JP6719083B2 - Hanging type outlet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates generally to suspended outlets, and more particularly to suspended outlets suspended in a suspended structure.

BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a hanging-type outlet including a string body that is suspended from a support body that is fixed to a ceiling and a case that is provided at the tip of the string body so as to be able to move up and down is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

The (ceiling) hanging type outlet described in Patent Document 1 includes a cable (power curl cord) and an outlet main body (outlet portion) to which an insertion plug is detachably connected. The cable is formed in a spiral shape except for both ends. One end of the cable is housed in the support, and the other end of the cable is introduced into the case. The outlet body is connected to the end of the cable inside the case (body).

In the hanging-type outlet described in Patent Document 1, a substantially cylindrical neck portion projects from the center of the upper surface of the case, and the cord body is pulled out of the case through a hole penetrating the neck portion. The cable is introduced into the case through a hole provided at the base of the neck.

JP, 2007-193995, A

However, in the hanging-type outlet described in Patent Document 1, the end portion of the cable, which is not formed in a spiral shape, is introduced into the case obliquely from above through a hole provided in the base portion of the neck portion. There is. Therefore, the case may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction due to the tension applied from the cable to the case or the helically formed portion of the cable interfering with the neck portion.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a hanging type outlet capable of suppressing the inclination of the case with respect to the vertical direction.

A hanging type outlet according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case, an outlet body, and a cable. The case is suspended from a suspension structure. The outlet main body has a connection surface in which an insertion hole for inserting a blade is formed. At least a part of the outlet main body is housed in the case so that the connection surface is exposed from an opening formed in the case. The cable has a curl portion, a first connection end, and a second connection end. The curl portion is formed in a coil shape whose center axis is a straight line along the vertical direction. The first connection end is connected to the upper end of the curl portion and is electrically connected to the power supply. The second connection end is connected to the lower end of the curl portion and is electrically connected to the outlet main body. The cable is introduced into the case from an introduction port formed at an upper end of the case, and the second connection end is connected to the outlet main body in the case. The case has a curl storage space that is connected to the external space of the case at the introduction port and stores the lower end portion in which the coiled shape of the curl portion is maintained .

The present invention has an advantage that the inclination of the case with respect to the vertical direction can be suppressed.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a hanging type outlet according to an embodiment of the present invention with a cover removed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the above hanging type outlet as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the above hanging type outlet as seen obliquely from the rear. FIG. 4 is a front view of the above hanging type outlet. FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the above hanging type outlet as seen obliquely from the front. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the above hanging type outlet as seen obliquely from the rear. FIG. 7A is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the above hanging type outlet with a cover and a cable removed. FIG. 7B is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the above hanging type outlet with the cover removed. FIG. 8: is sectional drawing of another main part in the state which removed the cover of the hanging type outlet same as the above. FIG. 9A is an enlarged view of the body and the stopper in the same hanging type outlet, with the stopper removed from the body. FIG. 9B is an enlarged view of the body and the stopper in a state where the stopper is attached to the body in the hanging type outlet. FIG. 10: is a side view of the stopper used for the hanging type outlet same as the above.

(1) Outline As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the hanging type outlet 10 according to the present embodiment includes a case 1 that is hung from a hanging structure 9 (see FIG. 4) such as a ceiling of a building, and an outlet. The main body 2 is provided.

The hanging type outlet 10 according to the present embodiment has a function of an outlet (Outlet) in which a plug of an electric device is connected to the outlet body 2 to supply electric power to the electric device. Here, as the outlet main body 2 of the hanging type outlet 10, a two-port type outlet for AC 100V with a ground electrode and capable of simultaneously connecting two plugs is illustrated. In addition, in the present embodiment, the hanging structure 9 is a ceiling of a building, and an indoor hanging type outlet 10 used in a state of being hung on the ceiling is illustrated. The building in which the hanging-type outlet 10 is used may be a non-residential house such as a factory, a school, a store, and a hospital, a detached house, an apartment house, or the like.

The hanging type outlet 10 further includes a cable 3 for electrically connecting a power source such as a system power source (commercial power source) and the outlet body 2. One end (first connection end 31) of the cable 3 is electrically connected to a power supply unit such as an embedded outlet installed in the hanging structure 9, for example. The other end (second connection end 32) of the cable 3 is electrically connected to the outlet main body 2. As a result, power is supplied from the power source to the outlet body 2. Most of the cable 3 is located outside the case 1, and only the lower end is introduced into the case 1 through an introduction port 101 formed at the upper end of the case 1. Further, as will be described in detail later, the cable 3 is a so-called curl cord, at least a part of which is formed in a coil shape, and extends along a vertical line depending on the distance between the case 1 and the suspension structure 9. It is configured to be stretchable.

Further, the hanging type outlet 10 further includes a cord body 4 for suspending the case 1 on the hanging structure body 9, and a reel 5 for winding the cord body 4. The reel 5 is housed in the case 1. The cord body 4 is drawn out of the case 1 through a cord hole 102 formed in the upper surface of the case 1. The tip of the cord body 4 pulled out of the case 1 is fixed to the hanging structure 9 outside the case 1. As a result, the load applied to the case 1 is applied to the suspension structure 9 via the cord body 4, and the case 1 is suspended from the suspension structure 9. Furthermore, since the distance between the case 1 and the hanging structure 9 along the vertical line is determined by the amount of the cord 4 pulled out from the case 1, the reel 5 winds the cord 4 and unwinds it. By doing so, the case 1 moves (elevates) along the vertical line. As will be described later in detail, since the reel 5 has a ratchet mechanism that restricts the direction of rotation so that only the cord 4 can be unrolled, pulling the cord 4 pulls the cord 4 out of the case 1. It is possible. When the release button 61 is operated with the string 4 pulled out, the restriction by the ratchet mechanism is released, and the restoring force acting on the reel 5 from the winding spring 62 causes the string 4 to be wound up. The reel 5 rotates.

The suspension-type outlet 10 configured in this manner can raise and lower the case 1 while being suspended from the suspension structure 9, thereby adjusting the height of the case 1. it can. That is, the user can lower the case 1 by holding the case 1 with his/her hand and pulling the case 1 downward, and can raise the case 1 by operating the release button 61. Therefore, for example, when the hanging outlet 10 is not used (when it is not used), the user raises the case 1 close to the hanging structure 9 to use the hanging outlet 10 ( Only when the case 1 is used), the case 1 can be lowered to a desired height. The hanging outlet 10 is used to supply power to various electric devices such as electric tools, lighting equipment, and cleaning equipment.

(2) Details (2.1) Overall Configuration Hereinafter, the hanging type outlet 10 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the hanging type outlet 10 according to the present embodiment has a release button 61, a winding spring, in addition to a case 1, an outlet body 2, a cable 3, a cord 4, and a reel 5. 62, a stopper 7, and a flange portion 90. Here, the case 1 is configured by combining two members of a body 11 and a cover 12. In FIG. 1, the hanging-type outlet 10 is shown with the cover 12 removed.

