Power outlet

Abstract

To provide a power receptacle capable of quickly interrupting an arc occurring between a fixed contact and a movable contact.SOLUTION: A power receptacle includes a case, a contact device, an operating member, a moving mechanism, a return spring, and a holding mechanism. The contact device includes a fixed contact, a movable contact, and a movable piece. The operating member is movable with respect to the case. The moving mechanism moves the movable piece according to operation of the operating member. The moving mechanism includes a moving member and a return spring. The moving member is movable between a closed position at which the movable contact is brought into contact with the fixed contact and an open position at which the movable contact is left away from the fixed contact. The return spring is a separate body from the movable piece, and urges the movable member to the open position. The holding mechanism can hold the moving member at the closed position, and releases a holding state in which the moving member is held at the closed position in accordance with the operation of the operating member. When the holding state is released, the moving member moves from the closed position to the open position by urging force of the return spring.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a power outlet. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a power outlet to which an electric plug of an electric device is connected. For example, the power outlet disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a relay and a switch member. The relay includes a fixed contact and a movable contact. The switch member is supported by the power outlet so as to be movable between a connected position and a released position. The fixed contact and the movable contact of the relay are opened and closed in response to the movement of the switch member, thereby switching between electrical connection and disconnection between the power source and the power supply terminal. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5575504 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When the electrical connection between the power supply and the power supply terminal is interrupted, an arc occurs between the fixed contact and the movable contact. The arc occurring between the fixed contact and the movable contact affects the life span of the fixed contact and the movable contact and the operating characteristics of the relay, so it is preferable to interrupt the arc quickly. In the power outlet of Patent Document 1, the opening speed when the movable contact separates from the fixed contact depends only on the restoring force of the leaf spring on which the movable contact is arranged, so there is a risk that the arc cannot be interrupted quickly.

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT EMBODIMENT An object of the present invention is to provide a power outlet capable of quickly interrupting an arc that occurs between a fixed contact and a movable contact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A power outlet according to one aspect of the present invention includes a case, a contact device, an operation member, a moving mechanism, a return spring, and a holding mechanism. The contact device includes a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece to which the movable contact is connected. The operation member is movable relative to the case. The moving mechanism moves the movable piece in response to operation of the operation member. The moving mechanism includes a moving member and a return spring. The moving member is movable between a closed position in which the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact, and an open position in which the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact. The return spring is separate from the movable piece and biases the moving member toward the open position. The holding mechanism is capable of holding the moving member in the closed position, and releases the held state in which the moving member is held in the closed position in response to operation of the operation member. When the held state is released, the moving member moves from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring.

[0007] In this power outlet, when the state in which the movable member is held in the closed position is released in response to the operation of the operating member, the movable member moves from the closed position to the open position due to the biasing force of the return spring. Therefore, the movable contact can be separated from the fixed contact more quickly than when the separation speed of the movable contact from the fixed contact depends only on the restoring force of the leaf spring. In other words, since the biasing force of the return spring can quickly move the movable member from the closed position to the open position, the arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact can be quickly interrupted. As a result, a power outlet can be provided that can quickly interrupt the arc generated between the fixed contact and the movable contact.

[0008] The return spring may be a coil spring. In this case, the strong return force of the coil spring can quickly move the moving member from the closed position to the open position.

[0009] The holding mechanism may include a locking claw that locks the moving member in the closed position. The operating member may include a first operating part that moves the moving member from the open position to the closed position, and a second operating part that releases the moving member from the locked state in the closed position by the locking claw. In this case, the moving member can be quickly moved from the closed position to the open position by releasing the locked state of the locking claw with the second operating part.

[0010] The holding mechanism may include a ratchet member and a first biasing member. The ratchet member may include a locking pawl and be rotatable between a holding position in which the moving member is held in the closed position and a release position in which the held state is released. The first biasing member may bias the ratchet member in a direction from the release position toward the holding position. In this case, the holding mechanism is constituted by the ratchet mechanism, and therefore the moving member can be further quickly moved from the closed position to the open position.

[0011] The first operating part may include a locking protrusion that is locked by the locking claw when the moving member is moved to the closed position. The first operating part may be biased by a return spring via the moving member in a direction from the closed position toward the open position. In this case, the first operating part and the moving member can be configured as separate bodies, improving ease of assembly.

