Electrical apparatus comprising a temperature sensor housed in a support element

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electrical accessory including an electrically insulating body housing at least two electrical connection elements, together with a temperature sensor.

The invention finds a particularly advantageous application in providing a connection plug for an electrical appliance, and a connection plug for recharging a battery of an electric vehicle.

Description of Related Art

An accessory as described in the introduction is known in particular from Document US 2009/0251832, which accessory constitutes an electrical connection plug in which each of the two electrical connection elements is connected to a respective connection pin that projects from the front face of said body.

In order to monitor heating of the electric plug, the electrical accessory described in that document includes two thermistors that are each adhesively-bonded to a respective one of the electrical connection elements of the electric plug.

That device presents the drawback of needing to use two thermistors. Furthermore, the thermistors are positioned on the electrical connection elements in a manner that is imprecise and consequently that is non-reproducible.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In order to remedy the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention proposes an electrical accessory in which a single temperature sensor is used that is arranged in precise and reproducible manner in the body of the electrical accessory, and that enables heating of at least one of the electrical connection elements to be detected effectively.

To this end, the invention proposes an electrical accessory as described in the introduction, in which the temperature sensor is received in a thermally conductive and electrically insulating support element that is distinct from said body, and that is fitted inside the body in such a manner as to extend between said electrical connection elements, being set back from the outside faces of said body.

Thus, the support element for supporting the temperature sensor forms a thermal bridge that conducts the heat dissipated by the two electrical connection elements. It is thus possible to use a single temperature sensor that makes it possible to monitor the temperature inside the electrical accessory, and to detect heating of either of the two electrical connection elements, since the support element conducts heat to the temperature sensor.

As a result of the support element being enclosed in the body of the electrical accessory, exchanges of heat are limited between the support element and any other part of the surroundings of the electrical accessory. In particular, the support element housing the temperature sensor does not include any portion or surface in contact with the surroundings outside the electrical accessory. The temperature measured by the temperature sensor positioned in the support element thus represents the temperature of the electrical connection elements more accurately, since it is not influenced by the temperature of the surroundings of the electrical accessory outside the body of the accessory.

Furthermore, as a result of the support element housing the temperature sensor, it is possible to position the temperature sensor precisely relative to the support element, and consequently relative to the electrical accessory as a whole. Such positioning can also easily be made to be reproducible.

The electrical accessory of the invention has other characteristics that are non-limiting and advantageous, as follows:said support element includes mounting means for mounting on at least one of said electrical connection elements;each mounting means pinches the corresponding electrical connection element;each mounting means includes a housing with two inside faces that face towards each other, of which a first inside face matches a corresponding face of the electrical connection element, and a second inside face, that includes at least one curved portion, is suitable for pushing the electrical connection element against said first inside face;said mounting means are a means for mounting by clipping onto the corresponding electrical connection element;said support element comprises at least one first branch with two opposite ends, each provided with mounting means for mounting on a respective one of the electrical connection elements;in a central portion, said support element includes an orifice that is suitable for receiving said temperature sensor;the body houses three electrical connection elements, and the support element housing the temperature sensor is placed in contact with the three electrical connection elements;said support element presents a section that is T-shaped, with a first branch that is provided with two opposite ends, including mounting means for mounting on two first electrical connection elements, and a second branch that extends between said first branch and the third electrical connection element;said support element is mounted between the electrical connection element connected to the line and the electrical connection element connected to the neutral;said electrical sensor is a thermistor;said support element is made of a polymer material containing ceramic particles;the material used to make the support element presents thermal conductivity that is greater than or equal to 10 watts per square meter-Kelvin (W/m2.)·K);said electrical accessory is an electric plug including two electrical connection pins projecting from a front outside face of the body, each being electrically connected inside the body to a respective one of said electrical connection elements;said electrical accessory is an electric plug including two electrical connection pins projecting from a front outside face of the body, each being extended inside the body by a stem that forms a respective one of said electrical connection elements for receiving a conductive portion of an electrical conductor, and said support element has said pins passing therethrough, such that it constitutes a pin support;said support element is generally in the form of a plate that is perforated with two orifices through which said pins are force fitted, the plate presenting a front face that is adjacent to the rear inside face of the front wall of the body, and an opposite rear face from which said stems of the pins emerge;the rear face of the support element includes at least one projecting rib that defines at least one reception housing for receiving a temperature sensor; andthe support element includes snap-fastener means for snap-fastening a support card of a printed circuit to which each temperature sensor is electrically connected.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a preamble, it should be observed that, as far as possible, identical or similar elements of the various embodiments are referenced using the same references, and they are not described each time.

