Patent Application
20240258751
The claimed invention relates to a power outlet.
Conventionally, a power outlet to which an electric plug of an electric device is connected has been known. For example, the power outlet disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5575504 includes a relay and a switch member. The relay includes a fixed contact and a movable contact. The switch member is supported by the power outlet so as to be movable between a connected position and a disconnected position. The fixed contact and the movable contact of the relay are opened and closed in response to the movement of the switch member, which thereby switches connection and disconnection states between a power source and a power supply terminal.
An arc occurs between the fixed contact and the movable contact when the electrical connection between the power source and the power supply terminal is cut off. The arc between the fixed contact and the movable contact adversely affects the lives of the fixed contact and the movable contact and the operating characteristics of the relay. As such, it is preferable to quickly interrupt the arc. In the power outlet disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5575504, the speed at which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact depends only on the restoring force of the leaf spring where the movable contact is arranged. Thus, there is a risk that the arc cannot be interrupted quickly.
The claimed invention pertains to a power outlet that is able to quickly interrupt the arc that is generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact.
A power outlet according to one aspect of the claimed invention includes a case, a contact device, an operation member, a moving mechanism, a return spring, and a holding mechanism. The contact device includes a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece to be connected to the movable contact. The operation member is movable relative to the case. The moving mechanism is configured to move the movable piece in response to operation of the operation member. The moving mechanism includes a movable member and the return spring. The movable member is movable between a closed position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact. The return spring is a separate member from the movable piece and urges the movable member toward the open position. The holding mechanism is configured to hold the movable member at the closed position, and releasing the holding state in which the movable member is held at the closed position in response to operation of the operation member. When released from the holding state, the movable member moves from the closed position to the open position by the urging force of the return spring.
In the power outlet, when the state in which the movable member is held at the closed position is released in response to operation of the operation member, the movable member is moved from the closed position to the open position by the urging force of the return spring. Thus, the movable contact is able to be separated from the fixed contact more quickly than the separation speed in a case where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact only by the restoring force of a leaf spring. That is, the urging force of the return spring enables the movable member to be quickly moved from the closed position to the open position, and thereby an arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact can be quickly interrupted. As a result, it is possible to provide a power outlet that is able to quickly interrupt an arc occurring between the fixed contact and the movable contact.
The return spring may be a coil spring. In this case, the strong return force of the coil spring enables the movable member to be quickly moved from the closed position to the open position.
The holding mechanism may include a locking pawl for locking the movable member at the closed position. The operation member may include a first operation section for moving the movable member from the open position to the closed position, and a second operation section for releasing the locked state in which the movable member is locked by the locking pawl at the closed position. In this case, releasing of the locked state of the locking pawl using the second operation section allows the movable member to quickly move from the closed position to the open position.
The holding mechanism may include a ratchet member and a first biasing member.
The ratchet member may include the locking pawl and may be rotatable between a holding posture to hold the movable member at the closed position and a releasing posture to release the holding state of the movable member. The first biasing member may urge the ratchet member in a direction extending from the releasing posture to the holding posture. In this case, the holding mechanism is constituted by a ratchet mechanism, and thereby it is possible to further quickly move the movable member from the closed position to the open position.
The first operation section may include a locking protrusion configured to be engaged with the locking pawl when the movable member is moved to the closed position. The first operation section may be urged by the return spring in a direction extending from the closed position to the open position via the movable member. In this case, the first operation section and the movable member may be configured as separate bodies, which improves ease of assembly.
The locking pawl may have a flat surface perpendicular to the direction extending from the closed position to the open position. In this case, the movable member can be stably held at the closed position.
The first operation section may be configured to move the movable member from the open position to the closed position by being pressed in a direction extending from the open position to the closed position. In this case, the operability of the first operation section is improved.
The movable piece includes a contact support portion for supporting the movable contact, a base portion, and a first fulcrum located between the contact support portion and the base portion, and may be pivotable around the first fulcrum. The movable member may be configured to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact by pressing the base portion, and to move the movable contact toward the fixed contact by pressing the contact support portion.
The power outlet may further include a restriction mechanism. The case may include a recess into which an electric plug is inserted. The restriction mechanism may be configured to, while the electric plug is not inserted into the recess, restrict movement of the movable member from the open position to the closed position, wherein the movement is caused by operation of the operation member. In this case, it is possible to prevent the fixed contact and the movable contact from coming into contact with each other while the electric plug is not inserted into the recess.