[0012] The locking claw may have a plane perpendicular to the direction from the closed position to the open position. In this case, the movable member can be stably held in the closed position.

[0013] The first operating unit may be pressed in a direction from the open position to the closed position to move the moving member from the open position to the closed position, thereby improving operability of the first operating unit.

[0014] The movable piece may include a contact support portion supporting the movable contact, a base portion, and a first fulcrum located between the contact support portion and the base portion, and may be swingable about the first fulcrum. The moving member may move the movable contact away from the fixed contact by pressing the base portion, and move the movable contact toward the fixed contact by pressing the contact support portion.

[0015] The power outlet may further include a restricting mechanism. The case may include a recess into which an electric plug is inserted. The restricting mechanism may restrict movement of the movable member from the open position to the closed position by operation of the operating member when an electric plug is not inserted in the recess. In this case, it is possible to prevent contact between the fixed contact and the movable contact when an electric plug is not inserted in the recess.

[0016] The retaining mechanism may further include a retaining mechanism that prevents the electric plug from being removed from the case when the movable member is in the closed position. The retaining mechanism may include a retaining member that is movable toward and away from an engagement hole provided in the electric plug, and a second biasing member that biases the retaining member toward the operating member. The retaining member may include an inclined portion that is pressed by the operating member in response to movement of the operating member. In this case, it is possible to prevent the electric plug from being separated from the power outlet 1 in an energized state. Effect of the Invention

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a power outlet that can quickly cut off an arc that occurs between a fixed contact and a movable contact. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a power outlet and an electrical plug. [Diagram 2] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the power outlet taken along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. [Diagram 3] This is a rear view of the inside of the case. [Figure 4] Rear view of the inside of the case [Diagram 5] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the contact device taken along a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the contact device as seen from the right side. [Figure 7] FIG. 4 is a view of the inside of the contact device as seen from the right side. [Figure 8] FIG. [Figure 9] Rear view of the inside of the case [Figure 10] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a restriction mechanism and a fall-off prevention mechanism. [Figure 11] 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining a restriction mechanism and a fall-off prevention mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a power outlet 1 according to one aspect of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that when referring to the drawings, the X1 direction is the left direction, the X2 direction is the right direction, the Y1 direction is the front direction, the Y2 direction is the rear direction, the Z1 direction is the up direction, and the Z2 direction is the down direction. These directions are defined for the convenience of explanation, and do not limit the arrangement direction of the power outlet 1.

[0020] The power outlet 1 is used, for example, for an electrical device that requires a high capacity DC current, and connects or disconnects the DC current to the electrical device. As shown in Fig. 1, an electrical plug 2 that is connected to the electrical device is inserted into the power outlet 1. The electrical plug 2 is, for example, a plug for supplying DC power.

[0021] The electric plug 2 includes a plug cover 3, a cable 4, an insertion portion 5, a first plug terminal 6, a second plug terminal 7, a plug ground terminal 8, and an engagement hole 9. The cable 4 extends upward from the plug cover 3. The insertion portion 5 protrudes downward from the plug cover 3. The insertion portion 5 includes a plug hole 5a (see FIG. 10). The plug hole 5a has a shape recessed from the bottom to the top.

[0022] The first plug terminal 6, the second plug terminal 7, and the plug ground terminal 8 are made of a conductive material such as copper, and are disposed within the plug hole 5a. The first plug terminal 6, the second plug terminal 7, and the plug ground terminal 8 protrude downward from the insertion portion 5. The first plug terminal 6 and the second plug terminal 7 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The second plug terminal 7 is disposed to the left of the first plug terminal 6.

[0023] The plug ground terminal 8 is disposed between the first plug terminal 6 and the second plug terminal 7 in the left-right direction. The plug ground terminal 8 is disposed forward of the first plug terminal 6 and the second plug terminal 7.

[0024] The engagement hole 9 is formed in the rear surface of the insertion portion 5. The engagement hole 9 has a shape penetrating the rear surface of the insertion portion 5 in the front-rear direction.

[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, the power outlet 1 includes a case 10, a contact device 11, a moving mechanism 12, an operating member 13, and a holding mechanism 14.

