EP3182435A1

EP3182435A1 - Electrical switch apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP3182435A1
Application number: EP15307066.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Fabrizio Guidetti; Massimiliano Poli
Original assignee: Berker GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Berker GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-12-18
Filing date: 2015-12-18
Publication date: 2017-06-21
Anticipated expiration: 2035-12-18
Also published as: PT3182435T; PL3182435T3; ES2664806T3; EP3182435B1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical switch apparatus comprising at least one lighting arrangement (100) and main apparatus body having at least three connection elements. Two adjoining connection (200) elements of said connection elements form a socket. The lighting arrangement (100) comprises a printed circuit board, at least a light source arranged on said printed circuit board and at least two connectors, namely a first connector and a second connector. The first connector and the second connector form a plug. The plug is connected to said socket to electrically connect said adjoining connection elements forming said socket to said connectors forming said plug. The lighting arrangement (100) is configured to enable said light source to perform a first function when said socket is formed by a first couple of adjoining connection elements and a second function when said socket is formed by a second couple of adjoining connection elements which is distinct from said first couple of adjoining connection elements.

Description

The present invention relates to an electrical switch apparatus and to a wall mounted switch assembly comprising a support means and at least one electrical switch apparatus.
Electrical switch apparatuses comprising at least one lighting arrangement performing a first function are known. This first function can for instance indicate to an observer the open or closed state of the switch or can for instance be switched on permanently to indicate the position of the switch to the observer even in a dark environment. Indicating the open or closed state of the switch by the lighting arrangement can be of particular interest if the switch is configured to control a remote light source.
In the electric switch apparatuses known from the prior art, this first function has to be set by a manually wiring the lamp to conductors of an electrical circuit in which this switch is to be arranged.
It is the object of the present invention to provide an electric switch apparatus having a lighting arrangement able to perform different functions, wherein those different functions can be selected easily.
This object is achieved by an electrical switch apparatus comprising at least one lighting arrangement and main apparatus body having at least three connection elements. Two adjoining connection elements of said connection elements form a socket.
Said lighting arrangement comprises at least a signaling means and at least two connectors, namely a first connector and a second connector.
Said first connector and said second connector form a plug.
Said plug is connected to said socket to electrically connect said adjoining connection elements forming said socket to said connectors forming said plug.
Said lighting arrangement is configured to enable said signaling means to perform a first function when said socket is formed by a first couple of adjoining connection elements and a second function when said socket is formed by a second couple of adjoining connection elements which is distinct from said first couple of adjoining connection elements.
This electrical switch apparatus according to the invention has the advantage of allowing a person installing the electrical switch apparatus or an end-user of the electrical switch apparatus to change the function of the lighting arrangement by releasing the plug from the socket and by inserting the plug to another socket.
The first couple of adjoining connection elements forming said socket is considered being disctinct from the second couple of adjoining connection elements if at least one connection element of the first couple does not form a part of the second couple. The first couple and the second couple may comprise a common connection element.
Preferably, the signaling means comprises at least one light source.
Preferably, the electrical switch apparatus comprises a printed circuit board on which the signaling means and/or the light source is arranged.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lighting arrangement further comprises at least two projections, namely a first projection accommodating at least partially said first connector and a second projection accommodating at least partially said second connector.
Said main apparatus body further comprises at least three recesses in each of which one of said at least three connection elements is arranged.
Said projections are each inserted in one of said recesses in which said two adjoining connection elements forming said socket are arranged to further mechanically connect said lighting arrangement to said main apparatus body.
These features bare the advantage of assuring the mechanical connection of the plug in one of the sockets.
According to a preferred embodiment, said lighting arrangement further comprises a housing in which preferably at least said printed circuit and/or said signaling means and/or said light source board and said light source are accommodated.
These features bare the advantage to protect the lighting arrangement from dust for instance and allows a person to manipulate the lighting arrangement with a reduced risk of damaging the printed circuit board for instance.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first projection and said second projection form an integral part of said housing.
These features bare the advantage of assuring a firm fit of the plug in the socket.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said housing has a shape possessing rotational symmetry of order n with respect to an axis. Preferably the axis is an axis of symmetry, preferably of order greater than 2.
These features bare the advantage of allowing the plug to be plugged into a different socket by nearly rotating the lighting arrangement with respect to the main apparatus body.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first connector and/or said second connector comprise(s) a pin, which preferably protrudes from the respective projection, and a spring connected to said pin, said spring preferably allowing for a displacement of said pin in a direction substantially parallel to its longitudinal axis to guarantee a continuous electrical contact between said adjoining connection elements forming said socket and said connectors forming said plug.
The aforementioned features bare the advantage of assuring the electrical contact between the lighting arrangement and the main apparatus body.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said lighting arrangement and/or said printed circuit board comprises an ambient light sensor configured to switch on or switch off and/or dim said light source to a preset value.
These features bare the advantage of allowing to adapt the luminosity of the light source to the light conditions of the environment of the switch apparatus.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said main apparatus body comprises at least one latching arrangements, each of said latching arrangement, being disposed in one of said recesses, wherein at least one of said projections comprises a latching means engaged with one of said latching arrangements.
The features allow for an easy and durable securing of the lighting arrangement in the main apparatus body.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said recess(es) are arranged in said main apparatus body with rotational symmetry of order n with respect to an axis, preferably of order greater than 2. Preferably, the axis is an axis of symmetry.
These features bare the advantage of allowing the plug to be plugged into a different socket by merely rotating the lighting arrangement with respect to the main apparatus body.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first couple of adjoining connection elements comprises a connection element forming said socket, which is also comprised by said second couple of adjoining connection elements forming said socket, namely a common connection element.
These features allow the main apparatus body to have compact dimensions.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, said connection elements of said first couple of adjoining connection elements forming said socket are arranged on a first line and said connection elements of said second couple of adjoining connection elements forming said socket are arranged on a second line, said first line and said second line preferably forming an angle of substantially 90°.
These features allow for an easy selection of the different functions of the lighting arrangement by rotating the lighting arrangement by 90°.
According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, said first line and said second line intersect in proximity of said common connection element.
The invention also relates to a wall-mounted switch assembly comprising a support means and at least one electrical switch apparatus according to the invention.
The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clearer from the description which follows and from the appended drawings, in which :

