DE9408185U1 - Device for protection against unauthorized / unwanted use of network-dependent electrical devices - Google Patents

Description

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Description:

Utility model protection is applied for for the invention of a device in the field of electromechanics that prevents the unauthorized use of electrical devices that depend on a mains plug.

This is a single socket or multiple distribution socket to which external mains-dependent electrical devices can be connected. It is characterized by the fact that the connected plugs of the external electrical devices are locked against being pulled out if the mains current, which is switched by a mechanical or electronic lock, is switched off at the same time. This makes it impossible to connect these plugs to a free, normal socket.

Protective devices to prevent unauthorized use are known in the form of so-called child safety locks, e.g. on television sets or satellite reception systems.

Personal computers usually have a key switch that prevents the keyboard from being used. Alarm systems are also usually activated by a key switch. Washing machines and other electrical appliances have an electromechanical lock that prevents the flap or door from being opened while the machine is in operation.

A characteristic of all these protective devices is the fact that they are permanently installed in the device to be protected and can therefore only be used for this device. A subsequent installation of a safety device - e.g. a key switch - in an individual device results in an immediate loss of guarantee due to the necessary interventions in the device and is therefore ruled out from the outset. In addition, such a subsequent installation would again be limited to the specific device.

The invention has the advantage that practically all mains-dependent power consumers can be secured. In principle, it is an electromechanical "padlock" that is connected between a normal, freely accessible socket and the device to be secured.

The padlock effect is achieved by the fact that the sockets for third-party devices are located inside a housing and are only accessible after opening the device cover. However, this cover is locked when the power circuit is interrupted and only allows the power cables of third-party devices to be pulled out through appropriately narrow openings that only allow the power cable to pass through, not the plug. The cover can only be opened when the sockets are unlocked - and that is only possible if the owner of the key (or the code in the case of an electronic lock) has started up the device.

The invention can be constructed in very different ways in terms of form and design. This does not only refer to the technical implementation of the principle described above. The combination with commercially available circuits, such as residual current circuit breakers, lightning protection circuits, high frequency filters, voltage stabilizers, etc. is also conceivable at any time and can be implemented without difficulty.

so descriptions of the drawings

All drawings represent only examples of possible designs.

Drawing 1:

To ensure safety against contact with live elements, the housing (1 _- 2) is made up of two separate main parts. The front part of the housing contains the sockets (4) for the external devices to be connected, the locking mechanism (5) for the housing cover (2), the button for unlocking the lock (6) and the concealed bushings (7) for the power cable (8) and the control cables for the electrically operated locking mechanism. Instead of the electrically operated locking mechanism, a mechanical locking mechanism can be used as an alternative in such a way that a push rod is guided through the concealed bushing (7) into the rear part of the housing. This prevents the housing from being unlocked when it is locked by blocking the locking mechanism.

When the housing cover is closed, the cable ducts (9) only provide space for the power cable of the other electrical device, but their cross-section is so narrow that a plug cannot be removed. Even if it is possible to pull the power plug out with a lot of skill, it cannot be plugged into another socket because the cable cannot get out through the narrow cable duct.
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The following details are sensible and conceivable: A micro-fuse (3) prevents the device from being overloaded. The switches (10) make it possible to deactivate or activate each individual socket. This is important, for example, if the television, satellite receiver and video recorder are connected to the same device. In this case, the video recorder can be activated for programmed recordings even if the use of the television and satellite receiver is blocked.

Drawing 2:

Cross-sectional drawing as an example of a mechanical design

The housing cover (2) that can be folded around the hinge (11) provides access to the sockets. The electrical wiring and components are installed in the rear (right) part of the housing in a touch-safe manner and are not shown in detail here. The locking function is shown here with the components housing lock (5), button for opening the lock (6) and the push rod (12), which enables the lock to be locked mechanically. The push rod (12) is guided through the guide (7), whereby a spiral spring (13), which is supported against an element of the guide (7a), presses the push rod in the direction of the housing lock (5) and is thus responsible for closing the lock. Unlocking can only take place if the push rod (12)

_CONTROL _

has sufficient space to release the lock (5) - ie if it is not blocked by the locking disc (14) itself. To prevent the locking disc from bending or breaking off, a counter bearing (7b) is located at the end of the possible path of the push rod. The locking disc is operated by a lock (16) and is designed in such a way that when the push rod (12) is locked, it interrupts the contact of a microswitch (15) and thus switches off the socket(s) (4).
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Drawing 3:

Details of the locking and switching mechanism
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Drawing 3 shows the two possible switching states of the device.

In drawing 3 a (left picture) the microswitch (15) is actuated by the locking disc (14) using the key (18) and the circuit is released. At the same time the push rod (12) is released, so the housing can be opened.

