STANDARD SOCKET WITH SAFETY-ENHANCED SIDE EARTH CONTACTS

Description

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the safety of electrical installations.

[0002] It relates more specifically to a power outlet according to a standard with lateral earth contacts which complies with the IP4X safety standard even when the cover plate is not attached to the power outlet housing.

[0003] We already know from document EP3836315, belonging to the applicants, of a German-type power outlet comprising a housing with a rear section containing connection terminals and a front section forming an insertion well. This housing has an intermediate partition that isolates the connection terminals from the insertion well. This intermediate partition is perforated with holes. The power outlet also includes a shutter located within the housing between the intermediate partition and the connection terminals. This shutter is mounted to rotate freely between a closed position and a released position. Finally, the power outlet includes a grounding loop with a base that connects two connecting arms emerging from the insertion well. Here, the base of the grounding loop extends above the intermediate partition separating the front and rear sections of the housing.

[0004] In relation to the aforementioned prior art, the invention proposes a power outlet according to claim 1.

[0005] Advantageously, in the power outlet according to the invention, the connection terminals are enclosed in a sealed space at the rear of the housing and, thanks to the shutter, are inaccessible from the front until a plug is inserted into the recess of the cover plate mounted in the front compartment of said housing. Such a power outlet meets the IP4X safety standard even if the cover plate is not mounted in the front compartment of the housing, since the shutter is positioned in the rear compartment of this housing, which is closed by said intermediate wall.

[0006] Furthermore, in the power outlet according to the invention, advantageously, the grounding lyre has an additional function since a part of its base, positioned appropriately in the enclosed space provided at the rear of the housing, forms a guiding element which guides the shutter during its translational movement between its shuttering and release positions.

[0007] In such a power outlet, the movement of the shutter is precise between its two functional positions without the need for any additional modifications to the housing.

[0008] Other non-limiting and advantageous features of the power outlet according to the invention, taken individually or in all technically possible combinations, are stated in claims 2 to 11.

[0009] The description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, given as non-limiting examples, will make it clear what the invention consists of and how it can be implemented.

[0010] Regarding the attached drawings: there figure 1 is a perspective view with a partial removal of a power outlet according to the invention, the figure 2 is a front perspective view of the power outlet housing of the figure 1 , there figure 3 is a three-quarter perspective view with a partial tear-off of the casing of the figure 2 , there figure 4 is another side perspective view with a partial tear-off of the casing of the figure 2 , there figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the casing of the figure 2 , there figure 6 is a front view of the casing of the figure 2 , there figure 7 is a cross-sectional view along plane AA of the figure 6 , there figure 8 is a cross-sectional view along plane BB of the figure 6 , there figure 9 is a cross-sectional view according to the CC plane of the figure 6 , and the figure 10 is a cross-sectional view along plane DD of the figure 6 .

[0011] By convention, the terms "front" and "back" will be used in relation to the direction of the user's gaze when facing the electrical outlet mounted in the wall. Thus, the front of an element will refer to the side of that element facing the user, and the back will refer to the opposite side.

[0012] The terms "inside" and "outside" will be used in reference to the socket itself, to designate respectively the side of an element facing towards the center of the socket and the side of an element facing outwards from that socket.

[0013] THE figures 1 à 10 represent a 10-pin socket according to a standard with lateral earth contacts. This 10-pin socket has an insertion well 12 ( figure 1 ) adapted to receive an electrical plug for the electrical connection of this electrical plug to an electrical network.

[0014] The power outlet 10 is designed to be mounted in a switchgear support (not shown), itself intended to be positioned either in a recessed or surface-mounted electrical box on any wall, or in a cable trunking. Alternatively, this power outlet could be an extension cord type socket, or be part of a multi-socket block, without altering the principle of the invention.

[0015] As shown by figure 1 The power outlet 10 includes a mechanism 100 comprising an insulating housing 110 containing electrical components and a cover plate 200 attached to the housing 110. The cover plate 200 forms the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10. The insertion well 12 here presents an X-axis for engaging the corresponding electrical plug (visible on the figure 1 ).