A retaining mechanism may further include a retaining mechanism configured to prevent an electric plug from coming out of the case when the movable member is in the closed position. The retaining mechanism may include a retaining member movable toward and away from an engagement hole that is positioned in the electric plug, and a second biasing member for urging the retaining member toward the operation member. The retaining member may include an inclined portion configured to be pressed against the operation member in response to movement of the operation member. In this case, it is possible to prevent the electric plug from separating from the power outlet 1 in the energized state.
Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power outlet 1 according to one aspect of the claimed invention will be described with reference to the drawings. When referring to the drawings, description will be made assuming that the X1 direction is the leftward direction, the X2 direction is the rightward direction, the Y1 direction is the forward direction, the Y2 direction is the rearward direction, the Z1 direction is the upward direction, and the Z2 direction is the downward direction. These directions are defined for convenience of the description, and do not limit the arrangement directions of the power outlet 1.
The power outlet 1 may be used, for example, in an electrical equipment that requires high-capacity direct current, and is configured to connect or cut off the direct current that flows into the electrical equipment. As shown in
The electric plug 2 includes a plug cover 3, a cable 4, an insertion part 5, a first plug terminal 6, a second plug terminal 7, a plug ground terminal 8, and an engagement hole 9. The cable 4 extends upward from the plug cover 3. The insertion part 5 projects downward from the plug cover 3. The insertion part 5 includes a plug hole 5a (see
The first plug terminal 6, the second plug terminal 7, and the plug ground terminal 8 are comprised of conductive material such as copper, and are arranged in the plug hole 5a. The first plug terminal 6, the second plug terminal 7, and the plug ground terminal 8 protrude past the insertion part 5. The first plug terminal 6 and the second plug terminal 7 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The second plug terminal 7 is arranged to the left of the first plug terminal 6.
The plug ground terminal 8 is arranged between the first plug terminal 6 and the second plug terminal 7 in the left-right direction. The plug ground terminal 8 is arranged in front of the first plug terminal 6 and the second plug terminal 7.
The engagement hole 9 is formed in the rear surface of the insertion part 5. The engagement hole 9 passes through the rear surface of the insertion part 5 in the front-back direction.
As shown in
The case 10 has a rectangular box shape. The case 10 is comprised of insulating material such as resin, for example. The case 10 includes a case body 21, a cover 22, a recess 23, a first insertion hole 24, a second insertion hole 25, and a third insertion hole 26.
The case body 21 is open rearward. The cover 22 is attached to the rear of the case body 21 so as to close the opening of the case body 21.
The recess 23 is located at the top of the case body 21. The recess 23 has a concave shape downward from the top. The insertion part 5 of the electric plug 2 fits into the recess 23.
The first insertion hole 24, the second insertion hole 25, and the third insertion hole 26 open upward in the recess 23 and extend downward from the recess 23. The first insertion hole 24 is configured to accommodate the first plug terminal 6. The second insertion hole 25 is configured to accommodate the second plug terminal 7. The third insertion hole 26 is configured to accommodate the plug ground terminal 8.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
The fixed terminals 31, 32 extend in the up-down direction. The fixed terminals 31, 32 are supported by the case 10. The fixed terminals 31 and 32 each have a lower end protruding downward from the case 10. The fixed terminals 31, 32 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The fixed terminal 32 is disposed to the left of the fixed terminal 31.
The fixed contact 33 is connected to the fixed terminal 31. The fixed contact 33 is disposed on the rear surface of the fixed terminal 31.
The fixed contact 34 is connected to the fixed terminal 32. The fixed contact 34 is disposed on the rear surface of the fixed terminal 32.
The movable piece 35 extends in the up-down direction. The movable piece 35 is located behind the fixed terminal 31. The movable piece 35 is connected to the first connection terminal 27 via the support terminal 39. As shown in
The movable piece 36 is separated from the movable piece 35 in the left-right direction. The movable piece 36 is disposed to the left of the movable piece 35. The movable piece 36 is located behind the fixed terminal 32. The movable piece 36 is connected to the second connection terminal 28 via the support terminal 40. The movable piece 36 includes a contact support portion 36a, a base portion 36b, and a second fulcrum (not shown). Since the movable piece 36 is similar to the movable piece 35 in shape, detailed description thereof will be omitted.
The movable contact 37 is connected to the movable piece 35. The movable contact 37 is disposed in the contact support portion 35a of the movable piece 35. The movable contact 37 is positioned to face the fixed contact 33 in the front-back direction. The movable contact 37 is configured to contact the fixed contact 33.
