Electric connection coupler, its socket, and power electrode connection mechanism

Abstract

The present invention relates to an electrical connection coupler, its socket, and a power electrode connection mechanism. The power electrode connection mechanism is installed in the socket, and the power electrode connection mechanism includes: a power electrode having a first contact; a sliding mechanism having a second contact, and the second contact is electrically connected to the live wire or the neutral wire of the power supply. The sliding mechanism can slide between a conductive position and a disconnected position. When the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, the second contact is in conductive contact with the first contact, and when the sliding mechanism is in the disconnected position, the second contact is disconnected from the first contact. By adding a contact mechanism, the present invention can ensure that when the plug and the socket are rotated to a predetermined position, the contacts instantaneously contact and start conducting electricity, and when the plug rotates away from the predetermined position, the contacts instantaneously disconnect and stop conducting electricity, thereby ensuring safety and reducing the occurrence of failures.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a power electrode connection mechanism, a socket and an electrical connection coupler having the same. Background Art

[0002] Currently, a rotary conductive electrical connection coupler mainly includes a plug and a socket (as shown in Figure 1A ). After the plug is inserted into the socket, the plug is rotated in a certain direction by a certain angle to a specified position before the plug electrode (such as 201') on the plug can be completely electrically connected to the socket electrode (such as including power electrodes 11' and 12' and a ground electrode 13') on the socket 50', so as to achieve a safe power-on connection. However, for such an electrical connection coupler, when the plug is not rotated in place, a part of the plug electrode (such as a plug pin) on the plug is in contact with the socket electrode (such as a socket sleeve structure) on the socket (but not in full contact), which is likely to generate a large resistance. Such a virtual contact is not only likely to cause heating, but also likely to cause the air between the plug pin and the live socket sleeve to break down to form an arc and emit sparks, thereby leading to the occurrence of faults and even possibly causing safety accidents. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new type of electrical connection coupler that can overcome the above functional defects. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connection coupler, its socket and a power electrode connection mechanism. Through the additional contact mechanism of the power electrode connection mechanism, it can start conducting instantly when the plug rotates in place and disconnect and stop conducting instantly when the plug rotates away, so that the product is safer and more reliable.

[0004] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a power electrode connection mechanism, which is characterized in that it is installed in a socket. The power electrode connection mechanism includes: a power electrode having a first contact; a sliding mechanism having a second contact, and the second contact is electrically connected to the live wire or neutral wire of the power supply. The sliding mechanism can slide between a conductive position and a disconnected position, and when the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, the second contact is in conductive contact with the first contact, and when the sliding mechanism is in the disconnected position, the second contact is in disconnected contact with the first contact.

[0005] In an embodiment of the present invention, the sliding mechanism includes: a fixed upper cover; a pressing block movably mounted on the fixed upper cover through a pressing block spring; a sliding block slidably mounted on the fixed upper cover through a sliding block spring and in cooperative linkage contact with the pressing block; a touch electrode fixedly mounted on the sliding block, and the second contact is provided on the touch electrode; a fixed lower cover, which is assembled with the fixed upper cover to form an accommodation space, and the sliding block, the touch electrode and a part of the pressing block are accommodated in the accommodation space; when the sliding mechanism is in the off position, the pressing block moves downward and compresses the pressing block spring, and drives the sliding block to move rightward and compress the sliding block spring, so that the second contact is disconnected from the first contact; when the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, the pressing block moves upward under the elastic force of the pressing block spring, and the sliding block moves leftward under the elastic force of the sliding block spring, so that the second contact is in conductive contact with the first contact.

[0006] In an embodiment of the present invention, a part of the power supply electrode is bent downward to form a bent portion, and the first contact is provided on the bent portion; and the fixed upper cover further has a power supply electrode mounting portion for assembling the power supply electrode in cooperation.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the pressing block has a first inclined surface exposed outside and a second inclined surface located in the accommodation space, and the second inclined surface is in cooperative linkage contact with a contact inclined surface of the sliding block.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the touch electrode is L-shaped, which includes a vertical part and a horizontal part, the second contact is provided on the vertical part, and the horizontal part is connected to a wiring terminal through a flexible wire and is electrically connected to the live wire or the neutral wire of the power supply through the wiring terminal.

