Socket device and connection mechanism

Abstract

A socket device (8) comprises a pair of socket electrodes (30), (32) that are disposed to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed in a direction perpendicular to a wall surface (6). One end (30a) of the socket electrode (30) in the longitudinal direction and one end (32a) of the socket electrode (32) in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected, respectively, to a pair of plug electrodes (68), (70) of a plug device (10).

Description

Socket Device and Connection Mechanism

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a socket device and a connection mechanism.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a mounting device for attaching an electrical device to a wall surface. This mounting device includes a socket disposed on the wall surface and a plug disposed on the back surface of the electrical device. A pair of insertion sockets are formed on the upper surface of the socket. The plug has a pair of insertion plugs that project downward.

[0003] When attaching an electrical device to a wall surface, the pair of insertion plugs are inserted into the pair of insertion sockets from above downward. Thereby, the plug and the socket are electrically connected.

[0004] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-48995

[0005] In the above-described conventional mounting device, since the direction of inserting the pair of insertion plugs into the pair of insertion sockets is only in one direction, there is a problem that the degree of freedom in attaching the electrical device to the wall surface is low.

[0006] The present disclosure provides a socket device and a connection mechanism that can increase the degree of freedom in attaching an electrical device to an attachment surface.

[0007] The socket device in the present disclosure is a socket device for supplying power to a plug device having a first plug electrode and a second plug electrode that are disposed on an attachment surface and spaced apart from each other, and includes a first socket electrode and a second socket electrode that are disposed so as to cross each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the attachment surface. One end portion in the longitudinal direction of the first socket electrode and one end portion in the longitudinal direction of the second socket electrode are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

[0008] According to the socket device in the present disclosure, the degree of freedom in attaching an electrical device to an attachment surface can be increased.

[0009] This is a perspective view showing an example of use of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing a socket device according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing a plug device according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device according to Embodiment 1, viewed from a different angle than Figure 4. This is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device according to Embodiment 1, with the holding member moved from the open position to the closed position. This is a perspective view showing the rear side of the socket device according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device according to Embodiment 1, with the holding member omitted. This is a perspective view showing a plug device according to Embodiment 1, viewed from a different angle than Figure 9. This is a side view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, with the display device omitted. This is a perspective view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, with the base plate further omitted from Figure 12. This is a cross-sectional view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, along the line XIV-XIV in Figure 13. This is a side view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, with the display device omitted. This is a perspective view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, with the base plate further omitted from Figure 16. This is a cross-sectional view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, along the line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17. This is a side view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1. This is a perspective view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, with the display device omitted. This is a perspective view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, with the base plate further omitted from Figure 20. This is a cross-sectional view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 1, along the line XXII-XXII in Figure 21. This is a perspective view showing the operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 2. This is a perspective view showing the operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 2. This is a perspective view showing the operation of the connection mechanism according to Embodiment 2.

[0010] The embodiments will be described in detail below, with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, unnecessarily detailed explanations may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters and redundant explanations of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily verbose and to facilitate understanding for those skilled in the art.

[0011] The inventors provide the accompanying drawings and the following description so that those skilled in the art may fully understand this disclosure, and not to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) [1. Overview of the connection mechanism] First, an overview of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an example of use of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the plug device 10 according to Embodiment 1.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the connection mechanism 2 is a mechanism for detachably attaching a display device 4 (an example of an electrical device) to a wall surface 6 (an example of a mounting surface) in a room, and for supplying power to the display device 4. The connection mechanism 2 includes a socket device 8 and a plug device 10.

[0014] The display device 4 is, for example, a wall-mounted television receiver and is formed in the shape of a rectangular flat panel. A display panel 12 for displaying images is located on the front of the display device 4. The display panel 12 is made of, for example, an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) panel. A rear cover 14, made of, for example, resin, is located on the back of the display device 4 (the side opposite the front).

[0015] In Figure 1, etc., the display device 4 mounted on the wall 6 is kept in a vertical position, with the left-right direction of the display device 4 as the X-axis direction, the front-back direction (thickness direction) of the display device 4 as the Y-axis direction, and the up-down direction of the display device 4 as the Z-axis direction. The vertical position is a position in which the up-down direction of the display device 4 coincides with the direction of gravity (vertical direction), and the left-right direction of the display device 4 coincides with the horizontal direction (direction perpendicular to the direction of gravity). The wall 6 is a plane parallel to the XZ plane.

[0016] As shown in Figure 2, the socket device 8 is a device for supplying power to the plug device 10 and for supporting the plug device 10. The socket device 8 is positioned on the wall surface 6 and is electrically connected to a commercial power supply (not shown). The socket device 8 is installed on the wall surface 6 by a worker or the like before the display device 4 is attached to the wall surface 6. At this time, the front side of the socket device 8 is exposed on the wall surface 6, and the back side of the socket device 8 is embedded in the wall surface 6. The specific configuration of the socket device 8 will be described later.

[0017] As shown in Figure 3, the plug device 10 is provided on the display device 4. Specifically, the plug device 10 is located approximately in the center of the rear cover 14 of the display device 4. The plug device 10 is pre-attached to the rear cover 14 of the display device 4 at the factory or elsewhere during the manufacturing of the display device 4. Alternatively, the plug device 10 may be externally attached to the rear cover 14 of the display device 4 by a worker before the display device 4 is mounted on the wall 6. When the plug device 10 is attached to the display device 4, it is electrically connected to the display device 4. As a result, with the plug device 10 and the socket device 8 electrically connected, as will be described later, the plug device 10 supplies power from the socket device 8 to the display device 4. The specific configuration of the plug device 10 will be described later.