FIGS. 1 to 17show two possible embodiments of an electrical accessory100of the invention.

The two embodiments differ only by the particular shape of the support element of the temperature sensor described below.

In these embodiments, the electrical accessory in question is an electric plug100for connecting an electrical appliance (not shown), which plug is suitable for being plugged into a complementary socket outlet (not shown), so as to power the electrical appliance electrically. In particular, the electrical appliance in question may be an electric vehicle that includes an electric battery that is connected to said electric plug100via a power cable114for connecting it to a socket outlet with a view to recharging it.

In conventional manner, the electric plug100includes an electrically insulating body110(FIGS. 8, 9, and 17) that, in these embodiments, houses three electrical connection elements121,122,123.

The insulating body110presents a shape that is elongate along the direction of a longitudinal axis X of the electric plug100.

It is made of electrically insulating material, e.g. by molding plastics material.

It forms a casing that comprises a front wall111and a side wall112. It is closed at the rear by a rear portion113from which a power cable114emerges.

The power cable114makes it possible to connect the electric plug100electrically to the corresponding electrical appliance.

In these embodiments, the side wall112is in the form of a sleeve. The front wall111closes the sleeve at the front. By way of example, it is fastened thereon by a fastener screw170(FIGS. 8 and 17) that passes through said front wall111and that is screwed into a tapped well of the sleeve.

As can be seen inFIGS. 8 and 17, inside the sleeve, the power cable114does not have an insulating outer sheath, and the conductor wires114A,114B, and114C conveyed inside the sheath may be separated from one another for electrically connecting each of them to one of the ends of a respective connection element121,122,123. In practice, the conductor wires114A,114B,114C are welded or crimped to the ends of the connection elements121,122,123.

The body110also houses, in part, two metal electrical connection pins131,132that emerge from the front outside face111A of the front wall111of the body110along directions that are parallel to the longitudinal axis X of said body110(FIGS. 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 17).

Each of the pins131,132is suitable for being inserted into a complementary electrical connection terminal of the corresponding socket outlet for electrically connecting the electric plug100.

Said front wall111of the body110also includes a housing that opens out onto the front outside face111A of the front wall111via an opening.

The housing houses a terminal130that is suitable for receiving a ground pin, if any, of the socket outlet inserted through said opening, so as to connect the electric plug100to ground (see in particularFIGS. 8 and 12).

By way of example, this is true of standard socket outlets in France, each of which includes, in its front face, a reception well for receiving the electric plug, the bottom of the well having the openings that give access to the terminals of the socket outlet opening out therein, and said ground connection pin projecting therefrom.

The examples of electric plug100shown in the figures are also suitable for being used with socket outlets in accordance with the German standard, in which a reception well is also provided for receiving the electric plug, the bottom of the well having the openings that give access to the terminals of the socket outlet opening out therein, and the diametrally-opposite ends of a ground connection lyre projecting therefrom.

To this end, the terminal130housed in the housing of the front wall111of the electric plug100includes at least one side plate130A that extends from the front wall111towards the rear of the electric plug100(see in particularFIG. 8).

This side plate130A is suitable for being positioned facing a slot115that is formed longitudinally in the side wall112of the body110of the electric plug100.

In this way, the side plate130A of the electrical terminal130is accessible from the outside of the body110of the electric plug100, so that one of the ends of the ground connection lyre of a German standard socket outlet can thus come into contact with the side plate130A while the electric plug100is being inserted into the corresponding socket outlet.

In these embodiments, the terminal130advantageously includes two side plates130A that are diametrally opposite.

Each of the two pins131,132and the terminal130of the electric plug100that are all accessible at the front outside face111A of the electric plug, includes a rear portion that is housed inside the body110, and that projects from a rear face of the front wall111into the body (FIGS. 1, 2, 10, and 11).

