POWER PLUG INCLUDING TEMPERATURE SENSORS

Abstract

 An objective of the present invention would be to propose a plug of capable of sensing heat generated at multiple power supply pins accurately. The plug of one aspect according to the present invention includes: multiple power supply pins (10) having round bar shapes and axial directions parallel to each other; and multiple temperature sensing elements (41) for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins (10), individually. The multiple power supply pins (10) have planes (14) with normal directions crossing the axial directions, individually. The multiple temperature sensing elements (41) face the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) without being in contact therewith, individually.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention generally relates to plugs, and in particular to a plug for sensing heat generated at multiple power supply pins.

Background Art

[0002] Document 1 (JP 2014-38785 A) discloses a plug including a pair of plug pins (power supply pins) with round bar shapes, and a thermistor for sensing temperatures of the pair of plug pins. The plug of Document 1 is capable of sensing heat generated in the pair of plug pins resulting from incorrect or incomplete contact between the plug and a receptacle.

[0003] In the plug of Document 1, the thermistor is considered far from the pair of the plug pins, and this may lead to a decrease in accuracy of sensing of heat generated at the pair of plug pins.

Summary of Invention

[0004] An objective of the present invention would be to propose a plug of capable of sensing heat generated at multiple power supply pins accurately.

[0005] The plug of one aspect according to the present invention includes: multiple power supply pins having round bar shapes and axial directions parallel to each other; and multiple temperature sensing elements for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins, individually. The multiple power supply pins have planes with normal directions crossing the axial directions, individually. The multiple temperature sensing elements face the planes of the multiple power supply pins without being in contact therewith, individually.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0006] 

FIG. 1 is a section of a primary part of a plug of Embodiment 1 according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another section of the primary part of the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a power supply pin and a temperature sensing element in the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 8 is another diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the power supply pin and the temperature sensing element in the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 9 is another diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the power supply pin and the temperature sensing element in the plug of Embodiment 1.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of the plug of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a positional relationship between a power supply pin and a temperature sensing element in the plug of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 12 is another diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the power supply pin and the temperature sensing element in the plug of Embodiment 2.

FIG. 13 is another diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the power supply pin and the temperature sensing element in the plug of Embodiment 2.

Description of Embodiments

1. EMBODIMENT 1

[0007] The following description referring to FIG. 1 to FIG. 9 is made to a plug of Embodiment 1. Note that, FIG. 1 is a section of the plug taken along A-A line of FIG. 4, and FIG. 2 is a section of the plug taken along B-B line of FIG. 5. Note that, in FIG. 2, the structure of the plug is partially omitted.

[0008] The plug of the present embodiment is a plug in conformity with IEC 60309. As shown in FIG. 3 to FIG. 6, the plug of the present embodiment includes multiple (in the present embodiment, two) power supply pins 10, a single grounding pin 20, a plug body 30, a temperature sensing unit 40, and a cable 50. Hereinafter, one of the two power supply pins 10 is referred to as the first power supply pin 10A, and the other is referred to as the second power supply pin 10B, if necessary.

[0009] As shown in FIG. 3, the temperature sensing unit 40 includes multiple (in the present embodiment, two) temperature sensing elements 41 for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins 10 individually, and a holder 42 for holding the multiple temperature sensing elements 41. Hereinafter, one of the two temperature sensing elements 41 is referred to as the first temperature sensing element 41A, and the other is referred to as the second temperature sensing element 41B, if necessary.

[0010] The first temperature sensing element 41A is placed in a vicinity of the first power supply pin 10A without being in contact (i.e., physical contact) with the first power supply pin 10A in order to sense the temperature of the first power supply pin 10A. The second temperature sensing element 41B is placed in a vicinity of the second power supply pin 10B without being in contact (i.e., physical contact) with the second power supply pin 10B in order to sense the temperature of the second power supply pin 10B.

[0011] The temperature sensing element 41 includes a sensing part 411, and a pair of terminals (lead terminals) 412 and 413. The sensing part 411 is for sensing a surrounding temperature. The sensing part 411 has a flat plate shape. The sensing part 411 has a temperature sensing face 414 which is flat. The temperature sensing element 41 may be a thermistor and in particular a PTC thermistor, for example. Accordingly, the sensing part 411 has a resistance varying according to the surrounding temperature.

