FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to power connection means and, more particularly, to
electrical power sockets and outlets. More specifically, the present invention relates
to power sockets more commonly known as universal power sockets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Electrical power connection means is essential for power delivery between a power
source and a load. In many power connection configurations, power coupling means,
such as plugs and socket pairs, are widely used. For example, power outlets more commonly
known as wall sockets are available in many buildings or structures at distributed
locations so that power can be more convenient coupled to electrical appliances using
compatible plugs. However, it is well known that there are many different standards
of plug and socket systems in the world which are typically defined by various national
and/or international standards. To facilitate connection of plugs of different standards
to a socket, connection means more commonly known as universal sockets or adaptors
are known. Such universal sockets and adaptors are, for example, described in
US Patent Nos. 5,007,848,
5,836,777 and
6,010,347.
[0003] Conventional universal-type sockets typically comprise a pair of base contact receptacles
and a third contact receptacle which are disposed at the vertices of an isosceles
triangle. In particular, the pair of base contact receptacle is disposed at the base
vertices of the isosceles triangle and the third contact receptacle is disposed at
the top vertices of the isosceles triangle. Each of the contact receptacles and the
associated metallic contacts are configured so that various types of electric plugs
of different prong sizes can be inserted into the corresponding contact receptacles
for making electrical connections. However, conventional universal-type sockets are
designed to fit as many varieties of plugs as possible which means some plugs may
be very loosely received within the contact receptacles while other plugs may be too-tightly
received. For example, the circular prongs of the more commonly available standard
plugs have a diameter between 3.7 - 5.1 mm. Such a range, when translated into the
design of a universal socket or adaptor, means that if a contact mechanism can lightly
receive a 5mm circular prong and a prong with non-circular cross-section, such as
a base prong of a British
BS1363 13A plug, is tightly received, an electrical plug with a 3.7mm circular prong will be
in loose contact and this may lead to overheating, fire or other hazards.
[0004] GB-A-2336478 discloses an adapter and socket structure adapted for use on a securing frame of
a socket of European specification including a socket body provided with an electrically
conductive frame at either side thereof to which a corresponding wire clamping reed
having a wire clamping portion may be assembled. When a slide cover plate becomes
unbalanced on insertion of an electrically conductive element, a higher end will be
checked by a projection at the inner side of a hole cover and the safety slide cover
plate cannot be pushed aside. A German plug adapter seat may normally be connected
to a European socket so that a guide post therein pushes aside a safety slide cover
plate inside the European socket so that, when using the plug of a European made electric
appliance, there is no need to use a tool to push aside the safety slide cover plate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] According to this invention, in a first aspect there is provided an electrical socket
according to claim 1.
[0006] Preferably the isosceles triangular arrangement formed by the contact receptacles
of a first socket region and said second socket region are in inverted relationship
with respect to each other. An axis joining the base pair of contact receptacles of
said first socket region is preferably parallel to an axis joining the base pair of
contact receptacles of said second socket region, wherein the contact receptacles
of said first and second socket region are on the vertices of a trapezium. The first
socket region is preferably disposed between the pair of base contact receptacles
and the third contact receptacle of said second socket region.
[0007] Each of said first and second protective members preferably comprises an inclined
surface which is below the contact receptacle it is covering, the inclined surfaces
tapering away from the axis joining the base contact receptacles of said pair of second
contact receptacles in a manner such that said first and second protective members
are urged towards to the open position upon insertion of an electrical plug of the
second type.
[0008] Preferably the second protective member is pivotally movable about an axis which
is substantially orthogonal to an axis joining the base contact receptacles of said
second socket region. The second protective member is preferably arranged so as to
pivot about said axis upon non-symmetrical insertion of a pair of prongs into said
pair of base contact receptacles.
[0009] Each one of the pair of base contact receptacle of said first socket region is preferably
adapted for receiving a prong of an electrical plug of diameter between 3.7 to 5.1
mm.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained in further detail
below by way of examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is a front view of a socket of a first preferred embodiment of this invention,
Fig. 1A shows the respective connection terminals of the contact receptacles of Fig.
