JP2022136116A - Insertion plug and outlet for PLC - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an insertion plug and an outlet capable of communication (PLC) using a power line and reception and supply of DC power with different voltage.

SOLUTION: An insertion plug 4 is provided in a terminal device and capable of communication (PLC) using a power line and reception of DC power, and includes power reception electrodes 423a to 423d and 424a to 424d capable of receiving DC power with different voltages, and a first connector 46 capable of receiving and transmitting PLC signals. A power line of the terminal device is connected to a predetermined power reception electrode among the three or more power reception electrodes so that the total DC voltage to be received becomes usable DC voltage of the terminal device. An outlet 3 includes a DC/DC power conversion device converting the voltage of DC power into a plurality of different voltages, three or more power supply electrodes 34a to 34d and 35a to 35d capable of supplying DC power with different voltages, and a second connector 36 capable of receiving the PLC signals.

SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

COPYRIGHT: (C)2022,JPO&INPIT

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an insertion plug, an outlet, and the like capable of receiving/supplying DC power and communication using a power line (PLC: Power Line Communication).

PLC is a technique for performing data communication by superimposing carrier waves on power lines such as AC100V and AC200V that are drawn into each home. As shown in FIG. 12, a network is constructed by connecting a PLC modem 91 to an outlet 92 installed in each room in the home. When the plug provided in the PLC modem 91 is inserted into the outlet 92, power is supplied to the PLC modem 91, and the PLC signal as a communication signal is superimposed on the power signal and sent out, and the PLC signal superimposed on the power signal. is received separately from the power signal.

The PLC signal superimposed on the power signal by the PLC modem 91 and output to the power line is received by the PLC modem 91 connected to another outlet 92 through the home power line PL installed in the home, or It is connected to the Internet via a public line 94 such as an existing optical fiber via a parent PLC modem (not shown) provided on the secondary side of the outdoor transformer TF through the power meter WM and the lead-in power line 11. It is transmitted to the server 96, the database 97, the portable terminal 98, and the like.

On the other hand, a communication signal sent from a public line 94 such as an optical fiber is superimposed on the power signal by a parent PLC modem (not shown) provided on the secondary side of the transformer TF, and is transmitted to the lead-in power line 11 and the power meter WM. The signal is sent to the home through the power line PL, is taken out from the home power line PL by the PLC modem 91 connected to the outlet 92, and is received by home electric appliances such as a personal computer. As a result, for example, it becomes possible to turn on/off home electric appliances from an SNS terminal such as a smartphone while away from home.

In this way, the PLC system uses the lead-in power line 11 already installed in a general household and the in-house power line PL installed in the house as a communication line, and can provide a communication line with less burden on the consumer. There are advantages.

Electric power drawn into the home through the lead-in power line 11 from the transformer TF is branched into a plurality of branches at the distribution board D and supplied to outlets 92 or various home electric devices (terminals). Limiter Li, main breaker Br, and multiple branch breakers 5 are installed in distribution board D from the viewpoint of checking electric capacity and ensuring safety of indoor wiring, and home power line PL is connected to these breakers 5. is doing. In some regions, the distribution board D is not provided with the limiter Li. Since the PLC signal is attenuated each time it passes through the main breaker Br and the branch breaker 5, there have been cases in which a relay device or the like for amplifying the signal voltage had to be arranged on the distribution board or the like in the PLC system.

Therefore, in order to suppress the attenuation of the PLC signal, a technique of transmitting and receiving the PLC signal by bypassing the main breaker Br and the branch breaker 5 has been proposed (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2), but the main breaker Br and the branch breaker 5, the PLC signal separated from the AC power signal still contains a lot of noise.

For this reason, it is being studied to superimpose a PLC signal on DC power for transmission and reception (for example, Patent Document 3).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2015-23505 JP 2010-62887 A JP 2010-40204 A

As a result of examination by the present inventor, it was recognized that noise reduction of the PLC signal was achieved when the PLC signal was superimposed on the DC power and transmitted and received. In addition, since many household electric appliances are driven by DC power, using DC power for domestic power supply has the advantage of eliminating the need for an AC/DC power conversion device for each electric appliance, which was conventionally required. be done.

However, the voltage of the DC power that home electrical appliances drive differs depending on the electrical appliance (e.g. 5V, 12V, 24V, 48V, etc.). When DC power was used for the power supply, it was necessary to prepare separate outlets with different supply voltages according to the voltage used by the electrical equipment.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and its object is to provide a plug that can receive DC power of different voltages and that is capable of communication using power lines (PLC). That's what it is.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an outlet and a power strip that are capable of supplying DC power of different voltages and capable of communication using power lines (PLC).

A plug according to the present invention for achieving the above object is a plug capable of receiving DC power and communication using a power line (PLC), and has three or more DC powers of different voltages. and a first connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals.

The insertion plug configured as described above has a plug body and a protrusion projecting from the surface of the plug body in the direction in which the insertion plug is inserted, and the three or more receiving electrodes are provided on the surface of the protrusion. It is good also as a structure provided.

In the insertion plug having the above configuration, the protrusion may be formed with a hole recessed in a direction opposite to the insertion direction from the front end surface thereof, and the first connector may be provided in the hole.