[0026] The case 10 has a rectangular box shape. The case 10 is formed of an insulating material such as resin. The case 10 includes a case body 21, a cover 22, a recess 23, a first insertion hole 24, a second insertion hole 25, and a third insertion hole 26.

[0027] The case body 21 is open toward the rear. The cover 22 is attached to the rear of the case body 21 so as to close the opening of the case body 21.

[0028] The recess 23 is formed in the upper part of the case body 21. The recess 23 has a shape that is recessed from the top toward the bottom. The insertion portion 5 of the electric plug 2 is fitted into the recess 23.

[0029] The first insertion hole 24, the second insertion hole 25, and the third insertion hole 26 open upward in the recess 23 and extend downward from the recess 23. The first plug terminal 6 is inserted into the first insertion hole 24. The second plug terminal 7 is inserted into the second insertion hole 25. The plug ground terminal 8 is inserted into the third insertion hole 26.

[0030] 2, the power outlet 1 includes a first connection terminal 27, a second connection terminal 28, and a ground terminal 29. The first connection terminal 27 is disposed in the first insertion hole 24 and is connected to the first plug terminal 6. The second connection terminal 28 is disposed in the second insertion hole 25 and is connected to the second plug terminal 7. The ground terminal 29 is disposed in the third insertion hole 26 and is connected to the plug ground terminal 8.

[0031] The contact device 11 is disposed in the case 10. As shown in Fig. 5, the contact device 11 is disposed in a box-shaped contact case 10a disposed in the case 10. The contact device 11 is formed of a conductive material.

[0032] 3 to 6, the contact device 11 includes fixed terminals 31, 32, fixed contacts 33, 34, movable pieces 35, 36, movable contacts 37, 38, and support terminals 39, 40. Note that the contact case 10a is omitted in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0033] The fixed terminals 31 and 32 extend in the up-down direction. The fixed terminals 31 and 32 are supported by the case 10. The lower ends of the fixed terminals 31 and 32 protrude downward from the case 10. The fixed terminals 31 and 32 are separated from each other in the left-right direction. The fixed terminal 32 is disposed to the left of the fixed terminal 31.

[0034] The fixed contact 33 is connected to the fixed terminal 31. The fixed contact 33 is disposed on the rear surface of the fixed terminal 31.

[0035] The fixed contact 34 is connected to the fixed terminal 32. The fixed contact 34 is disposed on the rear surface of the fixed terminal 32.

[0036] The movable piece 35 extends in the vertical direction. The movable piece 35 is disposed behind the fixed terminal 31. The movable piece 35 is connected to the first connection terminal 27 via a support terminal 39. As shown in FIG. 6, the movable piece 35 includes a contact support portion 35a, a base portion 35b, and a first fulcrum 35c. The contact support portion 35a extends downward from the first fulcrum 35c. The contact support portion 35a supports the movable contact 37. The base portion 35b extends upward from the first fulcrum 35c. The first fulcrum 35c has a shape curved convexly toward the front.

[0037] The movable piece 36 is separated from the movable piece 35 in the left-right direction. The movable piece 36 is disposed to the left of the movable piece 35. The movable piece 36 is disposed rearward of the fixed terminal 32. The movable piece 36 is connected to the second connection terminal 28 via a support terminal 40. The movable piece 36 includes a contact support portion 36a, a base portion 36b, and a second fulcrum (not shown). The movable piece 36 has the same shape as the movable piece 35, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0038] The movable contact 37 is connected to the movable piece 35. The movable contact 37 is disposed on a contact support portion 35a of the movable piece 35. The movable contact 37 faces the fixed contact 33 in the front-rear direction. The movable contact 37 is capable of coming into contact with the fixed contact 33.

[0039] The movable contact 38 is connected to the movable piece 36. The movable contact 38 is disposed on a contact support portion 36a of the movable piece 36. The movable contact 38 faces the fixed contact 34 in the front-rear direction. The movable contact 38 is capable of coming into contact with the fixed contact 34.