The rear portion of each of the two pins131,132and of the terminal130is thus electrically connected to the other end of one of the electrical connection elements121,122,123housed in the body110, opposite from its end connected to a respective one of the conductor wires114A,114B,114C. To this end, the electrical connection element may be crimped or welded onto the rear portion of the corresponding pin, or it may be made integrally with the pin.

In these embodiments, the electrical connection elements121,122,123thus constitute intermediate elements that make it easy for the pins131,132and the terminal130that are accessible at the front outside face111A of the electric plug100to be connected electrically to the conductor wires114A,114B,114C of the power cable114.

In these embodiments, each of the electrical connection elements121,122,123is in the form of a metal blade bent into an L-shape.

More particularly, each of the electrical connection elements121,122,123comprises a main portion127,128,129that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the body110, and a tab124,125,126at the front end of the main portion, i.e. its end closer to the front wall111of the body110, which tab124,125,126extends substantially perpendicularly to the main portion. The tab124,125,126includes an opening124A,125A,126A through which said rear portion of the corresponding pin131,132or terminal130passes, so as to establish electrical connection with the pin or the terminal (seeFIGS. 1 and 11).

The main portion127,128,129of each electrical connection element121,122,123comprises a base127B,128B,129B that is adjacent to the tab124,125,126, and an end portion127A,128A,129A having a width that is narrower than the width of the base.

The main portions127,128,129and the tabs124,125,126of the electrical connection elements121,122,123extend respectively parallel to one another (FIG. 1).

The main portions127,128of the two electrical connection elements121,122connected to the pins131,132of the electric plug are arranged in a single first plane. The main portion129of the electrical connection element123connected to the earth terminal130of the electric plug100is situated in a second plane that is parallel to and offset from the first plane.

The electric plug100further includes a temperature sensor200.

In these embodiments, the temperature sensor is more particularly a thermistor. However, any temperature sensor known to the person skilled in the art could be envisaged.

The temperature sensor200is received in a thermally conductive and electrically insulating support element150;250that is distinct from said body110, and that is fitted inside the body110in such a manner as to extend between said electrical connection elements121,122,123, being set back from the outside faces of said body110.

In other words, the support element150;250constitutes a part that is distinct from the body110, enclosed inside the casing that constitutes the body110.

In these embodiments, there is no portion in contact with the outside of the body110.

In particular, in these embodiments, and as shown inFIGS. 1, 2, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 19, the support element150;250is arranged set back from the inside face of the front wall111, from the side wall112, and from the rear wall113of the body110.

More precisely, the support element150;250occupies a very small volume around and between the electrical connection elements121,122,123.

In a first embodiment of the electric plug100of the invention, shown inFIGS. 1 to 9, the support element150extends between the two electrical connection elements121,122connected to the pins131,132of the electric plug100.

It thus presents the shape of a plate that is elongate along a main axis Y (FIGS. 1, 2, and 8), having two opposite ends151along the main axis.

The support element150is arranged in the body110in such a manner that its main axis Y extends transversally to the longitudinal axis X of the body110.

In this embodiment, each of the ends151(seeFIG. 3) of the support element150includes mounting means for mounting the support element150on a respective one of the electrical connection elements121,122.

Each mounting means pinches the corresponding electrical connection element.

To this end, each mounting means comprises a housing152that receives a respective one of the connection elements121,122. In this embodiment, each housing152is like a slot formed in the free end151of the support element150.

The slot includes an end wall that extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the body110of the electric plug100, and two inside faces153,154that face towards each other, extending parallel to the main axis Y of the support element150and to the longitudinal axis X of the body of the electric plug100.

A first inside face153of the housing152matches a corresponding face of the electrical connection element121,122, and a second inside face154of the housing152includes at least one curved portion that is suitable for pushing the electrical connection element121,122against said first inside face153.

In this embodiment, the first inside face153of the housing152is generally plane, so as to bear against the connection element121,122.

In order to maximize conduction of the heat dissipated by the connection element121,122via the support element150, while limiting the space occupied by the support element150, the first inside face153of the support element150bears against the base127B,128B of the corresponding connection element121,122that presents a width that is wider than the end portion of the connection element121,122(seeFIG. 1).

A rounded ridge155forming said curved portion of the second inside face154of the housing152projects from the second inside face154of each housing152, towards the first inside face153(seeFIG. 2).