[0012] The holder 42 is made of electrically insulating resin. The holder 42 has a plate shape. The first temperature sensing element 41A and the second temperature sensing element 41B are attached to opposite faces of the holder 42, respectively. In this regard, the temperature sensing face 414 of each of the temperature sensing elements 41A and 41B is directed in an opposite direction to the holder 42.

[0013] Further, the terminal 413 of the first temperature sensing element 41A and the terminal 413 of the second temperature sensing element 41B are electrically connected together. This means the first temperature sensing element 41A and the second temperature sensing element 41B are connected in series with each other.

[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the cable 50 includes five electric wires 51 to 55, and a sheath 56 covering the five electric wires 51 to 55. At a first end of the cable 50, the five electric wires 51 to 55 are exposed from the sheath 56, and a second end of the cable 50 is to be connected to a desired device (e.g., a plug, and a receptacle).

[0015] The five electric wires 51 to 55 are two (first and second) power supply wires 51 and 52, a grounding wire 53, and two (first and second) signal wires 54 and 55.

[0016] The first and second power supply wires 51 and 52 are voltage wires, for example. The first and second power supply wires 51 and 52 are electrically connected to the first and second power supply pins 10A and 10B, respectively.

[0017] The grounding wire 53 is electrically connected to the grounding pin 20.

[0018] The first and second signal wires 54 and 55 are electrically connected to the temperature sensing unit 40. In more detail, the first signal wire 54 is electrically connected to the terminal 412 of the first temperature sensing element 41A, and the second signal wire 55 is electrically connected to the terminal 412 of the second temperature sensing element 41B. This means that a series circuit of the first temperature sensing element 41A and the second temperature sensing element 41B is connected between the first signal wire 54 and the second signal wire 55.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 3, and FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, each power supply pin 10 has a round bar shape and is made of metal. In other words, each power supply pin 10 is a round pin. Each power supply pin 10 includes a contact 11, an electric wire connection part 12, and a flange 13, for example. The contact 11 has a round bar shape. The contact 11 is used for making electrical connection with a receptacle corresponding to the plug of the present embodiment. The flange 13 is formed at one end (rear end, i.e., a right end in FIG. 7) of the contact 11. The flange 13 has a round bar shape with a larger diameter than the contact 11. The flange 13 is used for positioning of the power supply pin 10. In more detail, the power supply pin 10 is positioned relative to the plug body 30 by the flange 13. The electric wire connection part 12 is formed on an opposite side of the flange 13 from the contact 11. The electric wire connection part 12 has an elongated flat plate shape. The electric wire connection part 12 is used for making connection with the power supply wire 51 or the power supply wire 52.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 7 to FIG. 9, each power supply pin 10 further includes a plane 14. The plane 14 is provided in order to transfer heat generated at the power supply pin 10 to the temperature sensing element 41. The plane 14 is a flat surface with a normal direction crossing (in the present embodiment, perpendicular to) an axial direction of the power supply pin 10. At least part of the plane 14 is present at the flange 13. In other words, to place the temperature sensing element 41 in a predetermined position relative to the plane 14, the plane 14 extends to exist at the flange 13. In more detail, the plane 14 is formed to extend from the flange 13 to the electric wire connection part 12. The plane 14 is larger in size than the temperature sensing face 414.

[0021] For example, as shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the plane 14 is larger than the temperature sensing face 414 in a first direction (a left and right direction in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8) which is parallel to the axial direction of the power supply pin 10. In other words, a dimension D10 of the plane 14 in the first direction is greater than a dimension D11 of the temperature sensing face 414 in the first direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the plane 14 is larger than the temperature sensing face 414 in a second direction (an upward and downward direction in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the power supply pin 10 and the normal direction of the plane 14. In other words, a dimension D20 of the plane 14 in the second direction is greater than a dimension D21 of the temperature sensing face 414 in the second direction. The dimension D20 of the plane 14 in the second direction is defined as a minimum dimension of part of the plane 14 facing the temperature sensing face 414.

