同上に用いるボディを示す断面図である。
【図９】同上に用いるボディを示す側面図である。
【図１０】同上に用いるボディを示す背面図である。
【図１１】同上に用いるボディを示す断面図である。
【図１２】同上に用いるカバーを示す正面図である。
【図１３】同上に用いるカバーを示す断面図である。
【図１４】同上に用いるカバーを示す側面図である。
【図１５】同上に用いるカバーを示す背面図である。
【図１６】同上に用いるカバーを示す断面図である。
【図１７】同上に用いる外カバーを示す正面図である。
【図１８】同上に用いる外カバーを示す断面図である。
【図１９】同上に用いる外カバーを示す背面図である。
【図２０】同上に用いる外カバーを示す一部破断した下面図である。
【図２１】同上に用いる刃受部材を示す正面図である。
【図２２】同上に用いる刃受部材を示す左側面図である。
【図２３】同上に用いる刃受部材を示す右側面図である。
【図２４】同上に用いる刃受部材を示す平面図である。
【図２５】同上に用いる回路基板を示す平面図である。
【図２６】同上に用いる回路基板を示す下面図である。
【図２７】同上に用いる検知用ばねを示す正面図である。
【図２８】同上に用いる検知用ばねを示す側面図である。
【図２９】本発明の第２実施形態を示す栓刃挿入前の断面図である。
【図３０】同上の栓刃挿入後の断面図である。
【符号の説明】
１ボディ
２カバー
４プラグ
４ａ栓刃
５刃受部材
６マイクロスイッチ
７コネクタ
８回路基板
９検知用ばね
１５案内面
２１栓刃挿入口
５１第１の刃受ばね
５１ａ，５２ａ接触部
５１ｄ挿入用開口
５２第２の刃受ばね
５３連結片
８１開口窓
９１固定片
９２検知片
９３スイッチ駆動片
９４押子[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an outlet mainly used in a vehicle, and to an outlet into which a plug provided in an electric device is inserted in order to supply the electric device with AC power output from an inverter powered by a battery.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as an outlet for a vehicle, an outlet switch that opens and closes a contact according to advance and retreat of the push rod is provided with a push rod that is exposed to the outside of the housing of the outlet and is spring-biased in a direction protruding from the housing. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
[0003]
In the device described in Patent Document 1, the output of a DC-DC converter power supply circuit using a battery as a power supply is connected to an outlet, and the power supply of the DC-DC converter power supply circuit is turned on / off by an outlet switch. That is, when the outlet is turned off by the push rod being pressed by the plug when the plug is inserted into the outlet, the power of the DC-DC converter power supply circuit is turned on and the power is supplied to the outlet. When the plug is removed from the outlet, the push rod returns to the original position, and the power supply of the DC-DC converter power supply circuit is turned off.
[0004]
Similar to the outlet described in Patent Literature 1, as an outlet for detecting insertion and removal of a plug, an engagement receiving portion is provided on a plug blade of a plug, and a moving piece arranged in a housing of the outlet is provided with a moving piece of the plug blade. An outlet that opens and closes a switch mechanism by inserting and removing a plug by engaging with an engagement receiving portion has also been proposed. In this configuration, the moving piece provided on the blade moves forward and backward by inserting and removing the blade, and the switch mechanism is opened and closed with the advance and retreat of this member (for example, see Patent Document 2). Patent Document 2 discloses a configuration in which the moving piece automatically returns to its original position by a spring force when the blade is removed, and that the moving piece is engaged with the blade when the blade is removed. To return to the original position.
[0005]
The outlet described in Patent Document 2 detects whether or not the blade is connected to the blade receiver that receives the blade of the plug by a member provided inside the housing, and furthermore, the blade is connected to the blade receiver. A configuration is adopted in which the switch mechanism is later turned on to energize the blade receiver, and when the blade is removed, the switch mechanism is turned off while the blade is in contact with the blade receiver to cut off the power supply. Therefore, compared with the outlet switch described in Patent Document 1, there is no need to provide a portion exposed to the outside of the housing to detect the insertion and removal of the plug and to open and close the switch mechanism. It has an excellent appearance.
[0006]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-2000-301991 (paragraph 0014-0028, FIG. 2-5)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent No. 2011428 (Columns 6-10, FIG. 2, FIG. 4)
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In the technique described in Patent Document 1 described above, it is necessary to provide a push rod projecting outside the housing in order to detect insertion and removal of the plug, and there is a problem that the appearance is impaired.
[0008]
On the other hand, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to use a specially shaped plug blade having an engagement receiving portion, and there is a problem that it is not compatible with a plug having a normal plug blade. In particular, when the moving piece does not automatically return to the original position when the blade is removed, it is essential to engage the moving piece with the engagement receiving portion, and a specially shaped blade is required. . In the configuration in which the moving piece automatically returns by the spring force when the blade is removed, it is possible to adopt a configuration in which the moving piece is pressed by the tip of the blade. The dimension of the housing in the direction in which the housing moves forward and backward increases. In addition, since a space for accommodating a spring for applying a returning force to the moving piece is also required in the housing, a conventional blade having no engagement receiving portion is provided by employing the technique of Patent Document 2. If an attempt is made to realize a configuration in which a plug can be used, there is a problem that the size of the housing in the insertion direction of the blade becomes very large.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an outlet which does not increase the dimension in the insertion direction of the blade while using a normal blade, and yet has an excellent appearance. To provide.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing having an opening for inserting a blade into which a plug blade of a plug is inserted, and an elastic member provided on a side surface of the blade inserted into the housing through the blade insertion hole at an intermediate portion in the insertion direction of the blade. A blade receiving member having a contact portion in contact with the blade, and an insertion force of the blade which is disposed so as to be able to contact the tip of the blade at a position farther from the blade insertion opening than the contact portion of the blade receiving member in the insertion direction of the blade. A movable member that receives and moves in one direction intersecting the insertion direction of the blade, a return spring that is housed in the housing together with the movable member and urges the movable member to a position where it can contact the tip of the blade, and housed in the housing A switch provided with an actuator for inverting the contact output by receiving a pressing force by the movable member when the movable member is moved by the insertion force of the blade, and a signal terminal portion for extracting the contact output of the switch to the outside of the housing. Characterized in that it obtain.