In the present embodiment, the direction perpendicular (orthogonal) to the horizontal plane in the state where the hanging type outlet 10 is attached to the ceiling of the building as the hanging structure 9 is referred to as "up-down direction", and the downward (vertical direction) The direction) will be described as “downward”. Further, a direction that is orthogonal to the vertical direction and in which the body 11 and the cover 12 in the case 1 are combined is referred to as a “front-back direction”, and the cover 12 side as viewed from the body 11 is described as a “front”. Further, a direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the front-rear direction will be referred to as “left-right direction”, the right side of the hanging type outlet 10 as viewed from the front will be described as “right side”, and the left side will be described as “left side”. The arrows indicating “up-down direction”, “front-rear direction”, and “left-right direction” in the drawings are shown only for the purpose of description and have no substance. However, these directions are not intended to limit the usage direction of the hanging-type outlet 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, the flange portion 90 is fixed to the suspension structure 9 using, for example, a dedicated mounting bracket. As a result, the hanging-type outlet 10 is attached to the hanging structure 9 while the flange portion 90 holds the upper ends of the cable 3 and the cord body 4. In the present embodiment, as an example, the flange portion 90 is formed in a substantially hemispherical shape, and the cable 3 and the cord body 4 are pulled out downward from the central portion of the lower surface of the flange portion 90. Inside the flange portion 90, the first connection end 31 that is the upper end of the cable 3 is electrically connected to a power feeding portion such as an embedded outlet. That is, in the hanging-type outlet 10, the flange portion 90 is both mechanically coupled to the hanging structure 9 and electrically connected to a power source (system power source or the like).

The case 1 is made of synthetic resin and houses the outlet main body 2 and the like. As an example, the case 1 is made of ABS resin. The case 1 has a flat shape in the front-rear direction and a “longitudinal” shape that is longer in the up-down direction than in the left-right direction. Further, the case 1 has a tapered shape such that the dimensions thereof in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction become smaller toward the upper end. Here, the case 1 adopts a so-called “one-motion form” in which the lower end portion and the upper end portion are connected without a step. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the case 1 is gently curved so as to be convex outward from the lower end to the intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and is convex inward from the intermediate portion in the vertical direction to the upper end. Is gently curved so that Further, the outer peripheral surface of the case 1 is a curved surface that is connected without a step over the entire circumference when viewed from above. With such a shape, for example, by gripping the upper portion of the case 1, even a user with a relatively small hand can easily grip the case 1 and the lifting operation of the case 1 can be facilitated. The surface of the case 1 is a textured surface (embossed). The "texturing" here is a process of forming a fine wrinkle pattern (texture) on the surface of the case 1 when the case 1 is formed.

Further, as described above, the case 1 is configured by combining the body 11 and the cover 12 in the front-rear direction. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the body 11 has an open front surface, and the cover 12 has an open rear surface. The body 11 and the cover 12 are joined in the front-rear direction so that their openings are aligned with each other. As a result, an internal space 13 (see FIG. 1) for housing the outlet main body 2 and the like is formed between the body 11 and the cover 12. The body 11 has a plurality of (six in this case) coupling holes 111 (see FIG. 5) at the inner peripheral edge of the front opening. The cover 12 has a plurality of (here, six) coupling claws 121 (see FIG. 6) protruding rearward from the inner peripheral edge of the opening on the rear surface. The cover 12 is coupled to the body 11 by fastening a plurality of (three in this case) coupling screws 14 to the cover 12 through the body 11 while the coupling claw 121 is caught in the coupling hole 111.

Here, as shown in FIG. 1, the internal space 13 of the case 1 is divided into four spaces, that is, a curl storage space 131, an outlet storage space 132, a relay space 133, and a winding space 134. .. In other words, the case 1 has the curl storage space 131, the outlet storage space 132, the relay space 133, and the winding space 134. The curl storage space 131 is a space in which a part (lower end 331) of the curl portion 33 of the cable 3 described later is stored. The outlet storage space 132 is a space in which the outlet main body 2 is stored. The relay space 133 is a space located between the curl storage space 131 and the outlet storage space 132. The winding space 134 is a space in which a mechanism for winding the cord body 4, such as the reel 5, the winding spring 62, and the stopper 7, is stored. Details of the curl storage space 131, the relay space 133, and the winding space 134 will be described later.

These four spaces (131 to 134) are generally arranged in the order of the curl storage space 131, the relay space 133, the winding space 134, and the outlet storage space 132 from the upper side in the case 1. Specifically, the relay space 133 is located on the lower left side of the curl storage space 131. The winding space 134 is located below the curl storage space 131 and below the relay space 133. The outlet storage space 132 is located below the winding space 134. Focusing on the path of the cable 3, the curl storage space 131 is connected to the outlet storage space 132 through the relay space 133 and the winding space 134. These four spaces are merely spaces in which the internal space 13 of the case 1 is divided by functions, and the boundaries of these four spaces (shown by the one-dot chain line in FIG. 1) physically separate the spaces. There are no partition walls. However, at least two of these four spaces may be physically separated by a partition wall or the like.

An introduction port 101 for introducing the cable 3 into the case 1 is formed at the upper end of the case 1. The introduction port 101 is formed at the upper end of the body 11 so as to penetrate the body 11 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the introduction port 101 penetrates the body 11 in the front-rear direction orthogonal to the up-down direction. The introduction port 101 connects the curl storage space 131 and the external space of the case 1. As a result, the cable 3 is introduced from the rear surface of the case 1 into the curl storage space 131 in the case 1 so as to penetrate the case 1 in the front-rear direction. Here, the introduction port 101 is opened upward so that the cable 3 can be easily inserted into the introduction port 101 from above. Further, the introduction port 101 is formed at a position closer to the right end portion of the body 11 rather than the central portion of the body 11 in the left-right direction. The details will be described in the section of “(2.2) Cable routing structure”, which allows the central axis of the curl portion 33 of the cable 3 to be inserted into the case 1 through the introduction port 101. Z1 passes through the substantially central portion of the upper surface of the case 1. Further, the cover 12 has a projecting piece 123 protruding rearward from the inner peripheral edge of the opening on the rear surface at a position facing the inlet 101 at the upper end portion. The lower surface of the projecting piece 123 is formed in an R (R) shape. Thereby, for example, even if the cable 3 is pulled upward with the cable 3 inserted in the introduction port 101, the cable 3 contacts the lower surface of the projecting piece 123, and the biting of the cover 12 into the cable 3 is suppressed. It

A string hole 102 is formed on the upper surface of the case 1 to draw the string body 4 out of the case 1. The string hole 102 is formed at the center of the upper surface of the case 1 so as to vertically penetrate the upper wall of the case 1. As a result, the cord body 4 is pulled out of the case 1 from the upper surface of the case 1 so as to penetrate the case 1 in the vertical direction. Here, the string hole 102 is formed on the boundary line between the body 11 and the cover 12 so that the string body 4 can be easily inserted into the string hole 102 from the front. In the present embodiment, a pair of semicircular holes formed in each of the body 11 and the cover 12 when viewed from above are combined to form one circular cord hole 102. The routing of the cord 4 in the case 1 will be described later.

Further, an opening 103 for exposing the outlet main body 2 is formed on the lower surface of the case 1. The opening 103 is a hole that penetrates the lower wall of the case 1 in the vertical direction, and is formed in a rectangular shape that is long in the horizontal direction. Around the opening 103 in the case 1, a pair of holding structures 112 and 122 for holding the outlet main body 2 are provided. The holding structure 112 is provided on the body 11, and the holding structure 122 is provided on the cover 12. The holding structures 112 and 122 face each other in the front-rear direction with the opening 103 interposed therebetween.

The case 1 further includes a pair of hooks 104 protruding from the rear surface of the body 11. The pair of hooks 104 is a structure for hooking a power cord extending from a plug of an electric device. Thus, the hanging type outlet 10 can receive the load downwardly applied to the plug by the weight of the power cord or the like by the hook 104 in a state where the plug is connected to the outlet body 2.