[0022] The multiple power supply pins 10 are placed so that the axial directions thereof are parallel to each other. Further, the planes 14 of the individual multiple power supply pins 10 are directed to a center of a space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins 10. In the present embodiment, the planes 14 of the individual two power supply pins 10 are directed to the center of the space surrounded by the two power supply pins 10 (in other words, a center point between the two power supply pins 10 in a plane perpendicular to the axial directions of the two power supply pins 10). This may mean that the planes 14 of the individual two power supply pins 10 face each other.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3, the grounding pin 20 has a round bar shape and is made of metal. The grounding pin 20 includes a contact 21, an electric wire connection part 22, a flange 23, and a plane 24, as with the power supply pin 10. The grounding pin 20 is larger than the power supply pin 10 as a whole. The grounding pin 20 is placed so that an axial direction of the grounding pin 20 is parallel to the axial directions of the multiple power supply pins 10.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 6, the plug body 30 includes a first cover (front cover) 31, a body block 32, a second cover (rear cover) 33, and a shell 34. The first cover 31, the body block 32, the second cover 33, and the shell 34 each are made of electrically insulating resin.

[0025] The first cover 31 includes an accommodating part 311, a front wall 312, and a sleeve 313.

[0026] The accommodating part 311 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and includes openings at opposite ends (front and rear ends). The accommodating part 311 mainly accommodates the body block 32.

[0027] The front wall 312 covers the opening in one end (front end) of the accommodating part 311. As shown in FIG. 4, the front wall 312 includes multiple (in the present embodiment, two) power supply pin insertion holes 314 and a grounding pin insertion hole 315. Hereinafter, one of the two power supply pin insertion holes 314 is referred to as a first power supply pin insertion hole 314A, and the other is referred to as a second power supply pin insertion hole 314B, if necessary.

[0028] The power supply pin insertion hole 314 has an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the contact 11 of the power supply pin 10 and is smaller than an outer diameter of the flange 13. Each power supply pin 10 is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 with the contact 11 protruding outside the accommodating part 311 via the power supply pin insertion hole 314. The grounding pin insertion hole 315 has an inner diameter which is larger than an outer diameter of the contact 21 of the grounding pin 20 and is smaller than an outer diameter of the flange 23. The grounding pin 20 is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 with the contact 21 protruding outside the accommodating part 311 via the grounding pin insertion hole 315.

[0029] The sleeve 313 is formed on an opposite face (i.e., a front face) of the front wall 312 from the accommodating part 311. The sleeve 313 has a hollow cylindrical shape to surround the two power supply pin insertion holes 314 and the grounding pin insertion hole 315 collectively.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the body block 32 includes a case 321. The case 321 includes a front wall part 322, and two side wall parts (wall parts) 323 parallel to each other. Each of the two side wall parts 323 has an outer face (a face directed to an outside of the case 321) 3231 and an inner face (a face directed to an inside of the case 321) 3232 which are flat surfaces. The case 321 is designed to accommodate the temperature sensing unit 40. The case 321 may have a rectangular box shape with an open face, for example. Hereinafter, one of the two side wall parts 323 is referred to as the first side wall part 323A, and the other is referred to as the second side wall part 323B.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the temperature sensing unit 40 is accommodated in the case 321 of the body block 32. The two temperature sensing elements 41 of the temperature sensing unit 40 face the two side wall parts 323, individually. In particular, the temperature sensing faces 414 of the individual temperature sensing elements 41 are in contact with the inner faces 3232 of the individual side wall parts 323. In summary, the first temperature sensing element 41A faces the first side wall part 323A with the temperature sensing face 414 being in contact with the inner face 3232 of the first side wall part 323A. Further, the second temperature sensing element 41B faces the second side wall part 323B with the temperature sensing face 414 being in contact with the inner face 3232 of the second side wall part 323B.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the body block 32 is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 of the first cover 31, and is fixed to the front wall 312. For example, the body block 32 is fixed to the first cover 31 with two first screws 35 (shown in FIG. 3).

