Socket tap with overload protection mechanism

Abstract

The application provides an overload protection mechanism for a socket adapter, which includes a plug set, a socket housing, a first conductive bus, a second conductive bus, a memory alloy part, a metal spring and a button part. The first plug of the plug set is electrically connected to the first conductive bus, and the memory alloy part is electrically connected to the second plug of the plug set, which is provided with an extension piece with a movable contact. The two ends of the metal spring are respectively connected to the memory alloy part and the extension piece. The button part is movably arranged in the socket housing and can directly or indirectly press the extension piece, so that the movable contact abuts against the second conductive bus. When the memory alloy part is overheated due to current overload and the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the deformation restoring force of the extension piece itself will force the movable contact to separate from the second conductive bus and form an open circuit state. In this way, when the socket adapter is overheated due to current overload, the memory alloy part will be deformed due to the thermal memory effect, so that the socket adapter cannot maintain power conduction, effectively improving the safety in use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to a socket tap, and more particularly to a plug device having an internal shape memory alloy portion that can automatically establish a power-off state when abnormal overload heating occurs, such as current overload. Background Technology

[0002] Socket adapters (also known as socket extenders, wall-mounted multi-socket adapters, etc.) are common electrical accessories widely used in applications that require expanding a single power socket into multiple sockets. Generally, to prevent electrical overload and related hazards, existing designs typically incorporate overload protection mechanisms at the socket end, power switch module, power distribution system, or overall power line. These mechanisms include fuses, circuit breakers, and temperature control switches to prevent damage to equipment or products due to abnormal current (such as electronic devices receiving current exceeding their rated capacity). In more serious cases, these abnormal currents can cause fires, endangering user safety.

[0003] However, traditional "socket taps" typically only serve as power transmission interfaces and do not possess active monitoring or current protection functions. Therefore, if the socket tap itself overheats abnormally due to power overload, loose internal contacts, poor contact, or a humid environment, it may be damaged or experience a fire, thereby affecting equipment or products. Therefore, effectively solving the aforementioned problems has become an important issue of this application. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to stand out in the highly competitive market, the creators have finally developed a socket tap with an overload protection mechanism after a long period of research and experimentation. They hope that the launch of this application will gain market favor.

[0005] The purpose of this application is to provide a socket tap with an overload protection mechanism, comprising a plug assembly, a socket housing, a first conductive busbar, a second conductive busbar, a shape memory alloy portion, a metal spring, and a button portion. The plug assembly includes a plug body, a first plug prong, and a second plug prong. The plug body is made of insulating material, while the first and second plug prongs are made of conductive material and are assembled onto the plug body. The socket housing is made of insulating material and has a through hole on its top side, within which a receiving space is provided. A first side of the socket housing is used to assemble the plug assembly, and the first and second plug prongs are exposed outside the socket housing. At least two different sides of the socket housing, different from the first side, each have at least one set of sockets, wherein each set of sockets includes a first socket and a second socket. The first conductive busbar is located in the receiving space and includes a first contact portion and a plurality of first socket prongs. The first contact portion is electrically connected to the first plug prongs, and each first socket prong is located in each of the first sockets. The second conductive busbar is located in the receiving space and includes a second contact portion and a plurality of second socket pieces, wherein each second socket piece is located in each second socket. The shape memory alloy portion is located in the receiving space, one end of which is fixed to the second plug piece and has a movable hole thereon. The shape memory alloy portion has an extension piece extending from its inner edge adjacent to the other end of the through hole. The extension piece extends toward one end of the shape memory alloy portion and has a movable contact at its end, which can move up and down through the movable hole. The metal spring is located in the receiving space, one end of which is connected to the shape memory alloy portion and the other end of which is connected to the extension piece. The button portion is movably disposed in the through hole of the socket housing, with its top end protruding from the plug body and its bottom end located in the receiving space, corresponding to the end position of the extension piece, so as to directly or indirectly press the end of the extension piece. When the socket tap is operating normally, the movable contact is located outside the bottom surface of the shape memory alloy portion and electrically connected to the second contact portion. When the shape memory alloy portion heats up to a temperature exceeding a predetermined level due to current overload, the deformation recovery force of the extension plate itself forces the movable contact to detach from the second contact portion, creating an open circuit. Thus, when the socket tap heats up due to current overload, the shape memory alloy portion deforms due to the thermal memory effect, preventing the socket tap from maintaining power conduction and effectively improving safety during use.