1,
Fig. 2 shows a front view of a socket of a second preferred embodiment of this invention,
Fig. 2A shows the respective connection terminals of the contact receptacles of Fig.
2,
Fig. 3 shows an exemplary application of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 1 as a wall
socket (110),
Fig. 4 shows an exemplary application of the preferred embodiment of Fig. 2 as a wall
socket (210),
Fig. 5 shows a preferred embodiment of a protective mechanism for use with a socket
of this invention in a first operating mode,
Fig. 5A & 5B respectively shows the side and perspective views of the protective mechanism
of Fig. 5,
Fig. 6 shows the protective mechanism of Fig. 5 in a first operative mode,
Fig. 7 shows the protective mechanism of Fig. 5 in a second operative mode,
Fig. 8A shows an end view of the mechanism of Fig. 8 along the viewing direction X
of the protective mechanism of Figs. 5 and 6 when subject to a non-balanced insertion
force,
Fig. 8B shows the protective mechanism of Fig. 8A when subject to a non-balanced force
as illustrated in Fig. 8D,
Fig. 8C shows the plan view of the protective means of Fig. 8A,
Fig. 8D illustrates the application of an unbalanced force on the protective means
of Fig. 8A,
Fig. 9 illustrates the insertion of a pair of contact prong of an electrical plug
of a first type into a second socket region of this invention when the protective
mechanism is in the closed position, and
Fig. 9A shows the plane view of the protective mechanism showing the position of the
pair of contact prongs of Fig. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0011] As mentioned above, an electrical socket which is adapted for receiving electrical
plugs of different standards are more commonly referred to as a "universal socket"
or an "international type socket". In this specification, the term "universal socket"
is only used for convenience and is not meant to incorporate any specific technical
meaning for the avoidance of doubt. For the sake of clarity, a universal socket includes
an international type socket which is for receiving plugs conforming to various national
standards.
[0012] Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a first preferred embodiment of a socket of this
invention. This socket
100 is adapted to receive electrical plugs of various national and international standards
with some examples illustrated in Tables A and B below for convenience.
[0013] The socket of Fig. 1 comprises first
(1) and second
(2) socket regions for receiving electrical plugs of a first type and a second type.
Two socket regions are provided in this invention to cater for electrical lugs of
various prong sizes and configuration so that plugs will not be too loosely received
in the contact receptacles to mitigate the risk of overheating and/or arcing which
may cause fire hazards or personal injuries.
[0014] Each of the first socket region
(1) and the second socket region
(2) comprises a pair of base contact receptacles and a third contact receptacle, with
the three contact receptacles forming the vertices of an isosceles triangle. Each
contact receptacle comprises a contact aperture and a contact mechanism which is directly
underneath the contact aperture. The contact aperture defines the size and shape of
an aperture which is accessible to a contact prong of an electrical plug upon insertion.
The contact aperture is typically formed on a rigid front housing which is usually
made of durable plastics so that the prong contact mechanisms and the underlying wiring
connections are insulated from the outside. The contact mechanism typically comprises
metallic contacts which form a resilient bracket-type catch so that an appropriate
prong of an electrical plug can be compressively held for good electrical contact.
Such compressive contacts are known in the art and are incorporated herein by reference.
Specifically, the pair of base contact receptacles
(121, 122) (111, 112) is on the base vertices of the isosceles triangle while the third contact receptacle
(113, 123) is on the top vertice. The respective electrical connection of each of the individual
contact receptacles of the first and second socket regions of this socket is more
particularly illustrated in Fig. 1 using various standard nomenclatures for easy reference.
For example, the pair of base receptacles is respectively connected to the N (neutral)
and L (live) terminals with the third contact receptacle
(113, 123) is for connection to the E (earth) terminal. It can be seen from Fig. 1A that the
contact receptacles are arranged so that contact receptacles of the first socket region
and the second socket region on the same side of the third contact receptacles are
for connection to the terminal of the same marking. For example, contact receptacles
on the left side of the third contact receptacles are connected to the "N" terminals
while those on the right side are connected to the L terminals with the third contact
receptacles for connection to the E terminals.