[0033] When the body block 32 is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 of the first cover 31, the front wall part 322 is opposite the front wall 312 of the first cover 31. As a result, the flanges 13 of the power supply pins 10 and the flange 23 of the grounding pin 20 are held between the front wall part 322 and the front wall 312 of the first cover 31. Additionally, the two side wall parts 323 individually face the planes 14 of the two power supply pins 10. In more detail, the outer face 3231 of the side wall part 323 faces the plane 14 of the power supply pin 10 so as to be parallel thereto. In this regard, the plane 14 of the power supply pin 10 is not in contact with the side wall part 323. However, a gap between the plane 14 of the power supply pin 10 and the side wall part 323 is set so that the plane 14 of the power supply pin 10 comes into contact with the side wall part 323 when the power supply pin 10 starts to rotate around its axis. In more detail, the plane 14 of the first power supply pin 10A prevents rotation of the first power supply pin 10A by coming into contact with the first side wall part 323A. And, the plane 14 of the second power supply pin 10B prevents rotation of the second power supply pin 10B by coming into contact with the second side wall part 323B.

[0034] Note that, the plane 24 of the grounding pin 20 faces a bottom face of the case 321 so as to be parallel thereto. In this regard, the plane 24 of the grounding pin 20 is not in contact with the case 321. However, a gap between the plane 24 of the grounding pin 20 and the case 321 is set so that the plane 24 of the grounding pin 20 comes into contact with the case 321 when the grounding pin 20 starts to rotate around its axis. In more detail, the plane 24 of the grounding pin 20 comes into contact with the case 321, and thereby rotation of the grounding pin 20 can be suppressed.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in the plug of the present embodiment, the two temperature sensing elements 41A and 41B face the planes 14 and 14 of the two power supply pins 10A and 10B, individually. In particular, the temperature sensing faces 414 and 414 of the two temperature sensing elements 41A and 41B face the planes 14 and 14 of the two power supply pins 10A and 10B so as to be parallel thereto, individually. Further, the two side wall parts 323A and 323B are positioned between the planes 14 and 14 of the two power supply pins 10A and 10B and the two temperature sensing elements 41A and 41B, respectively.

[0036]  As shown in FIG. 3, the second cover 33 has a plate shape. The second cover 33 is attached to the rear end of the accommodating part 311 of the first cover 31 so as to cover the opening in the rear end of the accommodating part 311. Further, the second cover 33 has a shape capable of being engaged with rear part of the body block 32. For example, the second cover 33 is fixed to the first cover 31 with two second screws 36. The second cover 33 includes five through holes 331, 332, 333, 334, and 335 allowing the five electric wires 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 of the cable 50 to pass therethrough, respectively. The second cover 33 is formed integrally with the cable 50 by insert molding.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the shell 34 covers the accommodating part 311 of the first cover 31, the second cover 33, and the first end of the cable 50. The shell 34 has a cylindrical shape. The shell 34 is not a component formed in advance, but is a component formed by insert molding. Hence, the shell 34 is not illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0038] Hereinafter, brief description of how to assemble the plug of the present embodiment is given. The following description is only an example, which means how to assemble the plug of the present embodiment is not limited to the following description.

[0039] Initially, the second cover 33 is formed integrally with the cable 50 by insert molding.

[0040] Next, connection with the cable 50 is made. In more detail, the first power supply wire 51 is connected to the electric wire connection part 12 of the first power supply pin 10A. The second power supply wire 52 is connected to the electric wire connection part 12 of the second power supply pin 10B. The grounding wire 53 is connected to the electric wire connection part 22 of the grounding pin 20. The first signal wire 54 is connected to the terminal 412 of the first temperature sensing element 41A of the temperature sensing unit 40. The second signal wire 55 is connected to the terminal 412 of the second temperature sensing element 41B of the temperature sensing unit 40.

[0041] As a result, the series circuit of the first temperature sensing element 41A and the second temperature sensing element 41B is connected between the first signal wire 54 and the second signal wire 55.

[0042] Subsequently, the second cover 33 is engaged with the body block 32. In this step, the temperature sensing unit 40 is accommodated in the case 321 of the body block 32. Additionally, the first power supply pin 10A, the second power supply pin 10B, and the grounding pin 20 are placed in a vicinity of the case 321 (as shown in FIG. 2).