[0016] As shown by figures 1 à 5 And 7 à 10 The 110 case is made of molded plastic. It has a generally parallelepiped shape with an open interior space at the front.

[0017] As can be seen on the figure 5 The housing 110 comprises a base 111 bordered by a side wall 112 that defines the interior space. The side wall 112 has four faces, two opposite pairs, that rise from the base 111, substantially perpendicular to it. The side wall 112 has a free peripheral front edge 115 that defines the front opening of the housing 110.

[0018] As shown by figures 2 à 10 , the housing 110 houses a cover 120, made of insulating material, which forms an intermediate wall dividing the interior space of the housing 110 into two parts: a front part 110A and a rear part 110B.

[0019] The rear section 110B is an enclosed space extending between the bottom 111 of the housing 110 and the said cover 120 (see figures 7 à 9 ) while the front part 110A is an open space that extends between the hood 120 and the front opening of the housing 110.

[0020] The cover 120 is formed by a plate whose front face 120A is generally flat and extends substantially parallel to the bottom 111 of the housing 110.

[0021] As shown by figure 5 The hood 120 includes fastening means intended to cooperate with complementary fastening means of the housing 110. To prevent any forward movement of the hood 120, the hood 120 has on three adjacent sides tabs with anti-pull-off teeth 122 adapted to hook onto edges 114 provided in the side wall 112. To prevent any rearward movement of the hood 120, the hood 120 rests on features (not visible in the figures) formed in the side wall 112 of the housing 110 in such a way that it closes the section of the internal space of the housing 110.

[0022] The rear part 110B of the housing 110 contains the electrical contact elements of the power outlet 10. These electrical elements include three connection terminals 130A, 130B: a 130A phase terminal, a 130A neutral terminal and a 130B earth terminal ( figure 5 ). Each of the 130A, 130B connection terminals must be supplied with power via a conductor from the network.

[0023] As depicted on the figures 3 à 5 Each of the phase and neutral terminals 130A is an automatic connection terminal with a spring-loaded contact blade 131 and a socket 132 for receiving a prong of an electrical plug inserted into the power outlet. The neutral terminal 130B is also an automatic connection terminal with a spring-loaded contact blade 131.

[0024] The alveoli 132 are located opposite two circular orifices 125 provided in the cover 120 for the passage of the pins of the corresponding electrical plug.

[0025] When the electrical plug is inserted into the power outlet 10, the pins of this electrical plug pass through the holes 125 of the cover 120 and enter the recesses 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A.

[0026] In a rear part of the side wall 112 of the housing 110, there are openings (not visible in the figures) in which disconnection levers 135 are engaged, which allow action on the contact spring blades 131 of the connection terminals 130A, 130B to release the bare core of the electrical conductors connected to said connection terminals 130A, 130B.

[0027] Power outlet 10 shown on the figures 1 à 10 is a standard socket outlet with lateral earth contacts, in which earthing is achieved via a metallic wire 150 connected to said earth terminal 130B. The wire 150 is conventionally obtained by cutting and bending a metal strip. It comprises a base 151 in the form of a flat strip which connects two symmetrical connecting arms 152 ( figures 1 à 7 , 9 et 10 ). The base 151 of the lyre 150 has a parallel front face 151A and rear face 151B.

[0028] Each of the connecting branches 152 forms an angle of less than 90 degrees with respect to the base 151 ( figures 1 , 3 à 5 , 9 et 10 Each of the connecting arms 152 has a substantially S-shaped form which connects to the base 151 of the yoke 150 via a portion curved towards the center of the power outlet. In this way, the connecting arms 152 of the yoke 150 are able to deform slightly elastically to make contact with the corresponding metal part of the electrical plug inserted into the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10.

[0029] As can be seen on the figure 1 The connecting arms 152 of the yoke 150 emerge into the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10. The shape of the connecting arms 152 towards the side wall 112 of the housing 110 allows them to bear against additional contact areas of the electrical plug when the latter is inserted into the power outlet 10.

