WO2010032104A1 - Dispositif de câblage - Google Patents

Dispositif de câblage Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2010032104A1
WO2010032104A1 PCT/IB2009/006813 IB2009006813W WO2010032104A1 WO 2010032104 A1 WO2010032104 A1 WO 2010032104A1 IB 2009006813 W IB2009006813 W IB 2009006813W WO 2010032104 A1 WO2010032104 A1 WO 2010032104A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
plug
terminal
flush
socket
socket body
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IB2009/006813
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Satoru Ueno
Original Assignee
Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd. filed Critical Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd.
Publication of WO2010032104A1 publication Critical patent/WO2010032104A1/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/665—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit
    • H01R13/6675—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in electronic circuit with built-in power supply
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/46—Bases; Cases
    • H01R13/516—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods
    • H01R13/518—Means for holding or embracing insulating body, e.g. casing, hoods for holding or embracing several coupling parts, e.g. frames
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R24/00—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure
    • H01R24/76—Two-part coupling devices, or either of their cooperating parts, characterised by their overall structure with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R27/00—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H01R27/02—Coupling parts adapted for co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R2103/00—Two poles

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a wiring device.
  • direct current outlets for supplying a direct current to such direct current devices (see, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 7- 15835, paragraphs 0021-0023 and Fig. 1) .
  • the direct current outlet disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. 7-15835 includes a direct current socket corresponding to a pin-type plug of an AC adaptor.
  • the direct current outlet lacks versatility because the shape of a plug differs from maker to maker and from country to country.
  • plugs and sockets for a safety extra low voltage (SELV) circuit are specified in IEC Standards (CEI/IEC 906-3) .
  • IEC Standards CEI/IEC 906-3
  • a wiring device including: a socket body having a receptacle portion provided on a front surface thereof so that a plug of a power supply cord extending from a load device is removably coupled to the receptacle portion, the receptacle portion complying with IEC Standards, the plug having voltage electrode pin terminals; and a frame member to which the socket body is attached, the frame member being fixed to a flush-mount box with a rear portion of the socket body accommodated within the flush-mount box, the flush-mount box being standardized for flush-mount wiring purposes and being embedded in a wall surface, wherein the receptacle portion includes: a plug insertion hole into which the plug is inserted; a cylindrical columnar protrusion portion protruding forwards from a bottom
  • the socket body provided with the receptacle portion complying with IEC Standards is attached to the flush-mount box standardized for flush-mount wiring purposes, through the use of the frame member having the instrument- fitting window opening whose transverse dimension is greater than available in the mounting frame for large-square-boss-type interchangeable wiring instruments standardized in Japanese Industrial Standards.
  • a wiring device including: a socket body having a receptacle portion provided on a front surface thereof so that a plug of a power supply cord extending from a load device is removably coupled to the receptacle portion, the receptacle portion complying with IEC Standards, the plug having voltage electrode pin terminals; and a frame member to which the socket body is attached, the frame member being fixed to a flush-mount box with a rear portion of the socket body accommodated within the flush-mount box, the flush-mount box being standardized for flush-mount wiring purposes and being embedded in a wall surface, wherein the receptacle portion includes: a plug insertion hole into which the plug is inserted; a cylindrical columnar protrusion portion protruding forwards from a bottom surface of the plug insertion hole; terminal insertion holes opened on a front surface of the protrusion portion so that the voltage electrode pin terminals of the plug are connected to the terminal insertion holes; and pin- receiving
  • the socket body has a shape complying with NEMA Standards and the socket body provided with the receptacle portion complying with IEC Standards is attached to the flush-mount box standardized for flush-mount wiring purposes, through the use of the same frame member as the wiring instrument complying with NEMA Standards .
  • This makes it possible to mount the socket body in an embedded state using the flush-mount box complying with NEMA Standards .
  • a wiring device including: a socket body having a receptacle portion provided on a front surface thereof so that a plug of a power supply cord extending from a load device is removably coupled to the receptacle portion, the receptacle portion complying with IEC Standards, the plug having voltage electrode pin terminals; and a frame member to which the socket body is attached, the frame member being fixed to a flush-mount box with a rear portion of the socket body accommodated within the flush-mount box, the flush-mount box being standardized for flush-mount wiring purposes and being embedded in a wall surface, wherein the receptacle portion includes: a plug insertion hole into which the plug is inserted; a cylindrical columnar protrusion portion protruding forwards from a bottom surface of the plug insertion hole; terminal insertion holes opened on a front surface of the protrusion portion so that the voltage electrode pin terminals of the plug are connected to the terminal insertion holes; and pin-re
  • the socket body provided with the receptacle portion complying with IEC Standards is attached to the flush-mount box selected from the group consisting of an A box, a BS box and a C box, through the use of the frame member. This makes it possible to mount the socket body in an embedded state using the standardized conventional flush-mount box.
  • the frame member may be unified with the socket body.
  • the plug may have a signal- transmitting pin terminal and the socket body includes a signal terminal connection portion to which the signal- transmitting pin terminal of the plug is removably coupled, the signal terminal connection portion being provided in a different position than the protrusion portion.
  • the plug may have a grounding electrode pin terminal and the socket body includes a grounding terminal connection portion to which the grounding electrode pin terminal of the plug is removably coupled, the grounding terminal connection portion being provided in a different position than the protrusion portion.
  • the plug may have a signal- transmitting pin terminal and a grounding electrode pin terminal
  • the socket body includes a signal terminal connection portion to which the signal-transmitting pin terminal of the plug is removably coupled and a grounding terminal connection portion to which the grounding electrode pin terminal of the plug is removably coupled, the signal terminal connection portion and the grounding terminal connection portion being provided in different positions than the protrusion portion.
  • Fig. IA is a front view showing a wiring device in accordance with a first embodiment
  • Fig. IB is a front view of the wiring device with a decoration plate removed
  • Fig. 1C is a side section view of the wiring device with the decoration plate removed;
  • Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing a socket that forms the wiring device,-
  • Figs. 3A through 3D are front, top, right side and bottom views showing the socket of the wiring device
  • Fig. 4A shows the positions of coupling grooves formed in the socket of the wiring device in case of a direct current
  • Fig. 4B illustrates the positions of coupling grooves formed in the socket of the wiring device in case of an alternating current
  • Fig. 5A is a perspective view showing a plug connected to the wiring device, and Fig. 5B is a front view thereof;
  • Fig. 6A shows the positions of identification ribs formed in the plug connected to the wiring device in case of a direct current
  • Fig. 6B illustrates the positions of identification ribs formed in the plug connected to the wiring device in case of an alternating current
  • Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a plate unit of the wiring device as seen from the front side;
  • Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of the plate unit of the wiring device as seen from the rear side;
  • Figs. 9A through 9F are front, left vertical section, right vertical section, rear, first horizontal section and second horizontal section views showing a plate frame employed in the plate unit of the wiring device,-
  • Figs. 1OA, 1OB and 1OC are views for explaining the order of mounting the socket to the plate unit of the wiring device,-
  • Figs. HA and HB are plan views illustrating installation examples of the wiring device;
  • Figs. 12A and 12B are plan views showing further examples of the socket of the wiring device,-
  • Figs. 13A through 13C are plan views showing still further examples of the socket of the wiring device,-
  • Figs . 14A and 14B are block diagrams showing the interior of the socket of the wiring device,-
  • Fig. 15A is a front view showing a wiring device in accordance with a second embodiment
  • Fig. 15B is a front view of the wiring device with a decoration plate removed
  • Fig. 15C is a side section view of the wiring device with the decoration plate removed;
  • Fig. 16 is a perspective view showing major parts of a socket of the wiring device
  • Figs. 17A and 17B are perspective views showing different plugs connected to the wiring device
