CN104937783A

CN104937783A - Active cover plates

Info

Publication number: CN104937783A
Application number: CN201380057437.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: J.史密斯; S.沃特金斯; P.迪茨; J.芬林森
Original assignee: SnapRays LLC
Current assignee: SnapRays LLC
Priority date: 2012-10-30
Filing date: 2013-10-30
Publication date: 2015-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2033-10-30
Also published as: CA2890156C; MX340419B; MX2015004873A; CA2890156A1; CN104937783B; WO2014070863A1

Abstract

In one example, an active cover plate includes a faceplate, a load and a spring clip adjustable in at least one of a horizontal direction and a vertical direction with respect to the faceplate to electrically interface with a receptacle body and extract electrical power from the receptacle body to energize the load. A method for installing an active cover plate on an electrical receptacle is also provided.

Description

Active cover plate

related application

According to United States code the 35th section of the 119th article of (e) money, the application requires that the title submitted on October 29th, 2013 is the U. S. application No.14/066 of " active cover plate (Active Cover Plates) ", the rights and interests of 621, described U. S. application requires the priority of following application according to United States code the 35th section of the 119th article of (e) money: the U.S. Provisional Application No.61/720 that on October 30th, 2012 submits to, 131; The U.S. Provisional Application 61/778,386 that on March 12nd, 2013 submits to; And the U.S. Provisional Application 61/836,972 that on June 19th, 2013 submits to, above-mentioned application by reference entirety is incorporated to herein.

Background technology

Modern architecture comprise wiring with by electric power delivery to lamp, socket and other equipment.Electric wiring terminates in the electrical box in wall, ceiling, floor or is connected to another structural detail.Wiring in electrical box is connected.Such as, electric wiring or can use the screw terminal on socket main body sidepiece to be connected to socket main body by plug-in connector.After mounting, cover plate is placed on the opening of coating electrical box above socket main body, allows the socket outlet of touching on the face of socket main body simultaneously.Similar connection is carried out when installing and being also coated with the switch of cover plate.

Accompanying drawing explanation

Accompanying drawing shows the various example of principle as herein described and is the part of specification.Shown example is only example and does not limit the scope of claim.

Figure 1A to Fig. 1 C is according to the socket of an example of principle as herein described and the view being assemblied in the active cover plate on socket main body.

Fig. 2 A to Fig. 2 D is the end view of the different socket main body of an example according to principle as herein described, for illustrating the changeability that screw terminal is placed on socket main body sidepiece.

Fig. 3 A to Fig. 3 G illustrates the example with the active cover plate of spring clip of an example according to principle as herein described, and described spring clip has the chamfered portion of insulation.

Fig. 4 A to Fig. 4 D is the diagram with the active cover plate of adjustable spring folder of an example according to principle as herein described.

Fig. 5 A to Fig. 5 D illustrates the various structures for adjusting the upright position of pin on active cover plate of an example according to principle as herein described.

Fig. 6 A to Fig. 6 C is the diagram comprising the active cover plate of pivotable pin of an example according to principle as herein described.

Fig. 7 A to Fig. 7 D is the diagram with the pin of multiple contact and a slip insulator of an example according to principle as herein described.

Fig. 8 is the diagram with the spring clip of sliding contact of an example according to principle as herein described.

Fig. 9 A to Fig. 9 C description is according to the geometry of an example of principle as herein described and technology, and described geometry and technology produce electric arc for avoiding between the adjacent screw terminal of socket sidepiece.

Figure 10 A to Figure 10 C is the illustrative examples that can form the intermediate equipment of the interface between socket and active cover plate of an example according to principle as herein described.

Figure 11 is the diagram that multiple pin possible position is on the cover board shown of an example according to principle as herein described.

Figure 12 A to Figure 12 D is the diagram with the active cover plate of hinge spring folder of an example according to principle as herein described.

Figure 13 is the flow chart of the method for connecting active cover plate above socket body of an example according to principle as herein described.

In all of the figs, the element that identical reference number instruction is similar but not necessarily identical.

Embodiment

Referring now to accompanying drawing, wherein similar structure will have similar reference title.In the following description, for illustrative purposes, many details have been set forth to provide the comprehensive understanding to present system and method.But, it is evident that, also can put into practice these system and methods when there is no these details.Should be understood that, accompanying drawing is the diagram of some embodiments of the present invention and schematically represents, instead of restriction the present invention, and accompanying drawing is also not necessarily drawn in proportion.Mention " example " or similar language in the description to mean to combine and be included at least this example but the not necessarily special characteristic described by example, structure or characteristic in other instances.

In addition, to illustrate in conjunction with an accompanying drawing and/or the feature that describes can with the Feature Combination illustrating in conjunction with other accompanying drawings and/or describe.As this specification and the appended claims, term " some " or similar language intention are broadly construed as and comprise 1 to infinitely-great any positive number; Zero is not several, but does not count.

Figure 1A, Figure 1B and Fig. 1 C illustrates the connection to socket main body of socket main body (100) and active cover plate (150).In this example, socket main body (100) is duplexing formula NEMA (NEMA) socket main body.Socket main body (100) comprises two socket outlet (115).Each socket outlet (115) comprises two electric power outlet (120) and a ground connection mouth (125).

Screw terminal refers to the exposed conducting metal on the socket of socket body.

The either side of socket main body (100) is screw terminal (105,110).By the peel tip of house wiring is wrapped in around screw, then tighten the screws with by wire clamp between the bottom and conductive plate of screw, building wiring can be connected to screw terminal.The first screw terminal can be there is in the first side of socket main body being connected to building zero line, and the second screw terminal can be there is on the same or opposite side of socket main body being connected to building live wire.Such as, left terminal (105) can be connected to building zero line, and right terminal (110) can be connected to building live wire.Screw terminal is carried out inside to the contact in socket main body (100) and is connected.When electric wire inserts socket outlet (115), the blade of electric wire enters electric power outlet (120) and is electrically connected with contact.This allows pass socket main body (100) from the electric current of building wiring and enter electric wire.Socket main body (100) also comprises two supports (135) so that socket main body (100) is connected to electrical box.

Figure 1B illustrates the end view of socket main body (100), and it illustrates screw terminal (110).In this example, screw terminal (110) comprises conduction backing plate (140,142) and screws in two screws (112,114) of backing plate (140,142).Backing plate (140,142) by disconnecting sheet (145) electrically and mechanically engage.Disconnecting sheet (145) can be removed with by the first screw (112) and backing plate (142) thereof and the second screw (114) and backing plate (140) electric isolution thereof.