[0030] As shown by figures 2 à 4 And 9 , the base 151 of the lyre 150 is arranged in the rear space 110B of the internal space of the housing 110 in a space between the hood 120 and the connection terminals 130A.

[0031] More specifically, as shown by the figures 2 And 6 , the base 151 of the lyre 150 is arranged under the hood 120, in a space located between the two orifices 125 of the hood 120 and above the connection terminals 130A.

[0032] As shown by figures 2 And 4 à 6The cover 120 has, in its central part, an opening 126 designed to accommodate the base 151 of the yoke 150, so as to position the yoke 150 centrally within the housing 110. The base 151 of the yoke 150 rests against a portion of the rear face of the cover 120, filling this opening 126. As can be seen on the figures 2 , 4 And 6 From the front of the case 110, part of the base 151 of the lyre 150 appears through the opening 126.

[0033] Furthermore, in this centered position, the base 151 of the lyre 150 is sandwiched between an internal feature of the housing 110 and the rear face of the head of a pin 160 from the housing 110 (see figures 2 And 9 ).

[0034] As depicted on the figure 5 The base 151 of the lyre 150 includes an aperture 151C positioned approximately at the center of this base 151. As shown by the figures 2 And9 The slotted head of the pin 160 passes through the opening 151C of the base 151 of the yoke 150, to cooperate by snap-fit ​​with a bar 127 belonging to the cover 120 so that the rear face of the head of the pin 160 rests against the front face 151A of the base 151 of the yoke 150 while a central part of the rear face 151B of the base 151 of the yoke 150 rests against the said internal fittings of the housing 110 (see figure 9 ).

[0035] This bar 127 extends to the center of the opening 126 of the hood 120 ( figures 2 à 4 , 6 And 9 ) from one longitudinal edge to the other of this opening 126.

[0036] Furthermore, the bar 127 is formed, projecting, at the front of the hood 120. Thus, advantageously, the base 151 of the lyre 150 is positioned within the thickness of the hood 120, the front face 151A of the base 151 of the lyre 150 being slightly offset towards the rear relative to the front face 120A of the hood 120 ( figure 3 And 9 ).

[0037] The lyre 150 is also held in the side wall 112 because the curved part of each connecting arm 152, which joins the base 151, is engaged in a groove 118 formed in the thickness of the side wall 112 and rests on the bottom 117 of this groove 118 (see figures 2 And 3 ). The edges of the grooves 118 hold the said connecting branches 152 laterally, the bottom of the grooves 118 holds the lyre 150 backwards.

[0038] The securing of the base 151 of the yoke 150 to the hood 120 allows the yoke 150 to be raised to the maximum in the housing 110 and thus to gain space in the rear part 110B of the housing 110 for the positioning of the connection terminals 130A, 130B in this housing 110.

[0039] Advantageously according to the invention, to ensure the electrical safety of the power outlet 10, in particular when the trim ring 200 is not brought into the housing 110, the housing 110 houses a shutter 170 which, in a rest position, closes said orifices 125 of the cover 120.

[0040] As shown by figures 1 , 3 , 4 , 7 , 8 And 10 This shutter 170 is positioned in the rear part 110B of the internal space of the housing 110, between the cover 120 and the connection terminals 130A, 130B. More precisely, the shutter 170 is arranged between the base 151 of the yoke 150 and the inlets of the sockets 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A.

[0041] This shutter 170 is mounted to move freely between a closed position (its rest position), in which it closes the openings 125 in the cover 120, and a released position, in which it opens the passage through these openings 125. The translational movement of the shutter 170 between its closed and released positions is achieved by inserting the pins of an electrical plug, inserted into the insertion well 12 of the power socket 10, through the openings 125 in the cover 120. This translational movement is achieved against an elastic return means 180, which continuously pushes the shutter 170 back into its closed position. This elastic return means is a helical spring 180 compressed between the shutter 170 and an internal part of the housing 110.

