Locking connector

Abstract

The locking connector (10) comprises a body portion (19) that defines an opening for receiving a pin having the same first orientation as the pins of a C14 type plug and a pin having the same second orientation as the pins of a C20 type plug, and the connector comprises a locking mechanism (25) which is displaced by the plug pins when the plug is inserted to allow the plug to be inserted, but grips the pins when the plug is about to be pulled out, and the locking mechanism comprises a first pair of retaining surfaces (27) for engaging with the pins of the first orientation and a second pair of retaining surfaces (28) for engaging with the pins of the second orientation.

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a connector, more specifically, but not exclusively, a connector used between electrical devices or a connector for connecting an electrical device to a power source.

Background Art

[0002] Various proposals have been made and adopted to reduce the likelihood that a plug can be removed from, or inadvertently removed from, an electrical device socket. One technique that has been established over the years, particularly for computer equipment, is to use screws or clips on either side of the plug to hold the plug in place on the device to which it is connected. However, screwing or clipping the plug to the device is cumbersome and often did not reliably indicate whether the screw or clip was engaged with the device in a visual glance inspection.

[0003] For many applications, it may be desirable to lock individual devices together more permanently than many prior art solutions allow. The present invention seeks to provide a locking connector that can be operated easily and quickly.

[0004] Connectors commonly used in applications for connecting electrical devices to a power source are in one form of four types of sockets according to international standard IEC60320. The commonly used types of sockets are designated as C14, C16, C20, and C22. The end faces with openings of these types of connectors are shown in FIG. 1.

[0005] [[ID=​​​​In C14 and C16 sockets, the rectangular earth pin opening, when viewed in cross-section, has a length that is longer than the width of the opening and perpendicular to the direction in which the live and neutral openings are spaced apart. The outer contours of the C16 and C14 sockets differ in that, when viewed in cross-section, one edge of the main body of the C16 socket is formed to have a recessed region.

[0007] The C20 and C22 sockets differ from the C14 and C16 sockets in that the longitudinal direction of each rectangular pin opening extends in the same direction, and this longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the opening of the C14 and C16 sockets. In cross-section, the C20 and C22 sockets differ in that the body of the C20 is rectangular overall, while the body of the C22 socket has two chamfered corners.

[0008] In the case of C14 and C16 type sockets, they are known to be of a type that automatically locks the plug pins into place within the socket, allowing removal only when a release mechanism is activated. This type of socket is described in more detail in our specification EP1459512 and provides a simple and convenient means to effectively prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of a plug from the socket.

[0009] However, the mechanism described in EP1459512 is not necessarily applicable to provide a lockable version of the C20 and C22 type plugs. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The present invention particularly seeks to provide a locking connector that includes an operable locking mechanism for securely holding the pins of inserted C20 and C22 type plugs, in order to prevent unauthorized or accidental removal of the plug, although not exclusively.

[0011] The present invention further seeks to provide a locking connector in the form of a socket that can accept and securely lock in place the pins of a plug, such as any of the types commonly accepted by C14, C16, C20, or C22 sockets, the socket comprising a locking mechanism for securely holding the pins of the inserted plug. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, a locking connector is provided, comprising a body that defines an opening for receiving a pin having the same first orientation as the pins of a C14 type plug and a pin having the same second orientation as the pins of a C20 type plug, the connector comprising a locking mechanism which is displaced by the plug pins when the plug is inserted to allow the plug to be inserted, but seizes the pins when the plug is to be pulled out, the locking mechanism comprising a first pair of retaining surfaces for engaging with the pins of the first orientation and a second pair of retaining surfaces for engaging with the pins of the second orientation.

[0013] The locking mechanism may comprise one movable member that defines two pairs of retaining surfaces. Alternatively, the locking mechanism may comprise a first movable member that defines a first pair of retaining surfaces and a second movable member that defines a second pair of retaining surfaces.

[0014] Preferably, the locking member is a movable member that is elastically biased and can be bent from a biased position by a release mechanism acting on a biasing means, thereby enabling the plug to be removed from the connector.

[0015] Each of the openings on the front of the main body may be T-shaped, thereby receiving the pins of C14 and C16 type plugs and / or C20 and C22 type plugs. However, the T-shape is not essential, and other shapes may be used to receive the plug pins.

[0016] For connectors having earth, live, and neutral terminals, the movable member of the locking mechanism is preferably arranged to engage with the earth pin of the inserted plug, thereby securing the plug to the connector.

[0017] The present invention teaches that a locking mechanism may comprise a first pair of pin-retaining surfaces positioned opposite each other and a second pair of pin-retaining surfaces positioned opposite each other, wherein the surfaces of one pair are spaced apart in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the pin-retaining surfaces of the other pair are spaced apart.