  • Figs. 18A and 18B are plan views showing further examples of the socket of the wiring device
  • Figs. 19A through 19C are plan views showing still further examples of the socket of the wiring device.
  • Fig. 2OA is an enlarged view showing major parts of a receptacle portion of a wiring device in accordance with a third embodiment
  • Fig. 2OB is a front view of a plug connected to the receptacle portion,-
  • Fig. 2IA is an enlarged view showing major parts of a receptacle portion in a modified example of the wiring device of the third embodiment
  • Fig. 21B is a front view of a plug connected to the receptacle portion
  • Fig. 22A is a front view showing a wiring device in accordance with a fourth embodiment with a socket mounted to a mounting frame
  • Fig. 22B is a side view of the wiring device
  • Fig. 22C is a front view of the wiring device with a decoration plate fixed in place;
  • Fig. 23A is a front view showing a modified example of the wiring device of the fourth embodiment with a socket mounted to a mounting frame
  • Fig. 23B is a side view of the wiring device
  • Fig. 23C is a front view of the wiring device with a decoration plate fixed in place;
  • Fig. 24A is a front view showing another modified example of the wiring device of the fourth embodiment with a socket mounted to a mounting frame
  • Fig. 24B is a side view of the wiring device
  • Fig. 24C is a front view of the wiring device with a decoration plate fixed in place
  • Fig. 25A is a front view showing another modified example of the wiring device of the fourth embodiment with a socket mounted to a mounting frame
  • Fig. 25B is a side view of the wiring device
  • Fig. 25C is a front view of the wiring device with a decoration plate fixed in place
  • Figs. 26A through 26D are front views of sockets of a wiring device in accordance with a fifth embodiment
  • Figs. 26E through 26G are front views of mounting frames thereof
  • Figs. 26H through 26K are front views of flush-mount boxes thereof
  • Figs. 27A and 27B are front and side views showing one of the sockets of the wiring device;
  • Figs. 28A and 28B are front and side section views showing one of the mounting frames of the wiring device
  • Fig. 29 is a side section view showing the socket mounted to the mounting frame
  • Figs. 3OA through 3OC are front views showing further examples of the socket of the wiring device
  • Fig. 3IA is a front view showing a frame-unified socket and a decoration plate
  • Fig. 3IB is a front view of a plate-unified socket
  • Fig. 31C is a front view of a flush-mount box
  • Fig. 32A is a front view showing a frame-unified socket and a decoration plate
  • Fig. 32B is a front view of a plate-unified socket
  • Fig. 32C is a front view of a flush-mount box
  • Fig. 33A is a front view showing a frame-unified socket and a decoration plate
  • Fig. 33B is a front view of a plate-unified socket
  • Fig. 33C is a front view of a flush-mount box
  • Fig. 34A is a front view showing a frame-unified socket and a decoration plate
  • Fig. 34B is a front view of a plate-unified socket
  • Fig. 33C is a front view of a flush-mount box.
  • the wiring device includes a socket A and a plate frame 110 (or a frame member) .
  • the socket A includes a housing 1 (or a socket body) and a receptacle portion 20 complying with IEC Standards.
  • the receptacle portion 20 is installed on the front surface of the housing
  • a plug 200 of a power supply cord extending from a load device is removably coupled to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is attached to the plate frame 110.
  • the plate frame 110 is fixed to the front opening of a flush-mount box with the housing 1 of the socket A accommodated within the flush-mount box.
  • the flush-mount box is embedded in the embedding pocket of a wall surface with the front opening thereof exposed to the outside.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A includes a body 2 of rectangular hexahedral shape with an open front surface and a cover 3 of rectangular hexahedral shape with an open rear surface, both of which can be combined together to form the housing 1.
  • the body 2 may be made of a thermosetting synthetic resin (e.g., an urea resin) superior in tracking resistance
  • the cover 3 may be made of a synthetic resin (e.g., polybutylene terephthalate, i.e., PBT) showing elasticity and superior tracking resistance.
  • the housing 1 has a unit dimension which will be described below.
  • a pair of coupling claws 4 protrudes from each of the left and right end surfaces of the body 2, while a shoulder portion 5 protrudes from each of the left and right end surfaces of the cover 3.
  • a coupling piece 6 extends from the rear edge of the shoulder portion 5 toward the body 2.
  • the coupling piece 6 has a pair of engagement holes 6a engageable with the coupling claws 4 of the body 2 in a male-and-female relationship.
  • the internal space of the body 2 is bisected by a partition wall 7 formed in the longitudinal center portion of the body 2.
  • the front end portion of the partition wall 7 protrudes forwards beyond the open surface of the body 2.
  • Positioning juts 2a protruding forwards are formed in suitable positions of the circumferential wall of the body 2.
  • Pin-receiving members 9 are arranged within the left and right compartments 8 of the body divided by the partition wall 7.
  • Each of the pin-receiving members 9 includes a pair of mutually-opposing spring pieces 9a and a bracket-shaped connecting piece 9b interconnecting the spring pieces 9a in a single body.
  • terminal pieces 9c are integrally formed with the connecting piece 9b in such a fashion as to protrude away from each other.
  • the spring pieces 9a are inclined so that the gap between them becomes gradually narrower toward the upper side.
  • a pair of locking springs 10 is arranged in each of the compartments 8 in an opposing relationship with the terminal pieces 9c of each of the pin-receiving members 9.
  • Each of the locking springs 10 includes a contact piece 10a formed by bending one end of a band plate into an S-shape and a locking piece 10b formed by bending the other end of the band plate into a J-shape.
  • Each of the locking springs 10 is accommodated within the body 2 in such a fashion that the contact piece 10a and the locking piece 10b are opposed to the corresponding one of the terminal pieces 9c.
  • wire insertion holes 2b through which electric wires are inserted between the locking springs 10 and the terminal pieces 9c. If the electric wires are passed through the wire insertion holes 2b and then inserted between locking springs 10 and the terminal pieces 9c at the side of the locking pieces 10b, they are gripped between the locking springs 10 and the terminal pieces 9c by the spring forces of the contact pieces 10a and the locking pieces 10b. Furthermore, the locking pieces 10b are cut into the electric wires. This makes it impossible to draw out the electric wires. Since wire connection can be performed by merely inserting the electric wires into the wire insertion holes 2b as noted above, the wire connection task is easy to perform as compared to a case where terminals with screws are used.
  • two electric wires can be connected to each of the pin-receiving members 9 arranged within the compartments 8. Therefore, if one set of electric wires are used as power supply wires while the other set of electric wires are used as outgoing wires to be connected to another socket, it becomes easy to perform a wire connection task for connecting a plurality of sockets in parallel.
  • a release button 11 is arranged within each of the compartments 8 so that it can straddle the locking springs 10 opposed to the terminal pieces 9c of each of the pin- receiving members 9.
  • the release button 11 makes contact with the locking pieces 10b of the locking springs 10 and is arranged to slide along the rear wall of the body 2.
  • the positions in which the release button 11 makes contact with the locking pieces 10b are deviated from the positions in which the electric wires are gripped between the locking pieces 10b and the terminal pieces 9c.
  • An operation hole 2c is formed in the rear wall of the body 2 in alignment with the release button 11.
  • the locking piece 10b cut into each of the electric wires can be bent away from the corresponding electric wire by inserting the tip end portion of a minus screw driver into the operation hole 2c and pushing the release button 11.
  • a solid wire with an insulating sheath is used as the electric wires .
  • the stripping length of the insulating sheath is important in obtaining the required connection strength against the drawing-out force applied to the electric wires.
  • a groove- like gauge 2d indicating the length of a core wire to be exposed is provided on the rear surface of the housing 1.
  • the insulating sheath is stripped to expose the core wire by a length corresponding to the gauge 2d.
  • One receptacle portion 20 is formed in the front wall of the cover 3. The plug 200 is removably inserted into the receptacle portion 20.
  • the shape, dimension and pole arrangement of the receptacle portion 20 and the plug 200 is in compliance with IEC Standards (CEI/IEC 906-3) .
  • IEC Standards specify the shape, dimension and pole arrangement of the connectors used in eight SELV power sources (for an alternating current and a direct current of 6V, 12V, 24V and 48V) .
  • the plug 200 is connected to the end portion of an electric cable 210 extending from a load device.
  • the plug 200 includes a generally cylindrical grip portion 201 (or a plug body) and a cylindrical coupling portion 202 formed at the front end of the grip portion 201, the coupling portion 202 being smaller in diameter than the grip portion 201.
  • a coupling hole 203 recessed in a circular shape is opened at the front end of the coupling portion 202.
  • a reference rib 205 indicating a reference position protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the coupling hole 203 and extends along the plug insertion- and-removal direction (namely, along the direction perpendicular to the paper plane in Fig. 5B) .