[0015] Referring to Figs. 1-4 and Tables A and B, the second socket region
(2) is adapted for receiving electrical plugs of the second type (Type 2 sockets) as
set out in Table B below for illustrative purposes. More particularly, the second
type plugs include plugs conforming to the following standards, British standard BS1363
(250V, 13A), BS546 (250V, 5A), Chinese standard GB1002 (250V, 10A), Australian standard
AS3112 (250V, 10A), IEC standard IEC60884-1 (250V, 16A). The second column on Table
B illustrates how the various plugs are fitted into the second socket region and how
the second socket region universally accommodates the various plugs. For example,
the Chinese standard plug GB1002 comprises two parallel prongs of a substantially
rectangular cross-section with the longer sides of the pair of prongs parallel to
each other. The portion of the contact aperture adapted for receiving the pair of
parallel prongs of this GB1002 plug is formed on the pair of base contact apertures
proximal to each other. In addition, the portion of the pair of contact apertures
closest to each other are also shaped to receive a pair of divergent prongs of the
AS3112. In addition, the third contact aperture on the second socket region is also
formed and shaped to receive the third prong of the plugs where an electrical plug
comprises a third prong. The IEC 60884-1 plug is similar to the configuration of GB1002
but with a third prong and the second socket region is provided with an appropriately
shaped and configured third contact aperture. The BS1363 plug comprises a pair of
prongs having a substantially rectangular cross-section with the longitudinal axis
of the pair of prongs substantially co-linear. The third prong of the BS1363 plug
has a substantially rectangular cross-section with the longitudinal axis substantially
orthogonal to the line joining the pair of base prongs forming the base vertices of
an isosceles triangle. To accommodate the pair of base prongs of a BS1363 plug, the
contact apertures of the second socket region are dimensioned to receive the pair
of base prongs as shown in row 13 of Table B. Similarly, the top contact aperture
is also dimensioned to receive the top prong of this plug. Similarly, the BS546 plug
comprises prongs of a substantially circular cross-section and the contact apertures
are accordingly dimensioned to accommodate the three substantially circular prongs,
preferably in a closely-fitted manner.
[0016] The first socket region is adapted for receiving various plugs which are collectively
referred to as type-one plugs, examples of which are set out in column 1 of Table
A. More particularly, the type-one plug comprises a pair of substantially parallel
prongs with a substantially circular cross-section. As a convenient example, the base
contact apertures of this first socket region are dimensioned so that circular prongs
with a diameter between 3.7mm and 5.1 mm can be received in a closely-fitted manner
under compressive contact of the resilient metallic contacts underneath the contact
apertures. Of course, the range of diameter of the prongs to be receivable by the
base apertures can be varied according to individual applications without loss of
generality. Typical type-one plugs are shown in the second column of Table. A and
include electrical plugs conforming to European standard EN50075, Spanish standard
SEV1011, Italian standard CEI23-16, Scandinavian standard CEE7. To also cater for
type-one plugs with a third circular prong, a pair of alternative circular apertures
are provided intermediate the pair of base contact apertures as shown in the region
one illustration. More particularly, the pair of alternative circular contact apertures
comprises a first circular aperture co-linear with the pair of base contact apertures
and a second one which is offset from the line joining the two base apertures. The
first alternative circular aperture which is in line with the pair of base apertures
is provided to receive a third prong of a plug of a corresponding configuration such
as the Italian CEI23-16 plug with three contact prongs. Likewise, the offset middle
contact aperture is for receiving the offset prong of Swiss plug/Spanish plug SEV1011.
Broadly speaking, the dimension of the base contact receptacle of the first socket
region is adapted for receiving a plug with prongs of a circular cross-sectional shape
and dimension, while a plug comprising a prong or prongs of non-circular cross-sectional
shape is for the second socket region. By allocating the second socket region for
plugs comprising a non-circular prong or non-circular prongs, the varieties of prongs
to be received by the pair of base receptacles of the second socket region are less
and a safer contact mechanism with a tighter resilient grip on the prongs can be provided.