[0011]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the movable member has an inclined surface that receives an insertion force of the blade and converts the force into a force in one direction intersecting the insertion direction of the blade. .
[0012]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the movable member has one end fixed at a fixed position inside the housing and the other end being a free end for applying a pressing force to the actuator, and A portion is provided with a detection spring formed of a plate spring bent in the plate thickness direction so as to form the inclined surface, and the detection spring also serves as the return spring.
[0013]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the detection spring is bent in a plate thickness direction in one plane including an insertion direction of the blade, and the blade insertion port is provided. A fixing piece fixed to the housing on the side of the housing, and at least a part of the inclined surface which is continuous with the fixing piece at one end and is inclined in a direction away from the blade insertion opening as the fixing piece approaches the blade. The switch drive in which one end is connected to the other end of the detection piece and the other end which is the free end of the detection spring is separated from the fixed end on the tip end side of the blade in the insertion direction of the blade. It is characterized by being formed in a shape having a piece.
[0014]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the movable member is coupled to a free end of the detection spring to apply a pressing force to the actuator of the switch. It is characterized by having a child.
[0015]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, a guide for guiding the pusher is provided inside the housing so as to move the pusher in a direction to press the actuator with the insertion of the blade. The surface is formed.
[0016]
In the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claims 3 to 6, the blade receiving member is made of a plate material, and the first blade receiving spring and the second blade receiving spring that sandwich the plug blade at the contact portion. And a connecting piece for continuously and integrally connecting ends of the first blade receiving spring and the second blade receiving spring that are separated from the blade insertion opening, and the first blade receiving spring is in contact with the first blade receiving spring. An insertion opening through which a part of the detection piece and the switch driving piece of the detection spring is inserted is formed at a central portion in a width direction at a portion between the portion and the connection piece. .
[0017]
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the first to seventh aspects of the present invention, the switch is a micro switch having an independent body separate from the housing.
[0018]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the eighth aspect, the micro switch is mounted on a peripheral portion of a circuit board housed in the housing, and the blade receiving member is inserted into a central portion of the circuit board. An opening window is formed.
[0019]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects of the present invention, a plurality of the blade receiving members are housed in the housing, and the switches are respectively provided at portions corresponding to the blade receiving members. It is characterized by.
[0020]
According to an eleventh aspect, in the tenth aspect, the switches are connected in series.
[0021]
According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, the switch is inverted when the blade is in contact with the blade receiving member when the blade is inserted or removed. I do.
[0022]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, the switch is inserted into a circuit that energizes the blade receiving member when the plug blade is connected to the blade receiving member. .
[0023]
According to a fourteenth aspect, in the first to thirteenth aspects, the signal terminal portion is a connector detachable from a mating connector.
[0024]
According to a fifteenth aspect, in the fourteenth aspect, the connector includes a contact electrically connected to the blade receiving member.
[0025]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
(1st Embodiment)
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the outlet of this embodiment includes a rectangular parallelepiped housing formed by combining a body 1 of a synthetic resin molded product and a cover 2. An outer cover 3 that pivots about one side edge of the front surface of the housing is attached so as to open and close between a position that covers the upper surface of the housing 1 and a position that opens the front surface of the cover 2.
[0026]
The body 1 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with an open front surface. Inside the body 1, a plug blade 4a of a plug 4 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) inserted through a blade insertion port 21 provided in the cover 2 is provided. A receiving board 5, a circuit board 8 on which a switch 6 comprising a microswitch for detecting insertion and removal of the blade 4a and a connector 7 as a signal terminal for connecting an external electric wire are mounted, and an insertion force of the blade 4a. Then, a detection spring 9 for applying a pressing force to an actuator (not shown) of the switch 6 is stored.
[0027]
The cover 2 is covered on the front surface of the body 1. The outlet according to the present embodiment corresponds to the plug 4 in which the flat blades are arranged so as to face each other, and as shown in FIG. Are juxtaposed. Further, a dummy port 22 is formed near the blade insertion port 21 so that a plug having a round pin-shaped ground electrode can be inserted. A cylindrical guide tube 22a (see FIGS. 13 and 15) protrudes from the peripheral portion of the dummy port 22 on the inner peripheral surface of the cover 2, and a portion corresponding to the dummy port 22 in the body 1 is brought into contact with the guide tube 22a. Guide holes 22b (see FIGS. 7 and 8). The front surface of the cover 2 is set to a size that allows a plug 4 with a ground electrode to be attached as shown in FIG. 3A or an AC adapter 4 ′ to be attached as shown in FIG. 3B. .
[0028]
Meanwhile, two assembly grooves 11 extending in the front-rear direction are formed on both outer surfaces of the body 1 (see FIGS. 9 and 10), and assembly protrusions 11a project from the bottom surfaces of the respective assembly grooves 11. Is done. On the other hand, a pair of assembling legs 23 are provided on both side edges of the cover 2 so as to project rearward, and the assembling legs 23 are formed with assembling holes 23a to be fitted with the assembling protrusions 11a. Therefore, when the cover 2 is pressed against the body 1, the assembly protrusion 11a is fitted into the assembly hole 23a, and the body 1 and the cover 2 are connected. When the cover 2 is coupled to the body 1, the peripheral portion of the cover 2 projects outside the outer peripheral surface of the body 1.