Fig. 1 C illustrates the active cover plate (150) being arranged on socket main body (100) top.Two spring clips (160) that active cover plate (150) comprises panel (155) and extends back from panel.In this view, only have a spring clip to be visible, another spring clip is positioned at right opposite (see the perspective view of Fig. 3 A, it illustrates two spring clips).Each spring clip includes electric contact (165).When active cover plate (150) is placed on socket (100) top, two spring clips make electric contact (165) contact with the screw terminal (110) on socket main body (100) either side.Usually, electric contact (165) contacts with the spiral shell head of screw (112,114), this is because the spiral shell head of screw (112,114) is extended socket main body (100) farthest.Screw terminal (110) is connected to building wiring (170,175).This allows active cover plate (150) by spring clip (160) from socket main body (100) draw power.

Some advantages can be had from socket main body or other socket body draw power with the spring clip of powering to active cover plate, comprise reliability and simplification.But screw terminal can have various position at socket sidepiece.The position of screw terminal is different according to the type of socket main body and manufacturer.Although the size on the face of socket main body is consistent substantially, the change of the position of screw terminal on socket main body sidepiece may be applicable to being present on market and/or generation significantly challenge in the active cover plate of the great majority installed between floors or all sockets at structure.

Socket main body is only an example of the electric equipment that active cover plate can connect.Other examples comprise have connect for lamp, fire-alarm, CAT5 cable, the switch main body of the connection of earphone jack and electrical box, or above electrical box or among other devices.In general, the main body that the cover plate of any type is loaded onto all is called as " socket body ".

Fig. 2 A to Fig. 2 D illustrates four of socket main body (100,200,220,230) different examples, it illustrates the difference that screw terminal is placed on socket main body sidepiece.Fig. 2 A, Fig. 2 B and Fig. 2 C illustrate the end view of duplexing formula socket main body (100,200,220).Screw terminal illustrates a large amount of changeability between these three socket main bodies (100,200,220).The socket main body (100, Fig. 2 A) on the left side has the screw terminal (110) with two screws (112,114).Screw (112,114) is positioned at socket main body (100) half again slightly to more lower position.Compare with any other screw shown in Fig. 2 D with Fig. 2 B, Fig. 2 C, these screws (112,114) are close together.In fig. 2, in the lower right corner of socket main body (100), XYZ axle is shown.Screw any one direction in X, Y and Z-direction can have different positions.Change is in the Y direction called as vertical change and is in the plane in face (102) of socket main body.Change is in the X direction called as level or change in depth and is in the plane of sidepiece (104) of socket main body.Fig. 2 A to Fig. 2 D illustrates the vertical of the position of screw and change in depth.Change in z-direction (the turnover page across the face of socket main body) is called as change width.Change width can occur because of various reason.Such as, socket main body can have different width, or screw can be screwed out at the sidepiece of socket main body or screw in.The flexibility of spring clip can adapt to a large amount of changes of width usually.But change in the horizontal and vertical directions may adapt to challenging.

Socket main body (200) in Fig. 2 B has screw terminal (210), and this screw terminal is positioned at sidepiece half position more upwards.The spiral shell head of screw (212,214) is separated by farther than the screw terminal in socket main body (100) and the left side.Fig. 2 C illustrates the socket main body (220) with screw terminal (225), and screw terminal (225) is positioned at the upwards higher position of the sidepiece of socket main body (220).Screw (222,224) has the spacing identical with the socket main body in Fig. 2 B.Fig. 2 D is the end view of ground-fault interrupter (GFCI) socket main body (230).It is much far away that screw terminal (235,237) in this socket main body (230) is placed farther and apart from socket the rear, face that is separated by.Example shown in Fig. 2 A to Fig. 2 D is only example.Screw and screw terminal can be positioned at each position in various socket body.Such as, the screw terminal on switch main body can be in the position different from socket main body.

Therefore, can there is a large amount of changeability in the position of screw terminal in the socket main body used and/or sell.When screw terminal is not in relation to center line symmetry, the diverse location place that screw will be according to the orientation of socket main body relative to electrical box and cover plate.Such as, if socket main body is installed with being faced up, then screw terminal will be in the first vertical height, and if socket main body is installed upside down, then screw terminal will be in different vertical heights.In addition, if socket body is combined socket and switch main body, then the one in socket outlet can be connected to switch.When switch is in closed condition, there is not the electric power delivering to socket outlet.Therefore, need active cover plate to be adjustable, make it from the screw terminal draw power be associated with other socket outlet.

The active cover plate that structure reliably can be connected to socket main body widely may be significant challenge.Extra complexity is that the screw in screw terminal can be screwed out or screw in.The width that this pin that significantly may change active cover plate must be opened.As mentioned above, exist in active cover plate pin may desirable at least three kinds dissimilar adjustable: vertically adjustable (in the Y direction), it adapts to the socket main body of the differing heights be on socket main body; Level is adjustable (in the X direction), and it adapts to the screw terminal of the face different depth be in apart from socket main body; And width-adjustable (in z-direction), it adapts to have the socket main body of different width and adapts to the variable insertion depth of screw in screw terminal.

Fig. 3 A to Fig. 3 F illustrates an example of the active cover plate (300) with vertically adjustable and adjustable on width spring clip (310,312).Fig. 3 A is the rear perspective of the active cover plate (300) of " Deco draws (decora) " type socket main body.Active cover plate (300) comprises the panel (315) with hole (332), the socket outlet passing hole (332) in socket main body and can touching.Active cover plate (300) also comprises spring clip (310,312) and sandwich plate (330).Spring clip (310,312) comprises compliant conductive part (335), and one end of compliant conductive part is clipped between panel (315) and sandwich plate (330).In this example, rectangle rivet (340) and non-conductive section (305) are connected to the opposing terminal of compliant conductive part (335).Use some technology (comprising hot melt) or use the securing member being pressed in post (320) top, spring clip (310,312) and sandwich plate (330) can be fastened to panel (315).When the rivet (340) on spring clip (310,312) is placed on above socket main body, rivet (340) contact at the charged screw terminal of socket main body sidepiece with from building wiring/socket main body draw power.Although this active cover plate (300) is only shown as have two relative spring clips (310,312), active cover plate can have any amount of spring clip.