[0018] A single movable member may provide two pairs of pin-retaining surfaces. However, in an alternative structure, for example, a locking mechanism having two movable members, each defining a pair of pin-retaining surfaces, the surfaces of one pair may be spaced apart in a direction substantially perpendicular or parallel to the direction in which the pin-retaining surfaces of the other pair are spaced apart.

[0019] The above-mentioned or each movable member may be in the form of a latch plate, which may be, for example, a plate made of metal or ceramic material. If the locking mechanism comprises two latch plates, the first of the two latch plates may have a retaining surface between which the pins of a first type of plug can freely extend and be captured by a second latch plate positioned behind the first of the two latch plates, and the first of the two latch plates may have a retaining surface for engagement by the pins of a second type of plug.

[0020] The above or each latch plate may define an opening within the outer contour of the latch plate, or an opening in a recessed region defined by the outer contour of the latch plate and comprising at least one pair of retaining surfaces.

[0021] If the locking mechanism comprises two latch plates, each of them may pivot around an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the live and neutral pin openings are spaced apart, or around an axis parallel to the aforementioned direction. In particular, if the latch plate comprises two pairs of pin engagement surfaces, preferably the latch plate is pivotable around an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the live and neutral openings are spaced apart.

[0022] The latch plate may define a T-shaped opening. The T-shaped opening may define two pairs of pin engagement surfaces. Preferably, the T-shaped opening is pivotable around an axis parallel to the length of the T-shaped stem section, i.e., an axis perpendicular to the T-shaped head section.

[0023] The latch plate may define an opening other than a T-shape. For example, the latch plate may define a circular or elliptical opening. The shape and position of contact with the pin will be such that it provides substantially line-type or point-type contact with the inserted pin. The latch plate may be used to provide contact with the edge or surface of the inserted pin.

[0024] The dimensions of the opening defined by the latch plate are preferably substantially the same as the dimensions of the cross-section of a portion of the pin. This means that if the plate is substantially perpendicular to the direction of pin insertion, the pin can be inserted freely, but if the plate is tilted relative to the direction in which the pin extends, the plate may grip the pin. Preferably, the plate is biased (preferably elastically) toward the tilted position. This can assist the operation of the retaining mechanism as soon as force is applied to the pin to remove it from the connector.

[0025] Preferably, the movable member, such as a latch plate, is tilted when no inserted pin is present, and is initially at an angle between 5° and 25°, more preferably between 10° and 20°, with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of pin insertion in the plug.

[0026] Preferably, at least one edge of the opening defined by the latch plate engages with the pin by frictional force and holds the pin. This can provide a simple yet effective mechanism by which the pin can be held within the socket. Preferably, a pair of pin-holding surfaces positioned opposite each other have a first angled edge on one side of the opening at the front of the plate and a second edge on the opposite side of the opening at the rear of the plate, and the first and second edges are arranged to bite into the pin when the plate is tilted. The edges are preferably angled, for example, substantially square corners. The plate preferably has a thickness of at least 0.5 mm, more preferably at least 1 mm.

[0027] Preferably, the biased movable member is arranged to move away from its biased position upon insertion of the pin. This enables the edge of the opening in the latch plate to engage with the pin while the pin is being inserted into the connector, and provides resistance to removal of the pin as soon as a force is applied to try to remove the pin.

[0028] Preferably, the biasing means comprises a spring. The strength of the spring can be selected according to the purpose of the locking connector. The spring can be a coil spring. In an alternative embodiment, the spring is a leaf spring.

[0029] The spring can apply torque to the biased movable member by pressing on one edge of the member or one surface of an adjacent member, and the member is held (or biased by another spring) by means of pressing on the opposite edge of the member or an opposite surface adjacent thereto. The spring can press directly or indirectly via a shaft, and the shaft is preferably coupled to the biased movable member via a mechanism that allows pivoting. This can provide a simple yet effective mechanism by which the linear force generated by the spring can be effectively converted into a torsional force on the biased movable member.

[0030] The movable member may be formed integrally with a spring. The movable member may be integral with a support member and may be formed from spring steel, thereby biasing the movable member from its initial state to the inclined position. The movable member may comprise a latch plate and a support plate integrally formed with respect to each other in a V-shape configuration, thereby causing a force applied to the latch plate to bend the surface of the latch plate toward the opposing surface of the support plate.

[0031] Preferably, the connector further comprises a pin retention mechanism and a release mechanism for releasing the pin from the locking connector. The ease with which the means for releasing the pin operates may vary depending on the application in which the locking connector is used.