  • Two pin terminals 204a and 204b of circular rod shape extending along the axis of the grip portion 201 are arranged on a straight line passing through the central axis of the grip portion 201 and orthogonal to the line segment linking the central axis of the grip portion 201 and the reference rib 205.
  • the pin terminals 204a and 204b are symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the grip portion 201.
  • the pin terminal 204a positioned at the right side when the reference rib 205 lies at the upper side as shown in Fig. 6A serves as a positive electrode pin terminal and the pin terminal 204b positioned at the left side serves as a negative electrode pin terminal.
  • An identification rib 206 for prevention of erroneous coupling protrudes from the inner circumferential surface of the coupling hole 203 and extends along the plug insertion-and-removal direction. The position of the identification rib 206 depends on the kinds of power supply (such as a direct current, an alternating current and a rated voltage) .
  • Fig. 6A illustrates the position of the identification rib 206 formed in the plug 200 for a direct current power supply.
  • the identification rib 206 is formed in a 120°, 150°, 210° or 240° position spaced apart counterclockwise from the position of the reference rib 205 (or the 0° position) .
  • Fig. 6B illustrates the position of the identification rib 206 formed in the plug 200 for an alternating current power supply.
  • the identification rib 206 is formed in a 30°, 60°, 300° or 330° position spaced apart counterclockwise from the position of the reference rib 205.
  • the plug 200 shown in Fig. 5 is designed to work at DC 48V, in which plug the identification rib 206 is formed in a 240° position spaced apart counterclockwise from the position of the reference rib 205.
  • the receptacle portion 20 has a plug insertion hole 21 identical in shape and size with the front surface of the coupling portion 202 of the plug 200.
  • the coupling portion 202 is removably inserted into the plug insertion hole 21.
  • a cylindrical columnar protrusion portion 22 to be inserted into the coupling hole 203 of the plug 200 protrudes forwards from the bottom surface of the plug insertion hole 21.
  • Terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b are opened on the front surface of the protrusion portion 22, the pin terminals 204a and 204b being respectively inserted into the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b.
  • the afore-mentioned pin-receiving members 9 are arranged inside the protrusion portion 22 in alignment with the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b so that the pin-receiving members 9 can be electrically connected to the pin terminals 204a and 204b inserted through the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b.
  • a coupling groove 24 indicating a reference position is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion portion 22 to extend along the plug insertion- and-removal direction.
  • the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b are arranged on a straight line passing through the central axis of the protrusion portion 22 and orthogonal to the line segment linking the central axis of the protrusion portion 22 and the coupling groove 24.
  • the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b are symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the protrusion portion 22.
  • the terminal insertion hole 23a positioned at the left side when the coupling groove 24 lies at the upper side as shown in Fig. 4A corresponds to the positive electrode pin terminal and the terminal insertion hole 23b positioned at the right side corresponds to the negative electrode pin terminal .
  • An identification groove 25 for prevention of erroneous coupling is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion portion 22, the identification rib 206 of the plug 200 being fitted to the identification groove 25.
  • the position of the identification groove 25 depends on the kinds of power supply (such as a direct current, an alternating current and a rated voltage) .
  • Fig. 4A illustrates the position of the identification groove 25 formed in the receptacle portion 20 for a direct current power supply. In case where the power supply voltage is 6V, 12V, 24V or 48V in direct current, the identification groove 25 is formed in a 120°, 150°, 210° or 240° position spaced apart clockwise from the position of the coupling groove 24
  • Fig. 4B illustrates the position of the identification groove 25 formed in the receptacle portion 20 for an alternating current power supply.
  • the identification groove 25 is formed in a 30°, 60°, 300° or 330° position spaced apart clockwise from the position of the coupling groove 24.
  • the receptacle portion 20 shown in Figs. 1 through 3 is designed to work at DC 48V, in which the identification groove 25 is formed in a 240° position spaced apart clockwise from the position of the coupling groove 24.
  • the identification groove 25 for engagement with the identification rib 206 of the plug 200 is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion portion 22 in a position that varies with the voltage supplied. This eliminates the possibility that the plug 200 differing in voltage is erroneously inserted into the receptacle portion 20, thereby making it possible to supply an electric current suitable for a load device .
  • the protrusion portion 22 comes into the coupling hole 203 of the coupling portion 202 while the reference rib 205 and the identification rib 206 formed on the inner circumferential surface of the coupling portion 202 are respectively slid into the coupling groove 24 and the identification groove 25 of the protrusion portion 22.
  • the pin terminals 204a and 204b inserted beyond the protrusion portion 22 through the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b of the protrusion portion 22 are electrically connected to the pin-receiving members 9.
  • the plug 200 is kept connected to the receptacle portion 20 by the resilient contact force by which pin-receiving members 9 is resiliently pressed against the pin terminals 204a and 204b. Since the front surface of the protrusion portion 22 of the receptacle portion 20 is positioned rearwards of the front surface of the housing 1, it is possible to reduce the distance at which the plug 200 connected to the receptacle portion 20 protrudes from the front surface of the housing 1.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is mounted to the plate unit 100 which will be described below.
  • a pair of mounting claws 3a for engagement with the plate unit 100 protrudes from the shoulder portion 5 formed on each of the lateral surfaces of the cover 3.
  • the front end portion of each of the mounting claws 3a is inclined so that the protruding distance of each of the mounting claws 3a from the shoulder portion 5 becomes gradually smaller toward the front side.
  • the plate unit 100 shown in Figs . 7 through 9 is used in arranging the socket A on a wall surface in an embedded state.
  • the plate unit 100 includes a plate frame 110 for holding the housing 1 of the socket A in place and a decoration plate 120 for covering the plate frame 110 to provide a good-looking appearance.
  • the plate frame 110 may be made of a synthetic resin or a metal.
  • the plate frame 110 made of a synthetic resin exhibits an insulating property and has a vertically-elongated rectangular frame shape with a central rectangular window opening 111 through which the front surface of the housing 1 is exposed.
  • the plate frame 110 includes a pair of frame pieces 113a and 113b and a pair of transverse pieces 112 and the left end portions (or the upper end portions in Fig.
  • the movable beam portion 115 is continuously and integrally connected at its longitudinal ends to the frame piece 113b through connector portions 116 extending in the longitudinal direction of the movable beam portion 115. At two intermediate points, the movable beam portion 115 is continuously and integrally connected to the frame piece 113b through bridge portions 117 orthogonal to the movable beam portion 115. Slits 118a to 118c extending through the thickness of the plate frame 110 are formed between the connector portions 116 and the bridge portions 117 and between the bridge portions 117 themselves.
  • the synthetic resin, of which the plate frame 110 is made, has flexibility, meaning that the movable beam portion 115 and the connector portions 116 are flexible.
  • the lateral slits 118a and 118c are formed into an L-shape and the middle slit 118b is formed into a rectilinear shape.
  • Slot- like openings 119 extending through the thickness of the plate frame 110 are formed in the areas of the frame piece 113b adjacent to the respective bridge portions 117 so that the portions of the plate frame 110 corresponding to the bridge portions 117 can serve as the movable beam portion 115.
  • Three pairs of retaining grooves 114a and 115a each engaging with the mounting claws 3a formed in pair on the opposite lateral surfaces of the housing 1 are arranged at an equal pitch on the surfaces of the fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115 facing the window opening 111 (see Figs. 9B and 9C) .
  • Abutment portions 114d and 115d abutting to the front surfaces of the shoulder portion 5 of the housing 1 are formed in the base portions of the fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115 to keep the housing 1 from getting removed to the front side from the plate frame 110.
  • the housing 1 is attached to the plate frame 110 by bringing the front surfaces of the shoulder portion 5 into contact with the abutment portions 114d and 115d and allowing the rear surfaces of the mounting claws 3a to engage with the retaining grooves 114a and 115a.
  • the guide portions 114b and 115b In the tip end portions of the surfaces of the fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115 facing the window opening 111, there are formed guide portions 114b and 115b having slant surfaces inclined so that the distance therebetween becomes gradually greater toward the tip ends.
  • the guide portions 114b and 115b serve to guide the mounting claws 3a toward the retaining grooves 114a and 115a when the mounting claws 3a is introduced into the retaining grooves 114a and 115a at the rear side of the plate frame 110. More specifically, the housing 1 is mounted to the plate frame 110 in the manner as illustrated in Figs. 1OA through 1OC.