Fig. 3 B and Fig. 3 C is the rearview of the active cover plate (300) with the spring clip (310,312) being in different vertical position.In order to illustrative object, sandwich plate (330, Fig. 3 A) has been removed intraware is shown.The wire (344) being connected to spring clip (310,312) is deployed to load by wire support (346).Load can comprise any electric equipment needing electric power.Such as, load can comprise the electric equipment embedded in active cover plate (300).Such as, load can comprise lamp, motion detector, photocell, radio node, bluetooth connector, smoke-detectors, carbon monoxide detector, video camera, heat detectors, loud speaker, microphone or the electric equipment needed for any other.In this example, load comprises downwards and leaves the circuit board (342) of three light-emitting diodes (LED) of panel luminescence.LED is semiconductor light sources.LED can produce the light of high strength with the electric power more less than conventional lighting sources.Specifically, the input electric power of higher percentage is converted to light and the input electric power of lower percentage is converted to heat or other refuses by LED.

Panel (315) comprises the some mould posts (348-1,348-2,348-3,348-4 and 348-5) extended back.The upright position adjusting spring clip (310,312) above which post can be placed on by selecting spring clip.In configuration in figure 3b, spring clip is installed to the second post (348-2) and the 3rd post (348-3).Socket main body (socket main body such as, installed with being faced up) during this position allows active cover plate (300) and first to configure carries out safe electrical connection.

In the second configuration in fig. 3 c, active cover plate (300) makes two spring clips (310,312) all be in lower upright position, and wherein spring clip (310,312) is arranged on the 3rd post (348-3) and the 4th post (348-4).Socket main body (such as, by the socket main body installed upside down) during this position allows active cover plate (300) and second to configure carries out safe electrical connection.Or, the upright position of spring clip can be adjusted to adapt to the different designs of socket main body.Other posts, the first post (348-1) and the 5th post (348-5), may be used for sandwich plate (330, Fig. 3 A) to be connected to panel (315) and/or adjustable further for spring clip.

Fig. 3 D to Fig. 3 G is can the extra view of spring clip (312) that uses of composition graphs 3A and the cover plate shown in Fig. 3 B.Fig. 3 D, Fig. 3 E and Fig. 3 F are the facing of exemplary spring clip, side-looking and rear perspective respectively.Fig. 3 D illustrates the elevational perspective view of the spring clip (312) comprising current-carrying part (335) and non-conductive section (305).Non-conductive section (305) has main inclined plane (352), flank (354) and terminal curve (350).Non-conductive section (305) can serve many purposes, and comprises and prevents current-carrying part (335) poorly contact wire, electrical box or other materials.Non-conductive section (305) also can prevent from producing electric arc between elastic conductor and external conductor.

The non-conductive section (305) of spring clip (312) can be formed by various insulating material, comprises polymer, pottery, composite material or other materials.In this example, non-conductive section is formed by the polymeric material (such as nylon) of flexible resilient.Various method can be used, comprise injection mo(u)lding, form non-conductive section (305).

Non-conductive section (305) is attached to the terminal ends of current-carrying part (335) by rivet (340).In addition or alternatively, can use some other technologies that non-conductive section (305) is attached to current-carrying part (335).Such as, by binder, hot weld, be press-fitted, be clasped, induction welding (material for particular type), ultrasonic bonding/rivet clasp and other suitable technology, non-conductive section (305) can join current-carrying part (335) to.These technology can be used alone or in combination.Such as, riveted joint can supplement by using the molding character on non-conductive section.As mentioned above, rivet interlacement between non-conductive section and current-carrying part has some advantages, comprise and use the head of rivet (340) as contact point, and among hole in current-carrying part (335)/top swaged forging rivet (340) is electrically connected reliably to guarantee to exist between rivet (340) with current-carrying part (335).

Non-conductive section (305) can provide various function.As mentioned above, non-conductive section (305) comprises angled end section or main inclined plane (352), terminal curve (350) and extends to two flanks (354) of middle body either side of spring clip (312).Non-conductive section (305) serves as active cover plate is guided into the guiding element be accurately positioned in above receptacle/switch main body.When there is relative spring clip, active cover plate (300, Fig. 3 A) to be directed to above receptacle/switch main body and to make active cover plate (300) placed in the middle above receptacle/switch main body by angled inclined-plane (352).In (300, Fig. 3 A) misalignment of active cover plate or when having less gap, non-conductive section (305) can contact the wall of electrical box.Terminal curve (350) guarantees that spring clip (312) smoothly slides along wall.Along with active cover plate (300, Fig. 3 A) be pushed closer to its final position, active cover plate (300, Fig. 3 A) is directed to suitable position with the accuracy increased by the spring force of current-carrying part (335) and the inclined-plane geometry of non-conductive section (305) gently.

Non-conductive section (305) is through profile setting, and make electric contact (head of rivet (340)) not have the edge of any exposure, these edges may hook socket main body, wire or screw.Flank (354) allows spring clip (312) to slide up and down above screw and screw terminal.During installation process, vertical misalignment may be there is between active cover plate and socket body/screw terminal.In order to realize required aligning, and in order to allow active cover plate to be assemblied in socket body face around and the fastener hole in cover plate aimed at the screwed hole in socket main body, active cover plate can be made to slide up and down relative to socket body.Such as, active cover plate may engage too low and need to make active cover plate move up to be aimed at socket main body by cover plate by user in socket body.By the middle body of molded non-conductive section (305) with the surface matching of the rivet (340) installed/connect and the flank (354) of spring clip (312) that builds with horizontal sliding wheel is wide allows spring clip to slide smoothly above screw.Flank (354) makes spring clip (312) bending to make it be raised to barrier (such as the profile of screw spiral shell head and socket body) top backward gradually.

In this example, the head of rivet (340) is rectangle, and the major axis of rectangle head is directed to provide the contact with screw terminal/screw, and these screw terminal/screws have the various degree of depth (distance from before socket main body).If screw terminal is divided into two independent electric devices by removing shackle in the centre of screw terminal, then the narrow width of rivet head just reduces the possibility producing electric arc.This geometry is only an example.Other electric contact geometry various can be used.In addition, compliant conductive part is inwardly angled, to present rivet head and provide large-scale spring clip outwards to move under required angle.This socket body just having adapted to different in width and the screw outwards tightened from screw terminal.