[0029]
A pair of mounting projections 12 are provided on two outer peripheral surfaces of the body 1 where the assembly grooves 11 are not provided. The housing 1 is attachable to a mounting panel (not shown). The housing 1 has a rectangular mounting hole (not shown) formed in the mounting panel so as to substantially conform to the shape of the outer peripheral surface of the body 1. By inserting the housing 1 from above, the peripheral portion of the mounting hole is sandwiched between the mounting protrusion 12 and the peripheral portion of the cover 2 so that the housing 1 can be fixed to the mounting panel.
[0030]
Further, a bearing 24 is formed at the center of one of the two sides on which the assembly legs 23 are not provided on the front surface of the cover 2, and a core shaft 25 is inserted into the bearing 24. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the bearing portion 24 has a U-shaped cross section opened rearward, and both ends of the core shaft 25 project from both ends of the bearing portion 24 and are exposed on the front surface of the cover 2. Further, an open spring 26 is mounted on the core shaft 25. The open spring 26 is formed in a shape in which a pair of torsion coil springs are integrally connected, and has spring portions 26a functioning as torsion coil springs at both ends, respectively. It has a shape integrally connected via a letter-shaped connecting piece 26b. That is, the spring portions 26a are integrally and continuously connected to the respective legs of the U-shaped connecting piece 26b. A driving piece 26c extends from the other end of each spring portion 26a. Here, both end portions of the bearing portion 24 are formed so that the inner cross-sectional area is larger than that of the intermediate portion so that the spring portion 26a can be housed, and both the spring portions 26a are in a state where the core shaft 25 is inserted. It is stored at both ends of the bearing portion 24. In this state, the connecting piece 26b contacts the rear surface of the cover 2, and the driving pieces 26c protrude from both ends of the bearing portion 24 toward the front surface of the cover 2.
[0031]
The outer cover 3 has an outer peripheral shape substantially matching the outer peripheral shape of the cover 2 so that the front surface of the cover 2 can be entirely covered. As shown in FIGS. 17 and 19, the outer cover 3 has a shaft-side notch 31 formed at a position corresponding to the bearing 24 of the cover 2 so as to fit the bearing 24. Support holes 32 (see FIGS. 17 and 18) into which both ends of the core shaft 25 are inserted are formed on both sides of the portion 31. The support hole 32 penetrates the outer peripheral surface of the outer cover 3, and by inserting the core shaft 25 from one of the support holes 32, both ends of the core shaft 25 can be inserted into the both support holes 32. Has become. Here, one end of the core shaft 25 is formed so as to be prevented from being removed by being pressed into one of the support holes 25. When the outer cover 3 is mounted on the cover 2, the drive piece 26 c is brought into contact with the back surface of the outer cover 3 in a state where the release spring 25 is mounted on the bearing portion 24 of the cover 2, and the shaft side of the outer cover 3 is mounted. The notch 31 is fitted into the bearing 24 of the cover 2, and the core shaft 25 is inserted into the support hole 32. In this manner, the outer cover 3 is axially attached to the cover 2 and the outer spring 3 is urged by the release spring 25 to the open side.
[0032]
At the center of the remaining one side of the cover 2, a push operation unit 27 having left and right sides separated from the cover 2 is formed. As shown in FIG. 13, the rear part of one side of the push operation part 27 is continuous with the cover 2 via the bending part 27a. Further, the rear end of one side of the push operation portion 27 opposite to the bending portion 27a is in contact with the attachment panel of the cover 2 so that the push operation portion 27 can be pushed in backward with the housing attached to the attachment panel. Is located forward of the abutment surface. In other words, a portion of the rear surface of the push operation portion 27 other than one side where the bending piece 27a is provided forms a cutout portion 27b in a shape in which the distance from the mounting panel increases as the distance from the bending piece 27a increases.
[0033]
The outer cover 3 is formed with a receiving cutout 33 into which the pusher 27 is fitted at a position corresponding to the pusher 27, and a central portion of the receiving cutout 33, as shown in FIGS. A stop claw 34 is protruded. The stopper claw 34 can be engaged with a stopper hole 27c (see FIG. 13) formed near the bending portion 27a in the push operation portion 27 and forward of the bending portion 27a. When the outer cover 3 covers the cover 2, the retaining claws 34 are engaged with the retaining holes 27 c, and the outer cover 3 covers the cover 2 against the spring force of the release spring 25. On the other hand, when the outer cover 3 covers the cover 2 and the push operation portion 27 is pushed backward, the engagement state of the stopper claw 34 with the stopper hole 27 c is released, and the outer cover 3 is Open the front of 2. Here, the opening and closing range is regulated so that the outer cover 3 opens and closes in a range of approximately 180 degrees with respect to the front surface of the cover 2.
[0034]
Meanwhile, the blade receiving member 5 is formed of a single metal plate as shown in FIGS. 21 to 24, and is a first blade for holding the blade 4a introduced into the housing through the blade insertion port 21. A receiving spring 51 and a second blade receiving spring 52 are provided. Here, the blade receiving member 5 will be described with reference to the vertical direction in FIG. In FIG. 21, the upper side is the cover 2 side into which the blade 4a is introduced. The double-blade receiving springs 51 and 52 include contact portions 51a and 52a that resiliently contact an intermediate portion of the plug blade 4a, and introduction portions 51b and 52b that are inclined at the upper ends of the contact portions 51a and 52a such that the distance between them increases toward the top. Is continuous. Elasticity imparting portions 51c and 52c are formed at the lower ends of the contact portions 51a and 52a. The lower ends of the double blade receiving springs 51 and 52 are continuously and integrally connected via a connecting piece 53. The connecting piece 53 is substantially the same as a bridging portion 53a extending from the lower end of the first blade receiving spring 51 toward the lower end of the second blade receiving spring 52, and the elasticity providing portion 52c of the second blade receiving spring 52. It is formed in an L-shaped cross section in which the insertion portion 53b extended on the same plane is continuous. A connecting piece 54 that protrudes upward on the side of the elasticity applying part 51c of the first blade receiving spring 51 is continuous with the bridging part 53a of the connecting piece 53. Here, one connection piece 54 is provided on one of the two blade receiving members 5 (the left side in FIG. 1), while two connection pieces 54 are provided on the other.