  • the mounting claws 3a formed on one lateral surface of the housing 1 are brought into engagement with the retaining grooves 114a of the fixed beam portion 114.
  • the housing 1 is pushed forwards relative to the plate frame 110 by aligning the front end portion of the housing 1 with the window opening 111.
  • the mounting claws 3a formed on the other lateral surface of the housing 1 are slid into the retaining grooves 115a under the guidance of the slant surfaces of the mounting claws 3a and the guide portion 115b, at which time the movable beam portion 115 is bent. In this manner, the mounting claws 3a can be brought into engagement with the retaining grooves 115a with ease.
  • instrument removal holes 114c extending through the thickness of the plate frame 110 are formed between the respective pairs of retaining grooves 114a.
  • the tip end portion of a screw driver or a removal-dedicated tool is inserted into one of the instrument removal holes 114c in a state that the housing 1 is attached to the plate frame 110. If the housing 1 is pressed toward the movable beam portion 115 with the tip end portion of the tool, the movable beam portion 115 is bent even by a weak force under the principle of leverage . This releases the engagement between the retaining grooves 114a of the fixed beam portion 114 and the mounting claws 3a of the housing 1, thereby making it possible to remove the housing 1 from the plate frame 110.
  • the plate frame 110 has three pairs of retaining grooves 114a and 115a formed respectively in the fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115, and the housing 1 has one pair of mounting claws 3a formed on each of the lateral surfaces thereof.
  • the plate frame 110 is designed to hold three housings 1.
  • the housing 1 whose dimension is set to allow up to three housings to be mounted to the plate frame 110 will be referred to as a single-module-dimension housing 1.
  • the pitch of the retaining grooves 114a and 115a formed in the fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115 is equal to the pitch of the mounting claws 3a formed on each of the lateral surfaces of the single-module-dimension housing 1. Moreover, the retaining grooves 114a and 115a are arranged at an equal interval as set forth above. Therefore, the single-module- dimension housing 1 can be mounted to the plate frame 110 using two arbitrary retaining grooves 114a and 115a of the fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115 positioned adjacent to each other.
  • Fig. IB shows the housing 1 mounted to the plate frame 110.
  • Recess portions 131 are formed on the front surfaces of the intermediate portions of the transverse pieces 112 of the plate frame 110. Formed in each of the recess portions 131 are a box-fixing hole 132 through which to insert a box screw used in fixing the plate frame 110 to the flush-mount box (not shown) , screw insertion holes 133 through which to insert screws used in fixing the plate frame 110 to an installation surface such as a wall surface or the like, and scissor tool locking apertures 134 in which to lock a scissor tool (not shown) used in fixing the plate frame 110 to a wall panel or the like that forms an installation surface .
  • decoration plate locking holes 135 for locking the locking juts 123 protruding from the rear surface of the decoration plate 120.
  • the decoration plate 120 can be removably attached to the plate frame 110 in such a fashion as to cover the front surface of the plate frame 110.
  • the decoration plate 120 is made of a synthetic resin with an insulating property and is formed into a generally box- like shape.
  • the decoration plate 120 includes a major portion 121 for covering the front surface of the plate frame 110, the major portion 121 having a rectangular shape when seen in a plan view, and a side wall 122 protruding rearwards from the peripheral edge of the major portion 121.
  • the major portion 121 and the side wall 122 are continuously and integrally formed with each other.
  • the locking juts 123 protrude from the four corners of the rear surface of the major portion 121.
  • In the central area of the major portion 121 there is formed a window opening 121a through which to expose the front surface of housing 1 mounted to the plate frame 110.
  • a slant surface 122a inclined so that the opening of the decoration plate 120 becomes gradually wider toward the tip end is formed on the inner surface of the side wall 122 of the decoration plate 120.
  • Restraint ribs 124 for making contact with the side surface of the plate frame 110 to prevent misalignment of the decoration plate 120 with respect to the plate frame 110 are also arranged in plural number along the inner surface of the side wall 122 of the decoration plate 120.
  • slant surfaces 113c gradually protruding outwards toward the rear side and extension portions 113d protruding outwards from the slant surfaces 113c are formed on the outer surfaces of the frame pieces 113a and 113b of the plate frame 110.
  • Ribs 125 whose end surfaces make contact with the front surfaces of the extension portions 113d are formed to protrude from the inner surfaces of the longitudinal sidewalls 122 of the decoration plate 120.
  • the ribs 125 serve to prevent the decoration plate 120 from becoming loose.
  • the restraint ribs 124 of the decoration plate 120 are guided along the slant surfaces 113c of the frame pieces 113a and 113b of the plate frame 110. This makes it easy to mount the decoration plate 120 to the plate frame 110.
  • a pair of cutout portions 126 is formed on one longitudinal side wall 122 of the decoration plate 120. If a force is applied in such a direction as to move the decoration plate 120 away from the plate frame 110 (namely, toward the front side) by inserting a tool (e.g., the tip end portion of a minus screw driver) into one of the cutout portions 126, the locking juts 123 of the decoration plate 120 are disengaged from the decoration plate locking holes 135. Thus the decoration plate 120 can be removed from the plate frame 110.
  • Indentations 136 recessed inwardly from the slant surface 113c are formed in the frame piece 113b of the plate frame 110 in the positions corresponding to the cutout portions 126 of the decoration plate 120.
  • the tool inserted into the cutout portions 126 can come into the indentations 136, which makes it easy to impart a force when removing the decoration plate 120.
  • Ribs 137 smaller in thickness than the extension portion 113d extend from the rear end portions of the indentations 136 in such a length as not to protrude beyond the cutout portions 126 of the decoration plate 120.
  • Provision of the ribs 137 ensures that the tool inserted into the cutout portions 126 makes contact with the ribs 137. This makes it possible to prevent the installation surface from being damaged by the tool when the decoration plate 120 is removed from the plate frame 110.
  • protrusion pieces 128a to 128c are respectively inserted into the three slits 118a to 118c formed in the plate frame 110, when the decoration plate 120 is mounted to the plate frame 110.
  • the dimension of the protrusion pieces 128a to 128c is such that, when the protrusion pieces 128a to 128c are into the slits 118a to 118c, only a small gap is left between the inner circumferential surfaces of the slits 118a to 118c and the protrusion pieces 128a to 128c.
  • the decoration plate 120 when the decoration plate 120 is mounted to the plate frame 110 carrying the housing 1, the three protrusion pieces 128a to 128c are inserted into the slits 118a to 118c while leaving only a small gap between the inner circumferential surfaces of the slits 118a to 118c and the protrusion pieces 128a to 128c.
  • This restrains movement (or bending) of the movable beam portion 115 of the plate frame 110.
  • the movable beam portion 115 is restrained from movement. Therefore, the mounting claws 3a of the housing 1 are seldom disengaged from the retaining grooves 114a and 115a of fixed beam portion 114 and the movable beam portion 115, which makes it possible to prevent unwanted removal of the housing 1.
  • the wiring device of the present embodiment includes the socket A and the plate unit 100 (or a frame member) .
  • the socket A includes the housing 1 and the receptacle portion 20 complying with IEC Standards.
  • the receptacle portion 20 is installed on the front surface of the housing 1.
  • the plug 200 for a direct current power supply is removably coupled to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is attached to the plate frame 110.
  • the plate unit 100 is fixed to the front opening of the flush-mount box with the rear portion of the housing 1 accommodated within the flush-mount box.
  • the flush-mount box is embedded in the embedding pocket of the wall surface with the front opening thereof exposed to the outside.
  • the socket A can be mounted in an embedded state using the plate unit 100.
  • the socket A can be mounted to the plate unit 100 together with other wiring instruments.
  • the socket A can be mounted to the plate frame 110 together with an AC socket Bl having a single module dimension.
  • the socket A can be mounted to the plate frame 110 together with an AC socket B2 having a double module dimension and provided with a grounding electrode.
  • the socket A of the present embodiment is formed to have a single module dimension.
  • the longitudinal dimension of the window opening 111 is substantially equal to the dimension of the mounting frame for the large-square-boss-type interchangeable wiring instruments standardized in Japanese Industrial Standards .
  • the transverse dimension of the window opening 111 is set greater than that of the large-square-boss-type interchangeable wiring instruments.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is formed to have a single module dimension and one receptacle portion 20 is provided on the front surface of the housing 1.
  • the housing 1 may be formed to have a double module dimension and one or two receptacle portion 20 may be provided on the front surface of the housing 1.