The ridge155extends in a direction that is transverse to the main axis Y of the support element150. Consequently, the ridge155extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the body110, i.e. parallel to the main portion127,128of the connection element121,122.

The thickness of the ridge155is designed to be such that the width of the housing152at the ridge155is a little smaller than the thickness of the base127B,128B of the connection element121,122.

Thus, when the base127B,128B of the connection element121,122is inserted into the housing152, the portion of the support element150that carries the second inside face154that is provided with the ridge155of the housing152deforms a little so as to enable the base of the electrical connection element to pass.

In this way, the base of the connection element121,122is pushed by the ridge155against the first inside face153and becomes clamped, in other words, pinched, between the ridge155and the first inside face153of the housing152of the support element150(FIGS. 1 and 2).

Contact between the first inside face153of the housing152and the support element150of the temperature sensor200is thus ensured.

The dimensions and the shape of the first inside face153of the housing152are further determined for maximizing the contact surface area between the first inside face153and the connection element121,122, while limiting the steric hindrance associated with the presence of the support element150.

In this way, the heat dissipated by the connection elements121,122is well conducted by the support element, even though its volume is limited.

In this embodiment, and by way of example, the first inside face153presents dimensions that are greater than the dimensions of the second inside face, and it presents a curved edge that is suitable for following the curvature of the connection element121,122at the junction between the main portion127,128and the tab124,125of the contact element121,122.

The ridge155advantageously extends over only a fraction of the second inside face154of the housing152(FIG. 5).

In a variant, the ridge may extend fully over the second inside face of the housing. It could also be replaced by one or more rounded bulges for performing the same role. Finally, it is also possible for the second inside face of the housing to be generally curved over its entire surface, with at least a portion of its surface being curved towards the first inside face of the housing.

Still in a variant, each mounting means may be a means for mounting by clipping onto the corresponding electrical connection element. By way of example, clipping may be achieved using means similar to the means described below: for example, the end portion of the connection element may be inserted into a slot similar to the slot described above, with a hard point for passing over that is defined by a ridge similar to the ridge described above.

Finally, in a central portion, the support element150includes an orifice156that is suitable for receiving said temperature sensor200.

In this embodiment, the orifice156is at the middle of the support element150, i.e. mid-way between its two opposite ends151(seeFIGS. 1 and 2).

It extends perpendicularly relative to the main axis Y of the support element150, parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the body110of the electric plug100.

In this embodiment, the orifice is a cylindrical orifice having a diameter that is similar to the transverse dimensions of the temperature sensor200, ignoring clearance to allow it to be inserted into the orifice156.

The orifice156is closed, at least in part, by an end wall157on the side of the support element150that faces towards the front of the electric plug100.

In this embodiment, the end wall157closes half of the orifice156(seeFIG. 6).

While the electric plug100is being assembled, the temperature sensor200may thus be inserted into the orifice156until it comes into abutment against the end wall157. The position of the temperature sensor200in the support element150is thus defined precisely and is easily reproducible.

Since the mounting means for mounting the support element150on the connection elements121,122also guarantee that the support element150is mounted at a precise and reproducible position, the position of the temperature sensor200in the electric plug100is thus known precisely and can be reproduced easily.

In a second embodiment of the electric plug of the invention, shown inFIGS. 10 to 17, the support element250housing the temperature sensor200is in contact with the three electrical connection elements121,122,123of the electric plug100.

To this end, the support element250presents a section that is T-shaped, with a first branch260that is similar to the support element described in the first embodiment, and a second branch270that extends perpendicularly between said first branch and the third electrical connection element123(FIGS. 10 to 16).

More precisely, the first branch260of the support element250is provided with two opposite ends251(FIGS. 13 to 15), each including mounting means for mounting on a respective one of the two electrical connection elements121,122connected to the connection pins131,132of the electric plug100.

As in the first embodiment, each mounting means pinches the corresponding electrical connection element.

To this end, each mounting means comprises a housing252that receives a respective one of the connection elements121,122. The housings252are identical to the above-described housings, with two inside faces253,254that face towards each other, of which a first inside face253matches a corresponding face of the electrical connection element121,122, and a second inside face254of the housing152, that includes at least one curved portion that is suitable for pushing the electrical connection element121,122against said first inside face253(FIGS. 13 to 16).