The movable contact 38 is connected to the movable piece 36. The movable contact 38 is disposed in the contact support portion 36a of the movable piece 36. The movable contact 38 is positioned to face the fixed contact 34 in the front-back direction. The movable contact 38 is configured to contact the fixed contact 34.
The support terminal 39 extends in the up-down direction. The support terminal 39 is supported by the contact case 10a. The support terminal 39 is arranged in front of the movable piece 35. The support terminal 39 supports the movable piece 35 so as to be pivotable around the first fulcrum 35c. The support terminal 39 includes a receiving portion 39a for supporting the first fulcrum 35c of the movable piece 35. The receiving portion 39a is convexly curved toward the front.
The support terminal 40 is separated from the support terminal 39 in the left-right direction. The support terminal 40 is arranged to the left of support terminal 39. The support terminal 40 is supported by the contact case 10a. The support terminal 40 is arranged in front of the movable piece 36. The support terminal 40 supports the movable piece 36 so as to be pivotable around the second fulcrum. The support terminal 40 is similar to the support terminal 39 in shape. The support terminal 40 includes a receiving portion (not shown) for supporting the second fulcrum of the movable piece 36.
The moving mechanism 12 causes the movable pieces 35 and 36 to move in response to an operation of operation member 13. In the present embodiment, in response to operation of the operation member 13, the moving mechanism 12 causes the movable piece 35 to pivot around the first fulcrum 35c and causes the movable piece 36 to pivot around the second fulcrum.
The moving mechanism 12 includes a movable member 41 and a return spring 42. The movable member 41 moves between a closed position in which the movable contacts 37, 38 are in contact with the fixed contacts 33, 34 and an open position in which the movable contacts 37, 38 are separated from the fixed contacts 33, 34, in response to operation of the operation member 13. At the open position shown in
As shown in
The pusher 44 protrudes downward from the main body 43. The pusher 44 is disposed behind the movable piece 35. The pusher 44 protrudes from the main body 43 toward the movable piece 35 for pressing the movable piece 35.
The pusher 45 protrudes downward from the main body 43. The pusher 45 is disposed behind the movable piece 36. The pusher 45 protrudes from the main body 43 toward the movable piece 36 for pressing the movable piece 36.
The protruding portion 46 is arranged between the pusher 44 and the pusher 45 in the left-right direction. The protruding portion 46 protrudes upward from the main body 43.
The first cylindrical portion 47 protrudes downward from the main body 43. The first cylindrical portion 47 accommodates part of the return spring 42.
The return spring 42 is a separate member from the movable pieces 35 and 36 and urges the movable member 41 toward the open position. The return spring 42 in the present embodiment is a coil spring. The return spring 42 is positioned below the main body 43 of the movable member 41. Note that the return spring 42 is arranged inside the first cylindrical portion 47 and a second cylindrical portion 10b (see
The return spring 42 is protected by the first cylindrical portion 47 and the second cylindrical portion 10b from an arc that occurs between the fixed contacts 33, 34 and the movable contacts 37, 38. Note that the second cylindrical portion 10b may be configured to guide the up-down movement of the first cylindrical portion 47. In
The operation member 13 is supported by the case 10 so as to be movable relative to the case 10. The operation member 13 is disposed behind the recess 23 of the case 10. The operation member 13 protrudes from the top surface of case 10.
The operation member 13 includes a first operation section 51 and a second operation section 52. The first operation section 51 is a press-type operation button and is movable in the up-down direction between a first position shown in
The first operation section 51 extends in the up-down direction. The first operation section 51 is connected to the movable member 41. In the present embodiment, the first operation section 51 is arranged above the protruding portion 46 of the movable member 41 and is in contact with the upper surface of the protruding portion 46. The first operation section 51 is urged toward the first position via the movable member 41 by the return spring 42.
The first operation section 51 moves the movable member 41 from the open position to the closed position. More specifically, when the movable member 41 is in the open position, the first operation section 51 is in the first position. When the movable member 41 is in the closed position, the first operation section 51 is in the second position. When the first operation section 51 is pressed to move from the first position to the second position, the first operation section 51 presses the protruding portion 46 of the movable member 41. The pressing compresses the return spring 42 and moves the movable member 41 from the open position to the closed position.