  • the housing 1 may be formed to have a triple module dimension and one or two or three receptacle portion 20 may be provided on the front surface of the housing 1.
  • a direct current of the same voltage is supplied from the plurality of (two or three) receptacle portions 20.
  • different kinds of electric currents may be supplied from the plurality of receptacle portions 20.
  • Fig. 14A is an internal block diagram of a socket A provided with three receptacle portions 20a through 20c.
  • An alternating current AC of 48V is supplied to power input terminals Tl and T2 (formed of the terminal pieces 9c and the locking springs 10 mentioned earlier) .
  • the alternating current AC of 48V inputted to the input terminals Tl and T2 is outputted to the receptacle portion 20a as it is.
  • FIG. 14A is a block diagram showing another example of the socket A.
  • a direct current E of 48V is supplied to power input terminals Tl and T2.
  • the direct current E of 48V inputted to the input terminals Tl and T2 is outputted to the receptacle portion 20a as it is.
  • a direct current having a voltage of 24V obtained by converting the voltage value of the inputted current with a DC/DC converter 17a is outputted to the receptacle portion 20b.
  • a direct current having a voltage of 12V obtained by converting the voltage value of the inputted current with a DC/DC converter 17b is outputted to the receptacle portion 20c.
  • use of the socket A illustrated in Fig. 14B makes it possible to supply direct currents having three kinds of voltage values (48V, 24V and 12V) .
  • the wiring device of the present invention differs from that of the first embodiment in that the socket A includes a grounding terminal connection portion 27 provided in the receptacle portion 20, the grounding electrode pin terminal of the plug 200 being connected to the grounding terminal connection portion 27. Except for the provision of the grounding terminal connection portion 27, the wiring device of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
  • the common elements will be designated by like reference characters and will be omitted from description.
  • a receptacle portion 20 to which a plug 200 is removably inserted, is provided on the front surface of a housing 1 of the socket A.
  • a plug 200 with a grounding electrode can be connected to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the plug 200 with a grounding electrode will be first described with reference to Fig. 17A.
  • the plug 200 is connected to the end of an electric cable 210 extending from a load device.
  • the plug 200 includes a generally rectangular hexahedral grip portion 201, one surface of which is rounded to have a semicircular cross section, and a coupling portion 202 formed at the front end of the grip portion 201, the coupling portion 202 being smaller in width than the grip portion 201.
  • a coupling hole 203 recessed in a circular shape is opened at one side of the front surface of the coupling portion 202 (namely, at the side nearer to the semicircular curved surface)
  • a coupling hole 207 recessed in a rectangular shape is opened at the other side of the front surface of the coupling portion 202.
  • a specified gap is left between the coupling holes 203 and 207.
  • a grounding electrode pin terminal 204c made of a conductive material and formed into a circular rod shape is arranged within the rectangular coupling hole 207 in an off- centered position.
  • Two voltage electrode pin terminals 204a and 204b made of a conductive material and formed into a circular rod shape are arranged within the circular coupling hole 203.
  • the receptacle portion 20 of the socket A has a plug insertion hole 21 identical in shape and size with the front surface of the coupling portion 202 of the plug 200.
  • the plug 200 is removably inserted into the plug insertion hole 21.
  • a cylindrical columnar protrusion portion 22 for insertion into the coupling hole 203 of the plug 200 and a prismatic columnar protrusion portion 26 for insertion into the coupling hole 207 protrude forwards from the bottom surface of the plug insertion hole 21.
  • the prismatic columnar protrusion portion 26 has a width (i.e., the vertical dimension in Fig. 15B) equal to about one half of the width of the coupling hole 207.
  • Terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b into which the voltage electrode pin terminals 204a and 204b are inserted, are opened on the front surface of the cylindrical columnar protrusion portion 22.
  • pin- receiving members 9 are arranged inside the protrusion portion 22 so that the pin-receiving members 9 can be electrically connected to the pin terminals 204a and 204b inserted through the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b.
  • a grounding electrode pin-receiving member (not shown) having the same shape as the afore-mentioned pin-receiving members 9 is arranged inside the protrusion portion 26 so that the pin terminal 204c inserted through the terminal insertion hole 26a can be electrically connected to the grounding electrode pin-receiving member.
  • a coupling groove 24 indicating a reference position is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion portion 22 to extend along the plug insertion- and-removal direction.
  • the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b are arranged on a straight line passing through the central axis of the protrusion portion 22 and orthogonal to the line segment linking the central axis of the protrusion portion 22 and the coupling groove 24.
  • An identification groove 25 for prevention of erroneous coupling is formed on the outer circumferential surface of the protrusion portion 22, the identification rib 206 of the plug 200 being fitted to the identification groove 25.
  • the position of the identification groove 25 depends on the kinds of power supply (such as a direct current, an alternating current and a rated voltage) . Since the positions of the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b and the identification groove 25 are the same as those of the socket A described in connection with the first embodiment, no description will be made in that regard.
  • Three pairs of wire insertion holes 2b are opened in the rear wall of the body 2. Within the body 2, there are arranged quick-coupling terminals (not shown) to which are connected the electric wires inserted through the wire insertion holes. Two of the three pairs of wire insertion holes are used for connection of external power supply wires, the remaining one for connection of a grounding wire.
  • the socket A of the present embodiment includes both the power supply terminal connection portion and the grounding terminal connection portion 27.
  • the power supply terminal connection portion includes the protrusion portion 22 having the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b opened on the front surface thereof and the pin-receiving members 9 arranged inside the protrusion portion 22.
  • the grounding terminal connection portion 27 includes the protrusion portion 26 having the terminal insertion hole 26a opened on the front surface thereof and the grounding electrode pin-receiving member arranged inside the protrusion portion 26.
  • the plug 200 having the grounding electrode pin terminal 204c is coupled to the socket A, the voltage electrode pin terminals 204a and 204b of the plug 200 are connected to the power supply terminal connection portion while the grounding electrode pin terminal 204c is connected to the grounding terminal connection portion 27. Therefore, a load device can be electrically grounded by merely coupling the plug 200 to the socket A. This assists in saving the labor required in wiring. Since the power supply terminal connection portion of the socket A complies with IEC Standards, it is possible to couple any type of plug to the socket A so long as the plug is the one complying with IEC Standards .
  • grounding terminal connection portion 27 is provided outside the power supply terminal connection portion, it is possible to couple a plug 200 having no grounding electrode pin terminal 204c to the socket A insofar as the plug 200 is the one complying with IEC Standards .
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is formed to have a single module dimension and one receptacle portion 20 is provided on the front surface of the housing 1, one or two receptacle portion 20 may be provided on the front surface of the housing 1 having a double module dimension as shown in Figs. 18A and 18B. As a further alternative, one or two or three receptacle portion 20 may be provided on the front surface of the housing 1 having a triple module dimension as shown in Figs. 19A through 19C.
  • the socket A provided with a plurality of receptacle portions 20 it may be possible to arrange a transformer, an AC/DC converter and a DC/DC converter within the socket A in order to transform or convert an electric current. The resultant direct current or alternating current may be outputted from the receptacle portions 20.
  • FIG. 20OB shows a plug 200 with a grounding terminal and a signal terminal.
  • a grounding electrode pin terminal 204c made of a conductive material and formed into a circular rod shape is arranged within the coupling hole 207 of the coupling portion 202 in an upper position in Fig. 2OB.
  • Two signal-transmitting terminal pieces 208a and 208b made of a conductive material and formed into a band plate shape are arranged side by side in a lower position in Fig. 2OB.
  • the signal-transmitting terminal pieces 208a and 208b are arranged outside the coupling hole 203 in which the voltage electrode pin terminals 204a and 204b are disposed (namely, inside the coupling hole 207) , so that they can extend in the plug insertion-and-removal direction.
  • a prismatic columnar protrusion portion 26 to be inserted into the coupling hole 207 of the plug 200 is arranged within the plug insertion hole 21 of the receptacle portion 20 of the socket A to protrude forwards.
  • the protrusion portion 26 is formed to have substantially the same size as that of the coupling hole 207.
  • Opened on the front surface of the protrusion portion 26 are a terminal insertion hole 26a into which the grounding electrode pin terminal 204c is inserted and rectangular terminal insertion holes 26b and 26c into which the signal-transmitting terminal pieces 208a and 208b are respectively inserted.
