Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to an intelligent receptacle adaptor, and more particularly to a polarity-correctly-connectable intelligent receptacle adaptor that is capable of inspecting polarities of power source, guiding a user to make correct connection, and enhancing safety. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The issue of influence of human body caused by electromagnetic radiation has been widely discussed in the medical field. A conventional insert-to-connect device often has an area of use that is of a two rectangle configuration or a two circle configuration and this easily leads to incorrect connection of the neutral wire N pole and the fire wire L pole. Further, it is generally impossible to identify the polarities of the conventional insert-to-connect device from the outside appearance thereof without the help of instrument. Thus, it often occurs that connection is made in a straightforward manner without identifying the polarities in advance. When the poles are connected incorrectly, electromagnetic waves and radioactive dusts may be caused, or electrical leaking may occur to hurt a user. 
     When the conventional insert-to-connect device is in a two rectangle configuration or a two circle configuration, the neutral wire N pole and the grounding line E pole are connected. When events, such as lightning stroke, cause an electrical surges passing through the conventional insert-to-connect device, the grounding wire E pole conducts the electrical surges or leaking currents to the earth to reduce the effect of lightning stroke for protecting people from being damaged thereby. Thus, if the neutral wire N pole and the fire wire L pole are connected in correctly, there may be damages. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to detect if the polarities of a power source are correctly connected. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide reminders of the polarities connected. 
     A further object of the present invention is to reduce electromagnetic wave and radioactive dusts and to prevent electrical shock. 
     To achieve the above objects, the present invention comprises an insert-to-connect device body that receives therein at least one grounding terminal serving as E pole, at least one transmission terminal arranged at the left side of the grounding terminal, and at least one conduction terminal arranged at the right side of the grounding terminal. The insert-to-connect device body further comprises at least one universal surface panel for receiving the insertion of standard plugs of various countries, such as South Africa, so as to have the standard plugs to electrically connect with the grounding terminal, the transmission terminal, or the conduction terminal. The conduction terminal is electrically connected with at least one conduction touch-plate and the conduction terminal is electrically connected with at least one conduction bulb. The transmission terminal is electrically connected with at least one transmission bulb. The grounding terminal is electrically connected with at least one grounding bulb. When the present invention is connected to a power source having a voltage level of 250V, the transmission terminal is (left side) N pole and the conduction terminal is (right side) L pole; and when the present invention is connected to a power source having a voltage level of 125V, the transmission terminal is (left side) L pole and the conduction terminal is (right side) N pole. Further, when the insert-to-connect device body is electrically connected with a power source, if the grounding bulb is lit up, it is determined that E pole of the power source is correctly set in position; if the transmission bulb is lit up, it is determined that N pole of the power source is correctly set in position; and if the conduction bulb is lit up after the conduction touch-plate is touched, it is determined that L pole of the power source is correctly set in position, whereby on-site detection can be performed and detection and identification can be done for determining if the connection of electrical polarity of the power source made by an installation operator is correct so as to allow the present invention and the power source to be connected with polarity correctness. 
     The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts. 
     Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic view showing a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic view showing an arrangement of terminals of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  is a schematic view showing an adaptor according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2B  is a schematic view showing insertion terminal sets of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2C  is a schematic view showing the second preferred embodiment in a detached condition. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic view showing a first example of a third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic view showing a second example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3C  is a schematic view showing a third example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3D  is a schematic view showing a fourth example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3E  is a schematic view showing a fifth example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3F  is a schematic view showing a sixth example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3G  is a schematic view showing a seventh example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3H  is a schematic view showing an eighth example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3I  is a schematic view showing a ninth example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 3J  is a schematic view showing a tenth example of the third preferred embodiment. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing a fourth preferred embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , it can be clearly seen that the present invention comprises an insert-to-connect device body  1 . The insert-to-connect device body  1  can be one of a receptacle and an adaptor. The insert-to-connect device body  1  can be mounted to all sorts of equipment and instruments (not shown) for polarity detection for two-wire, three-wire, or industrial multiple-wire applications. The insert-to-connect device body is provided therein with at least one grounding terminal  23  serving as E pole, at least one transmission terminal  22  arranged at the left side of the grounding terminal  23  and at least one conduction terminal  21  arranged at the right side of the grounding terminal  23 . When the intelligent receptacle adaptor is connected to a power source having a voltage level of 250V, the transmission terminal  22  is N pole and the conduction terminal  21  is L pole, namely N pole at left and L pole at right. In the instant embodiment, illustration will be given with reference to a receptacle connected to a voltage of 250V, and under such a condition, the grounding terminal  23  is E pole, the transmission terminal  22  is N pole, and the conduction terminal  21  is L pole. Further, the grounding terminal  23  is electrically connected with at least one grounding bulb  33 ; the transmission terminal  22  is electrically connected with at least one transmission bulb  32 ; the conduction terminal  21  is electrically connected with at least one conduction bulb  31 ; and the conduction terminal  21  is electrically connected with at least one conduction touch-plate  41 . Thus, when the intelligent receptacle adaptor is connected to a power source, whether the polarities are correctly set and positioned can be determined according to if the grounding bulb  33  is lit up, or alternatively, whether the polarities are correctly set and positioned can be determined according to if the conduction bulb  31  is lit up after the conduction touch-plate  41  has been touched. Further, the insert-to-connect device body  1  further comprises at least one universal surface panel  11  for receiving the insertion of standard plugs of different countries so that the standard plugs can be electrically connected with the grounding terminal  23 , the transmission terminal  22 , or the conduction terminal  21 . Further, at least one grounding plate  6  is arranged between the transmission terminal  22  and the conduction terminal  21  for grounding when a German or French style plug is inserted. The insert-to-connect device body  1  is further provided with a conduction text section  51  that is adjacent to the conduction bulb  31 , a transmission text section  52  that is adjacent to the transmission bulb  32 , and a grounding text section  53  that is adjacent to the grounding bulb  33 . Further, the present invention further defines at least one voltage text section  54  for indicating the consumers with the voltage level that is being used and at least one polarity text section  55  for indicating the consumers with correct polarity. 
     To install, the insert-to-connect device body  1  is electrically connected with a power source first. Under this condition, if the grounding bulb  33  is lit up, it is determined that E pole of the power source is correctly set in position; if the transmission bulb  32  is lit up, it is determined that N pole of the power source is correctly set in position; if the conduction bulb  31  is lit up after the conduction touch-plate  41  has been touch, it is determined that L pole of the power source is correctly set in position. In this way, on-site detection can be performed without any tool and a user may detect and identify, in an easy and efficient manner without using any tool, if the connection of electrical polarity of the power source made by an installation operator is correct. 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 1B , in the instant embodiment, the insert-to-connect device body  1  is further provided therein with a first transmission terminal  221 , a second transmission terminal  222   m  a first conduction terminal  211 , and the second conduction terminal  212 . The first conduction terminal  211  and the first transmission terminal  221  can be switched with each other and commonly used. In other words, the first conduction terminal  211  can be mounted and used as the first transmission terminal  221 . Further, the second transmission terminal  222  and the second conduction terminal  212  can be switched with each other and commonly used. In other words, the second transmission terminal  222  can be mounted and used as the second conduction terminal  212 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2A-2C , these drawings clearly show the present invention comprises an insert-to-connect device body  1   a . The insert-to-connect device body  1   a  is provided therein with at least one grounding terminal  23   a  serving as E pole, at least one transmission terminal  22   a  arranged at the left side of the grounding terminal  23   a , and at least one conduction terminal  21   a  arranged at the right side of the grounding terminal  23   a . The grounding terminal  23   a  is electrically connected with at least one grounding bulb  33   a ; the transmission terminal  22   a  is electrically connected with at least one transmission bulb  32   a ; the conduction terminal  21   a  is electrically connected with at least one conduction bulb  31   a ; the conduction terminal  21   a  is electrically connected with at least one conduction touch-plate  41   a ; and at least one grounding plate  6   a  is arranged between the transmission terminal  22   a  and the conduction terminal  21   a . Differences of the instant embodiment from the previous embodiment are that in the instant embodiment, illustration is given with reference to an adaptor as an example of the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  and the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  is further provided with a first light emission element  71   a  and a second light emission element  72   a  and the transmission terminal  22   a  is electrically connected with at least one transmission touch-plate  42   a.    
