Power plug

Abstract

A power plug includes a base, a spring contact, and a grounding pin. The base has a receiving groove. The bottom of the receiving groove has two fixing holes. The spring contact is disposed in the receiving groove and includes a body and two fixing plates. The body includes two through holes and a bent portion located between the two through holes and away from the protrusion of the base. The two fixing plates extend from opposite sides of the body toward the base and abut against the sidewalls of the two fixing holes. The grounding pin includes a grounding element and a sliding element. The sliding element is movably disposed in the receiving groove and contacts the spring contact.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a power plug, and more particularly to a power plug with a movable grounding pin. Prior Technology

[0002] While existing power plugs with movable grounding pins can reduce the size of the power plug and make it easier to carry, they require fixing plates and screws to fix the spring contacts that mate with the grounding pins, which increases the assembly time and cost of the power plug. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this disclosure provides a power plug comprising a base, a spring contact, and a grounding pin. The base has a receiving groove. The bottom of the receiving groove has a first fixing hole and a second fixing hole. The spring contact is disposed in the receiving groove and includes a body, a first fixing piece, and a second fixing piece. The body includes two through holes and a bent portion located between the two through holes and away from the protrusion of the base. The first fixing piece and the second fixing piece extend from a first side and a second side of the body toward the base, respectively, and abut against the sidewalls of the first fixing hole and the second fixing hole, respectively. The first side and the second side are opposite sides of the body. The grounding pin includes a grounding member and a sliding member. The sliding member is movably disposed within the receiving groove and contacts the spring contact.

[0004] In one or more embodiments, the angle between the first fixing plate and the second fixing plate and the body is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 110 degrees.

[0005] In one or more embodiments, the reed further includes a first engaging tab and a second engaging tab. The first engaging tab and the second engaging tab extend from a third side of the body toward the base and respectively abut against the sidewall of the first fixing hole and the sidewall of the second fixing hole. The third side connects between the first side and the second side.

[0006] In one or more embodiments, the first locking tab is substantially parallel to the sidewall of the first fixing hole, and the second locking tab is substantially parallel to the sidewall of the second fixing hole.

[0007] In one or more embodiments, the sidewall of the receiving groove is provided with a slider, and the sliding member is provided with a groove corresponding to the slider.

[0008] In one or more embodiments, the lengths of the two through holes are substantially the same as the distance between the opposite ends of the bend.

[0009] In one or more embodiments, the bottom surface of the slider is provided with a moving groove and a positioning groove. The bent portion of the spring is movably disposed within the moving groove. The positioning groove is located at one end of the moving groove and is used to position the bent portion at that end of the moving groove.

[0010] In one or more embodiments, the depth of the positioning groove is greater than the depth of the moving groove.

[0011] In one or more embodiments, the bent portion abuts against the bottom of the positioning groove.

[0012] In one or more embodiments, the power plug further includes a cover. The cover is disposed on the base and covers a slider located in a receiving groove. A limiting member is provided on the bottom surface of the cover. A limiting groove is provided on the top surface of the slider. The limiting member is movably disposed within the limiting groove. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a power plug according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second image is an exploded view of the power plug in the first image. Figure 3 is a top view of the power plug in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the power plug in line segment 4-4' of Figure 3. Figure 5 is another top view of the power plug in Figure 1, with the grounding pin fully inserted into the receiving slot. Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of the plug in Figure 5 at line segment 6-6'. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the power plug in line segment 7-7' of Figure 5. Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the spring and part of the base shown in Figure 2. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the combination of the reed and the base in Figure 2, viewed from another angle. Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the grounding pin in Figure 2 viewed from another angle. Implementation

[0014] The various embodiments of the present invention will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity, many practical details are described below. However, those skilled in the art can practice the invention without one or more of these details. Therefore, these details should not be used to limit the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," etc., used below do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are only used to distinguish different parts.

