JP6910753B2 - Outlet - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an outlet technique.

For example, in a rainproof type outlet installed outdoors, the surface having the power plug insertion port is formed downward for waterproofing. Therefore, in many cases, a retaining mechanism (lock mechanism) is adopted to prevent the inserted power plug from being accidentally dropped. An outlet having such a retaining structure has a different shape of the insertion port of the outlet blade as compared with a general outlet. Specifically, for example, after inserting the power plug into the outlet, the power plug is formed into a shape that can be twisted (rotated by a predetermined amount) at the power plug insertion / removal position. Then, there is a method in which the power plug is twisted and the power plug is moved to the retaining position (lock position) while sliding the plug blade and the blade holder.

However, due to the structure of the outlet as described above, the number of guaranteed plug insertion / removal is small (JISC8303 specifies 100 times). Therefore, such an outlet is not suitable for charging a senior car for daily use, for example, in which the number of times the power plug is inserted and removed tends to be large. In addition, when the surface on which the power plug insertion port is formed is facing downward and the shape is different from the general insertion port shape, the power plug insertion position cannot be determined and the plug cannot be easily inserted. There is. In addition, the blade holder may be destroyed because the power plug is twisted and locked.

For example, in the outlet with a cover disclosed in Patent Document 1, the insertion port of the plug is covered with a cover when the power plug is not connected and not in use, but the cover is covered when the power plug is inserted during charging or the like. It is opened and the insertion slot is opened. Further, a stopper is formed on the inner surface of the cover, and the power plug is locked in the pulling direction at the open position of the cover. As a result, it is possible to provide a reliable waterproof function and lock the power plug easily and securely.

Further, the outlet with a cover disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a cover provided so as to be slidable with respect to the main body between a closed position covering the power plug insertion port and an open position opening the insertion port. .. As a result, it is possible to have a reliable waterproof function.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-94326 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-84373

However, in the outlet with a cover disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to form an engaging portion on the outer peripheral surface of the power plug in accordance with the shape of the stopper on the inner surface of the cover in order to lock the power plug. be. Therefore, it becomes possible to support only various devices equipped with a dedicated power plug, and there remains a problem that the convenience of the user is impaired. In addition, the contact pressure between the plug blade and the outlet blade holder decreases and the contact resistance increases, which may cause overheating of the contacts and impair safety.

A main object of the present invention is to provide an outlet that can be safely used by a user while significantly relaxing the types of power plugs that can be used.

The outlet of the present invention is an outlet having an insertion port that opens downward and into which a plug blade of a power plug of various devices is inserted, and is inserted into a housing in which the insertion port is formed and an internal space of the housing. A blade terminal that is deployed and contacts and conducts with the plug blade inserted into the insertion port, a lock mechanism that presses the blade terminal to prevent the plug blade inserted into the insertion port from falling off, and the lock mechanism. It has a switching means for starting power supply to the power plug via the blade receiving terminal when the state is changed to the locked state, and the switching means switches the locking mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state. It is characterized in that the power supply to the power plug is stopped in a state where the plug blade of the power plug is inserted into the insertion port in conjunction with the above.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an outlet that can be safely used by a user while significantly reducing the types of power plugs that can be used.

(A) and (b) are diagrams showing an example of the appearance of the rainproof outlet according to the present embodiment. The figure for demonstrating each configuration deployed in the internal space of an inner housing. The figure for demonstrating the positional relationship between the insertion port of a plug blade and a blade receiving door. The figure which shows an example of the state which the blade receiving pressing part presses the outer surface of the blade receiving terminal. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining each configuration arranged in the internal space of the inner housing, which is different from FIG. The figure which shows an example of the state which the operation lever is in a lock position, and the power supply to a power plug is started.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the present embodiment, for example, a rainproof type outlet installed outdoors will be taken as an example.

[Example of Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a rainproof outlet according to the present embodiment.
The rainproof outlet 10 shown in FIG. 1A has a cover (outer housing) 101 having an opening on the lower surface side thereof, an inner housing 102 having a surface on which a power plug insertion port 200 is arranged, and swingable. It is configured to include an operating lever 103 formed in. Further, as shown in FIG. 1A, the surface of the inner housing 102 on which the power plug insertion port 200 is arranged is on the inner side (internal space side) with respect to the opening of the outer housing 101. Be placed. Further, the insertion port 200 of the power plug is formed with an insertion port into which the plug blade (hereinafter referred to as a plug blade) of the plug is inserted. In this way, when it is installed outdoors, it is possible to prevent rain or the like from entering through the insertion port.

Further, a hole is formed on the surface on which the power plug insertion port 200 is deployed, and a part (operation portion) of the operation lever 103 protrudes from this hole. That is, the rainproof outlet 10 has an operation portion on the insertion port side, and includes an operation lever 103 that is configured to be swingable. In this way, the operation lever 103 is configured to be operable.

