EP3061159A1 - Power outlet unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a power outlet unit (1), which includes an electrical socket (2) and an electrical plug (3) that is suitable for electrically engaging the socket (2), removably. The socket (2) includes at least one first and one second electrical contact (22A, 22B) each suitable for respectively engaging an electrical contact having a first and a second concentric electric track (32B) of the plug (3), the electrical contacts (22A, 22B) being movable between a first position in which they are retracted inside the socket (2) and a second position in which they project from the socket (2). The socket (2) is provided with a first magnetic element (23) suitable for engaging a second magnetic element (33) mounted on the plug (3), such as to generate a magnetic force suitable for positioning and maintaining the plug (3) against the socket (2) and for moving the electrical contacts (22A, 22B) in the second position in order to establish electrical contact between the electrical tracks (32B) and the electrical contacts (22A, 22B). The first magnetic element (23) is in the shape of a ring portion and the first electric track is produced from a material suitable for guiding a magnetic field generated by the magnetic elements (23, 33) during the connection of the plug (3) to the socket (2).

Description

 ASSEMBLY OF ELECTRICAL OUTLET

The present invention relates to a set of electrical outlets comprising an electrical base and an electrical plug adapted to come into electrical contact removably with the electrical base.

 Typically, the electrical base is attached to a wall of a building and is connected to the electrical network, and the electrical plug is equipped with an electrical appliance operating through the electric current of the electrical network. The electrical plug has two male pins that the user inserts into complementary female openings in the electrical base. This manipulation has the disadvantage for the user of having to position the pins correctly in the openings, which is tedious. In addition, the operator must provide a relatively large force to drive the pins into the openings.

 FR-A-2964501 discloses a set of electrical outlets equipped with magnetic positioning elements to prevent the user from having to correctly orient the pins, and facilitating the electrical connection. This assembly comprises an electrical base comprising a first and a second electrical contacts, in the form of pins, adapted to come each respectively in electrical contact with a first and a second electrical annular and concentric tracks of the plug. The pins are movable between a first retracted position inside the base and a second position protruding outside the base.

 The base is provided with a first magnetic element adapted to collaborate with a second magnetic element equipping the plug, so as to generate a magnetic force able to position and hold the plug against the base and move the pins in the second position in order to allow the establishment of an electrical contact with the tracks of the sheet.

 The electrical tracks being annular, it is not necessary for the operator to be concerned about the angular orientation of the plug relative to the base to make the connection. In addition, the operator does not need to provide a connection force to make the connection because the magnetic elements automatically attract the plug against the base.

This set of electrical outlets is relatively expensive because the first magnetic element equipping the base has relatively large dimensions to allow the establishment of the pins in the empty space defined by its annular shape. It is these drawbacks that the invention intends to remedy more particularly by proposing a set of electrical sockets whose manufacturing cost is reduced.

To this end, the invention relates to a set of electrical outlets comprising an electrical base and an electrical plug adapted to come into electrical contact removably with the base. The base comprises at least a first and a second electrical contacts adapted to each respectively come into electrical contact with a first and a second concentric electrical track of the plug. The electrical contacts are movable between a first position in which they are retracted inside the base and between a second position in which they protrude outside the base. The base is provided with a first magnetic element adapted to collaborate with a second magnetic element equipping the plug so as to generate a magnetic force able to position and hold the plug against the base and to move the electrical contacts in the second position in order to establish an electrical contact between the electric tracks and the electrical contacts.

 According to the invention, the first magnetic element is in the form of a ring portion and the first electrical path is made from a material capable of guiding a magnetic field generated by the magnetic elements when the plug is connected to the basement.

 Thanks to the invention, the ring-shaped portion of the first magnetic element allows a saving of material with respect to an annular magnetic element. In addition, the free space defined between the ends of this ring portion can accommodate one of the electrical contacts of the base, so that the overall size of the set of electrical outlets is reduced. In addition, the use of a material capable of driving and guiding a magnetic field to make the first annular electric track of the plug guides the magnetic field lines, so that the magnetic force in the gap defined between the magnetic elements is balanced, allowing a satisfactory connection.

 According to advantageous but non-mandatory aspects of the invention, such a set of electrical outlets may incorporate one or more of the following technical characteristics, taken in any technically permissible combination:

 - The relative magnetic permeability of the first electrical track is greater than or equal to 100.

