Wiring devices

By reorienting the cable's straight portion to align with the central axis and using a recess to stabilize the tilted winding portion, the housing tilt issue in pendant-type outlets is addressed, enhancing assembly and stability.

JP2026060192APending Publication Date: 2026-04-08TOSHIBA LIGHTING & TECHNOLOGY CORP
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-27
Publication Date
2026-04-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Pendant-type outlets with stretchable cables risk tilting due to the structure of drawing a straight portion of the cable into the housing, which can cause the housing to tilt relative to the vertical direction.

Method used

The cable's straight portion is reoriented to align with the central axis of the curled section and drawn into the housing, with a recess on the housing surface accommodating the tilted final winding portion to minimize tilting.

Benefits of technology

This design reduces the tilting of the housing by aligning the straight portion with the central axis and using a recess to stabilize the tilted winding portion, simplifying assembly and reducing the risk of housing tilt.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide a wiring device that can reduce the tilt of the enclosure. [Solution] The wiring device 10 comprises a housing 12, a recessed portion 33, a hole 32, a wiring device body, and a cable 11. The recessed portion 33 and the hole 32 are provided on the upper surface of the housing 12. The wiring device body is disposed in the housing 12. The cable 11 has a coiled portion 22, a final winding portion 23 formed on the end side of the coiled portion 22, and a straight portion 24 formed in a straight line from the end of the final winding portion 23 in a direction intersecting the central axis of the coiled portion 22. At least a portion of the final winding portion 23 of the cable 11 is placed in the recessed portion 33 of the housing 12, and the straight portion 24 is pulled into the housing 12 through the hole 32 of the housing 12 and electrically connected to the wiring device body.
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Description

Technical Field

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[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to wiring devices.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been a pendant-type outlet as a wiring device. This pendant-type outlet uses a stretchable cable having a curled portion formed in a coil shape, and the end portion on the lower end side of the curled portion of this cable is drawn into the housing and electrically connected to the outlet body in the housing.

[0003] In such a pendant-type outlet, when a cable in which a straight portion is formed in a direction intersecting the central axis of the curled portion is used from the end of the outermost winding formed on the end side of the curled portion, depending on the structure for drawing the straight portion of the cable into the housing, there is a risk that the housing will be tilted with respect to the vertical direction by the cable.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0007] According to this embodiment, it is expected that the tilt of the wiring device housing can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of a wiring device showing one embodiment. [Figure 2] The above diagram shows the cable of the wiring device; (a) is a side view showing the final winding and straight sections of the cable in its standalone state, and (b) is a side view showing the final winding and straight sections of the cable when it is assembled into the housing. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view of the cable and housing of the same wiring device. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of the housing of the same wiring device with the cables omitted. [Figure 5] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the same wiring device as seen from the rear. [Figure 6] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the same wiring device as seen from the front. [Figure 7] This is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the same wiring device as seen from the front. [Figure 8] This is a rear view showing the relationship between the recessed part of the housing of the same wiring device and the cable. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] One embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] Figure 1 shows a hanging outlet as a wiring device 10. The wiring device 10 comprises a cable 11, a housing 12 disposed on the lower end of the cable 11, a wiring device body 13 (see Figures 5 to 7) disposed inside the housing 12, a suspension device 14 (see Figures 5 and 6) disposed inside the housing 12, and a connection part 15 disposed on the upper end of the cable 11. The wiring device section 16 is formed by the housing 12, the wiring device body 13 and the suspension device 14 disposed inside the housing 12, and the cable 11 and the suspension cord 55 of the suspension device 14 (see Figure 3, etc.) are connected between the wiring device section 16 and the connection part 15.

[0011] The cable 11 is shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 5 through 8. The cable 11 is, for example, a vinyl parallel cord (VFF) in which multiple wires 20, each with a conductor covered in an insulator, are covered with an elliptical cross-section insulating sheath (covering) 21. The cable 11 is a 3-core type with two wires 20 for voltage poles and one wire 20 for grounding.

