JPH06132048A - Electric socket - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a safety electric socket. CONSTITUTION: In an electric socket 1, a shutter 20 forms a first latch means, and is latched in a closing position which covers openings 15, 16 in the front wall 2 of a socket with a hook 21 or a fixed stopping member 22, and first latch is made movable by an earth pin (or a projection) 4. Unlatching of the first latch is conducted by the insertion of the earth pin or the pin projection, and insertion operates a live pin 5 on a shutter so as to separate the shutter from the opening. Preferably, second latch operable with the live pin 5 and a neutral pin 6, or an arm edge 29 or a latching groove 31 is arranged, and the shutter is fixed to the closing position.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to at least two socket contacts that connect to two or more pin contacts of a plug, and plug pin openings in the front wall of the socket to cover the two contacts when the plug is absent. And an electric socket having a shutter for closing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A socket is provided in which a shutter closes a live opening and a neutral opening in the socket, the shutter being movable to an open position by a portion having a sloping surface extending toward a ground opening. It is known to do. A ground pin on the insert acts on the ramp to force the shutter away from the aperture. A spring closes the shutter when the plug is removed.

[0003]

These shutters are simple and simply insert the probe into the ground hole.

The object of the present invention is to produce a safe and stable socket.

[0005]

Accordingly, an electrical socket according to the present invention covers at least two socket contacts that connect to two or more pin contacts of a plug and two contacts when the plug is absent. A shutter for closing a plug pin opening in the front wall of the socket for closing the shutter in the closed position by a plug ground pin or at least a first latch operable by a projection from a pin other than the live and neutral pins of the plug. In the latched electrical socket, a first latch is formed as at least one latching member extending from the shutter, the shutter being longitudinally between the live pin and the neutral pin to release the latching member from the stop member. There characterized in that it is pushed to one side by the earth pin or protrusion.

Preferably, the shutter is formed with at least one longitudinally beveled portion closing the live opening and the neutral opening, a latching member extending from the one or more longitudinal portions, and the shutter being closed by a spring. It is pressed against the part that has been pressed. In order to always stabilize the shutter safely, a second latch can be provided on the longitudinal part itself, which second latch can be moved in the direction from the earth pin towards the live pin and the neutral pin. Simultaneous pressing with live and neutral pins is required to release the latch before.

[0007]

The first latch is formed as at least one latching member extending from the shutter, the shutter longitudinally extending a grounding pin or projection to release the latching member from the stop member between the live pin and the neutral pin. Being pushed to one side by. This provides a safe and stable electrical socket.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a plan view of a part of the socket according to the invention, showing the openings in the front wall of the socket according to the first embodiment of the invention. 2 is a sectional view of the socket shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line BB of FIG. FIG. 3A is a sectional view of the socket shown in FIG. 1 as seen from CC in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B shows a second embodiment similar to the shutter shown in FIG. 3A. 4 to 6 are plan views showing the movement of the shutter shown in FIG. 1. In the first position shown in FIG. 4, one or more plugs are not inserted, and the first position shown in FIG. At the position 2, the ground pin of the third pin plug is inserted, and at the third position shown in FIG. 6, all the plug pins are inserted. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the shutter of the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a plan view of the shutter shown in FIG. 7, which is similar to FIG. 9 to 11 are plan views of the shutter illustrated in FIG. 8, and correspond to the movements of the shutter shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, respectively.

1 to 3, a socket 1 is shown with a front wall 2 and in FIG. 3 a British standard pin plug 3 is shown half in the socket 1. The circuit arrangement is specifically designed for a British standard pin plug having a ground pin 4, a live pin 5 and a neutral pin 6, but the ground pin is a suitable projection protruding from the plug provided only with the live pin and the neutral pin. Note that can be replaced with Although a plurality of rectangular pins are shown, they may be equivalent to round pins or have any other suitable shape.

The front wall 2 has plug pin openings 14, 15 for the ground pin 4, the live pin 5 and the neutral pin 6, respectively. Socket contacts for these pins are not shown.

The front wall 2 in the socket described below is a shutter 20, which is latched (hooked) in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 by a first latch. The first latch comprises a hook 21 and a pair of opposing latching members formed as a fixed stop 22. Each of the hooks 21 facing each other has a portion 2 inclined in the longitudinal direction.
5, formed as the end of an elastic flat web 23, the longitudinally sloping portion 25 lies underneath when the shutter is closed, closing the openings 15 and 16. The longitudinal portion or latching surface 25 is formed on a longitudinally extending arm 27, which is usually slightly inclined upwards to a latching edge 29. Latching edge 29 hooks into a latching groove 31 formed in the inner surface of front wall 2 near openings 15 and 16 to form a second latch.

