ES1259869U - ORIENTED CONNECTION CURRENT SOCKET (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding) - Google Patents

Abstract

Oriented connection socket, compatible with standardized plugs, consisting of a cover (1) comprising a main cavity with guide channels (11) and a bottom (3) with connection holes (4) and a hole (14) for fixing, characterized in that: - The bottom surface (3) of the cover (1) presents a relief formed by two symmetrical halves, each one of them generated by a concave or valley surface that always deepens towards each connection hole (4), from Thus, the projection of the intersection (9) of the valley slopes is a semicircle that passes through the corresponding connection hole (4) and the depth of said valley is variable, the points (15) being of higher elevation, the furthest from the holes (4) and the points (16), with the lowest level, coinciding with the holes (4) themselves. - The cavity comprises holes (10) for the earthing flanges (8). (Machine-translation by Google Translate, not legally binding)

Description

DESCRIPTION

ORIENTED CONNECTION CURRENT SOCKET

TECHNICAL SECTOR

The present invention falls within the field of device-oriented technologies for electrical connections, specifically, to electrical components such as plugs, sockets and coupling devices.

The present invention is a simple device that provides a convenient, fast and safe way to connect the plugs of electrical devices to the sockets, and that can convert existing sockets into misconnection-proof sockets.

STATE OF THE TECHNIQUE AND PROBLEMS TO SOLVE

There are different devices for connecting devices to the electrical network such as: household appliances, chargers for electronic devices, lamps, tools, etc.

The most common solution is the plug. A plug is made up of two main elements: plug and socket, which are connected to each other to establish the passage of electric current. Typically, this connection is made by inserting conductive pins on the plug into the holes in the outlet cover. up to the contact of the pins with the connectors of the electrical mechanism under the cover. The plug is usually covered with insulating material and the socket covered with a cap to protect the user.

In this regard, the types of plugs have been standardized to favor the safety, guarantee and replaceability of the devices. There are different classifications of plug types according to characteristics such as: the type and position of the pins, the existence of polarization in the connection, the maximum intensity they support and the existence of an earth connection.

The ground connections are established mainly in order to limit the voltage that, with respect to ground, the metallic masses may present at any given time, ensure the performance of the protections and eliminate or reduce the risk of a breakdown in electrical materials. used and thus avoid discharges due to low insulation.

There are also standardization differences in the size of recessed boxes and their devices, for example, the traditional rectangular recessed box, originally from the United States, has been replaced by a square European standard.

In the European Union there is no single regulation on plugs for domestic use. This allows each country to set its own standards. The CEE 7 standards are the International Commission on the Rules for the Approval of Electrical Equipment (IECEE) standards for household plugs and seek to establish common standards for European plugs.

For example, in Europe, there are mainly the following types of plugs:

- Type C or "European ungrounded" plug: Two thin pins (3.2 mm in diameter), non-polarized and ungrounded. CEE 7/1 socket and CEE 7/2, CEE 7/16 plugs ( "Europlug") and CEE 7/17.

- Type E or "French" plug: Two thick pins (4.8 mm in diameter), polarized and grounded through an upper pin for reception in the power socket. CEE 7/5 socket and CEE 7/6 plugs and CEE 7/7 ("Hybrid").

- Type F or "Schuko" plug: Two thick pins (4.8 mm in diameter), non-polarized and lateral contact earth connection. CEE 7/3 socket and CEE 7/4 and CEE 7/7 plugs ("Hybrid ”).

The "Schuko" plugs are the most widely used among manufacturers. The arrangement of their grounding connectors makes them very safe. Being symmetrical and non-polarized, they can be connected in the same way if they are turned 180 degrees. In addition, Through the non-conductive notches present as guides on the sides of the plug, greater fixing stability is achieved, thus providing a good combination of functionality and safety.

Even with these all these advances that the sector presents, there is a technical problem that the state of the art has not solved. The plugs present a great functional disadvantage suffered by the user: the difficulty in connecting the plug and the power outlet.

In this connection action, the difficulty lies in matching the pins of the plug with the holes in the socket. It is common to try several times to plug in the plug until you are successful in locating and inserting the pins into the holes in the outlet. The probability of making a successful connection to the first is very low, so the user is forced to orient and pre-align the plug, or to rotate and push the plug against the socket cover, or even to have to feel the holes in the socket to locate them.