[0042] As depicted on the figure 5 The shutter 170 has a U-shaped form, the two arms 172 of which form shutters for the openings 125 of the cover 120. In the closed position, the two arms 172 are interposed between the openings 125 of the cover 120 and the inlets of the sockets 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A (see the figure 6 ).

[0043] The 170 shutter is made in one piece by molding an insulating plastic material.

[0044] The translational movement of the shutter 170 is carried out along an axis orthogonal to the X axis of engagement of the electrical plug in the insertion well 12.

[0045] In a particularly advantageous manner according to the invention, a portion of the shutter 170 is adapted to slide against a face of the base 151 of the lyre 150 during its translation between its shutter and release positions. Here, the shutter 170 slides on the rear face 151B of the base 151 of the lyre 150. The lyre 150, and more particularly its base 151, thus forms a guiding element for the translational movement of the shutter 170.

[0046] The base 171 of the U-shaped shutter 170 is shaped to allow this sliding movement along the rear face 151B of the base 151 of the lyre 150. As shown in the figures 1 And 3 à 5The base 171 of the shutter 170 includes a groove 171A shaped to accommodate a part of the base 151 of the lyre 150. Thanks to this cooperation between the groove 171A of the base 171 of the shutter 170 and the part of the base 151 of the lyre 150, the shutter 170 is perfectly guided in translation between its closing and release positions without the need for additional arrangements in the housing 110.

[0047] Furthermore, the arrangement of the lyre 150 and the shutter 170, as close as possible to the hood 120, allows, while maintaining the electrical safety of the power outlet 10, to have a larger space in the rear part 110B of the housing 110 for the positioning of the connection terminals 130A, 130B in this housing 110.

[0048] Furthermore, the 110 housing includes 119 fittings ( figure 10 forming a stop for the shutter 170, allowing the shutter 170 to be blocked from moving in the closed position (during its movement to close the orifices 125). Other (not shown) arrangements of the housing 110 are provided to form a stop for the shutter 170 when it is moved to its release position by inserting an electrical plug into the insertion well 12 of the power socket 10.

[0049] For its movement from its closed position to its released position when the electrical plug is inserted into the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10, the shutter 170 includes, at the free end of each of its arms 172, an inclined face 172A ( figures 1, 2 , 4 , 5 , 7, 8 And 10). Each inclined face 172A allows the end of one of the pins of the electrical plug which is engaged in the insertion well 12 to be supported through one of the holes 125 of the cover 120.

[0050] Given the U-shaped shape of the shutter 170, each inclined panel 172A is positioned on either side of the base 151 of the lyre 150, along this base 151, so that each inclined panel 172A is interposed between one of the orifices 125 provided in the hood 120 and the entrance of the alveoli 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A housed in the casing 110.

[0051] The angle of these inclined plates 172A is designed so that when the prongs of the electrical plug are inserted through the openings 125 in the cover 120 and press against these inclined plates 172A, they cause the shutter 170 to move to its release position. This then allows the prongs free access to the recesses 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A of the power outlet 10.

[0052] The front portion 110A of the housing 110 is designed to receive the cover plate 200 of the power outlet 10. The cover plate 200 is inserted into the front portion 110A of the housing 110 so as to close the housing 110 from the front. The cover plate 200 has attachment means (not shown) adapted to cooperate with additional attachment means (not shown) located in the side panel 112 of the housing 110.

[0053] As shown by figure 1 , the trim 200 includes a cylindrical wall 202, which delimits the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10, a front part 201 which borders laterally, at the front, this cylindrical wall 202 and a shutter 210 mounted movable inside the insertion well 12.

[0054] The facade section 201, which here has a square outline, contributes to the decorative finish of the power outlet 10. It is a single piece with the cylindrical wall 202.

[0055] The cylindrical wall 202 accommodates two pairs of lateral uprights 204 arranged opposite each other (of which only one pair is shown on the figure 1 ), extending outward from an inner face 203 of this cylindrical wall 202, parallel to the engagement axis X. The two pairs of lateral uprights 204 are diametrically opposed in the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10 and are adapted to guide the sliding of the electrical plug in the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10 during its insertion.

