EP0152646B1 - Safety receptacle - Google Patents

Safety receptacle Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0152646B1
EP0152646B1 EP84201796A EP84201796A EP0152646B1 EP 0152646 B1 EP0152646 B1 EP 0152646B1 EP 84201796 A EP84201796 A EP 84201796A EP 84201796 A EP84201796 A EP 84201796A EP 0152646 B1 EP0152646 B1 EP 0152646B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
light
connection terminals
bridge
safety socket
contact pins
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
EP84201796A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0152646A1 (en
Inventor
Ernst Neuenschwander
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Volpi AG
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Volpi AG
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Publication date
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Publication of EP0152646A1 publication Critical patent/EP0152646A1/en
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Publication of EP0152646B1 publication Critical patent/EP0152646B1/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
    • H01R13/7036—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling
    • H01R13/7038—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part the switch being in series with coupling part, e.g. dead coupling, explosion proof coupling making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/66—Structural association with built-in electrical component
    • H01R13/70—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch
    • H01R13/703—Structural association with built-in electrical component with built-in switch operated by engagement or disengagement of coupling parts, e.g. dual-continuity coupling part
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/44—Means for preventing access to live contacts

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a safety socket with a base for holding at least two connection terminals and a housing, the front plate of which has holes for inserting contact pins into these connection terminals, and with an associated relay, which at least only carries the connection terminal with the voltage Power supply line connects when contact pins are inserted into the at least two connection terminals.
  • a first group of such sockets contains a purely mechanical safety device. This consists of a slidably arranged plate behind the front plate of the housing or on the base, which covers the connection terminals in the rest position. The plate has a wedge-shaped cross section or a strongly bevelled edge and is held in such a way that when two contact pins are inserted at the same time, it is moved transversely to the direction of insertion and releases the connection terminals.
  • a second group of such sockets also contains an electrical safety device.
  • This is designed as a relay, the contacts of which, in the idle state and when the movable plate covers the connecting terminals, interrupts the electrical line at least to the live connecting terminal.
  • DE-A-3021 705 describes a device for monitoring variable sizes, which device contains a light source, a flexible optical fiber, preferably in the form of a glass fiber, and an opto-electronic converter as a light receiver, which is connected to the relay.
  • the optical conductor is also the sensor for the size to be monitored, for which purpose a predetermined breaking point or an adjustable optical coupling is provided.
  • a major disadvantage of the seemingly simple mechanical safety device is that the cover plate must be displaceable over the entire diameter of the connection terminals, which, including the usually flanged edge, corresponds to a displacement distance of approximately 5 mm. Moving the cover plate along this relatively long distance through the contact pins acting perpendicular to the direction of displacement, however, significantly hinders their introduction. The user is then tempted to push the contact pins into the socket with disproportionate force, which can damage them.
  • the known safety and monitoring devices of the type described above are not suitable for safety sockets. They are intended for monitoring only one size or one process, while the plugging in of two contact pins is to be monitored for a safety socket.
  • the present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a safety socket in which at least the live connecting terminal is disconnected from the mains as long as the two contact pins of a plug are not inserted into the socket, the safety device of which practically does not make difficult or hinder the insertion of the plug and whose dimensions are not larger than the dimensions of the sockets used previously.
  • this object is achieved with a safety socket of the type defined at the outset, which is characterized in that the two connecting terminals are assigned a common light barrier provided for controlling the relay, which has a bridge which can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the connecting terminals and which in its rest position , in which the two connection terminals are partially covered, the light barrier interrupts and, when the two contact pins are inserted, is moved into a working position in which the light barrier is open.
  • the safety socket according to the invention all the elements required for the light barrier or the light barriers can be arranged in the housing of a conventional socket, which is why no larger installation volume is required for the socket according to the invention than for the known, unsecured sockets. Furthermore, the socket according to the invention does not require a mechanically operated switch for the excitation current of the relay in the connecting line to the current source and the at least one connection terminal, which is what the The safety sockets are less susceptible to faults and, in particular, enable the safety socket to be constructed without mechanically moving parts. Finally, the use of a light barrier also allows at least the live terminal of the socket to be disconnected from the mains or remains in place if parts of the light barrier are damaged.
  • a light barrier is assigned to each connection terminal, which two light barriers have a common light transmitter or light receiver between the connection terminals, to which a double prism is assigned, and a light receiver or light transmitter each outside the connection terminals.
  • the two light barriers interact directly with the at least two contact pins of the plug, which is why further mechanically movable parts are not required.
  • the two connection terminals are assigned a common light barrier which has a bridge which can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the connection terminals and which, in its rest position, in which the two connection terminals are partially covered, interrupts the light barrier and when it is inserted of the two contact pins is moved into a working position in which the light barrier is open.
  • the one light barrier cooperates with the two contact pins with the aid of the displaceable bridge.
  • the displacement of the bridge is much smaller than with the cover plates of the known safety sockets, which increases the safe function of the socket and greatly reduces the possibility of damage due to improper handling.
  • the light barrier interacts with an electronic amplifier, the output signal of which controls the excitation of the relay.
  • a light source and a photoelectric component are used as light transmitters and receivers. These can be arranged either in the socket or away from the socket. For the latter arrangement, light guides are provided between the light source and the light transmitter and between the light receiver and the photoelectric component. It is possible to connect the excitation and signal line for the light source and the photoelectric component or the light guide for several sockets mounted at different locations with a common switch box by installing the relays assigned to the sockets.
  • the plan view and side view of the base of an embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 b is enlarged compared to the standardized dimensions for the diameter and the mutual spacing of the connection terminals and contact pins on a scale of approximately 1.5: 1 to more clearly illustrate the features of this socket according to the invention.
