IP Library › Granted Patent US 9,634,438
Granted Patent B2
US 9,634,438 · App. 14/889,862 · Granted Apr 25, 2017

Electrical apparatus comprising a temperature sensor housed in a support element

Inventors: Jean-Luc Chaumeny (Solignac, FR); Vincent Valadas (Ambazac, FR); Romain Normand (Limoges, FR)
Assignees: LEGRAND FRANCE; LEGRAND SNC
H01R13/6683G01K1/14G01K1/16G01K7/22G01K13/00H01C7/008H01R24/28G01K2205/00H01R24/30H01R2103/00H01R2105/00
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,634,438
App. No.
14/889,862
Granted
Apr 25, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

The electrical accessory ( 100 ) includes an electrically insulating body ( 110 ) housing at least two electrical connection elements ( 121, 122, 123 ), and a temperature sensor ( 200 ). The temperature sensor is received in a thermally conductive and electrically insulating support element ( 150 ) that is distinct from the body, and that is fitted inside the body in such a manner as to extend between the electrical connection elements, being set back from the outside faces of the body.

Claims (18)

1. An electrical accessory ( 100 ; 100 ′) including an electrically insulating body ( 110 ; 110 ′) housing at least two electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ; 121 ′, 122 ′, 123 ′), and a temperature sensor ( 200 ), the electrical accessory being characterized in that the temperature sensor ( 200 ) is received in a thermally conductive and electrically insulating support element ( 150 ; 250 ; 350 ) that is distinct from said body ( 110 ; 110 ′), and that is fitted inside the body ( 110 ; 110 ′) in such a manner as to extend between said electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ; 121 ′, 122 ′, 123 ′), being set back from the outside faces ( 111 A; 111 ′A) of said body ( 110 ).

2. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said support element ( 150 ; 250 ) includes mounting means for mounting on at least one of said electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ).

3. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 2 , wherein each mounting means pinches the corresponding electrical connection element ( 121 , 122 , 123 ).

4. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 3 , wherein each mounting means includes a housing ( 152 ; 252 ) with two inside faces ( 153 , 154 ; 253 , 254 ) that face towards each other, of which a first inside face ( 153 ; 253 ) matches a corresponding face of the electrical connection element ( 121 ; 122 ; 123 ), and a second inside face ( 154 ; 254 ), that includes at least one curved portion ( 155 ; 255 ), is suitable for pushing the electrical connection element ( 121 , 122 , 123 ) against said first inside face ( 154 ; 254 ).

5. An electrical accessory according to claim 2 , wherein said mounting means are a means for mounting by clipping onto the corresponding electrical connection element.

6. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said support element ( 150 ; 250 ) comprises at least one first branch ( 150 ; 260 ) with two opposite ends, each provided with mounting means for mounting on a respective one of the electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ).

7. An electrical accessory according to claim 1 , wherein, in a central portion, said support element ( 150 ; 250 ) includes an orifice ( 156 ; 256 ) that is suitable for receiving said temperature sensor ( 200 ).

8. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein the body ( 110 ) houses three electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ), and wherein the support element ( 150 ; 250 ) housing the temperature sensor ( 200 ) is placed in contact with the three electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ).

9. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said support element ( 250 ) presents a section that is T-shaped, with a first branch ( 260 ) that is provided with two opposite ends, including mounting means for mounting on two first electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 ), and a second branch ( 270 ) that extends between said first branch ( 260 ) and the third electrical connection element ( 123 ).

10. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said support element ( 150 , 250 ) includes mounting means for mounting on the electrical connection element ( 121 ) connected to the line, and on the electrical connection element ( 122 ) connected to the neutral.

11. An electrical accessory ( 100 ; 100 ′) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical sensor is a thermistor ( 200 ).

12. An electrical accessory ( 100 ; 100 ′) according to claim 1 , wherein said support element ( 150 ; 250 ; 350 ) is made of a polymer material containing ceramic particles.

13. An electrical accessory ( 100 ; 100 ′) according to claim 1 , wherein the material used to make the support element ( 150 ; 250 ; 350 ) presents thermal conductivity that is greater than or equal to 10 W/m 2 ·K.

14. An electrical accessory ( 100 ) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical accessory is an electric plug ( 100 ) including two electrical connection pins ( 131 , 132 ) projecting from a front outside face ( 111 A) of the body ( 110 ), each being electrically connected inside the body ( 110 ) to a respective one of said electrical connection elements ( 121 , 122 , 123 ).

15. An electrical accessory ( 100 ′) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical accessory is an electric plug ( 100 ′) including two electrical connection pins ( 131 ′, 132 ′) projecting from a front outside face ( 111 ′A) of the body ( 110 ′), each being extended inside the body by a stem that forms one of said electrical connection elements ( 121 ′, 122 ′) for receiving a conductive portion ( 115 ′A, 115 ′B) of an electrical conductor ( 114 ′A, 114 ′B), and wherein said support element ( 350 ) has said pins ( 131 ′, 132 ′) passing therethrough, such that it constitutes a pin support.

16. An electrical accessory ( 100 ′) according to claim 15 , wherein said support element ( 350 ) is generally in the form of a plate that is perforated with two orifices through which said pins ( 131 ′, 132 ′) are force fitted, the plate presenting a front face ( 350 A) that is adjacent to the rear inside face ( 111 ′B) of the front wall ( 111 ′) of the body ( 110 ′), and an opposite rear face ( 350 B) from which said stems ( 121 ′, 122 ′) of the pins ( 131 ′, 132 ′) emerge.

17. An electrical accessory ( 100 ′) according to claim 16 , wherein the rear face ( 350 B) of the support element ( 350 ) includes at least one projecting rib ( 351 , 352 , 353 ) that defines at least one reception housing for receiving a temperature sensor ( 200 ).

18. An electrical accessory ( 100 ′) according to claim 1 , wherein the support element ( 350 ) includes snap-fastener means for snap-fastening a support card of a printed circuit ( 400 ) to which each temperature sensor ( 200 ) is electrically connected.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 9, 2015
From: CHAUMENY, JEAN-LUC; VALADAS, VINCENT; NORMAND, ROMAIN
To: LEGRAND FRANCE; LEGRAND SNC
Reel/Frame 036985/0504 →
Priority Claims (1)
FR 13 54587 · May 22, 2013 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160104978A1 · Apr 14, 2016