[0018] When attaching the display device 4 to the wall surface 6, as shown in Figure 2, the worker grasps the display device 4 so that the rear cover 14 faces the wall surface 6, and brings the display device 4 close to the wall surface 6 as indicated by arrow 16. Next, as shown in Figure 2, the worker lowers the display device 4 along the wall surface 6 toward the socket device 8 as indicated by arrow 18. This electrically connects the socket device 8 and the plug device 10, and the plug device 10 is supported by the socket device 8. As a result, as shown in Figure 1, the display device 4 is detachably attached to the wall surface 6 via the connection mechanism 2, and power from the commercial power supply is supplied to the display device 4 via the connection mechanism 2.

[0019] [2. Configuration of the Socket Device] Next, the configuration of the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 4 to 8. Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1, viewed from a different angle than Figure 4. Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1 with the retaining member 36 moved from the open position to the closed position. Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the rear side of the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the front side of the socket device 8 according to Embodiment 1 with the retaining member 36 omitted.

[0020] As shown in Figures 4 to 8, the socket device 8 comprises a main body 20, a back frame 22, a moving mechanism 24, a terminal block 26, a moving member 28 (an example of a support part), and a pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32. One of the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 is an example of a first socket electrode, and the other is an example of a second socket electrode.

[0021] As shown in Figures 4 to 6, the main body 20 is made of, for example, resin and is placed on the wall surface 6 (see Figures 1 and 2). The front side of the main body 20 is exposed on the wall surface 6. The main body 20 has a fixing member 34 and a holding member 36. For the sake of explanation, the holding member 36 is not shown in Figure 8.

[0022] The fixing member 34 is formed in a rectangular frame shape and is fixed to the wall surface 6. A rectangular opening 38 is formed on the inner circumference side of the fixing member 34.

[0023] The holding member 36 is formed in a rectangular plate shape and is supported so as to be movable relative to the fixing member 34 in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6 (Y-axis direction). Specifically, the holding member 36 is movable between a closed position (see Figure 6) in which it closes the opening 38 of the fixing member 34 and an open position (see Figures 4 and 5) in which it opens the opening 38 of the fixing member 34 as the moving member 28 moves by the moving mechanism 24. The open position is a position that protrudes toward the front side (negative side of the Y-axis) from the opening 38 of the fixing member 34. Furthermore, as will be described later, for example, when the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 is fitted into the recess 48a of the moving member 28 from the insertion port 40a of the main body portion 20, the holding member 36 holds the support claw portion 72 together with the moving member 28 in order to prevent the support claw portion 72 from falling out of the recess 48a.

[0024] As shown in Figures 4, 5, and 8, the main body 20 has four insertion openings 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d (40a to 40d). That is, when the holding member 36 moves from the closed position to the open position, the four insertion openings 40a to 40d are exposed between the holding member 36 and the opening 38 of the fixing member 34. More specifically, the four insertion openings 40a to 40d each represent four virtual surfaces defined in the four opening portions between the four sides of the outer circumference of the holding member 36 in the open position and the four sides of the inner circumference of the opening 38 of the fixing member 34. A moving member 28 and a pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 are positioned at the back of each of the four insertion openings 40a to 40d. As a result, for example, the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 can be fitted into the recess 48a of the movable member 28 by inserting it into the insertion port 40a (i.e., inserting the support claw portion 72 toward the movable member 28 through a virtual surface defined as the insertion port 40a).

[0025] As shown in Figure 14, which will be described later, the four sockets 40a to 40d are each located on the four sides 44a, 44b, 44c, and 44d (44a to 44d) of a virtual rectangle 42 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6 (towards the positive side of the Y-axis). That is, the sockets 40a to 40d are located on the upper side 44a, the right side 44b, the lower side 44c, and the left side 44d of the virtual rectangle 42 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6. Here, the virtual rectangle 42 is a rectangle defined, for example, by the inner circumference of the opening 38 of the fixing member 34 (or the outer circumference of the holding member 36), and is shown as a dashed line in Figure 14. Note that in Figure 14, for the sake of explanation, the size of the rectangle 42 is shown to be slightly smaller than the size of the inner circumference of the opening 38 of the fixing member 34 (or the outer circumference of the holding member 36).

[0026] One of the four sockets 40a to 40d (an example of a specific socket) can be detachably inserted into one of them, into which the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10, which will be described later, can be detachably inserted.

[0027] As shown in Figure 7, the back frame 22 is a hollow housing and is fixed to the rear side (opposite the front side) of the main body 20. The back frame 22 is embedded in the wall surface 6 and is positioned so that it is not visible from inside the room. Multiple fixing claws 46 are provided on the outer surface of the back frame 22. As shown in Figure 11, which will be described later, the fixing member 34 of the main body 20 is fixed to the wall surface 6 by being sandwiched between the fixing member 34 of the main body 20 and the multiple fixing claws 46.

[0028] As shown in Figure 7, the moving mechanism 24 is a pop-up mechanism for moving the moving member 28 in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6 relative to the fixed member 34, and is housed inside the back frame 22.

[0029] The terminal block 26 is located at the rear end of the back frame 22 and is electrically connected to the commercial power supply. The terminal block 26 is embedded in the wall 6 together with the back frame 22 and is positioned so that it is not visible from inside the room.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, the movable member 28 is made of, for example, resin and is octagonal in shape in an XZ plan view. The movable member 28 is positioned inside the opening 38 of the fixed member 34. More specifically, the movable member 28 is fixed to the back side of the holding member 36 and is mechanically connected to the moving mechanism 24. As a result, the movable member 28 can be moved by the moving mechanism 24 in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6. Consequently, the holding member 36 can move between a closed position and an open position in a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6 as the movable member 28 moves.