  • the base 10 consists of an electrically insulating material and is used to fasten the socket, for example in a building wall and to hold the parts of the socket.
  • the base contains bores 11, 12, which open into wide recesses 13 and 14 on the upper or front surface of the base and are provided for receiving the screws with which the socket is fastened.
  • the base contains two further recesses 16, 17, in each of which a connecting terminal 18 or 19 is inserted.
  • connection terminal contains a screw 21 or 22, by means of which a wire (not shown) intended for power conduction is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the terminal, and two arms 23 and 24 resilient against one another, the free ends of which over a blind hole 26 and 27 of the base are arranged and this includes.
  • a U-shaped guide rail 31, 32 is fastened on the front surface of the base and approximately in the area between each of the recesses 13, 14 and the adjacent recesses 16, 17.
  • a rod-shaped bridge 33 is inserted between the two legs of this rail. The distance between the inner surfaces of the legs of the guide rails and the thickness of the bridge is chosen so that the latter can be easily moved between the legs.
  • the free end 34 or 35 of one leg of the guide rail is bent and holds a compression spring 37 or 38 inserted between the bridge and this end.
  • the side surfaces 36 of the bridge adjacent to the connecting web between the legs of the guide rail are removed beveled and encloses an acute angle of, for example, 30 ° with the connecting web.
  • the arrangement of the guide rail on the base is selected such that the bevelled side surface of the bridge abutting the connecting web of the rail in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b covers approximately half of the blind holes 26, 27 provided for receiving the contact pins .
  • the ends 41, 42 of two optical conductors are arranged adjacent to the two longitudinal ends of the bridge. These monofibers are guided for optimal mounting, preferably through a hole in the base.
  • the bridge has a bore running from one longitudinal end to the other, into which a further light guide 43, preferably also a monofiber, is inserted.
  • the mutual arrangement of the ends 41, 42 of the optical conductors and the end faces of the light guide 43 in the bridge are selected such that they are offset from one another in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.
  • FIG. 2 schematically shows a safety socket 45 according to the invention, one connection terminal of which is connected directly to the neutral conductor of a current source 47 by means of a current conductor 46 and the other connection terminal of which is connected to the live conductor of the current source via the contact pair 49 of a relay 51 by means of the contact pair 49 of a relay 51 .
  • two light guides 52, 53, the ends 41, 42 of which have already been described, are guided to an electronic amplifier circuit 54, to the output of which the excitation winding of the relay 51 is connected.
  • the amplifier circuit contains a light source 56, for example a light-emitting diode LED, to which a control transistor 57 is connected in series.
  • a photoelectric component 58 for example a photodiode, is also provided, to which a resistor 59 is connected in series.
  • the connecting line from the photodiode to the series resistor is led to one input of an amplifier 61, the other input of which is connected to a reference voltage source. From the output of this amplifier, a first line leads to the base of the control transistor 57 and a second, branched line to two monostable multivibrators 62, 63.
  • the output of each multivibrator is connected to the base of an associated transistor 64, 66, which transistors have the winding 51 of the relay form a series circuit.
  • Such amplifier circuits are known to any person skilled in the art, which is why a detailed description of the components mentioned and their linking is dispensed with. The operation of such amplifier circuits is also known. In connection with the present invention, however, it should be repeated that the light source 56 lights up when no light is directed onto the photodiode 58 and that the winding 51 of the relay is not energized when the photodiode is not illuminated, and therefore the relay contacts 49 are not closed. If the light path from the light source 57 to the photodiode 58 is not interrupted, the photodiode 58, the amplifier 61 and the transistor 57 together with the light source 56 form an oscillator, the frequency of which is determined by the components used and which causes the light source to light up intermittently . The oscillating oscillator drives the monostable multivibrators 62, 63, which excite the winding 51 of the relay via the transistors 64 and 66, the contacts 49 of which are then closed.
  • the bridge 33 is pressed by the springs 37, 38 against the connecting webs between the two legs of the guide rail 31, 32. Then the bridge light guide 43 is offset from the ends 41, 42 of the light guides 52 and 53, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.
  • the light path between the light source 56 and the photodiode 58 is interrupted, which is why the light source is continuously lit, the relay 51 is not energized and the contact pair 59 is open and therefore at least the connecting terminal provided for carrying voltage is disconnected from the mains.
  • One end face of the bridge light guide 43 may also be aligned with the end 41 or 42 of one of the light guides adjacent to it, while the other end face remains offset with respect to the end of the light guide adjacent to it.
  • a third connection terminal can be provided, which has a permanent connection to the neutral conductor.
  • the further embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention shown in a schematically drawn section in FIG. 5 likewise has a base 70 with recesses 71, 72 and bores 73, 74 for fastening the base to a building.
  • the base also contains recesses 76, 77 into which connection terminals 78, 79 are inserted and holes 81, 82 for receiving the contact pins 83, 84 of a plug (not shown) inserted into the connection terminals.
  • the base has a central and two laterally arranged through holes 86 and 87, 88, into each of which a light guide 89 or 94, 96 is inserted.
  • the end of the central light guide 89 is glued to the base of a double prism 91 resting on the front surface of the base (upper in FIG. 5).
  • the free ends 92, 93 of the two light guides 94, 96 guided through the lateral through holes are bent in the direction of the double prism.
  • This further embodiment of the socket can practically also be connected to an electronic amplifier circuit and a power source, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for the embodiment according to FIG. 1.
  • the light guide 52 and / or 53 (FIGS. 2 and 3) must be at least two-wire so that two free ends 92, 93 are available. It is of no practical importance whether the light guide 89 cemented to the double prism or the light guide with the two wires 94, 96 is used as a light transmitter or as a light receiver, i.e. whether their other conductor ends are led to the light source or the photoelectric component.
  • the electronic amplifier is modified so that the relay 51 is only excited when the light path of the two light barriers, i.e. between the double prism 91 and the free end 92 of the conductor 94 and the free end 93 of the light guide 96 is interrupted. Corresponding changes to the electronic amplifier circuit are known to any person skilled in the art, which is why they are not described further here.
  • the light guides can be replaced by low-voltage electrical lines, to the socket-side ends of which light-emitting diodes used as light transmitters or a photo-electric component are connected as light receivers. It is also possible to replace only one light guide with a low-voltage line, to which a light-emitting diode or a photoelectric component is then connected.