Fig. 3 E is the end view of spring clip (312), and it illustrates the various assemblies of compliant conductive part (335).In this example, compliant conductive part (335) comprises base portion (362), is connected to the serpentine curve of base portion and angled part (363).Angled part (336) is by rivet (340) inwardly socket main body guiding.Rivet (340) be spring clip the most outstanding part and inwardly socket/socket body extend farthest.Both are all angled from socket main body for flank (354) and main inclined plane (352), wherein the base on flank and inclined-plane engages with the center of the non-conductive section (305) comprising rivet (340), and the end of flank (354) and inclined-plane (352) extends away from socket main body.

Compliant conductive part (335) can comprise multiple composite curve, and described composite curve adds flexibility and elasticity at permission spring clip towards with away from motion/advance (width adjustment) of receptacle/switch main body.An example of this curve is serpentine curve (364).Serpentine curve provides multiple function.Serpentine curve negotiating provides two independent bending curvatures and provides the flexibility of increase to spring clip.Serpentine curve also allows that spring clip is bending more before the permanent deformation of current-carrying part advances, because bending is be distributed on two positions, instead of on a position.

Fig. 3 F illustrates the rearview of spring clip (312).The end of current-carrying part (335) has the width of reduction and is connected with non-conductive section (305).The center with the current-carrying part (335) of the width of reduction has hole, and the rear portion of rivet (340) is through this hole.Then, the rear portion of rivet (340) by swaged forging (becoming mushroom diffusion) above hole, as shown in fig.3f, to be connected between compliant conductive part (335) with non-conductive section (305).In this example, non-conductive section (305) also comprises skirt section (360), and it covers the rear portion of current-carrying part and prevents bad electrical contact and electric arc from producing.

The width of current-carrying part can form significant torsional or counter-bending power, and these power poorly to move around tending to spring clip towards the top/bottom of active cover plate.This bad sports tendency in be vertically moved relative to receptacle/switch main body at active cover plate and spring clip moves above screw/screw terminal time occur.The relatively high rigidity of spring clip in this direction prevents the distortion/distortion during this operation, and in vertical direction (towards with the motion away from screw terminal) the much lower rigidity of spring clip allow spring clip to move smoothly above screw/screw terminal.

Fig. 3 F also illustrates how spring clip (312) is fixed to panel (315) and is electrically connected with wire.Spring clip (312) comprises the base portion (362) with some holes.Hole is configured to the anchor feature held various aligning and be molded in panel (315).As mentioned above, in panel (315), there is some crimping Nut columns (348) equidistantly.Hole in base portion (362) is configured to receive any two adjacent posts (348).In this example, spring clip (312) has been placed on the second post (348-2) and the 3rd post (348-3) top.Which post (348) top is placed on by selecting hole, the upright position of spring clip (312) can be selected during manufacture, and different panels (315), spring clip (312) or sandwich plate need not be manufactured.Wire attachment features (366) in use base portion (362) carries out the connection between wire (344) and spring clip (312).Wire attachment features can comprise slit, and ribbon conductor can be placed in this slit.Then, conductor can be soldered to wire attachment features.Wire (344) can be cut into required length, or can be long enough, to adapt to all upright positions of spring clip (312).

Fig. 3 G is the end-view of the active cover plate (150) being fastened to socket main body (100) top, and socket main body (100) is installed in electrical box (370).Left spring folder (372) and left live wire screw terminal (105) carry out electrical contact, and right spring clip (374) and right zero line screw terminal (110) carry out electrical contact.In this example, the inwall of the terminal curve (350) contact electrical box (370) of the main inclined plane (352, Fig. 3 D) of insulation.This occurs when making spring clip (372,374) be bent outwardly.Terminal curve (350) allows spring clip (372,374) to slide along wall, and provide extra support to prevent overbending and the plastic deformation of the compliant conductive part (335, Fig. 3 D) of spring clip to spring clip (372,374).

Illustration in Fig. 3 A to Fig. 3 G illustrates the various examples of the spring clip that can adjust between the erecting stage of active cover plate.This allows polytype active cover plate to construct with common parts.

Fig. 4 A to Fig. 4 D illustrates the example of the active cover plate that can adjust between the erecting stage of active cover plate or afterwards.In an example, spring clip can be adjusted after assembling active cover plate completely.Screw terminal on socket and switch main body can be formed in various position.In order to adapt to the socket of maximum quantity, active cover plate can comprise multiposition spring clip.Can vertically press from both sides to reorientate spring clip thus more effectively to contact screw terminal by mobile spring.

Fig. 4 A is the rearview of the general active cover plate (400) with multiposition spring clip (430), multiposition spring clip (430) vertical sliding motion or have multiple upright position to be connected to the socket/socket body having different orientation or different screw terminal and place better.Such as, the socket main body (grounding pin in bottom) installed with being faced up or the screw being in different vertical position can be had by the socket main body (grounding pin at top) installed upside down.By allowing multiposition spring clip (430) vertically to adjust relative to panel (425), single sided board design can adapt to turned upside down and heads socket main body is installed, and has the socket body of different screw terminal position.

In Figure 4 A, multiposition spring clip (430) comprises sliding bottom (410), and it has the numbered recess (420) along side.With recess (420), ratchet (415) engages that sliding bottom is fixed on desired position.In this example, there are three positions for sliding bottom.Multiposition spring clip (430) be connected to sliding bottom (410) and along with base (410) mobile.Sliding bottom (410) can move being molded in the track in panel (425).The motion of sliding bottom is in the plane of panel (425) and is illustrated by double-head arrow.If needed, spring clip can be adjusted to different positions respectively.

Multiposition spring clip (430) is connected to circuit board (435) by fexible conductor (405).Fexible conductor (405) has balance to adapt to the motion of sliding bottom (410).Such as, fexible conductor (405) can be twisted wire or laminated strip cable.