[0009] To achieve the above object, the present invention further provides a socket, characterized in that the socket includes the power supply electrode connection mechanism as described above, wherein the first contact of the power supply electrode connection mechanism is in conductive contact with the second contact when a plug rotates to a predetermined position, and the socket is instantaneously conductively connected to the plug; the first contact of the power supply electrode connection mechanism is disconnected from the second contact when the plug rotates away from the predetermined position, and the socket is instantaneously disconnected from the plug.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the socket includes two of the power supply electrode connection mechanisms and a ground electrode, and the second contact of one of the power supply electrode connection mechanisms is connected to the live wire of the power supply, the second contact of the other power supply electrode connection mechanism is connected to the neutral wire of the power supply, and the ground electrode is connected to the ground wire of the power supply.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the power electrode connection mechanism is the power electrode connection mechanism with a pressing block as described above, and the socket further includes a rotatable protective cover. The protective cover has jacks for inserting the pins of the plug, and a force-applying portion that contacts the pressing block during rotation and a first space for accommodating the pressing block when the plug rotates to the predetermined position are correspondingly provided on the back surface of the protective cover.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the power electrode and the ground electrode of the power electrode connection mechanism are socket structures.

[0013] To achieve the above object, an electrical connection coupler of the present invention is characterized in that it includes a plug and the socket as described above.

[0014] Through the contact mechanism added by the power electrode connection mechanism of the present invention, when the plug and the socket rotate to the predetermined position, the contacts can instantaneously contact and start conducting electricity, and when the plug rotates away from the predetermined position, the contacts can instantaneously disconnect and stop conducting electricity, thereby ensuring safety and reducing the occurrence of failures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1A It is a schematic structural diagram of a socket of an existing electrical connection coupler with some components such as the upper cover omitted;

[0016] Figure 1B For the pins of the plug and Figure 1A a schematic diagram of the state where the power electrodes of the socket in are in full contact;

[0017] Figure 2A It is a schematic structural diagram of an electrical connection coupler including a plug and a socket according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] Figure 2B For Figure 2A a schematic exploded view of the socket in;

[0019] Figure 3A For Figure 2B a schematic diagram of the structure of a partially assembled part of the socket in;

[0020] Figure 3B For Figure 2B a schematic diagram of the back surface structure of the protective cover of the socket in;

[0021] Figure 3C It is a schematic diagram of a partial structure of the socket of the present invention in a conductive connection state;

[0022] Figure 3D For Figure 3C a schematic diagram of the structure after removing the protective cover;

[0023] Figure 3E Partial structural schematic diagram of the socket of the present invention in a power-off connection state;

[0024] Figure 3F is Figure 3E Cross-sectional schematic diagram of... Detailed implementation manners

[0025] As Figure 2A , Figure 2B shown, the electrical connection coupler 300 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a plug 200 and a socket 100. Among them, the plug 200 can be rotated, for example, by a predetermined angle (such as 60°, but the present invention is not limited thereto) from an initial position along the R direction in the figure to a conductive position. After the pins on the plug 200 are inserted into the socket 100, they can be rotated to the conductive position and electrically connected to the power electrodes and ground electrodes in the socket 100. In addition, the plug 200 also has a positioning block (not shown in the figure) and a cooperating unlocking button 204. When the plug 200 is in the conductive position, the positioning block pops out of the plug and is restricted by a positioning opening to fix the plug 200 in the socket 100. In this way, the pins on the plug 200 can be kept in full contact with the power electrodes and ground electrodes on the socket 100, so that the plug 200 is in a safe use state. When it is necessary to loosen the plug, the unlocking button 204 can be pressed to retract the positioning block into the plug 200, thereby releasing the positioning between the plug 200 and the socket 100. In this way, the plug 200 can be directly pulled out, or the plug 200 can be rotated in the reverse direction to the initial position and then pulled out.

[0026] As Figure 2B shown, with reference to Figure 3A, the socket 100 of the present invention has socket electrodes 10, which may include, for example, two power electrodes 11 and 12 respectively connected to the live wire and the neutral wire of the power supply, and a ground electrode 13 connected to the ground wire of the power supply. In particular, for each of the power electrodes 11 and 12 of the present invention, a power electrode connection mechanism is respectively provided. Each power electrode connection mechanism may include, for example, a power electrode having a first contact and a sliding mechanism having a second contact, wherein the second contact is electrically connected to the live wire or the neutral wire of the power supply. And the sliding mechanism can slide between a conductive position and a disconnected position, and when the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, the second contact is in conductive contact with the first contact, and when the sliding mechanism is in the disconnected position, the second contact is in a disconnected contact with the first contact. Among them, the first contact of the power electrode connection mechanism is in conductive contact with the second contact when the plug rotates to a predetermined position, and the socket 100 is instantaneously conductively connected to the plug 200; the first contact of the power electrode connection mechanism is in a disconnected contact with the second contact when the plug 200 rotates away from the predetermined position, and the socket 100 is instantaneously disconnected from the plug 200.