[0032] The means for releasing the pin may include a mechanism for reducing the magnitude of the force applied to the pin by the movable member. This may allow the pin to be removed without damaging the connector's locking mechanism. The release means may include components in the form of an actuator for applying a force to counteract the biasing force. The release means may include a pressable button, but alternatively, it may include a recess into which a tool such as a small screwdriver can be inserted to apply force. The release means is preferably operable from the front of the connector socket.

[0033] Preferably, the connector further comprises means for providing an electrical connection to the pins, which can transmit current between the plug and the socket. This may allow the pins to be functional pins that can be electrically connected to power or signal lines or ground while securing the plug and socket.

[0034] Preferably, the pin is the ground pin of the plug. This can be advantageous because it allows the locking mechanism to operate in any standard plug without requiring any modifications to the plug, such as the addition of a special pin for the locking connector to operate. A further advantage of this feature is that it may allow the mechanism to be safely operated or released without requiring the interruption of the live electrical supply.

[0035] In one embodiment, means may be provided for applying a retaining force to two or more of the multiple pins of a single plug. This may allow the plug to be held more securely and better prevent unauthorized release. This may be applicable in the case of a multi-pin connector where individual plugs do not necessarily have pins that can be inserted into all of the available holes of the connector.

[0036] Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described merely as examples with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 2] This is a perspective view of a locking connector socket according to the present invention. [Figure 3] Figure 2 is a plan view of the socket housing. [Figure 4] Figure 2 is a side view of the socket housing. [Figure 5] Figure 2 shows the end face of the socket with an opening. [Figure 6] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the earth pin opening of the socket. [Figure 7] This is a schematic diagram showing a cross-sectional view of a portion of the socket in Figure 2. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view showing a part of the configuration in Figure 7. Figure 8a is a more detailed view showing a part of the configuration in Figure 7. [Figure 9] Figure 2 is a plan view of the latch plate of the socket. [Figure 10] This figure shows a first type of release mechanism for the socket in Figure 2. [Figure 11] This is a diagram showing the second type of release mechanism. [Figure 12] This is a side view of the terminal for receiving the inserted pin. [Figure 13] This is a plan view of the terminal for receiving the inserted pin. [Figure 14]This is a perspective view of the terminal for receiving the inserted pin. [Figure 15] Figure 10 is an end view of a locking connector with a release mechanism. [Figure 16] Figure 11 is an end view of a locking connector having a release mechanism. [Figure 17] This is an end view of a combination of two sockets according to the present invention, in which one of the two sockets is adapted to accept only a C14 type plug. [Figure 18] This figure shows single and multi-connector units of the present invention, each having an actuator end at a first position. [Figure 19] This figure shows single and multi-connector units of the present invention, each having an actuator end at a second position. [Figure 20] This is a perspective view of the components of a locking mechanism according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] This diagram shows the mechanism of Figure 20 in its original location in a part of the connector socket. [Figure 22] This figure shows a pair of latch plates for a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] This is a perspective view of the latch plate shown in Figure 22, which is installed on a part of the connector. [Figure 24] Figure 23 is a side view of the assembly. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] The 3-pin socket connector 10 is a panel-mount type and comprises a rectangular outer housing 11 and an open front flange 12 that extends outward from the rest of the housing and forms a contact surface 13.

[0039] The housing also includes a pair of deformable clip projections 14 on two opposite sides, which hold the socket in place in a known manner between the contact surface 13 of the housing and the contact surface 15 of the clip projections 14 when the socket is inserted into an opening panel (not shown).

[0040] The socket connector body 19 is positioned within a cavity 18 defined by the housing, and is supported at its rear end by the housing 11. The cavity space between the housing and the connector body forms an insertion slot for receiving the outer sleeve of the covered plug.

[0041] The front surface 20 of the main body 19 is provided with three T-shaped openings 21, each of which receives the pins of a C14 or C20 plug. Three pin receiving terminals 40 (see Figure 7) are located within the main body 19 (see Figures 3 and 4) to engage with the inserted pins of the plug. The terminals are equipped with tabs 22 extending from the rear of the housing for connection to the power supply.

[0042] The structure of the terminals within the main body of the connector is shown in Figures 12 to 14. Each terminal has a pair of slightly spaced faces 41 positioned to face each other and suitable for engaging with the pins of the C14 or C16 plug. In addition to this pair of terminal faces, there is a terminal face 42 that extends parallel to the aforementioned terminal faces in the direction of slight separation, and this terminal is positioned to engage with the pins of the C20 and C22 plugs.