[0017] Referring again to Figs. 1, 1 a and 3, the first socket region and the second socket
region are disposed so that the isosceles triangles formed by the corresponding contact
apertures are in inverted relation to each other. Specifically, the vertices corresponding
to the two pairs of base contact receptacles substantially forms the vertices of a
trapezoid with the top vertices of the pair of isosceles triangles pointing towards
each other. Fig. 3 illustrates the application of the Fig.1 configuration as a wall
socket with a front housing mounting plate made of durable plastics.
[0018] In the configurations of Figs, 2, 2a and 4, the first and second socket regions are
disposed so that the pairs of isosceles triangles formed by the respective contact
receptacles are also inverted relative to each other. In this configuration, the first
socket region (comprising
211, 212 and
213) is completely disposed intermediate the pair of base contact receptacles
(221, 222) and the third top receptacle
(223) of the second socket region. Although the four vertices formed by the two pairs
(221, 222, 211, 212) of base receptacles are still disposed on the vertices of a trapezoid, the size of
the trapezoid is substantially reduced, resulting in a more compact design so that
the effective area to be occupied by all the contact receptacles are substantially
identical to the dimensions of a typical single-standard socket. Similarly, the configuration
of the Figs. 2 and 2A universal socket is applied as an illustrative example of a
wall socket as shown in Fig. 4. Although the two socket regions are arranged as two
pairs of inverted isosceles triangles, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary
so and the two triangles can be arranged in a parallel configuration.
[0019] It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that a pair of base prongs of
a type-one electrical plug can be inserted into the base contact receptacles
(121, 122) of the second socket region due to their larger aperture dimensions.
[0020] To mitigate the risk of insertion of an electrical plug of a wrong type into the
second socket region, protective means is provided. Because the second socket region
is best catered for type-two plugs which comprise both two-pronged and three-pronged
plugs, conventional shutter-gate type protective members comprising an insulated shutter
gate which normally closes the three-contact apertures but will be opened when a rigid
post is inserted into the third contact receptacle is inappropriate.
[0021] Referring to Figs. 5, 5A and 5B, the protective means comprises a first shutter-gate
sub-assembly
(320) and a second shutter-gate sub-assembly (340) which together form a shutter-gate assembly
(300). The shutter-gate assembly
(300) comprises a plurality of insulated shutter members which are movable between a closing
position and an opening position. In the closing position, the insulating shutter
members are directly underneath the contact apertures while, at the opening position,
the insulating shutter members are clear of the contact apertures so that the contact
mechanisms underneath the contact aperture can be accessible from the outside. The
shutter-gate assembly is under spring bias so that the shutter members are normally
at the closing position by spring urge. A plurality of coil springs
(350) is used as example. The first shutter-gate sub-assembly
(320) comprises a rigid body moulded of durable plastics with a pair of wing-like shutter
members
(322, 324) symmetrically formed about a central axis
(326). The first shutter-gate sub-assembly is movable relative to the second shutter-gate
sub-assembly along the axial direction of the central axis
(326) and between an opening position and a closing position. In the closing position,
the pair of wing-like shutter members is directly underneath the base contact apertures
of the second socket region and, at the opening position, the shutter members are
cleared away from the pair of base contact apertures of the second socket region to
allow insertion of a pair of prongs of an electrical plug of the second type.
[0022] Each of the wing-like shutter member of the first shutter-gate sub-assembly (320)
is tapered along the axial direction of the central axis so that when a pair of prongs
of an electrical plug with a projection falling on the shutter members is inserted
towards the shutter members
(322, 324), the tapering will cause the shutter members to be urged in a direction along the
axial direction of central axis
(326), thereby opening the contact apertures. In this preferred embodiment, the tapering
is towards the axial end of the shutter members which approaches the third contact
receptacle of the second socket region, as is more clearly seen in Fig. 8D. A spring
means is disposed at the distal end (that is, the end which is away from the tapered
end) so that when the shutter member is moved towards the distal end for opening the
contact aperture, spring bias will be built-up to store energy to return the shutter
members towards the closing position.