[0040] The support terminal 39 extends in the vertical direction. The support terminal 39 is supported by the contact case 10a. The support terminal 39 is disposed in front of the movable piece 35. The support terminal 39 supports the movable piece 35 so that the movable piece 35 can swing about a first fulcrum 35c. The support terminal 39 includes a receiving portion 39a that supports the first fulcrum 35c of the movable piece 35. The receiving portion 39a has a shape that is curved convexly toward the front.

[0041] The support terminal 40 is separated from the support terminal 39 in the left-right direction. The support terminal 40 is disposed to the left of the support terminal 39. The support terminal 40 is supported by the contact case 10a. The support terminal 40 is disposed in front of the movable piece 36. The support terminal 40 supports the movable piece 36 so that it can swing around a second fulcrum. The support terminal 40 has the same shape as the support terminal 39. The support terminal 40 includes a receiving portion (not shown) that supports the second fulcrum of the movable piece 36.

[0042] The movement mechanism 12 moves the movable pieces 35, 36 in response to the operation of the operating member 13. In this embodiment, the movement mechanism 12 swings the movable piece 35 around a first fulcrum 35c and the movable piece 36 around a second fulcrum in response to the operation of the operating member 13.

[0043] The moving mechanism 12 includes a moving member 41 and a return spring 42. The moving member 41 moves to a closed position where the movable contacts 37, 38 are in contact with the fixed contacts 33, 34, and an open position where the movable contacts 37, 38 are separated from the fixed contacts 33, 34, in response to the operation of the operating member 13. In the open position shown in Figs. 3 and 6, the moving member 41 separates the movable contact 37 from the fixed contact 33 and separates the movable contact 38 from the fixed contact 34. In the closed position shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the moving member 41 brings the movable contact 37 into contact with the fixed contact 33 and brings the movable contact 38 into contact with the fixed contact 34. In this embodiment, the moving member 41 moves in the up and down direction in response to the operation of the operating member 13. The moving member 41 is disposed behind the movable pieces 35, 36.

[0044] As shown in Fig. 8, the moving member 41 includes a main body 43, pushers 44 and 45, a protruding portion 46, and a first cylindrical portion 47. The main body 43 includes a pair of recessed grooves 43a. The pair of recessed grooves 43a extend in the vertical direction on the rear surface of the main body 43. As shown in Fig. 5, the pair of recessed grooves 43a are guided by rail portions 10c that are provided on the contact case 10a and extend in the vertical direction. This allows the moving member 41 to move in the vertical direction along the rail portions 10c.

[0045] The pusher 44 protrudes downward from the main body 43. The pusher 44 is disposed behind the movable piece 35. The pusher 44 protrudes from the main body 43 towards the movable piece 35 and presses the movable piece 35.

[0046] The pusher 45 protrudes downward from the main body 43. The pusher 45 is disposed behind the movable piece 36. The pusher 45 protrudes from the main body 43 towards the movable piece 36 and presses the movable piece 36.

[0047] The protruding portion 46 is disposed between the pusher 44 and the pusher 45 in the left-right direction. The protruding portion 46 protrudes upward from the main body portion 43.

[0048] The first cylindrical portion 47 protrudes downward from the main body portion 43. The first cylindrical portion 47 accommodates a part of the return spring .

[0049] The return spring 42 is separate from the movable pieces 35, 36, and biases the moving member 41 toward the open position. In this embodiment, the return spring 42 is a coil spring. The return spring 42 is disposed below the main body portion 43 of the moving member 41. The return spring 42 is disposed inside the first cylindrical portion 47 and the second cylindrical portion 10b (see FIG. 5) provided in the contact case 10a. The second cylindrical portion 10b is formed to protrude upward from the lower portion of the contact case 10a.

[0050] The return spring 42 is protected from the arc generated between the fixed contacts 33, 34 and the movable contacts 37, 38 by the first cylindrical portion 47 and the second cylindrical portion 10b. The second cylindrical portion 10b may be configured to guide the vertical movement of the first cylindrical portion 47. The first cylindrical portion 47 and the second cylindrical portion 10b are omitted in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5, a permanent magnet 30 for extending the arc generated between the fixed contacts 33, 34 and the movable contacts 37, 38 is arranged around the contact case 10a.