[0031] When using the socket device 8, with the retaining member 36 in the closed position, the user pushes the retaining member 36 inwards (towards the positive side of the Y-axis) by hand, causing the retaining member 36 to pop out from the closed position to the open position by the movement mechanism 24. At this time, the four insertion openings 40a to 40d are exposed between the retaining member 36 and the opening 38 of the fixing member 34. When the socket device 8 is not in use, with the retaining member 36 in the open position, the user pushes the retaining member 36 inwards by hand, causing the retaining member 36 to move from the open position to the closed position by the movement mechanism 24 and be held in the closed position.

[0032] Furthermore, four recesses 48a, 48b, 48c, and 48d (48a to 48d) are formed on the outer circumference of the movable member 28. Each of the four recesses 48a to 48d is positioned opposite each of the four insertion openings 40a to 40d. In other words, each of the four recesses 48a to 48d is positioned slightly recessed from the four insertion openings 40a to 40d toward the radial center of the movable member 28.

[0033] As shown in Figure 8, each of the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 is made of a metal such as copper and is formed in an elongated shape. The pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 are supported by a movable member 28 and are positioned between the movable member 28 and a holding member 36. That is, the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 are covered by the holding member 36 and are positioned so that the user cannot directly touch them with their hands. The pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 are positioned so that they intersect each other in a cross shape (X shape) when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6. That is, the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 intersect each other perpendicularly at their respective longitudinal centers.

[0034] One of the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 is a line terminal (ungrounded terminal), and the other is a neutral terminal (grounded terminal). Socket electrodes 30 and 32 are electrically insulated from each other. At the intersection of socket electrodes 30 and 32, they do not touch, and are arranged to maintain an insulating distance (e.g., 5 mm or more).

[0035] As shown in Figure 14, which will be described later, the socket electrode 30 extends along one diagonal 50 of the virtual rectangle 42 described above. The socket electrode 32 extends along the other diagonal 52 of the virtual rectangle 42.

[0036] As a result, a recess 48a of the movable member 28 is positioned between one end 30a of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and one end 32a of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction. That is, one end 30a of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and one end 32a of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction are positioned to correspond to the upper insertion opening 40a of the four insertion openings 40a to 40d when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6.

[0037] Furthermore, a recess 48b of the movable member 28 is positioned between one end 30a of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and the other end 32b of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction. In other words, the one end 30a of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and the other end 32b of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction are positioned to correspond to the rightmost insertion opening 40b of the four insertion openings 40a to 40d, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6.

[0038] Furthermore, a recess 48c of the movable member 28 is positioned between the other end 30b of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and the other end 32b of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the other end 30b of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and the other end 32b of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction are positioned to correspond to the lower insertion opening 40c of the four insertion openings 40a to 40d when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6.

[0039] Furthermore, a recess 48d of the movable member 28 is positioned between the other end 30b of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and the one end 32a of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction. That is, the other end 30b of the socket electrode 30 in the longitudinal direction and the one end 32a of the socket electrode 32 in the longitudinal direction are positioned to correspond to the left-hand insertion opening 40d of the four insertion openings 40a to 40d, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6.

[0040] [3. Configuration of the Plug Device] Next, the configuration of the plug device 10 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. Figure 9 is a perspective view showing the plug device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the plug device 10 according to Embodiment 1 from a different angle than that shown in Figure 9.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the plug device 10 includes a base plate 54, a shaft 56, a pair of pins 58 and 60, a tilting member 62, a pair of coil springs 64 and 66, a pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70, a support claw portion 72, a pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76, and a pair of coil springs 78 and 80 (an example of a pair of biasing members) (see FIG. 14 described later). One of the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 is an example of a first plug electrode, and the other of them is an example of a second plug electrode.

[0042] The base plate 54 is formed of a metal such as stainless steel, for example, and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The base plate 54 is fixed to the rear cover 14 (see FIG. 3) of the display device 4. A pair of shaft support portions 82 and 84 and a pair of pin support portions 86 and 88 are formed on the base plate 54. The pair of shaft support portions 82 and 84 are formed by being bent substantially perpendicular to the base plate 54 by, for example, a sheet metal raising process or the like, and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction (X-axis direction). The pair of pin support portions 86 and 88 are formed by being bent substantially perpendicular to the base plate 54 by, for example, a sheet metal raising process or the like, and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction.

[0043] The shaft 56 is formed in a long shape and extends along the left-right direction. Both ends in the longitudinal direction of the shaft 56 are supported by the pair of shaft support portions 82 and 84 of the base plate 54, respectively.

[0044] The pair of pins 58 and 60 are each formed of, for example, a screw or the like, and are supported by the pair of pin support portions 86 and 88 of the base plate 54. The pair of pins 58 and 60 are arranged so as to project in a direction approaching each other in the left-right direction.