[0023] As shown in Fig. 5, a coil spring is installed and retained in position by an axial
protrusion
(328) formed at the distal end of the shutter member. The lateral dimension (that is, the
width) of the wing-like shutter members are adapted so that the maximum lateral extent
of the wing-like shutter members corresponds to the maximum extent of a pair of base
contact-prongs of a two-pronged type-two electrical plugs. With this configuration,
because the lateral extent of type-one two-pronged electrical plugs will fall outside
the maximum lateral extent of the pair of wing-like shutter members of this first
shutter-gate sub-assembly, the two prongs of a type-one circular post will not act
on the tapered region to push the shutter members towards the opening position. In
addition, the pair of wing-like shutter member are also shaped and dimensioned so
that the two prongs of a type-one plug cannot act on the two tapered regions on the
shutter members. As a result, the pair of shutter members cannot be opened by a type-one
two-pronged plug.
[0024] As an additional safety measure, the first shutter-gate sub-assembly
(320) further provides means to alleviate the risk of unbalanced insertion, for example,
due to insertion of a single post into one of the base contact receptacles of the
second socket region. This is achieved by supporting the first shutter assembly at
the longitudinal ends of the central axis
(326) so that the pair of shutter members will be pivoted above the central axis
(326) when subject to an unbalanced insertion force as more particularly depicted in Figs.
8A to 8D. In addition, this arrangement of the first shutter assembly also alleviates
the risks of unsymmetrical or tilted insertion of the two prongs into the socket.
Hence, in addition to relative axial movements relative to the second shutter-gate
sub-assembly, the first shutter-gate sub-assembly is also pivotable relative to the
second shutter-gate sub-assembly and about a longitudinal axis substantially along
the line "E" in Fig. 1A. The second shutter-gate sub-assembly comprises a fork-like
member made also of durable plastics with a first shutter member
(342) formed on one side of the fork-like body and a pair of bifurcated shutter member
(344, 346) formed at the other side and extending along an opposite direction to the first shutter
member
(342). Similar to the first shutter-gate sub-assembly, the second shutter-gate sub-assembly
is also movable between a close position and an opened position. The shutter members
of this second shutter-gate sub-assembly are underneath the three contact apertures
of the second socket region under normal circumstances so that, in combination with
the first shutter-gate sub-assembly, all the three contact apertures of the second
socket region are closed unless and until an appropriate electrical plug is inserted.
[0025] The first shutter member
(342) of this second shutter-gate sub-assembly is accessible through the third contact
receptacle (the Earth Terminal) of the second socket region and the shutter member
extends substantially axially away from the pair of fork-like shutter members. The
first shutter member
(342) is also tapered towards its free end, as more particularly shown in Figs. 5A and
5B. With this tapered arrangement, when a third prong of a type-two electrical plug
is inserted into the third contact aperture, the downward insertion of the third prong
towards the tapered end will push the second shutter-gate sub-assembly towards the
opening position, as more particularly shown in Fig. 6, thereby opening the entire
sub-assembly to allow plug insertion. As shown in Figs. 5, 5A and 5B, the first shutter-
gate sub-assembly is embraced between the pair of fork-like members, the movement
of the second shutter-gate sub-assembly towards the opening position will also drive
the first shutter-gate sub-assembly towards the opening position, thereby opening
all the three contact apertures against spring bias. Furthermore, since the pair of
fork-like members are not tapered, when a pair of circular prongs corresponding to
the foot-print of the pair of fork-like members is inserted against the pair of fork-like
shutter members, there will be no sliding movement unless there is a third post acting
on the tapered first shutter member.
[0026] As shown in Fig. 7, when a pair of electrical plugs having a pair of base prongs
corresponding to the type-two plugs are inserted, the pair of base prong members of
the type-two two-pronged electrical plug will drive the first shutter-gate assembly
towards the opening position while leaving the second shutter-gate sub-assembly unmoved.
Figs. 8, 8A and 8B illustrate in various views the pivotal movement of the first shutter-gate
sub-assembly relative to the socket housing and the second shutter-gate sub-assembly
when subject to an unbalanced insertion force.