figure 1 shows the electric switch apparatus of figure 3 in a perspective view;
figure 2 shows a lighting arrangement of the electric switch apparatus according to the first embodiment in a perspective view;
figure 2A shows a cap of the lighting arrangement shown in figure 2;
figure 2B shows the lighting arrangement of figure 2, from which the cap was removed;
figure 2C shows an exploded view of the lighting arrangement of figure 2;
figure 3 shows a sectional view of the lighting arrangement of figure 2;
figure 4 shows a top view of the lighting arrangement of figure 2;
figure 5 shows a perspective view of the main apparatus body of the electrical switch according to the first embodiment;
figure 6 shows a sectional view of the electric switch apparatus according to the first embodiment;
figure 7 shows the main body of an electric switch apparatus according to the first embodiment of the invention;
figure 7A shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a first position;
figure 7B shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 7A;
figure 7C shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a second position;
figure 7D shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 7C;
figure 7E shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the first embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a third position;
figure 7F shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 7E;
figure 7G shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the second embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a fourth position;
figure 7H shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 7G;
figure 8 shows the main body of an electric switch apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;
figure 8A shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the second embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a first position;
figure 8B shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 8A;
figure 8C shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the second embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a second position;
figure 8D shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 8C;
figure 8E shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the second embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a third position;
figure 8F shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 8E;
figure 8G shows a perspective view of the electrical switch apparatus according to the second embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is arranged in a fourth position;
figure 8H shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 8G;
figure 9 shows a main apparatus body of an electric switch apparatus according to a third embodiment of the invention;
figure 9A is a perspective view of the electric switch apparatus according to the third embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is in a first position;
figure 9B shows a circuit diagram of the electrical switch apparatus shown in figure 9A;
figure 9C is a perspective view of the electric switch apparatus according to the third embodiment, wherein the lighting arrangement is in a second position;
figure 9D shows a circuit diagram of the electric switch apparatus of figure 9C.