This difficulty is intensified by different causes such as the lack of light in the area where the power outlet is located or that it is located in a position that is difficult to access or view. Especially, this problem is suffered by users with reduced vision or blind and users with psychomotor problems. This connection difficulty generates frustration in the user due to the loss of time and effort involved in connection attempts. In addition, a safety problem is also generated, increasing the risk that, by concentrating on connection attempts, the user may feel the connector just at the moment the connection is achieved, and may receive an electric shock.

In other words, the plug and socket connection process basically presents the following difficulties:

- Factors external to the user himself: the power outlets can be located in areas with difficult access or poor visibility, etc.

- User's own factors: lack of psychomotor skills (Parkinson's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, paralysis, etc.), partial or total loss of vision, etc.

At present, different electrical outlet systems or mechanisms are known in the state of the art that have tried, without success, to solve this problem of difficulty in connection, such as those collected in documents CN201766233U and CN108736207A, for example.

The existing devices in the state of the art do not solve in an integral way the problem of obtaining a connection at the first attempt, since, with them, a prior orientation or alignment of the plug with the socket is always necessary. In addition, these devices are not multipurpose, since, for example, they do not contemplate the grounding of the electrical connection and, therefore, do not allow the correct connection of electrical devices that require it, with the safety risks that this entails. Furthermore, these devices do not allow the conversion of a pre-existing socket already installed, since, due to its configuration, they imply the installation of a new socket or the replacement of an existing one.

In conclusion, for the connection of an electrical appliance, in the current state of the art, there is no comprehensive, versatile and compatible solution with standardized plugs that allows an easy connection at the first attempt eliminating the need to orient and previously align the plug and that, in addition, makes it possible to convert an existing outlet into a connection error-proof.

EXPLANATION OF THE INVENTION

In relation to the aforementioned problems, the oriented connection socket object of the invention proposes a device that is proof of errors in the connection action of the plug of an electrical appliance in the socket, so that said connection action is comfortable, fast and safe. Furthermore, the objective technical problem it solves is not only that of getting a failsafe outlet, but it also solves the problem of how to convert an existing outlet into a failsafe plug-in outlet.

The oriented connection socket provides the following advantages compared to the current state of the art:

1. The device allows the user a failsafe connection:

o Getting a successful connection on the first try without the need to orient or pre-align the plug.

o Facilitating the connection in the outlets of difficult access, with lack or absence of lighting and, in general, when the environment of the connection process is complicated.

o Facilitating the connection to users with a lack of psychomotor capacity, with reduced visual faculties or blind and, in general, when the user's intrinsic conditions make the connection process difficult.

2. The device allows a pre-existing socket outlet, already installed, to be converted into a fail-safe socket.

dispositivo permite la compatibilidad con mecanismos eléctricos estandarizados, incluyendo las clavijas con contactos a toma de tierra.3.

device allows compatibility with standardized electrical mechanisms, including pins with grounded contacts.

4. The device allows, because it is simple and consists of a single piece:

o A simple and cheap installation, without the need for technical knowledge, since it only works on the cover of the outlet and

not on the electrical mechanism.

o A simple and profitable industrialization as it is a part that can be generated by injection or molding processes.

Here is an explanation for experts.

The oriented connection socket object of the invention comprises a single main body or cover that is compatible with standardized plugs, replacing

the conventional cap for that of the present invention.

The bottom of the cover has holes that allow the inclusion and connection of the pins of the plug in the electrical mechanism. The bottom of the cover has a hole in the center that allows screw fixing to the electrical mechanism.

An important characteristic of the bottom of the lid is that it presents a relief formed by two symmetrical halves, each one of them generated by a concave or valley surface. In each symmetrical half, the projection of the intersection of the slopes of the valley is a semicircle that passes through the corresponding connection hole and whose diameter is equal to the distance between the pins of the plug. The depth of said valley is variable, being minimum at the points furthest from the holes and maximum at the holes themselves, that is, the bottom is always deeper towards each hole.