[0045] The tilting member 62 is made of, for example, resin and is tiltably supported on the base plate 54. That is, the tilting member 62 is tiltably supported on the rear cover 14 of the display device 4 via the base plate 54. An elongated hole 90 is formed at the upper end of the tilting member 62. When the tilting member 62 is kept in a vertical position, the elongated hole 90 extends along the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). A shaft 56 is movably and rotatably inserted through this elongated hole 90. As a result, the tilting member 62 can tilt between a first position in which it is positioned along the base plate 54 (i.e., along the rear cover 14 of the display device 4) and a second position in which it is positioned at an angle to the base plate 54 (i.e., relative to the rear cover 14 of the display device 4), with the shaft 56 as the pivot point. Furthermore, as the shaft 56 moves along the longitudinal direction of the elongated hole 90, the tilting member 62 can be displaced vertically relative to the base plate 54.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, a guide groove 92 and an engagement groove 96 are formed on one side of the tilting member 62 in the left-right direction. Also, as shown in Figure 10, a guide groove 94 and an engagement groove 98 are formed on the other side of the tilting member 62 in the left-right direction. A pair of pins 58 and 60 are movably inserted through the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94, respectively. With the tilting member 62 in a vertical position, each of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94 extends along the vertical direction (an example of a predetermined direction). The pair of engagement grooves 96 and 98 are recessed in the direction toward the wall surface 6 from the lower end of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94 in their respective longitudinal directions. That is, the guide grooves 92 and 96, and the guide grooves 94 and 98, extend in an L-shape as a whole.

[0047] A pair of coil springs 64 and 66 are positioned between the base plate 54 and the lower end of the tilting member 62, biasing the lower end of the tilting member 62 away from the base plate 54. In other words, the pair of coil springs 64 and 66 bias the tilting member 62 from a first position to a second position.

[0048] Each of the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 is formed of a metal such as copper and is formed in a rectangular plate shape. The pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 are supported by the tilting member 62 and are arranged at intervals in the left-right direction. Although not shown, each of the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 is electrically connected to various electrical components inside the display device 4 via electric wires.

[0049] The support claw portion 72 is supported by the tilting member 62 and is disposed between the plug electrode 68 and the plug electrode 70. In a state where the tilting member 62 is kept in a vertical posture, the support claw portion 72 protrudes downward (the minus side of the Z axis). The support claw portion 72 is immovable with respect to the tilting member 62.

[0050] The pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76 are movably supported by the tilting member 62. In a state where the tilting member 62 is kept in a vertical posture, the pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76 protrude in a direction approaching each other in the left-right direction and are movable in a direction approaching each other and a direction separating from each other in the left-right direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 14 described later, inclined portions 100 and 102 inclined with respect to the vertical direction are respectively formed on the pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76. Specifically, the inclined portion 100 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the upper side of the inclined portion 100 faces the locking claw portion 76. Also, the inclined portion 102 is inclined with respect to the vertical direction such that the upper side of the inclined portion 102 faces the locking claw portion 74. The tip ends of the pair of pins 58 and 60 are respectively in contact with the inclined portions 100 and 102.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 14 described later, the pair of coil springs 78 and 80 are disposed on the tilting member 62. The pair of coil springs 78 and 80 respectively urge the pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76 in a direction away from each other. That is, the pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76 are respectively urged by the pair of coil springs 78 and 80 toward the pair of pins 58 and 60 and are in contact with the pair of pins 58 and 60.

[0052] [4. Operation of the Connection Mechanism] Next, the operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described while showing the procedure for attaching the display device 4 to the wall surface 6. The operation of the connection mechanism 2 will be described below in the order of the first stage, the second stage, and the third stage.

[0053] [4-1. First Stage of Operation of the Connection Mechanism] First, the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 11 to 14.

[0054] Figure 11 is a side view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 12 is a perspective view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 with the display device 4 omitted. Figure 13 is a perspective view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 with the base plate 54 further omitted from Figure 12. Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1, along the line XIV-XIV in Figure 13.

[0055] As shown in Figure 11, when attaching the display device 4 to the wall surface 6, the worker or other person grasps the display device 4 so that the rear cover 14 faces the wall surface 6 and brings the display device 4 close to the wall surface 6.

[0056] Next, the worker or other person grips the display device 4 so that the tilting member 62 maintains a vertical position (i.e., so that the longitudinal directions of the elongated hole 90 and the pair of guide grooves 92, 94 coincide with the vertical direction), and displaces the plug device 10 downward relative to the socket device 8 (an example of a predetermined direction along the wall surface 6).

[0057] In the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2, the tilting member 62 maintains a vertical position and is held in a second position by the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 64 and 66. Therefore, as shown in Figures 11 and 12, the base plate 54 is positioned so as to be tilted by a predetermined angle with respect to the vertical direction. As a result, the display device 4 is held in a tilted position with respect to the vertical direction (hereinafter referred to as the "tilted position") such that the display panel 12 faces diagonally upward.

[0058] Furthermore, in the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2, as shown in Figure 13, the tilting member 62 is suspended from the shaft 56 while maintaining a vertical position. Therefore, the shaft 56 is located at the upper end of the elongated hole 90, and the pair of pins 58 and 60 are located at the upper ends of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94, respectively.

[0059] Furthermore, in the first stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2, as shown in Figure 14, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 are inserted from above into the insertion opening 40a of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8.

[0060] As a result, the support claw portion 72 (i.e., part of the plug device 10) fits into the recess 48a (an example of a specific recess) of the movable member 28 corresponding to the insertion opening 40a. Consequently, the tilting member 62 is supported by the socket device 8 and held in a vertical position. At this time, in order to prevent the support claw portion 72 from falling out of the recess 48a, the holding member 36 holds the support claw portion 72 together with the movable member 28. In addition, the pair of locking claw portions 74 and 76 are biased to move away from each other by the pair of coil springs 78 and 80, respectively, and are therefore detached from the pair of recesses 48b and 48d.

[0061] Furthermore, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 are electrically connected to one end 30a in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 30 and one end 32a in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 32, respectively.

[0062] Although not shown in the figures, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 may be inserted into the insertion opening 40b of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8. In this case, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 are electrically connected to the other end 32b in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 32 and the one end 30a in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 30, respectively.

[0063] Alternatively, the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 may be inserted into the insertion opening 40c of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8. In this case, the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 are electrically connected to the other end 30b in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 30 and the other end 32b in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 32, respectively.