[0015] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a power plug 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the power plug 10. The power plug 10 includes a base 20, a spring 50, and a grounding pin 30. The base 20 is provided with a receiving groove 21. The spring 50 is disposed in the receiving groove 21. Specifically, please refer to Figures 8 and 9. The bottom of the receiving groove 21 is provided with a first fixing hole 261 and a second fixing hole 262. The spring 50 includes a body 51, a first fixing piece 561, and a second fixing piece 562. The body 51 includes two through holes 53 and a bent portion 52 located between the two through holes 53 and away from the protrusion of the base 20. The first fixing piece 561 and the second fixing piece 562 extend from the first side 571 and the second side 572 of the body 51 toward the base 20, respectively. The first side 571 and the second side 572 are opposite sides of the body 51. The first fixing piece 561 and the second fixing piece 562 are respectively inserted into the first fixing hole 261 and the second fixing hole 262, and respectively abut against the first sidewall 2611 of the first fixing hole 261 and the first sidewall 2621 of the second fixing hole 262, so that the spring 50 is fixed to the bottom of the receiving groove 21. In this way, the power plug 10 of the present invention does not require fixing pieces and screws to fix the spring 50, thus reducing the required parts and reducing costs, and simplifying the assembly process and improving production efficiency.

[0016] Referring to Figure 2, the grounding pin 30 includes a grounding member 31 and a sliding member 32. The sliding member 32 is movably disposed within the receiving groove 21, allowing the grounding pin 30 to move along the first direction D1 to the unfolded position shown in Figure 3, and also to move along the opposite direction of the first direction D1 to the folded position shown in Figure 5. Specifically, one side wall of the receiving groove 21 has an opening 23. The sliding member 32 enters the receiving groove 21 through the opening 23 and moves within the receiving groove 21 along the first direction D1 or its opposite direction. The sliding member 32 contacts the spring 50. Specifically, the sliding member 32 is disposed above the spring 50, and the lower surface of the sliding member 32 abuts against the bent portion 52 of the spring 50 to further fix the spring 50. The grounding member 31 is connected to one end of the sliding member 32 and is substantially perpendicular to the sliding member 32. The grounding pin 30 may be made of a conductive material.

[0017] Referring to Figure 1, the power plug 10 can be a UK standard plug and can be used with a power adapter, but is not limited to this. The power plug 10 may also include two power supply pins 40, which are disposed on the base 20. Specifically, the two power supply pins 40 are joined to the base 20 by an injection molding process. The two power supply pins 40 include one live wire pin and one neutral wire pin. A receiving groove 21 may be located between the two power supply pins 40.

[0018] Referring to Figure 8, in one embodiment, the angle between the first fixing piece 561 and the body 51 is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 110 degrees, and / or the angle between the second fixing piece 562 and the body 51 is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 110 degrees. Specifically, referring to Figures 7 and 8, the spring 50 may be an elastic element made of conductive material. The distance between the first side 571 and the second side 572 of the body 51 is equal to or slightly less than the distance between the first sidewall 2611 of the first fixing hole 261 and the first sidewall 2621 of the second fixing hole 262. The angle between the first fixing piece 561 and the lower surface of the body 51 is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 110 degrees, and the angle between the second fixing piece 562 and the lower surface of the body 51 is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 110 degrees. Please refer to Figures 7 through 9. When the first fixing piece 561 is inserted into the first fixing hole 261, the reaction force generated by the first sidewall 2611 of the first fixing hole 261 causes the first fixing piece 561 to bend towards the body 51. Simultaneously, the elastic restoring force generated by the first fixing piece 561 acts on the first sidewall 2611. When the second fixing piece 562 is inserted into the second fixing hole 262, the reaction force generated by the first sidewall 2621 of the second fixing hole 262 causes the second fixing piece 562 to bend towards the body 51. Simultaneously, the elastic restoring force generated by the second fixing piece 562 acts on the first sidewall 2621. This allows the spring piece 50 to be more securely fixed to the bottom of the receiving groove 21.