Thanks to this characteristic of the bottom surface, by pushing the plug against the bottom of the cover, the pins of the plug slide towards the connection holes when their ends contact any point on said bottom. First, the sideburns slide down the slopes of the valleys to the semicircular intersection of the slopes. The tabs then follow said semicircular intersection to the deepest point in the valley that coincides with the connection holes. In this way, a positioning is first generated by centering the plug with respect to the socket, and second, a rotation of the plug until it is connected.

Thus, the user does not have the need to orient or pre-align the pins of the plug with the holes. In addition, it allows the user a successful connection on the first try, since they only have to push the plug against the socket instead of having to make several attempts, simultaneously pushing, moving and rotating the plug looking for the coincidence of the pins in holes. The cover also has an internal cavity where the plug is housed during connection.

An important characteristic of the cavity of the lid is that the internal side walls present, in the plane perpendicular to that containing the connection holes, other holes that allow the earthing connection tabs to enter the cavity by lateral contact. of the electrical mechanism. This characteristic makes the power outlet object of the invention compatible with appliance plugs that have an earth connection, meeting the established safety requirements.

In another possible embodiment, the bottom with concave surfaces towards the holes is a recessed piece, independent of the intake cover. This piece, on its obverse, presents the surface in relief with concavities towards its connection holes and, on its reverse, a flat surface. This part has the connection through holes. The contour of this piece allows it to be placed or embedded on the flat bottom of a conventional socket. The thickness of this piece is such that, once installed, it allows sufficient inclusion of the pins of the plug in the socket for its correct connection.

Regarding the fixing of the recessed part to make it removable in the cavity of the conventional socket cover, said recessed part can have two projecting areas, facing each other, which fit into the lateral guides of the socket cavity. current in a way similar to how the plug fits into these guides. The contour of this recessed piece ensures a single positioning on the conventional socket cover, always making the connection holes coincide. In addition, the recessed piece can be fixed to the cover of the conventional socket with a system that allows its subsequent disassembly, making it removable and interchangeable. This recessed piece is also applicable to electrical connection or coupling devices that add other functionalities, not only in wall recessed sockets.

This embodiment as a built-in and independent piece allows a simpler and cheaper installation, even if possible, of the oriented connection socket. Thus, the user only has to acquire the independent piece as a supplement adapted to the conventional cover of a pre-existing and already installed electrical outlet. The installation consists of positioning the piece at the bottom of the conventional socket cover, and fixing it. Thus, it is possible to convert a pre-existing socket into a fault-proof connection socket outlet, cheaply and with a very simple and safe installation, since it is not necessary neither to have technical knowledge, nor to disassemble any element.

At this point, it is not considered necessary to make this description more extensive so that any expert in the field understands the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it in its different applications. The shapes, dimensions, designs or the implementation technology itself will be susceptible to variation as long as it does not imply an alteration in the essentiality of the invention. The terms in which the specification has been described are to be understood in a broad and non-limiting sense.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better explain the object of the invention, the ORIENTED CONNECTION CURRENT SOCKET has been illustrated with several schematic figures, in its preferred embodiment, which assumes a character of non-limiting demonstrative example of its scope, of such that:

Figure 1.- Front perspective view of the power outlet of a preferred embodiment of the device.

Figure 2.- Elevation view of the cover of the power outlet of a preferred embodiment of the device.

Figure 3.- Upper front perspective view of a longitudinal section of the power outlet cover of a preferred embodiment of the device.

Figure 4.- An inclined perspective view of the profile of a longitudinal section of the cover of the power outlet of a preferred embodiment of the device.

Figure 5.- Front perspective view of the power outlet with the recessed piece as a second embodiment of the device.

Figure 6.- Upper front perspective view of a longitudinal section of the socket cover with the recessed piece as a second embodiment of the device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In order that the present invention, ORIENTED CONNECTION CURRENT SOCKET , can be clearly understood and easily put into practice in its fundamental idea, a description will be given below, referring to the drawings. schematics that are attached and that form part of it, taking into account that in all the figures, the same reference numbers indicate the same or corresponding elements; the whole by way of example purely illustrative and in no way limiting the invention.

By way of a preferred embodiment, the "Oriented connection outlet" can be carried out as shown in Figures 1 to 4.