[0006] Optionally, the socket tap also includes a reset member located in the receiving space, which can contact the button portion. When the button portion is pressed and the reset member is compressed, the reset member applies a restoring force to the button portion, so that when the external force is released from the button portion, the reset member can return the button portion to its original position.

[0007] Optionally, the cross-sectional configuration of the metal spring is C-shaped.

[0008] Optionally, the metal spring is made of shape memory alloy material.

[0009] Optionally, the socket housing is formed by combining a first housing and a second housing.

[0010] Optionally, the socket housing has at least one pivot groove, the plug body has at least one pivot, and the pivot can extend into the pivot groove, so that the plug assembly can rotate relative to the socket housing.

[0011] Optionally, the first conductive bus and the second conductive bus are arranged vertically along the vertical axis and are separated by a distance.

[0012] To further illustrate the purpose, technical features, and effects of this application, specific embodiments are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the drawings provided are for reference and illustration only and are not intended to limit this application. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1A This is a front perspective view of the socket tap changer of this application;

[0014] Figure 1B This is a rear perspective view of the socket tap changer of this application;

[0015] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the socket tap changer of this application;

[0016] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the plug assembly and the first conductive bus of this application;

[0017] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the plug assembly and the second conductive bus of this application;

[0018] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the plug assembly, the first conductive bus, and the second conductive bus of this application;

[0019] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the shape memory alloy part and the metal spring sheet of this application;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a cross-sectional view of the socket tap changer of this application in its normal operating state; and

[0021] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the socket tap changer of this application under overload conditions. Detailed Implementation

[0022] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the "socket tap with overload protection mechanism" disclosed in this application is provided in conjunction with specific implementation methods and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can understand the advantages and effects of this application from the content disclosed in this specification. This application can be implemented or applied through other different specific embodiments, and various details in this specification can also be modified and changed based on different viewpoints and applications without departing from the concept of this application. Furthermore, it should be stated in advance that the accompanying drawings of this application are only simple schematic illustrations and are not depictions based on actual dimensions. Although this document provides examples of parameters containing specific values, it should be understood that the parameters do not need to be exactly equal to the corresponding values, but can approximate the corresponding values ​​within acceptable error tolerances or design constraints. In addition, unless the context clearly indicates or defines it, the meanings of "a," "the," and "the" in this application include the plural.

[0023] It should be understood that although terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various components or signals, each described component or signal should not be limited by the foregoing terms, which are primarily used to distinguish one component from another or one signal from another. Furthermore, directional terms mentioned in subsequent embodiments, such as "up," "down," "front," "back," "left," and "right," are only for reference to the accompanying drawings. Therefore, the directional terms used are for illustrative purposes and not for limiting the scope of protection of this application. Additionally, the term "or" as used herein may, depending on the specific circumstances, include any combination of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0024] Furthermore, the terms "substantially" or "approximately" as used herein can refer to the average of a numerical or complex numerical value within a range of deviations from a particular value, which can be recognized or determined by those skilled in the art. This includes taking into account certain specific errors that may occur when measuring the particular value due to limitations of the measurement system or equipment. For example, a numerical value referred to "substantially" can include ±5%, ±3%, ±1%, ±0.5%, ±0.1%, or one or more standard deviations of the particular value.

[0025] This application relates to a socket tap changer with an overload protection mechanism. Please refer to [link / reference]. Figures 1A to 2As shown, the socket tap S includes a plug assembly 1, a socket housing 2, a first conductive busbar 3, a second conductive busbar 4, a shape memory alloy portion 5, a metal spring 6, and a button portion 7. To facilitate the explanation of the component features and relative positional relationships, the spatial configuration of the components will be defined according to three mutually orthogonal axes in the following description: the horizontal axis (X-axis), the vertical axis (Y-axis), and the center axis (Z-axis). Specifically, the horizontal axis (X-axis) refers to the left-right extension direction, where... Figure 1A The lower left corner is used as the left side of the component. Figure 1A The upper right of the axis is defined as the right side of the component; the vertical axis (Y-axis) refers to the front-to-back extension direction, where... Figure 1A The lower right corner serves as the front direction of the component. Figure 1A The upper left is considered the rear direction of the component; the vertical axis (Z-axis) refers to the vertical extension direction. Figure 1A The area above is considered the top (top) side of the component. Figure 1A The area below is used as the bottom (bottom) side direction of the component.

