CN117529853A - Locking and unlocking mechanism for a socket system - Google Patents

Abstract

A locking and unlocking mechanism for a socket system (100) is provided for being built into a board, wherein the socket system (100) is configured to be buried into the board and for this purpose has a socket assembly (10) with a built-in housing (30), wherein the socket assembly (10) has a lower socket cup (12), a middle socket cup (14) and an upper socket cup (16), wherein the socket cups (12, 14, 16) are configured to be pushed into the built-in housing (30) in a reversible manner, so that the socket assembly (10) is configured to be variable in height.

Description

Locking and unlocking mechanism for a socket system

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a locking and unlocking mechanism for a socket system.

Background

Sockets are known for use as pluggable electrical connectors between cables. The socket with voltage is a socket or female (Kupplung) which, due to its "concave" form, also has inwardly directed contact openings. A plug may be inserted into the socket. They are fixedly mounted at the wall, i.e. open wire, or in a buried manner, i.e. in a buried wire, or are configured as desk or duplex sockets, etc.

The desk socket has a built-in housing, for example square, into which one or more socket cups are molded or otherwise placed. For supplying the socket with electricity, a connection channel is provided, one end of which is in contact with the socket and the other end of which carries the plug. The desk socket may also be embedded in a plurality of built-in housings in the desk, for example by means of a spring force.

DE 202,255 u1 shows a "desk socket" with an elongated inner housing made of insulating material, which has a socket, a power supply of the socket and an end cap made of insulating material on the inner housing, wherein a compartment with an open front side is formed below the inner housing and can be closed by a cover, wherein at least one cable holder is arranged inside the cover.

A disadvantage of the known sockets or socket outlets is that the structural height of the socket, when built into the panel of furniture, for example in a kitchen, is greater than the panel thickness of the furniture. A great constructional depth in the board is required for the introduction of the socket.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a socket which can be implemented to be built into a board in a space-saving manner.

The invention is disclosed by the following technical scheme. Embodiments and improvements are the subject of the following technical solutions.

A locking and unlocking mechanism for a socket system with at least one socket outlet is disclosed having a socket assembly, wherein the socket assembly is configured to be pushed in or pressed in by a push-in mechanism. The socket assembly may be buried into a plate, particularly a table, and has upper, middle and lower socket cups. The lower socket cup and the upper socket cup are each resiliently supported, and the middle socket cup is configured to be stationary. When buried in a table, especially a kitchen table, the socket cups may be pushed together by pressing the resiliently supported upper socket cup into the stationary middle socket cup and further into the resiliently supported lower socket cup. Embedding into each other may also be achieved by stitching, folding or folding. The receptacle assembly with the receptacle jack and/or the charging jack is built into a board of a table, such as a kitchen. When pressed down into the space in or below the kitchen plate, the socket sockets are pressed or pushed together and thereby buried into the table by pushing the upper socket cup of the socket assembly into the middle socket cup and into the lower socket cup as described above. The socket assembly thus cooperates with its built-in housing and socket base to form a embeddable socket system.

Even in the case of small built-in heights, for example above a drawer, the socket system can be built into the desk by means of the push-in mechanism according to the invention. The socket assembly is restrained by a threaded pin at the front side sliding into the guide slot and a double hook at the rear side as a travel limiter when the socket assembly or parts thereof, each socket cup, are pressed or compressed. The resiliently supported upper socket cup and lower socket cup are guided by, in particular, six guides and, in particular, three springs, respectively. These displacement mechanisms can replace the springs at other displacement means, for example hydraulically, pneumatically, by means of gear bars. A motor may also be used for movement.

The socket system has a height adjustable stop and release mechanism at the bottom of the socket. It may be, inter alia, an adjustable heart-curve control to precisely adjust the adjusted socket assembly to the same height with reference to the surface of the table. A fastening ring may be disposed at the socket bottom, the fastening ring having a double thread and may be threaded onto the outer surface with a socket assembly (e.g., for a double socket). The fastening ring may be secured by a screw through a hole in the outer region. Due to the double-threaded configuration, the fastening ring can be screwed into the built-in housing from two directions. By choosing the screwing direction of the fastening ring onto the built-in housing, the overall height of the socket system can be reduced again within the limits of the screw thread.

Opening of the socket outlet is achieved when extended. Only then can a plug or Schuko plug be introduced into the socket outlet. For example, closing and reopening may also be achieved with a touch-sensitive surface, for example for a charging device such as a touch charger or the like. The two sockets or the charging devices can be arranged side by side or opposite. After retraction, the receptacle is closed and the receptacle assembly may be flush closed with the surface of the plate in which the receptacle assembly is built.