Thus, in figure 1, by way of example, the elements for an electrical connection of a wall socket outlet are represented. The electrical mechanism of the socket is covered by a cover (1) and by a decorative frame (2). The cover (1) has an internal cavity for the reception and connection of a standard plug (5). The cover (1) covers the electrical mechanism except for its earthing connection tabs (8) which enter the cavity through the holes (10). A screw (7) serves to fix the cover (1).

Taking into account the details of the electrical outlet device object of the invention, as can be seen in Figures 1 to 4, in this preferred embodiment, the configuration of the bottom surface (3) of the outlet cover (1) is shown. current, where the two holes (4) are housed for the reception of the pins (6) of the referred standard plug (5). Specifically, the relief shape of the bottom surface (3), designed to facilitate the connection, has concavities towards the two holes (4).

In this preferred embodiment, as can be seen in more detail in Figure 2, the bottom surface (3) of the lid (1) has a relief formed by two symmetrical halves, each one generated by a concave or valley surface. . In each symmetrical half, the projection of the intersection (9) of the slopes of the valley is a semicircle that passes through the corresponding connection hole (4) and whose diameter is equal to the distance between the pins (6) of the plug ( 5). The depth of this valley is variable. As can be seen in detail in Figures 3 and 4, at the intersection (9) of the slopes of the valley, the points (15) are the highest and furthest from the holes (4) and points (16) they are the ones with the lowest level and coinciding with the holes themselves (4). That is, the bottom (3) of the cover (1) always deepens towards each hole (4).

The bottom (3) of the cover (1) has a through hole (14) for fixing by means of a screw (7) to the embedded mechanism. The internal side walls of the cavity and the bottom (3) of the cover (1) have holes (10) that allow the earthing connection flanges (8) to enter the cavity by lateral contact of the electrical mechanism. The internal side walls of the cavity of the lid (1) have guide channels (11). When the pins (6) of the plug (5) are already recessed in the connection holes (4), these guide channels (11) of the cover (1) coincide with the guides (12) that the plug (5) has on its outer side face, in such a way that both guides fit, fixing and guiding the pin (5) in its last section of connection path.

In another embodiment, shown in Figures 5 to 6, a connection socket is presented oriented by means of an independent fitting (17) and adaptable to a conventional cover (19). Figure 5 shows a front perspective view of the exploded assembly of the recessed piece (17) against the flat bottom (18) of the conventional cover (19) of a power outlet and the screw (7) for possible fixing . The built-in piece (17) has a flat surface on its back and the concave surfaces towards the holes (21) on its face (20). The holes (21) are through and coincide with the connection holes (4) of the conventional cover (19) to allow the passage of the pins (6) of the plug (5) in the connection. The hole (22) is through, and coincides with the hole (14) of the conventional cover (19) to allow the passage of a fixing screw (7). The contour of the recessed piece (17) has guides (23) and notches (24) for the passage of the grounding tabs (8), allowing the correct positioning and fitting on the conventional cover (19).

It is logical to assume that when this invention is put into practice, modifications may be introduced in terms of construction, materials and form of the same, but as long as without departing from the fundamental principles that are clearly specified in the claim clauses that follow following:-----------------

Claims (2)

1. - ORIENTED CONNECTION CURRENT SOCKET , compatible with standardized plugs, formed by a cover (1) comprising a main cavity with guide channels (11) and a bottom (3) with connection holes (4) and with hole (14) for fixing, characterized in that: - The bottom surface (3) of the lid (1) presents a relief formed by two symmetrical halves, each of them generated by a concave or valley surface that always deepens towards each connection hole (4), from Thus, the projection of the intersection (9) of the slopes of the valley is a semicircle that passes through the corresponding connection hole (4) and the depth of said valley is variable, with the points (15) being of higher elevation , the furthest from the holes (4) and the points (16), with the smallest dimension, coinciding with the holes (4) themselves. - The cavity includes holes (10) for the earthing flanges (8). 2. - ORIENTED CONNECTION CURRENT SOCKET , according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom (3) is presented as a recessed piece (17) on the flat bottom (18) of the conventional cover (19) of a socket current.