[0035]
The first blade receiving spring 51 has a U-shape that is open downward when viewed from the front in FIG. 21, and has an insertion opening 51 d at a central portion in the width direction at a portion between the contact portion 51 a and the connecting piece 53. Is formed. That is, the first blade receiving spring 51 is wider than the second blade receiving spring 52, and is opposed to the contact portion 52a only at the upper end of the contact portion 51a. The application portion 51c does not face the second blade receiving spring 52. Further, the bridging portion 53 a of the connecting piece 53 does not overlap below the second blade receiving spring 52 but extends through both lower sides of the second blade receiving spring 52.
[0036]
The above-described blade receiving members 5 are respectively stored in two storage chambers defined by partition walls 13 inside the body 1. As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, receiving grooves 13 a for inserting both sides of the insertion portion 53 b of the blade receiving member 5 are formed in each storage chamber, and by inserting the insertion portions 53 b into the receiving grooves 13 a. The blade receiving member 5 is positioned with respect to the body 1. The connection piece 54 provided on the blade receiving member 5 is mounted on a circuit board 8 built in the body 1. Here, both storage chambers are insulated by a separation wall 16 (see FIGS. 14 to 16) protruding from the back surface of the cover 2 in a state where the cover 2 is connected to the body 1. In other words, the partition wall 13 separating the two-blade receiving member 5 has a relatively small projecting dimension from the inner bottom surface of the body 1 so that the blade receiving member 5 can be easily housed in the body 1 while the cover 2 is kept in the body 1. After the connection, the insulation of the double-blade receiving member 5 can be ensured by the separation wall 16.
[0037]
The circuit board 8 is a printed wiring board having the shape shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, and one opening window 81 into which the blade receiving member 5 is inserted is formed at the center. A microswitch 6 as a switch is mounted in the peripheral portion of the circuit board 8 in the vicinity of the portion where each blade receiving member 5 is inserted, and in a portion of the peripheral portion of the circuit board 8 different from the microswitch 6. A connector 7 for connecting an external electric wire is mounted. Here, the microswitch 6 and the connector 7 are mounted on a surface facing the inner bottom surface of the body 1 when the circuit board 8 is housed in the body 1. In FIG. 26, three lands 82 on the left and right sides of the periphery of the opening window 81 correspond to the microswitch 6, and two upper lands 83 on the periphery of the opening window 81 are connected to the blade receiving member 5, respectively. It corresponds to the piece 54.
In FIG. 26, the six holes 84 at the upper right correspond to the connector 7, and the two lands 85 at the upper left correspond to a power indicator (not shown) composed of a light emitting diode. As is apparent from the circuit pattern 86 shown in FIG. 26, the two micro switches 6 are connected in series, and both ends of the series circuit of the micro switches 6 are connected to the two contacts 71 (see FIG. 2) of the connector 7. . A power supply for supplying power to the blade receiving member 5 is connected to the other two contacts 71 of the connector 7. In the figure, the circuit pattern 86 between one blade receiving member 5 and the connector 7 is not connected, but the blade receiving member 5 and the connector 7 are electrically connected by using a jumper wire. Further, the circuit board 8 is also provided with a step-down resistor (not shown) for lighting the power indicator lamp by the power supply.
[0038]
Each microswitch 6 is provided to detect that the plug blade 4a of the plug 4 (see FIGS. 5 and 6) has been inserted into each blade receiving member 5. As is well known, the microswitch 6 is provided with an independent body separate from the housing. When a pressing force is applied to the other end of the lever 61 whose one end is pivotally connected to the body, the actuator is pressed to contact the contact. The on / off is configured to be reversed. In the present embodiment, a detection spring 9 formed of a leaf spring is used to apply a pressing force to the actuator via the lever 61 of the microswitch 6 by inserting the plug blade 4a into the blade receiving member 5. That is, as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the detection spring 9 is formed by bending a leaf spring in the thickness direction, and includes a fixing piece 91 having a U-shape in a front view of FIG. . At the center of the horizontal piece of the fixed piece 91, a detection piece 92 having a slope that protrudes in the thickness direction of the fixed piece 91 continuously to the fixed piece 91 and then slopes down in FIG. 27 is formed. Further, a switch drive piece 93 is continuous with the tip of the detection piece 92. The switch driving piece 93 is formed so as to be inclined downward from the tip of the detection piece 92 such that the tip is located below the base of the detection piece 92. Here, each of the detection piece 92 and the switch drive piece 93 is formed in a U-shape, and the fixed piece 91, the detection piece 92, and the switch drive piece 93 are formed in a pentagonal shape in a front view of FIG. Further, a ridge 91a bulging in the thickness direction is formed at the center of the fixing piece 91 in the width direction.
[0039]
When the detection spring 9 is housed in the housing, both sides of the fixing piece 91 are press-fitted into slit grooves 14 (see FIG. 7) provided in the section of the body 1 where the blade receiving member 5 is housed. The central part of the fixing piece 91 is press-fitted into the slit groove 29 provided in the above. In this state, the fixing piece 91 is fixed to the housing on the side of the blade insertion slot 21. In other words, one end of the detection spring 9 that is continuous with the fixed piece 91 of the detection piece 92 is a fixed end, and one end of the switch driving piece 93 is a free end. In a state where the detection spring 9 and the blade receiving member 5 are housed in the housing, a part of the detection piece 92 and the switch driving piece 93 of the detection spring 9 are inserted through the insertion opening 51d of the blade receiving member 5, The inclined surface of the detection piece 92 is located below the contact portions 51a and 52a. A presser 94 made of a synthetic resin molded product is press-fitted into a tip end of a switch drive piece 93 which is a free end of the detection spring 9.