[0064] Alternatively, the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 may be inserted into the insertion opening 40d of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8. In this case, the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 are electrically connected to one end 32a in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 32 and the other end 30b in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 30, respectively.

[0065] [4-2. Second Stage of Operation of the Connection Mechanism] Next, the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 15 to 18.

[0066] Figure 15 is a side view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 16 is a perspective view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 with the display device 4 omitted. Figure 17 is a perspective view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 with the base plate 54 further omitted from Figure 16. Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view showing the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1, along the line XVIII-XVIII in Figure 17.

[0067] As shown in Figure 15, the worker, while gripping the display device 4, further displaces the plug device 10 downward relative to the socket device 8 from the state shown in Figure 11. The display device 4 continues to be held in the inclined position from the state shown in Figure 11.

[0068] In the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2, as shown in Figures 16 and 17, the tilting member 62 of the plug device 10 is supported by the socket device 8, so the base plate 54 is displaced downward relative to the tilting member 62 due to the weight of the display device 4. Consequently, the shaft 56 moves from the upper end to the lower end of the elongated hole 90, and the pair of pins 58 and 60 move from the upper ends to the lower ends of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94, respectively. The tilting member 62 is held in the second position by the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 64 and 66.

[0069] Furthermore, in the second stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2, as shown in Figure 18, the pair of pins 58 and 60 move from the upper ends to the lower ends of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94, respectively, sliding over the inclined portions 100 and 102 of the pair of locking claws 74 and 76. As a result, the pair of pins 58 and 60 push the pair of locking claws 74 and 76 toward each other, against the biasing force of the pair of coil springs 78 and 80. Consequently, the pair of locking claws 74 and 76 engage with the pair of recesses 48b and 48d, which are located on the left and right sides of recess 48a among the four recesses 48a to 48d. As a result, the plug device 10 is locked to the socket device 8 so that the support claw 72 does not unexpectedly detach from the recess 48a.

[0070] Although not shown in the figures, when the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 are inserted into the insertion opening 40b of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8, the pair of locking claw portions 74, 76 may be fitted into a pair of recesses 48c, 48a, which are located on the upper and lower sides of recess 48b among the four recesses 48a to 48d.

[0071] Furthermore, when the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 are inserted into the insertion opening 40c of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8, the pair of locking claw portions 74, 76 may be fitted into a pair of recesses 48d, 48b, which are located on the left and right sides of recess 48c among the four recesses 48a to 48d.

[0072] Furthermore, when the pair of plug electrodes 68, 70 and the support claw portion 72 of the plug device 10 are inserted into the insertion opening 40d of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8, the pair of locking claw portions 74, 76 may be fitted into a pair of recesses 48a, 48c, which are located on the upper and lower sides of recess 48d among the four recesses 48a to 48d.

[0073] [4-3. Third Stage of Operation of the Connection Mechanism] Next, the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 will be described with reference to Figures 19 to 22.

[0074] Figure 19 is a side view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1. Figure 20 is a perspective view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 with the display device 4 omitted. Figure 21 is a perspective view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1 with the base plate 54 further omitted from Figure 20. Figure 22 is a cross-sectional view showing the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2 according to Embodiment 1, along the line XXII-XXII in Figure 21.

[0075] As shown in Figure 19, the worker releases their hand from the display device 4 from the state shown in Figure 15 described above. As a result, the display device 4 tilts from an inclined position to a vertical position due to its own weight.

[0076] In the third stage of operation of the connection mechanism 2, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, as the display device 4 tilts from an inclined position to a vertical position, the base plate 54 tilts relative to the tilting member 62 around the shaft 56 in a direction toward the tilting member 62. That is, the tilting member 62 tilts relative to the base plate 54 from a second position to a first position.

[0077] As a result, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, pin 58 moves from the lower end of guide groove 92 to engagement groove 96 and engages with engagement groove 96. Similarly, pin 60 moves from the lower end of guide groove 94 to engagement groove 98 and engages with engagement groove 98. Consequently, upward displacement of the base plate 54 relative to the tilting member 62 is restricted. Therefore, even if, for example, a user accidentally applies an upward external force to the display device 4, it is possible to prevent the pair of locking claws 74 and 76 from unexpectedly disengaging from the pair of recesses 48b and 48d, respectively.

[0078] As described above, the display device 4 can be attached to the wall surface 6 by operating the connection mechanism 2 in the order of the first, second, and third stages described above. When removing the display device 4 from the wall surface 6, the connection mechanism 2 should be operated in the reverse order of the above operation sequence, in the order of the third, second, and first stages.

[0079] [5. Effects] In this embodiment, as described above, the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 of the socket device 8 are arranged so as to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6. As a result, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the wall surface 6, both ends of the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 in each longitudinal direction are arranged symmetrically in the four directions: up, down, left, and right. Therefore, no matter which of the four socket openings 40a to 40d of the main body 20 of the socket device 8 the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 of the plug device 10 are inserted into, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 can be electrically connected to the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 of the socket device 8.

[0080] For example, if you want to install the display device 4 horizontally, you can insert the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 of the plug device 10 into the socket 40a of the main body 20. Alternatively, if you want to install the display device 4 vertically, you can insert the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 of the plug device 10 into the socket 40b (or socket 40d) of the main body 20.

[0081] Therefore, depending on the intended use of the display device 4, for example, the degree of freedom in mounting the display device 4 to the wall surface 6 can be increased.

[0082] Furthermore, as described above, since the ends of the pair of socket electrodes 30 and 32 are arranged symmetrically in all four directions (up, down, left, and right), workers do not need to worry about the orientation of the socket device 8 when attaching it to the wall surface 6.