The push-in mechanism according to the invention of a socket system with a socket and/or a charging device or socket and/or a charging socket is constructed, for example, as a tower-shaped structure comprising three described socket cups. The receptacle may be extended by pressing the top side of the structure. In the extended state, the socket system is held by guide posts arranged at the periphery, which serve to ensure a reliable positioning in the extended end position. When pressed down, the socket is pushed in again. In the pushed-down state, the socket system of the socket assembly is arranged flat, small and undisturbed. The movement for locking and unlocking can also be effected electrically.

A resiliently mounted sealing lip is formed in the front region. Thus, the socket is waterproof in the pushed-in state. In the extended position, the receptacle or other device (e.g., charger or charging device, etc.) is spaced from the table top to minimize water intrusion in the extended position. Different designs of air inlet and outlet may also be provided in order to allow possible condensate to escape.

The socket has a high grounded slip ring (erdungsugel). It may be constructed as a single socket outlet or as a plurality of socket outlets having different designs, such as rounded, angled, etc. It may be configured as one to X euro-type socket outlets or Schuko-type socket outlets and/or as a embeddable charging device such as a USB a/C charger. Combinations of double protection contact receptacles, three or four receptacles and/or USB a/C chargers are also contemplated in the case where the built-in housing and receptacle assembly is widened. The socket or socket outlet itself is standardized and may be built into a different package (Chassis). Space saving is achieved by the arrangement according to the invention. Since the built-in depth or space requirement is significantly reduced by the operation of the push-in mechanism, a space saving of about 10 to 15mm is achieved in retracting the plate. When pressed into the plate, the push-fit socket system itself is pushed in, for example, about 10 to 15mm, reducing in height from about 42mm to about 26 to 31mm.

Cabling may also be provided within the inner housing to prevent breakage of the cable. In this region, the stripped cable or cable is guided in a bundled manner through an isolation region within the housing. The cables may be secured one or more times by the cable ties such that retraction and extension of the cables is accomplished without tension and compression.

Further advantages and advantageous embodiments of the invention can be gathered from the following description of the figures, the drawings and the technical solutions.

Drawings

Embodiments of the solution according to the invention will be elucidated in more detail below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings:

fig. 1 includes the jack system of fig. 1 a-1 f including a jack assembly having at least one jack, wherein fig. 1a shows a side view of each of the disassembled parts, fig. 1B shows an exploded view in an oblique position and fig. B shows an exploded view in a vertical position, fig. 1d shows a top view, fig. 1e shows a longitudinal section of the disassembled parts along the cut-away direction A-A and fig. 1f shows a longitudinal section along the direction B-B;

fig. 2 comprises fig. 2a to 2d, wherein fig. 2a shows a longitudinal section of the socket assembly shown in a vertical manner, fig. 2b shows an isometric external view in an oblique position, fig. 2c shows a top view and fig. 2d shows another longitudinal section in a horizontal position;

fig. 3 comprises fig. 3a to 3d, wherein fig. 3a shows a longitudinal section of the socket assembly shown in a vertical manner, fig. 3b shows an isometric external view in an inclined position, fig. 3c shows a top view and fig. 3d shows another longitudinal section in a horizontal position;

fig. 4 comprises fig. 4a to 4d, wherein the pushed-in socket system is shown in this view, wherein fig. 4a shows a longitudinal section of the socket assembly shown in a vertical manner, fig. 4b shows an isometric external view in a closed state in an inclined position, fig. 4c shows a top view and fig. 4d shows another longitudinal section in a horizontal position;

fig. 5 shows fig. 5a to 5c, wherein fig. 5a shows an exploded view from obliquely above, fig. 5b shows a side view of the disassembled part and fig. 5c shows another exploded view from obliquely below;

fig. 6 shows fig. 6a to 6c, wherein fig. 6a shows an exploded view from obliquely above, fig. 6b shows a side view of the disassembled part and fig. 6c shows another exploded view from obliquely below;

fig. 7 includes fig. 7a to 7d, wherein fig. 7a shows a longitudinal section of the middle socket cup, fig. 7b shows a top view, fig. 7c shows another longitudinal section and fig. 7d shows a longitudinal section in a horizontal position; and