[0043] Thereafter, the first power supply pin 10A, the second power supply pin 10B, the grounding pin 20, and the body block 32 are accommodated in the accommodating part 311 of the first cover 31. In this step, the first power supply pin 10A is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 so that the contact 11 passes through the first power supply pin insertion hole 314A and protrudes outside the accommodating part 311. The second power supply pin 10B is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 so that the contact 11 passes through the second power supply pin insertion hole 314B and protrudes outside the accommodating part 311. The grounding pin 20 is accommodated in the accommodating part 311 so that the contact 21 passes through the grounding pin insertion hole 315 and protrudes outside the accommodating part 311. Additionally, the body block 32 is fixed to the first cover 31 with the first screws 35 and 35.

[0044] After that, the second cover 33 is fixed to the first cover 31 with the second screws 36 and 36.

[0045] Finally, the shell 34 is formed by insert molding.

[0046] Through the aforementioned process, the plug of the present embodiment as shown in FIG. 6 can be obtained. The plug of the present embodiment includes: the multiple power supply pins 10 having round bar shapes and axial directions parallel to each other; and the multiple temperature sensing elements 41 for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins 10, individually. The multiple power supply pins 10 have the planes 14 with normal directions crossing the axial directions, individually. The multiple temperature sensing elements 41 face the planes 14 of the multiple power supply pins 10 without being in contact therewith, individually.

2. Embodiment 2

[0047] The following description referring to FIG. 10 to FIG. 13 is made to a plug of Embodiment 2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 10, the plug of the present embodiment is mainly different from the plug of Embodiment 1 in shapes of the multiple (in the present embodiment, two) power supply pins 10 and the single grounding pin 20. Hence, descriptions of the same components of the plug of the present embodiment as Embodiment 1 are omitted.

[0049] The power supply pin 10 includes the contact 11, the electric wire connection part 12, the flange 13, and the plane 14 which are similar to those of Embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11 to FIG. 13, the plane 14 is present at only the electric wire connection part 12. Instead, the flange 13 has a smaller thickness (dimension in the forward and rearward direction) than that of Embodiment 1. This means that, in the present embodiment, part of the plane 14 is not present at the flange 13 and thus the flange 13 per se is thinned. In other words, the flange 13 is thinned so that the temperature sensing element 41 can be placed in a predetermined position relative to the plane 14.

[0050] Also in the present embodiment, the plane 14 is larger in size than the temperature sensing face 414. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12, the plane 14 is larger than the temperature sensing face 414 in the first direction (a left and right direction in FIG. 11 and FIG. 12) which is parallel to the axial direction of the power supply pin 10. In other words, the dimension D10 of the plane 14 in the first direction is greater than the dimension D11 of the temperature sensing face 414 in the first direction. Further, as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, the plane 14 is larger than the temperature sensing face 414 in the second direction (an upward and downward direction in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13) which is perpendicular to the axial direction of the power supply pin 10 and the normal direction of the plane 14. In other words, the dimension D20 of the plane 14 in the second direction is greater than the dimension D21 of the temperature sensing face 414 in the second direction. The dimension D20 of the plane 14 in the second direction is defined as the minimum dimension of the part of the plane 14 facing the temperature sensing face 414.

[0051] Additionally, the power supply pin 10 includes a second plane 131 for preventing rotation thereof. The second plane 131 is present at the flange 13, and is directed to an opposite direction to the plane 14. The second plane 131 is used for preventing rotation of the power supply pin 10. In more detail, in the present embodiment, the first cover 31 includes one or more protrusions facing the second plane 131. For example, the power supply pin 10 is placed so that the second plane 131 is not in contact with the one or more protrusions. However, a gap between the second plane 131 of the power supply pin 10 and the one or more protrusions is set so that the second plane 131 of the power supply pin 10 comes into contact with the one or more protrusions when the power supply pin 10 starts rotate around its axis. In more detail, the second plane 131 of the power supply pin 10 prevents rotation of the power supply pin 10 by coming into contact with the one or more protrusions.

[0052] Moreover, in the plug of the present embodiment, the plane 14 of the power supply pin 10 prevents rotation of the power supply pin 10 by coming into contact with the side wall part 323. In more detail, in the plug of the present embodiment, rotation of the power supply pin 10 is prevented by the plane (first plane) 14 and the second plane 131 which are flat surfaces directed in opposite directions.