[0083] (Embodiment 2) The configuration of the connection mechanism 2A according to Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to Figures 23 to 25. Figures 23 to 25 are perspective views showing the operation of the connection mechanism 2A according to Embodiment 2. In this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as those in Embodiment 1, and their descriptions are omitted.

[0084] As shown in Figure 23, in the connection mechanism 2A according to Embodiment 2, the socket device 8 is located on the ceiling surface 104 (an example of a mounting surface). The ceiling surface 104 is a plane parallel to the XY plane. The configuration of the socket device 8 is the same as in Embodiment 1 described above, so a description will be omitted.

[0085] Furthermore, the plug device 10A is installed on an electrical device (not shown) that is mounted on the ceiling surface 104, for example. The electrical device is, for example, a lighting fixture or a speaker. The tilting member 62A of the plug device 10A is structured in such a way that it cannot tilt from the first position to the second position.

[0086] The tilting member 62A has only the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94 described in Embodiment 1 above, and does not have the pair of engagement grooves 96 and 98. For the sake of explanation, in Figures 23 to 25 only the guide groove 94 of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94 is shown, and only the pin 60 of the pair of pins 58 and 60 is shown.

[0087] Furthermore, an opening 106 is formed in the base plate 54. A locking member 108 is supported in this opening 106 so as to be movable in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction). The locking member 108 is movable between a lower limit position, which is the release position (see Figures 23 and 24), and an upper limit position, which is the lock position (see Figure 25).

[0088] The other components of the plug device 10A are the same as those in Embodiment 1 described above, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0089] The operation of the connection mechanism 2A will be explained below with reference to Figures 23 to 25. When attaching electrical equipment to the ceiling surface 104, the worker grasps the electrical equipment and brings it close to the ceiling surface 104. At this time, the locking member 108 is in the released position.

[0090] Next, as shown in Figure 23, the worker or other operator holds the electrical equipment so that the longitudinal directions of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94 of the tilting member 62A coincide with the left-right direction (X-axis direction), and slides the electrical equipment along the ceiling surface 104 toward the socket device 8.

[0091] As a result, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 and the support claw portion 72 (see Figure 9 above) of the plug device 10A are inserted into the insertion opening 40a (see Figure 4 above) of the main body portion 20 of the socket device 8. Consequently, similar to the first embodiment described above, the support claw portion 72 fits into the recess 48a (see Figure 8 above) of the movable member 28 corresponding to the insertion opening 40a. Furthermore, the pair of plug electrodes 68 and 70 are electrically connected to one end 30a in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 30 and one end 32a in the longitudinal direction of the socket electrode 32 (see Figure 8 above), respectively.

[0092] Next, as shown in Figure 24, the worker, while holding the electrical equipment, slides it further along the ceiling surface 104 toward the socket device 8 from the state shown in Figure 23. As a result, the pair of pins 58 and 60 move along the respective longitudinal directions of the pair of guide grooves 92 and 94, pushing the pair of locking claws 74 and 76 (see Figure 9 above) toward each other. Consequently, similar to Embodiment 1 above, the pair of locking claws 74 and 76 engage with the pair of recesses 48b and 48d (see Figure 8).

[0093] Finally, as shown in Figure 25, the user manually pushes the locking member 108 from the released position to the locked position, holding the locking member 108 in the locked position. As a result, the upper end of the locking member 108 interferes with the outer circumference of the holding member 36, which prevents the base plate 54 from being unexpectedly displaced in the left-right direction relative to the tilting member 62A. Therefore, even if, for example, the user accidentally applies an external force in the left-right direction to the electrical equipment, it is possible to prevent the pair of locking claws 74 and 76 from unexpectedly disengaging from the pair of recesses 48b and 48d, respectively.

[0094] Therefore, even when electrical equipment is mounted on the ceiling surface 104, as in this embodiment, the same effects as in the first embodiment can be obtained.

[0095] (Note) (Technical 1) A socket device for supplying power to a plug device having a first plug electrode and a second plug electrode arranged on a mounting surface and spaced apart, comprising a first socket electrode and a second socket electrode arranged to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

[0096] According to Technology 1, the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode are arranged so as to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. As a result, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, both ends of the longitudinal direction of the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode are arranged symmetrically in four directions, for example, up, down, left, and right. Therefore, the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode of the plug device can be electrically connected to one end of the longitudinal direction of the first socket electrode and one end of the longitudinal direction of the second socket electrode from any of the four directions mentioned above. As a result, the degree of freedom in mounting electrical equipment to the mounting surface can be increased, for example, depending on the application of the electrical equipment.

[0097] (Technical 2) The socket device according to Technical 1, further comprising: a main body disposed on the mounting surface; and four sockets formed in the main body, the four sockets being arranged on the four sides of a virtual rectangle when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein the first socket electrode extends along one diagonal of the rectangle, the second socket electrode extends along the other diagonal of the rectangle, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into a specific socket among the four sockets, one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction, which are arranged corresponding to the specific socket, are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

[0098] According to Technology 2, regardless of which of the four sockets the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into, the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode can be electrically connected to one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0099] (Technical 3) The socket device according to Technical 2, further comprising a support portion for supporting the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode, the support portion having four recesses arranged opposite to the four insertion openings, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into the specific insertion opening, a part of the plug device fits into a specific recess among the four recesses that corresponds to the specific insertion opening.

[0100] According to Technology 3, when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into a specific socket, a part of the plug device fits into a specific recess of the support part, so that the plug device can be supported by the socket device.