[0056] As shown by figure 1 , the inner face 203 of the cylindrical wall 202 also includes cutouts 206A through which the connecting arms 152 of the yoke 150 protrude inside the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10. These cutouts 206A are diametrically opposed in the cylindrical wall 202.

[0057] The inner face 203 of the cylindrical wall 202 includes further cutouts 206B intended to accommodate the free ends 153 of the connecting arms 152 of the yoke 150, in particular when, due to its insertion into the power outlet 10, the electrical plug presses on the connecting arms 152 of the yoke 150.

[0058] As shown by figure 1 The flap 210 is mounted movable inside the cylindrical wall 202 of the trim piece 200 so as to close off the section of the insertion well 12 that it delimits. This flap 210 forms a movable bottom of the insertion well 12.

[0059] This flap 210 is movable in translation relative to the cylindrical wall 202, along the engagement axis X, between two extreme positions: a raised position and a retracted position. The raised position (not shown) corresponds to a rest position of the trim piece 200, in which the front face 210A of the flap 210 is aesthetically flush with the front face 201A of the front section 201 of the trim piece 200. Alternatively, in the raised position, la The front face of the shutter may show a slight offset towards the rear compared to the front face of the front part of the trim.

[0060] The pressed position, shown on the figure 1 , corresponds to the position in which the flap 210 extends to the bottom of the insertion well 12, against the cover 120 forming the intermediate wall of the housing 110.

[0061] The 210 flap has a generally circular outline. As shown on the figure 1 This contour includes two diametrically opposed cutouts 212 for the passage of the connecting arms 152 of the lyre 150. This contour includes, along a diameter orthogonal to that on which said cutouts 212 are placed, two pairs of right-angled notches (only one of which is shown on the figure 1 diametrically opposed. Each pair of notches forms a tongue 213 which cooperates with a corresponding groove 205 formed between the uprights 204 of each pair of the cylindrical wall 202. This cooperation then allows the precise guidance of the translational movement of the shutter 210 between its raised and lowered positions. The bottom of each groove 205 forms a stop wall for each tongue 213 of the shutter 210 when it is in the lowered position.

[0062] As shown by figure 1 The flap 210 includes two circular openings 215 for the passage of the electrical plug prongs. These two openings 215 are positioned opposite the holes 125 in the cover 120 and aligned along the same axis, parallel to the X-axis, as the recesses 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A. The openings 215 and the holes 125 are therefore aligned to allow the passage of the electrical plug prongs, inserted into the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10, towards said recesses 132.

[0063] Under normal operating conditions, the shutter 210 is designed to be pushed back from its raised position to its lowered position by inserting the prongs of the electrical plug into the openings 215 of the shutter 210 and applying a pushing force. In the lowered position, the openings 215 of the shutter 210 extend close to the holes 125 of the cover 120 so that the prongs of the electrical plug can enter the recesses 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A of the power outlet 10.

[0064] In practice, when retracted, the flap 210 is kept away from the cover 120 thanks in particular to the presence of a raised edge 129 extending perpendicularly from the front face 120A of the cover 120. This ensures compliance with the standardized distance between the flap 210 (forming the base of the trim piece 200) and the inlet of the connection terminals 130A. Specifically, this arrangement ensures compliance with the standardized distance of 8 ± 1 millimeters between the flap 210 in the retracted position and the inlet of the sockets 132 of the connection terminals 130A.

[0065] To ensure that the shutter 210 returns to its raised position when the prongs of the electrical plug are removed from the socket 10, elastic return means (not shown) are provided for this shutter 210. These return means constantly exert a force tending to return the shutter 210 to its raised position. Thus, as soon as the prongs of the electrical plug are removed from the sockets 132 of the socket 10, the shutter 210 automatically returns to its raised position.

[0066] Advantageously, to enhance the electrical safety of the socket 10, another shutter 230 is provided, attached to the flap 210 of the cover 200 ( figure 1 ). This other shutter 230 is positioned at the rear of the shutter 210, between the shutter 210 and the cover 120 of the body 110.

