FR3138250A3 - ELECTRICAL OUTLET EQUIPPED WITH A PLUG EXTRACTION SYSTEM - Google Patents

Abstract

Electrical socket comprising: - at least one well (103) formed in a main body (100) of said socket, each well extending mainly along a first axis (X) between an opening and a bottom of said well and being adapted to be able to receive an electrical plug, - at least one plate (320) adapted to be able to be moved inside said well along said first axis (X) between at least one low position and at least one high position, - an extraction system comprising an extraction button (500) and at least one lever (400) having a first arm (450) and a second arm (460) parallel to each other, each arm extending between a first end (452, 462) and a second end (464), a first support bar (470) connecting the first ends (452, 462), the second ends (464) being configured to be able to cooperate with said plate (310). Figure for abstract: figure 2

Description

ELECTRICAL OUTLET EQUIPPED WITH A PLUG EXTRACTION SYSTEM Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to an electrical outlet equipped with a plug extraction system.

Technological background

Connecting an electrical appliance involves inserting an electrical plug into an electrical outlet socket until the contact pins of the electrical plug fit into the connection sockets of the socket, the latter being connected to electrical supply conductors of the electrical network at the place where the appliance is connected.

The dimensions of the contact pins of the plug and the sockets of the electrical socket base are standardized so as to generate significant friction between the pins and the sockets to prevent any inadvertent extraction of the plug from the socket. In addition, the socket generally comprises a well whose internal dimensions are substantially equal to the external dimensions of the plug such that once housed in the well, the external surface of the plug rubs on the internal surface of the well, which also helps to maintain the plug in the socket base.

This significant friction means that removing a plug from an electrical outlet from its base requires exerting sufficient pulling force to be able to separate the contact pins from the connection sockets and counteract the friction of the outer surface of the plug on the inner surface of the base well.

This pulling force required to extract an electrical plug can be problematic, especially for the elderly. In addition, regardless of the person's condition, it is not uncommon for this extraction action to cause the person to lose their balance slightly as soon as the plug becomes detached from the base, which can cause the person to fall.

The applicant has already proposed in patent EP3707783 an electrical socket equipped with an extraction mechanism that facilitates the extraction of the electrical plug from the socket base. This extraction system comprises a movable plate in the well of the base between a low position and a high position, springs extending between the bottom of the base and the movable plate, and means for locking the plate in the low position. The system is configured so that a first pushing force on the plate when the plug is connected moves the plate to the low position and actuates the locking means, and a second pushing force, once the plate is in the low position, unlocks the locking means and allows the springs to spontaneously move the plate to the high position, which separates the plug from the socket base.

One of the advantages of this solution is that the extraction of the socket results from a pushing force on the plug and not from a pulling force so that the aforementioned imbalance is avoided. However, in practice it turns out that a force of around 60N is necessary to be able to operate the mechanism, which may be excessive for some elderly people with limited strength.

The inventors therefore sought to propose an alternative solution to facilitate the extraction of a plug from an electrical outlet, while limiting the effort required to extract the plug.

Objectives of the invention

The invention aims to provide an electrical outlet equipped with an extraction mechanism which overcomes at least some of the drawbacks of known systems.

The invention aims in particular to provide, in at least one embodiment, a socket which allows extraction of the socket without requiring a pulling force on the plug.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a grip that can be used by any person, including the elderly or people with limited strength.

The invention also aims to provide, in at least one embodiment, a socket whose extraction system is easy to handle, whatever the position of the person in relation to the socket.

To do this, the invention relates to an electrical outlet comprising:

- at least one well formed in a main body of said socket, each well extending mainly along a first axis between an opening and a bottom of said well and being adapted to be able to receive an electrical plug,

- at least one plate adapted to be able to be moved inside said well along said first axis between at least one low position and at least one high position, said plate being closer to said bottom of the well in the low position than in the high position,

- a system for extracting said electrical plug comprising an extraction button adapted to be able to be moved along a second axis within a housing receiving said extraction button,

characterized in that said socket extraction system further comprises at least one lever movable in rotation about an axis orthogonal to said first axis, said lever having a first arm and a second arm parallel to each other, each arm extending between a first end and a second end, a support bar connecting the first end of said first arm and the first end of said second arm so as to be able to cooperate with said extraction button, the second end of said first arm and the second end of said second arm being configured to be able to cooperate with said plate. An electrical socket according to the invention makes it possible to eject an electrical plug plugged into the socket by exerting a very low pushing force on an extraction button.

