DE202004006906U1 - Mains plug e.g. for domestic equipment, furniture etc, has two electric poles arranged on single plug pin - Google Patents

Abstract

A system comprising a plug and a socket outlet for forming an electronically conductive connection in which two electrical poles are arranged on a plug pin and not coaxially to one another. Grounding is effected via an annular arrangement around the pin. Independent claims are included for (a) system plug and (b) for a system socket outlet.

Description

It This invention is a novel connector for 230 Volts / 16 amps. It should be used for household purposes and for similar purposes and thus represents the successor to the old Schuko plugs / sockets.

in the At the moment there are 2 - 3 pin power plugs all over the world. In these plug-in systems, the poles of the plug and if necessary, the grounding on a pin with a diameter 5.5 mm (German standard according to DKE and DIN). The distance between the two poles serves as a fuse (insulation) before leakage current, light jump and short circuit: This distance varies from country to country, in Germany between 14mm and 15mm lies.

The Grounding is, as mentioned, if available, either on a separate pin (in any form conceivable) stored on the plug or socket with the respective counterpart in plug or socket (hole with usually 2 springy contact lips made of metal), or it is located on both sides of the socket in the form of pre-tensioned spring metal lips when inserted in for that prefabricated hollows jump in the plug and thus the. ground contact produce. Other variations are also possible.

The Contact of the poles from plug to the poles of the socket happens through frictional contact. This is created by the metal pins in the holes provided the outlet led and in each of two prestressed, resilient metal lips flat with pressure be contacted.

The both pins usually run slightly conical to the center of the connector, to keep friction in the straight holes in the socket when plugged in to generate and thus stabilize the whole construction.

In addition can the handle of the plug is known to be shaped so that it as additional Bracket in the socket serves. This usually happens through two tours in the can its counterpart (Tongue and groove principle) in the connector, taking the accuracy of fit an important role for the stability the construction plays.

This Specifications are the cornerstone of today's forms of plugs and sockets.

In which one can speak of two main forms here:

• 1. the round sockets and plugs
• 2. their somewhat smaller brothers, the hexagonal sockets and plugs.

This plug housing are constructed and designed so that both poles with their defined distance and the attachment of the cable from the device find adequate space in it. Whereby they are still sufficient inherent stability have to own to keep in the can.

variations in shape and structure are possible but not regarding the basic construction of the at least two Pins.

The Construction of a singular Pins is only in the area of coaxial connector systems such as the antenna cable or the "jack plug" for headphones or the like in use. But as I said, these are coaxially constructed that is called the poles are of different sizes Cylinders (or other shapes) arranged around a common central axis. The Poles are either separated from one another by gaps (air) or are made of suitable material e.g. Plastic from each other isolated. The earthing is depending on the design and construction in the center, at the beginning of the pin or between the two poles. This Plug-in systems are only used up to approx. 15 volts and 7 amps (e.g. from Conrad Elektronik Germany) used (rarely up to 24 volts and up to 10 A in Automotive).

Underlying problem

The known handling is not optimally solved. How often do you see each other? when trying to plug into a poorly visible socket to be plugged in without turning the plug in front several times to have. But the space requirement of the sockets is too large. Of the Not to mention multiple sockets, which, depending on the orientation the slots, mostly not even fully usable (one or more slots are through already occupied blocked).

Likewise if these are plug-in systems, let us take the Schuko plug as an example in Germany, not at the level possible today. They are integrated too much in all households, workplaces, products etc. to enable a rethink.

The latter is made even more difficult by the fact that it is almost everywhere in the world differences in design and dimensions in each country, such as in the arrangements of the poles there. What prevents z. B. after the introduction of the euro, a plug-in system that is the same throughout Europe will be introduced, because no country wants to switch to another’s norms. Be it for patriotic or cost reasons.

The present invention relates to a new power plug and the associated socket, especially for use in the home and in similar applications up to 250 volts and 16 amps. The two-pin socket with protective contact (earthing) is used for:

• - the recessed installation in walls of all kinds, devices, furniture and furnishings
• - mounting surfaces of all kind
• - mounting rails
• - coupling sockets
• - Movable sockets
• - Multiple sockets of any kind

The Plugs should be used in any application that requires electricity, be it with electrical devices, Transformers, extension cables or similar.