Further, a button recess 124 for housing the release button 61 is formed on the front surface of the case 1. The button recess 124 is located in the center of the front surface of the cover 12 in the left-right direction. An operation hole 125 through which a push rod 611 of the release button 61 described later passes is formed on the bottom surface of the button recess 124. The operation hole 125 penetrates the cover 12 in the front-rear direction.

The outlet main body 2 has a rectangular parallelepiped housing 21 made of synthetic resin, and built-in parts such as a blade receiving member housed in the housing 21. The lower surface of the housing 21 constitutes a connection surface 23 for connecting a plug. An insertion hole 231 for inserting the plug blade (or pin) of the plug is formed in the connection surface 23. The outlet main body 2 has a lock mechanism that prevents the plug blade (or pin) of the plug from coming off by rotating the plug.

At least a part of the outlet main body 2 is housed in the case 1 so that the connection surface 23 is exposed from the opening 103 formed in the case 1. In the present embodiment, the outlet main body 2 is held in the case 1 so that the connection surface 23 slightly projects from the lower surface of the case 1, and most of the outlet main body 2 is housed in the case 1. The outlet main body 2 is held in the opening 103 so as to be sandwiched by the holding structure 112 of the body 11 and the holding structure 122 of the cover 12 from both sides in the front-rear direction.

Further, the outlet main body 2 has a terminal portion for connecting the cable 3. Here, the terminal portion is a plug-in type quick-connect terminal to which the cable 3 is connected by inserting the second connection end 32 of the cable 3 from the terminal hole 211 formed on the upper surface of the housing 21. In the present embodiment, a total of three electric wires, that is, a pair of power supply lines and a ground line (earth line) are connected to the outlet main body 2.

The cable 3 has a first connection end 31 (see FIG. 4), a second connection end 32, and a curl portion 33. The first connection end 31 is connected to the upper end portion 332 (see FIG. 4) of the curl portion 33 and is electrically connected to the power supply. The first connecting end 31 is housed in the flange portion 90. The second connection end 32 is connected to the lower end 331 of the curl portion 33 and is electrically connected to the outlet main body 2. The second connection end 32 is housed in the case 1. The first connection end 31 and the second connection end 32 are electrically connected via the curl portion 33.

The curl portion 33 is formed in a coil shape having a straight line (vertical axis) along the up-down direction (vertical direction) as a central axis Z1. Here, the central axis Z1 in the drawing is shown for the sake of explanation only, and is a virtual line with no substance. That is, the curl portion 33 is configured such that a part of the cable 3 is formed in a helix shape around the central axis Z1. The spiral here means a curve that rises in one direction along a central axis Z1 that is orthogonal to the plane of rotation while rotating. In the present embodiment, as an example, the curl portion 33 has a spiral shape that turns from the upper side to the lower side in a clockwise direction when viewed from above. The curl portion 33 has elasticity similarly to the tension coil spring and is configured to be extendable along the central axis Z1. That is, the curl portion 33 is a so-called curl cord and is configured to be expandable and contractable along the central axis Z1. The curl portion 33 has a cylindrical shape centered on the central axis Z1 in a non-extended state (during close contact).

Further, in the present embodiment, the cable 3 has a plurality of core wires (a pair of power supply wires and a ground wire), such as a vinyl parallel cord (VFF), which are arranged in parallel at a constant interval. The wire is composed of a flat type cable whose insulation coating is made of vinyl or the like. This type of cable 3 has a flat cross section. Furthermore, the cable 3 is formed so that the curl portion 33 is flat in the radial direction (radial direction). Further, in the present embodiment, the cable 3 is a stranded wire whose core wire is composed of a plurality of conductor wires.

In the present embodiment, the cord body 4 is a twisted yarn made of synthetic resin. One end of the cord body 4 is fixed to the reel 5 in the case 1, and the cord body 4 is wound around the reel 5 and then led out from the reel 5. In the case 1, a cylindrical guide roller 107 is arranged at a lower right position of the cord hole 102, and the cord body 4 led out from the reel 5 is bent upward by the guide roller 107. The cord body 4 bent upward by the guide roller 107 is drawn out of the case 1 through the cord hole 102, and the tip end portion is fixed to the suspension structure 9 outside the case 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the cord body 4 is located outside the case 1 on the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33. In the hanging-type outlet 10, by rotating the reel 5 and changing the winding amount of the cord body 4, the amount of pulling out the cord body 4 from the case 1 is changed, and the hanging structure body 9 to the case 1 are changed. The distance changes. The overall length of the cord 4 is appropriately set according to a place where the hanging outlet 10 is expected to be used. For example, the hanging structure 9 (ceiling of the building where the hanging outlet 10 is used is used. ) To the floor, or a length shorter than this distance.

The reel 5 winds and unwinds the string 4. The reel 5 is made of synthetic resin, for example, ABS resin. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the reel 5 has a cylindrical shape, the first drum 51 around which the cord body 4 is wound, a first flange 52 radially protruding from the front end edge of the first drum 51, And a second flange 53 projecting radially from the rear end edge of the first drum 51. That is, the reel 5 is formed in a so-called bobbin shape. A string hooking groove 521 is formed in the first flange 52, and one end of the string body 4 is hooked in and fixed to the string hooking groove 521. A second drum 54 protruding rearward is provided on the outer edge of the second flange 53. The second drum 54 has a cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the first drum 51, and is formed concentrically with the first drum 51. In the peripheral portion of the second drum 54, at least one (here, four) recesses 541 are formed so as to be recessed in the radial direction.

Further, the reel 5 has a front wall 55 at a position on the front side of the center in the front-rear direction and on the rear side of the first flange 52. A rotary shaft 551 is provided on the front surface and the rear surface of the front wall 55 concentrically with the first drum 51 (see FIGS. 6 and 8 ). Further, on the front surface of the front wall 55, a cylindrical third drum 552 is provided concentrically with the rotating shaft 551. The rotary shaft 551 is rotatably inserted into a shaft hole provided in the body 11, while the hollow cylindrical body 127 provided in the cover 12 is inserted inside the third drum 552. As a result, the reel 5 is held in the case 1 so as to be rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise when viewed from the front.

Further, a spring holding frame 56 is provided on the rear surface of the front wall 55. The spring holding frame 56 has a cylindrical shape with a diameter smaller than that of the first drum 51, and is provided inside the first drum 51 and the second drum 54 so as not to be concentric with the first drum 51 and the second drum 54. Has been. An insertion groove 561 is formed in the spring holding frame 56, and one end of the winding spring 62 is inserted into the insertion groove 561.

The take-up spring 62 is a so-called mainspring spring, and is formed by winding an elastic metal plate in a spiral shape. The winding spring 62 has a spiral shape that turns counterclockwise from the inside toward the outside when viewed from the front. The vortex here means a curve that moves away from the center as it turns on the same plane. The winding spring 62 has an outer end portion inserted and held in the insertion groove 561 of the spring holding frame 56, and an inner end portion that is wound inside the holding cylinder 116 provided in the body 11 and held. Retained in 116. The winding spring 62 applies an elastic force to the reel 5 in a direction in which the cord body 4 is wound (clockwise when viewed from the front).

The stopper 7 is a member that regulates the rotation of the reel 5, and is formed by subjecting an elastic metal plate to, for example, punching and bending. The stopper 7 is arranged below the reel 5 in the case 1. The stopper 7 is held by the holding portion 8 so that the lateral direction extends along the front-rear direction and the longitudinal direction inclines upward by a prescribed angle θA with respect to the horizontal plane. The holder 8 is provided on the case 1.