- The electrical conductivity of the first electrical track is greater than or equal to 5.10 ⁶ Srr ¹ .

- The first electrical track is made from an iron alloy - The first magnetic element extends over an angular sector between 180 and 330 °, preferably between 240 and 300 °, more preferably of the order of 270 °.

 The second magnetic element extends over an angular sector between 240 and 350 °, preferably between 270 and 330 °, more preferably of the order of

300 °.

 As a variant, the second magnetic element has the geometry of a closed ring that extends over 360 °.

 - The plug has a third electrical track to be connected to a ground.

 - The electrical contacts of the base are in the form of pins.

 Magnetic elements are permanent magnets whose poles are oriented so that the magnets attract when the contact faces of the base and the plug are close to one another.

 The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will emerge more clearly in the light of the following description of a set of electrical sockets according to the invention, given solely by way of example and made in reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

 - Figure 1 is a perspective view of a set of electrical outlets according to the invention, the assembly comprising an electrical base and an electrical plug;

 - Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, the base caps and the plug not being shown to reveal the interior of these elements;

 - Figure 3 is a view of the base according to the arrow F3 in Figure 2;

 - Figure 4 is a section of the base along line IV-IV in Figure 3;

 - Figure 5 is a view of the plug according to the arrow F5 in Figure 2;

 - Figure 6 is a section of the plug along the line VI-VI in Figure 5;

 - Figure 7 is a view of the plug according to the arrow F7 in Figure 2;

 - Figure 8 is a section along the line VIII-VIII in Figure 7;

 FIG. 9 is a schematic view of magnetic field lines created by a pair of annular magnets;

FIG. 10 is a schematic view of magnetic field lines created by a first annular magnet and a second magnet in the form of a ring portion, a ring being attached to the magnet in the form of a ring portion, this ring driving the electric current and having a magnetic permeability not disturbing the magnetic field created by the magnets; and FIG. 11 is a schematic view of magnetic field lines created by a first annular magnet and a second magnet in the form of a ring portion, a ring being attached to the magnet in the form of a ring portion, this ring conducting the electrical current and having a magnetic permeability capable of modifying the magnetic field created by the magnets.

 Figures 1 and 2 show a set of electrical outlets 1 comprising an electrical base 2 and an electrical plug 3 adapted to come into mechanical and electrical contact removably with the electrical base. The base 2 and the plug 3 each comprise a cover 20 or 30 shown only in FIG.

 In one example of use, the base 2 is connected to the electrical network and the plug 3 equips an electrical appliance for domestic use, for example a lamp or an electrical appliance. Thus, the base 2 is generally fixed and the plug 3 is mobile.

 The base 2 and the plug 3 each comprise a body 21 or 31 which is housed inside the cover 20 or 30, and a substantially flat contact surface A2 or A3. The contact faces A2 and A3 are intended to be placed in contact with each other when the plug 3 is connected to the base 2.

 The base 2 and the plug 3 each extend along a central longitudinal axis X2 or X3. To electrically connect the base 2 and the plug 3, an operator approaches the plug 3 of the base 2 by aligning the longitudinal axes X2 and X3, so as to bring into contact the contact faces A2 and A3.

 In the following, the elements of the base 2 or of the plug 3 which are close to the contact face A2 or A3 of the base 2 or of the plug 3 are described as "proximal", contrary to the elements described as "distal" which in are further away.

 The plug 3 comprises at least two concentric electrical tracks 32A and 32B centered on the longitudinal axis A3, visible in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 and arranged on the contact face A3 of the plug 3. In FIGS. 2 and 5, the first electric track 32A is not shown.

 The first track 32A is annular. It forms a closed ring that extends 360 ° around the longitudinal axis X3. The second track 32B is cylindrical and extends along the longitudinal axis X3, in the void volume delimited within the annular shape of the first track 32A. The tracks 32A and 32B are electrically insulated from each other and they are each connected to a not shown electrical wire, intended to be connected to an electrical apparatus connected to the plug 3.

The electric tracks 32A and 32B are provided to come each in electrical and mechanical contact with an electrical contact of the base 2 which is under the shape of a pin 22A and 22B, that is to say a conductive metal rod. The base 2 thus comprises two pins 22A and 22B.

 In a variant of the invention not shown, the electrical plug 3 optionally includes a third electrical track to be connected to a ground. Where appropriate, the second track 32B is annular and the third electrical track is disposed in the empty volume defined by the second track 32B.