[0051] The operating member 13 is supported by the case 10 so as to be movable relative to the case 10. The operating member 13 is disposed behind the recess 23 of the case 10. The operating member 13 protrudes from the upper surface of the case 10.

[0052] The operation member 13 includes a first operation part 51 and a second operation part 52. The first operation part 51 is a push-type operation button, and can be moved in the vertical direction between a first position shown in FIG. 3 and a second position shown in FIG. 4. The first operation part 51 extends in the vertical direction. The first operation part 51 is connected to the moving member 41. In this embodiment, the first operation part 51 is disposed above the protruding part 46 of the moving member 41, and is in contact with the upper surface of the protruding part 46. The first operation part 51 is biased toward the first position by the return spring 42 via the moving member 41.

[0053] The first operating unit 51 moves the moving member 41 from the open position to the closed position. In detail, when the moving member 41 is in the open position, the first operating unit 51 is in a first position. When the moving member 41 is in the closed position, the first operating unit 51 is in a second position. When the first operating unit 51 is pressed to move from the first position to the second position, the first operating unit 51 presses the protrusion 46 of the moving member 41. This causes the return spring 42 to be compressed, and the moving member 41 to move from the open position to the closed position.

[0054] The first operating part 51 includes a main body part 51a, a locking projection 51b, a recess 51c, and a pressing projection 51d. The main body part 51a extends in the vertical direction. The locking projection 51b protrudes rightward from the main body part 51a. The upper surface of the locking projection 51b has a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction. The recess 51c is formed on the rear surface of the main body part 51a. The recess 51c has a shape recessed from the rear to the front. The pressing projection 51d protrudes forward from the main body part 51a.

[0055] The second operation unit 52 is a sliding operation button, and is movable in the left-right direction between a third position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and a fourth position shown in Fig. 9. The second operation unit 52 is connected to the holding mechanism 14. The second operation unit 52 is biased toward the third position by the holding mechanism 14. The second operation unit 52 includes a pressing portion 52a. The pressing portion 52a is disposed inside the case 10. The tip of the pressing portion 52a is formed in an arc shape.

[0056] The holding mechanism 14 can hold the moving member 41 at the closed position, and releases the held state in which the moving member 41 is held at the closed position in response to the operation of the operating member 13. In this embodiment, the holding mechanism 14 holds the moving member 41 at the closed position or releases the held state in which the moving member 41 is held at the closed position via the first operating part 51 in response to the operation of the operating member 13. The holding mechanism 14 allows the first operating part 51 to move from the first position to the second position, and restricts the first operating part 51 to move from the second position to the first position. The holding mechanism 14 in this embodiment has a function as a so-called ratchet mechanism.

[0057] The holding mechanism 14 includes a support shaft 61, a ratchet member 62, and a biasing member 63. The support shaft 61 is fixed to the case 10. The support shaft 61 extends in the front-rear direction.

[0058] The ratchet member 62 is supported by a support shaft 61. The ratchet member 62 rotates around the support shaft 61 as a rotation center. For example, in FIG. 3, the ratchet member 62 rotates clockwise or counterclockwise around the support shaft 61 as a rotation center. The ratchet member 62 is rotatable between a holding position shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and a release position shown in FIG. 9. In the holding position, the ratchet member 62 is capable of holding the first operating part 51 at the second position. In the release position, the ratchet member 62 does not hold the first operating part 51 at the second position.

[0059] The ratchet member 62 includes a locking claw 62a and an abutment portion 62b. The locking claw 62a is formed at the lower end of the ratchet member 62. The lower surface of the locking claw 62a has a plane perpendicular to the up-down direction. When the first operating part 51 moves from the first position to the second position, the locking claw 62a is pressed by the locking protrusion 51b of the first operating part 51 and moves in a direction away from the locking protrusion 51b. This allows the first operating part 51 to move from the first position to the second position. As the first operating part 51 moves to the second position, the locking claw 62a moves above the locking protrusion 51b, and the lower surface of the locking claw 62a and the upper surface of the locking protrusion 51b come into contact with each other. As a result, the locking protrusion 51b is locked by the locking claw 62a, and the first operating part 51 is held at the second position.