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  • Details Of Connecting Devices For Male And Female Coupling (AREA)
  • Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung betrifft eine Sicherheits-Steckdose mit einem Sockel zum Haltern von mindestens zwei Anschlussklemmen und einem Gehäuse, dessen Frontplatte Löcher zum Einführen von Kontaktstiften in diese Anschlussklemmen aufweist, sowie mit einem zugeordneten Relais, das mindestens die die Spannung führende Anschlussklemme nur dann mit der Stromzuleitung verbindet, wenn Kontaktstifte in die mindestens zwei Anschlussklemmen eingeführt sind.The present invention relates to a safety socket with a base for holding at least two connection terminals and a housing, the front plate of which has holes for inserting contact pins into these connection terminals, and with an associated relay, which at least only carries the connection terminal with the voltage Power supply line connects when contact pins are inserted into the at least two connection terminals.

Es sind schon viele Ausführungsformen von Steckdosen bekannt, die das unbeabsichtigte, zufällige Berühren der spannungsführenden Anschlussklemme verhindern und darum insbesondere spielende Kinder schützen sollen. Eine erste Gruppe solcher Steckdosen enthält eine rein mechanische Sicherheitseinrichtung. Diese besteht aus einer hinter der Frontplatte des Gehäuses bzw. auf dem Sockel verschiebbar angeordnete Platte, die in der Ruhestellung die Anschlussklemmen abdeckt. Die Platte weist einen keilförmigen Querschnitt auf oder eine stark abgeschrägte Kante und ist derart gehaltert, dass sie beim gleichzeitigen Einführen von zwei Kontaktstiften quer zur Einführrichtung verschoben wird und die Anschlussklemmen freigibt. Eine zweite Gruppe solcher Steckdosen enthält neben der rein mechanischen Abdeckung der spannungsführenden Anschlussklemmen noch eine elektrische Sicherheitseinrichtung. Diese ist als Relais ausgebildet, dessen Kontakte im Ruhezustand und wenn die verschiebbare Platte die Anschlussklemmen abdeckt, die elektrische Leitung mindestens zu der spannungsführenden Anschlussklemme unterbricht. Beim gleichzeitigen Einführen von mindestens zwei Kontaktstiften in die Steckdose wird, wie bei den vorgenannten, rein mechanisch gesicherten Steckdosen, die Abdeckplatte verschoben und dadurch ein Schalter betätigt, der den Erregerstromkreis für das Relais schliesst, wodurch dessen Kontakte die Anschlussklemmen mit der elektrischen Leitung verbinden.There are already many embodiments of sockets known which are intended to prevent the unintentional, accidental touching of the live connection terminal and therefore to protect, in particular, children who are playing. A first group of such sockets contains a purely mechanical safety device. This consists of a slidably arranged plate behind the front plate of the housing or on the base, which covers the connection terminals in the rest position. The plate has a wedge-shaped cross section or a strongly bevelled edge and is held in such a way that when two contact pins are inserted at the same time, it is moved transversely to the direction of insertion and releases the connection terminals. In addition to the purely mechanical covering of the live connection terminals, a second group of such sockets also contains an electrical safety device. This is designed as a relay, the contacts of which, in the idle state and when the movable plate covers the connecting terminals, interrupts the electrical line at least to the live connecting terminal. When at least two contact pins are inserted into the socket at the same time, the cover plate is shifted, as in the case of the aforementioned mechanically secured sockets, and a switch is actuated which closes the excitation circuit for the relay, whereby its contacts connect the connection terminals to the electrical line.

Es sind auch schon Sicherheits- und Überwachungseinrichtungen bekannt, bei denen ein Relais von einem optischen Signal gesteuert wird. Beispielsweise ist in der DE-A-3021 705 eine Einrichtung zum Überwachen veränderlichen Grössen beschrieben, welche Einrichtung eine Lichtquelle, einen vorzugsweise als Glasfaser ausgebildeten flexiblen, optischen Leiter und einen opto-elektronischen Wandler als Lichtempfänger enthält, der mit dem Relais verbunden ist. Der optische Leiter ist zugleich der Fühler für die zu überwachende Grösse, wozu eine Sollbruchstelle oder eine verstellbare optische Kopplung vorgesehen ist.Safety and monitoring devices are also known in which a relay is controlled by an optical signal. For example, DE-A-3021 705 describes a device for monitoring variable sizes, which device contains a light source, a flexible optical fiber, preferably in the form of a glass fiber, and an opto-electronic converter as a light receiver, which is connected to the relay. The optical conductor is also the sensor for the size to be monitored, for which purpose a predetermined breaking point or an adjustable optical coupling is provided.

Ein wesentlicher Nachteil der einfach erscheinenden mechanischen Sicherheitseinrichtung ist, dass die Abdeckplatte über den gesamten Durchmesser der Anschlussklemmen verschiebbar sein muss, was einschliesslich des gewöhnlich umgebördelten Rands einer Verschiebestrecke von etwa 5 mm entspricht. Das Verschieben der Abdeckplatte längs dieser relativ langen Strecke durch die senkrecht zur Verschieberichtung einwirkenden Kontaktstifte behindert aber deren Einführung ganz wesentlich. Der Benutzer wird dann dazu verleitet, die Kontaktstifte unter unverhältnismässig grosser Kraftaufwendung in die Steckdose zu stossen, was deren Beschädigung bewirken kann.A major disadvantage of the seemingly simple mechanical safety device is that the cover plate must be displaceable over the entire diameter of the connection terminals, which, including the usually flanged edge, corresponds to a displacement distance of approximately 5 mm. Moving the cover plate along this relatively long distance through the contact pins acting perpendicular to the direction of displacement, however, significantly hinders their introduction. The user is then tempted to push the contact pins into the socket with disproportionate force, which can damage them.

Dieser Nachteil ist auch bei den Steckdosen mit einer elektrischen Sicherheitseinrichtung nur teilweise behoben. Zwar muss bei diesen Steckdosen die Abdeckplatte in der Ruhestellung nicht den gesamten Querschnitt der Anschlussklemmen abdecken, die Verschiebestrecke muss aber immer noch gross genug sein, um den Schalter für den Erregerstromkreis des Relais zu betätigen. Ein weiterer Nachteil solcher Steckdosen ist, dass sie wegen des Schalters und des Relais grösser als ungesicherte Steckdosen sind und ein entsprechend grösseres Einbauvolumen benötigen.This disadvantage is only partially remedied in the case of sockets with an electrical safety device. With these sockets, the cover plate does not have to cover the entire cross-section of the connection terminals in the rest position, but the sliding distance must still be large enough to actuate the switch for the excitation circuit of the relay. Another disadvantage of such sockets is that, because of the switch and the relay, they are larger than unsecured sockets and require a correspondingly larger installation volume.