[0040]
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the pusher 94 is arranged so as to be able to contact the lever 61 provided on the microswitch 6, and is provided on the inner bottom surface of the body 1 for guiding and moving the pusher 94. Surface 15 is formed. The guide surface 15 is an inclined surface that is inclined upward (approaching the cover 2) as the distance from the blade receiving member 5 increases. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, when the blade 4 a is introduced into the blade receiving member 5, and the distal end surface of the blade 4 a contacts the inclined surface of the detection piece 92, the insertion force of the blade 4 a is reduced. The force is converted into a force in one direction (the left-right direction in FIG. 5) intersecting the insertion direction of the blade 4a by the inclined surface of the detection piece 92, and the detection spring 9 is deformed so as to separate the pusher 94 from the blade 4a. Here, due to the formation of the guide surface 15, the pusher 94 moves in a direction approaching the fixed end of the detection spring 9, that is, moves upward, and pushes up the lever 61 provided on the microswitch 6. That is, when the lever 61 receives the pressing force from the presser 94 and the blade 4a is fully inserted as shown in FIG. 6, the actuator of the microswitch 6 receives the pressing force from the presser 94 to reverse the on / off state of the contact. . Here, the blade 4a is in direct contact with the detection spring 9, but the pusher 9 made of an insulating material is interposed between the blade 4a and the microswitch 6, so that the blade 4a is in contact with the blade 4a. The insulation from the microswitch 6 can be maintained. As described above, since the detection piece 92 of the detection spring 9 is inserted between the two blade reception springs 51 and 52 through the insertion opening 51d provided in the center of the first blade reception spring 51, The blade insertion opening 21 and the detection piece 92 are arranged substantially in a straight line, so that even when the blade 4a is inserted at an angle, the blade is brought into contact with the detection piece 92 to respond to the insertion of the blade 4a. 6 can be operated.
[0041]
As described above, two micro switches 6 are provided corresponding to each blade receiving member 5, and both micro switches 6 have their contacts connected in series. That is, the contact output obtained by the series circuit of the contacts of the microswitches 6 is inverted when the blade 4a is inserted into both the blade receiving members 5, and only the one blade receiving member 5 is misplaced due to mischief or the like. Even when the blade 4a is inserted, the contact output does not reverse. Further, the contact output obtained by the series circuit of the two microswitches 6 is taken out to the outside through the connector 7 serving as a signal terminal portion. Using only the contacts 71, the contact output can be taken out. Here, the reversal timing is set so that the contact point output is reversed when the blade 4a is in contact with the blade receiving member 5 when the blade 4a is inserted and removed. In other words, even when the blade 4a is in contact with the blade receiving member 5 as shown in FIG. 5, when the blade is only partially inserted, the contacts of the microswitch 6 are not inverted, and as shown in FIG. When the blade 4a is completely inserted, the contact point of the micro switch 6 is inverted.
[0042]
Further, as described above, the connector 7 is also provided with a contact 71 for energizing the blade receiving member 5, and for example, an output of a power conversion device (inverter) as a circuit for outputting an AC power supply using a battery mounted on an automobile as a power supply. Is supplied to the blade receiving member 5 through the connector 7. In this case, the contact output obtained by the microswitch 6 can be used for turning on / off the power from the power converter to the blade receiving member 5, and by setting the timing of inverting the contact output as described above, In a state where the blade 4a is connected to the blade receiving member 5, it is possible to turn on and off the power converter as a circuit for energizing the blade receiving member 5. In other words, when the blade 4a is inserted, power is supplied to the blade receiving member 5 from the power conversion device in a state where the blade 4a is electrically connected to the blade receiving member 5, and when the blade 4a is pulled out, electric power is supplied. After the energization of the blade receiving member 5 from the converter is stopped, the blade 4a is detached from the blade receiving member 5. As a result, an arc is prevented from being generated between the blade receiving member 5 and the blade 4a.
[0043]
A window hole 29 is formed in the cover 2 at a position corresponding to the power indicator lamp, and a lens 29a made of a light-transmitting synthetic resin is mounted in the window hole 29. Therefore, the lighting of the energization indicator lamp accompanying the energization from the power converter can be confirmed through the lens 29a. In the above-described configuration, the detection spring 9 comes into contact with the blade 4a, and the detection spring 9 is displaced by receiving the insertion force of the blade 4a, thereby applying a pressing force to the actuator of the microswitch 6, and Adopts a configuration in which the position is returned by using the return force of the detection spring 9, so that the number of components is reduced because the detection spring 9 also has a plurality of functions. However, a movable member having a function of receiving the insertion force of the blade 4a and displacing in a direction intersecting the insertion direction of the blade 4a to press the actuator of the microswitch 6, and a return spring for applying a return force to the movable member May be configured as a separate member. Further, in this case, in order to convert the insertion force of the blade 4a to the movable member into a force for moving the movable member in a direction different from the insertion direction, an inclined surface is provided at a portion of the movable member that contacts the tip of the blade 4a. It is desirable to provide. This inclined surface functions in the same manner as the inclined surface of the detection piece 92 in the detection spring 9. Furthermore, although the microswitch 6 is used in the present embodiment, another switch can be used.
[0044]
(2nd Embodiment)