[0027] Hereinafter, the power electrode connection mechanism of the present invention will be described in detail mainly taking the power electrode 11 and the corresponding sliding mechanism 20a as an example.

[0028] With reference to Figure 2B 、 Figure 3A and Figure 3C , in the present invention, the power electrode connection mechanism includes a power electrode 11 having a first contact 111 and a sliding mechanism 20a having a second contact 241. Among them, a part of the power electrode 11 can be bent downward to form a bent portion, and the first contact 111 can be provided on the bent portion.

[0029] The sliding mechanism 20a may include, for example, a fixed upper cover 21, a pressing block 22, a slider 23, a touch electrode 24, a fixed lower cover 25, etc. Among them, the fixed upper cover 21 may have a power electrode mounting portion 211 for fitting and assembling the power electrode 11. The pressing block 22 is movably mounted on the fixed upper cover 21 through a pressing block spring 221 and can move up and down. The slider 23 is slidably mounted on the fixed upper cover 21 through a slider spring 231 and is in cooperative linkage contact with the pressing block 22, and the slider 23 can move left and right. In the present invention, preferably, the pressing block 22 may have a first inclined surface 221 exposed to the outside and a second inclined surface 222 located in the accommodation space 210, and the second inclined surface 222 can be in cooperative linkage contact with a contact inclined surface 232 of the slider 23. The touch electrode 24 is fixedly mounted on the slider 23, and the touch electrode 24 has the second contact 241. Preferably, the touch electrode 24 may be L-shaped, and it may include a vertical portion and a horizontal portion. The second contact 241 is provided on the vertical portion, and the horizontal portion is connected to a wiring terminal 27 through a flexible wire (such as a flexible copper sheet or a flexible copper wire) 26 and is electrically connected to the live wire or the neutral wire of the power supply through the wiring terminal 27. The fixed lower cover 25 is assembled with the fixed upper cover 21 to form an accommodation space 210, and the slider 23, the touch electrode 24, and a part of the pressing block 22 are accommodated in the accommodation space 210.

[0030] In the present invention, the socket 100 further includes a rotatable protective cover 30. As Figure 2B , Figure 3B , Figure 3C shown, the protective cover 30 has insertion holes 31 for the plug pins 201, 202, 203 (see Figure 3A ) of the plug 100 to be inserted, and a force application portion 305 that contacts the pressing block 22 during rotation and a first space 306 that accommodates the pressing block 22 when the plug 200 rotates to the predetermined position are correspondingly provided on the back surface of the protective cover 30. The protective cover 30 can control the up and down movement of the pressing block 22 by rotation, and further drive the second contact 241 on the slider 23 to conductively contact or disconnect from the corresponding first contact 111.

[0031] More specifically, when the plug 200 is not rotated to a predetermined position (for example, rotated by a predetermined angle to a position where the pins on the plug are in full contact with the corresponding power electrodes on the socket), during the rotation of the protective cover 30, a force is always applied to the pressure block 22 through the force application portion 305, so that the pressure block 22 always keeps compressing the pressure block spring 221, and the slider 23 also always compresses the slider spring 231. At this time, the sliding mechanism is always in the disconnected position, and the second contact 241 and the first contact 111 always remain disconnected.

[0032] And when the plug 200 is rotated to the predetermined position, as Figure 3C and Figure 3D shown, at this time the protective cover 30 is rotated to a position corresponding to the pressure block 22 located in the first space 306. The pressure block 22 instantaneously bounces off (i.e., moves upward) under the elastic force of the pressure block spring 221, so that the slider 23 can move leftward under the elastic force of the slider spring 231, so that the second contact 241 and the first contact 111 are in conductive contact. At this time, the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, so that the socket 100 and the plug 200 can be instantaneously conductively connected.

