Outlet and connector

• US 8,210,866 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2008
• Issued: 07/03/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Panasonic Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Okamura, Yukihiko, Inage, Toshiaki
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, KHIEM M
• Application Number:
  US12/810,337
• Publication Number:
  US 20100279532A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,285 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/489, 439/490
• US Class Current: 439/490
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 19/14 Indicating direction of current; Indicating polarity of voltage
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6691 with built-in signalling means H01R13/717 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7037 making use of a magnetically operated switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/76 with sockets, clips or analogous contacts and secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. to a wall

Abstract

An outlet (1) includes a plurality of blade receiving members (13) adapted in use to be connected respectively to a plurality of DC supply lines (Wdc1 and Wdc2), and to be connected respectively to a plurality of blades (21) of an outlet plug (2). The outlet (1) is configured to supply DC power from the plurality of the DC supply lines (Wdc1 and Wdc2) to the outlet plug (2) via the plurality of the blade receiving members (13). The outlet (1) includes a wiring detecting means (3). The wiring detecting means (3) is configured to determine proper wiring when the plurality of the DC supply lines is connected respectively to the plurality of the blade receiving members at proper polarity, and to determine improper wiring when the plurality of the DC supply lines is connected respectively to the plurality of the blade receiving members at improper polarity.

Claims

1. An outlet comprising:

a plurality of blade receiving members adapted in use to be connected respectively to a plurality of DC supply lines, and to be connected respectively to a plurality of blades of an outlet plug; and

a wiring detecting means,

wherein said outlet is configured to supply DC power from the plurality of said DC supply lines to said outlet plug via the plurality of said blade receiving members, and

wherein said wiring detecting means being configured to determine proper wiring when the plurality of said DC supply lines is connected respectively to the plurality of said blade receiving members at proper polarity, and to determine improper wiring when the plurality of said DC supply lines is connected respectively to the plurality of said blade receiving members at improper polarity.

2. An outlet as set forth in claim 1 , wherein

said outlet comprises an alarm configured to, when said wiring detecting means detects the improper wiring, make notification of the improper wiring.

3. An outlet as set forth in claim 1, further comprising:

a power supply control unit configured to supply DC power to said outlet plug when said wiring detecting means does not detect the improper wiring.

4. An outlet as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a power supply control unit configured to supply DC power to said outlet plug when said wiring detecting means does not detect the improper wiring.

5. An outlet as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said outlet further comprises a plurality of power terminals,

said plurality of said blade receiving members including a first blade receiving member configured to receive the blade connected to a high potential side, and a second blade receiving member configured to receive the blade connected to a low potential side,

said plurality of said power terminals including a first power terminal connected to said first blade receiving. member, and a second power terminal connected to said second blade receiving member,

said wiring detecting means being configured to act as said alarm, and

said wiring detecting means including a light emitting diode having its anode terminal electrically connected to said second power terminal and its cathode terminal electrically connected to said first power terminal.

6. An outlet as set forth in claim 2, wherein

said outlet further comprises a plurality of power terminals,

said plurality of said blade receiving members including a first blade receiving member configured to receive the blade connected to a high potential side, and a second blade receiving member configured to receive the blade connected to a low potential side,

said plurality of said power terminals including a first power terminal connected to said first blade receiving member, and a second power terminal connected to said second blade receiving member,

said wiring detecting means including a diode having its anode terminal electrically connected to said second power terminal and its cathode terminal electrically connected to said first power terminal,

said alarm including a buzzer interposed between said anode terminal of said diode and said second power terminal, and

said buzzer being configured to generate predetermined sound when energized.