Such a system for extracting an electrical plug actuated by a lever comprising two arms connected together by a support bar cooperating one with the extraction button, and the ends of said arms with the plate when the lever is tilted when a force is exerted on the extraction button or on the plate via the insertion of an electrical plug, makes it possible to limit the effort required to allow the extraction of the plug. Thus, any person, including any person with limited strength, can use an electrical outlet according to the invention without risking being unbalanced and without having to exert excessive effort.

Advantageously and according to the invention, each lever has at least one support point arranged between the first end and the second end of each arm of said lever. It is therefore a so-called first-class lever, each support point being arranged between the two forces involved, here a force exerted by the electrical plug on the plate and a force exerted on the extraction button.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said well and said extraction system are configured such that said second axis is substantially parallel to said first axis.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said extraction button is movable in translation along said second axis within said receiving housing. In particular, said extraction button has a generally cylindrical shape whose external dimensions are substantially identical to or slightly smaller than the internal dimensions of said receiving housing so as to allow said extraction button to slide inside its receiving housing. Each extraction button has, for example, a generally cylindrical shape, in particular a right circular cylindrical shape, as does its receiving housing. Each extraction button may also have any other polyhedral shape, in particular a cylinder with a polygonal base.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said plate extends mainly along a plane substantially orthogonal to said first axis of said well.

Advantageously and according to the invention, said plate and said extraction button are configured to be able to be moved between at least one position for connecting an electrical plug in which said plate is in the low position, and at least one disconnection position in which said plate is in the high position, said extraction button being further recessed inside its receiving housing in said position for disconnecting an electrical plug than in the connection position. Advantageously and according to the invention, the extraction button is therefore at least partly projecting relative to the opening of said receiving housing thereof at least in said connection position.

Throughout the text, the term connection position refers to any position in which the elements of said electrical outlet are arranged when an electrical plug is positioned at least partly in said well (electrical plug “plugged in”) or corresponding to the position of these elements when an electrical plug is plugged in, and the term disconnection position refers to any position in which the elements of said electrical outlet are arranged when said well is free and an electrical plug can be inserted therein.

Advantageously and according to the invention, in the connection position, said extraction button projects relative to said receiving housing thereof. This allows better accessibility of the extraction button by a user of the socket in order to extract an electrical plug.

In the disconnection position, said extraction button has an actuating face substantially aligned with the opening of the housing for receiving the extraction button. Advantageously and according to the invention, in the disconnection position, said extraction button projects less from said housing for receiving the latter than in said connection position. Advantageously and according to the invention, in at least one disconnection position, said extraction button abuts the bottom of said housing for receiving the latter (at least partly “retracted” position of the extraction button). In particular, it is provided that in the disconnection position, the actuating face of said extraction button is flush with the opening of said housing for receiving the latter.

Advantageously and according to the invention, an electrical socket according to the invention further comprises a spring at least partly surrounding said extraction button, said spring being more compressed in the connection position than in the disconnection position. In particular, said spring is configured to allow a return of said extraction button to the disconnection position of the electrical socket when no electrical plug is present in the well.

Thus, the two end portions of the lever each being connected in movement to said extraction button and to said plate, the movements of said button and said plate are coordinated via said lever. Thus, the position in which the extraction button projects the most relative to the main body of the socket corresponds to a position of the plate in which the latter is in the lowest position furthest back inside said well. And, conversely, the position in which the extraction button projects the least relative to the main body of the socket and/or closest to the bottom of the housing for receiving said button corresponds to a position of the plate in which the latter is in the highest position closest to the opening of said well (and furthest from the bottom of said well).

Advantageously and according to the invention, each lever is configured so that said first support bar and said second support bar each extend in directions substantially parallel to each other.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the first arm and the second arm of each lever each have a general shape extending longitudinally in a rectilinear manner. Advantageously and according to the invention, each lever has a longitudinal section in the general shape of a U.

Advantageously and according to the invention, each lever is fixed to at least one support integral with a rear plate of said main body.

Advantageously and according to the invention, the first arm of each lever is fixed to a first support secured to said rear plate and the second arm of each lever is fixed to a second support secured to said rear plate.

Advantageously and according to the invention, each lever is formed from at least one material chosen from the group formed by metals and metal alloys. The same is true for each element of said extraction system. This makes it possible to propose an extraction system having excellent mechanical strength and thus excellent reliability. However, nothing prevents the lever and each element of said extraction system from being formed from a polymer material (or a polymer matrix composite material).