The hook 21 is provided with an upper chamfer 19 and a vertical chamfer edge 18.

Extending from the lower longitudinally extending web 32 connecting the longitudinally extending arm 27 is a protrusion 33, to which a coiled compression spring 34 acts (acts). ) Do. The coiled compression spring 34 acts (operates) to push the shutter to the closed position shown in FIG. Each of the longitudinally extending arms 27, if desired, has a depressed annular region 50 which, if two pin standard plugs were inserted into openings 15 and 16, is provided.
Even if the object is inserted into the plug pin opening 14 and the first latch is released, it still catches those pins,
Prevents the shutter from moving away from the openings 15 and 16.

When the pin plug 3 is inserted into the socket 1, the ground pin 4 first acts on the upper chamfer edge 19 to force the hook 21 away. These clear the fixed stop member 22 as shown in FIG. Therefore, the shorter live pin 5 and the shorter neutral pin 6 act on the portion 25 of the shutter arm 27 that is inclined in the longitudinal direction.
Push the arm and arm edge 29 downwards to the position of the dashed line shown at 40 in FIG. The edge 29 is then unhooked, clearing the latching groove 31. Live pin 5
And further insertion of the neutral pin 6 moves the shutter 20 out of the aperture 14, apertures 15 and 16 when the plug is fully inserted into the shutter, assuming its original shape shown as a dashed line in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, insert the pins into the plug pin openings 14, 15 and 16
It is possible to be fully inserted into. This is shown in FIG.
Is enabled by the sloping interior surface 36 of the front wall 2 shown in FIG.

When the plug is removed, the shutter 20 is driven to its original position by the compression spring 34 wound in a coil shape. Arm or wing 27 and hook 2
1 is released from the latch to lock the shutter in its closed position.

The fixed stop member 22 has a recess 35 for receiving the hook 21 in the position shown in FIG. 6 so that the openings 15 and 16 in the front wall 2 of the socket are released from the shuttered state. These recesses 35 prevent the latching member, that is, the hook, from returning to the longitudinal direction between the openings 15 and 16 in the state shown in FIG. 4 before the hook is released from the fixed stop member 22. to approve.

The central web 32 extending from the arm 27 and beside which the arm is attached to the shutter is elastic so that the arm is in the front wall 2 in the latching groove 31.
Elastically pressed upward toward the outer surface of the.

FIG. 3B shows a second embodiment, which is a configuration obtained by slightly modifying the shutter of FIG. 3A. In this drawing, the compression spring 34 'has a hook 2
It engages a recess 35 formed between the 1'web 23 'and the central web 327. This enables the shutter structure to be further downsized (compact).

Note that it is possible to provide only one hook 21 or 21 ', although this is less than a pair of hooks.

FIGS. 7 to 8 show a third embodiment, in which the shutter 120 operates so that FIG.
The openings 115 and 116 are opened in the direction opposite to the direction in the first embodiment shown in FIG. In this configuration, there are certain benefits described below.

The shutter 120 is formed with an arm 127 similar to the arm 27 of the first embodiment, except that their longitudinal beveled portions 125 are spaced apart facing the ground pin. The latching member 121, which acts (operates) similarly to the member 21 of the first embodiment, is moved to the outside in the longitudinal direction by the ground pin 104 in the initial insertion position of the plug. This allows the stop member 122 to clear multiple members (see FIG. 10). Further depression of the plug exerts live pin 105 and neutral pin 106 on ramp 125. Arm 127 is then pushed down to
The arm is released against the elastic central web 132 from a groove (not shown) equivalent to the example latching groove 31.
The interaction of the live pin 105 and the neutral pin 106 with the longitudinal beveled portion 125 moves the shutter in the direction X relative to the spring 134 towards the ground pin. The spring 134 is between the two latching members 121 and the fixed stop member 151 and the shutter end wall 1 formed as part of the plug injection molding.
And 52. The shutter with the latching member 121 unlatched from the stop member 122 moves in the position shown in FIG. Here, the members return by their elasticity to their central position with the chamfered end position 119 located in the recess 135 in the stop member 122.

The third embodiment also has a depressed annular region 150 which is similar in shape and purpose to those of the first embodiment shown as 50. In the third embodiment, the spring 13
Since 4 is arranged between the three pin openings 114-116, it has the advantage over the first embodiment that the construction is more compact.