As in the first embodiment, the curved portion of the second inside face154of the housing152is in the form of a rounded ridge255that projects from the second inside face254to into the housing252, towards the first inside face253(FIGS. 13 to 16).

The embodiment details, advantages, and variants that can be envisaged for the mounting means of the first branch260of the support element250are identical to the mounting means described with reference to the first embodiment.

The second branch270of the support element250extends from the central portion of the first branch260, situated between the connection elements121,122of the electric plug100, perpendicularly to the first branch260.

It includes a free end271that presents a shape that is suitable for coming into contact with the third connection element123of the electric plug100, connected to the ground terminal of the electric plug100. In this embodiment, the free end271of the second branch270of the support element250comes into contact with a portion of the base129B, and with a portion of the end portion129A of the main portion129of the third connection element123.

In this embodiment, the free end271of the second branch270is plane.

Furthermore, the free end271of the second branch270of the support element250does not include any mounting means for mounting on the third connection element123of the electric plug100, but the length of the second branch270is determined so that the plane face forming the free end271bears against the base129B of the main portion129of the third connection element123(FIGS. 10 and 11).

In a variant, provision could be made for the free end of the second branch of the support element to include mounting means for mounting on the third connection element of the electric plug.

Finally, as in the first embodiment of the electric plug100, the support element250includes an orifice256that is suitable for receiving said temperature sensor200.

The orifice256is arranged in the second branch270of the support element250. It extends parallel to the longitudinal axis X of the body110of the electric plug100.

In this embodiment, the orifice is a cylindrical orifice having a diameter that is similar to the transverse dimensions of the temperature sensor, ignoring clearance to allow it to be inserted into the orifice256.

In this embodiment, the orifice256is an orifice that is blind on the side of the support element250that faces towards the front of the electric plug100(FIG. 17).

As above, the temperature sensor200may thus be positioned precisely and in reproducible manner in the body110of the electric plug100.

FIGS. 18 to 21show another possible embodiment of the electrical accessory of the invention.

The electrical accessory is likewise an electric plug100′ that, in conventional manner, comprises an electrically insulating body110′ that is elongate along a longitudinal axis X, the body forming a casing with a front wall111′, a side wall, and a rear portion112′ from which there emerge insulated electrical conductors114′A,114′B,114′C coming from a power cable114′ that makes it possible to connect the electric plug100′ electrically to the corresponding electrical appliance. The body110′ houses, in part, two metal electrical connection pins131′,132′ that emerge outside the front outside face111′A of the front wall111′ of the body110along directions that are parallel to the longitudinal axis X. Each of the pins131′,132′ is extended inside the body110′ by a respective stem121′,122′ that forms an electrical connection element for receiving a conductive metal core115′A,115′B of the electrical conductor114′A,114′B coming from the cable114′. In this embodiment, as can be seen better inFIG. 19, preferably each pin131′,132′ is machined, and each electrical conductor114′A,114′B is crimped inside the stem121′,122′ of the corresponding pin. Naturally, in a variant, provision could be made for the bared conductive core of each electrical conductor to be welded to the stem of the pin.

Each of the pins131′,132′ is suitable for being inserted into a complementary electrical connection terminal of the corresponding socket outlet for electrically connecting the electric plug100′.

Said front wall111′ of the body110′ also includes a housing that opens out onto the front outside face111′A of the front wall111′ via an opening. As shown inFIG. 18, the housing houses a terminal130′ that is suitable for possibly receiving a ground pin of the socket outlet inserted through said opening, so as to connect the electric plug100′ to ground. By way of example, this is true of standard socket outlets in France, each of which includes, in its front face, a reception well for receiving the electric plug, the bottom of the well having the openings that give access to the terminals of the socket outlet opening out therein, and said ground connection pin projecting therefrom.

The electric plug100′ shown inFIGS. 18 to 21is also suitable for being used with socket outlets in accordance with the German standard, in which a reception well is also provided for receiving the electric plug, the bottom of the well having the openings that give access to the terminals of the socket outlet opening out therein, and the side wall of the well having the diametrally-opposite ends of a ground connection lyre projecting therefrom.