Further, FIG. 1B is a diagram for explaining how the rainproof outlet 10 is installed on an outdoor wall, for example. FIG. 1B shows a state in which the power plug is inserted into the rainproof outlet 10 installed on the wall surface. As shown in FIG. 1B, the rainproof outlet 10 is arranged so that the power plug insertion port 200 faces downward for waterproofing.

Further, the operation lever 103 is configured to swing around the support shaft 103a in the direction of the arrow. The operation lever 103 can lock the power plug in conjunction with the movement in the arrow A direction (locking direction), and can release the locked state in conjunction with the movement in the arrow B direction (unlocking direction), for example. It is composed of. That is, the power plug can be switched between the locked state and the unlocked state.
Further, the power supply to the inserted power plug can be started or stopped in conjunction with locking or releasing the power plug via the operation lever 103. The details of the lock mechanism including these will be described later.
The outer housing 101 and the inner housing 102 can also be integrally formed.

2, FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are diagrams for explaining a locking operation for locking the power plug inserted into the rainproof outlet 10 in order to prevent it from falling off unintentionally, or an operation for releasing the locking operation. The power plug is locked or released in conjunction with the movement of the lever 103.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining each configuration arranged in the internal space of the inner housing 102.
The insertion port 200 to which the rainproof outlet 10 is provided is provided with a blade receiving terminal 201 formed in a substantially U shape, a blade receiving door (shutter) 202, and the like. The blade receiving terminal 201 is a terminal that sandwiches and conducts contact with a plug blade that has entered from one end side of the opening. The blade receiving terminal 201 starts or stops supplying power from the power source according to ON or OFF of the changeover switch 300 described later.

The shutter 202 is a member that is covered with the insertion port of the plug blade and is rotatably configured (see a partially enlarged view in FIG. 2). When the power plug is not connected (the plug blade is inserted) to the rainproof outlet 10, the shutter 202 covers the insertion port of the insertion port 200 to prevent dust and the like from entering. Further, when the power plug is inserted, the shutter 202 rotates according to the intrusion of the plug blade. In this way, the insertion port of the insertion port 200 is configured to be opened.

When the power plug is not connected to the rainproof outlet 10 and the operation lever 103 is in the position where the power plug is locked (lock position: A position), the movement of the shutter 202 is restricted and the plug blade is used. Can also be configured so that is not inserted (see FIG. 3). In this way, the safety of the rainproof outlet 10 can be further enhanced.

Further, the operation lever 103 is formed with a blade receiving pressing portion 103b (first pressing portion) that presses the outer surface of the blade receiving terminal 201. The blade receiving pressing portion 103b is formed in a shape such that pressure is applied to or released from the blade receiving terminal 201 according to the movement of the operating lever 103. For example, the portion of the blade receiving pressing portion 103b in contact with the outer surface of the blade receiving terminal 201 is formed as an inclined surface. The blade receiving pressing portion 103b applies a predetermined pressure to the receiving blade terminal 201 in a state where the plug blade is sandwiched from the outside to prevent the plug blade from falling off and lock the power plug. The direction in which the pressure is applied can be configured to be applied not only from the outer side (outer surface side) of the blade receiving terminal 201 but also from the inner side surface side thereof.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the blade receiving pressing portion 103b presses the outer surface of the blade receiving terminal 201. When the operating lever 103 is in the locked position, as shown in the partially enlarged view in FIG. 4, pressure is applied to the receiving blade terminal 201 in the state where the plug blade is sandwiched from the outer surface side thereof. In this way, it is possible to prevent the power plug connected to the rainproof outlet 10 from being unintentionally dropped.

5, FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are diagrams for explaining the start or stop of power supply to the power plug inserted into the rainproof outlet 10. The start or stop of power supply is executed in conjunction with the operation of the lever 103 (locking operation, unlocking operation).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining each configuration arranged in the internal space of the inner housing 102.
As shown in FIG. 5, the rainproof outlet 10 is provided with a changeover switch 300 that turns on or off the power supply from the main power supply (not shown) in conjunction with the movement of the operation lever 103. The changeover switch 300 includes an arm 301 configured to be swingable and a protrusion 302 configured to be pushable by the arm 301. The changeover switch 300 is turned on by pressing the protrusion 302 via the arm 301. In this way, the changeover switch 300 functions as a changeover means for switching the start or stop of the power supply from the main power supply.

Further, the operation lever 103 is formed with an arm pressing portion 103c (second pressing portion) for pressing the protrusion 302 via the arm 301 (see the partially enlarged view in FIG. 5).
In FIG. 5, the operation lever 103 is in the unlocked position (for example, the position B shown in FIG. 1B), the protrusion 302 is not pressed, and the power supply to the power plug is stopped. An example is shown.