fig. 8 shows fig. 8a to 8g, wherein fig. 8a shows a longitudinal section of three socket cups along the cutting direction B-B according to fig. 8e, fig. 8B shows a longitudinal section of the housing, fig. 8c shows an oblique view of the longitudinal section according to fig. 8a, fig. 8d shows an oblique view of the longitudinal section according to fig. 8B, fig. 8e shows a top view indicating the cutting direction B-B, fig. 8f shows an oblique view of the other direction of fig. 8a and fig. 8g shows another oblique view according to fig. 8B.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1a shows a locking and unlocking mechanism for a receptacle system 100. The receptacle system 100 has a receptacle assembly 10. The socket assembly 10 is formed from a lower socket cup 12, a middle socket cup 14, and an upper socket cup 16. The socket cups 12 and 16 are resiliently supported here, the central socket cup 14 being constructed stationary. The position is reversibly defined by the stops of the springs of the two socket cups 12 and 16 when pressed down. The definition may be released again by a further pressing and the socket assembly 10 with socket cups 12, 14, 16 travels upwards again. Only the socket or charging device to be pushed in this way is accessible again. A socket bottom 18 is constructed. A fastening ring 20 is also constructed. The fastening ring 20 has a double thread and is screwed onto the outer surface, for example in the case of a double socket. The fastening ring 20 can be secured in the outer region by means of a screw through the hole. The fastening ring 20 may be used from both sides thereof. Since it has a double thread, the screw-in depth of the two sides differs, so that depending on the side selected a higher or flatter screw-in depth is achieved. By selecting sides with an overall flatter shape, an additional height gain is achieved here when screwing in, so that the overall height of the socket system 100 can again be reduced. In embodiments, a fastening ring with silicone may also be screwed or adhered.

The central socket cup 14 may have a construction for a socket as well as for a charging device, a so-called charger, such as a USB charger. At least one or more receptacle sockets and/or charging sockets may be configured for the receptacle to be plugged in. The upper socket cup 16 has a travel limiting slot 22. Furthermore, the upper socket cup 16 has a sealing lip 24, which is in particular elastically mounted. The sealing lip 24 provides the socket system 100 with water resistance in the retracted state and minimizes water intrusion in the extended state.

When pressed into the table, the push-fit socket system 100 pushes itself, for example, about 10 to 15mm, and thereby reduces the size in height from about 42mm to about 26 to 31mm.

Fig. 1b shows the arrangement of the parts of the socket system in an exploded view in an oblique direction of the disassembled system.

Fig. 1c shows a receptacle system 100 having a receptacle assembly 10. A first plate, in this embodiment a metal plate 26, is constructed at the top side of the upper socket cup 16 and a second metal plate 28 is constructed at the built-in housing 30 of the stationary middle socket cup 14. The plates may also be constructed of plastic or other suitable materials. The appearance (Optik) of the surface of the board in which the socket system is built in, etc. can also be considered. When the upper socket cup 16 is pushed into the middle socket cup 14, the two metal plates 26, 28 close flush with each other. At least one, but in particular six guide sockets 32 are formed in the central socket cup 14. These guide sockets 32 serve to guide the upper socket cup 16 and the lower socket cup 18. At least one, but in particular six guide posts 34 are also provided for the upper socket cup 16 and the lower socket cup 12.

Fig. 1d shows the situation for the section plane A-A of fig. 1e and for the section plane B-B of fig. 1 f.

Fig. 1e shows a spring-mounted lower socket cup 12 with a travel limiter 36 and a guide post 34, a stationary middle socket cup 14 with a guide socket 32, and a spring-mounted upper socket cup 16 with a further travel limiter 36 and a guide post 34. Upon pushing, the guide posts 36 of the lower socket cup 12 and the upper socket cup 16 are pushed into the corresponding guide sockets 32 of the middle socket cup 14 from below and above, respectively. Also shown is the socket bottom 18 and the fastening ring 20.

Fig. 1f shows a socket bottom 18 with a height adjustable stop and release mechanism. In this embodiment, the mechanism is configured as a heart curve control 38. The cardioid curve control portion 38 is supported by a double spring. The lower socket cup 12 has a resilient support 40.

Fig. 2 shows the receptacle system 100 in an extended state.

Fig. 2a shows in cross section a socket system 100 having a socket assembly 10 constructed from a lower socket cup 12, a middle socket cup 14 and an upper socket cup 16. The illustration is realized according to the cut line A-A (see fig. 2 c). Also shown is a doubly supported cardioid curve control 38.

Figure 2b shows an isometric view of the extended socket system. In this embodiment two socket outlets 42 are configured.

Fig. 2c shows a section direction A-A (see fig. 2 a) and a section direction B-B, here shown in top view. The fastening ring 20 is shown fastened at the base using a screw 44.