In the above-described first embodiment, the presence or absence of the insertion of the blade 4a is detected for each blade receiving member 5 by using two microswitches 6. In this embodiment, however, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30. As described above, a configuration in which only one micro switch 6 is provided so as to correspond to one blade receiving member 5 is employed. In the configuration of the present embodiment, when a foreign object is inserted into one of the blade receiving members 5 provided with the micro switches 6 side by side due to mischief or the like, it is erroneously recognized that the plug blade 4a of the plug 4 has been inserted. When the blade 4a of the normal plug 4 is inserted, the insertion and removal of the blade 4a can be reliably detected.
[0045]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a housing having an opening for inserting a blade into which a plug blade of a plug is inserted, and an elastic member provided on a side surface of the blade inserted into the housing through the blade insertion hole at an intermediate portion in the insertion direction of the blade. A blade receiving member having a contact portion in contact with the blade, and an insertion force of the blade which is disposed so as to be able to contact the tip of the blade at a position farther from the blade insertion opening than the contact portion of the blade receiving member in the insertion direction of the blade. A movable member that receives and moves in one direction intersecting the insertion direction of the blade, a return spring that is housed in the housing together with the movable member and urges the movable member to a position where it can contact the tip of the blade, and housed in the housing A switch provided with an actuator for receiving a pressing force from the movable member and inverting the contact output when the movable member is moved by the insertion force of the blade, and a signal terminal for extracting the contact output of the switch to the outside of the housing. Since the switch for detecting the insertion of the blade and the movable member for driving the switch are housed in the housing, the member for detecting the insertion of the blade is exposed outside the housing. Without deteriorating the appearance of the housing. Also, since the insertion of the blade is detected using a movable member that receives the insertion force of the blade from the tip of the blade, it is necessary to use a specially-shaped blade with an engagement receiving portion as in the conventional configuration. Instead, a normal blade used in electric equipment can be used. In addition, since the movable member moves the insertion force of the blade in one direction crossing the insertion direction of the blade, it moves in the direction in which the blade is inserted by directly receiving the insertion force of the blade as in the conventional configuration. This eliminates the need for a member to be used, and can avoid an increase in the size of the housing in the insertion direction of the blade. That is, it can be applied to a space having a small depth dimension.
[0046]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the movable member has an inclined surface that receives the insertion force of the blade and converts the force into a force in one direction intersecting the insertion direction of the blade. The operation of claim 1 can be realized by a movable member having a simple shape.
[0047]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the movable member has one end fixed at a fixed position inside the housing and the other end is a free end for applying a pressing force to the actuator, and is inclined toward the middle. A detection spring formed of a leaf spring bent in the plate thickness direction so as to form a surface, wherein the detection spring also serves as a return spring, and moves by detecting insertion of the blade. However, since it also serves as a return spring for returning the detection spring to its original position when the blade is removed, there is an advantage that the number of components can be reduced compared to the case where two components are used.
[0048]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, the detection spring is bent in a plate thickness direction in one plane including the insertion direction of the blade, and the detection spring is lateral to the blade insertion port. A fixed piece fixed to the housing at the end, a sensing piece having at least a part of an inclined surface that is inclined in a direction away from the blade insertion port as one end is continuous with the fixed piece and approaches the blade from the fixed piece, A shape having one end portion connected to the other end portion of the detection piece and the other end serving as a free end of the detection spring having a switch driving piece separated from the fixed end on the tip end side of the blade in the insertion direction of the blade. Since the detection spring is integrally provided with a fixing piece that is fixed to the housing, a detection piece that receives the insertion force of the blade, and a switch driving piece that applies a pressing force to the actuator, a plurality of functions are provided. Can be realized with one component Leading to the reduction of can be the number of parts.
[0049]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, the movable member includes a synthetic resin molded presser that is coupled to the free end of the detection spring and that applies a pressing force to the switch actuator. Since a presser made of a synthetic resin molded product is used at a position where a pressing force is applied to the switch actuator, even if the detection spring is in contact with the blade receiving member, the presser presses the detection spring and the switch. The insulation between them can be maintained.
[0050]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the present invention, a guide surface for guiding the pusher is formed inside the housing so as to move the pusher in a direction of pressing the actuator with the insertion of the blade. Therefore, the guide surface can be designed so that the pressing force can be reliably applied to the switch actuator, and the insertion and removal of the blade can be detected with high reliability without failure. Further, by appropriately designing the guide surface, it is possible to appropriately set the pressing force applied from the presser to the actuator.
[0051]
In the invention of claim 7, in the invention of claims 3 to 6, the blade receiving member comprises a first blade receiving spring and a second blade receiving spring made of a plate material and sandwiching the blade at the contact portion. A connecting piece for continuously and integrally connecting the ends of the first blade receiving spring and the second blade receiving spring that are separated from the blade insertion opening, and the first blade receiving spring has a contact portion and a connecting piece. In the central part in the width direction at a portion between the two, an insertion opening through which a part of the detecting piece and the switch driving piece of the detecting spring is inserted is formed, and a plug is provided at a contact part of the blade receiving member. While ensuring reliable electrical connection by ensuring that the blades make contact, the detection piece of the detection spring can be positioned at the position corresponding to the tip of the blade, and the blade can be inserted at an angle. Even if the blade is deformed, insert it into the detection spring from the end of the blade It is possible to reliably transmit.