In the plug having the configuration described above, the three or more receiving electrodes may have a larger surface area as the voltage of the received power is higher.

An outlet according to the present invention for achieving the above object is an outlet capable of power supply of DC power and communication using power lines (PLC), and has three or more supply electrodes capable of supplying DC power of different voltages. and a second connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals.

The outlet configured as described above may have an insertion portion into which an insertion plug can be inserted, and the three or more supply electrodes may be provided on an inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion.

Further, the outlet having the above configuration further includes a detection unit for detecting attachment/detachment of the insertion plug to the insertion unit, and power supply is started and stopped based on a detection signal from the detection unit, and the insertion plug is detected. When the plug is attached to the insertion portion, power supply is started after the receiving electrode and the supply electrode of the insertion plug come into contact with each other. The power supply may be stopped before the receiving electrode of the plug and the supply electrode are separated from each other.

Further, in the outlet having the above configuration, the insertion plug may have a convex portion as a detected portion, and the detecting portion may detect the movement of the convex portion and emit a signal.

Further, in the outlet configured as described above, the protrusion has a locking portion that can be locked to the insertion portion, and the locking portion is released from the state in which the insertion plug is attached to the insertion portion. It is good also as a structure which blocks.

In the outlet configured as described above, the second connector may be provided so as to protrude in a direction opposite to the insertion direction from an inner side surface of the insertion portion.

In the outlet having the above configuration, the three or more supply electrodes may have a larger surface area as the voltage of the supplied power is higher.

The electrical outlet having the above configuration further includes built-in control means, and the built-in control means is capable of controlling power on/off of an electrical device that receives power from the power outlet by means of a control signal via a PLC. may be

A power strip according to the present invention for achieving the above object has a power cord, an insertion plug portion provided at one end of the power cord, and an outlet portion provided at the other end of the power cord. wherein the insertion plug portion includes three or more receiving electrodes capable of receiving DC power of different voltages, and a first connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals, and the outlet portion includes different voltages. and a second connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals.

The power strip having the above configuration further comprises built-in control means, and the built-in control means is capable of controlling power on/off of an electric device receiving power from the power tap by means of a control signal via a PLC. A certain configuration may be used.

According to the present invention, DC power of different voltages can be supplied and received, and noise contained in the PLC signal separated from the power signal can be reduced.

1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a PLC system using an insertion plug 4 and an outlet 3 according to the invention; FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a coupler that can be used in the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an outlet 3 according to the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an insertion plug 4 according to the present invention; FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the modification of the outlet socket 3 which concerns on this invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a modification of the insertion plug 4 according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining that a detection switch 50 detects that the insertion plug 4 of FIG. 6 has been inserted into the outlet 3 of FIG. 5; FIG. 4 is a view for explaining that the insertion plug 4 is locked to the outlet 3 by the locking claw and that the insertion is detected by the detection switch 50; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another form of sensing unit that can be used in the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing another form of sensing unit that can be used in the present invention; 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a table tap T according to the present invention; FIG. It is a figure which shows the structural example of the conventional PLC system.

Hereinafter, the insertion plug and outlet according to the present invention will be described in more detail based on the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an embodiment of a PLC system using a plug and receptacle according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the commercial power that has been reduced in voltage by transformer TF (see FIG. 12) is sent to AC/DC power conversion device 6 through watt-hour meter WM via lead-in power line 11 . Then, the AC power is converted into DC power by the AC/DC power converter 6 and supplied to a distribution board D provided at a predetermined position in the house. Since the watt hour meter WM is usually housed in a housing (housing) H, the AC/DC power conversion device 6 is desirably arranged in this housing H of the watt hour meter WM. . Also, the AC/DC power conversion device 6 may be installed, for example, between the main breaker Br and the branch breaker 5 as long as it is on the secondary side or later of the watt-hour meter WM.

The watt-hour meter WM used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and a conventionally known one can be used. This is because signal communication between inside and outside the house can be performed using the communication function of the smart meter. Currently, there are three communication methods for smart meters: the wireless multi-hop communication method, the N communication method (using communication carriers such as mobile phones and WiMAX), and the PLC method. A suitable method is selected and used.

The distribution board D includes a limiter Li, a master breaker Br, a switching unit 21, and a plurality of branch breakers 5a, 5b, 5c, . and are provided. A storage battery B is connected to the switching unit 21, and the storage battery B is connected to the solar power generation SC.

A conventionally known one can be used as the AC/DC power conversion device 6 . The AC/DC power converter 6 converts AC (alternating current) 100V into DC (direct current) 48V, for example. Then, as will be described later, in the power conversion device 33 of the outlet 3, the power is further DC/AC converted or DC/DC converted into power and voltage that can be used by the terminal.

The limiter Li is a device that cuts off the power supply when a current exceeding the amperage specified in the contract with the electric power company flows. Conventionally known ones can be used as the limiter Li used in the present invention. Depending on the electric power company, the limiter Li may not be necessary.

The master breaker Br detects the current in the entire home and cuts off the circuit when the rated current is exceeded. A conventionally known one can be used as the trunk breaker Br used in the present invention.