The three embodiments have advantages over previously known structures in that wear with the ground pin above the shutter does not affect the unshuttered. In addition, the side of the ground pin (flank)
Is not latched, and since this does not result in movement of the shutter with respect to the shutter spring, there is only a small amount of friction at the time of initial plug insertion. To move the shutter, it is necessary to insert three pins at the same time. In the absence of a ground pin or similar protrusion, the shutter remains latched by member 21 or 121. If the live pin or neutral pin is lost, the arm 27 or 127 will remain latched. If two pin plugs of the so-called Continental European standard are inserted and the latching member 21 or 121 is applied with some force to release the latch, the depressed region 50 or 150 inhibits the movement of the longitudinal shutter. To do. The structure of the shutter and its latching member as a single unit keeps cost to a minimum. All that is required for the construction of the shutter is a shutter having a spring and a latching member. For example, the fixed stop member 2
Some remaining parts such as 2 or 122 are molded as part of the socket assembly. For this reason,
In addition, the assembling work of the socket during the manufacturing period is simple and cost effective. Further, the manufacturing latitude in the illustrated structure is not as critical as it was in the previous shuttering arrangement.

The present invention, as described above, includes at least two socket contacts that connect to two or more pin contacts of the plug, and the front wall of the socket to cover the two contacts when the plug is absent. And a shutter closing the plug pin opening in the electrical socket, the shutter being latched in the closed position by at least a first latch operable by a projection from a plug ground pin or a pin other than the live and neutral pins of the plug. In the first
Of latches are formed as at least one latching member extending from the shutter, the shutter longitudinally extending on one side by the grounding pin or protrusion to release the latching member from the stop member between the live pin and the neutral pin. It is characterized by being pushed to. Also, the initial insertion of the ground pin to release the one or more latching members from the stop member includes the center of the plug perpendicular to the line between the centers of the openings in the front wall of the socket for live pin contacts and neutral pin contacts. Do not move the shutter in the direction parallel to the line. Further, the shutter is formed with at least one longitudinally sloping portion for closing the live and neutral openings in the front wall, the one or more latching members extending from the one or more longitudinal portions, The shutter is forced to a certain position by spring means.

In the present invention, one or more longitudinal portions are formed in the closed portion on an arm latched by a second latch, which second latch comprises a live pin and a plug. It can be operated by a neutral pin. In the present invention, the second latch includes an edge on the arm and a groove in the socket with the edge engaging in the closed position. In the present invention, the arms extend longitudinally from the elastic central web portion. In the present invention,
The arm is attached to the shutter and is elastically pushed upward toward the outer surface of the front wall.

In the present invention, the stop member has one or two recesses for receiving one or more latching members in place and the opening in the front wall of the socket is not shuttered, Prior to being released, the latching member or members are returned substantially longitudinally to the envisioned situation. In the present invention, an edged arm is pressed downward by insertion of a live pin and a neutral pin so as to disengage from the groove, thereby causing the shutter to back from the opening in the front wall of the socket for the ground pin or protrusion. And a stop member between the live pin and the neutral pin and the opening for the ground pin or protrusion.

In the present invention, the arms along with their edges are pushed downward by the insertion of the live and neutral pins so that they disengage from the groove so that the shutter causes the front face of the socket for the ground pin or protrusion. Moved forward towards the opening in the wall,
A stop member is disposed at a position proximate the side of the opening for the ground pin or protrusion opposite the side closest to the opening for the live and neutral pins. In the present invention, the spring means is a coiled compression spring disposed between the two latching members and the portion of the socket near the opening for the ground pin or protrusion.

Further, in the present invention, FIGS.
An electrical socket substantially the same as that described in connection with 6 is provided. Further in the present invention there is provided an electrical socket substantially the same as described in connection with Figures 7-11 of the accompanying drawings. Further in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electrical socket substantially the same as described in connection with FIG. 3 (B) of the accompanying drawings.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, a safe and stable electric socket is provided. According to the invention,
An electrical socket is provided that is easy to assemble and is low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a portion of a socket according to the invention showing the openings in the front wall of the socket according to the first embodiment of the invention.

2 is a cross-sectional view of the socket shown in FIG. 1 taken along the line BB as seen from A in FIG.

3A is a sectional view of the socket shown in FIG. 1 as seen from CC in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3B shows a second embodiment similar to the shutter shown in FIG.

4 is a plan view showing a first movement mode of the shutter shown in FIG. 1, in which one or more plugs are not inserted in the first position shown in FIG. 4;

5 is a plan view showing a second movement mode of the shutter shown in FIG. 1, and a ground pin of a third pin plug is inserted at a second position shown in FIG.

6 is a plan view showing a second movement mode of the shutter shown in FIG. 1, and all the plug pins are inserted at the third position shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a shutter according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of the shutter shown in FIG. 7 similar to FIG.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the first form of the shutter illustrated in FIG. 8, corresponding to the movement of the shutter shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first form of the shutter illustrated in FIG. 8, corresponding to the movement of the shutter shown in FIG.