  • Pin-receiving members (not shown) having the same shape as the afore-mentioned pin-receiving members 9 are arranged inside the protrusion portion 26.
  • the pin terminal 204c inserted through the terminal insertion hole 26a is electrically connected to the grounding electrode pin-receiving member, while the terminal pieces 208a and 208b inserted through the terminal insertion holes 26b and 26c are electrically connected to the signal- transmitting pin-receiving members.
  • a signal terminal connection portion 28 is constructed from the protrusion portion 26, the terminal insertion holes 26b and 26c, and the pin- receiving members electrically connected to the terminal pieces 208a and 208b inserted inside the protrusion portion 26 through the terminal insertion holes 26b and 26c.
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 is arranged in a different position than the power supply terminal connection portion and is electrically connected to the signal- transmitting terminal pieces 208a and 208b of the plug 200.
  • a grounding terminal connection portion 27 is constructed from the protrusion portion 26, the terminal insertion hole 26a, and the pin-receiving member electrically connected to the pin terminal 204c inserted inside the protrusion portion 26 through the terminal insertion hole 26a.
  • the socket A of the present embodiment includes the power supply terminal connection portion, the grounding terminal connection portion 27 and the signal terminal connection portion 28.
  • the power supply terminal connection portion includes the protrusion portion 22 having the terminal insertion holes 23a and 23b opened at the front surface thereof and the pin-receiving members 9 arranged inside the protrusion portion 22. Thanks to this feature, if the plug 200 with a grounding terminal and signal terminals is coupled to the socket A, the voltage electrode pin terminals 204a and 204b of the plug 200 are connected to the power supply terminal connection portion while the grounding electrode pin terminal 204c is connected to the grounding terminal connection portion 27. Furthermore, the terminal pieces 208a and 208b serving as signal terminals are connected to the signal terminal connection portion 28.
  • the plug 200 By merely coupling the plug 200 to the socket A, therefore, it is possible to electrically connect the signal-transmitting terminals of a load device to the signal line connected to the socket A and also to electrically ground the load device whose plug 200 is coupled to the receptacle portion 20. This assists in saving the labor required in wiring connection. Since the power supply terminal connection portion of the socket A complies with IEC Standards, it is possible to couple any type of plug to the socket A so long as the plug is the one complying with IEC Standards.
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 is provided outside the power supply terminal connection portion, it is possible to couple a plug having no signal-transmitting terminal pieces 208a and 208b to the socket A insofar as the plug is the one complying with IEC Standards .
  • the socket A of the present embodiment includes the grounding terminal connection portion 27 in addition to the signal terminal connection portion 28, it may be possible to eliminate the grounding terminal connection portion 27 so that, as shown in Fig. 2IA, the socket A includes only the power supply terminal connection portion and the signal terminal connection portion 28.
  • the plug 200 provided with the signal-transmitting terminal pieces 208a and 208b as well as the voltage electrode pin terminals 204a and 204b can be coupled to the socket A.
  • the wiring device of the present embodiment includes a socket A and a mounting frame 60 (or a frame member) used in arranging the socket A within an embedding pocket formed on a wall surface.
  • the socket A includes a housing 1 of generally- rectangular hexahedral shape.
  • a protuberance Ia having a circular shape when seen in a plan view is formed on the front surface of the housing 1.
  • the same receptacle portion 20 as described in connection with the first embodiment is provided in the protuberance Ia.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is formed into a shape and size complying with Section W6D of NEMA Standards (Standards of National Electric Manufacturers Association, U.S.A.). Therefore, the socket A has the same shape as that of the sockets used in U.S.A. or like other countries .
  • the mounting frame 60 which is made of a metal, includes a generally U-shaped portion 61 making contact with the upper and lower surfaces and the rear surface of the housing 1 of the socket A and bracket pieces 62 respectively protruding outwards (or upwards and downwards) from the tip ends of upper and lower pieces of the U-shaped portion 61.
  • the U-shaped portion 61 is continuously and integrally formed with the bracket pieces 62.
  • Each of the bracket pieces 62 has a box hole 63 into which to insert a box screw for fixing the mounting frame 60 to a flush-mount box (not shown) attached to a wall surface and a screw hole 64 into which to insert a plate screw 66 to threadedly fix a decoration plate 65 to the front surface of the mounting frame 60.
  • the decoration plate 65 includes a major portion 65a of flat rectangular shape and a rim portion protruding rearwards from the periphery of the major portion 65a. At the central area of the major portion 65a, there is formed a circular window opening 65b through which to expose the protuberance Ia of the housing 1 of the socket A.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A of the present embodiment is formed into a shape and size complying with NEMA Standards.
  • the socket A can be mounted in an embedded state by use of the mounting frame 60 suitable for use with a flush-mounted wiring instrument complying with NEMA Standards .
  • the decoration plate 65 is attached to the front surface of the mounting frame 60, the protuberance Ia of the socket A is exposed from the window opening 65b of the decoration plate 65.
  • the plug 200 can be removably coupled to the receptacle portion 20 of the socket A.
  • the socket A shown in Fig. 22 includes only the power supply terminal connection portion
  • the grounding terminal connection portion 27 described in connection with the second embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20 as illustrated in Fig. 23.
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 set forth in respect of the third embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20. Both the grounding terminal connection portion 27 and the signal terminal connection portion 28 may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the socket A shown in Fig. 24 includes a housing 1 of transversely-elongated rectangular hexahedral shape. On the upper and lower sides of the front surface of the housing 1, there are formed protuberances Ia having a generally elliptical shape when seen in a plan view.
  • the receptacle portion 20 described with regard to the first embodiment is installed in each of the protuberances Ia.
  • a decoration plate 65 Attached to the front surface of the mounting frame 60 is a decoration plate 65 which includes a major portion 65a having window openings 65b formed in the positions corresponding to the protuberances Ia. The respective protuberances Ia are exposed through the window openings 65b.
  • the socket A shown in Fig. 24 includes only the power supply terminal connection portion
  • the grounding terminal connection portion 27 described in connection with the second embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20 (see Fig. 25) .
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 set forth in respect of the third embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20. Both the grounding terminal connection portion 27 and the signal terminal connection portion 28 may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the wiring device of the present embodiment includes a mounting frame 190 fixed to a BS box 300 predominantly used in the United Kingdom and the Middle and Near East or a GB box 310 mainly used in the People's Republic of China and a socket A attached to the mounting frame 190.
  • the BS box 300 has a generally box- like shape with an open front surface.
  • Tongue pieces 302 each having a screw hole 301 protrude from the medial portions of the upper, lower, left and right sides of the rim of the BS box 300.
  • the GB box 310 has a generally box-like shape with an open front surface. Tongue pieces 312 each having a screw hole 311 protrude from the medial portions of the left and right sides of the rim of the GB box 310.
  • the mounting frame 190 has a generally rectangular shape.
  • a window opening 191, into which a flush-mounted wiring instrument is inserted, is formed in the generally central area of the mounting frame 190.
  • the mounting frame 190 includes four frame pieces having screw insertion holes 192 into which to insert box screws threadedly engaging with screw holes 301 or 311 of the BS box 300 or the GB box 310.
  • Step portions 193 recessed from the front surface of the mounting frame 190 are formed in the upper and lower frame pieces to extend along the peripheral edges of the window opening 191.
  • the socket A includes a housing 1 of generally rectangular hexahedral shape.
  • a flange Ib protrudes sidewise from the frontal periphery of the housing 1.
  • elastic locking pieces Ic for gripping the frame pieces of the mounting frame 190 between themselves and the rear surface of the flange Ib.
  • the same receptacle portion 20 as described in respect of the first embodiment is provided on the front surface of the housing 1.
  • the receptacle portion 20 is the same as that of the first embodiment and, therefore, will be omitted from description.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A shown in Figs. 26A, 27A and 27B has a vertical dimension of 42 to 46 mm and a transverse dimension of 22 to 23 mm which is equal to about one half of the transverse dimension of the window opening 191. This makes it possible to attach two sockets A to the mounting frame 190 side by side.