[0053]  The grounding pin 20 includes the contact 21, the electric wire connection part 22, the flange 23, and the plane 24, in a similar manner to Embodiment 1. In the present embodiment, the plane 24 is present at only the electric wire connection part 22. Instead, the flange 23 has a smaller thickness (dimension in the forward and rearward direction) than that of Embodiment 1. This means that, in the present embodiment, part of the plane 24 is not present at the flange 23 and thus the flange 23 per se is thinned.

[0054] Additionally, the grounding pin 20 includes a second plane 231 for preventing rotation thereof. The second plane 231 is present at the flange 23, and is directed to an opposite direction to the plane 24. The second plane 231 is used for preventing rotation of the grounding pin 20. In more detail, in the present embodiment, the first cover 31 includes one or more protrusions (second protrusions) facing the second plane 231. Therefore, the second plane 231 of the grounding pin 20 prevents rotation of the grounding pin 20 by coming into contact with the one or more protrusions (second protrusions).

[0055] Moreover, in the plug of the present embodiment, the plane 24 of the grounding pin 20 prevents rotation of the grounding pin 20 by coming into contact with the case 321. In more detail, in the plug of the present embodiment, rotation of the grounding pin 20 is prevented by the plane (first plane) 24 and the second plane 231 which are flat surfaces directed in opposite directions.

[0056] As with the plug of Embodiment 1, the plug of the present embodiment as described above includes: the multiple power supply pins 10 having round bar shapes and axial directions parallel to each other; and the multiple temperature sensing elements 41 for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins 10, individually. The multiple power supply pins 10 have the planes 14 with normal directions crossing the axial directions, individually. The multiple temperature sensing elements 41 face the planes 14 of the multiple power supply pins 10 without being in contact therewith, individually. Note that, in the present embodiment, each of the multiple power supply pins 10 includes: the contact 11 having a round bar shape; the flange 13 at one end of the contact 11; and the electric wire connection part 12 at an opposite end of the flange 13 from the contact 11. In each of the multiple power supply pins 10, the plane 14 is present at only the electric wire connection part 12.

[0057] Optionally, the second plane 131 of the present embodiment may be provided to the power supply pin 10 of Embodiment 1. Similarly, the second plane 231 of the present embodiment may be provided to the grounding pin 20 of Embodiment 1.

3. OTHER EMBODIMENTS

[0058] In a plug of another embodiment according the present invention, the plane (14) of the power supply pin (10) may be substantially the same in size as the temperature sensing face (414) of the temperature sensing element (41). The plane (14) may be smaller in size than the temperature sensing face (414) of the temperature sensing element (41), as long as generated heat can be sensed accurately. For example, in relation to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the dimension D10 of the plane 14 in the first direction may be substantially the same as the dimension D11 of the temperature sensing face 414 in the first direction. Similarly, in relation to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, the dimension D20 of the plane 14 in the second direction may be substantially the same as the dimension D21 of the temperature sensing face 414 in the second direction.

[0059] In a plug of another embodiment according the present invention, in each of the multiple power supply pins (10), a whole of the plane (14) may be present at the flange (13). Additionally, the plane (14) may extend the entire length of the flange (13) in the axial direction of the power supply pin (10).

[0060] A plug of another embodiment according to the present invention may include three or more power supply pins (10) and one grounding pin (20). The multiple power supply pins (10) may include one or more neutral pins. Also in this case, the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) can be directed to a center of a space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins (10). For example, when there are three power supply pins (10), the planes (14) of the three power supply pins (10) are directed to a center of a space surrounded by the three power supply pins (10) (in other words, a center of a polygon with vertices given by the three power supply pins (10) in a plane perpendicular to the axial directions of the three power supply lines (10)). In summary, when there are three or more power supply pins (10), the center of the space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins (10) is considered a center of a polygon with vertices given by the multiple power supply pins (10) in a plane perpendicular to the axial directions of the multiple power supply pins (10).

[0061] In a plug of another embodiment according the present invention, the planes (14) of the individual multiple power supply pins (10) may be directed in the same direction, or may be directed in an opposite direction to the center of the space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins (10).