[0060] The abutment portion 62b abuts against the pressing portion 52a of the second operating portion 52, and is pressed by the pressing portion 52a as the second operating portion 52 moves from the third position to the fourth position. This causes the ratchet member 62 to move from the retaining position to the releasing position. When the operation of the second operating portion 52 is stopped, the second operating portion 52 is pressed by the abutment portion 62b and returns to the third position.

[0061] The biasing member 63 is, for example, a torsion coil spring. The biasing member 63 biases the ratchet member 62 in a direction from the released position toward the held position. The biasing member 63 biases the ratchet member 62 in a clockwise direction in Fig. 3. The biasing member 63 biases the second operating part 52 toward the third position via the ratchet member 62.

[0062] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the power outlet 1 includes a restriction mechanism 15 and a retaining mechanism 16. As shown in FIG.

[0063] The restriction mechanism 15 restricts the movement of the first operating part 51 of the operating member 13 from the first position to the second position when the electric plug 2 is not inserted into the power outlet 1. In other words, the restriction mechanism 15 restricts the movement of the moving member 41 from the open position to the closed position when the electric plug 2 is not inserted into the power outlet 1. The restriction mechanism 15 allows the movement of the first operating part 51 of the operating member 13 from the first position to the second position when the electric plug 2 is not inserted into the power outlet 1.

[0064] The restriction mechanism 15 includes a restriction member 71 and a biasing member 72. The restriction member 71 is supported on the case 10 so as to be movable only in the front-rear direction. The restriction member 71 has a U-shape when viewed from the top-bottom direction. The restriction member 71 is movable in the front-rear direction between an intrusion position shown in Fig. 2 and a retracted position shown in Fig. 10. Note that the restriction member 71 is omitted in Figs. 3 and 4.

[0065] The regulating member 71 includes a central portion 71a, a pair of extending portions 71b, and a locking projection 71c. The central portion 71a extends in the left-right direction. The central portion 71a is disposed behind the first operating portion 51. The pair of extending portions 71b extend forward from both left-right ends of the central portion 71a toward the recessed portion 23 of the case 10. The tips of the pair of extending portions 71b are disposed within the recessed portion 23 of the case 10, and the upper surface is formed in an arc shape. The locking projection 71c protrudes forward from the central portion 71a. The locking projection 71c can be engaged with the recessed portion 51c of the first operating portion 51. The biasing member 72 biases the regulating member 71 toward the insertion position. In this embodiment, the biasing member 72 is configured by a pair of coil springs.

[0066] When the electric plug 2 is not inserted into the power outlet 1, the restricting member 71 is in the insertion position, and the locking protrusion 71c is engaged with the recess 51c of the first operating part 51. This restricts the movement of the first operating part 51 from the first position to the second position. When the electric plug 2 is inserted into the power outlet 1, the tips of the pair of extension parts 71b of the restricting member 71 are pressed by the insertion part 5 of the electric plug 2 and move backward, and the restricting member 71 moves to the retracted position. This releases the engagement between the locking protrusion 71c and the recess 51c of the first operating part 51, and the movement of the first operating part 51 from the first position to the second position is permitted. When the electric plug 2 is removed from the power outlet 1, the restricting member 71 moves forward by the biasing force of the biasing member 82, and the restricting member 71 returns to the insertion position.

[0067] The retaining mechanism 16 prevents the electric plug 2 from being separated from the power outlet 1 in an energized state. The retaining mechanism 16 prevents the electric plug 2 from being removed from the power outlet 1 when the first operating part 51 is in the second position. In other words, the retaining mechanism 16 prevents the electric plug 2 from being removed from the power outlet 1 when the moving member 41 is in the closed position.

[0068] The retaining mechanism 16 includes a retaining member 81 and a biasing member 82. The retaining member 81 is supported so as to be movable only in the front-rear direction with respect to the case 10. The retaining member 81 can advance and retreat toward the engagement hole 9 of the electric plug 2. The retaining member 81 includes an inclined portion 81a and a locking protrusion 81c. When the first operating part 51 moves from the first position to the second position, the inclined portion 81a is pressed by the pressing protrusion 51d of the first operating part 51. This causes the retaining member 81 to move forward, and the locking protrusion 81c enters the recess 23 of the case 10. The locking protrusion 72c that has entered the recess 23 engages with the engagement hole 9 of the electric plug 2. This restricts the upward movement of the electric plug 2, and prevents the electric plug 2 from coming off the power outlet 1. The biasing member 82 biases the retaining member 81 toward the first operating part 51.