Advantageously and according to the invention, said electrical socket comprises at least one device for locking said plate in the low position.

The invention also relates to an electrical outlet characterized in combination by all or part of the features mentioned above or below.

List of figures

Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description given solely as a non-limiting example and which refers to the appended figures in which:

is a schematic front view of an electrical outlet according to the invention.

is a schematic exploded perspective view of an electrical outlet according to the invention.

is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a part of an electrical socket according to the invention in the connection position.

is a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrical outlet according to the invention.

is a schematic view in longitudinal section of a part of an electrical socket according to the invention in the disconnected position.

Detailed description of an embodiment of the invention

In the figures, scales and proportions are not strictly respected, for the purposes of illustration and clarity.

Furthermore, identical, similar or analogous elements are designated by the same references throughout the figures.

In the embodiment of an electrical outlet shown in Figures 1 to 5, the electrical outlet is a double outlet comprising two wells and two extraction buttons. Of course, nothing prevents the production of a single outlet comprising a single well and a single extraction button or even more than two. Figures 3 and 5 illustrate an upper portion of an electrical outlet seen in longitudinal section (without a connected electrical plug) on which only a well and an extraction button are visible. Such an electrical outlet may, for example, be intended to be installed as a wall outlet (recessed or projecting relative to a wall), or may be part of a multi-socket type electrical outlet base.

The electrical outlet comprises a main body comprising a front 100 and a rear plate 200. As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, at least one well 101 is provided in the front 100 so as to be able to receive an electrical plug and extending mainly along a first axis X between an opening and a bottom. A plate 310 is arranged inside each well. Each plate 310 is adapted to be able to be moved inside the well 101 along the first axis X between at least one low position and at least one high position, the plate being closer to the bottom of the well in the low position than in the high position.

The electrical outlet also comprises at least one system for extracting an electrical plug to facilitate the disconnection and extraction of an electrical plug arranged at least partly inside the well 101 comprising the plate 310. The outlet extraction system comprises an extraction button 500 adapted to be able to be moved along a second axis X1 within a receiving housing 103 of the extraction button. The outlet extraction system also comprises at least one lever 400 movable in rotation about an axis orthogonal to the first axis X and orthogonal to the second axis X1. Each lever 400 has a first arm 450 and a second arm 460, parallel to each other, each arm extending between a first end 452, 462 and a second end 454, 464. A support bar 470 connects the first end 452 of the first arm and the first end 462 of the second arm. The support bar 470 is configured to cooperate with the extraction button 500 and the second ends 454, 464 of the arms 450, 460 are configured to cooperate with the plate 310 to actuate the extraction system.

The well and the extraction system are configured such that said second axis X1 is substantially parallel to the first axis X.

The plate and the extraction button can be moved between at least one connection position in which the plate 310 is in the low position and at least one disconnection position in which the plate 310 is in the high position. In the connection position, the extraction button 500 projects relative to the receiving housing thereof and to the main body.

There illustrates the electrical outlet, in the connection position, i.e. a position which may correspond to that in which an electrical plug is plugged in (or connected), before its extraction. illustrates an electrical outlet in the disconnected position, which is a position that may precede the connection of an electrical plug.

Each lever 400 is driven in movement by the extraction button 500 and the plate 310 so that the insertion of an electrical plug against the plate 310 towards the bottom of the well 103 causes, via the lever 400, the movement of the extraction button 500 in the opposite direction, towards the outside of its receiving housing 103, while pressure exerted on the extraction button 500 towards the bottom of its receiving housing 103 causes, via the lever 400, the movement of the plate 310 in the opposite direction, towards the outside of the well 103, thus ejecting an electrical plug which would be placed there.

The 310 plate includes two 313 legs.

Each of the second ends 454, 464 of the arms 450, 460 may have a curved portion 402 adapted to come into contact with each end of the legs 313 and thus facilitate the ejection of an electrical plug.

The first arm 450 of each lever 400 is fixed to a first support 203 secured to the rear plate 200 and the second arm 460 of each lever 400 is fixed to a second support secured to the rear plate 200. The axis 410 allows rotation of each arm 450, 460 of the lever relative to the point of attachment of each arm to the supports 203. Holes 204 and 401 are respectively provided in the supports 203 and the arms 450, 460 of the lever to allow the axis 410 to be inserted therein.

Each lever 400 has a general U shape.

A very small amount of force is enough to cause an electrical plug to be pulled out.