[0027] Figs. 9 and 9A illustrate the situation when a pair of posts of a type-one two-pronged
electrical plug is inserted into the second socket region. Because the foot-print
of the type-one prongs are outside the maximum lateral extent of the wing-like shutter
members of the first shutter-gate sub-assembly, the pair of prongs will fall partially
on the fork-like member and, in the absence of the driving of a tapered and of one
of the shutter members, the shutter members will remain close. Although the protective
means described above have been described with reference to a universal socket comprising
a first socket region and a second socket region, it will be appreciated that this
protective means can be applied in a universal socket with only a second-socket region
without loss of generality.
[0028] While the present invention has been explained by reference to the examples or preferred
embodiments described above, it will be appreciated that those are examples to assist
understanding of the present invention and are not meant to be restrictive. The scope
of this invention are determined by the claims.
[0029] Furthermore, while the present invention has been explained by reference to wall
sockets, it should be appreciated that the invention can apply, whether with or without
modification, to other connection means such as adaptors without loss of generality.
1. An electrical socket (100) for receiving an electrical plug, said socket comprising:
a socket region (2) that is a second socket region adapted for receiving electrical
plugs of a second type and having a pair of base contact receptacles (121, 122) and
a third contact receptacle (123) located and being in relation to each other in an
isosceles triangular arrangement with the base pair of contact receptacles disposed
at the base vertices of the triangular arrangement;
a movable protective member (300) which is slidable between a closed position and
a open position, wherein when in the open position the protective member opens the
pair of base contact receptacles of said second socket region to receive contact prongs
of an electrical plug of a second type; and wherein said protection member is under
spring bias to return to the closed position, characterised in that when in the closed position the protective member obstructs insertion of the contact
prongs of an electrical plug of the wrong type and in that
said protective member (300) comprises a first protective member (340) and a second
protective member (320), said first protective member comprising means for closing
the third contact receptacle (123) of said second socket region, said second protective
member for closing the base contact receptacles of said second socket region and is
slidable relative to said first protective member when the first protective member
is at a position at which the third contact receptacle of the second socket region
is closed, and wherein said first protective member and said second protective member
are under independent spring bias to move towards the closed position.
2. An electrical socket according to claim 1, wherein the protective member is movable
away from the obstruction configuration upon insertion of a pair of base contact prongs
of the second type into said second socket region.
3. An electrical socket according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each of said first and
second protective members comprises an inclined surface which is below the contact
receptacle it is covering, the inclined surfaces tapering away from the axis joining
the base contact receptacles of said pair of base contact receptacles in a manner
such that said first and second protective members are urged towards to the open position
upon insertion of an electrical plug of the second type.
4. A socket according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said prongs of said second
type of electrical plug are substantially rectangular in cross-section.
5. A socket accordingly to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said prongs of said
wrong type of electrical plug are substantially circular in cross-section.
6. An electrical socket according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said second
protective member is pivotally movable about an axis which is substantially orthogonal
to an axis joining the base contact receptacles of said second socket region and is
arranged so as to pivot about said axis upon non-symmetrical insertion of a pair of
prongs into said pair of base contact receptacles and so as to prevent the second
protective member from moving to the open position.
7. A socket according to any one of the preceding claims, including a further socket
region that is a first socket region for receiving plugs of a first type.
8. A socket according to claim 7, wherein the footprint of a pair of base contact prongs
of an electrical plug of the first type falls within the foot-print of the pair of
base contact receptacles of the second socket region, and the foot-print of a pair
of base contact prongs of an electrical plug of said second type exceeds the foot-print
of the pair of base contact receptacles of said first socket region.