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an electric switch apparatus 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention, wherein a push button (not shown in figures) has been removed. The electric switch apparatus 10 comprises an apparatus body 200. The apparatus body 200 can comprise a shell 202 preferably having two first lateral walls 203 and two second lateral walls 204. This shell 202 is preferably of substancially rectangular cross section.
The shell 202 may be configured to be affixed to a support means (not shown in figures). The support means can be for instance a support frame which can be mounted to a wall or a wall mounted box.
The shell 202 may comprise at least one connecting lug 201 which can come in contact with a portion of the support means to affix the shell 202 thereto. Preferably, the connecting lug 201 is arranged on the first lateral wall 203.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, several electric switch apparatuses 10 can be affixed to one support means by stringing the electrical switch apparatuses 10 together, thereby aligning their respective second lateral walls 204 next to each other.
Preferably, the electric switch apparatus 10 may comprise a push button.
The electric switch apparatus 10 comprises the lighting arrangement 100 which is arranged in the main apparatus body 200.
The main apparatus body 200 has at least three connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214. Two adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 of said connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 form a socket 210.
According to the first embodiment, the main apparatus body 200 has four connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214, namely a first connection element 211, a second connection element 212, a third connection element 213, and a fourth connection element 214. The first connection element 211 adjoins the fourth connection element 214 and the second connection element 212. The connection element 212 adjoins the first connection element 211 and the third connection element 213. The third connection element 213 adjoins the second connection 212 and the fourth connection element 214. The fourth connection element 214 adjoins the first connection element 211 and the third connection element 213. Therefore, the socket 210 can be formed by the first connection element 211 and the second connection element 212, by the second connection element 212 and the third connection element 213, by the third connection element 213 and the fourth connection element 214, and/or by the fourth connection element 214 and the first connection element 211.
The lighting arrangement 100 may comprise a printed circuit board 110 and at least a light source 120 preferably arranged on said printed circuit board 110. The lighting arrangement 100 is disclosed in figures 2 to 4. The lighting arrangement 100 further comprises at least two connectors 131, 132, namely a first connector 131 and a second connector 132. The first connector 131 and the second connector 132 form a plug 130.
As for instance shown in figure 6, the plug 130 is connected to said socket 210 to electrically connect said adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming said socket 210 to said connectors 131, 132, forming said plug 130.
The lighting arrangement 100 is configured to enable said light source 120 to perform a first function when the socket 210 is formed by a first couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 and a second function when the socket 210 is formed by a second couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 which is distinct from said first couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214.
The main apparatus body 200 preferably comprises at least one latching arrangement 231, 232, 233, 234. Preferably and in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention, the apparatus body 200 comprises four latching arrangements 231, 232, 233, 234. Each latching arrangement 231, 232, 233, 234 is preferably arranged in one of the recesses 221, 222, 223, 224. Preferably, each of the projections comprises a latching means 151, 152, 153, 154 which is engaged with one of the latching arrangements 231, 232, 233, 234.
As can be seen in figures 5 and 6, the lighting arrangement 100 preferably further comprises at least two projections 141, 142, 143, 144, namely a first projection 141, accommodating at least partially said first connector 131 and a second projection 142 accommodating at least partially said second connector 132. Preferably, the main apparatus body 200 further comprises at least three recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 in each of which one of said at least three connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 is arranged. Preferably, the projections 141, 142, 143, 144 are each inserted in one of said recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 in which said two adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming said socket 210 are arranged to further mechanically connect said lighting arrangement 100 to said main apparatus body 200.
Preferably, the lighting arrangement 100 further comprises a housing 160 and a cap 161 forming a part of said housing 160. Preferably, a least the printed circuit board 110 and/or the light source 120 are accommodated in the housing 160.
As particularly shown in figures 2, 3 and 6, the first projections 141 and the second projection 142 preferably form an integral part of the housing 160.
Preferably each projection 141, 142, 143, 144 is arranged equidistantly to an axis X. Preferably, each of the projections 141, 142, 143, 144 protrudes in a direction which is substantially parallel to the axis X. Preferably, the axis X is an axis of symmetry.
