JP3770517B2 - Automotive power plug - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an automotive plug, and more particularly to an automotive power plug for supplying electric power to an in-vehicle electrical device such as an audio device or a map lamp from a cigarette lighter socket provided in the vehicle interior.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, when an electric device such as an audio device is installed in a vehicle interior after the purchase of the automobile, a cigarette lighter socket installed in the vehicle interior is generally used as the power source. When a cigarette lighter socket is used as a power source, a power plug is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket, and the cigarette lighter socket and an electric device are electrically connected via the power plug.
[0003]
The cigarette lighter socket of an automobile has an inner diameter defined as 21 mm by JIS, and the power plug is also adapted to this dimension, so that a structure capable of connecting a plurality of electric devices has not been established. For this reason, conventionally, when electricity is supplied from a cigar lighter socket to a plurality of electric devices, a method as shown in FIG. 14 has been adopted. That is, a distribution socket 14 having a plurality of plug insertion holes 12 is connected to a power plug 10 to be inserted into a cigarette lighter socket provided in a vehicle compartment, and another power plug 16 is inserted into the insertion hole 12 of the distribution socket 14. Thus, power is supplied to a plurality of electric devices.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when power is supplied to an electrical device as described above, it is necessary to install a retrofit distribution socket 14 such as two or three in a narrow vehicle interior, which is inconvenient and difficult to secure the installation location. In addition to this, the passenger compartment becomes complicated. And since the conventional automotive power plug has a size that matches the size of the cigarette lighter socket, it is larger than a household power plug or a light power plug.
[0005]
The cigarette lighter socket is generally provided near the ashtray and the audio in the front part of the passenger compartment, and is suitable for supplying power to a map lamp, an illumination lamp, and the like. However, when power is supplied to a plurality of electrical devices, the power plug 10 for the distribution socket 14 is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket as described above, and the cigarette lighter socket cannot be used for a power source such as a lamp.
[0006]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described drawbacks of the prior art, and has an object to enable power supply to a plurality of electric devices without using a distribution socket.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce the size of the distribution socket.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an automotive power plug according to the present invention allows a plurality of plug bodies divided in the circumferential direction to be combined and inserted into a socket, and each of the plug bodies includes the socket. A cord connecting portion that is electrically connected to the power supply to the electric device, is formed in the same shape as the plug body, and is formed to be replaceable with a dummy plug that does not have a cord connecting portion. It is a feature.
[0009]
[Action]
In the first aspect of the present invention configured as described above, by providing a cord connection portion to each of a plurality of plug bodies to be combined and electrically connecting to a socket, without using a distribution socket that is conventionally required, Electric power can be supplied from each plug body to the electric device, and effective use in a narrow vehicle interior can be achieved. For example, when power supply is required only for one electrical device, the cost can be reduced and unnecessary by combining one plug body having a cord connection portion and a dummy plug not having a cord connection portion. Unexpected accidents such as short-circuiting due to dust adhesion due to the provision of the cord connecting portion can be avoided. Further, by making the plug body having the cord connection portion and the dummy plug exchangeable, the number of plug bodies having the cord connection portion can be easily increased or decreased as necessary.
[0010]
In the second aspect of the present invention, a plurality of insertion ports for inserting connection plugs smaller than the outer shape of the case are provided on the rear end surface of the case. Power can be supplied to a plurality of electric devices from one cigarette lighter socket without using a socket.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A preferred embodiment of a power plug for an automobile according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory view of an automobile power plug according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. (1) is a side view, (2) is a plan view, and (3) is a base provided on the plug body. (4) is a cross-sectional view of the plug body.
[0012]
In FIG. 1, the power plug 20 has a halved structure in which a plug body 22 and a dummy plug 24, which are a pair of plug bodies, are assembled in a separable manner, and the plug body 22 and the dummy plug 24 are combined. It can be inserted into a cigarette lighter socket provided in the vehicle interior in the state. The dummy plug 24, which will be described in detail later, has an external shape that is the same as that of the case 26 of the plug body 22, and can be replaced with the plug body 22 of another power plug 20.
[0013]
The plug body 22 is provided with a pin-like positive electrode 28 on the front end side (left side in FIG. 1) of the case 26 so that it can protrude and retract. In addition, a window 30 is provided on the peripheral surface of the case 26, and a negative electrode 32 protrudes through the window 30. The negative electrode 32 is formed from a conductive elastic body such as a leaf spring, and can be moved in and out of the case 26. And the notch 36 for inserting the coaxial cord 34 which is a power cord of an electric equipment in the case 26 is formed in the rear-end surface of the case 26 (refer FIG. 2 (1)).
