Power supply connection structure device

• US 9,054,464 B1
• Filed: 07/16/2014
• Issued: 06/09/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 02/16/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shenzhen Zhongke Electrical Technology Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Shenzhen Zhongke Electrical Technology Company Limited
• Inventors: Lin, Shifeng
• Primary Examiner(s): Riyami, Abdullah
• Assistant Examiner(s): Imas, Vladimir
• Application Number:
  US14/333,487
• Time in Patent Office: 328 Days
• Field of Search: 439/188, 439/189
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/06 Dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof or flameproof casings
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/52 the contact returning to its original state immediately upon removal of operating force, e.g. bell-push switch
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2013/525 using a return spring acting perpendicular to the actuating direction
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/521 Sealing between contact members and housing, e.g. sealing insert
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/703 operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling partH01R13/71 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7031 Shorting, shunting or bussing of different terminals interrupted or effected on engagement of coupling part, e.g. for ESD protection, line continuity
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7036 the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/005 for making dustproof, splashproof, drip-proof, waterproof, or flameproof connection, coupling, or casing
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 43/26 for engaging or disengaging the two parts of a coupling device structural association with two-part coupling device H01R13/629
• CPC Class Codes: H02H 7/1252 responsive to overvoltage in input or output, e.g. by load dump

Abstract

A power supply connection structure device for electrically connecting an electrical appliance to a power source includes a live wire connection unit, a neutral wire connection unit and a control unit. The control unit is switched between an activation state and an idle state. When the control unit is in the idle state, the live wire and neutral wire connection units are not electrically connected to the power supply. When the control unit is in the activation state, the control unit electrically connects the live wire and neutral wire connection units to the power supply. Therefore, by means of the control unit, the power supply connection structure device is safe to use and waterproof and prevents individual from electric shock.

Claims

1. An electric connection device for electrically connecting an electrical appliance to a power source, comprising:

a live wire connecting unit having a live wire plughole and including a live wire connection terminal electrically connected to said live wire plughole;

a neutral wire connecting unit having a neutral wire plughole and including a neutral wire connection terminal electrically connected to said neutral wire plughole;

a ground wire connecting unit having a ground wire plughole and including a ground wire connection terminal electrically connected to said ground wire plughole;

an electric circuit arrangement comprising a live wire access terminal and a neutral wire access terminal; and

a control unit adapted to be shifted between an idle state and an activation state, whereby in said idle state, said live wire connecting unit and neutral wire connecting units are not connected to the power source and, in said activation state, said control unit electrically connect said live wire connecting unit and said neutral wire connecting unit to the power source, so as to electrically connect an electric circuit between said electric connection device, the power source and the electrical appliance, wherein said control unit comprises;

a push member extending into said ground wire plughole;

two micro-switches arranged in such a manner that when said live wire plughole, said neutral wire plughole and said ground wire plughole respectively receive three plug pins of the electrical appliance until the three plug pins are respectively electrically connected to said live wire connection terminal, said neutral wire connection terminal and said ground wire connection terminal, said control unit is in said activation state that said push member is arranged to be pushed by one of the three plug pins which is received in said ground wire plughole to switch on said two micro-switches to electrically connect said live wire connection terminal with said live wire access terminal, and to electrically connect said neutral wire connection terminal with said neutral wire access terminal respectively, so as to electrically connect said electric circuit between said electric connection device, the electrical appliance and the power source, wherein when said control unit is in said idle state, even though said live wire plughole and said neutral plughole respectively receive the plug pins and the plug pins are electrically connected to said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal respectively, said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal are not electrically connected to said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal of said electrical circuit arrangement; and

a reposition arrangement adapted to switch off said two micro-switches of said control unit when the plug pin of the electrical appliance is removed from said ground wire plughole, wherein said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal are electrically disconnected with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal respectively.

2. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit further comprises two actuation members, wherein said two actuation members are parallelly and spacedly coupled to said push member, wherein said two micro-switches are respectively coupled to said two actuation members in such a manner that when said two actuation members are driven by said push member to move, said two micro-switches are respectively driven by said two actuation members to switch on, wherein said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal are electrically connected with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal respectively.

3. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 2, wherein said reposition arrangement comprises two springs each coupling to one of said activation members, in such as a manner that when the plug pin received in said ground wire plughole, said push member presses said two actuation members and said two springs are compressed to switch on said two micro-switches so as to electrically connect said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal respectively, and that when the plug pin received in said ground wire plughole is removed from said ground wire plughole, said push member is released and said two springs restore to original positions thereof respectively, wherein said two actuation members are driven to return to original positions thereof respectively, and then said two micro-switches are switched off, wherein said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal are electrically disconnected with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal respectively.

4. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 3, wherein each of said activation member comprises an actuation arm and a drive arm which is extended from said actuation arm, wherein said actuation arm is driven by said push member and said reposition arrangement to reciprocate, wherein each of said micro-switches comprises a resilient element and an electric connection element which is an electric conductive element, wherein one of said micro-switches operates as a switch for electrically connecting said live wire connection terminal with said live wire access terminal, and said other micro-switch operates as a switch for electrically connecting said neutral wire connection terminal with said neutral wire access terminal, wherein when said push member is pressed, said actuation arm is pressed by said push member to drive said drive arm to bias against said resilient element, wherein said resilient element forces said electric connection element to move so as to allow said electric connection elements to electrically connect said live wire connection terminal and neutral wire connection terminal with said live wire access terminal and neutral wire access terminal respectively.

5. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 1, wherein said control unit further comprises a retention pivot and a retention element pivotally and rotatably coupled to said retention pivot in such a manner that an opening is formed between said retention element and said push member, wherein said retention element is detachably mounted to push member in such a manner that when one of plug pins is inserted into said opening, said push member is detached from said retention element so as to drive said activation members to switch on said micro-switches.

6. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 4, wherein said control unit further comprises a retention pivot and a retention element pivotally and rotatably coupled to said retention pivot in such a manner that an opening is formed between said retention element and said push member, wherein said retention element is detachably mounted to push member in such a manner that when one of plug pins is inserted into said opening, said push member is detached from said retention element so as to drive said activation members to switch on said micro-switches.

7. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 5, wherein a width of said opening is substantially the same as the width of the plug pin of the electrical appliance.

8. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 6, wherein a width of said opening is substantially the same as the width of the plug pin of the electrical appliance.

9. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 5, wherein said retention element comprises a retainer arm and an actuator arm extended from said retainer arm, wherein said actuator arm is detachably coupled with said push member.

10. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 6, wherein said retention element comprises a retainer arm and an actuator arm extended from said retainer arm, wherein said actuator arm is detachably coupled with said push member.

11. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 9, wherein said actuator arm has a groove and said push member is provided with a hook which is adapted for detachably engaging with said groove in such manner that said actuator arm is detachably coupled with said push member.

12. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 10, wherein said actuator arm has a groove and said push member is provided with a hook which is adapted for detachably engaging with said groove in such manner that said actuator arm is detachably coupled with said push member.

13. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a housing which includes a partition arrangement, wherein said live wire plug hole, said neutral wire plughole and said ground wire plughole are disposed at a first side of said partition arrangement, wherein said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal are disposed at an opposing second side of said partition arrangement, so as to prevent water from having contact with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal.

14. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 4, further comprising a housing which includes a partition arrangement, wherein said live wire plug hole, said neutral wire plughole and said ground wire plughole are disposed at a first side of said partition arrangement, wherein said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal are disposed at an opposing second side of said partition arrangement, so as to prevent water from having contact with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal.

15. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 12, further comprising a housing which includes a partition arrangement, wherein said live wire plug hole, said neutral wire plughole and said ground wire plughole are disposed at a first side of said partition arrangement, wherein said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal are disposed at an opposing second side of said partition arrangement, so as to prevent water from having contact with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal.

16. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 13, wherein said two micro-switches are provided at said opposing second side of said partition arrangement.

17. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 14, wherein said two micro-switches are provided at said opposing second side of said partition arrangement.

18. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 15, wherein said two micro-switches are provided at said opposing second side of said partition arrangement.

19. The electric connection device, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said micro-switches is a metal resilient plate, wherein said micro-switches are coupled to said push member in such a manner that when said push member is pushed to switch on said micro-switch, said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal are electrically connected with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal respectively.

20. A method for electrically connecting an electrical appliance to a power source via an electric connection device, comprises the following steps:

(a) providing a housing having a live wire plughole, a neutral wire plughole and a ground wire plughole thereon and defining a receiving cavity therein;

(b) coupling a live wire connecting terminal, a neutral wire connecting terminal and a ground wire connecting terminal with said live wire plughole, said neutral wire plughole and said ground wire plughole respectively, and disposing an electric circuit arrangement in said receiving cavity, wherein said electric circuit arrangement comprises a live wire access terminal and a neutral wire access terminal;

(c) configuring a control unit comprising two micro-switches, wherein when said two micro-switches are switched on, one of said two micro-switches electrically connects said live wire connection terminal with said live neutral wire access terminal, and that said other micro-switch electrical connects said neutral wire access terminal with said neutral wire access terminal, so that an electric circuit between said electric connection device, said power source, and said electrical appliance is electrically connected;

(d) receiving three plug pins of said electrical appliance in said live wire plughole, said neutral wire plughole and said ground wire plughole respectively for electrically connecting said three plug pins to said live wire connecting terminal, said neutral wire connecting terminal and said ground wire connecting terminal respectively;

(e) switching on said two micro-switches when said plug pin received in said ground wire plughole pushes a push member of said control unit, so as to electrically connect said live wire connection terminal with said live wire access terminal and to electrically connect said neutral wire connection terminal with said neutral wire access terminal respectively, so that said electric circuit between said electric connection device, said power source, and said electrical appliance is connected; and

(f) switching off said two micro-switches when said plug pin received in said ground wire plughole is removed from said ground wire plughole, said live wire connection terminal and said neutral wire connection terminal are electrically disconnected with said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal respectively, wherein when only one or both of said live wire plughole and said neutral wire plughole are inserted with electric conductive objects while said push member is not being pushed, said objects are not electrically connected to said live wire access terminal and said neutral wire access terminal, so that said electric circuit between said electric connection device, said power source, and said electrical appliance is not connected.