AU2008340914B2

AU2008340914B2 - Electrical installation device

Info

Publication number: AU2008340914B2
Application number: AU2008340914A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Richard Vicktorius
Original assignee: Merten GmbH
Current assignee: Merten GmbH
Priority date: 2007-12-21
Filing date: 2008-12-17
Publication date: 2014-03-20
Anticipated expiration: 2028-12-17
Also published as: BRPI0821399A2; CN101926059A; RU2010130490A; RU2491688C2; DE102007063587A1; DK2223392T3; ES2720139T3; EP2223392B1; CN101926059B; BRPI0821399B1; WO2009079998A1; DE102007063587B4; EP2223392A1; PL2223392T3; AU2008340914A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical installation device (1) which consists of a base (3), contact elements (8, 9, 12) arranged in the base (3) being connectible on the back of the base (3) to a mains voltage, a supporting frame (4) secured to the base (3), a function-specific front element (5) that can be secured to a front of the base (3), and a module (2) that can be secured to the base (3). The aim of the invention is to provide a expandable installation device (1) which is easy to install and convenient. The installation device is characterized in that the base (3) has a receiving compartment (19) which is delimited at the back by a base plate (21) of the base (3) and at the periphery by walls (17, 18) of the base (3), a separate module (2) being insertable in said compartment from the front.

Description

1 ELECTRICAL INSTALLATION DEVICE Description 5 The invention relates to an electrical service device. Such electrical service devices are used in buildings services engineering both in the initial installation phase and in the refitting sector. It is often important to be 10 able to functionally modify the respective electrical service device. For this reason, it has proven to be advantageous to provide corresponding assemblies which can be fitted additionally to the existing device, if required. 15 The prior art, for example EP 0 281 969 B1, has disclosed a service device in which such an assembly can be fastened at the rear. One disadvantage with this is that the service device needs to be released and removed from the stationary installation enclosure once the front element has been 20 removed in order to be able to gain access to the rear side and to be able to fit the assembly. Such arrangements and methods entail increased complexity in terms of fitting and are not particularly practicable. 25 It would be desirable to eliminate the abovementioned disadvantages and provide an extendable service device which is friendly in terms of fitting and convenient. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in 30 this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the 2 common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia on or before the priority date of the claims herein. Comprises/comprising and grammatical variations thereof when 5 used in this specification are to be taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components or groups thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 10 In accordance with the present invention there is provided an electrical service device including a device cap, contact elements arranged in the device cap being connectable to a system voltage from a rear side of the device cap, a 15 supporting frame fastened on the device cap, a function specific front element fastenable on a front side of the device cap, and a module fastenable on the device cap, wherein the device cap has an accommodating area, which is delimited at the rear by a bottom plate of the device cap 20 and circumferentially by walls of the device cap, and into which a separate module can be inserted at the front to functionally modify the electrical service device. The present invention has the advantage that a universally 25 usable service device is provided which can be modified easily with a suitable modular assembly, if required. In this respect, in order to modify the service device, only the function-specific front element needs to be removed in order to be able to insert or replace the module. It is not 30 necessary for the device cap or the supporting frame to be dismantled from the stationary installation enclosure, which results in a considerable advantage in terms of installation.