[0014]
The plug body 22 has a base 38 that supports the plus electrode 28 and the minus electrode 32 as shown in FIG. The base 38 is provided with output terminals 40 and 42 serving as cord connecting portions electrically connected to the plus electrode 28 and the minus electrode 32, and the coaxial cord 34 is connected to the output terminals 40 and 42. An outer core wire (not shown) and the center core wire 44 can be connected. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 (4), a spring receiver 46 is formed on the base 38, and the rear end of the coil spring 48 is received. The coil spring 48 allows the positive electrode 28 to be securely inserted into and contacted with the circular terminal portion provided in the cigarette lighter socket. The tip is attached to the positive electrode 28 and the positive electrode 28 is attached to the case. It is biased in the direction of projecting from 26.
[0015]
As shown in FIG. 2 (2), a U-shaped groove 50 is formed at the rear end of the base 38, or an adapter having the U-shaped groove 50 is detachably attached to the case 26. A power cord composed of the parallel cord 52 can be handled.
[0016]
As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of locking projections 56, 58, 60, 62 for holding the base 38 are formed on the inner edge of the opening of the case 26 facing the dummy plug 24. The base 38 disposed in the case 26 does not easily fall off. That is, the base 38 is provided with engaging portions 78, 80, 82, 84 corresponding to the locking projections 56, 58, 60, 62 provided on the case 26 (see FIG. 1 (3)). These engaging portions 78, 80, 82, 84 are locked to the locking projections 56, 58, 60, 62 (see FIGS. 4, 6, and 7).
[0017]
A pair of locking claws 66 and 68 are provided in the axial direction of the power plug 20 on a surface (hereinafter referred to as an outer surface for convenience) 64 of the base 38 on the dummy plug 24 side. These locking claws 66 and 68 are formed in the dummy plug 24 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, which are cross-sectional views taken along lines AA and DD in FIG. The plug main body 22 and the dummy plug 24 are integrated by engaging with the engaging convex portions 70 and 72. The engaging convex portions 70 and 72 are formed on the support ribs 74 and 76 whose tips are in contact with the outer surface 64 of the base 38.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 3, the base 38 is provided with rectangular through holes 88 and 90 at positions symmetrical to the locking claws 66 and 68 with respect to the center line 86 in the front-rear direction. Further, the base 38 is formed with engaging convex portions 92 and 94 so as to face the through holes 88 and 90. These engaging projections 92 and 94 are provided on the dummy plug 24 and engage with the locking claws 96 and 98 penetrating the through holes 88 and 90 so that the dummy plug 24 is detached from the plug body 22. To prevent. The engaging protrusions 92 and 94 formed on the base 38 and the engaging protrusions 70 and 72 formed on the dummy plug 24 are provided point-symmetrically with respect to the center of the power plug 20, and FIG. As shown in FIG. 1B, the portion corresponding to the cross section along the line D-D in FIG. 1B, when the plug body 22 is combined with another plug body 22a instead of the dummy plug 24, the plug body 22 The locking claws 66, 68 pass through the through holes 88a, 90a on the plug body 22a side and engage with the engaging projections 92a, 94a, and the locking claws 66a, 68a on the plug body 22a side are on the plug body 22 side. The plug main body 22 and the plug main body 22a can be integrated by engaging with the engaging convex portions 92 and 94. Accordingly, by inserting the power plug 100 in which the plug bodies 22 and 22a are integrated into the cigarette lighter socket, power can be supplied to the two electric devices.
[0019]
The negative electrode 32 has a free end on one end side, and the power plug 20 is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket, as shown in FIG. Sometimes, it is easily pushed into the case 26 by the inner surface of the cigarette lighter socket.
[0020]
In the embodiment configured as described above, a power distribution plug 100 that is a combination of two plug bodies 22 and 22a having output terminals 40 and 42 that are cord connection portions is inserted into a cigarette lighter socket, so that a distribution socket can be attached later. It is possible to supply power to two electric devices without using the. If only one electrical device is used, the power plug 20 is used which is a combination of the plug body 22 and the dummy plug 24 that does not have an output terminal and is not electrically connected to the cigarette lighter socket. As a result, since there is no unnecessary output terminal or the like, it is possible to prevent unexpected accidents such as a short circuit caused by dust adhering to the unused terminal. Further, since the dummy plug 24 is formed in the same shape as the case of the plug body 22 and can be replaced with another plug body, it can be replaced with another plug body 22a as necessary.
[0021]
FIG. 9 shows a usage example of the power plug according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the power plug 100 is integrated by combining a pair of plug bodies 22 and 22 a, and in this state, the plus electrode 28 side is inserted into the cigarette lighter socket 104 as indicated by an arrow 102. The distribution socket 106 is connected to one plug body (for example, the plug body 22), and the map lamp 108 is connected to the other plug body 22a.