Preferably, the housing 160 has a shape possessing rotational symmetry of order n with respect to the axis of symmetry X. Preferably, the housing 160 has a shape possessing rotational symmetry of order greater than 2 with respect to the axis of symmetry X. In accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in figures 1 to 10D, the housing 160 has a shape possessing rotational symmetry of order 4 with respect to the axis of symmetry X. The aforementioned features are particularly apparent from figures 2 and 4.
It should be noted that, even though the first projection 141 and the second projection 142 differ slightly in shape from the third projection 143 and the fourth projection 144, all of the projections 141, 142, 143, 144 are configured to be accommodated in one of the recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 and are therefore considered of having substantially the same shape. Therefore, housing 160 is considered having rotational symmetry of order 4 with respect to the axis of symmetry X.
As can be seen in particular from figure 5, the recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 are preferably arranged in the main apparatus body 200 with rotational symmetry of order n with respect to the axis of symmetry X. Preferably, the recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 are arranged in the main apparatus body 200 with rotational symmetry of order greater than 2 with respect to the axis of symmetry X. In accordance with the different preferred embodiments of the electrical switch apparatus 10, the recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 are preferably arranged in the main apparatus body 200 with rotational symmetry of order 4 with respect to the axis of symmetry X.
Preferably, the printed circuit board 110 and/or the lighting arrangement 100 comprises an ambient light sensor 111 configured to switch on or switch off and/or dim the light source 120 to a preset value.
As can be seen in particular from figure 5, first couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming the socket 210 comprises a connection element 211, 212, 213, 214, which is also comprised by the second couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming said socket 210, namely a common connection element 211,212,213,214.
Preferably, the connection element 211, 212, 213, 214 of the first couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming the socket 210 are arranged on a first line 215 and the connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 of the second couple of adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming the socket 210 are arranged on a second line 216. Preferably, the first line 215 and the second line 216 intersect with an angle of substantially 90°. Preferably, the first line 215 and the second line 216 intersect in proximity of the common connection element 211, 212, 213, 214.
The invention also relates to a wall mounted switch assembly comprising a support means (not shown in the figures) and at least one electrical switch apparatus 10 according to the invention.
Preferably, the first connector 131 and/or the second connector 132 comprise(s) a pin 135. Preferably, the pin 135 protrudes from the respective projection 141, 142. Preferably the first connector 131 and/or the second connector 132 further comprise a spring 136 connected to the pin 135. Preferably, the spring 136 allows for a displacement of the pin 135 in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spring and/or the pin 135. These features guarantee a continuous electrical contact between the adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 forming the socket 210 and the connectors 131, 132 forming the plug 130. The aforementioned features will become particularly apparent from figure 6.
As can be seen for instance in figures 1, 2 and 5, the recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 and/or the projections 141, 142, 143, 144 and/or the connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 and/or the connectors 131, 132, are equidistant from the axis X. Preferably the axis X is an axis of symmetry.
Preferably, two adjoining recesses 221, 222, 223, 224 and/or two adjoining projections 141, 142, 143, 144 and/or two adjoining connection elements 211, 212, 213, 214 and/or two adjoining connectors 131, 132 are arranged at the same distance to one another.
As can be seen in the figures 7 to 7H, the main apparatus body 200 of the electrical switch apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the invention comprises an electric circuit 240. The lighting arrangement 100 can preferably take several different positions. According to the first embodiment of the invention, the lighting arrangement 100 can take four different positions, namely a first position as shown in figure 7A, a second position as shown in figure 7C, a third position as shown in figure 7E and a fourth position as shown in figure 7G. Correspondingly, figure 7B shows the electric circuit 240 with the lighting arrangement 100 taking the first position, figure 7D shows the electric circuit 240 with the lighting arrangement 100 taking the second position, figure 7F shows the electric circuit 240 with the lighting arrangement 100 taking the third position and figure 7H shows the electric circuit 240 where the lighting arrangement 100 takes the fourth position. Between the first position and the second position, the lighting arrangement 100 is rotated clockwise by 90°, preferably around the axis X. Between the first position and the third position, the lighting arrangement 100 is rotated clockwise 180°, preferably around the axis X. Between the first position and the fourth position, the lighting arrangement 100 is rotated by 270° in a clockwise direction, preferably around the axis X.