 With reference to FIG. 4, the body 21 forms the distal end E2 of the base 2. Three holes 212 distributed angularly in a homogeneous manner about the axis X2, one of which is visible in FIG. 4, are formed through the body 21, parallel to the longitudinal axis X2. Each hole 212 has a large diameter portion on the distal end E2 side and a reduced diameter portion on the contact face A2 side so as to form an annular shoulder 214 within the body 21.

 A candle 24 is slidably mounted inside each hole 212. The candles 24 comprise a tubular portion whose diameter is substantially equal to the functional clearances, to the smallest diameter of the holes 212, so as to allow a translational movement and rotation, along the longitudinal axis X2, of the candle 24 relative to the body 21.

 A first compression spring 25 is mounted in each hole 212, around the tubular portion of the candle 24. The spring 25 bears against the shoulder 214 of the hole 212 and against an annular portion 242 distal of the candle 24 whose diameter is greater than that of the tubular part. The spring 25 generates a force R25 tending to back the candle 24 towards the distal end E2 of the base 2.

 A screw 286 is slidably mounted inside each candle 24. Each screw 286 has a head adapted to abut against the annular portion 242 of the candle 24, so as to block the translational movement of the screw 286 relative to the candle 24 along the longitudinal axis X2 and in a direction from the distal end E2 of the base 2 to the contact face A2.

 The base 2 comprises a pusher 27 having through holes for the screws 286. The pusher 27 is free to translate, along the axis X 2, with respect to the body 21. The pusher 27 is interposed between the body 21 and a support 28 having threaded holes in which are screwed the screws 286. Thus, the support 28 and the screws 286 are secured.

Two through holes 282 are formed through the support 28. Each hole 282 has a large diameter portion, on the distal end E2 side, and a reduced diameter portion on the contact face A2 side, so as to form a shoulder 284 inside the support 28. The pins 22A and 22B are each housed inside one of the holes 282 and protrude outside the support 28 on the side of the contact face A2. Each pin 22A and 22B comprises a flange 222 adapted to abut against the shoulder 284 of the hole 282.

 A second compression spring 29 is mounted around each pin 22A and 22B, in the hole 282 receiving the pin 22A or 22B. The springs 29 bear each against the shoulder 284 of the hole 282 and against the flange 222 of the pin 22A or 22B. The springs 29 generate a force R29 tending to get the pins out of the cover 20, that is to say, advance them along the longitudinal axis X2 in a direction from the distal end E2 of the base 2 towards the contact face A2.

 To ensure a mechanical and electrical contact frankly between the base 2 and the plug 3 during the connection, the set of electrical sockets 1 comprises a first and a second magnetic elements 23 and 33 generating, when the plug 3 is close to the base 2, a magnetic force M1 for positioning and holding the plug 3 on the base 2 so that the electrical tracks 32A and 32B respectively come into electrical and mechanical contact with the contacts 22A and 22B of the base 2.

 The first magnetic element 23 is a permanent magnet which equips the contact face A2 of the base 2 and which has the shape of a ring portion, in other words an open ring, extending over an angular sector a23 between 180 and 330 °, preferably between 240 and 300 °. In the example shown in Figure 3, the angular sector a23 is approximately equal to 270 °. E23 and E'23 denote the ends of the first magnet 23, between which is measured the angular sector a23.

 A ring 26 is interposed between the support 28 and the first magnetic element 23. The support 28, the ring 26 and the first magnet 23 are integral. The ring 26 has the shape of a ring portion which extends over an angular sector equal to the angular sector a23 of the first magnet 23.

 D23 denotes an internal diameter D23 of the first magnet 23 and the ring 26. An outer diameter of 23 of the first magnet 23 and the ring 26 is strictly greater than the internal diameter D23.

 The first pin 22A passes through the free space delimited between the ends

E23 and E'23 of the first magnetic element 23 and similarly between the ends of the ring 26. A distance D22 between the longitudinal axis X2 and the first pin 22A is between the inner diameter D23 and the outer diameter D 23 of the first magnetic element 23. The cover 20 of the base 2 is equipped with two pairs of retractable flaps 202A and 202B and resilient means for returning flaps 202A and 202B in the closed position such as torsion springs, not visible in the figures. The flaps 202A and 202B obstruct openings 203 formed in the cover 20, on the contact face A2, so as to allow the output of the pins 22A and 22B out of the cover 20.