[0022]
The distribution socket 106 is a triple socket, and the plug insertion holes 110 are semicircular according to the shape of the plug main body 22, and the three plug insertion holes 110 are alternately provided in opposite directions. . Thus, by making the plug insertion hole 110 of the distribution socket 106 anti-circular, the size of the distribution socket 106 can be reduced. In addition, when the plug insertion hole of the distribution socket 106 is made circular as in the conventional case, the power plug 100 can be inserted into the circular plug insertion hole to distribute electricity to twice as many electrical devices as the plug insertion hole. it can.
[0023]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the plug main body 22 and the dummy plug 24 or the plug main body 22 and the plug main body 22a are integrated, or the case where the locking claw and the engaging convex portion are engaged has been described. As shown in FIG. 10, the screws 112 and the nuts 114 penetrating the plug bodies 22 and 22 a may be integrated. In the above embodiment, the case where both the plug bodies 22 and 22a have the plus electrode 28 provided at the tip of the case 26 and the minus electrode 32 provided on the peripheral surface of the case has been described. The plug body 22 is provided with a plus electrode 28 and a minus electrode 32, a distribution plus electrode 116 and a minus electrode 118 are disposed on the outer surface of the base 38, and the plus electrode 116 is disposed on the outer surface of the base 38a of the plug body 22a. And the negative electrode 118 may be formed, and the positive electrode 22a at the tip and the negative electrode 32a at the peripheral surface may be omitted.
[0024]
When the plug body 22 and the plug body 22a (or dummy plug 24) are integrated, as shown in FIG. 11, the ring 12 that is externally fitted to the plug body 22 and the plug body 22a (or dummy plug 24). Etc. may be used. In the above embodiment, the case where the power plug 20 can be divided into two parts has been described. However, as shown in FIG. 12, the plug body 22 and the two dummy plugs 224a and 24b may be divided into three parts. It may be divided into four or more.
[0025]
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment. In the power plug 122 according to this embodiment, a hole 128 into which a power cord 126 of an electric device can be inserted is formed in the rear end surface of the case 124, and a small-diameter mini plug 138 such as a pin plug is inserted from the power plug 122. A plurality of insertion ports 132 are provided. In the present embodiment configured as described above, the power plug 122 is inserted into a cigarette lighter socket in the passenger compartment and electrically connected. Then, the mini plug 130 is inserted into the insertion port 132, and power is supplied to the electric device via the cord 134. Therefore, the power cord 126 and the plurality of mini plugs 130 can supply power to a plurality of electrical devices without using a retrofit distribution socket.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by providing a cord connection portion for each of a plurality of plug bodies to be combined and electrically connecting to a socket, each plug body of one power plug can be electrically connected. Power can be supplied to the device, and effective use in a narrow vehicle cabin can be achieved. For example, when power supply is required only for one electrical device, the cost can be reduced and unnecessary by combining one plug body having a cord connection portion and a dummy plug not having a cord connection portion. Unexpected accidents such as short-circuiting due to dust adhesion due to the provision of the cord connecting portion can be avoided. In addition, by making the plug body having the cord connection portion and the dummy plug exchangeable, the number of plug bodies having the cord connection portion can be increased or decreased as necessary.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a power plug according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (1) is a side view, (2) is a plan view, and (3) is a plan view of a base provided on the plug body, 4) is a cross-sectional view of the plug body.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a rear end surface of the plug body according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an outer surface of a base according to the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. 1 (2).
7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 1 (2).
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a power plug in which plug bodies according to two embodiments are combined, and is a cross-sectional view corresponding to a cross section taken along line DD of FIG.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of a usage example of the power plug according to the embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of another embodiment in which two plug bodies are integrated.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of still another embodiment in which two plug bodies are integrated.
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the power plug is divided into three parts.
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the power plug.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram of a conventional method for supplying power to a plurality of electric devices from a cigarette lighter socket.
[Explanation of symbols]
20, 100 Power plug 22, 24 Plug body (plug body, dummy plug)
26 Case 28 Positive electrode 32 Negative electrode 38 Base 40, 42 Cord connection (output terminal)
104 Cigarette lighter socket 106 Distribution socket

Claims (1)

A plurality of plug bodies divided in the circumferential direction can be combined and inserted into a socket, and each plug body has a cord connection portion that is electrically connected to the socket and capable of supplying power to an electrical device. An automotive power plug characterized in that it is formed in the same shape as the plug body and is replaceable with a dummy plug having no cord connection portion .

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