1. Elektrische Steckdose (100) für die Aufnahme eines elektrischen Steckers, wobei die
Steckdose Folgendes umfasst:
einen Steckdosenbereich (2), der ein zweiter Steckdosenbereich ist, der dafür ausgelegt
ist, elektrische Stecker eines zweiten Typs aufzunehmen, und ein Paar Basiskontaktaufnahmeräume
(121, 122) und einen dritten Kontaktaufnahmeraum (123), die in einer Anordnung eines
gleichschenkligen Dreiecks angeordnet und zueinander in dieser Beziehung stehen, wobei
das Basispaar von Kontaktaufnahmeräumen an den Basisecken der Dreiecksanordnung angeordnet
ist, besitzt;
ein bewegliches Schutzelement (300), das zwischen einer geschlossenen Stellung und
einer geöffneten Stellung gleiten kann, wobei das Schutzelement dann, wenn es in der
geöffneten Stellung ist, das Paar von Basiskontaktaufnahmeräumen des zweiten Steckdosenbereichs
öffnet, um Kontaktstifte eines elektrischen Steckers eines zweiten Typs aufzunehmen;
und wobei das Schutzelement federvorbelastet ist, um in die geschlossene Stellung
zurückzukehren, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Schutzelement dann, wenn es in der geschlossenen Stellung ist, das Einsetzen
der Kontaktstifte eines elektrischen Steckers des falschen Typs verhindert, und dass
das Schutzelement (300) ein erstes Schutzelement (340) und ein zweites Schutzelement
(320) umfasst, wobei das erste Schutzelement Mittel umfasst, um den dritten Kontaktaufnahmeraum
(123) des zweiten Steckdosenbereichs zu schließen, wobei das zweite Schutzelement
dazu dient die Basiskontaktaufnahmeräume des zweiten Steckdosenbereichs zu schließen,
und in Bezug auf das erste Schutzelement gleiten kann, wenn sich das erste Schutzelement
in einer Stellung befindet, in der der dritte Kontaktaufnahmeraum des zweiten Steckdosenbereichs
geschlossen ist, und wobei das erste Schutzelement und das zweite Schutzelement unabhängig
voneinander federvorbelastet sind, um sich in die geschlossene Stellung zu bewegen.
2. Elektrische Steckdose nach Anspruch 1, wobei das Schutzelement aus der Sperrkonfiguration
bewegt werden kann, wenn ein Paar Basiskontaktstifte des zweiten Typs in den zweiten
Steckdosenbereich eingesetzt wird.
3. Elektrische Steckdose nach Anspruch 1 oder Anspruch 2, wobei sowohl das erste als
auch das zweite Schutzelement eine geneigte Oberfläche aufweist, die sich unterhalb
des Kontaktaufnahmeraums befindet, den sie abdeckt, wobei sich die geneigten Oberflächen
von der Achse, die die Basiskontaktaufnahmeräume des Paars von Basiskontaktaufnahmeräumen
verbindet, entfernen, so dass das erste und das zweite Schutzelement in die geöffnete
Stellung gedrängt werden, wenn ein elektrischer Stecker des zweiten Typs eingesetzt
wird.
4. Steckdose nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Stifte des einen elektrischen
Steckers des zweiten Typs einen im Wesentlichen rechtwinkligen Querschnitt haben.
5. Steckdose nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Stifte eines elektrischen
Steckers des falschen Typs einen im Wesentlichen kreisförmigen Querschnitt haben.
6. Elektrische Steckdose nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das zweite Schutzelement
um eine Achse geschwenkt werden kann, die zu einer Achse, die die Basiskontaktaufnahmeräume
des zweiten Steckdosenbereichs verbindet, im Wesentlichen senkrecht ist, und so angeordnet
ist, dass es um diese Achse schwenkt, wenn ein Paar von Stiften in das Paar von Basiskontaktaufnahmeräumen
nicht symmetrisch eingesetzt wird, um so zu verhindern, dass sich das zweite Schutzelement
in die geöffnete Stellung bewegt.
7. Steckdose nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, die ferner einen Steckdosenbereich
aufweist, der ein erster Steckdosenbereich für die Aufnahme von Steckern eines ersten
Typs ist.
8. Steckdose nach Anspruch 7, wobei die Aufstandsfläche eines Paars von Basiskontaktstiften
eines elektrischen Steckers des ersten Typs innerhalb der Aufstandsfläche des Paars
von Basiskontaktaufnahmeräumen des zweiten Steckdosenbereichs liegt und die Aufstandsfläche
eines Paars von Basiskontaktstiften eines elektrischen Steckers des zweiten Typs größer
ist als die Aufstandsfläche des Paars von Basiskontaktaufnahmeräumen des ersten Steckdosenbereichs.