[0043] The main body also provides space for a locking mechanism positioned to engage with the ground pin of the inserted plug. In the manner substantially used in the connector that is the subject of our EP1459412, as best seen in Figures 7, 8, and 8a, the locking mechanism comprises an actuator 32 and a latch plate 25 elastically biased to an inclined position by a spring 23.

[0044] In contrast to defining a conventional rectangular opening, as provided by the invention of EP1459412, the latch plate defines a T-shaped opening having dimensions such as to receive and engage with the ground pin of either a C14 or C20 plug.

[0045] Similarly, in contrast to the latch plate of EP1459412, the latch plate of the socket of this subject has an opening 26 that defines two pairs of pin engagement surfaces, as shown in Figure 9. In this embodiment, one pair of pin engagement surfaces 27 is spaced in a direction parallel to the direction in which the pin engagement surfaces of the other pair 28 are spaced apart.

[0046] The connector of this embodiment differs significantly from the locking mechanism of EP1459412 in that the latch plate is not pivotably supported so as to tilt around a pivot axis parallel to the direction in which the other two pin openings of the socket are spaced apart. Instead, the latch plate is pivotably supported so as to tilt around an axis Z perpendicular to the direction in which the other two pin openings 21 of the socket are spaced apart.

[0047] Referring to Figure 9, the first pair of faces for engaging with and gripping the ground pin of the C14 connector are faces 27, which are engageable with two larger faces of the ground pin having a rectangular cross-section. The second pair of faces for engaging with and gripping the ground pin of the C20 plug are faces 28, which are engageable with two smaller sides of the ground pin.

[0048] The latch plate 25 has an edge 30 opposite the pivot edge 31, which is movable in conjunction with the actuator 32. Before the insertion of the earth pin, the actuator holds the latch plate 25 in an inclined position (as shown in Figure 7) by the action of a compression spring 23. When the earth pin enters the socket, the pin bends the inclined latch plate against the action of the compression spring, thereby making the hole defined by the opening 26 of the latch plate sufficient for the earth pin to enter the socket completely. When the plug is fully inserted, the latch plate is in a plane substantially perpendicular to the direction of pin insertion as a result of the body of the plug pressing against one of the pair of retaining surfaces 27, 28. However, in the event of a small initial movement of the earth pin outward from the socket, the latch plate 25 inclins toward the front of the socket by the action of the compression spring, thereby allowing one of the pin-engaging surfaces of the pair 27, 28 of the latch plate to firmly contact the pin and prevent further movement outward from the plug.

[0049] In an event requiring authorized removal of the plug, the external end 35 of the actuator projection 36 is pushed against the action of the compression spring, thereby tilting the latch plate from its inclined, locked position and enabling the plug to be removed.

[0050] In the above-described embodiments of the present invention, the actuator projection 36 is positioned near the corner of the front-facing flange. This position of the outer actuator projection is typically convenient for either a single socket or a pair of integrally formed sockets, as shown in Figure 17. In the configuration shown in Figure 17, one of the sockets is a multi-purpose type that accepts either a C14 or C20 plug, while the other is a conventional type that accepts only a C14 plug. However, for convenience and cost-effectiveness, both sockets are equipped with the locking mechanism of the present invention.

[0051] Optionally, the actuator protrusions 36 may be located in different corner regions of the front of the housing, as can be seen in the option shown in Figure 18. However, for use in installations where different spatial availability is required for the connector, the actuator projection 36 may be aligned alongside one side region 38 of the socket body, for example, as shown in the options of Figures 16 and 19.

[0052] In the embodiments described above, the latch plate 25 is elastically biased to a tilted position from its initial state by the action of a compression spring 23 that acts indirectly on the latch plate via an actuator 32. In a second embodiment of the present invention (see Figures 20 and 21), the locking mechanism 40 includes a latch plate integral with a support plate and positioned tilted relative to the support plate from its initial state. The integrally formed plate is made of spring steel.

[0053] The locking member 40 includes a support plate 42 with an opening 43 formed therein, and when this plate is installed in the connector so as to be in a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the plug pin, the ground pin of either the C14 or C20 plug can easily pass through the opening 43.

[0054] The side edges 44 and 45 of the support plate are held in a fixed position on the connector body 46. The support plate 42 is integral with the latch plate 41 in a V-shape configuration and, as a result of being formed of spring steel, the surface of the latch plate 41 with an opening can be bent toward the opposing surface of the support plate when subjected to an action from the plug that attempts to enter through the latch plate opening 47. The latch plate opening defines two pairs of pin-retaining surfaces positioned opposite each other, thereby allowing the latch plate to engage with either the ground pin of the C14 or C20 plug and prevent its withdrawal, as described with respect to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0055] The distal edge 49 of the latch plate is located within the groove 48 of the release mechanism actuator. Pressing the actuator moves the latch plate toward the support plate against the elastic biasing force of the spring material, thereby enabling the withdrawal of the inserted plug pin.