The The innovation of this connector system is that the two poles of the plug are only on a pin and not as usual two. However, this pin is not coaxial. It exists rather from a mirror-symmetrical pin (depending on the version also asymmetrical are possible). This pin is the centerpiece the invention.

He carries both both poles as well as the guide grooves the connector, using the guide rails in the socket, in its desired Position. This setup could can also be implemented in reverse.

The guide grooves are 1 mm deep (other dimensions too are possible) and open towards the beginning of the pin (see sketch 1).

If now the design of the plug is inserted into the socket and does not directly have the correct position, the first something comes up ahead (2mm, but also other dimensions possible) guide rail ("Decision maker") of the socket against the leadership of the connector here decides in which direction the connector is turns - around glide along it (slight rotation) until the correct position is reached and the guide rails only have a stabilizing effect on the connector. So the user no longer needs to pay attention to how he / she to insert the plug Has.

The Pin consists of an insulating, heat resistant and abrasion resistant Material (e.g. plastic or ceramic) in the following components can be installed or cast in: The two poles (metal or other current-conducting material), between which at least one 3mm thick layer of insulating material must be. The pin thus has a minimum diameter of 7mm.

ever after execution For example, a magnet can be installed, which has a reed switch (which is located in the Socket) when inserting of the plug into the socket and when pulling out "switches off" again. that the contacts in the socket only conduct when the reed switch is switched on. This mechanism should be coordinated so that only conduct the contacts in the socket when the poles are open the pin already touch the poles in the socket and vice versa before the Contact by pulling out the plug between the poles, the contacts (poles) in the socket are no longer conducting, to avoid light jump and sparking.

A different possibility offer l-infinite (n) embedded microswitches in the earthing ring of the Socket. The poles in the socket can only be operated when all switches are actuated conduct. Which, in turn, only happen when the plug, more precisely the Grounding ring of the connector, completely and is properly inserted. This guarantees that the two Earthing rings in contact before the insertion process is completed stand and the earthing is in front of the contact of the poles.

To a later At this point it is conceivable to add further rings around the earthing ring to be arranged to ensure any other management options (such as Internet from a socket, etc.). Or more contact areas to arrange the pin.

The The poles of the plug are up to the contact end (approx. 2 - 3 mm long) of the pin under a 0.1 mm - n mm thin Insulating layer to avoid any other exposed contact areas have. You can be shaped differently. In one example, they are almost semicircles of 1mm thickness, the in length are drawn and pull through the whole pin (see sketch 2).

The Grounding of the plug is preferably at the end of the pin to the handle as slightly conical (1.5 - 2.5 Degree lowering) inward running spring metal ring (in my example Spring bronze) with a bead on the upper edge (to the socket HIN). The width of this ring is variable.

By its bulge and the counterpart in the socket ground in shape a slight inward arch Cave to the same extent (rather minor smaller) the connector stability in the socket and at the same time is not so easy to pull out through this "click-in mechanism" (see sketch 3).

The socket's earthing ring is located at the entrance as a negative for earthing the connector. This position is an additional protection against misuse (electric shock), since you can hardly get to the poles without touching the ground.

The Handle of the plug is preferably not as a stabilization is used, not involved in the direct plug-in process and can thus be freely designed. However, here is an axisymmetric body preferred, which should make it clear that it does not matter how the plug is introduced.

He can be made from any material. The important thing is that his weight doesn't get that big that he pulls the pin out of its holder in the socket. The If it is made of plastic, the handle should be an injection molded part be with a sufficient stable wall thickness around at the pressure of the hand not respond with break. There should be enough space inside for the Attach the 3 cables to the 3 different contacts (plus, Minus and grounding) and an attachment of the entire cable (with Insulation).

Conceivable would be too a construction that enables the pin to be connected to the cable to rotate in the handle. This would allow the hand to rotate prevent when plugged in.

The Socket preferably has the following components:

• 1. The grounding located at the entrance to the socket.
• 2. The leadership, be it guide rails or another construction, which are placed in the connector hole got to.
• 3. The contacts at the end of the connector hole.
• 4. A security system, in whatever form. Now be it a reed switch, a microswitch or something else.
• 5. A mounting option for the Cable in the wall (or from where it is installed). Would be optimal Box terminals.
• 6. That from a suitable insulating and heat resistant Material of existing housing, which holds the individual components together.
• 7. A possibility of clamping for the complete housing in the wall.