[0026] Please refer to the following: Figures 1A to 2 As shown, the plug assembly 1 includes a plug body 10, a first plug prong 11, and a second plug prong 12. The plug body 10 is made of an electrically insulating material, while the first plug prong 11 and the second plug prong 12 are made of a highly conductive and mechanically strong metal material (e.g., copper or copper alloy), and are respectively fixedly mounted on the plug body 10. When inserted into an external socket, they are electrically connected to the live wire and neutral wire terminals, respectively, thereby introducing external power into the internal circuit of the socket tap changer S. Furthermore, the aforementioned fixing method can be snap-fit, press-fit, riveting, in-mold casting, screwing, or any combination thereof, and can be supplemented with fasteners or structural flanges to improve positioning and anti-dislodgement effects, so that the first plug prong 11 and the second plug prong 12 can remain stably in the predetermined position when subjected to external force or insertion / removal operations.

[0027] Additionally, please refer to Figures 1A to 2As shown, the socket housing 2 is made of an electrically insulating material. In this embodiment, the socket housing 2 is formed by combining a first housing 21 and a second housing 22. The top side of the first housing 21 has a through hole 210. A receiving space 20 is defined between the first housing 21 and the second housing 22 to accommodate related conductive components or mechanisms. However, this is not a limitation. In other embodiments of this application, the socket housing 2 may also be formed from a single integral component or composed of two or more independent components. Furthermore, the first side (e.g., the front side) of the socket housing 2 is used to assemble the plug assembly 1, and the first plug prong 11 and the second plug prong 12 are respectively exposed outside the socket housing 2 so that they can be inserted into an external socket and electrically connected to the corresponding terminals during use. The socket housing 2 is different from at least two different sides of the first side, and is provided with at least one socket group 24, wherein the socket group 24 includes a first socket 241 and a second socket 242, so that an external plug can be inserted into the corresponding first socket 241 and second socket 242 to receive the power transmitted by the socket tap S.

[0028] In addition, please refer to Figures 1A to 2 As shown, to improve the flexibility of the socket tap S during insertion, a pivot 13 is provided on each of the left and right sides of the plug body 10, and the socket housing 2 is provided with a corresponding pivot groove 23. The pivot 13 can extend into the pivot groove 23, allowing the plug assembly 1 to rotate relative to the socket housing 2, thereby changing the orientation of the first plug piece 11 and the second plug piece 12, and adapting to different insertion postures and spatial conditions. However, depending on product requirements, the plug body 10 can have only a single pivot 13, or adopt a structure in which a pivot 13 formed by an independent component passes through the plug body 10 to provide the same or similar rotation function.

[0029] Please see Figures 1A to 3As shown, the first conductive busbar 3 is disposed in the receiving space 20 and is made of conductive material (e.g., copper or copper alloy). It includes a first contact portion 31 and a plurality of first socket pieces 33. In this embodiment, the first contact portion 31 and the first socket pieces 33 are integrally formed, but this is not a limitation. Depending on product requirements, the first conductive busbar 3 can also be composed of two or more independent components. Furthermore, the first contact portion 31 is disposed near the plug assembly 1 and is electrically connected to the first plug piece 11 to receive power (e.g., live wire) from the external socket. The first contact portion 31 can be fixed to the first plug piece 11 by riveting, welding, snap-fitting, or other conductive connection methods to ensure stable electrical conduction during insertion, removal, or rotation operations. In addition, each first socket piece 33 can extend into the corresponding first socket 241 and form an elastic contact structure to provide reliable electrical contact and stable mechanical support when the external plug's prongs are inserted, ensuring stable power output to the external load.

[0030] Please see Figures 1A to 2 , Figures 4 to 5 As shown, the second conductive busbar 4 is also housed in the receiving space 20 and is integrally formed from a conductive material (e.g., copper or copper alloy) or composed of multiple independent parts. Furthermore, the second conductive busbar 4 includes a second contact portion 42 and multiple second socket pieces 44. The second contact portion 42 is located near the plug assembly 1 but does not directly contact the second plug pieces 12. Each second socket piece 44 extends into a corresponding second socket 242, forming an elastic contact structure to provide reliable electrical contact and stable mechanical support when the external plug's prongs are inserted, ensuring stable power output to the external load. In addition, the first conductive busbar 3 and the second conductive busbar 4 are arranged vertically along the vertical axis and maintain a predetermined distance between them to avoid electrical short circuits. Thus, by stacking and spacing them vertically, the vertical space within the socket housing 2 can be effectively utilized, reducing the horizontal area occupied, thereby reducing the overall size of the socket tap changer S and improving portability and installation flexibility.