The arm pressing portion 103c is formed, for example, in a substantially triangular prism shape so as to project from one side end surface of the operating lever 103. As shown in FIG. 5, when the operation lever 103 is in the unlocked position, the arm pressing portion 103c is in contact with the arm 301 in a state where the arm 301 does not press the protrusion 302.
As described above, for example, the shapes of the first and second pressing portions are formed so as to start pressing at the same time or release the pressing at the same time according to the operation of the operating lever 103.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a state in which the operation lever 103 is in the locked position and power supply to the plug is started.
The changeover switch 300 is turned on by pressing the protrusion 302 via the arm 301. As a result, the electric power from the main power source is supplied to the plug blade via the blade receiving terminal 201. That is, power supply is started when the power plug transitions to the locked state. Further, since pressure is applied to the blade receiving terminal 201, it is possible to prevent an increase in contact resistance caused by a decrease in the contact pressure between the plug blade and the blade receiving terminal 201, and to prevent an accident due to overheating of the contacts or the like. Can be prevented.

In this way, in the rainproof outlet 10 according to the present embodiment, the blade receiving terminal 201 is pressed to lock the power plug, and when the locked state is entered, power supply to the power plug is started.
As a result, compared to an outlet having a structure in which the power plug is rotated and locked, the rainproof outlet 10 is provided with a lock mechanism, but the types of power plugs that can be used are greatly relaxed, and the power plug can be inserted and removed. It is possible to improve the durability against the load of. Further, since the shape of the insertion port is a general shape of the outlet port, the user can use it without impairing convenience. Further, since the power supply is not started unless the power plug is locked, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of electric shock due to erroneous contact when the power plug is inserted or removed.

In the above description, the case where the power plug is locked, unlocked, the power supply is started, or the power supply is stopped via the operation lever 103 has been described as an example. Instead of the operation lever 103, a button (push button) having the same function can be used to configure the rainproof outlet 10.

Further, for example, the width of the operating portion of the operating lever 103 protruding from the surface on which the power plug insertion port 200 is deployed can be increased to provide an "eaves" for rain protection.

The embodiments described above are for more specific description of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to these examples.

10 ... Rainproof outlet, 101 ... Outer housing, 102 ... Inner housing, 103 ... Operation lever, 103a ... Support shaft, 103b ... Blade receiving pressing part, 103c ... -Arm pressing part, 200 ... insertion port, 201 ... blade receiving terminal, 202 ... blade receiving door, 300 ... changeover switch, 301 ... arm, 302 ... protrusion.

Claims (5)

An outlet that opens downward and has an insertion slot into which the blade of the power plug of various devices is inserted.
The housing in which the insertion port is formed and
A blade receiving terminal that is arranged in the internal space of the housing and that contacts and conducts with the plug blade inserted into the insertion port,
A lock mechanism that presses the blade receiving terminal to prevent the plug blade inserted into the insertion slot from falling off.
It has a switching means for starting power supply to the power plug via the blade receiving terminal when the lock mechanism transitions to the locked state.
The switching means is characterized in that the power supply to the power plug is stopped in a state where the plug blade of the power plug is inserted into the insertion port in conjunction with the switching of the lock mechanism from the locked state to the unlocked state. To
Outlet. The blade receiving terminal is formed in a substantially U-shape, and is formed so that the plug blade invades from one end side of the opening, sandwiches the plug blade, and conducts contact with each other.
The locking mechanism is characterized in that it presses the receiving blade terminal sandwiching the plug blade to prevent the plug blade from falling off.
The outlet according to claim 1. Further having a blade receiving door which is covered with the insertion port and is rotatably configured so that the plug blade of the power plug is pushed by the plug blade at the time of insertion to open the insertion port.
When the blade of the power plug is not inserted and the lock mechanism is locked, the blade receiving door is restricted from rotating and the insertion port does not open. Characterized by being regulated,
The outlet according to claim 1 or 2. The lock mechanism has an operation portion on the insertion port side, and includes an operation lever configured to be swingable.
The switching means is formed with a protrusion that starts supplying power to the power plug via the blade receiving terminal when pressed.
The operating lever projects toward the receiving blade terminal side, and when the locking mechanism is in the locked state, moves to the side surface of the receiving blade terminal and presses the receiving blade terminal to prevent the plug blade from falling off. At the same time, the first pressing portion that separates from the side surface of the blade receiving terminal when the lock mechanism is in the unlocked state, and the switching means that protrudes from the surface of the operating lever and the lock mechanism is in the locked state. It is characterized in that it is formed including a second pressing portion that presses the protruding portion of the above and releases the pressing of the protruding portion when the locking mechanism is in the unlocked state.
The outlet according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The first and second pressing portions are formed in a shape such that they start pressing at the same time or release the pressing at the same time according to the operation of the operating lever.
The outlet according to claim 4.

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