Conceivable is a socket with several slots (at least 2) accommodate. Later could then produced small individual sockets with matching flush-mounted sockets become. Or multiple sockets with other shapes e.g. elongated, rectangular.

Possible concrete form:

Here is one possible Form of socket and plug described.

To the plug:

The Connector consists of a pin and a handle that make up the cable runs out at the rear end to the respective device. The cable is black.

The Handle should be an axially symmetrical body of 3 cm in length and a diameter of 2.3cm - 2.5cm his. At the end (cable side) it is rounded to the middle, in each case same radius of grip width. The handle is also included covered with a plastic or made entirely from it, the so - called soft touch Surface created. The color of the handle is a dark, slightly greenish gray (in the cmyk color spectrum 51,43,43,5).

The Pin consists of a cylindrical 3cm - 3.5cm long body with a diameter of 8mm, which of two on and opposite 1 mm thin Levels is framed. These levels (let's call them E1 and E2) run in a 2mm size Distance on both sides of each other. After approx. 13 mm horizontal The course both rise and fall steadily until they are each pointed after approx. 15 mm converge (see sketch 1). This structure creates two grooves 1mm deep and 2mm wide that diverge towards the end of the pin and thus two funnel-shaped guides produce.

The Poles are 3 mm long, almost semicircular shells made of metal across from lie at the end of the pin. They are about 1mm thick and therefore form two also almost semicircular holes, that allow contacting from above and below. The pin is from one suitable plastic and is colored white. Is in the pin a magnetic rod of 0.5mm - 1mm Diameter and length of at the most 2cm in coordination with the reed switch.

The Earthing ring is attached to the handle at a distance of 2mm from the pin. This Ring must be able to spring slightly to plug into its slightly smaller counterpart in the socket to be able but must also have such inherent strength around the Keep the plug firmly in the socket. This ring (feather bronze) is 3mm - 5mm high and has a bulge pointing outwards at the upper edge. This Bead is for additional Stabilization in the socket thought. It is about 1mm - 2mm wider than the rest of the ring, which is about 1mm thick.

To the socket

The Socket in its shape is not defined. You only need one circular opening own that of about 10mm. This opening is approx. 3mm at the entrance bigger to that Grounding ring to offer space. The complete ring of about 2mm depth is designed as a ground (spring bronze) around the plug or, if necessary other plugged in device to ground safely. This ring has a small, arched groove at the end their counterpart in the connector. These have already been described and can be seen in sketch 2 Construction gives the connector its hold in the socket.

in the There is a tube of approx. 10 mm Ø inside the socket with two guide rails Is provided. These guide rails start just behind the opening the socket, whereby the one (no matter which) is minimally placed to have only one rail which is the direction of rotation is responsible when inserting (no wedging possible). There is also a position on the magnet reed switch matched in the plug in the socket. Parallel to the plug hole and offset by 90 degrees to the guide rails.

The Contacts in the socket are 2 metal lips per contact of the plug (Brass). These lips are once arranged so that they are from Outside press on the respective pin and the others from the inside (through the respective semicircular opening on the Pin code). Likewise, the contact lips of the respective pole are arranged that they have something outside or must spring inside to allow the pin to enter and in. What creates a pliers-like holder that it in his inserted position additionally fixed (see sketch 3).

1

contacts power plug

2

guide rail the power socket

3

contacts power outlet

4

insulating layers)

5

contact lip (Socket) outside

6

contact lip (Socket) inside

7

Handle

8th

grounding ring power plug

9

grounding power outlet

Claims (10)

System of plug and socket for establishing an electronically conductive connection, characterized in that two electrical poles are arranged on a plug pin and are not coaxial to one another. System according to claim 1, characterized in that the ground ring is arranged around the pin. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized that the grounding can be established by a snap connection which is especially additional, keeps the plug in the socket. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a safety switch, especially a reed contact or microswitch. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized through a positive guidance system, which when inserting the pins into the socket into the intended position leads. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a handle that can be rotated around the pin, especially one actuated Hand while leading according to claim 5 not impose a rotary motion. System according to one of the preceding claims, clearly characterized that the handle of the plug when connection is established between plug and socket has no function with regard to connection, in particular no positive Establishes connection. System according to one of the preceding claims at least one more in the description or a drawing disclosed features. Connector for a system according to one of the preceding claims. Socket for a system according to one of the preceding claims.