11 is a plan view of the first form of the shutter illustrated in FIG. 8 and corresponds to the movement of the shutter shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ・ ・ Socket 2 ・ ・ Front wall 3 ・ ・ (UK standard) Pin plug 4 ・ ・ Ground pin 5 ・ ・ Live pin (line) 6 ・ ・ Neutral pin 14 ・ ・ Plug pin opening 15, 16 ・ ・ Opening 18 ・ ・ Vertical direction Chamfering edge 19-Upper chamfering edge 20-Shutter 21-Hook 22-Fixing stop member 23-Flat elastic web 25-Sloping part in the longitudinal direction Latching surface 27-Arm wing extending in the longitudinal direction Shutter arm 29 ··· Latching edge Arm edge 31 · · Latching groove 32 · · Web extending in the longitudinal direction of the lower portion 33 · · Projection 34 · · Coiled compression spring 35 · · Recessed portion 36 · · Inclined Internal surface 50 which is pushed down ... Annular region that is pushed down 104 ... Ground pin 105 ... Live pin 106 ... Neutral 115, 116 ···· Aperture 119 ·· Chamfered end position 120 ··· Shutter 121 ··· Latching member 122 ··· Stopping member 125 · · Longitudinal inclined portion 127 · · Arm 132 · · Central web 134 · · · Spring 135 · Recessed portion 150 · · Depressed annular area

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 12, 1993

[Procedure Amendment 1]

[Document name to be corrected] Drawing

[Correction target item name] All drawings

[Correction method] Change

[Correction content]

[Fig. 2]

[Figure 4]

[Figure 1]

[Figure 3]

[Figure 5]

[Figure 6]

FIG. 11

[Figure 7]

[Figure 8]

[Figure 9]

[Figure 10]

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. At least two socket contacts connected to two or more pin contacts of a plug, and a shutter closing a plug pin opening in a front wall of the socket to cover the two contacts when the plug is absent. Wherein the shutter is latched in a closed position by at least a first latch operable by a projection from a plug ground pin or a pin other than a live pin and a neutral pin of the plug; Latch is formed as at least one latching member extending from the shutter, the shutter including the live pin and the neutral pin to release the latching member from a stop between the live pin and the neutral pin. An electric socket characterized in that it is pushed to one side by the ground pin or the protrusion in the longitudinal direction between the electric sockets. 2. Initial insertion of the ground pin to release the one or more latching members from the stop member includes centering the opening in the front wall of the socket for the live pin contacts and neutral pin contacts. The socket according to claim 1, wherein the shutter is not moved in a direction parallel to a center line of the plug orthogonal to a line between the two. 3. The shutter is formed with at least one longitudinally inclined portion for closing the live opening and the neutral opening in the front wall, wherein the one or more latching members are the one. 3. A socket as claimed in claim 1 or 2, extending from one or more longitudinal portions, wherein the shutter is forced into position by spring means. 4. The one or more longitudinal portions are formed in the closed portion on an arm latched by a second latch, the second latch being a live pin and neutral of the plug. The socket according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is operable by a pin. 5. The socket of claim 4, wherein the second latch comprises an edge on the arm and a groove in the socket with the edge engaged in the closed position. . 6. A socket according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said arm extends longitudinally from the elastic central web portion. 7. The socket according to claim 4, wherein the arm is attached to the shutter and elastically pushed upward toward an outer surface of the front wall. 8. The stop member is provided at a predetermined position with the first member.
Having one or more recesses for receiving one or more latching members, wherein the opening in the front wall of the socket is not shuttered and is substantially in the envisaged situation before being released from the stop member. The socket according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more latching members are returned in the longitudinal direction. 9. The edged arm is pressed downward by insertion of the live pin and neutral pin to disengage from the groove, thereby causing the shutter to engage the socket for the ground pin or protrusion. 9. A socket as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 which is movable rearward from an opening in the front wall and wherein the stop member is between the opening for the ground pin or protrusion and the live pin and neutral pin. 10. The arms together with their edges are pressed downward by the insertion of the live and neutral pins so that the arms disengage from the groove, whereby the shutter is provided for the ground pin or protrusion. Proximity to a side of the opening for the ground pin or protrusion that is movable forward toward an opening in the front wall of the socket and in which the stop member faces the side closest to the opening for the live and neutral pins. The socket according to any one of claims 4 to 8, which is disposed at the position. 11. The spring means is a coiled compression spring disposed between two of the latching members and a portion of the socket near the opening for the ground pin or protrusion. The socket according to claim 3.