Fig. 4 B, Fig. 4 C and Fig. 4 D illustrate the multiposition spring clip (430) in the various positions on panel (400).Ratchet (415, Fig. 4 A) can being made to skid off the first recess and slip into the second recess by applying Manual pressure to sliding bottom (410, Fig. 4 A), moving multiposition spring clip (430).Fig. 4 B illustrates the multiposition spring clip (430) in nominal position (" position 1 "), and this nominal position permission multiposition spring clip (430) contacts the screw terminal on most socket.From position 1, spring clip can be adjusted as illustrated by double arrows up or down.Fig. 4 C illustrates the spring clip (430) being pushed down into position 2.Multiposition spring clip (430) can according to circumstances be moved together or separately.Fig. 4 D illustrates the spring clip (430) being moved upwardly into position 3.The combination of position 1,2 and 3 is designed to allow the most of screw terminal in the socket body of spring clip and specific classification to carry out electrical contact.As follows, spring clip also can have adjustable-depth to arrive screw terminal darker or more shallow in socket box.

Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B illustrates an example of active cover plate (500), and active cover plate (500) comprises and can be adjusted to have the spring clip (505) of multiple upright position.In this example, the protuberance (515) on sandwich plate (510) engages with the slit (525, Fig. 5 B) in spring clip (505).In this example, spring clip (505) is shown as and does not have non-conductive section and rivet.Show the hole (507) through current-carrying part.Non-conductive section is placed on above the narrow end of current-carrying part, and rivet is through the hole in non-conductive section and places through the hole (507) in current-carrying part.Then, by rivet swaged forging in position.Non-conductive section is fastened to current-carrying part and carries out the electrical connection between rivet and current-carrying part by this.

Slit (525) in spring clip (505) and engaging between the protuberance (515) on sandwich plate (510) allow spring clip (505) to have multiple position.Spring clip (505) can be moved in the active cover plate of manufacture (500) period, or in some instances, as installation process a part and be moved.In Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B, spring clip has three slits and there are three protuberances on panel, but in general can there is any amount of slit and protuberance to provide the adjustment of aequum.

Fig. 5 C and Fig. 5 D illustrates the active cover plate (530) that part is assembled, it comprises the spring clip (540) with trimmer (560), and trimmer (560) engages with in three grooves (555) be formed in panel (535).Spring clip (540) is positioned in any one in three different vertical positions by this permission.Trimmer (560) can be lifted, and adjustable spring folder (540) can slidably reciprocate between sandwich plate (545) and panel (535).When arriving desired position, trimmer (560) can be released to engage with required groove (550) and be fixed in position by spring clip (540).

Fig. 6 A to Fig. 6 C illustrates an example of the active cover plate (600) with spring clip (602), and spring clip (602) rotates to arrive the screw terminal being in diverse location.In this embodiment, spring clip (602) comprises the base (610) being connected to panel (605).The head of spring clip (602) is connected to base (610) by pivot (615).The head portion of spring clip (602) comprises contact (620) and non-conductive section (625).

The head portion of spring clip (602), comprise non-conductive section and contact/rivet, the screw terminal of the base (610) below (Fig. 6 B) or top (Fig. 6 C) being in spring clip (602) with arrival can be rotated around pivot (615).Fig. 6 B illustrates that the head portion of spring clip (602) rotates around pivot (615) clockwise direction, and contact (620) is electrically connected with bottom screw spiral shell head (635) of base (610) below in spring clip (602).Fig. 6 C illustrates that the head portion of spring clip (602) counterclockwise rotates, and makes contact (620) carry out electrical contact with bottom screw spiral shell head (640) of base (610) top in spring clip (602).During the head portion that pivot (615) is configured to remain on spring clip (602) rotates and afterwards by the electrical continuity between electric contact (620) and base (610).

Fig. 7 A to Fig. 7 D illustrates an example of the active cover plate (700) comprising spring clip (705), spring clip (705) is specifically designed to be adjustable (flatly, along X-axis as shown in Figure 2 A) in the depth direction.This spring clip (705) comprises two different contacts (710,715).First contact (710) is closer to the base of spring clip (705), and the second contact, or the contact (715) of more far-end, closer to the tip of spring clip (705).More the contact (715) of far-end allows spring clip (705) contact significantly further from the screw terminal of panel (755).Such as, more the contact (715) of far-end may be used for the screw terminal contacting GFCI socket main body.

Spring clip (705) may be used for two exposed contacts (710,715), or can comprise slide lid (730), this slide lid can be moved optionally to cover in contact (710,715) along the main body of spring clip (705) (720).This slide lid (730) may be used for contact (710, the 715) short circuit that prevents from directly not contacting with screw terminal or forms electrical contact with other elements.

In fig. 7, active cover plate (700) is placed on standard duplex receptacle main body (735) top with screw terminal (740), the distance D1 that screw terminal (740) is only relatively short apart with the face of socket main body (735).Therefore, make slide lid (730) mobile to make the contact (715) of more far-end insulate in top, the contact (715) of more far-end.When the contact (710) closer to base is placed on standard duplex receptacle (735) top, contact (710) contact screw terminal (740).

Fig. 7 B illustrates the active cover plate (705) being placed on GFCI socket main body (737) top.Screw terminal (740) on GFCI socket main body (737) is significantly further from the face (distance D2) of socket main body.In addition, the upright position of screw terminal (740) is not identical with duplex receptacle main body (735, Fig. 7 A).In order to carry out the electrical connection with screw terminal (740), use any amount of mechanism that spring clip (705) is slided vertically upward along panel (755), and along main body (720) the slip slide lid (730) of spring clip to cover the contact (710) near panel (755).Then, active cover plate (700) can be connected in GFCI socket main body (737) top, and more the contact (715) of far-end will contact screw terminal (740).In some instances, the terminal that two different can be had in the same side of socket body.Such as, switch main body can have two screw terminal in the same side.In this case, active cover plate may must make spring clip in the same side to carry out required contact with screw terminal.

Fig. 7 C and Fig. 7 D is the end view of spring clip (705), and wherein non-conductive section (305, Fig. 3 D) is removed.As mentioned above, main body (720) has the multiple contacts (710,715) along its length, and described contact is oriented to contact with the screw terminal in the socket/socket body of various pattern.Main body (720) is connected to panel (755).When target screw terminal is in the relatively shallow degree of depth, be exposed near first contact (710) of panel, and covered by slide lid (730) apart from the contact (715) of panel (755) more far-end.This configuration is shown in fig. 7 c.Being configured for shown in Fig. 7 D contacts with the screw terminal be in apart from the larger depth in face of socket body.Near the mobile slide lid in top, first contact (710) of panel (755, Fig. 7 A) (730), and be exposed apart from the contact (715) of panel (755, Fig. 7 A) more far-end.