[0101] (Technical 4) The socket device according to Technical 2 or 3, wherein the main body comprises a fixing member fixed to the mounting surface and having an opening, and a holding member supported so as to be movable relative to the fixing member in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface and movable between a closed position that closes the opening of the fixing member and an open position that opens the opening of the fixing member, and when the holding member moves from the closed position to the open position, the four insertion ports are exposed between the holding member and the opening of the fixing member.

[0102] According to Technology 4, when the socket device is not in use, the retaining member can be moved from the open position to the closed position to prevent dust and other debris from entering the socket device through the four socket openings. Furthermore, when a part of the plug device is fitted into a specific recess while the retaining member is in the open position, the retaining member, together with the support part, will hold that part of the plug device. This prevents the part of the plug device from falling out of the specific recess.

[0103] (Technical 5) The socket device according to Technical 4, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the retaining member between the closed position and the open position.

[0104] According to Technology 5, the holding member can be easily moved between the closed position and the open position by the moving mechanism.

[0105] (Technical 6) A connection mechanism comprising: a plug device provided on an electrical device; and a socket device disposed on a mounting surface to which the electrical device is attached for supplying power to the plug device, wherein the plug device has a first plug electrode and a second plug electrode arranged at intervals from each other; and the socket device has a first socket electrode and a second socket electrode arranged to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

[0106] According to Technology 6, the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode are arranged so as to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface. As a result, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, both ends of the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode in their respective longitudinal directions are arranged symmetrically in four directions, for example, up, down, left, and right. Therefore, the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode of the plug device can be electrically connected to one end of the longitudinal direction of the first socket electrode and one end of the longitudinal direction of the second socket electrode from any of the four directions mentioned above. As a result, the degree of freedom in mounting electrical equipment to the mounting surface can be increased, for example, depending on the application of the electrical equipment.

[0107] (Technical 7) The connection mechanism according to Technical 6, wherein the socket device further comprises a main body disposed on the mounting surface, and four sockets formed in the main body, the four sockets being arranged on the four sides of a virtual rectangle when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the first socket electrode extending along one diagonal of the rectangle, the second socket electrode extending along the other diagonal of the rectangle, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into a specific socket among the four sockets, one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction, which are arranged corresponding to the specific socket, are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

[0108] According to Technology 7, regardless of which of the four sockets the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into, the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode can be electrically connected to one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction, respectively.

[0109] (Technical 8) The connection mechanism according to Technical 7, wherein the socket device further has a support portion for supporting the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode, the support portion having four recesses arranged opposite to the four insertion openings, and the plug device further has a support claw portion arranged between the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into the specific insertion opening, the support claw portion of the plug device fits into a specific recess among the four recesses that corresponds to the specific insertion opening.

[0110] According to Technology 8, when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into a specific socket, the support claw portion fits into a specific recess of the support portion, thereby allowing the plug device to be supported by the socket device.

[0111] (Technical 9) The plug device further comprises a pair of locking claws that are movable toward each other and toward each other, a pair of biasing members that bias the pair of locking claws toward each other, and a pair of pins that push the pair of locking claws toward each other in conjunction with an operation that displaces the plug device in a predetermined direction along the mounting surface relative to the socket device in order to insert the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode into the specific socket, wherein the pair of locking claws are each pushed toward each other by the pair of pins so as to fit into a pair of recesses arranged on both sides of the specific recess among the four recesses.

[0112] According to Technology 9, each of the pair of locking claws is pushed toward each other by a pair of pins, thereby engaging with a pair of recesses. This allows the plug device to be locked to the socket device so that the support claws do not accidentally disengage from a particular recess.

[0113] (Technology 10) The plug device further includes a tilting member that supports the support claw portion and the pair of locking claw portions, the tilting member being supported on the back of the electrical equipment so as to be tiltable between a first position in which it is positioned along the back of the electrical equipment and a second position in which it is positioned at an angle to the back of the electrical equipment, the tilting member having a pair of guide grooves extending along the predetermined direction and through which the pair of pins are movably inserted, and a pair of engagement grooves recessed from one end of each of the pair of guide grooves in the longitudinal direction toward the mounting surface, (i) in conjunction with the operation of displacing the plug device in the predetermined direction relative to the socket device while the tilting member is held in the second position, the pair of pins move along the pair of guide grooves, thereby pushing the pair of locking claw portions toward each other, and (ii) when the tilting member tilts from the second position to the first position relative to the back of the electrical equipment, the pair of pins engage with the pair of engagement grooves, the connection mechanism according to Technical 9.

[0114] According to technology 10, when the tilting member tilts from a second position to a first position relative to the back of the electrical equipment, the pair of pins engage with the pair of engagement grooves. Therefore, even if, for example, a user accidentally applies an external force to the electrical equipment, it is possible to prevent the pair of locking claws from unexpectedly disengaging from the pair of recesses.

[0115] (Other Embodiments) As described above, embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology disclosed in this application. However, the technology in this disclosure is not limited thereto and can be applied to embodiments that are modified, replaced, added, or omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, it is possible to create new embodiments by combining the components described in the above embodiments.

[0116] Therefore, other embodiments are illustrated below.

[0117] In the above embodiment 1, the electrical equipment was configured as a display device 4, but it is not limited to this, and may be configured as various electrical equipment such as a speaker, fan, air conditioner, telephone, lighting fixture, and intercom.

[0118] Furthermore, in the above embodiment 1, the plug device 10 is attached to the rear cover 14 of the display device 4 in advance during the manufacturing of the display device 4, but the invention is not limited to this, and part or all of the plug device 10 may be formed integrally with the display device 4.

[0119] As described above, embodiments have been explained as examples of the technology in this disclosure. For this purpose, accompanying drawings and a detailed description have been provided.