[0033] As Figure 3E and Figure 3F shown, when the plug 200 leaves the predetermined position, by rotating the protective cover 30, the downward movement of the pressure block 22 can be controlled, so that the pressure block spring 221 can be compressed. The downward movement of the pressure block 22 can drive the slider 23 to move rightward, so that the slider spring 231 can be compressed. The rightward movement of the slider 23 can make the second contact 241 and the first contact 111 disconnected. At this time, the sliding mechanism is in the disconnected position, so that the socket 100 and the plug 200 can be instantaneously disconnected from power.

[0034] Therefore, the present invention can control the up and down movement of the pressure block 22 by rotating the protective cover 30, so as to drive the left and right movement of the slider 23, so that the second contact 241 and the first contact 111 are disconnected or in conductive contact, so that the plug will not conduct electricity when it is not rotated to the predetermined position, thus avoiding the problems of heat generation or sparks caused by virtual contact in the prior art.

[0035] Return to reference Figure 2B, in the present invention, the socket 100 may further include, for example, a lower housing 50, an upper cover 60, and a decorative panel 70. Among them, the protective cover 30 can be installed between the upper cover 60 and the lower housing 50. There is also an installation post 51 at the central position of the lower housing 50, and the protective cover 30 is pivotally installed in cooperation with the installation post 51 through the installation hole 32 thereon. In other embodiments, an insulating plate 40 may be provided between the protective cover 30 and the socket electrode 10, and the insulating plate 40 can also be pivotally installed through the installation post 51, and corresponding sliding grooves (not marked in the figure) are provided on the insulating plate 40 for the pins on the plug to be inserted therein and slide along it from the initial position to the conductive position.

[0036] In the present invention, the socket electrode 10 may be, for example, a socket structure, where the corresponding power electrodes 11 and 12 can be installed in cooperation with the power electrode installation part 211 on the fixed upper cover 21 of the corresponding power electrode connection mechanism, and the ground electrode 13 can be installed in a terminal washer at one end and fixed by a wiring screw in a wiring terminal 131. The power electrodes 11, 12 and the ground electrode 13 can be respectively installed in the corresponding electrode installation grooves on the lower housing 50 and be restricted by it. And corresponding to the power electrodes 11, 12 and the ground electrode 13, corresponding socket springs 15 can be respectively arranged on both the inner and outer sides thereof in contact therewith, so as to ensure reliable electrical connection between the socket electrode 10 and the pins 201, 202, 203 on the plug 200. Corresponding to the power electrodes 11, 12 and the ground electrode 13, the outer socket springs 15 can be installed through sliders 14 respectively, and the inner socket springs 15 can be installed through spring installation grooves with an arc-shaped bottom surface formed by further extending the corresponding electrode installation grooves 16.

[0037] Preferably, with reference to Figure 2B and Figure 3B , a slider 34 can also be provided at the position corresponding to the jack 31 on the back surface of the protective cover 30, and it can be slidably installed on the corresponding slider installation groove 304 (see Figure 3B ) on the protective cover 30 through a slider spring 35. Among them, when the pin of the plug 200 is inserted from the jack 31, the slider 34 will be pushed open to expose the sliding groove on the insulating plate 40, so that the pin can be inserted into the sliding groove and rotated from the initial position to the conductive position along the sliding groove. When the plug is not inserted, the slider 34 closes the jack 31 under the reset action of the slider spring 35, thereby preventing pollutants such as dust from falling into the socket through the jack 31 and causing poor contact.

[0038] After the socket is assembled, the upper cover 60 and the lower shell 50 can be fixed by assembly screws. A decorative plate 70 can be further installed on the upper cover 60 by installation screws to make the appearance of the socket more beautiful. Markings can also be provided on the socket, which can indicate the usage method of the socket or other warning marks, etc., which are not limitations to the present invention.

[0039] In the present invention, with reference to Figure 2B and Figure 3B , the socket 100 may further have an automatic return mechanism, which may be a tension spring 33 for example. There may be two tension springs 33, which are diagonally and correspondingly arranged at two opposite corner positions of the upper cover 60. One end of each tension spring 33 is installed on the upper cover 60, and the other end is installed on the protective cover 30 through a tension spring mounting post 303. Among them, the automatic return mechanism can provide a return force to reset the plug 200 that has not been rotated to the conductive position to the initial position.

[0040] In the present invention, the automatic return mechanism may further include a shock pad 63, which can be installed on the upper cover 60 through a mounting groove and can be made of TPU material to protect the protective cover 30 and the upper cover 60 from being damaged due to excessive rebound force of the tension spring 33.