Die bekannten Sicherheits- und Überwachungseinrichtungen der oben beschriebenen Art sind für Sicherheits-Steckdosen nicht geeignet. Sie sind zum Überwachen nur einer Grösse oder eines Vorgangs vorgesehen, während bei einer Sicherheits-Steckdose das Einstecken von zwei Kontaktstiften überwacht werden soll.The known safety and monitoring devices of the type described above are not suitable for safety sockets. They are intended for monitoring only one size or one process, while the plugging in of two contact pins is to be monitored for a safety socket.

Der vorliegenden Erfindung liegt darum die Aufgabe zugrunde eine Sicherheits-Steckdose zu schaffen, bei der mindestens die spannungsführende Anschlussklemme vom Netz getrennt ist, solange nicht die beiden Kontaktstifte eines Stekkers in die Steckdose eingeführt sind, deren Sicherheitseinrichtung das Einführen des Steckers praktisch nicht erschwert oder behindert und deren Abmessungen nicht grösser als die Abmessung der bisher gebräuchlichen Steckdosen sind.The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a safety socket in which at least the live connecting terminal is disconnected from the mains as long as the two contact pins of a plug are not inserted into the socket, the safety device of which practically does not make difficult or hinder the insertion of the plug and whose dimensions are not larger than the dimensions of the sockets used previously.

Erfindungsgemäss wird diese Aufgabe mit einer Sicherheits-Steckdose der eingangs definierten Art gelöst, die dadurch gekennzeichnet ist, dass den beiden Anschlussklemmen eine gemeinsame zum Steuern des Relais vorgesehene Lichtschranke zugeordnet ist, die eine quer zur Längsrichtung der Anschlussklemmen verschiebbare Brücke aufweist, die in ihrer Ruhestellung, in der die beiden Anschlussklemmen teilweise verdeckt sind, die Lichtschranke unterbricht und beim Einführen der beiden Kontaktstifte in eine Arbeitsstellung verschoben wird, in der die Lichtschranke geöffnet ist.According to the invention, this object is achieved with a safety socket of the type defined at the outset, which is characterized in that the two connecting terminals are assigned a common light barrier provided for controlling the relay, which has a bridge which can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the connecting terminals and which in its rest position , in which the two connection terminals are partially covered, the light barrier interrupts and, when the two contact pins are inserted, is moved into a working position in which the light barrier is open.

Bei der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose können alle für die Lichtschranke oder die Lichtschranken erforderlichen Elemente im Gehäuse einer gebräuchlichen Steckdose angeordnet werden, weshalb für die erfindungsgemässe Steckdose kein grösseres Einbauvolumen als für die bekannten, ungesicherten Steckdosen erforderlich ist. Weiter benötigt die erfindungsgemässe Steckdose keinen mechanisch betätigten Schalter für den Erregerstrom des Relais in der Verbindungsleitung zu der Stromquelle und der mindestens einen Anschlussklemme, was die Störanfälligkeit der Sicherheits-Steckdosen vermindert und insbesondere den Aufbau der Sicherheits-Steckdose ohne mechanisch bewegbare Teile ermöglicht. Schliesslich erlaubt die Verwendung einer Lichtschranke auch, dass mindestens die spannungsführende Anschlussklemme der Steckdose vom Netz getrennt wird oder bleibt, wenn Teile der Lichtschranke beschädigt werden.In the case of the safety socket according to the invention, all the elements required for the light barrier or the light barriers can be arranged in the housing of a conventional socket, which is why no larger installation volume is required for the socket according to the invention than for the known, unsecured sockets. Furthermore, the socket according to the invention does not require a mechanically operated switch for the excitation current of the relay in the connecting line to the current source and the at least one connection terminal, which is what the The safety sockets are less susceptible to faults and, in particular, enable the safety socket to be constructed without mechanically moving parts. Finally, the use of a light barrier also allows at least the live terminal of the socket to be disconnected from the mains or remains in place if parts of the light barrier are damaged.

Bei einer ersten bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose ist jeder Anschlussklemme eine Lichtschranke zugeordnet, welche beiden Lichtschranken zwischen den Anschlussklemmen einen gemeinsamen Lichtsender oder Lichtempfänger aufweisen, dem ein Doppelprisma zugeordnet ist sowie ausserhalb der Anschlussklemmen je einen Lichtempfänger bzw. Lichtsender.In a first preferred embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention, a light barrier is assigned to each connection terminal, which two light barriers have a common light transmitter or light receiver between the connection terminals, to which a double prism is assigned, and a light receiver or light transmitter each outside the connection terminals.

Bei dieser ersten Ausführungsform wirken die beiden Lichtschranken direkt mit den mindestens zwei Kontaktstiften des Steckers zusammen, weshalb weitere mechanisch bewegbare Teile nicht erforderlich sind.In this first embodiment, the two light barriers interact directly with the at least two contact pins of the plug, which is why further mechanically movable parts are not required.

Bei einer zweiten bevorzugten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose ist den beiden Anschlussklemmen eine gemeinsame Lichtschranke zugeordnet, die eine quer zur Längsrichtung der Anschlussklemmen verschiebbare Brücke aufweist, die in ihrer Ruhestellung, in der die beiden Anschlussklemmen teilweise verdeckt sind, die Lichtschranke unterbricht und beim Einführen der beiden Kontaktstifte in eine Arbeitsstellung verschoben wird, in der die Lichtschranke geöffnet ist.In a second preferred embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention, the two connection terminals are assigned a common light barrier which has a bridge which can be moved transversely to the longitudinal direction of the connection terminals and which, in its rest position, in which the two connection terminals are partially covered, interrupts the light barrier and when it is inserted of the two contact pins is moved into a working position in which the light barrier is open.