As shown in FIG. 10, the stopper 7 has a fixed portion 71, an elastic portion 72, and a restriction portion 73. The fixed portion 71, the elastic portion 72, and the restriction portion 73 are arranged in this order in the longitudinal direction of the stopper 7. In the present embodiment, the fixed portion 71, the elastic portion 72, and the restriction portion 73 are arranged in this order from left to right.

The fixed portion 71 is a portion held by the holding portion 8 in the stopper 7. The fixing portion 71 has a flat plate portion 711 and a first leg piece 712 protruding from one end of the stopper portion 7 in the longitudinal direction of the flat plate portion 711 to one side in the thickness direction of the flat plate portion 711 (downward rightward in FIG. 1 ). And the second leg piece 713, and is formed in an inverted U shape when viewed from the front. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding portion 8 has a holding frame 81 provided on the body 11. The holding frame 81 is formed in a frame shape surrounding the fixed portion 71. The holding frame 81 has a long rectangular frame-shaped portion that is provided so that the longitudinal direction is inclined to the horizontal plane by a prescribed angle θA so as to rise to the right. Further, in the holding frame 81, a rectangular parallelepiped space (first clearance space) formed by the central portion of the upper wall recessed upward and a rectangular parallelepiped space by the central portion of the lower wall recessed downward. (The second escape space) are formed. The holding frame 81 contacts the left end portion of the upper surface of the flat plate portion 711, the right end portion of the upper surface of the flat plate portion 711, the tip end of the first leg piece 712, and the tip end portion of the second leg piece 713 to fix the fixing portion 71 from four sides. keeping. As a result, the fixed portion 71 is held by the holding frame 81 in a state where the fixed portion 71 is tilted upward with respect to the horizontal plane by the specified angle θA. Although the holding frame 81 has the first clearance space and the second clearance space in the present embodiment, the holding frame 81 does not have to have the first clearance space and the second clearance space.

As shown in FIG. 10, the elastic portion 72 is continuous with the fixed portion 71. The elastic portion 72 is formed of a cantilever-shaped leaf spring, and is elastically deformable in the thickness direction with the end portion on the fixed portion 71 side as a fixed end. When the elastic portion 72 is not elastically deformed, the upper surface of the elastic portion 72 is flush with the upper surface of the flat plate portion 711 of the fixed portion 71.

The restriction portion 73 is continuous with the elastic portion 72 and is located on the opposite side of the elastic portion 72 from the fixed portion 71. The restricting portion 73 has a first restricting piece 731, a second restricting piece 732, and a connecting piece 733. The second restriction piece 732 is continuous with the elastic portion 72 and has a flat plate shape that is inclined with respect to the elastic portion 72. The connection piece 733 is continuous with the second restriction piece 732 and has a flat plate shape parallel to the elastic portion 72. The first restriction piece 731 is continuous with the connection piece 733 and has a flat plate shape that is inclined with respect to the connection piece 733.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, the stopper 7 has the elastic portion 72 elastically deformed so that the regulating portion 73 is displaced downward, with the end portion of the elastic portion 72 on the fixed portion 71 side as a fixed end. The first restriction piece 731 and the second restriction piece 732 are located in the recess 541 of the reel 5. Hereinafter, the position of the stopper 7 in this state will be referred to as a “regulating position”. At the regulation position, the first regulation piece 731 contacts the right side surface of the recess 541 to regulate the rotation of the reel 5 in the winding direction of the string body 4 (clockwise direction in FIG. 1). At the regulation position, the end portion of the elastic portion 72 on the regulation portion 73 side is substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the second drum 54.

Further, the stopper 7 is provided with a hook piece 74 extending downward and rightward (a direction in which the elastic portion 72 is elastically deformed) from a boundary portion between the elastic portion 72 and the restriction portion 73. The hook piece 74 is formed in a J shape when viewed from the front, and has a shape that is hooked on the rear end of the push rod 611 of the release button 61. When the push rod 611 is displaced rearward, the hook piece 74 is pushed rearward and downward by the push rod 611. At this time, the rectangular support plate provided on the hook piece 74 comes into contact with the inverted U-shaped rib provided on the rear side of the support plate in the body 11, thereby limiting the rearward movement of the hook piece 74. It As a result, the hook piece 74 is displaced downward. When the hook piece 74 is pushed by the push rod 611 and is displaced downward, the elastic portion 72 is elastically deformed downward, and the first restriction piece 731 and the second restriction piece 732 are disengaged from the recess 541. Hereinafter, the position of the stopper 7 in a state where the first restricting piece 731 and the second restricting piece 732 are disengaged from the recess 541 is referred to as a “release position”. In the release position, the first restricting piece 731 is located outside the recess 541, so that the reel 5 can be rotated in the direction in which the string 4 is wound. Therefore, the cord body 4 is wound around the reel 5 by the restoring force of the winding spring 62.

The release button 61 displaces the stopper 7 between the regulation position and the release position according to the user's operation. The release button 61 is made of synthetic resin, for example, polyacetal copolymer. The release button 61 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape, and is housed in the button recess 124 of the case 1 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The release button 61 has a rod-shaped push rod 611 having a tapered rear end. When the release button 61 is pushed by the user, the push rod 611 moves backward and pushes down the hook piece 74 of the stopper 7. As a result, the stopper 7 is displaced from the regulation position to the release position. Further, a return spring 612 is arranged in the button recess 124, and when the user releases the release button 61, the release button 61 moves forward due to the restoring force of the return spring 612. As a result, the force applied from the push rod 611 to the hook piece 74 disappears, and the stopper 7 is displaced from the release position to the regulation position by the restoring force of the elastic portion 72.

(2.2) Cable Routing Structure Next, the cable routing structure of the cable 3 introduced into the case 1 from the introduction port 101 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1, 7A, and 7B. 7A and 7B are enlarged perspective views of the main part with the cover 12 removed.

The cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 through an introduction port 101 formed at the upper end of the case 1. The cable 3 has the second connection end 32 connected to the outlet main body 2 in the case 1. Here, the case 1 has a curl storage space 131 connected to the external space of the case 1 at the inlet 101. The curl storage space 131 is a space for storing the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 of the cable 3 as described above. That is, in the hanging-type outlet 10 according to the present embodiment, the cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 through the introduction port 101 so that at least the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 is accommodated in the case 1. ..

Since the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 is a part of the curl portion 33, it has a shape that turns around the central axis Z1. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an introduction path P1 having a shape that swivels around the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33 is formed in a plane (horizontal plane) orthogonal to the vertical direction, and the cable 3 passes through the introduction path P1 and the case 3 passes through the case 1. Has been introduced within. The introduction path P1 is a path for the cable 3 and connects the curl storage space 131 and the external space of the case 1. The introduction port 101 is formed on the introduction path P1. As a result, the cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 from the rear surface of the case 1 along the introduction path P1 so as to turn around the central axis Z1 as shown by the arrow A1. Therefore, the case 1 can store the lower end 331 of the curl portion 33 in the curl storage space 131 while maintaining the shape of the curl portion 33. In this embodiment, the introduction path P1 is not physically separated from the surrounding space by a partition wall or the like. However, the introduction path P1 may be physically separated from the surrounding space by a partition wall or the like. Note that the introduction path P1 in FIG. 7A merely specifies the path of the cable 3 for the sake of description, and does not have any substance. Similarly, the arrow A1 in FIG. 7B merely conceptually represents that the cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 from the introduction port 101, and does not have any substance.

Here, although the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 is housed in the case 1 even though it is a part of the curl portion 33, it has a shape affected by the size of the internal space 13 of the case 1 and the like. Become. Therefore, the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 may have the same spiral shape as the portion other than the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33, for example, have a different diameter from the portion of the curl portion 33 other than the lower end portion 331. For example, the spiral shape may be slightly collapsed.