1. Prise électrique (100) pour recevoir une fiche électrique, ladite prise comprenant
:
une région de prise (2) qui est une deuxième région de prise adaptée pour recevoir
des fiches électriques d'un deuxième type et ayant une paire de prises femelles de
contact de base (121, 122) et une troisième prise femelle de contact (123) positionnées
et en rapport les unes avec les autres dans une disposition triangulaire isocèle avec
la paire de base de prises femelles de contact disposées aux vertex de base de la
disposition triangulaire ;
un élément protecteur mobile (300) qui peut être coulissé entre une position fermée
et une position ouverte, l'élément protecteur, dans la position ouverte, ouvrant la
paire de prises femelles de contact de base de ladite deuxième région de prise afin
de recevoir les broches de contact d'une fiche électrique d'un deuxième type ; et
ledit élément de protection étant sollicité par un ressort pour retourner dans la
position fermée, caractérisée en ce que, lorsqu'il est dans la position fermée, l'élément protecteur obstrue l'insertion
des broches de contact d'une fiche électrique du type incorrect, et en ce que ledit élément protecteur (300) comprend un premier élément protecteur (340) et un
deuxième élément protecteur (320), ledit premier élément protecteur comprenant un
moyen pour fermer la troisième prise femelle de contact (123) de ladite deuxième région
de prise, ledit deuxième élément protecteur pour fermer les prises femelles de contact
de base de ladite deuxième région de prise et pouvant être coulissé par rapport audit
premier élément protecteur lorsque le premier élément protecteur est dans une position
dans laquelle la troisième prise femelle de contact de la deuxième région de prise
est fermée, ledit premier élément protecteur et ledit deuxième élément protecteur
étant sollicités indépendamment par un ressort pour se déplacer vers la position fermée.
2. Prise électrique selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'élément protecteur peut
être écarté de la configuration d'obstruction lors de l'insertion d'une paire de broches
de contact de base du deuxième type dans ladite deuxième région de prise.
3. Prise électrique selon la revendication 1 ou la revendication 2, dans laquelle chacun
desdits premier et deuxième éléments protecteurs comprend une surface inclinée qui
est en dessous de la prise femelle de contact qu'il couvre, les surfaces inclinées
rétrécissant à mesure qu'elles s'éloignent de l'axe joignant les prises femelles de
contact de base de ladite paire de prises femelles de contact de base d'une manière
telle que lesdits premier et deuxième éléments protecteurs sont poussés vers la position
ouverte lors de l'insertion d'une fiche électrique du deuxième type.
4. Prise selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle lesdites
broches dudit deuxième type de fiche électrique ont une coupe transversale essentiellement
rectangulaire.
5. Prise selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle lesdites
broches dudit type incorrect de fiche électrique ont une coupe transversale essentiellement
circulaire.
6. Prise électrique selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle
ledit deuxième élément protecteur peut être bougé de manière pivotante autour d'un
axe qui est essentiellement orthogonal à un axe joignant les prises femelles de contact
de base de ladite deuxième région de prise et est agencé de façon à pivoter autour
dudit axe lors de l'insertion non symétrique d'une paire de broches dans ladite paire
de prises femelles de contact de base et de façon à empêcher le deuxième élément protecteur
de se mettre dans la position ouverte.
7. Prise selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant une autre
région de prise qui est une première région de prise pour recevoir des fiches d'un
premier type.
8. Prise selon la revendication 7, dans laquelle l'empreinte d'une paire de broches de
contact de base d'une fiche électrique du premier type se situe dans les limites de
l'empreinte de la paire de prises femelles de contact de base de la deuxième région
de prise, et l'empreinte d'une paire de broches de contact de base d'une fiche électrique
dudit deuxième type dépasse l'empreinte de la paire de prises femelles de contact
de base de ladite première région de prise.