Fig. 8 is the diagram of the alternate embodiments of the adjustable in depth spring clip (800) being installed to panel (805).In this example, the main body (810) of spring clip (800) has the slit (815) along its length, and contact (820) slidably reciprocate to realize the required degree of depth in slit.The main body (810) of spring clip (800) can be conducted electricity, and contact (820) can be electrically connected to main body (810).In addition or alternatively, contact (820) can have the fexible conductor being connected to contact (820), this fexible conductor is by the Circuits System of electric power transfer to active cover plate inside.

In some socket/socket body, there is the terminal with relatively close two screws/screw pad.Fig. 9 A illustrates such socket main body (900), and it comprises the first screw (910) and the first screw pad (905), and the second screw (920) and the second screw pad (915).First screw pad (905) is connected by projection tab (925) with the second screw pad (915).By removing projection tab (925), terminal can be divided into two electricity independently part.This illustrates in figures 9 b and 9, and wherein Part I comprises the first screw pad (905) and the first screw (910), and is electrically connected to the supply lines (930) of screw pad/screw (905,910).Part II comprises the second screw pad (915) and the second screw (920), and is electrically connected to second supply lines (935) of the second screw pad (915) and the second screw (920).Electric power is supplied to one in socket by Part I, and electric power is supplied to separately another socket by Part II.This may be useful in all cases.Such as, one in socket can be connected to switch, and light fixture is inserted into socket.This allows switch control rule light fixture.But another socket may be used for general connection and can be kept on all.By being separated by terminal, one in socket can be controlled separately by switch, and another socket has continuous power.

But if the contact pad of first and/or Part II of the contact screw terminal on spring clip is very wide, then this may cause producing electric arc or short circuit between the Part I and Part II of terminal.In order to avoid this situation, contact can relative narrower.The profile (943) of contact is superimposed on terminal separately.Because contact relative narrower, thus above terminal is separately moved or be placed in contact time cause the possibility producing electric arc or short circuit to reduce.Such as, can use the contact with oval or narrow rectangular shape, the distance between screw/pad that wherein width of contact is more adjacent than two is significantly less.Term " significantly less " refer to install or adjustment period between prevent the size of electric arc when spring clip slides between two adjacent screw/pads.

Fig. 9 C illustrates the extra safety precaution can implemented in active cover plate.In this embodiment, when being in a position in the position of predetermined quantity when spring clip (945), spring clip (945) is only electrically connected to active cover plate (970).This by forming pad (995,960) and form corresponding spring pad (950) on panel or sandwich plate.When the pad in spring pad (950) with panel/sandwich plate or contact (955,960) are on time, electric current is delivered to the Circuits System/load in active cover plate (970).When spring pad (950) not with the pad (955,960) on panel/sandwich plate on time, there is not the electrical connection with Circuits System.Such as, time in region between two separate sections that spring clip moved or be positioned at screw terminal, the connection with Circuits System will be there is not, but when spring clip is in desired position and is only electrically connected with in screw terminal, these pads are aimed to carry out required electrical connection with circuit.

Figure 10 A to Figure 10 C illustrates that comprise can the example of active cover plate of intermediary element between socket body and panel.Intermediary element can be suitable for particular outlet when providing uniform interface to panel.This allow for identical type but for the receptacle/switch main body with different screw terminal position, panel is identical.Such as, identical panel may be used for all duplex receptacle main bodys, and wherein different intermediary element compensates the difference of screw terminal position.

Figure 10 A illustrates socket main body (1000) and active cover plate (1002), active cover plate (1002) comprises intermediary element (1005) and panel (1010), and panel (1010) is connected to socket main body (1000) and intermediary element (1005) top.In this example, intermediary element (1005) is assemblied in above the face of socket main body (1000).Intermediary element (1005) can be electrically connected to socket main body (1000), comprises power regulation circuit system, and interface can be provided so that electric power and/or signal are supplied to panel (1010).

Figure 10 B and Figure 10 C is front view and the end view of the socket main body (1000) with intermediary element (1015) respectively.In this example, intermediary element (1015) comprises spring clip (1017) and surface contact (1020).As shown in figure 10 c, the screw terminal (1022) of spring clip (1017) contact base main body (1000) sidepiece.Then electric power laid (and being adjusted to lower direct voltage potentially) by intermediary element (1015) and be supplied to panel (1010, Figure 10 A) by surface contact (1020).

Alternatively or in addition, providing of electric power can by another mechanical interface such as pin/pin interface, or by wireless power transmission (such as between coil).Other selections comprise intermediate equipment, its contact socket body on screw terminal, then by electric power transfer to the electrical pad on the diverse location being in receptacle/switch body side.In this example, the active cover plate with the spring clip that usually cannot contact screw terminal can be used to the electrical pad contacting intermediary element outside.In general, intermediate equipment is the PnP device not needing to remove socket to install.In addition, intermediate equipment is not only that rigid line between socket with panel is connected.What the installation of intermediate equipment did not normally need to reconfigure socket body exempts from tool operation.

There is multiple extra method that active cover plate can be designed to more general for a series of socket body.One method is built on active cover plate by multiple pin and/or contact, then only uses the pin being connected to source terminal.Remaining pin can not contact terminal, or can contact uncharged terminal (that is, earth terminal).Figure 11 is the diagram that the possible position of various pin on active switch cover plate (1100) is shown.In this example, there is the earthing contact (1105) that can contact the chassis of socket body.Some spring clips (1110-1,1110-2,1110-3,1110-4 and 1110-5) are distributed on active switch cover plate (1100).Some spring clips can be active in a kind of configuration, but are not active in other configurations.Such as, in three roads and four road lamp switch main bodys, some screw terminal can be active (that is, when being in open mode when lamp) in a kind of configuration, and other screw terminal can be active (that is, when lamp is in closed condition) in different configurations.The use of multiple spring clip/contact allows active cover plate to be connected to kind socket body and be suitable for the various operative configuration of socket body more widely.

Figure 12 A to Figure 12 D illustrates the various diagrams of the active cover plate comprising the vertical adjustable spring clip with knuckle joint.Knuckle joint allows spring clip flatly to be packed and transport.This can provide some advantages, comprises and reduces cost of transportation, the size reducing packaging and weight and protect spring clip from damage.Figure 12 A illustrates the cross-sectional view of the active cover plate (1200) with two hinge springs folder (1215,1220), and these two hinge springs folder (1215,1220) are folded downwardly for transport or store.In this sketch, active cover plate (1200) comprises panel (1205) and hinge (1210,1225).Before the active cover plate of installation (1200), spring clip (1215,1220) is brought into stand up position and they is extended back from panel, as shown in Figure 12B.