To this end, the terminal130′ housed in the housing of the front wall111′ of the electric plug100′ includes two conductive side plates130′A that extend from the front wall111′ towards the rear of the electric plug100′ (seeFIG. 18). One of the side plates130′A is connected to a connection element123′ to which there is crimped the bared conductive core of the electrical ground conductor114′C coming from the cable114′ (seeFIG. 20). Each side plate130′A extends over the side wall of the body110′ of the electric plug100′. In this embodiment, the body110′ is to be overmolded in an angled insulating outer casing (not shown) that, at the rear, covers the rear wall112′ of the body110′, and also encloses the portion of the electrical conductors114′A,114′B,114′C that emerge from the body110′, and a portion of the insulating sheath of the cable114′. At the front, the insulating outer casing covers the side wall and the front wall111′ of the body110′ around the pins131′,132′, the terminal130′, and the side plates130′A, so as to leave them visible and accessible on the outside surface of the electric plug100′. In this way, each side plate130′A of the electrical terminal130′ is accessible on the outside of the electric plug100′, so that each end of the ground connection lyre of a German standard socket outlet can thus come into contact with each side plate130′A while the electric plug100′ is being inserted into the corresponding socket outlet.

Remarkably in this embodiment, and as shown better inFIGS. 19 to 21, the thermally conductive and electrically insulating support element350that houses a temperature sensor200, and that is fitted inside the body110′, set back from the outer faces of said body110′, has said pins131′,132′ passing therethrough, such that it constitutes a pin support. The support element350extends between the stems121′,122′ of the pins131′,132′.

More particularly, the support element350is generally in the form of a plate that is perforated with two orifices through which said pins131′,132′ are force fitted. This is why on a portion of its outer surface, each pin131′,132′ advantageously includes, situated at the base of the pin, just before the stem, knurling or notching that makes it possible to strengthen the grip of the pin in the support element350. The plate350presents a front face350A that is adjacent to the rear inside face111′B of the front wall111′ of the body110′, and an opposite rear face350B from which said stems121′,122′ of the pins131′,132′ emerge. The rear face350B of the plate forming the support element350includes at least one projecting rib351that defines at least one reception housing for receiving a temperature sensor200. In this embodiment, it includes three ribs351,352,353that define three housings for three possible sensors200.

Whatever the embodiment under consideration, the electric plug further includes a secondary electrical circuit that is connected to the temperature sensor200.

The term “secondary” electrical circuit is used to mean an electrical circuit of the electric plug100;100′ that is distinct from the main electrical circuit that connects the pins131,132;131′,132′ of the electric plug100;100′ to the corresponding electrical appliance.

Only the conductor wires210are shown leaving the temperature sensor200. In practice, the conductor wires210(FIG. 12) are electrically connected with other conductor wires conveyed by the power cable114. This makes it possible to connect the temperature sensor200to an electronic control unit of the electrical appliance powered by means of the electric plug of the invention.

Advantageously, in the embodiment shown inFIGS. 20 and 21, the support element350includes snap-fastener means354for snap-fastening a support card of a printed circuit400that forms the secondary circuit to which each temperature sensor200is electrically connected.

If at least one of the connection elements121,122,123;121′,122′ in contact with the support element150;250;350heats up, the heat dissipated by the connection element is conveyed to the temperature sensor200via the support element150;250;350. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor exceeds a threshold temperature value, the control unit is programmed to stop electrically powering the electrical appliance, or to decrease its electricity consumption, and thus decrease the electric current being delivered to the electrical appliance.

Thus the risk of the electric plug100;100′ heating up is limited.

Advantageously, in order to make the temperature measurement more accurate by reducing the time needed to detect heating of one of the connection elements, the support element150;250;350is made of a polymer material containing ceramic particles.

By way of example, the polymer is polycaprolactam (PA6). The ceramic particles are embedded in the polymer. The quantity of ceramic particles in the polymer lies in the range 10% to 30% by weight, for example.

Preferably, the material used to make the support element150;250;350presents thermal conductivity that is greater than or equal to 10 W/m2·K.

The material is preferably a material that is different from the material used to make the body110;110′ of the electric plug100;100′.

In a variant, the electric plug may house only two connection elements, e.g. a line connection element and a neutral connection element. The support element thus presents the shape described in the first embodiment.

Still in a variant, it may be envisaged that the electrical accessory is a socket outlet. The support element of the temperature sensor is then in contact with the electrical connection elements connected to the sockets and/or to the ground terminal of the socket outlet.