[0067] By "solidarized", we mean here that the other shutter 230 is linked to the flap 210 in such a way that when the trim ring 200 is removed from the housing 110, the other shutter 230 remains assembled to the flap 210 (and therefore to the trim ring 200).

[0068] In order to ensure its safety function, and to allow the openings 215 of the shutter 210 to be closed when no electrical plug is inserted, the other shutter 230 is mounted to rotate freely between a closed position in which it closes said openings 215 and an open position in which it allows passage through these openings 215. The rotational mounting of the shutter 230 can be achieved by threading an opening of the shutter 230 onto a trunnion attached to the shutter 210 or attached to a cassette housing said shutter and secured to said shutter 210.

[0069] As can be seen on the figure 1 , the other shutter 230 comprises two wings 232 (only one of which is visible on the figure 1 ). Each of the two wings 232 is arranged relative to each other so as to form a shutter for the openings 215 of the flap 210.

[0070] Thus, in the closed position, the two wings 232 are positioned between the openings 215 of the flap 210 and the ports 125 of the cover 120 to prevent access to the connection terminals 130A. In the open position, the two wings 232 move away from the openings 215 to allow access to said ports 125 of the cover 120 and therefore to the connection terminals 130A.

[0071] To allow access to the 130A connection terminals, the other shutter 230 pivots around the engagement X-axis until the wings 232 completely clear the passage to the 130A connection terminals. As shown in the figure 1For its rotational drive from its closed position to its open position when the electrical plug is inserted into the power outlet 10, the other shutter 230 has, at the end of each of its two wings 232, an inclined face 232A. Each inclined face 232A allows the end of one of the pins of the electrical plug which is inserted into the insertion well 12 to bear against one of the openings 215 of the shutter 210.

[0072] Each inclined panel 232A is positioned on either side of the engagement X axis so that each inclined panel 232A is interposed between one of the openings 215 provided in the flap 210 and the entrance of the cells 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A housed in the box 110.

[0073] The angle of these inclined panels 232A is designed so that when the prongs of the electrical plug are inserted through the openings 215 provided in the shutter 210 and press against these inclined panels 232A, they cause the other shutter 230 to move to its open position. This then allows the prongs free access to the phase and neutral terminals 130A of the power outlet 10.

[0074] To ensure that the other shutter 230 returns to the closed position when the pins of the electrical plug are removed from the power outlet 10, elastic return means (not visible) are provided for this other shutter 230. These return means are, for example, formed by a torsion spring acting on said other shutter 230.

[0075] We will now describe the movements of the different components of the power outlet 10 when an electrical plug is inserted into the insertion well 12 of this power outlet 10.

[0076] Initially, the mobile flap 210 is held in the raised position by the associated elastic return means.

[0077] The other shutter 230, which is held in the closed position by the associated elastic return means, then prevents dust particles from entering the power socket 10 and prevents a simple press on the flap 210 from causing it to sink into the insertion well 12.

[0078] The shutter 170 is held in the shutter position by the helical spring 180.

[0079] When a user inserts an electrical plug into the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10, the prongs of this electrical plug pass through the openings 215 of the shutter 210 and come to rest against the inclined faces 232A of the other shutter 230, which causes the latter to pivot.

[0080] The electrical plug is then free to penetrate further into the insertion well 12 of the power outlet 10, until it comes to rest against the front face 210A of the shutter 210 and pushes the latter back into its pushed-in position.

[0081] During this movement, the pins of the electrical plug pass through the orifices 125 of the hood 120 and come to rest against the inclined faces 172A of the shutter 170, which causes the latter to slide in translation on the rear face 151B of the base 151 of the lyre 150 towards its release position by compressing the helical spring 180.

[0082] The electrical plug is then free to penetrate further into the power outlet 10, until its prongs engage in the recesses 132 of the phase and neutral terminals 130A to be connected to these terminals.

[0083] Simultaneously, during the insertion movement of the electrical plug, the metal earth parts of the electrical plug come into contact with the connection arms 152 of the yoke 150 to be connected to the earth terminal 130B of the power outlet 10. The electrical plug causes the elastic deformation of the connection arms 152 whose ends 153 engage in the cutouts 206B of the cylindrical wall 202.