[0012] The cable 11 is a coiled cord having a coiled portion 22 formed in a coil shape (spiral shape) around a predetermined central axis. A final winding portion 23 is formed on the lower end side, which is one end of the coiled portion 22, and a straight portion 24 extends from the end of the final winding portion 23. The final winding portion 23 is part of the coiled portion 22 and, at least when viewed as a standalone cable (not assembled in the housing 12), is formed in a coil shape (spiral shape) similar to the coiled portion 22. Unlike the coiled portion 22 and the final winding portion 23, the straight portion 24 is not formed in a coil shape (spiral shape) at least when viewed as a standalone cable (not assembled in the housing 12).

[0013] As shown in Figure 2(a), in the state of the cable 11 as a standalone cable without being assembled into the housing 12, a straight section 24 extends from the end of the final winding section 23 in a direction intersecting the central axis z1 of the curled section 22. More specifically, the straight section 24 is arranged to extend tangentially to the circular shape of the curled section 22 when viewed from the central axis direction (vertical direction in this embodiment).

[0014] As shown in Figure 2(b) and other figures, when the lower end of the cable 11 is assembled into the housing 12, the straight section 24 extending tangentially from the end of the final winding section 23 at the lower end of the curled section 22 is reoriented to align with the central axis z1 of the curled section 22. This reorientation of the straight section 24 causes the final winding section 23 to change its orientation so that it is tilted more significantly than the coiled inclination of the intermediate winding section 25 above it, meaning that the central axis z2 of the final winding section 23 intersects with the central axis z1 of the curled section 22 (intermediate winding section 25). As a result, the final winding section 23 has a lower portion 23a that detaches from the intermediate winding section 25 and protrudes downward, and an upper portion (bent portion) 23b that bends near the end of the final winding section 23 so that it is smaller than the outer shape of the intermediate winding section 25 and protrudes upward. At least a portion of the upper portion 23b is positioned inside the intermediate winding portion 25 of the curl portion 22, or is in contact with the intermediate winding portion 25 of the curl portion 22. For at least a portion of the upper portion 23b to be positioned inside the intermediate winding portion 25 of the curl portion 22 includes cases where at least a portion of the upper portion 23b extends into the inner region of the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate winding portion 25, and cases where at least a portion of the upper portion 23b does not extend into the inner region of the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate winding portion 25, but is located below the inner region of the inner circumferential surface of the intermediate winding portion 25 when viewed from a direction along the central axis z1 of the curl portion 22.

[0015] By changing the direction of the straight section 24 of the cable 11 to align with the central axis z1 of the curled section 22 and pulling it into the housing 12 from the top surface, the internal structure of the housing 12, such as the structure for holding the cable 11, can be simplified and assembly can be improved compared to a structure in which the curled section 22 is pulled directly into the housing 12.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the cable 11 is incorporated into the housing 12, the tip of the straight portion 24 is positioned between the upper surface of the housing 12 (the hole 32 in the upper surface portion 31) and the winding portion 56 of the suspension device 14. The three electric wires 20 protruding from the tip of the straight portion 24 are divided and routed so as to be dispersed and arranged in the housing 12 and then connected to the wiring device main body 13.

[0017] Note that the straight portion 24 of the cable 11 refers to a region in the cable 11 that is not coiled. That is, the straight portion 24 does not necessarily have to be straight and may include bent or curved portions. Similarly, a final winding portion and a straight portion may be formed on the upper end side, which is the other end side of the curl portion 22.

[0018] The housing 12 is shown in FIGS. 1, 3 to 8. The housing 12 is made of resin and has insulation properties. The housing 12 is formed in an outer shape that is narrow at the upper side and wide at the lower side when viewed from the front (front view from a direction in which the operation button 38 can be confirmed). An opening 30 for arranging the wiring device main body 13 is formed on the lower surface side of the housing 12.

[0019] The upper surface portion 31 of the housing 12 is formed in a circular shape. A hole 32 through which the straight portion 24 of the cable 11 is inserted is provided in a region deviated from the center of the circular shape of the upper surface portion 31 toward the outer diameter side. A recess 33 in which the lower portion 23a of the final winding portion 23 of the cable 11 is arranged is provided, and a suspension string insertion hole 34 is provided at the center of the upper surface portion 31. The fact that the lower portion 23a of the final winding portion 23 is arranged in the recess 33 means that at least a part of the lower portion 23a is located within the space of the recess 33.