Fig. 2d shows the socket system in an extended state along the section plane B-B. A rear, lower extension stop 46 and a rear, upper extension stop 48 are configured and the resiliently supported sealing lip 24 is shown.

Fig. 3 shows the socket system 100 wherein the socket system is extended, however the upper socket cup 16 is retracted or pushed into the middle socket cup 14. Thus, the now smaller receptacle assembly 10 may be pushed into the built-in housing 30, wherein a built-in receptacle socket and/or a USB charger receptacle socket is provided that becomes very small.

Fig. 3a shows a modified shape of the socket/USB charging socket 42, which is configured in an oval shape instead of a circular shape in the sectional plane A-A, since the upper socket cup 16 (which is hidden in this view as a result of being pushed in, the direction of the pushing force being indicated by the arrow) is pushed into the middle socket cup 14.

Fig. 3b shows a reduced version resulting from the upper socket cup 16 (which is hidden in this view as it is pushed in) being pushed into the middle socket cup 14, and the otherwise generally circular embodiment of the socket/USB charging socket 42 is currently oval in shape.

Fig. 3c shows the position of the cutting planes A-A and B-B for fig. 3a and 3B.

Fig. 3d shows the middle socket cup 14 into which the upper socket cup 16 is pushed. The lower socket cup 12 has a double resiliently supported cardioid curve control 38.

Fig. 4 shows the lower socket cup 12 and the upper socket cup 16 pushed into the middle socket cup 14 and the lower socket cup 12 and the upper socket cup 16 pushed together.

Fig. 4a shows the thrust direction for pushing in the two socket cups 12 and 16 by means of the arrows shown. Only the built-in housing 30 can be seen from the outside. For this embodiment, a built-in dimension of about 47.50cm in height is thus illustratively obtained. The figure shows a section plane C-C as shown in fig. 4C.

Fig. 4b shows the retracted or pushed-in shape of the socket system 100. The first metal plate 26 and the second metal plate 28 are closed flush with each other and form a flat face. If the socket system 100 is built into a kitchen table, the resulting surface can also be closed flush with the surface of the kitchen table.

Fig. 4C shows a section line C-C for the section plane shown in fig. 4 a.

Fig. 4d shows the pushed-in state. An adjusting screw 50 is provided, which in the retracted state enables precise height adjustment.

Fig. 5 shows the components of the receptacle system 100 in an extended, disassembled state, with the various components shown separated from one another. The outlet system 100 is equipped with (single/double/X) euro outlets and/or (single/double/X) USB chargers a/C.

Fig. 5a shows in the upper region an inner housing 30 in which the upper socket cup 16, the middle socket cup 14 and the lower socket cup 12 are completely received in the pushed-in state. The upper socket cup 16, the middle socket cup 14 and the lower socket cup 12 together form a socket assembly that is configured as a functional body. These various components are shown separated and apart from one another in this figure. A guide post 34 is shown, which is arranged at the periphery and serves to ensure a reliable positioning in the extended end position.

Fig. 5b shows an indication of the direction of movement of the inner housing 30, the middle socket cup 14 together with the upper socket cup 16 into the middle socket cup 14 and the opposite direction of movement of the lower socket cup 12 into the middle socket cup 14. Two sockets 42 are configured, one of which is a USB charging socket (shown on the left from the perspective of the observer) and the other is a socket (shown on the right from the perspective of the observer).

Fig. 5c shows the illustration shown here from another perspective according to fig. 5 a.

Fig. 6 shows corresponding illustrations for the intermediate socket cup 14 in which the lower socket cup 12 and the upper socket cup 16 are pushed into the intermediate socket cup. The various components are also shown separated from each other.

Fig. 6a shows the socket cups 12, 16 inserted into the middle socket cup 14 by indication of the arrows.

Fig. 6b shows a modified oval configuration of the socket outlet/USB charging outlet 42, one configured as a USB charging outlet and the other configured as a socket outlet.

Fig. 6c shows the angle of the fastening ring 20 and the socket bottom 18 according to fig. 6a, seen from below.

Fig. 7 shows different sections in the section plane given in fig. 7 b. Showing the pushed-in and retracted state.

Fig. 7a shows a section B-B. A USB charging jack 42 is configured. A contact carrier 52 protecting the contacts is also shown. Other euro-type contact carriers may be arranged.

Fig. 7B shows a section plane B-B for fig. 7a and a section plane C-C for fig. 7C.

Fig. 7c shows the state in which the members are pushed into each other. An adjustment scheme for making the surfaces of the socket system 100 have the same height may be achieved by the adjustment screw 50 being arranged.