The switch 21 normally supplies the electric power converted from AC to DC by the AC/DC power conversion device 6 to each terminal and also to the storage battery B through the branch breaker 5 . The electric power supplied to the storage battery B is stored in the storage battery B. Moreover, the storage battery B is connected to the photovoltaic power generation SC, and the electric power generated by the photovoltaic power generation SC is stored in the storage battery B. On the other hand, during a power outage, the electric power stored in the storage battery B is supplied to the terminal via the switching unit 21 and the branch breaker 5 .

The branch breaker 5 is divided according to usage such as, for example, "2nd floor lighting equipment", "1st floor living room outlet", etc., and cuts off the circuit when the current used exceeds the rated current. A conventionally known one can be used as the branch breaker 5 used in the present invention.

As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 1, on the primary side of the AC/DC power converter 6, there is a single inline transformer connected to a transformer TF (see FIG. 12) via a watt-hour meter WM. A lead-in power line 11 consisting of a total of three power lines L1 and L2 is connected. Then, the AC power is converted into DC power by the AC/DC power conversion device 6, and the connection line 12 consisting of two main lines extends from the AC/DC power conversion device 6 and is connected to the primary side of the limiter Li. there is A connection line 13 connects the limiter Li and the main breaker Br. A connection line 14 extends from the limiter Li, and after passing through a switching section 21 , the connection line 14 is connected to a plurality of branch breakers 5 .

The secondary side of each branch breaker 5 is connected to the indoor power line PL. The indoor power line PL is wired indoors and connected to outlets 3 or terminals installed at predetermined positions. The outlet 3 has an insertion section 31 , a PLC modem 32 that superimposes and separates a power signal and a PLC signal, and a power conversion device 33 . The power conversion device 33 includes a DC/AC power conversion device that converts DC power into AC power and a DC/DC power conversion device that converts DC power into a predetermined voltage.

A terminal such as an air conditioner Ac, a lighting fixture LE, or a personal computer PC has an insertion plug 4 for receiving power supply. Power is supplied to the machine and PLC communication is enabled.

According to the PLC system of the present invention that superimposes the PLC signal on the DC power signal and separates the PLC signal from the DC power signal as described above, the conventional PLC system that superimposes and separates the PLC signal on the AC power signal In comparison, the noise contained in the PLC signal separated from the power signal is remarkably reduced and the communication accuracy is improved.

Moreover, from the viewpoint of suppressing attenuation and noise of the PLC signal, it is desirable to bypass the main breaker Br and the branch breaker 5 to transmit and receive the PLC signal. As shown in FIG. 1, first couplers 7a to 7c are attached to the secondary side of each branch breaker 5, respectively. A second coupler 8 is attached to the connection line 12 connected to the primary side of the limiter Li. The first couplers 7a to 7c and the second coupler 8 are devices for superimposing the PLC signal on the DC power signal and/or separating the PLC signal from the DC power signal, and are composed of inductive couplers and capacitive couplers. be.

FIG. 2 shows a circuit diagram showing an example of a coupler that can be used in the present invention. The coupler shown in this figure includes a coupling circuit section 71, a transmission circuit section 72 that amplifies a PLC signal and superimposes it on a DC power signal and sends it out, and separates the PLC signal from the DC power signal taken in through the coupling circuit section 71. and a receiving circuit unit 73 . The PLC signal separated from the DC power signal by the receiving circuit section 73 is sent to the control section C, while the PLC signal sent from the control section C is superimposed on the power signal by the transmitting circuit section 72 and sent out.

The control unit C controls which of the first couplers 7a to 7c or the second coupler 8 superimposes the PLC signal sent from the first couplers 7a to 7c and the second coupler 8 on the DC power signal. For example, in the PLC system shown in FIG. 1, when an operation signal (PLC signal) such as an on/off signal for the air conditioner Ac or a set temperature signal is output from the personal computer PC, the operation signal is converted to a DC power signal by the PLC modem 32. It is superimposed and sent to the branch breaker 5c through the outlet 3 and the indoor power line PL. The operating signal sent toward the branch breaker 5c is separated from the DC power signal by the first coupler 7c attached to the secondary side of the branch breaker 5c and sent to the controller C. The control unit C superimposes the operation signal from the PC on the DC power signal by the first coupler 7b attached to the secondary side of the branch breaker 5b connected to the home power line PL that sends power to the air conditioner Ac. The operation signal superimposed on the DC power signal passes through the indoor power line PL, is separated from the DC power signal by the PLC modem 32 of the outlet 3, reaches the air conditioner Ac, and controls the operation of the air conditioner Ac.

When an operation signal for the air conditioner Ac is sent from outside the home using the communication function of the power meter (smart meter) WM, the operation signal is sent to the AC by a PLC modem (not shown) inside the power meter WM. It is superimposed on the DC power signal converted from AC to DC by the /DC power converter 6 and sent to the limiter Li via the connection line 12 . Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the operating signal is separated from the DC power signal by a second coupler 8 provided on the primary side of the limiter Li and sent to the controller C. In the same manner as described above, the controller C converts the operating signal from the PC into a DC power signal by means of the first coupler 7b attached to the secondary side of the branch breaker 5b connected to the indoor power line PL that sends power to the air conditioner Ac. superimposed on The operation signal superimposed on the DC power signal passes through the indoor power line PL, is separated from the DC power signal by the PLC modem 32 of the outlet 3, reaches the air conditioner Ac, and controls the operation of the air conditioner Ac.