     When the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  is electrically connected with a power source, if the first light emission element  71   a  is lit up, it is determined that the voltage level of the power source is 125V and if the first light emission element  71   a  and the second light emission element  72   a  are lit up simultaneously, it is determined that the voltage level of the power source is 250V. In this way, a user can be reminded of the voltage level that is being used. 
     When the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  is connected to a power source having a voltage level of 250V, if the conduction bulb  31   a  is lit up when the conduction touch-plate  41   a  is touched, then the transmission terminal  22   a  is (left side) N pole and the conduction terminal  21   a  is (right side) L pole; and when the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  is connected to a power source of a voltage level of 125V, if the transmission bulb  32   a  is lit up when the transmission touch-plate  42   a  is touched, then the transmission terminal  22   a  is (left side) L pole and the conduction terminal  21   a  is (right side) N pole. In this way, when a user attempts to insert a device plug (not shown) into the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  to receive a supply of power, the voltage level that is connected and supplied can be determined to be 125V or 250V according to the lighting of the transmission bulb  32   a  or the conduction bulb  31   a . When the voltage level is indicated to be 250V, L pole (fire wire) of the device plug is inserted into the conduction terminal  21   a  (right side); or alternatively, when the voltage level is indicated to be 125V, L pole (fire wire) of the device plug is inserted into the transmission terminal  22   a  (left side), whereby the user can be guided to insert the device plug according to the correct polarity. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , the insert-to-connect device body  1   a  is provided, on at least one side thereof, with an insertion terminal set  8   a  that is in compliance with different standards of different countries. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2C , the insertion terminal set  8   a  is selectively detachable from the insert-to-connect device body  1   a.    
     As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3J , these drawings clearly show the present invention comprises an insert-to-connect device body  1   b . The insert-to-connect device body  1   b  further comprises at least one universal surface panel  11   b  for receiving the insertion of various standard plugs of different countries, such as South Africa. The insert-to-connect device body  1   b  is provided therein with at least one grounding terminal  23   b  serving as E pole, at least one transmission terminal  22   b  arranged at the left side of the grounding terminal, and at least one conduction terminal  21   b  arranged at the right side of the grounding terminal. The conduction terminal  21   b  is electrically connected with at least one conduction bulb  31   b  and at least one conduction touch-plate  41   b ; the transmission terminal  22   b  is electrically connected with at least one transmission bulb  32   b ; the grounding terminal  23   b  is electrically connected with at least one grounding bulb  33   b ; and at least one grounding plate  6   b  is selectively arranged between the transmission terminal  22   b  and the conduction terminal  21   b . A difference from the previous embodiments is that the instant embodiment is composed of various combinations. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the drawing clearly shows that the present invention comprises an insert-to-connect device body  1   c . The insert-to-connect device body  1   c  further comprises at least one universal surface panel  11   c . A difference from the previous embodiments is that in the instant embodiment, the universal surface panel  11   c  is further formed with a plurality of special insertion holes  111   c  for the insertion of the so-called big South African plug. 
     Thus, the technical features that the present invention adopts to improve the drawbacks of the prior art are as follows: 
     providing reminders to a construction operator to prevent incorrect wire laying and to allow for inspection and test after the completion of the construction; 
     preventing incorrect polarity 
     connection in inserting a plug and allowing for detection of incorrect setting of polarity for power receptacles; 
     being operable without any tool in all types of applications, making the inspection easy and transparent and detection of polarity; 
     reducing electromagnetic wave and radioactive dust; 
     preventing occurrence of electrical leaking due to incorrect connection; and 
     teaching and improving safety knowledge of construction operators and users to correctly use electrical power. 
     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. 
     While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.

Technology Category: h