Fig. 7c shows the position and configuration of the sealing lip 24 in a detail view (segment marked by circle). The sealing lip 24 is elastically supported and prevents the ingress of water.

Fig. 8 shows an arrangement of different springs for pushing in and releasing the locking and unlocking mechanism for the socket system.

Figure 8a shows a longitudinal section B-B of the socket assembly 10.

Fig. 8b shows the arrangement of the push-in spring and the push-out spring 54 in the push-in housing 30.

Fig. 8c shows the jack assembly 10 of fig. 8a from obliquely above. Compression spring 56 is configured for retraction and extension of receptacle assembly 10. In particular, four or six compression springs 56 may be provided.

Fig. 8c shows the push-in housing 30, wherein the viewing direction into the interior of the push-in housing 30 is shown. A push-in spring and a push-out spring 54 are shown. A slide function spring 58 is also provided to enable the slide function. At least one cardioid compression spring 60 is configured for the cardioid function of the cardioid control 38 (see fig. 8 f).

Fig. 8e shows the cutting direction B-B for the corresponding longitudinal section.

Fig. 8f shows the position of the height adjustable stop and release mechanism, here the heart-curve control 38 of the jack assembly 10.

Fig. 8g shows the interior of the socket housing 30 in an oblique view from above, with the push-in spring 54 being viewed.

All features shown in the description, the appended claims and the drawings may be applied to the invention either alone or in any combination with each other.

List of reference numerals

10. Socket assembly

12. Lower socket cup

14. Middle socket cup

16. Upper socket cup

18. Socket bottom

20. Fastening ring

22. Stroke limiting groove

24. Sealing lip

26. A first metal plate

28. Second metal plate

30. Built-in shell

32. Guide socket

34. Guide post

36. Travel limiting part

38. Heart curve control part

40. Elastic support part

42. socket/USB charging socket

44. Screw-connection piece

46. Lower extending stop part

48. Upper part extends out of the stop part

50. Adjusting screw connector

52. Contact carrier

54. Push-in spring

56. Compression spring

58. Slide seat functional spring

60. Heart-shaped curve compression spring

100. Socket system

A-A section line

B-B section line

C-C section line

Arrow direction indication push-on

Claims (18)

1. Locking and unlocking mechanism for a socket system (100) for being built into a board, characterized in that the socket system (100) is configured to be buried into the board and for this purpose has a socket assembly (10) with a built-in housing (30), wherein the socket assembly (10) has a lower socket cup (12), a middle socket cup (14) and an upper socket cup (16), wherein the socket cups (12, 14, 16) are configured to be pushed into the built-in housing (30) in a reversible manner, whereby the socket assembly (10) is configured to be variable in height.

2. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower socket cup (12) and the upper socket cup (16) are respectively elastically supported and the middle socket cup (14) is configured to be immobilized, so that the lower socket cup (12) and the upper socket cup (16) can be pushed into the middle socket cup (14) in a reversible manner and the upper socket cup (16) and the lower socket cup (12) can thereby be pushed in a direction towards each other.

3. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a socket base (18) and a fastening ring (20) are provided.

4. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one socket outlet and/or USB charging outlet (42) is configured in the socket assembly (10).

5. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the fastening ring (20) has a double thread.

6. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper socket cup (16) has a travel limiting groove (22) and/or a sealing lip (24).

7. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to claim 6, characterized in that the sealing lip (24) is elastically supported.

8. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a first metal plate (26) is configured at the top side of the upper socket cup (16).

9. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second metal plate (28) is constructed at the built-in housing (30).

10. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims 8 or 9, characterized in that the two metal plates (26, 28) close flush with each other when the upper socket cup (16) is pushed into the middle socket cup (14) and into the built-in housing (39).

11. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide socket (32) for guiding the upper socket cup (16) and the lower socket cup (18) is respectively configured in the middle socket cup (14).

12. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one guide post (34) for the upper socket cup (16) and the lower socket cup (12) is configured, respectively.

13. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one rear, lower extension stop (46) and at least one rear, upper extension stop (48) are configured.

14. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that the socket bottom (18) has a heart curve control (38) as a stop and release mechanism.

15. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to claim 14, characterized in that the heart-curve control (38) is doubly spring-supported.

16. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a guide post (34) is configured, which is arranged at the periphery of the lower socket cup (12) and serves to ensure a reliable positioning in the extended end position.

17. Locking and unlocking mechanism according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a contact carrier (52) for protecting the contacts is constructed.

18. The locking and unlocking mechanism according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the socket system (100) is operable by applying pressure to the first metal plate (26) and thereby triggering retraction into or extension from the plate.