According to such a system, since the operation signal (PLC signal) is transmitted by bypassing the main breaker Br and the branch breaker 5, attenuation of the signal during transmission is suppressed.

Here, the AC/DC power conversion device 6 is provided within a housing (housing) H that accommodates the watt-hour meter WM. As a result, when the watt-hour meter WM is a smart meter, it becomes possible to connect to an external communication network using the communication function of the smart meter. In particular, when the communication method of the smart meter is the wireless multi-hop communication method and the N communication method, the PLC signal transmitted from inside the house to outside the house by the PLC modem (not shown) in the power meter WM While being separated from the DC power signal and transmitted wirelessly, the PLC signal transmitted from outside the home to the home is superimposed on the DC power signal and sent to the home power line PL via the connection line 12 . In other words, since the PLC signal communicated between inside and outside the home is not superimposed on the AC power, it is possible to achieve low-noise communication as compared with the conventional technique in which the PLC signal is superimposed on the AC voltage signal.

(Outlet)
In recent years, many terminals such as home electric appliances are driven by DC power, but conventional home power supply was AC power. The power was converted to DC power. On the other hand, in the PLC system of the present invention, since DC power is supplied to the home, there is no need to convert AC power to DC power when using the terminal. However, even with DC power, since the drive voltage differs depending on the terminal, the outlet 3 used in the PLC system of the present invention has a power conversion device 33 . The power conversion device 33 has a DC/AC power conversion device that converts DC power into AC power, and a DC/DC power conversion device that converts the voltage of the DC power.

In the DC/AC power converter, the AC/DC power converter 6 converts the DC voltage converted into a DC voltage of 48V and sent to the outlet 3 to AC power such as 100V, and a terminal device that drives the AC power. can be supplied to In the DC/DC power converter, for example, the AC/DC power converter 6 converts the DC voltage of 48V into a DC voltage of 0V, 5V, 12V, 24V, 48V, 50V, 100V, and 150V. , etc., and can be selectively used according to the working voltage determined by the terminal.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view showing an example of the insertion port 31 of the outlet 3 according to the present invention. The receptacle 31 shown in FIG. 3 has a receptacle 31a for AC power and a receptacle 31b for DC power. Since the AC power insertion portion 31a has the same shape and structure as the conventional one, the description thereof is omitted here.

The DC power insertion portion 31b has a hole shape into which a later-described insertion plug 4 can be inserted, and has a plurality of supply electrodes corresponding to different supply voltages in the hole. Specifically, the DC power insertion portion 31b includes a first hole portion 311 having a rectangular opening and a predetermined length in the depth direction, and a first and a second hole 312 having a smaller opening than the hole 311 and a predetermined length in the depth direction.

Grooves 313a to 313d (only the grooves 313a and 313b are shown in FIG. 3) each having a predetermined width and extending in the depth direction are formed in the central portions of the four inner surfaces of the first hole portion 311 in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, Supply electrodes 34a to 34d (only the supply electrodes 34a and 34b are shown in FIG. 3) are formed on the bottom surfaces of the respective grooves 313a to 313d.

Grooves 314a to 314d (only grooves 314a and 314b are shown in FIG. 3) extending in the front-rear direction with a predetermined width are formed in the four inner surfaces of the second hole portion 312 at the central portion in the horizontal direction or the vertical direction, respectively. Supply electrodes 35a to 35d (only supply electrodes 35a and 35b are shown in FIG. 3) are formed on the bottom surfaces of the respective grooves 314a to 314d. With such a structure, the insertion portion 31b has eight supply electrodes 34a to 34d and 35a to 35d. DC power of 12V is supplied to the electrodes 34b and 34d, and DC power of 5V is supplied to the supply electrode 34c. From the viewpoint of safety, the high voltage power is supplied to the supply electrodes located away from the opening of the first hole, that is, the supply electrodes 35a to 35d provided on the inner surface of the second hole 312. It is desirable that the lower voltage is supplied to the supply electrodes 34a-34d provided on the inner peripheral surface of the first hole.

Further, a second USB connector 36 is formed in the central portion of the inner side surface of the second hole 312 so as to protrude forward, and the tip of the second USB connector 36 is located in the first hole. It is located slightly out of reach of the back side of 311.

(insertion plug)
FIG. 4 shows a perspective view showing an example of the insertion plug 4 according to the present invention. The insertion plug 4 in FIG. 4 is provided at the tip of a power cord 40 extending from the terminal device, and can be inserted into the insertion portion 31b of the insertion port 31 of the outlet 3 shown in FIG. . That is, the insertion plug 4 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped plug main body 41 from which the power cord 40 extends from the rear surface, and a protrusion 42 formed on the front surface of the plug main body 41 and protruding forward (insertion direction). have. The protrusion 42 has a first protrusion 421 in the shape of a quadrangular prism that protrudes forward, and a cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the front-rear direction that protrudes forward from the central portion of the front surface of the first protrusion 421 is smaller than that of the first protrusion 421. and a square prism-shaped second protrusion 422 . A rectangular hole 43 is formed in the front surface of the second protrusion 422 and is recessed rearward leaving a flange portion of a predetermined width inward from the outer peripheral edge. 1 connector 46 is formed to extend forward.