[0020] The end of the final winding portion 23 of the cable 11 is located outside the housing 12, and the straight portion 24 on the end side of the end of the final winding portion 23 is inserted through the hole 32 and arranged in the housing 12. The tip side of the straight portion 24 of the cable 11 inserted through the hole 32 is arranged to be guided downward in the housing 12.

[0021] The recessed portion 33 is located off-center from the center of the upper surface portion 31 of the housing 12, near the downstream side of the rotational direction (winding direction) of the curled portion 22 of the cable 11, extending from the upper end to the lower end, relative to the hole portion 32. In this embodiment, the rotational direction of the curled portion 22 is clockwise, and the hole portion 32 and the recessed portion 33 are arranged in that order clockwise. The recessed portion 33 is provided as a recess that is approximately semicircular in top view, between the peripheral edge of the upper surface portion 31 and the central suspension cord insertion hole 34. The recessed portion 33 has a first inclined surface 35 that is approximately semicircular and recessed into the housing 12 at a predetermined angle from the center of the upper surface portion 31, and a second inclined surface 36 that extends from the peripheral edge of the upper surface portion 31 to the arc-shaped edge of the first inclined surface 35. As shown in Figure 8, the recessed portion 33 is provided as a recess at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the final winding portion 23. In other words, the inclination angle of the first inclined surface 35 with respect to the central axis of the upper surface 31 is set to an angle corresponding to the maximum inclination angle of the lower portion 23a of the final winding portion 23 with respect to the central axis z1 of the curled portion 22, so that the lower portion 23a of the final winding portion 23 is positioned in the recessed portion 33. For example, the first inclined surface 35 is set to an angle perpendicular to the inclination angle of the central axis z2 of the final winding portion 23, and the second inclined surface 36 is set to an angle parallel to the inclination angle of the central axis z2 of the final winding portion 23.

[0022] It is preferable that the recessed portion 33 and the lower portion 23a of the final winding portion 23 located in the recessed portion 33 do not come into contact in order to reduce the tilting of the housing 12 caused by the inclination of the final winding portion 23, but contact is acceptable as long as it does not significantly affect the tilting of the housing 12.

[0023] While it is preferable that the recessed portion 33 has a semicircular shape when viewed from above, it may also have a roughly U-shape when viewed from above, or a recessed shape that is roughly the same shape as the recess in the direction of the recess of the recessed portion 33, as long as the lower part 23a of the final winding portion 23 can be accommodated, or it may have a notched shape that extends from the upper surface 31 to the side surface of the housing 12.

[0024] An operating button 38 for operating the suspension device 14 is positioned on the front side of the housing 12 so as to be pressable. A hook 39 is attached to the rear side of the housing 12 to prevent tension from being applied to the power cord connected to the wiring device body 13, by hooking the middle of the power cord.

[0025] The housing 12 comprises a first housing section 41 on the front side and a second housing section 42 on the rear side, and is formed in two parts in the front-to-back direction. The housing 12 is assembled as a single unit by combining the first housing section 41 and the second housing section 42 and fastening them with screws.

[0026] As shown in Figure 4, the upper surface portion 31 of the housing 12 and the holes 32 and recesses 33 provided in this upper surface portion 31 are divided and formed by a first housing portion 41 and a second housing portion 42, and are constructed by combining the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42.

[0027] The upper surface 31 of the first housing portion 41 is provided with a projection 43 that protrudes from the first housing portion 41 side toward the second housing portion 42 side, and the tip of this projection 43 constitutes approximately half the area of ​​the hole portion 32 and recess portion 33. The projection 43 is provided with a pull cord insertion hole 34 corresponding to the central position of the upper surface portion 31, and a metal ring (eyelet) 44 is attached to this pull cord insertion hole 34.

[0028] As shown in Figure 5 (with the second housing 42 removed), the upper area on the inner surface of the first housing portion 41 is provided with a plurality of retaining portions 45 in the area below the hole 32, which accommodate and hold the straight portion 24 of the cable 11 between it and the second housing portion 42.

[0029] A suspension device 14 is screw-fastened to the central area of ​​the inner surface of the first housing portion 41. A metal suspension cord guide 46 is positioned on the inner surface of the first housing portion 41, between the suspension device 14 and the suspension cord insertion hole 34, to slidably guide the suspension cord 55. The cord guide 46 is sandwiched and held between the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42.