[0041] During the use of the electrical connection coupler of the present invention, after the plug is inserted into the socket (not powered at this time), the plug is rotated by a certain angle to the conductive position (i.e., rotated in place), and then the first contact on the power electrode of the socket conducts electrically with the second contact on the sliding mechanism, and then the power is connected. And when the plug is rotated away from the conductive position instantaneously, the first contact and the second contact are instantaneously disconnected, and no power is conducted at this time. In this way, the problems of heat generation and sparks caused by virtual contact can be effectively avoided. Moreover, in the present invention, by providing an automatic return mechanism (such as a tension spring) in the socket, if the user does not rotate the plug to the specified position (such as the conductive position) during use, the plug will be forcibly pulled back to the initial position (i.e., the position where the plug is just inserted into the socket) under the action of the return force of the tension spring, thereby avoiding the occurrence of virtual connection. Therefore, the present invention greatly improves the functional defects of traditional sockets (small current plugs and sockets), and has safe operability, reliable connectivity, and stable usability.

[0042] The above specifically shows and describes the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A power electrode connection mechanism, characterized in that Installed in a socket, the power electrode connection mechanism includes: A power electrode with a first contact on it; A sliding mechanism with a second contact, where the second contact is electrically connected to the live wire or neutral wire of the power supply. The sliding mechanism can slide between a conductive position and a disconnected position. When the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, the second contact is in conductive contact with the first contact, and when the sliding mechanism is in the disconnected position, the second contact is disconnected from the first contact; Wherein, the sliding mechanism includes: A fixed upper cover; A pressing block movably installed on the fixed upper cover through a pressing block spring; A slider slidably installed on the fixed upper cover through a slider spring and in cooperative linkage contact with the pressing block; A touch electrode fixedly installed on the slider, and the second contact is on the touch electrode; A fixed lower cover, assembled with the fixed upper cover to form an accommodation space, and the slider, the touch electrode, and part of the pressing block are accommodated in the accommodation space; When the sliding mechanism is in the disconnected position, the pressing block moves downward and compresses the pressing block spring, driving the slider to move rightward and compress the slider spring, so that the second contact is disconnected from the first contact; When the sliding mechanism is in the conductive position, the pressing block moves upward under the elastic force of the pressing block spring, and the slider moves leftward under the elastic force of the slider spring, so that the second contact is in conductive contact with the first contact.

2. The power electrode connection mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that, A part of the power electrode is bent downward to form a bent portion, and the first contact is arranged on the bent portion; and the fixed upper cover also has a power electrode installation portion for assembling the power electrode.

3. The power electrode connection mechanism according to claim 1, wherein The pressing block has a first inclined surface exposed outside and a second inclined surface located in the accommodation space, and the second inclined surface is in cooperative linkage contact with a contact inclined surface of the slider.

4. The power electrode connection mechanism according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, characterized in that, The touch electrode is L-shaped, including a vertical part and a horizontal part. The second contact is arranged on the vertical part, and the horizontal part is connected to a wiring terminal through a flexible wire and is electrically connected to the live wire or neutral wire of the power supply through the wiring terminal.

5. A socket, characterized in that, The socket includes the power electrode connection mechanism according to any one of claims 1 to 4. Wherein, the first contact of the power electrode connection mechanism is in conductive contact with the second contact when a plug rotates to a predetermined position, and the socket is instantaneously conductively connected to the plug; the first contact of the power electrode connection mechanism is disconnected from the second contact when the plug rotates away from the predetermined position, and the socket is instantaneously disconnected from the plug.

6. The socket according to claim 5, characterized in that The socket includes two such power electrode connection mechanisms and a grounding electrode. The second contact of one of the power electrode connection mechanisms is connected to the live wire of the power supply, the second contact of the other power electrode connection mechanism is connected to the neutral wire of the power supply, and the grounding electrode is connected to the ground wire of the power supply.

7. The socket according to claim 6, wherein The socket further includes a rotatable protective cover, the protective cover is provided with insertion holes for the pins of the plug to be inserted, and a force application part that contacts the pressing block during rotation and a first space for accommodating the pressing block when the plug rotates to the predetermined position are correspondingly arranged on the back surface of the protective cover.

8. The socket according to claim 7, characterized in that, The power electrodes of the power electrode connection mechanism and the grounding electrode are socket structures.

9. An electrical connection coupler, characterized in that, It includes a plug and a socket as described in any one of claims 5 to 8.

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