The first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 are shaped so as to be fitted into the first hole 311 and the second hole 312 of the insertion portion 31b of the outlet 3, respectively. Strip-like receiving electrodes 423a to 423d (see FIG. 4) extending in the front-rear direction with a predetermined width are located in the center portions in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the four upper, lower, left, and right outer surfaces of the first projection 421 and the second projection 422, respectively. 4, only receiving electrodes 423a and 423d are shown) and receiving electrodes 424a to 424d are provided so as to protrude slightly outward from the outer surface. The receiving electrodes 423a to 423d and the receiving electrodes 424a to 424d are provided so that the rear end side thereof can elastically swing around the front end side.

When the projection 42 of the insertion plug 4 is inserted into the insertion opening 31b of the outlet 3, the first projection 421 of the insertion plug 4 is inserted into the first hole 311 and the second hole 312 of the insertion opening 31b of the outlet 3. and the second projection 422 are fitted. Then, grooves 313a to 313d and grooves 314a to 314d having supply electrodes 34a to 34d and 35a to 35d formed on the inner side surfaces of the first hole portion 311 and the second hole portion 312 of the insertion port 31 on the bottom surface, Receiving electrodes 423a to 423d and receiving electrodes 424a to 424d slightly projecting outward from the outer surfaces of the first protrusion 421 and the second protrusion 422 of the insertion plug 4 enter while being in contact with each other. As a result, the eight supply electrodes 34a-34d, 35a-35d of the outlet 3 and the eight reception electrodes 423a-423d, 424a-424d of the plug 4 are in surface contact and connected. At the same time, the second USB connector 36 on the outlet side and the first USB connector 46 on the plug-in side are connected. As described above, the receiving electrodes 423a to 423d and the receiving electrodes 424a to 424d are elastically deformable by sliding contact with the supply electrodes 34a to 34d and 35a to 35d.

A power line of the terminal is connected to a desired receiving electrode among the eight receiving electrodes 423a to 423d and 424a to 424d of the plug 4, that is, a predetermined receiving electrode corresponding to the DC voltage used by the terminal. Then, desired DC power is supplied to the terminal. For example, when the DC voltage used by the terminal is 48V, the power receiving electrodes 424a and 424b on the side of the plug 4 connected to the supply electrodes 35a and 35b that supply 24V DC power on the outlet 3 side are , the power lines of the terminals are connected so that the supplied 24V DC power is in series. That is, the power line of the terminal is selectively connected to a predetermined receiving electrode of the plug 4 so that the sum of the DC voltages supplied from the outlet 3 (connected in series) becomes the DC voltage used by the terminal. At the same time, the power line of the terminal is connected to the receiving electrode 423a as the ground electrode on the plug 4 side, which is connected to the supply electrode 34a as the ground electrode on the outlet 3 side. Also, by connecting the second USB connector 36 on the outlet side and the first USB connector 46 on the plug-in side, it is possible to transmit and receive PLC signals.

(Modification 1)
5 to 7 show modifications of the receptacle 3 and the insertion plug 4. FIG. 5 and 6 are perspective views of the receptacle 3 and the insertion plug 4, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of detecting insertion of the insertion plug 4 into the receptacle 3. FIG.

When the plug 4 is inserted into the outlet 3 and when the plug 4 is pulled out from the outlet 3 , arc discharge may occur between the supply electrode of the outlet 3 and the receiving electrode of the plug 4 . In the case of DC power, arc discharge is difficult to extinguish and is dangerous. Therefore, a detection unit is provided for detecting attachment/detachment of the insertion plug 4 to/from the outlet 3. Based on the detection signal from the detection unit, when the insertion plug 4 is attached to the outlet 3, the reception of the insertion plug 4 is performed. After the electrode and the supply electrode of the receptacle 3 are in contact with each other, power supply is started, and when the plug 4 is detached from the receptacle 3, before the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supply electrode of the receptacle 3 are separated. Try to stop the power supply.

As shown in FIG. 5, a circular insertion hole 37 is formed in the lower left portion of the inner side surface of the first hole portion 311 of the outlet 3 . As shown in FIG. 7, a detection switch 50 as a detection portion is arranged on the axially far side of the engaging hole 37 . The detection switch 50 is a so-called limit switch, and includes a rectangular parallelepiped switch body 51 and a plunger 52 which can extend outward from the switch body 51 and is always biased in a protruding direction by a spring (not shown). and a lever 53 having a thin plate-like shape, one longitudinal end of which is pivotally supported by a shaft 54 on a switch body 51 and a longitudinal middle part of which abuts on the tip of a plunger 52 . In a normal state, the plunger 52 protrudes from the switch body 51 by the biasing force of a spring (not shown), and the tip of the plunger 52 is in contact with the lever 53 . The detection switch 50 having such a structure is arranged in the outlet 3 so that the free end side of the lever 53 in the longitudinal direction is positioned on the axial center of the engaging hole 37 .