[0030] A wiring device body 13, fitted into the opening 30, is positioned in the lower area of ​​the inner surface of the first housing portion 41. The wiring device body 13 is held in place by being sandwiched between the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42.

[0031] As shown in Figure 6 (with the first housing 41 removed) and Figure 7 (with the first housing 41 and the suspension device 14 removed), the upper area on the inner surface of the second housing portion 42 is provided below the hole 32, and a linear holding portion 47 is provided to hold the straight portion 24 of the cable 11 that is pulled in from the hole 32 in a straight line along a direction perpendicular to the upper surface portion 31 (hereinafter referred to as the vertical direction).

[0032] In the central area of ​​the inner surface of the second housing portion 42, a rectangular frame-shaped winding portion holding portion 48 is provided, which fits the winding portion 56 of the suspension device 14 between it and the first housing portion 41. On both sides of the winding portion holding portion 48 and above and below the winding portion holding portion 48, groove-shaped wire holding portions 49 are provided, which connect the upper and lower areas of the second housing portion 42 and allow each wire 20 of the cable 11 to be inserted and held.

[0033] A wiring device body 13, fitted into the opening 30, is positioned in the lower area of ​​the inner surface of the second housing portion 42. The wiring device body 13 is held in place by being sandwiched between the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42.

[0034] Furthermore, the wiring device body 13 is, for example, a power outlet. The outlet has a resin outlet body 50, and multiple sets of a pair of connection holes and a ground hole are provided on the underside of the outlet body 50 into which a pair of plug blades and a ground blade of a power plug are inserted. Inside the outlet body 50, multiple sets of a pair of blade receiving terminals to which a pair of plug blades inserted into a pair of connection holes are electrically connected, and a ground terminal to which a ground blade inserted into a ground hole is electrically connected. On the upper side of the outlet body 50, there are wire insertion holes 51 into which the three wires 20 of the cable 11, which are electrically connected to the pair of blade receiving terminals and the ground terminal, are respectively inserted.

[0035] Note that the wiring device body 13 is not limited to a power outlet; for example, it could be a communication connector or a switch.

[0036] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the suspension device 14 includes a suspension cord 55 and a winding unit 56 that can wind up and unwind the suspension cord 55, with the winding unit 56 mounted inside the housing 12. The suspension cord 55 is made of, for example, polyamide synthetic resin, and is pulled out to the outside through a suspension cord insertion hole 34 in the center of the upper surface 31 of the housing 12, inserted through the curled portion 22 of the cable 11, and connected to the connection portion 15.

[0037] The winding unit 56 includes a winding case 57, a reel for winding the suspension cord 55 inside the winding case 57, a winding spring for biasing the reel to rotate in the winding direction, a stopper mechanism for restricting the rotation of the reel in the winding direction, and a release button 58 for releasing the stopper mechanism and enabling the reel to rotate in the winding direction.

[0038] The reel is rotatable around a winding shaft in the front-to-back direction relative to the winding case 57, and rotates in a counterclockwise direction to wind up the suspension cord 55 when viewed from the front of the housing 12 (a front view from the direction in which the operation button 38 can be seen), and rotates in a clockwise direction to unwind the suspension cord 55.

[0039] The winding spring exerts a biasing force that rotates the reel in the winding direction, which is stronger than the rotational force applied to the reel in the unwinding direction by the load of the wiring device section 16. The rotation of the reel, which is biased in the winding direction by this winding spring, is restricted by a stopper mechanism.

[0040] The stopper mechanism restricts rotation of the reel only in the winding direction by engaging stopper parts provided at multiple locations (for example, four locations) around the circumferential direction of the reel with release buttons 58 located at engagement positions within the rotational range of the stopper parts. In the opposite direction, the unwinding direction, rotation of the reel is enabled by moving the release buttons 58 to a release position outside the rotational range of the stopper parts (the same release position as when the release buttons 58 are pressed).