[0052]
According to the invention of claim 8, in the invention of claims 1 to 7, the switch is a micro switch having an independent body separate from the housing, so that even if foreign matter such as dust enters the housing, the switch is switched. There is an advantage that it does not affect the opening and closing of the door.
[0053]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect of the present invention, the microswitch is mounted on a peripheral portion of a circuit board housed in a housing, and an opening window into which a blade receiving member is inserted is provided at a central portion of the circuit board. Since it is formed, the circuit board can be arranged within the depth dimension of the blade receiving member in the insertion direction of the blade, and as a result, an increase in the depth dimension of the housing can be prevented. In addition, since the microswitch is mounted on the circuit board, it is easy to incorporate the microswitch into the housing, and the connection relationship of the microswitch in the housing is changed by designing the circuit pattern formed on the circuit board. Therefore, it is possible to easily cope with various designs.
[0054]
In a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to ninth aspects, a plurality of blade receiving members are housed in the housing, and a switch is provided at a portion corresponding to each blade receiving member. By providing a switch for each blade receiving member, it is possible to determine whether or not the blades have been inserted into all the blade receiving members.
[0055]
In the eleventh aspect of the present invention, since the switches are connected in series in the tenth aspect, it is determined whether or not the plug blades have been inserted into all the blade receiving members by only one circuit including the series circuit of the switches. And the circuit configuration is simplified.
[0056]
According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the first to eleventh aspects of the present invention, the switch is inverted when the blade is in contact with the blade receiving member when the blade is inserted or removed. It is possible to reliably know that the blade is in contact with the blade receiving member.
[0057]
According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the twelfth aspect, the switch is inserted into a circuit for energizing the blade receiving member in a state where the blade is connected to the blade receiving member. When the blade receiving member is turned on and off, the power is turned on and off while the blade is in contact with the blade receiving member. Therefore, no arc is generated when the blade is turned on and off. In addition, since the blade receiving member is not energized until the blade is sufficiently inserted into the blade receiving member due to the blade being inserted deeply into the blade insertion slot, a finger is applied to the blade when the blade is inserted or removed. Electric shock accidents due to touch can be reduced.
[0058]
According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first to thirteenth aspects, the signal terminal portion is a connector detachable from a mating connector, so that an external electric wire for taking out the open / closed state of the switch to the outside is connected to the outlet. Connection work for connection is easy.
[0059]
According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth aspect, the connector includes a contact electrically connected to the blade receiving member, so that a circuit for energizing the blade receiving member is collectively connected together with a circuit for connecting to the switch. And the work of connecting the external electric wire to the outlet becomes easy.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.
2 (a) is a front view, FIG. 2 (b) is a plan view, FIG. 2 (c) is a rear view, and FIG. 2 (d) is a side view.
FIGS. 3 (a) and 3 (b) are front views of the above, with an outer cover opened.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view before insertion of a blade in the above.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the same as above during insertion of the blade.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view after insertion of the blade in the above.
FIG. 7 is a front view showing a body used in the above.
FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing a body used in the above.
FIG. 9 is a side view showing a body used in the above.
FIG. 10 is a rear view showing the body used in the above.
FIG. 11 is a sectional view showing a body used in the above.
FIG. 12 is a front view showing a cover used in the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a cover used in the above.
FIG. 14 is a side view showing a cover used in the lighting device.
FIG. 15 is a rear view showing a cover used in the above.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a cover used in the above.
FIG. 17 is a front view showing an outer cover used in the above.
FIG. 18 is a sectional view showing an outer cover used in the above.
FIG. 19 is a rear view showing the outer cover used in the embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a partially broken bottom view showing the outer cover used in the above.
FIG. 21 is a front view showing the blade receiving member used in the above.
FIG. 22 is a left side view showing the blade receiving member used in the above.
FIG. 23 is a right side view showing the blade receiving member used in the above.
FIG. 24 is a plan view showing a blade receiving member used in the above.
FIG. 25 is a plan view showing a circuit board used in the above.
FIG. 26 is a bottom view showing the circuit board used in the above.
FIG. 27 is a front view showing the detection spring used in the above.
FIG. 28 is a side view showing the detection spring used in the above.
FIG. 29 is a sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention before insertion of a blade.
FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing the same after insertion of the blade.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 body
2 Cover
4 Plug
4a Blade
5 Blade receiving member
6 Micro switch
7 Connector
8 Circuit board
9 Detection spring
15 Guideway
21 Insertion port
51 First blade receiving spring
51a, 52a contact part
51d insertion opening
52 Second blade receiving spring
53 connecting piece
81 Open window
91 Fixing piece
92 Detector
93 Switch drive piece
94 Oshiko