[0031] Please see Figures 1A to 2 , Figure 6As shown, the shape memory alloy portion 5 has a sheet-like configuration and is disposed in the receiving space 20. In this embodiment, the shape memory alloy portion 5 is mainly located in the area above the second contact portion 42. One end of the shape memory alloy portion 5 can be directly or indirectly fixed to the second plug piece 12. In this embodiment, the shape memory alloy portion 5 is electrically connected to the second plug piece 12 by fixing it to an intermediate conductive sheet 122 (but not limited thereto). Furthermore, a movable hole 50 is formed in the central area of ​​the shape memory alloy portion 5. An extension piece 51 extends from the inner edge of the movable hole 50 and adjacent to the other end. The extension piece 51 extends toward one end of the shape memory alloy portion 5, and its end is provided with a movable contact 53. The size of the movable contact 53 is smaller than the diameter of the movable hole 50, so that the movable contact 53 can move up and down through the movable hole 50. Thus, when the end of the extension piece 51 is subjected to force, whether by external force or by deformation caused by heat in the shape memory alloy (thermal memory effect), the resulting bending action allows the movable contact 53 to move freely through the movable hole 50, in order to cooperate with the circuit conduction or disconnection mechanism described later.

[0032] Please refer to the following: Figures 1A to 2 , Figure 6 As shown, the metal spring 6 is also located in the receiving space 20. In this embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the metal spring 6 is C-shaped (but not limited thereto). One end of the metal spring 6 can be connected to the shape memory alloy part 5, and the other end can be connected to the extension piece 51. Specifically, one end of the metal spring 6 is provided with a first opening 61, which can overlap with the front protrusion 55 on the inner side of one end of the shape memory alloy part 5; the other end of the metal spring 6 is provided with a second opening 63, which can overlap with the protrusion 511 protruding from the end of the extension piece 51. In this way, when the extension piece 51 is displaced, it can be effectively controlled by the restriction of the metal spring 6, thus controlling the up and down movement direction and position of the extension piece 51.

[0033] Please refer to the following: Figures 1A to 2 As shown, the button portion 7 can be accommodated in the through hole 210 of the socket housing 2 and can move up and down. The top of the button portion 7 can be exposed in the socket housing 2 for the user to press by hand or with a tool. The bottom end of the button portion 7 can be located in the accommodating space 20 and correspond to the end position of the extension piece 51, so as to directly or indirectly press the end of the extension piece 51. It should be noted here that the aforementioned "end" includes the area where the movable contact 53 is provided. In other words, as long as the bottom end of the button portion 7 can directly or indirectly cause the extension piece 51 to deform and the movable contact 53 to abut against the second contact portion 42 after the button portion 7 is pressed, it should be regarded as the button portion 7 pressing the end of the extension piece 51.

[0034] Furthermore, to enable the button section 7 to automatically reset, please refer to... Figures 1A to 2 , Figures 7 to 8 As shown, the socket tap changer S also includes a reset member 8, which is located in the receiving space 20 and can contact the button portion 7. Specifically, the reset member 8 is sheet-shaped and located below the button portion 7. When the button portion 7 is pressed downwards, it will compress the reset member 8 and deform it. In this case, the reset member 8 will apply an upward restoring force to the button portion 7. Afterwards, when the button portion 7 is no longer pressed (i.e., the external force is released), the restoring force applied by the reset member 8 can return the button portion 7 to its original position.

[0035] Please refer to the following: Figures 1A to 8 As shown, in this embodiment, when the socket tap S is in normal operation, the active contact 53 is located on the outer side of the bottom surface of the shape memory alloy portion 5 and is electrically connected to a conductive contact 421 of the second contact portion 42 (e.g., Figure 7 As shown), the second contact portion 42 and the second plug piece 12 can form an electrical connection through the shape memory alloy portion 5. In the aforementioned state, the other end of the metal spring piece 6 is pulled downward, causing it to elastically deform, thereby applying a downward continuous pressure to the extension piece 51, so that the movable contact 53 stably abuts against and adheres tightly to the conductive contact 421, ensuring that the second contact portion 42 and the second plug piece 12 maintain a stable electrical connection. In this way, even if the socket taper S is subjected to vibration, displacement or long-term use during use, it can maintain a good conductivity.

