Charging socket with compact and secure protection for conductors against foreign objects

Abstract

A socket with compact protection for conductors against foreign objects. The socket comprises a housing having channels extending in a mating direction, power conductors disposed in the channels, and assemblies disposed on the channels to block entrances into the channels. The assemblies are within a chamber of the housing surrounded by a wall. Each assembly comprises a cover and shutters pivotably coupled to the cover. Each shutter has a blocking portion and an actuating portion configured to be actuated by the housing of a desired plug. When the actuating portion is actuated, the blocking portion moves away from blocking the entrance to the channel. When a mating plug is removed and the actuating portion returns to its rest state, the blocking portion automatically moves back to block the entrance to the channel. Such a configuration reduces the risk of anything other than terminals of the desired plug contacting the conductors.