Claims

A blade having a housing having a blade insertion opening for inserting a blade of a plug, and a contact portion elastically contacting a side surface of the blade inserted into the housing through the blade insertion opening at an intermediate portion in the insertion direction of the blade. A receiving member and a blade insert member, which is disposed so as to be in contact with the tip of the blade at a position farther from the blade insertion port than the contact portion of the blade receiver in the blade insertion direction, and receives the insertion force of the blade to insert the blade. A movable member which moves in one direction intersecting with the movable member, a return spring which is housed in the housing together with the movable member and urges the movable member to a position where the movable member can contact the tip of the blade, and an insertion force of the blade stored in the housing A switch provided with an actuator for inverting a contact output by receiving a pressing force from the movable member when the movable member moves, and a signal terminal unit for taking out the contact output of the switch to the outside of the housing. Electrical outlet.

The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the movable member has an inclined surface that receives an insertion force of the blade and converts the force into a force in one direction intersecting the insertion direction of the blade.

The movable member has one end fixed at a fixed position inside the housing and the other end is a free end for applying a pressing force to the actuator, and is formed in the thickness direction so as to form the inclined surface at an intermediate portion. The outlet according to claim 2, further comprising a detection spring formed of a bent leaf spring, wherein the detection spring also functions as the return spring.

A fixing piece fixed to the housing at a side of the blade insertion port, wherein the detection spring is bent in a plate thickness direction in one plane including the insertion direction of the blade; A detecting piece having at least a part thereof having the inclined surface that is inclined in a direction away from the blade insertion opening as one end is continuous with the fixing piece and approaches the blade from the fixing piece, and one end is the other end of the detecting piece. And the other end, which is the free end of the detection spring, is formed in a shape having a switch driving piece separated from the fixed end on the tip side of the blade in the insertion direction of the blade. The outlet according to claim 3,

The outlet according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the movable member includes a synthetic resin molded product pusher that is coupled to a free end of the detection spring and applies a pressing force to the actuator of the switch. .

The guide surface which guides a presser so that the said presser may be moved in the direction which presses the said actuator with the insertion of the said blade in the inside of the said housing | casing is formed. Outlet described.

The blade receiving member includes a first blade receiving spring and a second blade receiving spring, which are made of a plate material and sandwich the plug blade at the contact portion, and the first blade receiving spring and the second blade receiving spring. A connecting piece for continuously and integrally connecting the ends separated from the blade insertion port, wherein the first blade receiving spring has a widthwise central portion at a portion between the contact portion and the connecting piece; The outlet according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein an insertion opening through which a part of the detection piece and the switch driving piece is inserted in the detection spring is formed.

The outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the switch is a micro switch having an independent body separate from the housing.

The micro switch is mounted on a peripheral portion of a circuit board housed in the housing, and an opening window through which the blade receiving member is inserted is formed in a central portion of the circuit board. The outlet described in 8.

The said blade receiving member is accommodated in the said housing in multiple numbers, The said switch is provided in the site | part corresponding to each blade receiving member, respectively, The Claims any one of Claim 1 thru | or 9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Outlet.

The outlet according to claim 10, wherein the switches are connected in series.

The outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the switch is inverted when the blade is in contact with the blade receiving member when the blade is inserted or removed.

13. The outlet according to claim 12, wherein the switch is inserted into a circuit that energizes the blade receiving member when the plug blade is connected to the blade receiving member.

14. The outlet according to claim 1, wherein the signal terminal is a connector detachable from a mating connector.

The outlet according to claim 14, wherein the connector includes a contact electrically connected to the blade receiving member.