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical pin (protrusion) 47 protruding forward is provided at the lower right portion of the front surface of the first protrusion 421 of the insertion plug 4 . The outer diameter of the pin 47 is smaller than the inner diameter of the engagement hole 37 of the receptacle 3, and the forward protruding length of the pin 47 is such that when the insertion plug 4 is completely inserted into the receptacle 3, the pin The length of the plunger 47 is set so that the tip of the plunger 47 can be brought into contact with the lever 53 of the detection switch 50 and the plunger 52 can be pushed into the switch body 51 .

As shown in FIG. 7, when the plug 4 having such a structure is inserted into the outlet 3, the eight supply electrodes 34a to 34d and 35a to 35d of the outlet 3 and the eight receiving electrodes 423a to 423a of the plug 4 are connected. 423 d and 424 a to 424 d are in surface contact, and the contact area between the electrodes increases as the plug 4 is inserted into the outlet 3 . Further, when the insertion plug 4 is inserted into the outlet 3, the pin 47 of the insertion plug 4 advances into the engaging hole 37 of the outlet 3. As shown in FIG. Immediately before the insertion plug 4 is completely inserted into the outlet 3, the pin 47 of the insertion plug 4 contacts the lever 53 of the detection switch 50 and rotates the lever 53 toward the switch body 51 side. By rotating the lever 53, the plunger 52 is pushed into the switch body 51 against the spring (not shown) to turn on the detection switch 50 (FIG. 7(b)). Power supply to the receiving electrode of the plug 4 is started. Since the power supply is started after the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supply electrode of the outlet 3 come into contact with each other in this way, a shock occurs when the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supply electrode of the outlet 3 come close to each other. Arcing is effectively suppressed.

Further, when the insertion plug 4 is pulled out from the outlet 3, an operation opposite to that when the insertion plug 4 is inserted into the outlet 3 is performed. That is, when the insertion plug 4 is pulled out from the outlet 3, first, the abutment state between the pin 47 of the insertion plug 4 and the lever 53 of the detection switch 50 is released, and the plunger 52 is moved by a spring (not shown). It protrudes from the switch body 51 by force. As a result, the detection switch 50 is turned off, and the power supply from the supply electrode of the outlet 3 to the reception electrode of the plug 4 is stopped. This effectively suppresses the arc discharge that occurs when the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supplying electrode of the outlet 3 are separated from each other.

(Modification 2)
FIG. 8 shows another modification of the receptacle 3 and the insertion plug 4. As shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view of detecting insertion of the insertion plug 4 into the outlet 3. FIG. As shown in FIG. 8, a pair of arm-like portions (convex portions) 48a and 48b with free ends (rear side) are provided on both left and right side surfaces of the plug body 41 of the insertion plug 4. As shown in FIG. . Outwardly protruding locking claws (locking portions) 481a and 481b are formed at the tips of the pair of arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b, and outwardly protruded midway between the pair of arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b. Rectangular pressing portions 482a and 482b are formed. The locking claws 481a and 481b have rear side surfaces that are slanted outward toward the front, and front side surfaces that are perpendicular to the side surface of the plug body. The locking claws 481a, 481b and the pressing portions 482a, 482b are integrally formed with the arm-shaped portions 48a, 48b. The pair of arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b are formed so that when the insertion plug 4 is completely inserted into the outlet 3, the locking claws 481a and 481b are engaged with the locking holes 38a and 38b formed in the outlet. position. Further, between the pair of arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b and the side surface of the plug body 41, when an external force is applied to the pressing portions 482a and 482b toward the inside of the plug body 41, the pair of arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b are displaced. A gap is formed in which the portions 48a and 48b are bent so that the locking claws 481a and 481b can move inwardly of the plug body 41. As shown in FIG.

On the other hand, a pair of square engaging holes 38a and 38b are formed on the left and right inner surfaces of the first hole portion 311 of the outlet 3 . A detection switch 50 as a detection portion is arranged on the right side of the engaging hole 38a. More specifically, the detection switch 50 is arranged such that the free end side of the lever 53 is positioned on the axial center of the engaging hole 38a. Note that the structure of the detection switch 50 is the same as that shown in Modification 1, so the description is omitted here.

When the insertion plug 4 having such a structure is inserted into the outlet 3, the eight supply electrodes 34a to 34d and 35a to 35d of the outlet 3 and the eight receiving electrodes 423a to 423a of the insertion plug 4 are inserted into the outlet 3 as in the first modification. 423 d and 424 a to 424 d are in surface contact, and the contact area between the electrodes increases as the plug 4 is inserted into the outlet 3 . Immediately before the plug 4 is completely inserted into the outlet 3, the inclined surfaces of the engaging claws 481a and 481b of the plug 4 come into contact with the left and right edges of the first hole 311 of the outlet 3 to form a pair. The distal end portions of the arm-shaped portions 48 a and 48 b bend toward the inside of the plug body 41 . When the inclined surfaces of the locking claws 481a and 481b pass over the left and right edges of the first hole portion 311, the pair of arm-like portions 48a and 48b return to their original states due to the elastic force, and the locking claws 481a and 481b return to their original states. The vertical surfaces are locked in the locking holes 38a, 38b. This prevents the insertion plug 4 from being pulled out of the outlet 3. - 特許庁At the same time, the latching claw 481a contacts the lever 53 of the detection switch 50 and rotates the lever 53 toward the switch body 51 side. By rotating the lever 53, the plunger 52 is pushed into the switch main body 51 against the spring (not shown) to turn on the detection switch 50 (FIG. 8(b)). Power supply to the receiving electrode of the plug 4 is started. In this way, since the power supply is started after the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supply electrode of the outlet 3 are in complete contact with each other, when the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supply electrode of the outlet 3 come close to each other, The arc discharge that occurs in is effectively suppressed.