Specifically, the case 1 has a guide surface 105 that protrudes rearward from the left side edge of the introduction port 101 in the body 11 and is curved so that the width of the introduction port 101 in the left-right direction becomes wider toward the rear side. As a result, on the outside of the case 1 with respect to the introduction port 101, an introduction path P1 that is curved so as to turn around the central axis Z1 along the guide surface 105 is formed.

Further, the case 1 has the clamp portion 106 that holds the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 by sandwiching a part of the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 in the curl storage space 131. In the present embodiment, the clamp portion 106 is composed of the first clamp piece 113 and the second clamp piece 126 (see FIG. 6) located on both sides of the introduction path P1 in the front-rear direction. The first clamp piece 113 is provided on the body 11, and the second clamp piece 126 is provided on the cover 12. The first clamp piece 113 and the second clamp piece 126 are located between the inlet 101 and the central axis Z1 in the left-right direction. Further, the front end portion (front end portion) of the first clamp piece 113 projects forward from the front surface (opening surface) of the body 11. On the other hand, the front end portion (rear end portion) of the second clamp piece 126 is located at a position where it does not project from the rear surface (opening surface) of the cover 12, that is, is located in front of the rear surface of the cover 12. As a result, the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 held by the clamp portion 106 draws the curl storage space 131 so as to make a large turn around the central axis Z1 along the inner peripheral surface of the cover 12 from the inlet 101. To be turned. Therefore, inside the case 1 with respect to the introduction port 101 (that is, the curl storage space 131), a curved introduction path P1 is formed so as to turn around the central axis Z1 through the clamp portion 106.

By the way, as described above, the curl storage space 131 is connected to the outlet storage space 132 through the relay space 133 and the winding space 134. The relay space 133 has an inlet 135 connected to the curl storage space 131 and an outlet 136 connected to the outlet storage space 132. In this embodiment, the inlet 135 is directly connected to the curl storage space 131, and the outlet 136 is connected to the outlet storage space 132 via the winding space 134. In the present embodiment, the relay space 133 is located to the left of the central axis Z1, and the entrance 135 is also located to the left of the central axis Z1. Here, the inlet 135 is a space between the pair of inlet bosses 114 formed in the case 1. The outlet 136 is a space between a pair of outlet bosses 115 formed in the case 1. The pair of inlet bosses 114 and the pair of outlet bosses 115 hold the cable 3 by sandwiching a part of the cable 3 similarly to the clamp portion 106.

The pair of inlet bosses 114 are located on the left side of the curl storage space 131. The pair of inlet bosses 114 are arranged side by side in the vertical direction. Thereby, the entrance 135 of the relay space 133 is configured to pass the cable 3 along the direction intersecting with the vertical direction. In the present embodiment, the facing direction of the pair of inlet bosses 114 is not parallel to the vertical direction, and the upper inlet boss 114 is located on the upper left side of the lower inlet boss 114. Therefore, the cable 3 passing through the entrance 135 of the relay space 133 passes between the pair of entrance bosses 114 from the curl storage space 131 toward the lower left.

On the other hand, the pair of outlet bosses 115 are located below the pair of inlet bosses 114. The pair of outlet bosses 115 are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. Thereby, the outlet 136 of the relay space 133 is configured to pass the cable 3 along the vertical direction. Therefore, the cable 3 passing through the outlet 136 of the relay space 133 passes between the pair of outlet bosses 115 downward from the relay space 133. Therefore, the extension direction of the cable 3 is converted from "lower left" to "lower" between the inlet 135 and the outlet 136 in the relay space 133.

Further, the distance between the pair of outlet bosses 115 is set smaller than the distance between the pair of inlet bosses 114. In this embodiment, the cable 3 is a flat cable having a flat cross section. The distance between the pair of inlet bosses 114 is set to be approximately the same as the longitudinal dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the cable 3. The distance between the pair of outlet bosses 115 is set to be approximately the same as the lateral dimension of the cross-sectional shape of the cable 3. As a result, at the entrance 135 of the relay space 133, the thickness direction of the cable 3 (the lateral direction of the cross-sectional shape of the cable 3) is along the front-back direction. On the other hand, at the outlet 136 of the relay space 133, the thickness direction of the cable 3 (the lateral direction of the cross-sectional shape of the cable 3) is along the left-right direction. That is, the thickness direction of the cable 3 at the inlet 135 of the relay space 133 and the thickness direction of the cable 3 at the outlet 136 of the relay space 133 intersect each other. In other words, the cable 3 is held in a twisted state between the inlet 135 and the outlet 136 in the relay space 133.

Further, in the present embodiment, both the pair of inlet bosses 114 and the pair of outlet bosses 115 are provided on the body 11. However, the front end portions (front end portions) of the pair of inlet bosses 114 project forward from the front surface (opening surface) of the body 11. On the other hand, the tip portions (front end portions) of the pair of outlet bosses 115 are positioned substantially flush with the front surface (opening surface) of the body 11 so as not to project from the front surface (opening surface) of the body 11. .. Accordingly, at the entrance 135 of the relay space 133, the pair of entrance bosses 114 can hold the cable 3 inside the cover 12. On the other hand, at the outlet 136 of the relay space 133, the pair of outlet bosses 115 can hold the cable 3 inside the body 11.

The cable 3 introduced into the winding space 134 from the outlet 136 of the relay space 133 is routed to the outlet storage space 132 through at least one lateral side of the reel 5. In the present embodiment, the cable 3 is branched into two in the winding space 134 and is routed to the outlet storage space 132 through both sides of the reel 5 in the left-right direction. As an example, one power supply line and the grounding line pass through the left side of the reel 5 and the other power supply line runs through the right side of the reel 5 to the outlet storage space 132. In the outlet accommodating space 132, the second connection end 32, which is the tip (lower end) of the cable 3, is electrically connected to the outlet main body 2.

(2.3) Winding Mechanism Next, the winding mechanism of the cord 4 by the reel 5 and its operation will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1 and 8. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the hanging type outlet 10 of the present embodiment with the cover 12 removed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the reel 5 is held in the case 1 so as to be rotatable about an axis (specifically, a rotation axis 551) along the front-rear direction.

Further, as described above, the winding spring 62 is arranged inside the reel 5, and the reel 5 has a clockwise direction when viewed from the front (the direction of the virtual arrow B1 shown in FIG. 8; The elastic force in the “first direction”) is received from the winding spring 62.

On the other hand, one end of the cord body 4 is hooked and fixed to the cord hooking groove 521 of the reel 5, and is wound around the first drum 51 in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front, and then the first drum 51. It is led out in the upper left direction along the tangent line of the first drum 51 from the upper right portion (see FIG. 1). The cord body 4 led out from the reel 5 is drawn out of the case 1 through the cord hole 102, and the tip end portion thereof is fixed to the hanging structure 9. Therefore, the reel 5 is in the counterclockwise direction when viewed from the front (the phantom arrow B2 shown in FIG. 8) due to the load applied to the object (the case 1 or the like) supported by the string 4 from the string 4. Orientation; hereinafter referred to as "second orientation").

Further, a stopper 7 is arranged in the case 1. At the restricting position of the stopper 7, the restricting portion 73 is located inside the recess 541. In the recess 541, the first restricting piece 731 and the second restricting piece 732 of the restricting portion 73 face the right side surface and the left side surface of the recess 541, respectively.