[0069] Next, a connection operation and a disconnection operation when the first operation part 51 and the second operation part 52 of the operation member 13 of the power outlet 1 are operated while the electric plug 2 is inserted into the power outlet 1 will be described.

[0070] When the first operating portion 51 is in the first position, the movable member 41 is in the open position. In this state, the pusher 44 presses the base portion 35b of the movable piece 35, and the pusher 45 presses the base portion 36b of the movable piece 36, and the movable contacts 37 and 38 are separated from the fixed contacts 33 and 34.

[0071] When the first operating part 51 is pressed and moves from the first position to the second position against the biasing force of the return spring 42, the moving member 41 is pressed by the first operating part 51 and moves from the open position to the closed position. In this state, the pusher 44 presses the contact support part 35a of the movable piece 35, and the pusher 45 presses the contact support part 36a of the movable piece 36, so that the movable contacts 37 and 38 come into contact with the fixed contacts 33 and 34. When the pressing operation of the first operating part 51 is stopped, the first operating part 51 is held at the second position by the holding mechanism 14. In detail, as shown in FIG. 4, the locking protrusion 51b of the first operating part 51 is locked by the locking claw 62a of the ratchet member 62, and the first operating part 51 is held at the second position. As a result, the movable member 41 is held in the closed position via the first operating portion 51, so that the movable contacts 37, 38 are maintained in contact with the fixed contacts 33, 34.

[0072] When the second operating part 52 is slid from the third position to the fourth position while the first operating part 51 is held at the second position, the ratchet member 62 is pressed by the pressing part 52a of the second operating part 52, and the ratchet member 62 moves from the held position to the released position, as shown in Fig. 9. This releases the engagement between the locking protrusion 51b of the first operating part 51 and the locking claw 62a of the ratchet member 62, and the moving member 41 moves to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring 42, and the first operating part 51 moves to the first position. This causes the movable contacts 37, 38 to separate from the fixed contacts 33, 34.

[0073] In the power outlet 1 having the above configuration, when the state in which the moving member 41 is held in the closed position is released in response to the operation of the operating member 13, the moving member 41 moves from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring 42. Therefore, the moving contacts 37, 38 can be more quickly separated from the fixed contacts 33, 34 compared to a case in which the separation speed of the moving contacts 37, 38 when they separate from the fixed contacts 33, 34 depends only on the restoring force of the leaf spring. In other words, since the biasing force of the return spring 42 can quickly move the moving member 41 from the closed position to the open position, the arc generated between the fixed contacts 33, 34 and the moving contacts 37, 38 can be quickly interrupted.

[0074] Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the invention.

[0075] In the above embodiment, the operating member 13 includes the first operating part 51 and the second operating part 52, but the operating member 13 may be composed of a single operating part. The operating member 13 may be composed of a rotary ratchet mechanism used in, for example, a knock-type ballpoint pen. The operating member 13 may also be a lever switch or a rocker switch.

[0076] In the above embodiment, the first operating portion 51 and the moving member 41 are separate bodies, but the first operating portion 51 and the moving member 41 may be integrated together. [Explanation of symbols]

[0077] 1 Power outlet 10 Cases 11 Contact device 31,32 Fixed terminal 33,34 Fixed contacts 35,36 Movable piece 13 Operating member 14 Retention mechanism 15 Regulatory Mechanisms 16 Anti-slip mechanism 42 Return spring 51 1st operation section 52 2nd operation section 62 Ratchet member 62a Locking claw 63 biasing member (an example of a first biasing member)

Claims

1. Case and a contact device including a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece connected to the movable contact; an operating member movable relative to the case; a moving member that is linearly movable between a closed position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a return spring that is separate from the movable piece and biases the moving member toward the open position, the moving mechanism moving the movable piece in response to operation of the operating member; a holding mechanism capable of holding the movable member at the closed position and releasing the held state in which the movable member is held at the closed position in response to an operation of the operating member; Equipped with When the held state is released, the movable member is moved from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring, The return spring is a coil spring and extends along the moving direction of the moving member. Power outlet.