Bei dieser zweiten Ausführungsform wirkt die eine Lichtschranke mit Hilfe der verschiebbaren Brücke mit den beiden Kontaktstiften zusammen. Dabei ist der Verschiebeweg der Brücke wesentlich kleiner als bei den Abdeckplatten der bekannten Sicherheits-Steckdosen, was die sichere Funktion der Steckdose erhöht und die Möglichkeit einer Beschädigung durch unsachgemässe Behandlung stark verringert.In this second embodiment, the one light barrier cooperates with the two contact pins with the aid of the displaceable bridge. The displacement of the bridge is much smaller than with the cover plates of the known safety sockets, which increases the safe function of the socket and greatly reduces the possibility of damage due to improper handling.

Bei der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose wirkt die Lichtschranke mit einem elektronischen Verstärker zusammen, dessen Ausgangssignal die Erregung des Relais steuert. Als Lichtsender und -empfänger werden eine Lichtquelle und ein fotoelektrisches Bauelement verwendet. Diese können wahlweise in der Steckdose oder von der Steckdose entfernt angeordnet werden. Für die letztere Anordnung werden Lichtleiter zwischen der Lichtquelle und dem Lichtsender sowie zwischen dem Lichtempfänger und dem fotoelektrischen Bauelement vorgesehen. Dabei ist es möglich, die Erreger- und Signalleitung für die Lichtquelle und das fotoelektrische Bauelement oder die Lichtleiter für mehrere, an unterschiedlichen Orten montierte Steckdosen mit einem gemeinsamen Schaltkasten zu verbinden, indem die den Steckdosen zugeordneten Relais eingebaut sind.In the safety socket according to the invention, the light barrier interacts with an electronic amplifier, the output signal of which controls the excitation of the relay. A light source and a photoelectric component are used as light transmitters and receivers. These can be arranged either in the socket or away from the socket. For the latter arrangement, light guides are provided between the light source and the light transmitter and between the light receiver and the photoelectric component. It is possible to connect the excitation and signal line for the light source and the photoelectric component or the light guide for several sockets mounted at different locations with a common switch box by installing the relays assigned to the sockets.

Nachfolgend werden Ausführungsbeispiele der erfindungsgemässen Steckdose mit Hilfe der Figuren beschrieben. Es zeigen:

  • Fig. 1 a die Draufsicht auf den schematisch gezeichneten Sockel einer ersten Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose mit einer Lichtschranke, die mit einer verschiebbaren Brücke zusammenwirkt,
  • Fig. 1 b die Seitenansicht des Sockels gemäss der Fig. 1,
  • Fig. 2 die schematische Darstellung einer Sicherheits-Steckdose, die mit Lichtleitern zusammenwirkt, um ein Relais in der Stromleitung zur Steckdose zu steuern,
  • Fig. 3 das Blockschema eines Verstärkerkreises, der in Übereinstimmung mit einem optischen Eingangssignal ein Relais steuert,
  • Fig. 4 die schematische Draufsicht auf eine bevorzugte Ausführungsform der Brücke und
  • Fig. 5 den schematisch gezeichneten Schnitt durch eine weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose, mit zwei von den Kontaktstiften eines Steckers zu betätigenden Lichtschranken.
Exemplary embodiments of the socket according to the invention are described below with the aid of the figures. Show it:
  • 1 a is a top view of the schematically drawn base of a first embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention with a light barrier which interacts with a sliding bridge,
  • 1 b shows the side view of the base according to FIG. 1,
  • 2 is a schematic representation of a safety socket that interacts with light guides to control a relay in the power line to the socket,
  • 3 is a block diagram of an amplifier circuit which controls a relay in accordance with an optical input signal;
  • Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of a preferred embodiment of the bridge and
  • 5 shows the schematically drawn section through a further embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention, with two light barriers to be actuated by the contact pins of a plug.

Die in den Fig. 1 und 1 b gezeigte Draufsicht bzw. Seitenansicht des Sockels einer Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose ist gegenüber den genormten Abmessungen für den Durchmesser und den gegenseitigen Abstand der Anschlussklemmen und Kontaktstifte im Massstab von etwa 1,5 : 1 vergrössert gezeichnet, um die erfindungsgemässen Merkmale dieser Steckdose deutlicher darzustellen. Der Sockel 10 besteht aus einem elektrisch isolierenden Material und dient zum Befestigen der Steckdose beispielsweise in einer Gebäudewand und zum Haltern der Teile der Steckdose. Dazu enthält der Sockel Bohrungen 11, 12, die auf der oberen oder Vorderfläche des Sockels in breite Ausnehmungen 13 bzw. 14 münden und zum Aufnehmen der Schrauben vorgesehen sind, mit denen die Steckdose befestigt wird. Der Sockel enthält zwei weitere Ausnehmungen 16, 17, in die je eine Anschlussklemme 18 bzw. 19 eingesetzt ist. Jede Anschlussklemme enthält eine Schraube 21 bzw. 22, mit der ein zur Stromleitung vorgesehener (nicht gezeigter) Draht elektrisch leitend mit der Klemme verbunden wird sowie zwei gegeneinander federnde Arme 23 bzw. 24, deren freie Enden über einem Sackloch 26 bzw. 27 des Sockels angeordnet sind und dieses umfasst.The plan view and side view of the base of an embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 b is enlarged compared to the standardized dimensions for the diameter and the mutual spacing of the connection terminals and contact pins on a scale of approximately 1.5: 1 to more clearly illustrate the features of this socket according to the invention. The base 10 consists of an electrically insulating material and is used to fasten the socket, for example in a building wall and to hold the parts of the socket. For this purpose, the base contains bores 11, 12, which open into wide recesses 13 and 14 on the upper or front surface of the base and are provided for receiving the screws with which the socket is fastened. The base contains two further recesses 16, 17, in each of which a connecting terminal 18 or 19 is inserted. Each connection terminal contains a screw 21 or 22, by means of which a wire (not shown) intended for power conduction is connected in an electrically conductive manner to the terminal, and two arms 23 and 24 resilient against one another, the free ends of which over a blind hole 26 and 27 of the base are arranged and this includes.