[0056] In the embodiments described above, the two pairs of pin-retaining surfaces are provided by a single latch plate having a T-shaped opening, the plate being pivotably supported at one edge for pivotal movement around an axis parallel to the T-shaped longitudinal section of the opening.

[0057] In a third embodiment of the present invention, two latch plates are arranged in a continuous manner with respect to each other, and each of them is capable of engaging with one of two types of pins. One of the latch plates allows the pins of one type of connector to extend freely through the latch plate, while providing a pin-retaining surface for securing the pins of the second type of connector.

[0058] Referring to Figures 22 to 24, the locking mechanism 50 comprises a first latch plate 51 having a T-shaped opening 52 and a second latch plate 53 having a rectangular opening 54. The edges 55 and 56 of the latch plate are pivotably supported in a fixed position by grooves 57 and 58 of the connector body portion 59. The opposite edge of the latch plate is supported by grooves 62 and 63 of the elastically biased actuator component 64.

[0059] The opening 52 of the latch plate 51 defines a pin engagement surface 66 for engaging with the pins of one type of connector. The opening 54 of the latch plate 53 has a pin engagement surface 67 for engaging with and holding the longer pins of a second type of connector.

[0060] Inserting the pin in the X direction results in a gripping engagement between the pin and one of the two plates, because this plate is refracted to a smaller angle of inclination. Releasing either latch plate is achieved by moving the actuator component in the direction opposite to direction X.

Claims

1. A locking connector comprising a main body that defines openings for receiving a pin having the same first orientation as the pins of a C14 type plug and a pin having the same second orientation as the pins of a C20 type plug, wherein the connector comprises a locking mechanism that is displaced by the plug pins when the plug is inserted to allow the plug to be inserted, but grips the pins when the plug is about to be pulled out, the locking mechanism comprising a first pair of retaining surfaces for engaging with the pins of the first orientation and a second pair of retaining surfaces for engaging with the pins of the second orientation.

2. The locking connector according to claim 1, comprising a first pair of pin-retaining surfaces positioned opposite each other and a second pair of pin-retaining surfaces positioned opposite each other, wherein the surfaces of one pair are spaced apart in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction in which the pin-retaining surfaces of the other pair are spaced apart.

3. The locking connector according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the connector comprises earth, live, and neutral terminals, and the locking mechanism is arranged to engage with the earth pin of the inserted plug.

4. The locking connector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein each of the openings on the front of the main body is T-shaped.

5. The locking mechanism comprises at least one movable member in the form of a latch plate, according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The locking connector according to claim 5, wherein the latch plate defines an opening within the outer contour of the latch plate.

7. The locking connector according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the latch plate has an outer contour that at least partially defines a recessed area that defines at least one pair of retaining surfaces.

8. The latch plate defines a T-shaped opening, as described in any one of claims 5 to 7.

9. The locking connector according to claim 8, wherein the T-shaped opening defines two pairs of pin engagement surfaces.

10. The locking connector according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the T-shaped opening is pivotable about an axis parallel to the length of the vertical bar section of the T-shape.

11. The locking connector according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the main body defines live and neutral terminal openings, and the latch plate is pivotable about an axis perpendicular to the direction in which the live and neutral openings are spaced apart.

12. The locking connector according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein when no pins are inserted, the latch plate is initially positioned at an angle between 10° and 20° with respect to a plane perpendicular to the direction of insertion of the pins in the plug.

13. A locking connector according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a movable member which is elastically biased and which, by a release mechanism acting on a biasing means, is bent from a biased position, thereby enabling the removal of a plug from the connector.

14. The locking connector according to claim 13, wherein the release mechanism comprises a component that can be operated from the front of the connector.

15. The locking connector according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the biasing means comprises a spring.

16. The locking connector according to claim 15, wherein the spring applies torque to the biased movable member by directly compressing the movable member.

17. The locking connector according to claim 15, wherein the spring indirectly compresses the movable member.

18. The locking connector according to claim 16, wherein the movable member is integrally formed with a spring.

19. The locking connector according to claim 18, wherein the movable member comprises a latch plate and a support plate integrally formed with respect to each other in a V-shape.

20. The locking connector according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the locking mechanism comprises a first movable member for determining a first pair of retaining surfaces and a second movable member for determining a second pair of retaining surfaces.

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