[0041] The release button 58 is movable in the forward and backward direction along the axial direction of the reel's winding shaft and is biased by a release button spring toward a forward engagement position where it can engage with the reel's stopper. When the release button 58 is pushed from the front, it moves to the rear release position, releasing its engagement with the stopper and allowing the reel to rotate in the winding direction. Furthermore, when the wiring device section 16 is lowered without pushing the release button 58, the reel can rotate in the unwinding direction. This is because the stopper rotates in the unwinding direction along with the reel, causing the inclined surfaces of the stopper and the release button 58 to come into contact and push the release button 58 from the forward engagement position to the rear release position. In this case, as the reel completes one rotation, the release button 58 repeatedly comes into contact with and passes over multiple stopper sections, resulting in the release button 58 moving multiple times in the forward and backward direction.

[0042] A rectangular frame-shaped first fitting portion 59 is provided on the front side of the winding case 57, which fits into the inner surface of the first housing portion 41, and a rectangular frame-shaped second fitting portion 60 is provided on the rear side of the winding case 57, which fits into the inside of the winding portion holding portion 48 of the second housing portion 42. The second fitting portion 60 is provided with a groove portion 61 through which one of the electric wires 20 of the cable 11 is inserted.

[0043] A release button 58 protrudes from the front of the winding case 57. The release button 58 is located on the back side of the operation button 38, which is positioned between the first housing 41 and the winding case 57. When the operation button 38 is pressed from the front, the release button 58 is activated and the stopper mechanism is released. The operation button 38 is attached to the tip of the release button 58 by press-fitting or the like.

[0044] A pull-out hole 62 is provided on the upper side of the winding case 57 from which the hanging cord 55 is pulled out. The hanging cord 55 pulled out from the pull-out hole 62 is then pulled out to the outside through the hanging cord insertion hole 34.

[0045] The pull-out hole 62 is located to the left of the center when viewed from the front of the housing 12, and the suspension cord 55 from the reel is pulled out from the pull-out hole 65 diagonally to the right. A suspension cord guide 46 is used to guide the suspension cord 55 pulled out from the pull-out hole 62 to change direction toward the suspension cord insertion hole 34. The suspension cord guide 46 is made of a metal plate curved with a large curvature, for example, a radius of 20 mm or more, and is sandwiched and held between the first housing part 41 and the second housing part 42.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the connection part 15 is connected to the suspension cord 55 of the suspension device 14 to suspend the housing 12. The connection part 15 is composed of a plug that is electrically and mechanically detachably attached to any position on a lighting duct (wiring duct) installed on the ceiling side. The connection part 15 may also be a plug that is electrically and mechanically detachably attached to a ceiling hook or the like installed on the ceiling surface, or a mounting device that is directly installed on the ceiling surface.

[0047] Next, we will explain how to assemble the wiring device 10.

[0048] As shown in Figure 5, the first fitting portion 59 of the winding portion 56 of the suspension device 14 is fitted to the inner surface of the first housing portion 41 and secured with screws. A suspension cord guide 46 is attached to the first housing portion 41, and the suspension cord 55 is pulled out to the outside through the suspension cord insertion hole 34 (ring 44) via the convex side of the suspension cord guide 46. The end of the suspension cord 55 pulled out to the outside through the suspension cord insertion hole 34 is passed through the curled portion 22 of the cable 11.

[0049] Each of the three wires 20 protruding from the straight section 24 of the cable 11 is inserted into the respective wire insertion holes 51 on the upper side of the wiring device body 13 to make an electrical connection.

[0050] As shown in Figure 6 (the winding section 56 is not yet positioned in the second housing section 42 at this stage of assembly) and Figure 7, the wiring device body 13 is fitted into the opening 30 of the second housing section 42 from the inner side of the second housing section 42, and the straight section 24 of the cable 11 is fitted into the hole 32 of the upper surface section 31 of the second housing section 42, and the straight section 24 is also fitted into the straight holding section 47 of the second housing section 42. In this state, the straight section 24 is held in a straight line along the vertical direction of the housing 12 from the hole 32 of the upper surface section 31, and the tip of the straight section 24 is positioned between the hole 32 of the upper surface section 31 and the positioning area of ​​the winding section 56. The three wires 20 between the tip of the straight section 24 of the cable 11 and the wiring device body 13 are fitted and held in the wire holding sections 49 on both sides of the winding section fitting section 48 and within the winding section fitting section 48.

[0051] The first housing section 41 and the second housing section 42 are assembled and fixed together with screws. The cable 11, each electric wire 20, the wiring device body 13, the suspension cord guide 46, and the winding section 56 are sandwiched and held between the first housing section 41 and the second housing section 42.