In some instances, hinge is designed to conduct electricity in its whole range of movement.In other instances, hinge only can conduct electricity at its raised position.Or hinge can be nonconducting.In this case, the contact of spring clip and movable part can be connected to the Circuits System in active cover plate by flexible cord, or carry out electrical contact in its stand up position.In one embodiment, spring clip locks onto its stand up position.In this example, when spring clip is raised, retaining mechanism (1212) engages with spring clip.Spring clip is remained on stand up position by retaining mechanism, and prevents knuckle joint after breech lock engages with spring clip from rotating.In other embodiments, by the pressure from the contact in receptacle/switch main body, spring clip can be remained on its raised position.

Figure 12 C and Figure 12 D illustrate hinge spring folder (1220) also vertical adjustable (its position is adjustable in the plane of panel) execution mode of using together with kind more widely socket main body to allow active cover plate (1200).In this example, spring clip (1220) comprises slide block (1235), slides in the slit (1230) of this slide block in panel (1205).Hinge (1210) is also shown as has retaining mechanism (1212).In this example, retaining mechanism (1212) comprises inclined-plane and slit.When spring clip is raised, spring clip engages with the inclined-plane on retaining mechanism, then just in time embeds slit.Spring clip (1220) is fixed on required stand up position by this.In fig. 12 c, spring clip (1220) is in center and can be moved upwardly or downwardly in slit (1230).In fig. 12d, manually moving slider (1235), makes spring clip (1220) move up in slit (1230).Although more than illustrate the hinge allowing spring clip to keep flat and raise, also there are operable other mechanisms various, comprise flexing part, joint or other suitable rotating mechanisms.

Figure 13 is the flow chart of the illustrative methods (1300) for connecting active cover plate above socket body.Method comprises the vertical or horizontal level of adjustment electric contact on active cover plate to contact the live part (square frame 1305) of socket body.Such as, adjustment electric contact can comprise vertical mobile or sliding spring folder relative to the vertical of panel or horizontal level, thus supports electric contact relative on panel.There is Multi-instance for this point above-mentioned: select which post spring clip is placed on above, mobile spring folder makes ratchet engage from selected indenture, trimmer is proposed from groove and spring clip is slided into desired position and release tab with different engagement, the protuberance on panel or sandwich plate is engaged or other technologies with the slit in spring clip.The example moving electric contact in the horizontal direction comprises along the slit sliding contact in spring clip, or the untapped contact covered on spring clip is only to expose the contact with desired level position (degree of depth).

Then, above socket body, mobile active cover plate makes the live part (square frame 1310) of contact socket body.As mentioned above, active cover plate can promote/be directed to above socket main body by the shape of the non-conductive section of spring clip.Active cover plate is fixed on and above socket body, makes the man-machine interface element of socket main body be exposed (square frame 1315).Such as, screw can be inserted through the hole in active cover plate and screw in socket main body.Man-machine interface element comprises any part of the socket body be connected with people, such as switch and electrical outlet.

Put it briefly, active cover plate can comprise panel; Load; And spring clip, its in the horizontal direction with at least one in vertical direction on relative to panel adjustable.Spring clip is electrically connected with socket body and from socket body draw power to encourage load.Socket body can comprise the various equipment receiving electric power from building wiring, comprises socket and switch main body.In certain embodiments, spring clip can comprise the compliant conductive part being connected to panel by first end, and is connected to the non-conductive section of opposite end of compliant conductive part.

Non-conductive section can have shape and feature widely.In an example, non-conductive section comprises the main inclined plane part extended from compliant conductive part, and wherein main inclined plane part is used for being directed to above socket body by active cover plate when active cover plate is pushed to socket body.Non-conductive section also can comprise the wing extended away from main inclined plane part and compliant conductive parts transversely, and its wing centre section is angled with above the screw terminal be directed to by spring clip when making active cover plate vertically move relative to socket body in socket body.

Securing member engages non-conductive section and compliant conductive part, and wherein securing member is configured to carry out electrical contact with the screw terminal in socket body.Compliant conductive part can comprise at least one S-curve between the mid point of compliant conductive part and base portion.

Spring clip can be configured to be arranged in the different upright position of on panel at least two.Such as, spring clip can comprise at least two holes to hold at least two protuberances on panel.Panel can comprise some protuberances, and make by the protuberance of at least two on Selection Floater and be placed in hole by protuberance, spring clip can be positioned at the required upright position on panel.Protuberance can have various configuration, comprises the linear columns array extended from panel.Then spring clip comprises at least two holes, and it is configured to hold at least two posts, and make by least two posts in select linear post array, spring clip can be arranged in a position of at least two predetermined vertical position on panel.

Spring clip can be adjustable before or after active cover plate assembles completely.In one embodiment, spring clip is configured to relative to panel vertical sliding motion in multiple precalculated position.Such as, spring clip can be fixed in multiple precalculated position by the ratchet engaged with recess in each precalculated position.In addition or alternatively, spring clip can be fixed in described multiple precalculated position by the spring tab in each precalculated position and engagement.In addition or alternatively, spring clip is fixed on multiple precalculated position by the protuberance be engaged in each precalculated position in the slit in spring clip.Spring clip also can comprise the base, head and the pivot between base and head that are connected to panel.Pivot is configured to swing head to contact above base or the screw terminal of below.

In addition or alternatively, spring clip can be the adjustable screw terminal to arrive different depth place in the horizontal direction.Such as, spring clip can comprise multiple contacts of the varying level position be in along spring clip.Spring clip also can comprise mobile with the slip insulator covering do not use contact in described multiple contact.In some embodiments, spring clip can only in pre-position by conduct electrical energy to load.

Active cover plate may further include the intermediate equipment be connected with socket body and panel, wherein intermediate equipment draw power and electric power is transmitted to panel from socket body.In some instances, active cover plate can comprise at least three spring clips, and at least one wherein in these spring clips be not from socket body draw power.Spring clip can be hinged to panel, makes spring clip can rotate to the position being parallel to panel.In some instances, spring clip can be adjustable relative to panel in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction.