2a The generally provided structure of device caps, in particular of the dimensions thereof and the fastening and contact points thereof, remains unchanged. Thus, the function-specific front elements, for example, can continue 5 to be used within a production line when replacing an existing service device. A cylindrical accommodating area with a base surface in the form of a segment of a circle for the module is provided 10 within the device cap in one piece by means of a bottom plate and an inner wall as well as a radial outer wall. The accommodating area is arranged at the edge of the device cap. No additional space is required in front of or behind the device cap for arranging the module. Instead, an 15 advantageous arrangement of component parts makes it possible to provide the accommodating area within the existing structure of the device cap, with the result that the module can be fitted at the front and can be integrated flush with the surface in the device cap. 20 Advantageously, an unused accommodating area is closed off at the front by a removable cover in order firstly to ensure protection against electric shock and secondly to prevent damage or deposits. Furthermore, a visually advantageous 25 closed surface in the device cap WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 -3 results. Prior to the insertion of a module, the function-specific front element and the cover are removed, it being possible, if appropriate, for the cover to be fitted again without the module when used 5 at a later point. The module fits into the accommodating area in interlocking fashion and is fixed therein in latching fashion in the end position. The interlocking 10 connection between the accommodating area and the module enables positively guided and therefore coded plugging. The module is inserted into the accommodating area as far as the stop without any deflections with an entirely guided, linearly sliding fitting movement. 15 Handles are integrally formed on the front side of the module to enable simple handling. The electrical contact between the module and the contact elements of the device cap is made as the 20 module is fitted automatically and with protection against electric shock in the bottom region of the accommodating area. The contact elements on the module and in the accommodating area are arranged in mutually complementary free spaces, grooves and cutouts in such 25 a way as to prevent touching contact being made with said contact elements and to prevent said contact elements from being damaged. The complementary forms, in addition to the positively guided plugging of the module, also facilitate correct contact-making with the 30 contact elements. The modules contain in particular optical, mechanical and/or electrical components. In addition to conventional installation technology, the use of bus 35 technologies is also possible here. In addition to wired components, wireless components are also conceivable here for data transmission by means of radio or infrared signals, for example.

WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 -4 The modules can perform a wide variety of functions and form functionally self-enclosed assemblies, with the result that it is not necessary for any changes to be 5 made to the device cap. In particular, there are modules which are used depending on the application case, for example surge protection modules, indicator and lighting modules, alarm modules, data processing modules or mechanical function modules. Furthermore, 10 the system voltage entering at the rear from the contact elements towards the front side can be converted in the modules into any desired lower voltage or another form of energy. Visual state messages can be produced via light elements formed at the front of the 15 module. In addition, acoustic signaling is possible. One possible embodiment of the electrical service device is a socket outlet with a surge protection module which can be optionally installed. 20 Further details, features and advantages of the invention are given in the description below relating to a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the drawings, in which: 25 Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a service device with a front element and a cover. Figure 2 shows a front-side view of a service device 30 without the cover and without the module. Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the service device from figure 2 without the release elements. 35 Figure 4 shows a front-side view of a module.

WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 -5 Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the module from figure 4. Figure 6 shows a further perspective view of the 5 module from figure 4. Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the service device and the module prior to fitting. 10 Figure 8 shows a front-side view of the service device with the module inserted. Identical or functionally identical component parts have been provided with the same reference symbols in 15 the description below. The design and the mode of operation of the service device 1 according to the invention will be described in more detail below. By way of example, in this case a 20 service device 1 in the form of a socket outlet which is populated with a module 2 for surge protection has been illustrated. The service device 1 has a device cap 3, which is in 25 principle circular and in the form of a block and is made from insulating materials. An annular supporting frame 4, which is preferably fastened in latching fashion, surrounds the device cap 3 on the outside. The supporting frame 4 is manufactured either from metallic 30 or from nonmetallic materials, preferably plastic. Radially opposite this, claw-like fastening means (not illustrated in any more detail) are provided on the device cap 3 or on the supporting frame 4, said claw like fastening means making it possible to fasten the 35 service device 1 in a stationary installation enclosure (not illustrated). Preferably, the device cap 3 and the supporting frame 4 form an assembly unit. A function specific front element 5 is fastened at the front and WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 6 can be in one or more parts, depending on the application. (Figure 1) Metallic contact elements 8 and 9, into which plug pins 5 of a device plug (not illustrated) are plugged at the front and which are connected to supply lines at the rear via connection terminals 10 and 11, are arranged in the device cap 3 under so-called release elements 6 and 7. Furthermore, a grounding clip 12, which is bent 10 a plurality of times, is arranged in the device cap 3, said grounding clip serving the purpose of making contact with a grounding contact of the device plug at the front and being connected to a grounding conductor via a corresponding connection terminal 13 at the rear. 15 The two contact elements 8 and 9 are fastened in correspondingly shaped chambers 14 and 15 in the center of the device cap 3. The connection terminals 10, 11 are electrically conductively connected, preferably in 20 latching fashion, to the associated contact element 8, 9 and are arranged uniformly in a connection region 16 of the device cap 3. On the radially opposite side, an accommodating area 19, which extends in cylindrical fashion and has a base surface 20 in the form of a 25 segment of a circle formed by a rear-side bottom plate 21, is formed within the integral device cap 3 by a radial outer wall 17 and a straight inner wall 18. (Figures 2 and 3) 30 As shown in figure 1, in the unpopulated state, a removable cover 22 closes off this accommodating area 19, with the cover 22 being arranged flush with the surface with respect to the release elements 6 and 7. Latching tabs 23, which serve the purpose of fixing the 35 module 2, are located on the bottom plate 21 within the accommodating area 19. In the accommodating area 19, the chambers 14 and 15 of the contact elements 8 and 9 extend on the bottom side. The grounding clip 12 is WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 -7 arranged between the two contact elements 8 and 9 and runs initially on the bottom side and then bent back perpendicularly along the outer wall 17 in the accommodating area 19. A module 2 can be inserted into 5 this accommodating area 19 in interlocking fashion. As shown in figures 4 to 6, the module 2 is made from an insulating material and has a cylindrical three dimensional extent, beginning with a base surface 24 in 10 the form of a segment of a circle from which a straight wall 25 and a bent wall 26 extend, which walls are closed off by a cover 27. Various cutouts, recesses and shoulders are formed in or on the walls 25 and 26. Various component parts, for example varistors, gas 15 discharge arresters, a printed circuit board, resistors, light elements and contact elements, are arranged in the module 2. As a result, it is possible to realize a surge protection unit, for example. 20 Two varistors 28 are located circumferentially on the bent wall 26 of the module 2 and below a centrally arranged printed circuit board (not illustrated in any more detail, the wall 26 having recesss 29 in regions for cooling component parts. Resistors and light 25 elements are arranged above the printed circuit board. Free spaces 30 and 31 are formed on the base surface 24 of the module 2, with contact pins 32 and 33 being guided in protected fashion out of the module 2 in said free spaces 30 and 31, it being possible for electrical 30 contact to be made between said contact pins 32 and 33 and the contact elements 8 and 9 of the device cap 3. A groove 34 is formed between the free spaces 30 and 31, with a contact pin 35 protruding into said groove, said contact pin 35 making contact with the grounding clip 35 12 running in the device cap 3. Furthermore, a through bore 36 is arranged in the module 2, with the result that it is also possible to realize a socket outlet variant with a grounding pin, with the arrangement of WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 the contact pin 35 and the manner in which contact is made with the contact pin 35 remaining the same. Notches 37 for latching engagement with the latching tabs 23 of the bottom plates 21 are formed within the 5 groove 34. On the upper side of the module 2, preferably on the cover 27, protrusions 38 are formed which facilitate the process of plugging in and possibly removing the 10 module 2. Furthermore, a pin-shaped shoulder 39 is located at the edge on the upper side of the module 2 in order to be able to conduct light signals from the module 2 in a targeted manner to indicator elements in the front element 5. For this purpose, at least the 15 shoulder 39 is made from a light-conducting material, such as PC or PMMA, for example. A light element in the form of an LED 40 is arranged in a cutout 41. In addition, a projection 42 is formed in the cover 27 in order to accommodate, in interlocking fashion, 20 mechanical devices of the front element 5, for example elements with increased protection against electric shock. Furthermore, a bent-back shoulder 43, in which an additional contact 44 is formed in protected fashion, is located on the straight wall 25 of the 25 module 2. The fitting and operation of the service device 1 will be described briefly below. (Figures 7 and 8) 30 A basic version of a service device 1 comprises a device cap 3 equipped with the contact elements 8 and 9 and the grounding clip 12, and the supporting frame fastened thereto. The accommodating area 19 is closed of f by a cover 22 and there is no module 2 located 35 therein. Such a unit is conventionally connected to supply lines in an installation box by means of the connection terminals 10, 11, 13 and fixed by the claw- WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 -9 like fastening means. Finally, the front element 5 is fastened. If required, the electrical service device 1 is 5 subsequently modified, for example in order to integrate surge protection. For this purpose, the front element 5 and then the cover 22 of the device cap 3 are removed. As a result of the interlocking connection, it is possible for a module 2 to be pushed linearly into 10 the accommodating area 19 in the form of a segment of a circle until it comes to a stop, without becoming jammed. In the process, automatically said module 2 is both mechanically latched and electrical contact is made therewith, without it being necessary for the 15 service unit 1 to be removed or without any additional connection work being required. At the front, the module 2 is arranged so as to be flush with the surface with respect to the release elements 6 and 7 after fitting. Only the protrusions 38 protrude, but 20 terminate with the supporting frame 4. During the fitting operation, the latching tabs 23 protruding from the bottom plate 21 of the accommodating area 19 latch in the notches 37 in the 25 module 2. The contact pins 32 and 33 slide into the contact elements 8 and 9 by virtue of the interlocking interaction between the chambers 14 and 15 and the free spaces 30 and 31. The contact made with the contact pins 32 and 33 in the contact elements 8 and 9 remains 30 when contact is made with plug pins of a device plug in the same contact elements 8 and 9 without any mechanical interaction. The contact pin 35 slides into a module location 45 in the grounding clip 12, the grounding clip 12 being surrounded by the groove 34. 35 The additional contact 44 is positioned in the vicinity of the contact element 8.

WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 - 10 When a supply voltage is applied, the surge protection is active. A correctly plugged device plug brings the contact element 8 which is springing back to bear against the additional contact 44, with the result that 5 this normal state is indicated by a green light, which is guided towards the outside, for example into the front element 5, via the light-conducting shoulder 39 or via the LED 40. In the event of tripping at an excessively high voltage which is destructive for the 10 device, the surge protection module 2 is triggered. The light becomes red, with it optionally being possible for an acoustic alarm to be triggered. In this case, the module 2 needs to be replaced since 15 it has been irreversibly destructed by the surge. For this purpose, the module 2 is drawn against the protrusions 38, with the latching tabs 23 springing back into the notches 37 so as to enable removal. If a replacement is not immediately available, the 20 accommodating area 19 can be closed again by the cover 22 until a new module is inserted. The description above relating to the exemplary embodiment is only used for illustrative purposes and 25 not for the purposes of restricting the invention. Various changes and modifications are possible in the context of the invention without leaving the scope of the invention and equivalents thereof.

WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 - 11 List of reference symbols 1 Service device 2 Module 3 Device cap 4 Supporting frame 5 Front element 6 Release element 7 Release element 8 Contact element 9 Contact element 10 Connection terminal 11 Connection terminal 12 Grounding clip 13 Connection terminal 14 Chamber 15 Chamber 16 Connection region 17 Outer wall 18 Inner wall 19 Accommodating area 20 Base surface of 19 21 Bottom plate 22 Cover 23 Latching tab 24 Base surface of 2 25 Wall 26 Wall 27 Cover 28 Varistor 29 Recess 30 Free space 31 Free space 32 Contact pin 33 Contact pin 34 Groove 35 Contact pin 36 Through-bore WO 2009/079998 PCT/DE2008/002105 - 12 37 Notch 38 Protrusions 39 Shoulder 40 LED 41 Cutout 42 Projection 43 Shoulder 44 Additional contact 45 Module location

Claims

1. An electrical service device including a device cap, contact elements arranged in the device cap being connectable to a system voltage from a rear side of the 5 device cap, a supporting frame fastened on the device cap, a function-specific front element fastenable on a front side of the device cap, and a module fastenable on the device cap, wherein the device cap has an accommodating area, which is delimited at the rear by a bottom plate of the device cap 10 and circumferentially by walls of the device cap, and into which a separate module can be inserted at the front to functionally modify the electrical service device.

2. The electrical service device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom plate and the walls are formed in one 15 piece on the device cap.

3. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accommodating area is formed to be cylindrical and has a base surface in the form of a segment of a circle. 20

4. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the accommodating area is located at the edge of the device cap.

5. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a cover is arranged on the 25 device cap in such a way that it can pivot and/or be removed, said cover closing off the accommodating area.

6. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module fills the accommodating area in interlocking fashion. 14

7. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module is arranged in the device cap at the front and flush with the surface.

8. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of 5 the preceding claims, wherein the module is fastened releasably in the accommodating area.

9. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein electrical contact is automatically made when the module is positioned 10 mechanically in the accommodating area.

10. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the module can be connected to the front element mechanically, electrically or optically.

11. The electrical service device as claimed in any one of 15 the preceding claims, wherein the electrical service device is in the form of an electrical socket outlet with a surge protection module.

12. An electrical service device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying 20 drawings. MERTEN GMBH & CO. KG WATERMARK PATENT & TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS P33407AUO0