In the embodiment shown, at the end of the extraction of the electrical plug, the extraction button 500 comes into abutment against tabs 201 extending from the rear plate 200 to the bottom of the receiving housing 103 of the extraction button 500. This allows the user to perceive that the pressure exerted is sufficient and that the electrical plug has been correctly extracted ( ).

The electrical outlet further comprises a spring 600 at least partially surrounding the extraction button 500. The spring is more compressed in the connection position than in the disconnection position so as to allow the extraction button to return to the disconnection position of the electrical outlet when no electrical plug is present in the well. In the embodiment shown, the edge of the extraction button oriented towards the rear plate 200 has a shoulder 503 on which the spring 600 rests.

As can be seen in the figures, the extraction button has transverse dimensions similar to the transverse dimensions of a well and/or an electrical plug. The extraction button therefore has a relatively large support surface 501 for the user so as to facilitate its actuation. Such an extraction button thus provides more pleasant support for a user of the electrical outlet because it can be actuated using one or more fingers of a hand, the palm of a hand, a foot or even an elbow. Such a button is therefore easily accessible and has improved ergonomics, particularly for people with limited strength, including the elderly.

In the embodiment shown, the plate 310 is also guided in translation by means of two grooves 102 diametrically opposed to each other formed inside the well 101, as well as by means of at least one groove 205 adapted to receive a shaft 312 of the plate 310. The groove 205 can be secured to an element 480 secured to the rear plate 200.

The electrical outlet shown is further provided with a locking device for the plate 310 to prevent the untimely extraction of an electrical plug under the effect of an impact or unexpected vibrations. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, this locking device comprises a shoulder 111 forming a lock cooperating with the ends of the tabs 311, 313 of the plate 310.

A support plate 110 can be fixed to the main body 100 and is interposed between each plate 310 and the rear plate 200.

As can be seen on the , the plate 310 is also associated with a shutter 320 and a plate 300 in the thickness of which are provided holes allowing the pins of an electrical plug to pass through. The longitudinal ends of the shutter 320 make it possible to close the holes in the absence of an electrical plug. The shutter 320 is fixed to the plate 310 by a pivot connection while being mounted on a central rod.

Claims (11)

Electrical outlet including:
- at least one well (101) formed in a main body of said socket, each well extending mainly along a first axis (X) between an opening and a bottom of said well and being adapted to be able to receive an electrical plug,
- at least one plate (310) adapted to be able to be moved inside said well along said first axis (X) between at least one low position and at least one high position, said plate being closer to said bottom of the well in the low position than in the high position,
- a system for extracting said electrical plug comprising an extraction button (500) adapted to be able to be moved along a second axis (X1) within a receiving housing (103) for said extraction button,
characterized in that said socket extraction system further comprises at least one lever (400) rotatable about an axis (Y) orthogonal to said first axis (X), said lever (400) having a first arm (450) and a second arm (460) parallel to each other, each arm extending between a first end (452, 462) and a second end (454, 464), a support bar (470) connecting the first end (452) of said first arm and the first end (462) of said second arm so as to be able to cooperate with said extraction button (500), the second end (454) of said first arm and the second end (464) of said second arm being configured to be able to cooperate with said plate (310). Electrical outlet according to claim 1, characterized in that said well and said extraction system are configured such that said second axis (X1) is substantially parallel to said first axis (X). Electrical socket according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that said plate (310) and said extraction button (500) are configured to be able to be moved between at least one position for connecting an electrical plug in which said plate is in the low position, and at least one disconnection position in which said plate is in the high position, said extraction button being further recessed inside its receiving housing in said position for disconnecting an electrical plug than in the connection position. Electrical socket according to claim 3, characterized in that, in the connection position, said extraction button (500) projects relative to said housing for receiving the latter. Electrical socket according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that it further comprises a spring (600) at least partly surrounding said extraction button (500), said spring being more compressed in the connection position than in the disconnection position. Electrical socket according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each lever (400) is configured so that said support bar (470) extends in a direction substantially orthogonal to said first arm (450) and to said second arm (460). Electrical socket according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each lever (400) has a longitudinal section in the general shape of a U. Electrical socket according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that each lever (400) is fixed to at least one support integral with a rear plate (200) of said main body. Electrical socket according to claim 8, characterized in that the first arm (450) of each lever (400) is fixed to a first support (203) integral with said rear plate (200) and the second arm (460) of each lever (400) is fixed to a second support integral with said rear plate (200). Electrical socket according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that each lever (400) is formed from at least one material chosen from the group formed by metals and metal alloys. Electrical socket according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises at least one device for locking said plate (310) in the low position.