Auf der Vorderfläche des Sockels und etwa im Bereich zwischen jeder der Ausnehmungen 13, 14 und den benachbarten Ausnehmungen 16, 17 ist je eine U-förmige Führungsschiene 31, 32 befestigt. Zwischen die beiden Schenkel dieser Schiene ist eine stabförmige Brücke 33 eingelegt. Der Abstand zwischen den Innenflächen der Schenkel der Führungsschienen und der Dicke der Brücke ist so gewählt, dass letztere leicht zwischen den Schenkeln verschoben werden kann. Das freie Ende 34 bzw. 35 des einen Schenkels der Führungsschiene ist abgekröpft und hält eine zwischen der Brücke und diesem Ende eingelegte Druckfeder 37 bzw. 38. Die dem Verbindungssteg zwischen den Schenkeln der Führungsschiene benachbarte Seitenflächen 36 der Brücke ist abgeschrägt und schliesst mit dem Verbindungssteg einen spitzen Winkel von beispielsweise 30° ein. Die Anordnung der Führungsschiene auf dem Sockel ist so gewählt, dass die am Verbindungssteg der Schiene anliegende abgeschrägte Seitenfläche der Brücke in der in den Fig. 1 a und 1 b gezeigten Ruhestellung, die zum Aufnehmen der Kontaktstifte vorgesehenen Sacklöcher 26, 27 etwa zur Hälfte verdeckt.A U-shaped guide rail 31, 32 is fastened on the front surface of the base and approximately in the area between each of the recesses 13, 14 and the adjacent recesses 16, 17. A rod-shaped bridge 33 is inserted between the two legs of this rail. The distance between the inner surfaces of the legs of the guide rails and the thickness of the bridge is chosen so that the latter can be easily moved between the legs. The free end 34 or 35 of one leg of the guide rail is bent and holds a compression spring 37 or 38 inserted between the bridge and this end. The side surfaces 36 of the bridge adjacent to the connecting web between the legs of the guide rail are removed beveled and encloses an acute angle of, for example, 30 ° with the connecting web. The arrangement of the guide rail on the base is selected such that the bevelled side surface of the bridge abutting the connecting web of the rail in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b covers approximately half of the blind holes 26, 27 provided for receiving the contact pins .

Den beiden Längsenden der Brücke benachbart sind die Enden 41,42 zweier optischer Leiter, beispielsweise Monofasern mit einem Durchmesser von weniger als 0,5 mm angeordnet. Diese Monofasern sind für eine optimale Halterung, vorzugsweise durch eine Bohrung im Sockel, geführt. Die Brücke weist eine von einem Längsende zum anderen verlaufende Bohrung auf, in die ein weiterer Lichtleiter 43, vorzugsweise ebenfalls eine Monofaser, eingelegt ist. Die gegenseitige Anordnung der Enden 41,42 der optischen Leiter und der Endflächen des Lichtleiters 43 in der Brücke sind derart gewählt, dass sie in der in den Fig. 1 a und 1 b gezeigten Ruhestellung gegeneinander versetzt sind.The ends 41, 42 of two optical conductors, for example monofibers with a diameter of less than 0.5 mm, are arranged adjacent to the two longitudinal ends of the bridge. These monofibers are guided for optimal mounting, preferably through a hole in the base. The bridge has a bore running from one longitudinal end to the other, into which a further light guide 43, preferably also a monofiber, is inserted. The mutual arrangement of the ends 41, 42 of the optical conductors and the end faces of the light guide 43 in the bridge are selected such that they are offset from one another in the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b.

Die Fig. 2 zeigt schematisch eine erfindungsgemässe Sicherheits-Steckdose 45, deren eine Anschlussklemme mittels eines Stromleiters 46 direkt mit dem Nulleiter einer Stromquelle 47 und deren andere Anschlussklemme mittels eines Stromleiters 48 über das Kontaktpaar 49 eines Relais 51 mit dem spannungsführenden Leiter der Stromquelle verbunden ist. Von der Steckdose sind weiter zwei Lichtleiter 52, 53, deren Enden 41,42 bereits beschrieben wurden, an einen elektronischen Verstärkerkreis 54 geführt, an dessen Ausgang die Erregerwicklung des Relais 51 angeschlossen ist.2 schematically shows a safety socket 45 according to the invention, one connection terminal of which is connected directly to the neutral conductor of a current source 47 by means of a current conductor 46 and the other connection terminal of which is connected to the live conductor of the current source via the contact pair 49 of a relay 51 by means of the contact pair 49 of a relay 51 . From the socket, two light guides 52, 53, the ends 41, 42 of which have already been described, are guided to an electronic amplifier circuit 54, to the output of which the excitation winding of the relay 51 is connected.

In Fig. 3 ist ein Ausführungsbeispiel eines elektronischen Verstärkerkreises für eine selbstüberwachende Lichtschranke gezeigt. Der Verstärkerkreis enthält eine Lichtquelle 56, beispielsweise eine Licht emittierende Diode LED, zu der ein Steuertransistor 57 in Serie geschaltet ist. Weiter ist ein photoelektrisches Bauelement 58, beispielsweise eine Photodiode vorgesehen, zu der ein Widerstand 59 in Serie geschaltet ist. Die Verbindungsleitung von der Photodiode zu dem Seriewiderstand ist an den einen Eingang eines Verstärkers 61 geführt, dessen anderer Eingang an einer Referenzspannungsquelle angeschlossen ist. Vom Ausgang dieses Verstärkers führt eine erste Leitung an die Basis des Steuertransistors 57 und eine zweite, verzweigte Leitung an zwei monostabile Multivibratoren 62, 63. Der Ausgang jedes Multivibrators ist mit der Basis eines zugeordneten Transistors 64, 66 verbunden, welche Transistoren mit der Wicklung 51 des Relais eine Serieschaltung bilden.3 shows an exemplary embodiment of an electronic amplifier circuit for a self-monitoring light barrier. The amplifier circuit contains a light source 56, for example a light-emitting diode LED, to which a control transistor 57 is connected in series. A photoelectric component 58, for example a photodiode, is also provided, to which a resistor 59 is connected in series. The connecting line from the photodiode to the series resistor is led to one input of an amplifier 61, the other input of which is connected to a reference voltage source. From the output of this amplifier, a first line leads to the base of the control transistor 57 and a second, branched line to two monostable multivibrators 62, 63. The output of each multivibrator is connected to the base of an associated transistor 64, 66, which transistors have the winding 51 of the relay form a series circuit.