The first operation section 51 includes a main body 51a, a locking protrusion 51b, a recess 51c, and a pressing protrusion 51d. The main body 51a extends in the up-down direction. The locking protrusion 51b protrudes to the right from the main body 51a. The locking protrusion 51b has an upper flat surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. The recess 51c is located on the rear surface of the main body 51a. The recess 51c is concaved from the rear toward the front. The pressing protrusion 51d protrudes forward from the main body 51a.
The second operation section 52 is a sliding operation button, and is movable in the left-right direction between a third position shown in
The holding mechanism 14 is configured to hold the movable member 41 at the closed position and to release the holding state in which the movable member 41 is held at the closed position in response to operation of the operation member 13. In the present embodiment, the holding mechanism 14 is configured to hold the movable member 41 at the closed position or to release the holding state in which the movable member 41 is held at the closed position via the first operation section 51 in response to operation of the operation member 13. The holding mechanism 14 allows movement of the first operation section 51 from the first position to the second position and restricts movement of the first operation section 51 from the second position to the first position. The holding mechanism 14 in the present embodiment has a function as a so-called ratchet mechanism.
The holding mechanism 14 includes a support shaft 61, a ratchet member 62, and a biasing member 63. The support shaft 61 is fixed to the case 10. The support shaft 61 extends in the front-rear direction.
The ratchet member 62 is supported by the support shaft 61. The ratchet member 62 rotates about the support shaft 61 as a rotation center. For example, in
The ratchet member 62 includes a locking pawl 62a and an abutment portion 62b. The locking pawl 62a is positioned at the lower end of the ratchet member 62. The locking pawl 62a has a lower flat surface perpendicular to the up-down direction. When the first operation section 51 moves from the first position to the second position, the locking pawl 62a is pressed by the locking protrusion 51b of the first operation section 51 and moves in a direction away from the locking protrusion 51b. This movement allows the first operation section 51 to move from the first position to the second position. As the first operation section 51 moves to the second position, the locking pawl 62a moves to above the locking protrusion 51b, so that the lower surface of the locking pawl 62a and the upper surface of the locking protrusion 51b come into contact with each other. As a result, the locking protrusion 51b is locked by the locking pawl 62a, and thereby the first operation section 51 is held at the second position.
The abutment portion 62b is in contact with the pressing portion 52a of the second operation section 52, and is pressed by the pressing portion 52a as the second operation section 52 moves from the third position to the fourth position. The pressing causes the ratchet member 62 to move from the holding position to the releasing position. Note that when the operation of the second operation section 52 is stopped, the second operation section 52 is pressed by the abutment portion 62b and returns to the third position.
The biasing member 63 may be, for example, a torsion coil spring. The biasing member 63 urges the ratchet member 62 in the direction extending from the releasing posture to the holding posture. The biasing member 63 urges the ratchet member 62 clockwise in
As shown in
While the electric plug 2 is not inserted in the power outlet 1, the restriction mechanism 15 is configured to restrict the first operation section 51 of the operation member 13 from moving from the first position to the second position. That is, the restriction mechanism 15 restricts the movable member 41 from moving from the open position to the closed position while the electric plug 2 is not inserted into the power outlet 1. The restriction mechanism 15 allows the first operation section 51 of the operation member 13 to move from the first position to the second position while the electric plug 2 is not inserted into the power outlet 1.
The restriction mechanism 15 includes a restriction member 71 and a biasing member 72. The restriction member 71 is supported so as to be movable only in the front-back direction with respect to the case 10. The restriction member 71 has a U-shape when viewed in the up-down direction. The restriction member 71 is movable in the front-rear direction between an advanced position shown in
The restriction member 71 includes a central portion 71a, a pair of extension portions 71b, and a locking protrusion 71c. The central portion 71a extends in the left-right direction. The central portion 71a is disposed behind the first operation section 51. The pair of extension portions 71b extend forward from both ends of the central portion 71a in the left-right direction toward the recess 23 of the case 10. The ends of the pair of extension portions 71b are disposed within the recess 23 of the case 10, and have an arcuate upper surface. The locking protrusion 71c protrudes forward from the central portion 71a. The locking protrusion 71c is engageable with the recess 51c of the first operation section 51. The biasing member 72 urges the restriction member 71 toward the advanced position. In the present embodiment, the biasing member 72 is configured by a pair of coil springs.