The electric circuit 240 comprises four phases, namely a first phase L, a second phase 1, a third phase 2 and a neutral phase N. The electric circuit 240 comprises a switch device 241, which is, for the first embodiment of the invention, arranged between the first phase L and the second phase 1 and is configured to open or close an electrical connection between the first phase L and the second phase 1.
In the first position, the light source 120 is arranged in parallel to the switch device 241. In this configuration, the light source 120 performs a localization function of the electric switch apparatus 10. In the first position of the lighting arrangement, the light source is illuminated when the switch device 241 is open. If the switch device 241 is closed, the light source 120 is short circuited and is therefore not illuminated. The localization function allows a user to locate the electrical switch apparatus 10 in a dark environment when the switch device 241 is open.
As shown in figure 7D, the light source 120 is connected between the first phase L and the neutral phase N, when the lighting arrangement is in the second position. In this position, the light source 120 performs the function "always on". In this position, the light source 120 is illuminated independently of the open or the closed state of the switch device 241.
When the lighting arrangement 100 is in the third position, as shown in figures 7E and 7F, the light source 120 is arranged between the neutral phase N and the third phase 2. In this position, the light source 120 performs the function "remote control". According to this function, the light source 120 may indicate the state of an external circuit which affects other electrical appliances or devices which can be remotedly positioned with regard to the electric switch apparatus 10. In this configuration, the circuit 240 can comprise two separate circuits, explicitly a first circuit formed by the first phase L and the second phase 1 and a second circuit formed by the third phase 2 and the neutral phase N. A different voltage could even be used for the first circuit and the second circuit respectively. In this configuration, the first circuit formed by the first phase L and the second phase 1 could be connected to a relay for instance. The relay can be configured to actuate a second switch device (not shown in the figures) arranged in the second circuit to open or close the second circuit. In this configuration the light source 120 indicates the state of the second circuit. The function of the light source 120 is called "remote control" as electric appliances powered by the second circuit may be distant from the location of the electric switch apparatus 10 and as the state (illuminated/not illuminated) of the light source 120 reflects the state of the second circuit.
As shown in figures 7G and 7H when the lighting arrangement 100 is in the fourth position, the light source 120 is arranged between the second phase 1 and the third phase 2. Preferably, the third phase 2 may be connected directly to the neutral phase N. The light source 120 is then arranged in parallel to a load connected between the second phase 1 and the third phase 2 and enabled to perform the function "load control". According to the function "load control", the state (illuminated/not illuminated) also reflects or reproduces the state of the load connected between the second phase 1 and the third phase 2.
Figures 8 to 8H show the electric switch apparatus 10 according to a second preferred embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment by the electric circuit 240. The electric circuit 240 of the electric switch apparatus 10 according to the second embodiment comprises a two way switch arranged between the first phase L as well as the second phase 1 and the third phase 2. The switch 240 may establish an electrical connection between the first phase L and the second phase 1 or the first phase L and the third phase 2.
According to the second embodiment, the light source 120 of the lighting arrangement 100, when it is arranged in the main apparatus body 200 in the first position, the light source performs the function "localization". This same function is also performed when the lighting arrangement 100 takes the fourth position. In the second position, the lighting arrangement 100 is configured to perform the function "always on". In the third position, the lighting arrangement 100 is arranged so that the light source 120 may perform the "load control" function.
The functions "localization", "always on" and "load control" for this embodiment is identical to those as described for the first embodiment.
Figures 9 to 9D show the electric switch apparatus 10 according to the third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the lighting arrangement 100 can take two positions, namely a first position shown in figure 9A and a second position shown in figure 9C. The lighting arrangement 100 is rotated by 180°around the axis X between the first position and the second position. The electric circuit 240 according to the third embodiment comprises a first phase 1', a second phase 2', a third phase 3' and a fourth phase 4'. This circuit 240 comprises a switch device 241. The switch device 241 is configured to simultaneously electrically connect the first phase 1' to the third phase 3' and the second phase 2' to the fourth phase 4'. In the first position, the lighting arrangement 120 is arranged between the third phase 3' and the fourth phase 4'. In the second position, the lighting arrangement 240 is arranged between the first phase 1' and the second phase 2'. In this embodiment, the light source 120 performs the function "localization" in the first position and the function "load control" in the second position.