On the contrary, when the insertion plug 4 is pulled out from the outlet 3, the pressing portions 482a and 482b of the arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b of the insertion plug 4 are first pressed inward. Then, the distal ends of the pair of arm-shaped portions 48a and 48b bend inward, thereby releasing the locking state of the locking claws 481a and 481b from the locking holes 38a and 38b, thereby removing the plug 4 from the receptacle 3. Withdrawal becomes possible. At the same time, the abutment state between the locking claw 481a and the lever 53 of the detection switch 50 is released, and the plunger 52 protrudes from the switch body 51 by the urging force of a spring (not shown) (state shown in FIG. 8A). ). As a result, the detection switch 50 is turned off, and the power supply from the supply electrode of the outlet 3 to the reception electrode of the plug 4 is stopped. After that, the insertion plug 4 is pulled out from the outlet 3. Therefore, arc discharge does not occur when the receiving electrode of the insertion plug 4 and the supplying electrode of the receptacle 3 are separated from each other.

In addition, although the contact type limit switch 50 is used as the detection unit in the modified example described above, the detection unit is not limited to this. A conventionally known one can be used. For example, various proximity switches described in JIS C8201-5-2 can be used as the detector of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a case in which an inductive proximity switch 50a is used as the detection part, and a metal part 471 is provided at the tip of the pin 47 provided on the plug 4 side, and the inductive proximity switch 50a is provided on the outlet 3 side. . When the metal part 471 of the pin 47 approaches the high-frequency magnetic field emitted from the detection coil (not shown) in the proximity switch 50a, an induced current flows through the metal part 471 due to the electromagnetic induction phenomenon, and this current causes the detection in the proximity switch 50a. The impedance of the coil (not shown) changes, the oscillation stops, and attachment of the plug 4 to the outlet 3 is detected.

FIG. 10 shows a case in which a photoelectric proximity switch 50b is used as the detection unit, and a plate-shaped light blocking plate 472 is provided on the plug 4 side, and the photoelectric proximity switch 50b is provided on the outlet 3 side. The proximity switch 50b has a structure in which a light-emitting element 501 and a light-receiving element 502 are arranged opposite to each other with a predetermined distance therebetween. When the plug 4 is not inserted into the outlet 3, the light emitted from the light emitting element 501 is projected in a straight line to the light receiving element 502 and received. On the other hand, when the plug 4 is inserted into the outlet 3, the light blocking plate 472 of the plug 4 is inserted between the light emitting element 501 and the light receiving element 502 of the proximity switch 50b, and the light emitted from the light emitting element 501 is blocked by the light blocking plate 472. light is not received by the light receiving element 502. Thus, attachment of the plug 4 to the outlet 3 is detected.

(Table tap T)
FIG. 11 shows a perspective view showing an example of the table tap T according to the present invention. The table tap T shown in FIG. 11 includes a power cord 30 having a predetermined length, an insertion plug portion 4a provided at the front end of the power cord 30, and an outlet portion 3a provided at the rear end of the power cord 30. have. Two AC power insertion portions 31c and two DC power insertion portions 31d are alternately formed in the front-rear direction at predetermined intervals in the outlet portion 3a. The structure of the insertion plug portion 4a is the same as that of the insertion plug 4 shown in FIG. The structure of the plug-in portion 31d for DC power of the outlet portion 3a is the same as that of the plug-in portion 31b for DC power shown in FIG. A DC/AC power conversion device (not shown) is incorporated in the outlet section 3a, and the DC power supplied to the outlet section 3a is converted into AC power of a predetermined voltage by the DC/AC power conversion device. Power can be supplied from the power plug 31c.

With the outlet 3, table tap T, and plug 4 described above, AC power and DC power can be supplied, and PLC signals can be transmitted and received via USB. It is possible to suppress the influence of operation noise of certain AC power driven microwave ovens, motors, etc. on the PLC signal.

(others)
In the embodiment described above, the plug body 41 of the insertion plug 4 and the power cord 40 are formed inseparably, but the plug body 41 and the power cord 40 may be separable. For example, a conventionally known DC plug is provided at the tip of the power cord 40 and a DC jack is provided in the plug body 41 so that the DC plug at the tip of the power cord 40 can be inserted into and removed from the DC jack of the plug body 41 . With such a configuration, it is possible to supply DC power to a conventional electric appliance having a DC plug through the outlet 3 and the insertion plug 4 of the present invention.