[0019] Referring to Figures 7 through 9, in one embodiment, the reed 50 further includes a first engaging tab 551 and a second engaging tab 552. The first engaging tab 551 and the second engaging tab 552 extend from the third side 573 of the body 51 of the reed 50 toward the base 20. The third side 573 connects between the first side 571 and the second side 572. The first engaging tab 551 and the second engaging tab 552 are respectively inserted into the first fixing hole 261 and the second fixing hole 262, and respectively abut against the second sidewall 2612 of the first fixing hole 261 and the second sidewall 2622 of the second fixing hole 262, thereby more securely fixing the reed 50 to the bottom of the receiving groove 21.

[0020] Please refer to Figures 8 and 9. In one embodiment, the first engaging tab 551 is substantially parallel to the second sidewall 2612 of the first fixing hole 261, and the second engaging tab 552 is substantially parallel to the second sidewall 2622 of the second fixing hole 262. Specifically, the first engaging tab 551 and the second engaging tab 552 are substantially perpendicular to the body 51. Since both the first engaging tab 551 and the second engaging tab 552 are located on the third side 573 of the body 51, and the fourth side 574 of the body 51 is not provided with engaging tabs, if the angle between the first engaging tab 551 or the second engaging tab 552 and the body 51 is greater than 90 degrees, the elastic restoring force of the first engaging tab 551 or the second engaging tab 552 acting on the second sidewall 2612 or 2622 will be too large, causing the fourth side 574 of the body 51 of the assembled spring 50 to move upward away from the bottom of the receiving groove 21, thereby causing the spring 50 to detach from the base 20.

[0021] In the aforementioned embodiments, the first fixing hole 261 and the second fixing hole 262 are rectangular holes, and the first fixing piece 561, the second fixing piece 562, the first engaging piece 551, and the second engaging piece 552 are flat plate-shaped pieces, but are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first fixing hole 261 and the second fixing hole 262 may be circular holes or elliptical holes, and the first fixing piece 561, the second fixing piece 562, the first engaging piece 551, and the second engaging piece 552 may be arc-shaped pieces that abut against the sidewall of the first fixing hole 261 or the sidewall of the second fixing hole 262.

[0022] Referring to Figure 8, in one embodiment, the lengths of the two through holes 53 are substantially the same as the distance between the opposite ends of the bend 52. In this embodiment, the bend 52 includes two connected inclined portions 521, and the included angle between the two inclined portions 521 is an obtuse angle, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the included angle between the two inclined portions 521 may also be a right angle or an acute angle.

[0023] Please refer to Figure 10. In some embodiments, the bottom surface of the slider 32 of the grounding pin 30 is provided with a moving groove 34 and one or more positioning grooves 35. Please refer to Figures 3 and 6. The bent portion 52 of the spring 50 is movably disposed within the moving groove 34. Specifically, both the moving groove 34 of the slider 32 and the receiving groove 21 of the base 20 extend along the first direction D1. When the slider 32 moves along the first direction D1 within the receiving groove 21, the bent portion 52 correspondingly moves in the opposite direction of the first direction D1 within the moving groove 34. When the slider 32 moves in the opposite direction of the first direction D1 within the receiving groove 21, the bent portion 52 correspondingly moves in the first direction D1 within the moving groove 34. Please refer to Figures 3, 6, and 10. When there is only one positioning groove 35, the positioning groove 35 is located at one end of the moving groove 34 and is used to position the bent portion 52. For example, the positioning groove 35 is located at the end of the moving groove 34 away from the grounding member 31, and the spring 50, the first fixing hole 261, and the second fixing hole 262 are disposed near the opening 23 of the receiving groove 21. Thus, when the positioning groove 35 positions the bent portion 52 at that end of the moving groove 34, the grounding pin 30 can be positioned in the unfolded position. Alternatively, the positioning groove 35 is located at the end of the moving groove 34 close to the grounding member 31, and the spring 50, the first fixing hole 261, and the second fixing hole 262 are disposed near the opening 23 of the receiving groove 21. Thus, when the positioning groove 35 positions the bent portion 52 at that end of the moving groove 34, the grounding pin 30 can be positioned in the folded position. When there are two positioning slots 35, the two positioning slots 35 are located at the two ends of the moving slot 34 respectively. The spring 50, the first fixing hole 261 and the second fixing hole 262 are arranged adjacent to the opening 23 of the receiving slot 21, so that the grounding plug 30 can be positioned in the unfolded position or the retracted position.