When the force in the second direction from the cord body 4 is smaller than the force in the first direction by the winding spring 62, the reel 5 rotates in the first direction (the direction of arrow B1 in FIG. 8). try to. At this time, as shown in FIG. 8, the right side surface of the recess 541 comes into contact with the first restriction piece 731, and a force in the first direction is applied to the first restriction piece 731 from the reel 5. At the same time, as a reaction of this force, a force in the second direction is applied from the first restriction piece 731 to the reel 5.

Here, the first predetermined angle θ1 between the first restriction piece 731 of the stopper 7 and the connection piece 733 is set to less than 90°, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. The angle between the right side surface of the recess 541 and the bottom surface of the recess 541 is an acute angle. Therefore, when the reel 5 tries to rotate in the first direction, the force applied from the reel 5 (the right side surface of the recess 541) to the first restriction piece 731 is the tangential direction of the reel 5 (the second drum 54). Will be an upward force. Therefore, even if the force applied from the reel 5 to the first restricting piece 731 becomes large, this force is a force that displaces the first restricting piece 731 upward (to the center side of the reel 5), and therefore The part 73 does not come off from the recess 541. As a result, when the force from the cord body 4 is smaller than the force from the winding spring 62, in the reel 5, the force in the first direction by the winding spring 62 and the force by the cord body 4 and the first restricting piece 731. The force in the second direction is balanced. As a result, the vertical position of the case 1 is maintained without the reel 5 rotating.

On the other hand, when the force in the second direction from the cord body 4 is larger than the force in the first direction by the winding spring 62, the reel 5 moves in the second direction (the direction of arrow B2 in FIG. 8). Try to rotate to. At this time, the left side surface of the recess 541 contacts the second restricting piece 732, and a force in the second direction is applied to the second restricting piece 732 from the reel 5. At the same time, as a reaction of this force, a force in the first direction is applied from the second restriction piece 732 to the reel 5.

Here, the fixed portion 71 is inclined by a specified angle θA with respect to the horizontal plane such that the end portion of the elastic portion 72 on the side of the regulating portion 73 is substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the second drum 54. Further, the second predetermined angle θ2 between the second restriction piece 732 of the stopper 7 and the end of the elastic portion 72 on the restriction section 73 side is a value larger than 90° as shown in FIGS. 8 and 10. Is set to. Furthermore, the angle between the left side surface of the recess 541 and the bottom surface of the recess 541 is an obtuse angle. Therefore, when the reel 5 tries to rotate in the second direction, the force applied from the reel 5 (the left side surface of the recess 541) to the second restriction piece 732 is the tangential direction of the reel 5 (second drum 54). Will be more downward force. For this reason, when the force applied from the reel 5 to the second restricting piece 732 becomes large, this force acts in the direction of displacing the second restricting piece 732 downward (outward in the radial direction of the reel 5). The portion 73 is displaced downward and comes out of the recess 541. Therefore, when the user pulls the case 1 downward and the force in the second direction applied from the cord body 4 to the reel 5 increases, the second restricting piece 732 comes off the recess 541 and the reel 5 moves to the second position. Rotate in the direction (the direction in which the string 4 is extended).

As described above, in the hanging-type outlet 10 of the present embodiment, when the stopper 7 is in the restricting position, the rotation of the reel 5 in the first direction is prohibited and the rotation of the reel 5 in the second direction is allowed. It In short, the reel 5 of the hanging-type outlet 10 of the present embodiment is restricted in its rotation direction by the ratchet mechanism so that it can only rotate in the second direction (direction in which the string body 4 is drawn out).

Further, when the stopper 7 is displaced to the release position by the user pressing the release button 61, the restriction portion 73 is disengaged from the recess 541. At this time, the reel 5 is allowed to rotate in both the first direction and the second direction without receiving a force from the stopper 7. Therefore, the user can use the restoring force of the winding spring 62 to wind the cord body 4 into the case 1 to raise the case 1, and resist the restoring force of the winding spring 62. It is also possible to pull out the cord body 4 from the reel 5 and lower the case 1 by pulling the cord downward. When the user releases the release button 61, the stopper 7 returns to the restricting position, the restricting portion 73 is located in the recess 541 of the reel 5, and the restricting portion 73 restricts the rotation of the reel 5 again. It will be.

By the way, as described above, in the hanging type outlet 10 of the present embodiment, the stopper 7 is provided with the second restriction piece 732. The second restricting piece 732 receives the function of restricting the rotation of the reel 5 in the direction in which the string 4 is unwound, and the rotational force of the reel 5 in the direction in which the string 4 is unwound, so that the second restricting piece 732 is recessed 541. It has the function of displacing outward. Hereinafter, the second restriction piece 732 will be described in more detail.

When the force applied from the cord body 4 to the reel 5 in the second direction is larger than the force applied from the winding spring 62 to the reel 5 in the first direction, the second restricting piece 732 receives the force of these forces. The force in the second direction, which is the resultant force, is applied. Of this resultant force, the component in the direction in which the second restricting piece 732 is to be removed from the recess 541 (the force in the normal direction of the second drum 54) is the component of the second restricting piece 732 with respect to the tangential direction of the second drum 54. It becomes smaller as the angle approaches 90°. That is, as the angle of the second restricting piece 732 with respect to the tangential direction of the second drum 54 approaches 90°, the restricting portion 73 is less likely to come off the recess 541. In the present embodiment, the angle of the second restriction piece 732 with respect to the tangential direction of the second drum 54 is set so that the second restriction piece 732 has a function of restricting the rotation of the reel 5 in the direction in which the string body 4 is drawn out. The angle is set close to 90°.

Here, as shown in FIG. 8, in the stopper 7, in the restricting position, the fixing part 71 has the horizontal surface such that the end of the elastic part 72 on the restricting part 73 side is substantially parallel to the tangential direction of the second drum 54. Is inclined by a specified angle θA. The angle between the second restriction piece 732 and the end of the elastic portion 72 on the restriction portion 73 side is set to the second predetermined angle θ2. That is, in the stopper 7 of the present embodiment, the second restriction piece 732 is inclined at the restriction position by the second predetermined angle θ2 with respect to the tangential direction of the second drum 54. In this embodiment, the magnitude of the second predetermined angle θ2 is set to an angle larger than 90° and close to 90°.

In one specific example, the specified angle θA is 15° and the second predetermined angle θ2 is 110°. As a result, the second restricting piece 732 can suppress this rotation when the reel 5 is about to rotate in the second direction. That is, even when a load exceeding the restoring force of the winding spring 62 is applied to the case 1, the stopper 7 can support this load.

(2.4) Protective Structure As described above, in the present embodiment, the stopper 7 is provided with the second restricting piece 732, and even if the load applied to the case 1 exceeds the restoring force of the winding spring 62, The second restricting piece 732 can prevent the reel 5 from rotating in the direction in which the string body 4 is drawn out. In particular, if the width of the stopper 7 (width in the front-rear direction) is increased to increase the elastic force of the elastic portion 72, a larger load can be supported by the second restriction piece 732. However, at this time, a force due to the load applied to the case 1 is applied to the fixed part 71 and the holding part 8 via the second restriction piece 732. Therefore, the hanging-type outlet 10 of the present embodiment further includes a protective structure for supporting the force applied to the fixed portion 71 and the holding portion 8 via the second restriction piece 732. Hereinafter, this protection structure will be described with reference to FIGS. 8, 9A, 9B, and 10.