[0052] By combining the first housing portion 41 and the second housing portion 42, the upper surface portion 31 of the first housing portion 41 and the upper surface portion 31 of the second housing portion 42 are combined, and a hole portion 32 and a recess portion 33 are formed on the upper surface portion 31 of the housing 12.

[0053] The straight section 24 of the cable 11 is drawn into the housing 12 through the hole 32 and held in a straight line along the vertical direction perpendicular to the upper surface 31 by the straight holding section 47 within the housing 12. The tip of the straight section 24 is positioned between the hole 32 of the upper surface 31 and the winding section 56. Each electric wire 20 drawn out from the tip of the straight section 24 is separated and held by each electric wire holding section 49 of the second housing section 42, positioned on both sides of and inside the second fitting section 60 of the winding section 56, and connected to the wiring device body 13.

[0054] Meanwhile, the tip of the suspension cord 55, which is inserted into the coiled portion 22 of the cable 11, is connected to the connector 15, and the upper end of the cable 11 is electrically and mechanically connected to the connector 15.

[0055] To use the wiring device 10, the connection part 15 is attached to the lighting duct and electrically connected. The wiring device part 16 is suspended and supported from the connection part 15 by a suspension cord 55 that is unwound from the winding part 56 and connected to the connection part 15. The biasing force that biases the reel in the winding direction by the winding spring of the winding part 56 is stronger than the rotational force applied to the reel in the unwinding direction by the load of the wiring device part 16, and a stopper mechanism acts on the reel in the winding direction, so the wiring device part 16 suspended by the suspension cord 55 is supported at a constant height position. In addition, the curled part 22 of the cable 11 expands and contracts according to the distance between the connection part 15 and the housing 12, but has a biasing force in the contracting direction, and the wiring device part 16 is also suspended and supported by the cable 11.

[0056] Power is supplied to the wiring device body 13 from the lighting duct side via cable 11. Power is supplied to the electrical equipment when the plug of the power cord of the electrical equipment is plugged into the wiring device body 13.

[0057] Furthermore, pressing the operation button 38 releases the stopper mechanism of the winding unit 56, allowing the housing 12 to be raised or lowered to adjust its height. When the housing 12 is raised, the suspension cord 55 is wound into the winding unit 56 by the biasing force of the winding spring of the winding unit 56, and when the housing 12 is lowered, the suspension cord 55 is unwound from the winding unit 56 against the biasing force of the winding spring of the winding unit 56. When lowering the housing 12, the operation button 38 may be pressed, but even without pressing the operation button 38, the stopper mechanism of the winding unit 56 does not act in the direction in which the suspension cord 55 is unwound, so the housing 12 can be lowered by pulling it downwards.

[0058] After adjusting the height of the housing 12, releasing the operation of the operation button 38 activates the stopper mechanism of the winding unit 56, restricting both the winding and unwinding of the suspension cord 55 relative to the winding unit 56, and the unit is suspended by the suspension cord 55 at the adjusted height.

[0059] Furthermore, the cable 11 incorporated into the housing 12 has a straight section 24 extending tangentially from the end of the final winding section 23 of the curled section 22 that changes direction to align with the central axis z1 of the curled section 22. As a result, as shown in Figure 8, the final winding section 23 of the curled section 22 changes its orientation so that it is tilted more than the coiled inclination of the intermediate winding section 25 above the final winding section 23, meaning that the final winding section 23 changes its orientation from horizontal winding to vertical winding. As a result, the orientation-changed final winding section 23 forms a lower portion 23a that is lower than the intermediate winding section 25 and an upper portion 23b that is raised above it, with the lower portion 23a protruding downward away from the intermediate winding section 25 and the upper portion 23b entering inside the intermediate winding section 25.

[0060] If there were no recess 33 on the upper surface 31 of the housing 12, the lower part 23a of the final winding section 23, which has changed its orientation, would come into contact with the upper surface 31 and be pressed downwards, causing the housing 31 to tilt around the center of the upper surface 31 through which the suspension cord 55 passes.