  • the socket A includes only one receptacle portion 20.
  • the housing 1 of each of the sockets A shown in Figs. 26B through 26D has a vertical dimension substantially equal to the transverse dimension of the window opening 191.
  • the sockets A include one or two or three receptacle portion 20.
  • grounding terminal connection portion 27 described in connection with the second embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 set forth in respect of the third embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20. Both the grounding terminal connection portion 27 and the signal terminal connection portion 28 may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A When fixing the socket A to a wall surface, the housing 1 of the socket A is first inserted from the front side into the window opening 191 of the mounting frame 190 with the flange Ib of the housing 1 facing forwards. If the rear surface of the flange Ib comes into contact with the step portions 193 of the periphery of the window opening 191, the elastic locking pieces Ic make contact with the upper and lower frame pieces of the mounting frame 190 from the rear side. Thus, the mounting frame 190 is gripped between the flange Ib and the elastic locking pieces Ic, as a result of which the housing 1 is attached to the mounting frame 190 (see Fig. 29) .
  • the mounting frame 190 holding the housing 1 of the socket A is mounted to the BS box 300 or the GB box 310.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A set forth just above can also be mounted to a C box 320, i.e., a flush-mount box used in the German Federal Republic, the French Republic, the Republic of Indonesia and other countries.
  • a mounting frame 140 is used in mounting the housing 1 to the C box 320.
  • the C box 320 is of closed-bottom cylindrical shape with an open front surface.
  • the mounting frame 140 is of rectangular shape.
  • a window opening 141 into which a flush-mounted wiring instrument is inserted, is formed in the generally central area of the mounting frame 140.
  • the mounting frame 140 includes left and right frame pieces having screw insertion holes 142 into which to insert box screws threadedly engaging with screw holes 321 of the C box 320.
  • the mounting frame 140 further includes upper and lower frame pieces having step portions 143 which are recessed from the front surface and extend along the peripheral edges of the window opening 141.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A When arranging the housing 1 of the socket A within the C box 320 in an embedded state, the housing 1 of the socket A is first inserted from the front side into the window opening 141 of the mounting frame 140 with the flange Ib of the housing 1 facing forwards . If the rear surface of the flange Ib comes into contact with the step portions 143 of the periphery of the window opening 141, the elastic locking pieces Ic make contact with the upper and lower frame pieces of the mounting frame 140 from the rear side. Thus, the mounting frame 140 is gripped between the flange Ib and the elastic locking pieces Ic, as a result of which the housing 1 is attached to the mounting frame 140.
  • the mounting frame 140 holding the housing 1 of the socket A is mounted to the C box 320.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A set forth just above can also be mounted to an A box 330, i.e., a flush-mount box used in such countries and regions as Japan, U.S.A. and Republic of China.
  • a mounting frame 150 is used in mounting the housing 1 to the A box 330.
  • the A box 330 is of substantially box-like shape with an open front surface.
  • tongue pieces 332 each having a screw hole 331 protrude from the medial portions of the upper and lower sidewalls.
  • the mounting frame 150 is of generally rectangular shape.
  • a window opening 151, into which a flush-mounted wiring instrument is inserted, is formed in the generally central area of the mounting frame 150.
  • the mounting frame 140 includes upper and lower frame pieces having screw insertion holes 152 into which to insert box screws threadedly engaging with screw holes 331 of the A box 330.
  • the A box 330 refers to a flush-mount box of the type used in U.S.A. and complies with NEMA Standards.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A When arranging the housing 1 of the socket A within the A box 330 in an embedded state, the housing 1 of the socket A is first inserted from the front side into the window opening 151 of the mounting frame 150 with the flange Ib of the housing 1 facing forwards. If the rear surface of the flange Ib comes into contact with the step portions 153 of the periphery of the window opening 151, the elastic locking pieces Ic make contact with the left and right frame pieces of the mounting frame 150 from the rear side. Thus, the mounting frame 150 is gripped between the flange Ib and the elastic locking pieces Ic, as a result of which the housing 1 is attached to the mounting frame 150.
  • the mounting frame 150 holding the housing 1 of the socket A is mounted to the A box 330.
  • the housing 1 of the socket A is formed independently of the mounting frame in the present embodiment, it may be possible to integrally form the housing 1 of the socket A and the mounting frame as a unit.
  • the housing 160 of the socket A illustrated in Fig. 31A is formed by unifying the housing 1 of the socket A shown in Figs. 26A to 26K and the mounting frame 190 designed to be mounted to the BS box 300 or the GB box 310.
  • the housing 160 includes a box- like body portion 161 having a receptacle portion 20 on its front surface and a flange portion 163 protruding sidewise from the frontal periphery of the body portion 161, wherein the body portion 161 and the flange portion 163 are formed as a unit. Screw insertion holes 162 are formed in the medial areas of the respective sides of the flange portion 163.
  • a decoration plate 170 having a window opening 171 through which to expose the front surface of the body portion 161 is removably attached to the front side of the housing 160. The receptacle portion 20 of the body portion 161 is exposed through the window opening 171.
  • the housing 160 Since the housing 160 is unified with the mounting frame as mentioned above, it is possible to attach the housing 160 to the flush-mount box (namely, the BS box 300 or the GB box 310) without having to use any independent mounting frame, which assists in reducing the number of parts.
  • the BS box refers to a flush- mount box complying with BS Standards of the United Kingdom.
  • the GB box refers to a flush-mount box complying with GB Standards stipulated by the National Standardization Management Committee of the People's Republic of China.
  • the housing 160 of the socket A shown in Fig. 31A is unified with the mounting frame, it may be possible to employ a housing 165 unified with the mounting frame and the decoration plate 170 as shown in Fig. 3IB.
  • Reference numeral 166 in Fig. 31B designates screw insertion holes into which to insert box screws. Since the housing 165 is unified with the mounting frame and the decoration plate in the socket A mentioned just above, it is possible to attach the housing 165 to the flush-mount box (namely, the BS box 300 or the GB box 310) without having to use any independent mounting frame and decoration plate, which assists in further reducing the number of parts.
  • the grounding terminal connection portion 27 described in connection with the second embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 set forth in respect of the third embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20. Both the grounding terminal connection portion 27 and the signal terminal connection portion 28 may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the housing 180 includes a box-like body portion 181 having a receptacle portion 20 on its front surface and a flange portion 183 protruding sidewise from the frontal periphery of the body portion 181, wherein the body portion 181 and the flange portion 183 are formed as a unit. Screw insertion holes 182 are formed in the medial areas of the respective sides of the flange portion 183.
  • a decoration plate 170 having a window opening 171 through which to expose the front surface of the body portion 181 is removably attached to the front side of the housing 180.
  • the receptacle portion 20 of the body portion 181 is exposed through the window opening 171. Since the housing 180 is unified with the mounting frame as mentioned above, it is possible to attach the housing 180 to the flush-mount box (namely, the C box 320) without having to use any independent mounting frame.
  • the C box refers to a flush- mount box complying with Standards of European countries such as the German Federal Republic, the French Republic and so forth.
  • the housing 180 of the socket A shown in Fig. 32A is unified with the mounting frame, it may be possible to employ a housing 185 unified with the mounting frame and the decoration plate 170 as shown in Fig. 32B.
  • Reference numeral 186 in Fig. 32B designates screw insertion holes into which to insert box screws.
  • the sockets A shown in Figs. 32A and 31B do not include any grounding terminal connection portion to which the grounding electrode pin terminal of a plug is connected nor any signal terminal connection portion to which signal- transmitting pin terminals are connected.
  • the grounding terminal connection portion 27 described in connection with the second embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the signal terminal connection portion 28 set forth in respect of the third embodiment may be added to the receptacle portion 20. Both the grounding terminal connection portion 27 and the signal terminal connection portion 28 may be added to the receptacle portion 20.
  • the housing of the socket may be formed by unifying the socket body and the frame member as is the case in the present embodiment. This makes it possible to mount the housing within the flush-mount box in an embedded state without having to use a frame member formed independently of the housing of the socket, which assists in reducing the number of parts.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
  • Details Of Indoor Wiring (AREA)