[0062] A plug of another embodiment according to the present invention may not include the cable (50). In this embodiment, the plug may include a terminal block to be removably connected to the cable (50).

[0063] A plug of another embodiment according to the present invention may not include the shell (34).

[0064] In a plug of another embodiment according to the present invention, the plug body (30) may be deferrable.

[0065] In a plug of another embodiment according to the present invention, the temperature sensing element (41) may be an NTC thermistor. In summary, the temperature sensing element (41) is not limited particularly.

[0066] Plugs of embodiments according to the present invention may not be in conformity with IEC 60309. For example, plugs of embodiments according to the present invention may be in conformity with a standard (e.g., CEE 7/7, CEE 7/16, CEE 7/17, and BS 546) other than IEC 60309. In summary, it would be sufficient that plugs of embodiments according to the present invention include at least two pins with round bar shapes. The number of electric wires of the cable (50) may be changed depending on the number of power supply pins (10), presence or absence of grounding pins (20), and/or the like. Further, arrangement of pins (e.g., power supply pins and grounding pins) also may be changed depending on a standard.

4. ASPECTS

[0067] As apparent from the above embodiments, the plug of the first aspect according to the present invention includes: multiple power supply pins (10) having round bar shapes and axial directions parallel to each other; and multiple temperature sensing elements (41) for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins (10), individually. The multiple power supply pins (10) have planes (14) with normal directions crossing the axial directions, individually. The multiple temperature sensing elements (41) face the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) without being in contact therewith, individually.

[0068] The plug of the first aspect includes the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) for individually sensing the temperatures of the multiple power supply pins (10). Therefore, heat generated at the multiple power supply pins (10) can be sensed more accurately than in a case where only one temperature sensing element is provided for the multiple power supply pins (10). Additionally, the multiple power supply pins (10) are individually made to have the planes (14) and the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) are made to face the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) rather than curved faces of the multiple power supply pins (10). Therefore, it is possible to increase amounts of heat transferred from the multiple power supply pins (10) to the corresponding multiple temperature sensing elements (41). Consequently, heat generated at the multiple power supply pins (10) can be sensed more accurately.

[0069] The plug of the second aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with the first aspect. In the second aspect, the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) have temperature sensing faces (414) which are each flat. The temperature sensing faces (414) of the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) face the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) while being parallel thereto, individually.

[0070] The plug of the second aspect can offer an increase in an amount of heat transferred from the power supply pin (10) to the temperature sensing element (41), and therefore sensing accuracy of heat generated at the power supply pin (10) can be improved.

[0071] The plug of the third aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with the second aspect. In the third aspect, the normal directions of the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) are perpendicular to the axial directions thereof, individually.

[0072] The plug of the third aspect can offer an increase in an amount of heat transferred from the power supply pin (10) to the temperature sensing element (41), and therefore sensing accuracy of heat generated at the power supply pin (10) can be improved.

[0073] The plug of the fourth aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with the second or third aspect. In the fourth aspect, the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) are larger than the temperature sensing faces (414) facing the planes (14), individually.

[0074] The plug of the fourth aspect can offer an increase in an amount of heat transferred from the power supply pin (10) to the temperature sensing element (41), and therefore sensing accuracy of heat generated at the power supply pin (10) can be improved.

[0075] The plug of the fifth aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with any one of the first to fourth aspects. In the fifth aspect, each of the multiple power supply pins (10) includes: a contact (11) having a round bar shape; a flange (13) at one end of the contact (11); and an electric wire connection part (12) at an opposite end of the flange (13) from the contact (11). In each of the multiple power supply pins (10), at least part of the plane (14) is present at the flange (13).

[0076] According to the plug of the fifth aspect, at least part of the plane (14) is present at the flange (13), and therefore the temperature sensing element (41) can be placed closer to the contact (11). Generally, heat generation at the power supply pin (10) occurs at the contact (11). Consequently, sensing accuracy of heat generated at the power supply pin (10) can be improved.