As described above, the stopper 7 is formed by punching and bending a metal plate. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a concave portion 714 is formed in a part of the outer peripheral edge of the fixing portion 71 (more specifically, the flat plate portion 711) made of a metal plate. Further, a protrusion 82 is provided inside the holding frame 81 in the body 11. The protrusion 82 has a shape corresponding to the recess 714 of the stopper 7, and is press-fitted into the recess 714. In the present embodiment, the protrusion 82 is a rib extending from the upper left to the lower right when viewed from the front. In this way, the protrusion 82 is fitted into the recess 714, so that the displacement of the restricting portion 73 around the fixed portion 71 in the front-rear direction can be suppressed.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the fixed portion 71 is provided with a contact piece 715. The contact piece 715 projects from the edge of the recess 714 in the thickness direction of the fixed portion 71 and contacts the protrusion 82 from one of the longitudinal directions of the stopper 7. Specifically, the contact piece 715 projects rightward and downward from the left edge of the recess 714 and contacts the left side surface of the protrusion 82. When the second restricting piece 732 receives a force in the second direction from the reel 5, the stopper 7 is pulled rightward by the reel 5, so that the protrusion 82 has a portion on the left edge of the recess 714 of the stopper 7. Therefore, the force in the upper right direction is applied. In the present embodiment, since the stopper 7 includes the contact piece 715, the force applied from the end edge portion of the recess 714 to the protrusion 82 can be dispersed by the contact piece 715. Further, in the present embodiment, the contact piece 715 is formed by bending the edge portion of the recess 714 in the stopper 7, and the boundary between the edge portion of the recess 714 and the contact piece 715 is formed in an R shape. ing. As a result, the possibility that the edge portion of the recess 714 bites into the protrusion 82 is lower than that when the boundary between the edge portion of the recess 714 and the contact piece 715 is not R-shaped.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 10, in the hanging type outlet 10 of the present embodiment, the tips of the first leg pieces 712 and the second leg pieces 713 are chamfered. In particular, the tip of the first leg piece 712 on the side closer to the restricting portion 73 is chamfered. Therefore, even if a force in the second direction is applied to the second restriction piece 732 from the reel 5 and the stopper 7 is pulled upward and rightward by the reel 5, the tips of the leg pieces 712 and 713 can bite into the holding frame 81. The sex is low. The tips of the leg pieces 712 and 713 may be formed in an R shape or a C shape.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the holding frame 81 has a first contact portion 831 and a second contact portion 832. The first contact portion 831 and the second contact portion 832 respectively face both ends of the flat plate portion 711 of the stopper 7 in the longitudinal direction of the stopper 7, and are in surface contact with the flat plate portion 711. As a result, the rotation of the fixed portion 71 in the plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction (the plane parallel to the paper surface of FIG. 8) is suppressed, and the inclination of the fixed portion 71 around the longitudinal direction of the stopper 7 is suppressed. To be done. Specifically, the first contact portion 831 is in surface contact with the right end portion of the upper surface of the flat plate portion 711, and the second contact portion 832 is in surface contact with the left end portion of the upper surface of the flat plate portion 711. In addition, in order to widen the contact area between the first contact portion 831 and the second contact portion 832 and the flat plate portion 711, the distance between the first contact portion 831 and the second contact portion 832 is set to the first leg. It is set smaller than the distance between the piece 712 and the second leg piece 713. In the present embodiment, the distance between the first contact portion 831 and the second contact portion 832 is set to about ½ of the distance between the first leg piece 712 and the second leg piece 713.

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, first to seventh reinforcing ribs 811 to 817 are provided on the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81. The first reinforcing rib 811 projects from the upper surface of the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81 in a direction (upper left direction) orthogonal to the upper surface. The second reinforcing rib 812 projects to the upper left from the left surface of the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81. The third reinforcing rib 813 projects rightward and upward from the right surface of the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81. The fourth reinforcing rib 814 projects leftward and downward from the left surface of the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81. The fifth reinforcing rib 815 projects rightward and downward from the right surface of the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81. The sixth and seventh reinforcing ribs 816 and 817 project from the lower surface of the outer peripheral portion of the holding frame 81 in a direction (lower right) orthogonal to the lower surface.

In particular, the holding frame 81 is provided with the fifth reinforcing rib 815 on the outer peripheral portion of the portion that comes into contact with the tip of the first leg piece 712. Further, the holding frame 81 is provided with a fourth reinforcing rib 814 on the outer peripheral portion of the portion that comes into contact with the tip of the second leg piece 713. As a result, even if the second restricting piece 732 receives a force in the second direction from the reel 5 and the stopper 7 is pulled upward and rightward by the reel 5, the fourth reinforcing rib 814 and the fifth reinforcing rib 815 hold the holding frame. The deformation of 81 is prevented.

Since the hanging-type outlet 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the above-mentioned protective structure, even when a force is applied to the second restricting piece 732 from the reel 5, it is possible to suppress the positional deviation of the fixing portion 71 and the like. it can. Further, since the hanging-type outlet 10 of the present embodiment is provided with the above-mentioned protective structure, the stopper 7 that receives the restoring force of the winding spring 62 can be more firmly held. Therefore, it is possible to increase the plate thickness of the winding spring 62 and increase the restoring force of the winding spring 62, and it is possible to further suppress unintended lowering of the case.

(3) Advantages As described above, the hanging type outlet 10 according to the present embodiment includes the case 1, the outlet body 2, and the cable 3. The case 1 is suspended by the suspension structure 9. The outlet main body 2 has a connection surface 23 in which an insertion hole 231 for inserting a blade is formed. At least a part of the outlet main body 2 is housed in the case 1 so that the connection surface 23 is exposed from the opening 103 formed in the case 1. The cable 3 has a curl portion 33, a first connection end 31, and a second connection end 32. The curl portion 33 is formed in a coil shape having a straight line along the vertical direction as the central axis Z1. The first connection end 31 is connected to the upper end portion 332 of the curl portion 33 and is electrically connected to the power supply. The second connection end 32 is connected to the lower end 331 of the curl portion 33 and is electrically connected to the outlet main body 2. The cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 through the introduction port 101 formed at the upper end of the case 1, and the second connection end 32 is connected to the outlet main body 2 in the case 1. The case 1 has a curl storage space 131 which is connected to the external space of the case 1 through the inlet 101 and stores the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33.