[0120] Therefore, the components described in the attached drawings and detailed descriptions may include not only components essential for solving the problem, but also components that are not essential for solving the problem, provided that they illustrate the technology described above. For this reason, the mere presence of these non-essential components in the attached drawings and detailed descriptions should not be immediately assumed to mean that they are essential.

[0121] Furthermore, since the embodiments described above are for illustrative purposes of the technology described herein, various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc., can be made within the scope of the claims or equivalents thereof.

[0122] This disclosure is applicable, for example, to socket devices for supplying power to plug devices provided in electrical equipment.

[0123] 2, 2A Connection mechanism 4 Display device 6 Wall surface 8 Socket device 10, 10A Plug device 12 Display panel 14 Rear cover 16, 18 Arrow 20 Main body 22 Back frame 24 Moving mechanism 26 Terminal block 28 Moving member 30, 32 Socket electrodes 30a, 32a One end 30b, 32b Other end 34 Fixing member 36 Holding member 38, 106 Opening 40a, 40b, 40c, 40d Insertion port 42 Rectangle 44a, 44b, 44c, 44d Side 46 Fixing claw 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d Recess 50, 52 Diagonal 54 Base plate 56 Shaft 58, 60 Pin 62, 62A Tilting member 64, 66, 78, 80 Coil spring 68, 70 Plug electrode 72 Support claw 74, 76 Locking claw 82, 84 Shaft support 86, 88 Pin support 90 Slot 92, 94 Guide groove 96, 98 Engagement groove 100, 102 Inclined part 104 Ceiling surface 108 Locking member

Claims

1. A socket device for supplying power to a plug device having a first plug electrode and a second plug electrode arranged on a mounting surface and spaced apart, comprising a first socket electrode and a second socket electrode arranged to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

2. The socket device further comprises: a main body disposed on the mounting surface; and four sockets formed in the main body, the four sockets being arranged on the four sides of a virtual rectangle when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, wherein the first socket electrode extends along one diagonal of the rectangle, the second socket electrode extends along the other diagonal of the rectangle, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into a specific socket among the four sockets, one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction, which are arranged corresponding to the specific socket, are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

3. The socket device according to claim 2, further comprising a support portion for supporting the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode, the support portion having four recesses arranged opposite to the four insertion openings, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into the specific insertion opening, a part of the plug device fits into a specific recess among the four recesses that corresponds to the specific insertion opening.

4. The socket device according to claim 2, wherein the main body comprises a fixing member fixed to the mounting surface and having an opening, and a holding member supported so as to be movable relative to the fixing member in a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface and movable between a closed position that closes the opening of the fixing member and an open position that opens the opening of the fixing member, and when the holding member moves from the closed position to the open position, the four insertion ports are exposed between the holding member and the opening of the fixing member.

5. The socket device according to claim 4, further comprising a moving mechanism for moving the retaining member between the closed position and the open position.

6. A connection mechanism comprising: a plug device provided on an electrical device; and a socket device disposed on a mounting surface to which the electrical device is attached and for supplying power to the plug device, wherein the plug device has a first plug electrode and a second plug electrode arranged at intervals from each other; and the socket device has a first socket electrode and a second socket electrode arranged to intersect each other in a cross shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface; and one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

7. The connection mechanism according to claim 6, wherein the socket device further comprises: a main body disposed on the mounting surface; and four sockets formed in the main body, the four sockets being arranged on the four sides of a virtual rectangle when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, the first socket electrode extending along one diagonal of the rectangle, the second socket electrode extending along the other diagonal of the rectangle, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into a specific socket among the four sockets, one end of the first socket electrode in the longitudinal direction and one end of the second socket electrode in the longitudinal direction, which are arranged corresponding to the specific socket, are electrically connected to the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, respectively.

8. The connection mechanism according to claim 7, wherein the socket device further has a support portion for supporting the first socket electrode and the second socket electrode, the support portion having four recesses arranged opposite to the four insertion openings, the plug device further has a support claw portion arranged between the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode, and when the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode are inserted into the specific insertion opening, the support claw portion of the plug device fits into a specific recess among the four recesses that corresponds to the specific insertion opening.

9. The connection mechanism according to claim 8, wherein the plug device further comprises: a pair of locking claws that are movable toward each other and toward each other; a pair of biasing members that bias the pair of locking claws toward each other; and a pair of pins that push the pair of locking claws toward each other in conjunction with an operation that displaces the plug device in a predetermined direction along the mounting surface relative to the socket device in order to insert the first plug electrode and the second plug electrode into the specific socket, and the pair of locking claws are each pushed toward each other by the pair of pins so as to fit into a pair of recesses arranged on both sides of the specific recess among the four recesses.

10. The plug device further includes a tilting member that supports the support claw portion and the pair of locking claw portions, the tilting member being supported on the back of the electrical equipment so as to be tiltable between a first position in which it is positioned along the back of the electrical equipment and a second position in which it is positioned at an angle to the back of the electrical equipment, the tilting member having a pair of guide grooves extending along the predetermined direction and through which the pair of pins are movably inserted, and a pair of engagement grooves recessed from one end of each of the pair of guide grooves in the longitudinal direction toward the mounting surface, (i) While the tilting member is held in the second position, the pair of pins move along the pair of guide grooves in conjunction with the operation of displacing the plug device in the predetermined direction relative to the socket device, thereby pushing the pair of locking claws toward each other; and (ii) when the tilting member is tilted from the second position to the first position relative to the back surface of the electrical equipment, the pair of pins engage with the pair of engagement grooves. The connection mechanism according to claim 9.

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