Solche Verstärkerkreise sind jedem Fachmann bekannt, weshalb auf eine detaillierte Beschreibung der genannten Bauelemente und deren Verknüpfung verzichtet wird. Die Arbeitsweise solcher Verstärkerkreise ist ebenfalls bekannt. Im Zusammenhand mit der vorliegenden Erfindung sei jedoch wiederholt, dass die Lichtquelle 56 leuchtet, wenn kein Licht auf die Photodiode 58 geleitet wird, und dass bei unbeleuchteter Photodiode die Wicklung 51 des Relais nicht erregt wird, und darum die Relaiskontakte 49 nicht geschlossen sind. Wenn der Lichtweg von der Lichtquelle 57 zur Photodiode 58 nicht unterbrochen ist, bilden die Photodiode 58, der Verstärker 61 und der Transistor 57 mit der Lichtquelle 56 einen Oszillator, dessen Frequenz durch die verwendeten Bauelemente bestimmt ist und der bewirkt, dass die Lichtquelle intermittierend aufleuchtet. Der oszillierende Oszillator treibt die monostabilen Multivibratoren 62, 63, die über die Transistoren 64 bzw. 66 die Wicklung 51 des Relais erregen, dessen Kontakte 49 dann geschlossen werden.Such amplifier circuits are known to any person skilled in the art, which is why a detailed description of the components mentioned and their linking is dispensed with. The operation of such amplifier circuits is also known. In connection with the present invention, however, it should be repeated that the light source 56 lights up when no light is directed onto the photodiode 58 and that the winding 51 of the relay is not energized when the photodiode is not illuminated, and therefore the relay contacts 49 are not closed. If the light path from the light source 57 to the photodiode 58 is not interrupted, the photodiode 58, the amplifier 61 and the transistor 57 together with the light source 56 form an oscillator, the frequency of which is determined by the components used and which causes the light source to light up intermittently . The oscillating oscillator drives the monostable multivibrators 62, 63, which excite the winding 51 of the relay via the transistors 64 and 66, the contacts 49 of which are then closed.

Wenn in die beschriebene Sicherheits-Steckdose kein Stecker eingesteckt ist, d.h. keine Kontaktstifte in die Anschlussklemmen eingeführt sind, wird die Brücke 33 von den Federn 37, 38 gegen die Verbindungsstege zwischen den beiden Schenkeln der Führungsschiene 31, 32 gedrückt. Dann ist der Brückenlichtleiter 43 gegenüber den Enden 41, 42 der Lichtleiter 52, bzw. 53 versetzt, wie es in den Fig. 1 a und 1 b gezeigt ist. Damit ist der Lichtweg zwischen der Lichtquelle 56 und der Photodiode 58 unterbrochen, weshalb die Lichtquelle kontinuierlich leuchtet, das Relais 51 nicht erregt wird und das Kontaktpaar 59 offen und darum mindestens die zur Führung von Spannung vorgesehene Anschlussklemme vom Netz getrennt ist. Wird nun ein Stecker oder irgendein anderes Werkstück oder -zeug in eine der Anschlussklemmen 26 oder 27 eingeführt, dann wird der dieser Klemme benachbarte Teil der Brücke 33 gegen den Druck der ebenfalls benachbarten Feder 37 oder 38 verschoben. Dabei wird möglicherweise auch die eine Endfläche des Brückenlichtleiters 43 mit dem ihr benachbarten Ende 41 oder 42 eines der Lichtleiter ausgerichtet, während die andere Endfläche gegenüber dem ihr benachbarten Ende des Lichtleiters versetzt bleibt.If no plug is inserted into the described safety socket, i.e. no contact pins are inserted into the terminals, the bridge 33 is pressed by the springs 37, 38 against the connecting webs between the two legs of the guide rail 31, 32. Then the bridge light guide 43 is offset from the ends 41, 42 of the light guides 52 and 53, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. Thus, the light path between the light source 56 and the photodiode 58 is interrupted, which is why the light source is continuously lit, the relay 51 is not energized and the contact pair 59 is open and therefore at least the connecting terminal provided for carrying voltage is disconnected from the mains. If a plug or any other workpiece or tool is now inserted into one of the connecting terminals 26 or 27, the part of the bridge 33 adjacent to this terminal is displaced against the pressure of the likewise adjacent spring 37 or 38. One end face of the bridge light guide 43 may also be aligned with the end 41 or 42 of one of the light guides adjacent to it, while the other end face remains offset with respect to the end of the light guide adjacent to it.

Es ist darum nicht möglich, durch Einstecken nur eines Kontaktstifts oder sonstigen Werkstücks oder -zeugs die beiden Endflächen des Brückenlichtleiters mit den benachbarten Enden der Lichtleiter auszurichten und dadurch die Sicherheits-Steckdose an das Netz anzuschliessen. Das gleiche gilt, wenn gleichzeitig zwei Stifte in die Steckdose und deren Anschlussklemmen eingeführt werden, welche Stifte aber beispielsweise zu dick oder zu dünn sind.It is therefore not possible to align the two end faces of the bridge light guide with the adjacent ends of the light guide by inserting only one contact pin or other workpiece or tool and thereby connecting the safety socket to the network. The same applies if two pins are inserted into the socket and their terminals at the same time, but which pins are too thick or too thin, for example.