 As seen in Figures 6 and 8, the second magnetic element 33 is a permanent magnet disposed within the plug 3, under the first electrical track 32A. The second magnet 33 is in the form of a ring portion, that is an open ring, extending over an angular sector of between 240 and 350 °, preferably between 270 and 330 °. In the example shown in the figures, the angular sector a33 is approximately equal to 300 °. E33 and E'33 denote the ends of the second magnet 33, between which is measured the angular sector a33.

 The north and south poles of the first and second magnets 23 and 33 are oriented so that the magnets 23 and 33 attract each other when the contact faces A2 and A3 of the base 2 and of the plug 3 are brought closer to one another. other.

 The operation is as follows. When the plug 3 is located sufficiently far away from the base 2, the magnetic force M1 is absent or too weak to act on the set of electrical outlets 1. The first spring 25 of the base 2 pushes the candle 24 towards the distal end E2 of the base 2, which has the effect of moving the support 28, the ring 26 and the first magnetic element 23 against the pusher 27 which is compressed between the body 21 and the support 28. In this first configuration visible in the figures, the pins 22A and 22B are retracted inside the cover 20 and the flaps 202A and 202B are closed.

 When an operator brings the plug 3 closer to the base 2, the magnetic force M1 attracts the first magnet 23 towards the plug 3, so that the first magnet 23, the ring 26 and the support 28 move in translation, along the line X axis and in a direction from the distal end E2 of the base 2 to the contact face A2. The screws 286 being secured to the support 28, they drive the candles 24 towards the contact face A2, against the restoring force R25 exerted by the first spring 25. The first spring 25 is compressed and the candles 24 repel the pushbutton 27 towards the contact face A2. The pusher 27 thus moves away from the body 21 and follows the movement of the support 28.

The pins 22A and 22B then leave the cover 20 by driving the flaps 202A and 202B in the open position, until they reach a position in which they project outside the contact face A2, so as to be able to come into contact with the plug 3.

 When the contact face A3 of the plug 3 comes into contact with the contact face A2 of the base 2, the first track 32A of the plug 3 presses the first pin 22A and the second track 32B presses the second pin 22B, in order to establish an electrical and mechanical contact. The plug 3 thus pushes the pins 22A and 22B against the restoring forces R29 exerted by the second springs 29. The second springs 29 thus provide a mechanical and electrical contact frankly between the pins 22A and 22B and the tracks 32A and 32B.

 The magnetic force M1 automatically attracts the contact face A3 of the plug 3 against the contact face A2 of the base 2, in a position where the axes A2 and A3 are aligned. Thus, the operator does not have to provide an effort to make the mechanical connection between the plug 3 and the base 2, nor to precisely align the axes A2 and A3. In addition, the angular orientation of the plug 3 relative to the base 2, around the axes A2 and A3, is not critical to achieve the electrical connection. The user does not need to be concerned about the angular orientation of the plug 3 with respect to the base 2 because the tracks 32A and 32B of the plug 3 extend over 360 °, which facilitates the connection operation .

 Figure 9 shows two annular magnets 100 and 200 each forming a closed contour, ie each extending over 360 °. The magnets 100 and 200 are slightly spaced from each other so as to delimit an air gap E, and are aligned along an axis X. The magnets 100 and 200 are symmetrical of revolution and generate field lines Magnet L100 in the shape of a torus with symmetry of revolution about the X axis. These L100 field lines extend around the magnets 100 and 200, in particular between the magnets 100 and 200, in the gap zone E, where they are parallel to the X axis.

A set of electrical outlets of the prior art equipped with the magnets 100 and 200 of Figure 9 can generate a magnetic force distributed homogeneously over 360 °, centered on the longitudinal axis X of the plug and the base and parallel to the longitudinal axis. This ensures a satisfactory connection between the plug and the base but requires the use of magnets 100 and 200 of large dimensions in order to accommodate the pins in the empty space defined by the annular shape of the magnet 200 of the base 2. A set of electrical outlets of the prior art therefore has a significant manufacturing cost and bulk. FIG. 10 shows two magnets 101 and 201 which are slightly spaced apart from one another so as to delimit an air gap E, and which are aligned along a longitudinal axis X. The magnet 101 is of annular shape and forms a closed contour, ie it extends over 360 °. The magnet 201 is in the form of an open ring and extends over an angular sector equal to 270 °, as shown in projection in the upper part of FIG.