2. Further comprising a contact case disposed within the case, the contact device and the return spring are disposed in the contact case, The moving member includes a housing portion that houses a portion of the return spring.

2. The electrical outlet of claim 1.

3. A case, a contact device including a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece connected to the movable contact; an operating member movable relative to the case; a moving mechanism including a moving member that can move between a closed position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a return spring that is separate from the movable piece and biases the moving member toward the open position, the moving mechanism moving the movable piece in response to operation of the operating member; a holding mechanism capable of holding the movable member at the closed position and releasing the held state in which the movable member is held at the closed position in response to an operation of the operating member; Equipped with When the held state is released, the movable member is moved from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring, The holding mechanism includes a locking claw that locks the moving member in the closed position, The operating member includes a first operating portion that moves the moving member from the open position to the closed position, and a second operating portion that releases a state in which the moving member is locked at the closed position by the locking claw. Power outlet.

4. The holding mechanism includes: a ratchet member including the locking claw and rotatable between a holding position for holding the movable member at the closed position and a release position for releasing the held state; a first biasing member that biases the ratchet member in a direction from the release position toward the holding position; Including, 4. The electrical outlet of claim 3.

5. The first operating portion includes a locking protrusion that is locked by the locking claw when the moving member is moved to the closed position, and is biased by the return spring via the moving member in a direction from the closed position toward the open position.

5. The electrical outlet according to claim 3 or 4.

6. The locking claw has a plane perpendicular to a direction from the closed position to the open position.

6. A power outlet according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The first operation unit is pressed in a direction from the open position toward the closed position to move the moving member from the open position to the closed position.

7. A power outlet according to any one of claims 3 to 6.

8. A case, a contact device including a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece connected to the movable contact; an operating member movable relative to the case; a moving mechanism including a moving member that can move between a closed position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a return spring that is separate from the movable piece and biases the moving member toward the open position, the moving mechanism moving the movable piece in response to operation of the operating member; a holding mechanism capable of holding the movable member at the closed position and releasing the held state in which the movable member is held at the closed position in response to an operation of the operating member; Equipped with When the held state is released, the movable member is moved from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring, the movable piece includes a contact support portion that supports the movable contact, a base portion, and a first fulcrum located between the contact support portion and the base portion, and is capable of swinging around the first fulcrum; The moving member presses the base portion to move the movable contact away from the fixed contact, and presses the contact support portion to move the movable contact toward the fixed contact. Power outlet.

9. A case, a contact device including a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece connected to the movable contact; an operating member movable relative to the case; a moving mechanism including a moving member that can move between a closed position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a return spring that is separate from the movable piece and biases the moving member toward the open position, the moving mechanism moving the movable piece in response to operation of the operating member; a holding mechanism capable of holding the movable member at the closed position and releasing the held state in which the movable member is held at the closed position in response to an operation of the operating member; Regulatory mechanisms and Equipped with When the held state is released, the movable member is moved from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring, the case includes a recess into which an electrical plug is inserted; the regulating mechanism regulates movement of the movable member from the open position to the closed position due to operation of the operating member when the electric plug is not inserted in the recess. Power outlet.

10. A case; a contact device including a fixed contact, a movable contact facing the fixed contact, and a movable piece connected to the movable contact; an operating member movable relative to the case; a moving mechanism including a moving member that can move between a closed position where the movable contact is in contact with the fixed contact and an open position where the movable contact is separated from the fixed contact, and a return spring that is separate from the movable piece and biases the moving member toward the open position, the moving mechanism moving the movable piece in response to operation of the operating member; a holding mechanism capable of holding the movable member at the closed position and releasing the held state in which the movable member is held at the closed position in response to an operation of the operating member; a retaining mechanism that retains the electric plug from the case when the movable member is in the closed position; Equipped with When the held state is released, the movable member is moved from the closed position to the open position by the biasing force of the return spring, the retaining mechanism includes a retaining member that is movable toward and away from an engagement hole provided in the electric plug, and a second biasing member that biases the retaining member toward the operation member, The retaining member includes an inclined portion that is pressed by the operating member in response to the movement of the operating member. Power outlet.

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