[0024] Referring to Figure 10, in one embodiment, the depth of each positioning groove 35 is greater than the depth of the moving groove 34. Specifically, referring to Figures 3, 6, and 8, the depth of the moving groove 34 is less than the maximum vertical distance between the bent portion 52 and the body 51. The depth of each positioning groove 35 is substantially equal to or slightly less than the maximum vertical distance between the bent portion 52 and the body 51. When the bent portion 52 moves within the moving groove 34, the bottom surface of the moving groove 34 deforms the bent portion 52, accumulating deformation pressure. When the bent portion 52 moves into the positioning groove 35, the bent portion 52 releases most or all of the deformation pressure and substantially returns to its original shape, locking in the positioning groove 35. Thus, the spring 50 not only positions the grounding pin 30 but also provides appropriate resistance when the user moves the grounding pin 30, improving the operating feel. Please refer to Figures 3 and 6. In one embodiment, the bent portion 52 of the spring 50 can abut against the bottom of the positioning groove 35 to improve the stability of positioning.

[0025] Referring to Figures 2, 7, and 10, in one embodiment, at least one slider 24 is provided on at least one side wall of the receiving groove 21, and the slider 32 of the grounding pin 30 is provided with at least one groove 33 corresponding to the slider 24. The groove 33 extends along a first direction D1, and the slider 24 slides in the groove 33 so that the grounding pin 30 can slide relative to the base 20 along the first direction D1 or its opposite direction. The slider 24 and the groove 33 can restrict the movement of the grounding pin 30 along a second direction D2. The slider 24 and the groove 33 are configured so that the slider 32 presses against the spring 50 to restrict the movement of the spring 50 along the second direction D2 and to prevent the slider 32 from being lifted by the spring 50. If the slider 24 and the groove 33 are not provided, the slider 32 is easily lifted by the spring 50 and comes into contact with the cover 60; and when the base 20 and the cover 60 are ultrasonically welded, the ultrasonic waves will melt the part of the cover 60 that is contacted by the slider 32.

[0026] Referring to Figure 10, in one embodiment, the groove 33 has an open end 331. The opposite side walls 332 of the groove 33 are inclined outward at the open end 331, such that the width of the portion of the groove 33 at the open end 331 gradually increases along the first direction D1, so as to facilitate the entry of the slider 24 into the groove 33.

[0027] Referring to Figure 10, in one embodiment, the slider 32 is provided with two grooves 33, which are respectively disposed on opposite side surfaces of the slider 32. Referring to Figure 8, the receiving groove 21 is provided with two sliders 24, which are respectively disposed on opposite side walls of the receiving groove 21. Referring to Figure 7, the two sliders 24 slide in the two grooves 33 respectively. In one embodiment, the two sliders 24 are disposed adjacent to the opening 23 and correspond to the first fixing hole 261 and the second fixing hole 262 respectively in the second direction D2, so that the two sliders 24 correspond to the spring 50 in the second direction D2, thereby improving the effect of the slider 32 pressing the spring 50.

[0028] As shown in Figure 2, in one embodiment, the receiving groove 21 is provided with four sliders 24, and each of the opposite side walls of the receiving groove 21 is provided with two independent sliders 24 to more evenly restrict the movement of each part of the slider 32 along the second direction D2.