According to this configuration, the cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 through the introduction port 101 formed at the upper end of the case 1, and the lower end 331 of the curl portion 33 of the cable 3 is stored in the curl inside the case 1. It is stored in the space 131. Therefore, even if tension is applied from the cable 3 to the case 1, the direction in which the tension is applied is along the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33, and the inclination of the case 1 with respect to the vertical direction can be suppressed. Moreover, since the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 is housed in the case 1, it is difficult for the curl portion 33 and the case 1 to interfere with each other, and the curl portion 33 and the case 1 interfere with each other in the vertical direction. The inclination of case 1 can also be suppressed. As a result, it is possible to provide the hanging type outlet 10 that can suppress the inclination of the case 1 with respect to the vertical direction.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the introduction port 101 is formed on the introduction path P1 that connects the curl storage space 131 and the external space of the case 1, and the introduction path P1 is in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. It is preferable that the curl portion 33 has a shape that turns around the central axis Z1. According to this configuration, the cable 3 is introduced into the case 1 from the introduction port 101 along the introduction path P1 that swivels around the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33 in the plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. Become. Therefore, at the inlet 101, the shape (spiral shape) of the curl portion 33 is unlikely to collapse, and the load applied from the cable 3 to the case 1 can be suppressed to be small. However, this configuration is not essential for the hanging-type outlet 10, and the introduction path P1 may be appropriately omitted.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the case 1 further includes the clamp portion 106 that holds the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 by sandwiching a part of the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 in the curl storage space 131. Is preferred. According to this configuration, since the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 is held in the curl storage space 131, the clamp portion 106 functions as a retainer for the cable 3 from the case 1. Moreover, since the lower end 331 of the curl portion 33 is held, even if tension is applied from the cable 3 to the case 1, the movement of the lower end portion 331 of the curl portion 33 within the case 1 is suppressed. However, this configuration is not essential for the hanging-type outlet 10, and the clamp portion 106 may be omitted as appropriate.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the portion of the curl portion 33 located outside the case 1 expands and contracts along the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33 according to the distance between the case 1 and the hanging structure 9. It is preferably configured to be possible. According to this configuration, the curl portion 33 expands and contracts to prevent the cable 3 from slackening when the distance between the case 1 and the hanging structure 9 changes. However, this configuration is not essential for the hanging type outlet 10, and the curl portion 33 does not have to expand and contract.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the case 1 preferably further includes an outlet storage space 132 in which the outlet main body 2 is stored, and a relay space 133 located between the curl storage space 131 and the outlet storage space 132. .. In this case, the relay space 133 preferably has an inlet 135 connected to the curl storage space 131 and an outlet 136 connected to the outlet storage space 132. In this case, the inlet 135 of the relay space 133 is configured to pass the cable 3 along a direction intersecting the vertical direction, and the outlet 136 of the relay space 133 is configured to pass the cable 3 along the vertical direction. Preferably. According to this configuration, the extension direction of the cable 3 is changed between the inlet 135 and the outlet 136 in the relay space 133, so that the cable 3 is relatively firmly retained in the case 1. However, this configuration is not essential for the hanging-type outlet 10, and the relay space 133 may be omitted as appropriate.

Further, in this case, as in the present embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the cable 3 is flat, and the thickness direction of the cable 3 at the inlet 135 of the relay space 133 and the thickness of the cable 3 at the outlet 136 of the relay space 133. The direction preferably intersects with each other. According to this configuration, the cable 3 is held in a twisted state between the inlet 135 and the outlet 136 in the relay space 133, so that the cable 3 is more firmly retained in the case 1. .. However, this configuration is not an essential configuration for the hanging-type outlet 10, and the cross-sectional shape of the cable 3 may not be flat.

Further, as in the present embodiment, the hanging type outlet 10 is pulled out from the case 1 through the string hole 102 formed on the upper surface of the case 1 and is fixed to the hanging structure 9 outside the case 1. 4 and the reel 5 are preferably further provided. The reel 5 is housed in the case 1 and winds the cord body 4. The cord body 4 is preferably located outside the case 1 on the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33. According to this configuration, since the cord body 4 that holds the case 1 in a state where the case 1 is suspended from the suspension structure 9 is located on the central axis Z1 of the curl portion 33, the case 1 with respect to the vertical direction. Is further suppressed. However, this configuration is not essential for the hanging-type outlet 10, and the cord body 4 and the reel 5 may be omitted as appropriate.

(4) Modifications The hanging-type outlet 10 according to the above-described embodiment is merely an example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment. Various modifications can be made according to the design and the like as long as they do not deviate from the technical idea of the invention. The modifications of the above embodiment are listed below.

The hanging-type outlet 10 is not limited to an indoor outlet, but may be an outdoor outlet (Outlet) used outside the building. Further, the hanging-type outlet 10 has, for example, not only an outlet but also a switch for turning on/off energization, a human sensor, a timer, an energization state display function, an overcurrent interruption function, and the like. May be. Furthermore, the outlet main body 2 of the hanging type outlet 10 does not have to have a lock mechanism for preventing the plug from coming off. Further, the outlet main body 2 is not limited to having a ground electrode, but may have no ground electrode, and may be, for example, an AC 200V or DC outlet. The outlet main body 2 is not limited to a two-port type outlet and may be, for example, a one-port type or a three-port type outlet. The outlet main body 2 is not limited to an A type outlet, and may be an outlet capable of connecting a plug having a pin-shaped blade such as B type and C type.

The suspended structure 9 on which the suspended outlet 10 is suspended is not limited to the ceiling of the building, and may be, for example, a structure such as a beam of the building, or a wiring duct or the like fixed to the ceiling. It may be a structure.

The cable 3 is not limited to a flat type cable such as a vinyl parallel cord (VFF), but may be, for example, a round type cable or a plurality of core wires (a pair of power supply wires and a ground wire). It does not need to be integrated by one insulating coating. Further, the cable 3 may be a single wire whose core is made of one conductor.

Further, the outlet 136 of the relay space 133 only needs to be configured to pass the cable 3 along the vertical direction, and the direction in which the cable 3 passes through the outlet 136 may be slightly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. .. Therefore, the facing direction of the pair of outlet bosses 115 may not be parallel to the left-right direction. Further, the inlet 135 of the relay space 133 may be configured to pass the cable 3 along a direction intersecting with the vertical direction. For example, the facing direction of the pair of inlet bosses 114 is parallel to the vertical direction. It may be.

1 Case 2 Outlet Main Body 3 Cable 4 String 5 Reel 9 Suspended Structure 10 Suspended Type Outlet 23 Connection Surface 31 First Connection End 32 Second Connection End 33 Curl Part 101 Inlet 102 102 String Hole 103 Opening 106 Clamp Part 131 curl storage space 132 outlet storage space 133 relay space 135 inlet (of relay space) 136 outlet (of relay space) 231 insertion hole 331 lower end portion (curl portion) P1 introduction path Z1 central axis

Claims (7)

A case that can be hung from the hanging structure,
An outlet main body having a connection surface in which an insertion hole for inserting a blade is formed, and at least a part of which is stored in the case so as to expose the connection surface from an opening formed in the case; ,
A curl portion formed in a coil shape having a straight line along the vertical direction as a central axis, a first connection end connected to an upper end portion of the curl portion and electrically connected to a power source, and a lower end portion of the curl portion. And a cable having a second connection end electrically connected to the outlet main body,
The cable is introduced into the case from an introduction port formed in an upper end portion of the case, and the second connection end is connected to the outlet main body in the case,
The hanging type outlet characterized in that the case has a curl storage space that is connected to the external space of the case at the introduction port and stores the lower end portion in which the coiled shape of the curl portion is maintained. .. The introduction port is formed on an introduction path that connects the curl storage space and the external space of the case,
The hanging outlet according to claim 1, wherein the introduction path has a shape that turns around the central axis of the curl portion in a plane orthogonal to the vertical direction. The case further includes a clamp portion that holds the lower end portion of the curl portion by sandwiching a part of the lower end portion of the curl portion in the curl storage space. Suspended outlet described. A portion of the curl portion located outside the case is configured to be expandable and contractable along the central axis of the curl portion according to the distance between the case and the hanging structure. The hanging type outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The case further has an outlet storage space in which the outlet main body is stored, and a relay space located between the curl storage space and the outlet storage space,
The relay space has an inlet connected to the curl storage space and an outlet connected to the outlet storage space,
The inlet of the relay space is configured to pass the cable along a direction intersecting the vertical direction,
The suspension outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the outlet of the relay space is configured to pass the cable along the vertical direction. The cross-sectional shape of the cable is a flat shape,
The hanging outlet according to claim 5, wherein a thickness direction of the cable at the inlet of the relay space and a thickness direction of the cable at the outlet of the relay space intersect with each other. A string body that is pulled out from the case through a string hole formed on the upper surface of the case and is fixed to the suspension structure outside the case,
Further comprising a reel that is housed in the case and that winds up the cord body,
The hanging-type outlet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cord body is located on the central axis of the curl portion outside the case.

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