While the electric plug 2 is not inserted in the power outlet 1, the restriction member 71 is in the advanced position, and the locking protrusion 71c is engaged with the recess 51c of the first operation section 51. This configuration restricts movement of the first operation section 51 from the first position to the second position. When electric plug 2 is inserted into power outlet 1, the ends of the pair of extension portions 71b of restriction member 71 are pressed by the insertion part 5 of the electric plug 2 and move backward, which causes the restriction member 71 to move to the retracted position. As a result, the locking protrusion 71c is disengaged from the recess 51c of the first operation section 51, allowing the first operation section 51 to move from the first position to the second position. When the electric plug 2 is pulled out from the power outlet 1, the restriction member 71 moves forward due to the urging force of the biasing member 82, and the restriction member 71 returns to the advanced position.
The retaining mechanism 16 prevents the electric plug 2 and the power outlet 1 from being separated while in the energized state. The retaining mechanism 16 retains the electric plug 2 at the power outlet 1 while the first operation section 51 is in the second position. That is, the retaining mechanism 16 prevents the electric plug 2 from being withdrawn from the power outlet 1 while the movable member 41 is in the closed position.
The retaining mechanism 16 includes a retaining member 81 and a biasing member 82. The retaining member 81 is supported so as to be movable only in the front-rear direction with respect to the case 10. The retaining member 81 is movable toward and backward from the engagement hole 9 of the electric plug 2. The retaining member 81 includes an inclined portion 81a and a locking protrusion 81c. The inclined portion 81a is pressed by the pressing protrusion 51d of the first operation section 51 as the first operation section 51 moves from the first position to the second position. As a result, the retaining member 81 moves forward and the locking protrusion 81c enters the recess 23 of the case 10. The locking protrusion 72c in the recess 23 engages with the engagement hole 9 of the electric plug 2. This configuration restricts the upward movement of electric plug 2 and prevents the electric plug 2 from being withdrawn from the power outlet 1. The biasing member 82 urges the retaining member 81 toward the first operation section 51.
Next, a connection operation and a disconnection operation will be described that occur when the first operation section 51 and second operation section 52 of the operation member 13 of the power outlet 1 are operated while the electric plug 2 is inserted into the power outlet 1.
When the first operation section 51 is in the first position, the movable member 41 is in the open position. In this state, the pusher 44 presses the base portion 35b of the movable piece 35, the pusher 45 presses the base portion 36b of the movable piece 36, and the movable contacts 37, 38 are separated from the fixed contacts 33, 34.
When the first operation section 51 is pressed and moved from the first position to the second position against the urging force of the return spring 42, the movable member 41 is pressed by the first operation section 51 and moves from the open position to the closed position. In this state, the pusher 44 presses the contact support portion 35a of the movable piece 35, the pusher 45 presses the contact support portion 36a of the movable piece 36, and the movable contacts 37, 38 are brought in contact with the fixed contacts 33, 34. When the pressing operation of the first operation section 51 is stopped, the first operation section 51 is held at the second position by the holding mechanism 14. Specifically, as shown in
As shown in
In the power outlet 1 of the above configuration, when the state in which movable member 41 is held at the closed position is released in response to operation of the operation member 13, the movable member 41 is moved from the closed position to the open position due to the urging force of the return spring 42. For this reason, compared to the case where the separation speed at which the movable contacts 37, 38 separate from the fixed contacts 33, 34 depends only on the restoring force of a leaf spring, the movable contacts 37, 38 are able to be quickly separated from the fixed contacts 33, 34. That is, the urging force of the return spring 42 enables the movable member 41 to be quickly moved from the closed position to the open position. Therefore, it is possible to quickly interrupt an arc that occurs between the fixed contacts 33, 34 and the movable contacts 37, 38.
One embodiment of the claimed invention has been described above. The claimed invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.
In the above embodiment, the operation member 13 includes the first operation section 51 and the second operation section 52. However, the operation member 13 may be configured with a single operation section. The operation member 13 may be configured with a rotary ratchet mechanism that is employed in, for example, a knock-type ballpoint pen. Alternatively, the operation member 13 may be a lever switch or a rocker switch.
In the above embodiment, the first operation section 51 is a separate member from the movable member 41. However, the first operation section 51 may be integral with the movable member 41.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021-133381 | Aug 2021 | JP | national |
This application is the U.S. National Phase of International Application No. PCT/JP2022/011813, filed on Mar. 16, 2022. That application claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-133381, filed Aug. 18, 2021. The contents of those two applications are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/JP2022/011813 | 3/16/2022 | WO |