[0061] Because a recess 33 exists on the upper surface 31 of the housing 12, the lower portion 23a of the final winding section 23, which has changed its orientation, is positioned in the recess 33. Therefore, if the lower portion 23a of the final winding section 23 does not come into contact with the first inclined surface 35 and the second inclined surface 36 of the recess 33, the housing 12 is not pressed by the lower portion 23a of the final winding section 23, and the housing 12 does not tilt. Furthermore, even if the lower portion 23a of the final winding section 23 comes into contact with the first inclined surface 35 and the second inclined surface 36 of the recess 33, the effect on the tilt of the housing 12 is minimal.

[0062] Thus, in the wiring device 10 of this embodiment, a cable 11 is used in which a straight section 24 is formed in a direction intersecting the central axis z1 of the curled section 22 from the end of the final winding section 23 of the curled section 22. As the straight section 24 changes direction along the central axis z1 of the curled section 22 and is pulled into the housing 12, even if the final winding section 23 changes its orientation to tilt significantly relative to the intermediate winding section 25, a recessed section 33 is provided on the upper surface 31 where a part of the orientation-changed final winding section 23 is positioned, thereby reducing the tilting of the housing 12 due to pressure from the final winding section 23.

[0063] Since the end of the final coiled section 23 is located outside the housing 12, only the straight section 24 of the cable 11 is pulled into the housing 12. Compared to the case where the coiled section 22 is pulled directly into the housing 12, this simplifies the internal structure of the housing 12, such as the structure for routing and holding the cable 11 within the housing 12, and provides a wiring device 10 that is easy to assemble.

[0064] The recessed portion 33 is located off-center from the upper surface portion 31 and near the downstream side in the rotational direction of the curled portion 22 of the cable 11, extending from the upper end to the lower end, relative to the hole portion 32. This allows the lower portion 23a of the final coiled portion 23, which has changed its orientation, to be positioned.

[0065] Since the recessed portion 33 is provided in a recess at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the final winding portion 23 whose orientation has changed, the final winding portion 23 whose orientation has changed can be positioned, and the amount of protrusion into the interior of the housing 12 can be minimized.

[0066] Furthermore, if the three wires 20 of the cable 11 were routed between the housing 12 and the winding section 56 in a bundled state (covered by the sheath 21), the cable 11 drawn into the housing 12 would have to be bent to avoid the winding section 56, and the tension of the cable 11 could cause the housing 12 to tilt, and the housing 12 would become larger. In this embodiment, the three wires 20 of the cable 11 are routed between the housing 12 and the winding section 56 in a separated state, so the tension of the cable 11 can be distributed, reducing the effect of the cable 11 tension on the tilting of the housing 12, and the housing 12 can be made smaller.

[0067] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 10 Wiring devices 11 Cables 12 cabinets 13 Wiring device body 15 Connection part 20 Electric wire 22 Curl section 23 Final Volume 24 Straight section 55. Hanging string 56 Winding section

Claims

1. The enclosure and; A recess provided on the upper surface of the housing; A hole provided on the upper surface of the housing; The wiring device body is installed in the aforementioned housing; The cable comprises a coiled portion, a final winding portion formed at the end of the coiled portion, and a straight portion formed in a straight line from the end of the final winding portion in a direction intersecting the central axis of the coiled portion, wherein at least a portion of the final winding portion is positioned in the recess of the housing, and the straight portion is pulled into the housing through the hole in the housing and electrically connected to the wiring device body; A wiring device characterized by having the following features.

2. The end of the final winding section is located outside the housing. Wiring device according to feature 1.

3. The aforementioned recess is provided at a position offset from the center of the upper surface of the housing. Wiring device according to feature 1.

4. The final winding portion is inclined with respect to the curled portion adjacent to the final winding portion when the straight portion is retracted into the housing. The recess is provided in a recess at an angle corresponding to the inclination of the final winding portion. Wiring device according to feature 1.

5. The recess is located near the hole on the downstream side in the rotational direction of the curled portion of the cable. Wiring device according to feature 1.

6. The housing is equipped with a winding section that allows the suspension cord to be wound up and unwound, The cable routed into the housing is a three-core type with three wires, and each of the three wires is routed between the housing and the winding section in a separated state. Wiring device according to feature 1.

7. The cable is connected to a connector that can be connected to a lighting duct. Wiring device according to any one of features 1 to 6.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Pendant outlet

    JP6719083B2