Further, although the cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the insertion direction of the insertion portion 31b of the outlet 3 and the projection 42 of the insertion plug 4 described above is square, it is not limited to this. It may be in the shape of a polygonal column. Also, the insertion portion 31b and the protrusion 42 may have one step, or may have three or more steps. Further, a protrusion may be provided on the outlet side, and an insertion section may be provided on the insertion plug side to connect the insertion plug and the outlet. In addition, the number of supply electrodes and reception electrodes may be three or more, that is, two or more voltages of DC power that can be supplied. good too.

Further, as the present applicant has already proposed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2018-125830, by providing the outlet 3 of the present invention with built-in control means (including a device for specifying an address and a relay for output), Information can be transmitted from or to the Internet. For example, when the plug and outlet of the present invention are used in the field of agriculture, information from sensors for measuring indoor/outdoor air temperature, humidity, soil temperature, etc. can be transmitted through the outlet.
Also, if an outlet or a table tap is provided with a built-in control means, it becomes possible to remotely control power ON/OFF of electrical equipment connected to the outlet or the table tap, including equipment that does not have a communication function. In addition, when a camera is connected, it is possible to monitor the cultivation and growth of agricultural products, and transmit images of intrusion by suspicious persons, fires, gas leaks, and the like.

By simply inserting the plug of the present invention into the outlet of the present invention, DC power corresponding to each device is supplied, and data measured and detected by each device is superimposed on the power signal as a PLC signal. The data can then be sent to a computer in the farm facility or to a server, database, mobile terminal, etc. connected to the Internet via a public line. In addition, based on the transmitted detection data, a control signal is transmitted from a computer or a mobile terminal, and a temperature adjustment that is inserted into an outlet of the present invention via a plug of the present invention installed in an agricultural facility. Various devices such as water dispensers and sprinklers are controlled.

According to the plug and outlet according to the present invention, DC power of different voltages can be supplied and received, and noise contained in the PLC signal separated from the power signal can be reduced.

3 Outlet 3a Outlet section 4 Insertion plug 4a Insertion plug 5, 5a to 5c Branch breaker 6 AC/DC power converter C Control section 7, 7a to 7c First coupler 8 Second coupler B Storage battery T Table tap 11 Incoming power line 30 Power cord 31 Insertion parts 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d Insertion part 311 First hole 312 Second hole 32 PLC modem 33 Power converters 34a to 34d Supply electrodes 35a to 35d Supply electrodes 36 Second connector 37 Entry holes 38a, 38b Engagement entry hole 41 Plug main body 42 Projection 421 First projection 422 Second projection 423a-423d Receiving electrodes 424a-424d Receiving electrode 43 Hole 46 First connector 47 Pin (projection)
48a, 48b arm-shaped portion (convex portion)
481a, 481b locking claw (locking portion)
50 detection switch (detection unit)
Ac air conditioner (terminal)
Br Main breaker LE Lighting equipment (terminal)
Li Limiter PC Personal computer (terminal)
PL Home power line SC Photovoltaic power generation TF Transformer WM Watt-hour meter

Claims (10)

An insertion plug provided in a terminal device capable of receiving DC power and communicating using a power line (PLC),
three or more receiving electrodes capable of receiving DC power of a plurality of different voltages;
a first connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals;
with
A power line of the terminal device is connected to a predetermined receiving electrode among the three or more receiving electrodes so that the sum of the DC voltages received is the DC voltage used by the terminal device. included plug. the plug body;
a projection projecting from the surface of the plug body in the insertion direction of the insertion plug;
has
2. The plug according to claim 1, wherein said three or more receiving electrodes are provided on the surface of said protrusion. A hole recessed in a direction opposite to the insertion direction is formed from the tip surface of the protrusion,
3. The entry plug of claim 2, wherein said first connector is provided within said hole. The plug according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the three or more receiving electrodes have a larger surface area as the voltage of the received power is higher. An outlet capable of DC power supply and communication using power lines (PLC),
a DC/DC power conversion device that converts the voltage of DC power into a plurality of different voltages;
three or more supply electrodes capable of supplying DC power of a plurality of different voltages;
a second connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals;
An outlet, comprising: 6. The outlet of claim 5, further comprising a DC/AC power converter that converts DC power to AC power. 7. An outlet according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a PLC modem for superimposing and separating DC power signals and PLC signals. Having an insertion part into which an insertion plug can be inserted,
The outlet according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the three or more supply electrodes are provided on the inner peripheral surface of the insertion portion. The outlet according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the three or more supply electrodes have a larger surface area as the voltage of the supply power is higher. It has a power cord, an insertion plug portion provided at one end of the power cord, and an outlet portion provided at the other end of the power cord, and communicates using DC power supply and power lines (PLC ) is a table tap capable of
wherein the insertion plug section comprises three or more receiving electrodes capable of receiving DC power of different voltages, and a first connector capable of transmitting and receiving PLC signals,
The outlet part is capable of transmitting and receiving a DC/DC power conversion device that converts the voltage of DC power into a plurality of different voltages, three or more supply electrodes capable of supplying DC power of a plurality of different voltages, and a PLC signal. and a second connector.

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