In drawing 3 b (right picture), however, the push rod (12) is locked and the micro switch (15) is not activated. The sockets for other electrical devices are thus switched off, and at the same time it is no longer possible to open the housing.

An additional useful detail is shown here in the form of a red and green indicator light (19/20), which makes the current switching status of the device visible even from a distance, with the green indicator light (19) signaling that the connected external devices can be put into operation. If the red indicator light (20) lights up, this is not possible.

Drawing 4:

Block diagrams

Here, too, only a few examples are given of how the device can be switched. The light displays described are located on the front (key side) of the housing and are connected in these drawings as 230 V glow lamps. A design in the form of light-emitting diodes is also possible, but would require an additional electronic circuit in accordance with the necessary different control of the diodes.

Drawing 4 a shows a simple circuit for a device with only one socket for third-party devices. The circuit is protected by a fine-wire fuse (3). The microswitch (15) switches the socket on or off. At the same time, a red (20) or a green indicator light (19) is activated depending on the switching state.

Drawing 4 b shows the circuit of a four-way connection, which is protected by a fine-wire fuse (3) and is also operated by a microswitch (15). In addition, in this variant each socket is individually controlled by a changeover switch (10).

to activate or deactivate as required. These switches are located inside the housing and are only accessible when the cover is open (see drawing 1, no. 10).

In the circuit diagram shown in Figure 4 b, for an individually disconnected junction box, the red and green indicator lamps light up simultaneously when the device is switched off (locked).

In order to set up the function of the light displays correctly, it is important for the circuits shown here that the power plug of the device is connected to the power supply with the correct polarity. If necessary, the power plug must be turned by 180°. However, the basic function of the device is not affected in any way.

The possible current load, which in the examples shown is limited by the maximum load capacity of the microswitch, can be increased considerably by using load relays or current contactors, which also allows high current (e.g. for applications in workshops) to be switched without any problems. Simultaneous operation of several microswitches is also conceivable to increase the load capacity.

Possibilities for economic evaluation:

The device has a wide range of possible uses. Some of them are listed here:

- Preventing uncontrolled television viewing by children

- Securing dangerous power tools against unauthorized use, exclusion of
Risk of injury

- Protect sensitive electronic devices from unauthorized use

- Securing option for outdoor power connections with simultaneous
(limited) theft protection for the connected electrical devices

Different variants of the device could be expanded into a product family by combining them with existing circuits (residual current switches, lightning protection, etc.). There is likely to be a significant market for households in which children between the ages of 5 and 15 are present either partially or permanently.

Claims (6)

· J O POWER CONTROL Protection claims: 1. Device for protecting against unauthorized use of mains-dependent electrical devices, characterized in that the housing is constructed in two separate main parts (1, 2), the front part containing the socket(s) (4) for the external devices to be connected, the locking mechanism (5) for the housing cover (2), the button for unlocking the lock (6), the fine-wire fuse (3), the concealed bushings (7) for the mains connection cable (8) and the push rod (12) for the mechanically operated locking mechanism, as well as the bushings which are large enough for the mains cable of the external devices but too narrow for their plugs, while in the rear - inaccessible - part there is a lock (16) which can be operated with a key (18) and which switches the device on and off via a microswitch (15) and at the same time allows unlocking when the device is switched off by blocking the push rod (12). the lock (6) prevents 2. Device for protecting against unauthorized use of mains-dependent electrical devices as under protection claim 1, characterized in that an electromagnetic lock is used instead of the mechanically operated locking device, the concealed bushing (7) accommodating the corresponding control cables. 3. Device for protecting against unauthorized use of mains-dependent electrical devices as in protection claims 1 to 2, characterized in that instead of the mechanical lock an electronic lock with input of a numerical code is used for switching on or off and unlocking or locking. 4. Device for protecting against unauthorized use of mains-dependent electrical devices as under protection claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the integrated sockets (4) can be selectively activated or deactivated by a separate switch (10) which is located inside the housing and is only accessible when the cover is open. 5. Device for protecting against unauthorized use of mains-dependent electrical devices as under protection claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the switching state of the entire device and/or each individual integrated socket (4) is visibly displayed on the front side (key side) of the housing by an optical display in the form of glow lamps or light-emitting diodes (19, 20) depending on the switch position of the microswitch (15) - or the changeover switch (10) of the respective individual socket. 6. Device for protecting against unauthorized use of mains-dependent electrical devices as under protection claims 1 to 5, characterized in that additional functions such as commercially available lightning protection circuits, residual current protection circuits, frequency filter circuits or timers are combined with it.