 A ring 301 is disposed against the magnet 101, on the side of the magnet 201. The ring 301 is made from a material such as copper, which conducts electricity but which is not a magnetic conductor. The ring 301 does not modify the magnetic field created by the magnets 101 and 201.

 As the magnet 201 does not have a symmetry of revolution about the X axis, the magnetic field lines L101 generated by the magnets 101 and 201 do not show a symmetry of revolution either, we observe an imbalance of the field lines. Therefore, the magnetic force generated by the magnets 101 and 201 is not homogeneously distributed about the X axis.

 By equipping a set of electrical outlets not according to the invention with the magnets 101 and 201 of Figure 10, and with the ring 301 as the electrical track for the plug 3, the magnetic force generated by the magnets is not homogeneous around the longitudinal axis of the set of electrical outlets. Therefore, when connecting the plug and the base, the plug does not center correctly on the base, which is not satisfactory. However, this geometry makes it possible to arrange a pin of the base in the free space delimited between the ends of the magnet 201, which leads to a gain in material and a gain in space.

 Figure 1 1 shows the magnets 23 and 33 of the set of electrical outlets 1 according to the invention. The first track 32A of the plug 3 is disposed against the magnet 33 of the plug 3. The first electrical track 32A is made from a material which conducts the magnetic field, which makes it possible to modify the course of the field lines L102 present at the gap E and balance the L102 field lines in the gap E.

 To guide the L102 field lines, the relative magnetic permeability of the first electrical track 32A is greater than or equal to 100.

For a given magnetic permeability material μ, the magnetic permeability μ is the product of the magnetic permeability of the vacuum μθ by the relative magnetic permeability μΡι of this material: μ = μΟ.μΡι. μθ is a universal constant, the magnetic constant, which is 4π ^χ 10 ^"7 H / m The electrical conductivity of the first electrical track 32A is greater than or equal to 5.1 0 ⁶ Sm- ¹ .

 For example, the first electrical track 32A is made from an iron alloy.

 In the context of the invention, the various embodiments described, as well as their variants, can be combined with one another.

Claims

1. - Set of electrical outlets (1) comprising an electrical base (2) and an electrical plug (3) adapted to come into electrical contact removably with the base (2), the base (2) having at least a first and a second electrical contacts (22A, 22B) adapted to each respectively come into electrical contact with a first and a second electrical track (32A, 32B) concentric of the plug (3), the electrical contacts (22A, 22B) being movable between a first position in which they are retracted inside the base (2) and between a second position in which they protrude outside the base (2), the base (2) being provided with a first magnetic element (23) adapted to collaborate with a second magnetic element (33) equipping the plug (3) so as to generate a magnetic force (M1) able to position and hold the plug (3) against the base (2) and to move the electrical contacts ( 22A, 22B) in the second position to establish electrical contact between the electrical tracks (32A, 32B) and the electrical contacts (22A, 22B), the set of electrical sockets (1) being characterized in that the first magnetic element (23) is in the form of a ring portion and in that the first electrical track (32A) is made from a material capable of guiding a magnetic field (L102) generated by the magnetic elements (23, 33) when the plug (3) is connected to the base (2). 2. - Set of electrical outlets (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the relative magnetic permeability of the first electrical track (32A) is greater than or equal to 100. 3. - Set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical conductivity of the first electrical track (32A) is greater than or equal to 5.10 ⁶ S. m- ¹ . 4. A set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first electrical track (32A) is made from an iron alloy. 5. A set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first magnetic element (23) extends over a sector angular (α23) between 180 and 330 °, preferably between 240 and 300 ° more preferably of the order of 270 °. 6. - set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second magnetic element (33) extends over an angular sector (a33) between 240 and 350 °, preferably between 270 and 330 ° more preferably of the order of 300 °. 7. Set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the second magnetic element (33) has the geometry of a closed ring which extends over 360 °. 8. - Set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plug (3) comprises a third electrical track to be connected to a ground. 9. - Set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electrical contacts (22A, 22B) of the base are in the form of pins (22A, 22B). 10. - set of electrical outlets (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the magnetic elements (23, 33) are permanent magnets whose poles are oriented so that the magnets (23, 33) s attract when the contact faces (A2, A3) of the base (2) and the plug (3) are brought closer to each other.