[0084] Removing the electrical plug from the socket 10 causes the reverse movement of the various components of this socket 10, thanks in particular to the various return means involved.

[0085] Finally, it should be noted that when the bezel 200 is removed, the shutter 170 remains attached to the housing 110. Because of this attachment, the shutter 170 ensures the electrical safety of the power outlet 10, even when the bezel 200 is removed. The shutter 170 thus retains its electrical protection function when the bezel 200 is removed from the housing 110. The other shutter 230 remains attached to the bezel 200, which facilitates its removal.

Claims

1. A power socket (10) comprising: - a housing (110) that contains, at the rear, phase and neutral connection terminals (130A), and, at the front, a trim plate (200) comprising a well (12) for inserting an electrical plug, said housing (110) comprising an intermediate wall (120) that insulates said connection terminals (130A) from the front part (110A) of the housing (110) receiving the trim plate (200), this intermediate wall (120) being drilled with orifices (125) for access to said connection terminals (130A); - a shutter (170) arranged in said housing (110) between the intermediate wall (120) and the connection terminals (130A); - an earthing spring contact (150) arranged in the housing and having a base (151) in the form of a flat strip that connects two connection branches (152) emerging in the well (12) of the trim plate (200); characterised in that the base (151) of the spring contact (150) is placed under the intermediate wall (120), in a space located between the orifices (125) of this intermediate wall (120), and above the connection terminals (130A), wherein the shutter (170) is mounted such that it may move freely between a shut-off position wherein it shuts off said orifices (125) of the intermediate wall (120) and a release position wherein it releases the passage through these orifices (125), and the shutter (170) is U-shaped, the base (171) of which comprises a groove (171A) shaped to receive a part of the base (151) of the spring contact (150), and the two branches (172) of which form flaps for shutting off said orifices (125) of the intermediate wall (120), a part of the shutter (170) being adapted to slide against a surface of the base (151) of the spring contact (150), during translation between the shut-off and release positions, such that the spring contact (150) forms an element for guiding the translational movement of the shutter (170).

2. The power socket (10) according to Claim 1, wherein the shutter (170) is arranged between the base (151) of the spring contact (150) and the connection terminals (130A).

3. The power socket (10) according to Claim 1, wherein each flap of the shutter (170) has a sloping panel (172A) for bearing against one end of one of the pins of the electrical plug engaged through one of the orifices (125) of the intermediate wall (120).

4. The power socket (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein means are provided (180) for returning said shutter (170) to the shut-off position.

5. The power socket (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the spring contact (150) is centred in the housing (110) via a terminal (160) that engages by snap-fastening with a strip (127) formed in the intermediate wall (120).

6. The power socket (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the spring contact (150) is held in the housing (110), at the front, by the intermediate wall (120) and, at the rear, by fittings provided in said housing (110).

7. The power socket (10) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the trim plate (200) comprises: - a side wall (202) delimiting the X-axis well (12), and - a flap (210) that closes the section of the well (12), comprising two openings (215) for the passage of the pins of a plug inserted into the well (12), this flap (210) being mounted such that it is translationally movable along said X axis relative to the side wall (202), between a "down" position and an "up" position.

8. The power socket (10) according to Claim 7, wherein the shutter (170) is translationally movable along a transverse axis orthogonal to said X axis.

9. The power socket (10) according to any one of Claims 7 and 8, wherein the trim plate (200) comprises, between the flap (210) and the intermediate wall (120) of the housing (110), another shutter (230) secured to said flap (210) and mounted so as to rotate freely about the X axis between a closed position wherein it shuts the openings (215) of the flap (210) and an opening position wherein it releases these openings (215).

10. The power socket (10) according to Claim 9, wherein means are provided for returning said other shutter (230) to the closing position.

11. The power socket (10) according to any one of Claims 7 to 10, wherein means are provided for returning said flap (210) to the "up" position.