[0029] Referring to Figures 2, 5, and 6, in one embodiment, the power plug 10 further includes a cover 60. The cover 60 is disposed on the base 20 and covers the sliding member 32 of the grounding pin 30 located in the receiving groove 21. Referring to Figures 2, 4, and 6, the bottom surface of the cover 60 (i.e., the surface of the cover 60 facing the base 20) is provided with a limiting member 61. The limiting member 61 may be a protrusion protruding from the bottom surface of the cover 60. The top surface of the sliding member 32 (i.e., the surface of the sliding member 32 facing the cover 60) is provided with a limiting groove 36. The limiting member 61 is movably disposed within the limiting groove 36 to prevent the sliding member 32 from leaving the receiving groove 21 along the first direction D1. Specifically, when the limiting member 61 contacts the end 361 of the limiting groove 36 away from the grounding member 31, the sliding member 32 can no longer move along the first direction D1, thereby preventing the grounding pin 30 from detaching from the base 20. In this embodiment, the cover 60 may have two through holes 65, through which two power supply pins 40 pass respectively. The base 20 and the cover 60 may be made of insulating material. The base 20 and the cover 60 may be joined by ultrasonic welding.

[0030] Several embodiments have been described in detail above to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the concept of the present invention. However, the foregoing embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art can modify the technical solutions in the foregoing embodiments or make equivalent substitutions for one or more technical features in the foregoing embodiments, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions should all be included within the protection scope of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention should be determined by the appended claims.

[0031] 10: Power plug 20: Base 21: Receptacle 23: Opening 24: Slider 261: First fixing hole 2611: First sidewall 2612: Second sidewall 262: Second fixing hole 2621: First sidewall 2622: Second sidewall 30: Grounding pin 31: Grounding component 32: Slider 33: Slide 331: Open end 332: Sidewall 34: Moving slot 35: Positioning groove 36: Limiting groove 361: End 40: Power supply pin 50: Reed 51:Ontology 52: Bending section 521: Inclined section 53: Through hole 551: First Card Combination 552: Second card combination 561: First fixing plate 562: Second fixing plate 571: First side 572: Second side 573: Third side 574: Fourth side 60: Cover 61: Limiting component 65: Through hole D1: First Direction D2: Second Direction D3: Third direction

Claims

1. A power plug, comprising: a base having a receiving groove, wherein the bottom of the receiving groove has a first fixing hole and a second fixing hole; a spring piece disposed in the receiving groove and comprising a body, a first fixing piece and a second fixing piece, wherein the body includes two through holes and a bent portion located between the two through holes and away from the base protrusion, the first fixing piece and the second fixing piece extending from a first side and a second side of the body toward the base respectively and abutting against a side wall of the first fixing hole and a side wall of the second fixing hole respectively, the first side and the second side being opposite sides of the body; and a grounding pin, comprising a grounding member and a sliding member, the sliding member being movably disposed in the receiving groove and contacting the spring piece.

2. The power plug as described in claim 1, wherein the angle between the first retaining plate and the second retaining plate and the body is greater than 90 degrees and less than or equal to 110 degrees.

3. The power plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the spring further includes a first engaging tab and a second engaging tab, the first engaging tab and the second engaging tab extending from a third side of the body toward the base and respectively abutting the sidewall of the first fixing hole and the sidewall of the second fixing hole, the third side being connected between the first side and the second side.

4. The power plug as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first latching tab is substantially parallel to the sidewall of the first retaining hole, and the second latching tab is substantially parallel to the sidewall of the second retaining hole.

5. The power plug as described in claim 1, wherein a slider is provided on one side wall of the receiving groove, and the slider is provided with a groove corresponding to the slider.

6. The power plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of one of the two through holes is substantially the same as the distance between the opposite ends of the bend.

7. The power plug as claimed in claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the slider is provided with a moving groove and a positioning groove, the bent portion of the spring is movably disposed in the moving groove, and the positioning groove is located at one end of the moving groove and is used to position the bent portion at that end of the moving groove.

8. The power plug as described in claim 7, wherein the depth of the positioning groove is greater than the depth of the moving groove.

9. The power plug as described in claim 8, wherein the bent portion abuts against the bottom of the positioning groove.

10. The power plug as claimed in claim 1 further comprises: a cover disposed on the base and covering the slider located in the receiving groove, wherein a bottom surface of the cover is provided with a limiting member, a top surface of the slider is provided with a limiting groove, and the limiting member is movably disposed in the limiting groove.

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