Abstract

Un dispositif de câblage (A, 110) comprend un corps de support (2) comportant une prise de courant (20) conforme aux normes IEC et un élément formant châssis (110) auquel est fixé le corps de support, l'élément formant châssis étant fixé à un boîtier affleurant, une partie arrière du corps de support étant logée à l'intérieur du boîtier affleurant. La partie formant prise de courant comprend un trou d'insertion de fiche (21) dans lequel on peut insérer une fiche (200), une partie saillante cylindrique et colonnaire (22) faisant saillie vers l'avant à partir d'une surface de fond du trou d'insertion de fiche, des trous d'insertion de bornes (23a, 23b) ouverts sur une surface avant de la partie saillante de telle manière que les bornes de broches d'électrodes de tension de la fiche sont connectées aux trous d'insertion de bornes ainsi qu'aux éléments de réception de broches (9) pour assurer une connexion électrique avec les bornes de broches d'électrodes de tension insérées dans le corps de support à travers les trous d'insertion de bornes.
PCT/IB2009/006813 2008-09-16 2009-09-14 Dispositif de câblage WO2010032104A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP2008-236797 2008-09-16
JP2008236797A JP2010073351A (ja) 2008-09-16 2008-09-16 配線装置

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2010032104A1 true WO2010032104A1 (fr) 2010-03-25

Family

ID=41345949

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IB2009/006813 WO2010032104A1 (fr) 2008-09-16 2009-09-14 Dispositif de câblage

Country Status (2)

Country Link
JP (1) JP2010073351A (fr)
WO (1) WO2010032104A1 (fr)

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CN104638624A (zh) * 2013-11-06 2015-05-20 洛克威尔自动控制技术股份有限公司 用于制造预充电电路模块的系统和方法

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JP2015008041A (ja) * 2013-06-24 2015-01-15 パナソニック株式会社 直流コンセント及び該直流コンセントに用いられる電力変換装置
JP6390981B2 (ja) * 2016-09-15 2018-09-19 パナソニックＩｐマネジメント株式会社 配線器具、取付枠、及び配線器具システム

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US20040218411A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-11-04 Luu Daniel V. H. Multi-outlet AC/DC adapter
US20070252438A1 (en) * 2003-11-07 2007-11-01 Mpathx, Llc Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20040218411A1 (en) * 2002-12-19 2004-11-04 Luu Daniel V. H. Multi-outlet AC/DC adapter
US20070252438A1 (en) * 2003-11-07 2007-11-01 Mpathx, Llc Automatic Sensing Power Systems and Methods

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN104638624A (zh) * 2013-11-06 2015-05-20 洛克威尔自动控制技术股份有限公司 用于制造预充电电路模块的系统和方法
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CN104638624B (zh) * 2013-11-06 2018-07-06 罗克韦尔自动化技术公司 用于制造预充电电路模块的系统和方法

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