[0036] Please see Figures 1A to 8 As shown, when the socket tap changer S is in use, if the current exceeds the normal range due to an abnormal external load or electronic device malfunction, an overload will occur, causing the shape memory alloy part 5 to heat up due to bearing the overload current. Furthermore, when the temperature of the shape memory alloy part 5 exceeds a predetermined temperature, it will deform due to the thermal memory effect. The deformation recovery force generated by the extended sheet 51 will force the movable contact 53 to disengage from the conductive contact 421 of the second contact part 42, forming an open circuit (e.g., ...). Figure 8 As shown), at the same time, the metal spring 6 will also undergo elastic deformation again due to the deformation of the extension plate 51, so that it no longer applies continuous downward pressure to the extension plate 51, thereby ensuring that the active contact 53 does not return to the contact state with the conductive contact 421.

[0037] In addition, please refer to Figures 1A to 8As shown, in some embodiments, the metal spring 6 can also be made of shape memory alloy. When the temperature rises abnormally, the metal spring 6 can deform due to the thermal memory effect, thereby assisting the operation of the extension piece 51, so that the movable contact 53 can reliably disengage from the conductive contact 421, effectively improving the stability and response efficiency of the circuit breaker protection. In this way, since the second contact portion 42 and the second plug piece 12 are no longer electrically connected, the socket taper S and the electronic equipment connected to it can be prevented from being damaged by abnormal current or from causing dangerous situations such as fire. In addition, after the abnormal or faulty situation is resolved, the user only needs to press the button portion 7, so that the bottom end of the button portion 7 directly or indirectly presses the end of the extension piece 51, so that the movable contact 53 abuts against the conductive contact 421 again, and the socket taper S can be restored to the normal working state.

[0038] The above description is merely a preferred and feasible embodiment of this application and does not limit the scope of protection of the claims of this application. Therefore, any equivalent changes that can be conceived by those skilled in the art based on the technical content disclosed in this application without creative effort should be included within the scope of protection of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A socket diplexer with overload protection mechanism, characterized by, The socket tap includes: A plug assembly includes a plug body, a first plug prong and a second plug prong, wherein the plug body is made of insulating material, and the first plug prong and the second plug prong are made of conductive material and are assembled onto the plug body. A socket housing is made of insulating material and has a through hole on its top side, which contains a receiving space. The first side of the socket housing is used to assemble the plug assembly, and the first plug prong and the second plug prong are exposed outside the socket housing. The socket housing has at least two different sides that are different from the first side, each having at least one socket group, wherein the socket group includes a first socket and a second socket. A first conductive busbar is located in the receiving space, and includes a first contact portion and a plurality of first socket pieces, wherein the first contact portion is electrically connected to the first plug pieces, and each first socket piece is located in each first socket hole; A second conductive busbar is located in the receiving space, and includes a second contact portion and a plurality of second socket pieces, wherein each second socket piece is located in each second socket; A shape memory alloy portion is located in the receiving space, one end of which is fixed to the second plug piece, and the shape memory alloy portion is provided with a movable hole. The shape memory alloy portion is provided with an extension piece extending from the inner edge of the through hole and adjacent to the other end. The extension piece extends toward one end of the shape memory alloy portion, and the end of the extension piece is provided with a movable contact. The movable contact can move up and down through the movable hole. A metal spring, located in the receiving space, has one end connected to the shape memory alloy portion and the other end connected to the extended sheet; and A button is movably disposed in the through hole of the socket housing, with its top end protruding from the plug body and its bottom end located in the receiving space, corresponding to the end position of the extension piece, so as to directly or indirectly press the end of the extension piece; When the socket tap is in normal operation, the movable contact is located outside the bottom surface of the shape memory alloy part and is electrically connected to the second contact part; when the shape memory alloy part heats up to a temperature exceeding a predetermined temperature due to current overload, the deformation recovery force of the extension sheet itself will force the movable contact to detach from the second contact part and form an open circuit.

2. The socket tap of claim 1, wherein The socket tap also includes a reset member located in the receiving space. The reset member can contact the button portion. When the button portion is pressed and the reset member is compressed, the reset member will apply a restoring force to the button portion, so that when the external force is released from the button portion, the reset member can return the button portion to its original position.

3. The socket tap of claim 2, wherein, The cross-sectional configuration of the metal shrapnel is C-shaped.

4. The socket tap of claim 3, wherein The metal shrapnel is made of shape memory alloy material.

5. The socket tap of claim 1, wherein, The socket housing is formed by combining a first housing and a second housing.

6. The socket tap of claim 1, wherein The socket housing is provided with at least one pivot slot, the plug body is provided with at least one pivot, and the pivot can extend into the pivot slot, so that the plug group can rotate relative to the socket housing.

7. The socket tap of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein, The first conductive bus and the second conductive bus are arranged along a vertical axis direction and are separated by a distance.

Images