Claims

Electrical switch apparatus comprising:
at least one lighting arrangement (100) and main apparatus body having at least three connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214), two adjoining connection (200) elements (211, 212, 213, 214) of said connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) forming a socket (210),

said lighting arrangement (100) comprising at least a signaling means (120) and at least two connectors (131, 132), namely a first connector (131) and a second connector (132),

said first connector (131) and said second connector (132) forming a plug (130).

wherein said plug (130) is connected to said socket (210) to electrically connect said adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) forming said socket (210) to said connectors (131, 132) forming said plug (130), and

wherein said lighting arrangement (100) is configured to enable said signaling means (120) to perform a first function when said socket (210) is formed by a first couple of adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) and a second function when said socket (210) is formed by a second couple of adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) which is distinct from said first couple of adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214).
Electrical switch apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the signaling means (120) comprises at least one light source.
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized by a printed circuit board (110) on which the signaling means (120) and/or the light source is arranged.
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lighting arrangement (100) further comprises at least two projections (141, 142, 143, 144), namely a first projection (141) accommodating at least partially said first connector (131) and a second projection (142) accommodating at least partially said second connector (132),
wherein said main apparatus body (206) further comprises at least three recesses (221, 222, 223, 224) in each of which one of said at least three connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) is arranged, and
wherein said projections (141, 142, 143, 144) are each inserted in one of said recesses (221, 222, 223, 224) in which said two adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) forming said socket (210) are arranged to further mechanically connect said lighting arrangement (100) to said main apparatus body (200).
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that said lighting arrangement (100) further comprises a housing (160) in which preferably at least said printed circuit board (110) and/or said signaling means (120) and/or said light source are accommodated.
Electrical switch apparatus according to a combination of claims 4 and 5, characterized in that said first projection (141) and said second projection (142) form an integral part of said housing (160).
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 5 or 6, characterized in that said housing (160) has a shape possessing rotational symmetry of order n with respect to an axis of symmetry (X), preferably of order greater than 2.
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 7, characterized in that said first connector (131) and/or said second connector (132) comprise(s) a pin (135), which preferably protrudes from the respective projection (141, 142), and a spring (136) connected to said pin (135), said spring (136) preferably allowing for a displacement of said pin (135) in a direction substantially parallel to its longitudinal axis to guarantee a continuous electrical contact between said adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) forming said socket (210) and said connectors (131, 132,) forming said plug (130).
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 8, characterized in that said lighting arrangement (100) and/or said printed circuit board (110) comprises an ambient light sensor (111) configured to switch on or switch off and/or dim said light source (120) to a preset value.
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 4 to 9, characterized in that said main apparatus body (200) comprises at least one latching arrangement (231, 232, 233, 234), each of said latching arrangements (231, 232, 233, 234) being disposed in one of said recesses (221, 222, 223, 224), wherein at least one of said projections (141, 142, 143, 144) comprises a latching means (151, 152, 153, 154) engaged with one of said latching arrangements (231, 232, 233, 234).
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 4 to 10, characterized in that said recess (221, 222, 223, 224) are arranged in said main apparatus body (200) with rotational symmetry of order n with respect to an axis of symmetry (X), preferably of order greater than 2.
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 11, characterized in that said first couple of adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) forming said socket (210) comprises a connection element (211, 212, 213, 214), which is also comprised by said second couple of adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214), forming said socket (210) namely a common connection element (211, 212, 213, 214).
Electrical switch apparatus according to any one of the claims 1 to 12, characterized in that said connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) of said first couple of adjoining connection elements forming said socket (210) are arranged on a first line (215) and said connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) of said second couple of adjoining connection elements (211, 212, 213, 214) forming said socket (210) are arranged on a second line (216), said first line (215) and said second line (216) preferably forming an angle of substantially 90°.
Electrical switch apparatus according to a combination of the claims 12 and 13, characterized in that said first line (215) and said second line (216) intersect in proximity of said common connection element (211, 212, 213, 214).
Wall-mounted switch assembly comprising a support means and at least one electrical switch apparatus (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 14.