In one embodiment, active cover plate comprises panel, and it comprises linear columns array; Electrical load; And spring clip, its in the horizontal direction with at least one in vertical direction on relative to panel adjustable, to be electrically connected with socket body and from socket body draw power to encourage load.The spring clip base portion comprised by having two holes is connected to the compliant conductive part of panel.The non-conductive section being connected to the opposite end of compliant conductive part comprises the main inclined plane part extended from compliant conductive part, and wherein main inclined plane part is used for being directed to above socket body by active cover plate when active cover plate is pushed to socket body.In this example, non-conductive section also comprises the wing or inclined-plane that extend away from main inclined plane part and compliant conductive parts transversely, its wing centre section or inclined-plane angled with above the screw terminal when making active cover plate vertically move relative to socket body, spring clip is directed on socket.Securing member connects non-conductive section and compliant conductive part.Securing member also carries out electrical contact with the screw terminal in socket body.Each spring clip can be configured to above two posts by being placed on by the base with two holes in linear columns array with in the multiple predetermined vertical position selecting spring clip on panel, is arranged on along at least two of panel different upright positions.

Above description is provided to be only example in order to illustrate and describe described principle.This description is not intended to be detailed, is not intended to these principles to be limited to disclosed any precise forms yet.According to above instruction, many modification and variations are all possible.

Claims

1. an active cover plate, comprising:

Panel;

Load; And

Spring clip, its in the horizontal direction with at least one in vertical direction on relative to described panel adjustable, to be electrically connected with socket body and from described socket body draw power to encourage described load.

2. active cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip comprises the current-carrying part being connected to described panel, and joins the non-conductive section of described current-carrying part to.

3. active cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip comprises the compliant conductive part being connected to described panel by first end, and is connected to the non-conductive section of opposite end of described compliant conductive part.

4. active cover plate according to claim 3, wherein said non-conductive section comprises:

Main inclined plane part, it extends from described compliant conductive part, and wherein said main inclined plane part is used for being directed to above described socket body when described active cover plate is pushed to described socket body by described active cover plate; And

Inclined-plane, it extends away from described main inclined plane part and described compliant conductive parts transversely, and wherein said inclined-plane is angled to be directed to above the screw terminal in described socket body by described spring clip when making described active cover plate vertically move relative to described socket body.

5. active cover plate according to claim 3, comprises securing member further, and it engages described non-conductive section and described compliant conductive part, and wherein said securing member is configured to carry out electrical contact with the screw terminal in described socket body.

6. active cover plate according to claim 3, wherein said compliant conductive part comprises at least one S-curve between the mid point of described compliant conductive part and base portion.

7. active cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip is configured to install in the different upright position of on the panel at least two.

8. active cover plate according to claim 7, wherein said spring clip comprises hole, it is configured to receive protuberance, and described panel comprises some protuberances, make by selecting the protuberance on described panel and being placed in the hole by described protuberance, described spring clip can be positioned at the required upright position on described panel.

9. active cover plate according to claim 8, wherein said some protuberances comprise the linear columns array extended from described panel, wherein said spring clip comprises at least two holes, described hole is configured to hold at least two in described post, make at least two posts by selecting in described linear columns array, described spring clip can be arranged in a position of at least two predetermined vertical position on described panel.

10. active cover plate according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip adjustable after the assembling completely of described active cover plate.

11. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip is configured to vertically adjust in multiple precalculated position relative to described panel.

12. active cover plates according to claim 11, wherein said spring clip is fixed in a position in described multiple precalculated position by the ratchet engaged with recess in each described precalculated position.

13. active cover plates according to claim 11, wherein said spring clip is fixed in a position in described multiple precalculated position by the spring tab in each described precalculated position and engagement.

14. active cover plates according to claim 11, wherein said spring clip is fixed in a position in described multiple precalculated position by the protuberance be engaged in each described precalculated position in the slit in described spring clip.

15. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip comprises further:

Base, it is connected to described panel;

Head; And

Pivot, it is between described base with described head and be configured to swing described head to contact above described base or the screw terminal of below.

16. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip in described horizontal direction adjustable to arrive the screw terminal at different depth place.

17. active cover plates according to claim 16, wherein said spring clip comprises multiple contacts of the varying level position be in along described spring clip.

18. active cover plates according to claim 17, wherein said spring clip comprises mobile with the slip insulator covering do not use contact in described multiple contact.

19. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip only at described spring clip relative to the pre-position of described panel by conduct electrical energy to described load.

20. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said active cover plate comprises the intermediate equipment be connected with described socket body and described panel further, wherein said intermediate equipment draw power and described electric power is transmitted to described panel from described socket body.

21. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said active cover plate comprises at least three spring clips, and wherein at least one spring clip is not from described socket body draw power.

22. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip comprises further makes described spring clip rotate to mechanism in the position being parallel to described panel.

23. active cover plates according to claim 1, wherein said spring clip is in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction relative to described panel adjustable.

24. 1 kinds of active cover plates, comprising:

Panel, it comprises linear columns array;

Electrical load; And

Spring clip, relative to described panel adjustable in its at least one in the horizontal direction or in vertical direction, to be electrically connected with socket body and from described socket body draw power to encourage described load, wherein said spring clip comprises:

Compliant conductive part, it is connected to described panel by the base portion with hole;

Non-conductive section, it is connected to the opposite end of described compliant conductive part, and wherein said non-conductive section comprises:

Main inclined plane part, it extends from described compliant conductive part, and wherein said main inclined plane part is used for being directed to above described socket body when described active cover plate is pushed to described socket body by described active cover plate;

Inclined-plane, it extends away from main inclined plane part and compliant conductive parts transversely, and its wing centre section is angled to be directed to above the screw terminal in described socket body when making described active cover plate vertically move relative to socket body by described spring clip; And

Securing member, it connects described non-conductive section and compliant conductive part, and wherein said securing member is configured to carry out electrical contact with the screw terminal in described socket body;

Wherein each spring clip is configured to by being placed on above the post in described linear columns array by the described base with hole, and is installed in along at least two of described panel different upright positions.

25. 1 kinds of methods, comprising:

Vertical or the horizontal level of adjustment electric contact on active cover plate is to contact the live part of socket body;

Above described socket body, mobile described active cover plate makes the described live part of socket body described in described contact; And

Being fixed on by described active cover plate makes the man-machine interface element of described socket body be exposed above described socket body.