[0077] The plug of the sixth aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with any one of the first to fourth aspects. In the sixth aspect, each of the multiple power supply pins (10) includes: a contact (11) having a round bar shape; a flange (13) at one end of the contact (11); and an electric wire connection part (12) at an opposite end of the flange (13) from the contact (11). In each of the multiple power supply pins (10), the plane (14) is present at only the electric wire connection part (12).

[0078] According to the plug of the sixth aspect, the plane (14) is present at only the electric wire connection part (12). Therefore, by decreasing the thickness of the flange (13), the temperature sensing element (41) can be placed closer to the contact (11). Generally, heat generation at the power supply pin (10) occurs at the contact (11). Consequently, sensing accuracy of heat generated at the power supply pin (10) can be improved.

[0079] The plug of the seventh aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with any one of the first to sixth aspects. In the seventh aspect, the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) are directed to a center of a space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins (10).

[0080] According to the plug of the seventh aspect, the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) can be placed in the space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins (10), and this can lead to a decrease in size.

[0081] The plug of the eighth aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with any one of the first to seventh aspects. In the eighth aspect, the plug further includes multiple wall parts (323) with electrically insulating properties. The multiple wall parts (323) are between the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) and the multiple temperature sensing elements (41), individually.

[0082] The plug of the eighth aspect can offer certainly electrically insulating from the temperature sensing element (41) from the power supply pin (10). Further, generally, a solid transfers heat much more than a gas such as air does, and therefore the wall part (323) facilitates transfer of heat from the power supply pin (10) to the temperature sensing element (41). Consequently, sensing accuracy of heat generated at the power supply pin (10) can be improved.

[0083] The plug of the ninth aspect according to the present invention would be realized in combination with the eighth aspect. In the ninth aspect, the multiple wall parts (323) prevent rotation of the multiple power supply pins (10) by coming into contact with the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10).

[0084]  According to the plug of the ninth aspect, the wall part (323) for electrically insulating the temperature sensing element (41) from the power supply pin (10) also serves as a member for preventing rotation of the power supply pin (10). Therefore, there is no need to newly add a structure for preventing rotation of the power supply pin (10) and this can lead to a decrease in production cost.

Reference Signs List

[0085] 

10

Power Supply Pin

11

Contact

12

Electric Wire Connection Part

13

Flange

14

Plane

323

Wall Part

41

Temperature Sensing Element

414

Temperature Sensing Face

Claims

1. A plug comprising:

multiple power supply pins (10) having round bar shapes and axial directions parallel to each other; and

multiple temperature sensing elements (41) for sensing temperatures of the multiple power supply pins (10), individually,

the multiple power supply pins (10) having planes (14) with normal directions crossing the axial directions, individually, and

the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) facing the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) without being in contact therewith, individually.

2. The plug of claim 1, wherein:

the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) have temperature sensing faces (414) which are each flat; and

the temperature sensing faces (414) of the multiple temperature sensing elements (41) face the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) while being parallel thereto, individually.

3. The plug of claim 2, wherein
the normal directions of the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) are perpendicular to the axial directions thereof, individually.

4. The plug of claim 2 or 3, wherein:

the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) are larger than the temperature sensing faces (414) facing the planes (14), individually.

5. The plug of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

each of the multiple power supply pins (10) includes

a contact (11) having a round bar shape,

a flange (13) at one end of the contact (11), and

an electric wire connection part (12) at an opposite end of the flange (13) from the contact (11); and

in each of the multiple power supply pins (10), at least part of the plane (14) is present at the flange (13).

6. The plug of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein:

each of the multiple power supply pins (10) includes

a contact (11) having a round bar shape,

a flange (13) at one end of the contact (11), and

an electric wire connection part (12) at an opposite end of the flange (13) from the contact (11); and

in each of the multiple power supply pins (10), the plane (14) is present at only the electric wire connection part (12).

7. The plug of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein:

the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) are directed to a center of a space surrounded by the multiple power supply pins (10).

8. The plug of any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising multiple wall parts (323) with electrically insulating properties,
the multiple wall parts (323) being between the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10) and the multiple temperature sensing elements (41), individually.

9. The plug of claim 8, wherein
the multiple wall parts (323) prevent rotation of the multiple power supply pins (10) by coming into contact with the planes (14) of the multiple power supply pins (10).

Drawing