Wird ein Stecker, dessen Kontaktstifte den vorgeschriebenen Durchmesser aufweisen, in die Steckdose bzw. zwischen die Arme 23, 24 der Anschlussklemmen eingeführt, dann wird die Brücke 33, während die vorderen Enden der Kontaktstifte längs der abgeschrägten Seitenfläche 36 der Brücke gleiten, gegen den Druck der beiden Federn 37, 38 aus der in den Fig. 1 und 1 b gezeigten Ruhelage in eine Arbeitslage verschoben, in der die beiden Endflächen des Brückenlichtleiters 43 mit den Enden 41, 42 der Lichtleiter 52 bzw. 53 ausgerichtet sind. Dann ist ein ununterbrochener Lichtweg zwischen der Lichtquelle 56 und der Photodiode 48 gebildet, über den die Photodiode beleuchtet wird. Wie bereits weiter oben beschrieben wurde, beginnt dann der Eingangsteil des Verstärkerkreises (Fig. 3) zu oszillieren, wodurch die Wicklung des Relais 51 erregt und dessen Kontaktpaar 49 geschlossen wird, sodass die Anschlussklemmen der Sicherheits-Steckdose an das Netz angeschlossen sind.If a plug whose contact pins have the prescribed diameter is inserted into the socket or between the arms 23, 24 of the connection terminals, then the bridge 33, while the front ends of the contact pins slide along the tapered side surface 36 of the bridge, against the pressure of the two springs 37, 38 moved from the rest position shown in FIGS. 1 and 1 b into a working position in which the two end faces of the bridge light guide 43 are aligned with the ends 41, 42 of the light guides 52 and 53, respectively. Then there is an uninterrupted light path between the light source 56 and the photodiode 48, via which the photodiode is illuminated. As has already been described above, the input part of the amplifier circuit (FIG. 3) then begins to oscillate, whereby the winding of the relay 51 is energized and its contact pair 49 is closed, so that the connection terminals of the safety socket are connected to the mains.

Es versteht sich und bedarf sicher keiner detaillierten Beschreibung, dass beim Herausziehen des Steckers aus der Steckdose die Brücke in ihrer Ruhestellung zurückverschoben und damit die Verbindung mindestens der spannungsführenden Anschlussklemme mit dem Netz wieder unterbrochen wird.It goes without saying and certainly does not require a detailed description that when the plug is pulled out of the socket, the bridge is moved back into its rest position and the connection of at least the live connection terminal to the mains is interrupted again.

Das beschriebene Ausführungsbeispiel der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose kann auf vielerlei Weise abgewandelt und an spezielle Verwendungen oder Betriebsbedingungen angepasst werden. Beispielsweise kann eine dritte Anschlussklemme vorgesehen werden, die eine permanente Verbindung mit dem Nulleiter aufweist. Weiter ist es möglich, anstelle der in den Fig. 1 a und 1 b gezeigten Brücke, deren Brückenlichtleiter 43 sich über die gesamte Länge der Brücke erstreckt, eine T-förmige Brücke 33' zu verwenden, deren relativ kurzer Brückenlichtleiter 43' in dem schmalen Längsteil dieser Brücke angeordnet ist (Fig. 4). Dabei ist jedoch zu beachten, dass die Sicherheit der Steckdose gegen ein unbeabsichtigtes Einschalten bei einer nicht korrekten Verschiebung der Brücke umso grösser ist, je länger der Brückenlichtleiter ist. Es versteht sich auch, dass die Empfindlichkeit der gesamten Anordnung wesentlich gesteigert werden kann, wenn für den Brückenlichtleiter und die Lichtleiter zwischen dem Verstärkerkreis und der Sicherheits-Steckdose unterschiedliche Materialien mit unterschiedlichen Aperturwinkeln verwendet werden, sodass nur bei sehr genauer Ausrichtung der Lichtleiterenden genügend Licht übertragen wird um den Verstärkerkreis zum Oszillieren anzuregen. Weiter versteht sich, dass als Lichtleiter nicht nur Monofasern der beispielsweise beschriebenen Art, sondern auch Faserbündel verwendet werden können, und dass die beschriebene Wirkung sowohl mit Glas- als auch mit Quarz- als auch mit Kunststoffasern erreicht wird.The described embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention can be modified in many ways and adapted to special uses or operating conditions. For example, a third connection terminal can be provided, which has a permanent connection to the neutral conductor. It is also possible to use a T-shaped bridge 33 'instead of the bridge shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, the bridge light guide 43 of which extends over the entire length of the bridge, the relatively short bridge light guide 43' of which in the narrow one Longitudinal part of this bridge is arranged (Fig. 4). It should be noted, however, that the longer the bridge light guide, the greater the safety of the socket against unintentional switching on if the bridge is not moved correctly. It goes without saying that the sensitivity of the entire arrangement can be significantly increased if different materials with different aperture angles are used for the bridge light guide and the light guide between the amplifier circuit and the safety socket, so that sufficient light can only be transmitted if the ends of the light guide are aligned very precisely is used to stimulate the amplifier circuit to oscillate. Furthermore, it goes without saying that not only monofibers of the type described, for example, but also fiber bundles can be used as light guides, and that the described effect is achieved both with glass and with quartz and with plastic fibers.

Die in Fig. 5 in einem schematisch gezeichneten Schnitt gezeigte weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose weist ebenfalls einen Sockel 70 auf mit Ausnehmungen 71, 72 und Bohrungen 73, 74 zum Befestigen des Sockels an einem Bauwerk. Der Sockel enthält auch Ausnehmungen 76, 77, in die Anschlussklemmen 78, 79 eingelegt sind und Löcher 81, 82 zum Aufnehmen der in die Anschlussklemmen eingeführten Kontaktstifte 83, 84 eines (nicht gezeigten) Steckers. Weiter weist der Sokkel ein zentrales und zwei seitlich angeordnete Durchgangslöcher 86 bzw. 87, 88 auf, in die je ein Lichtleiter 89 bzw. 94, 96 eingeführt ist. Das Ende des zentralen Lichtleiters 89 ist an die Grundfläche eines auf der (in Fig. 5 oberen) Vorderfläche des Sockels aufliegenden Doppelprisma 91 angekittet. Die freien Enden 92, 93 der beiden durch die seitlichen Durchgangslöcher geführten Lichtleiter 94, 96 sind in Richtung des Doppelprisma abgebogen.The further embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention shown in a schematically drawn section in FIG. 5 likewise has a base 70 with recesses 71, 72 and bores 73, 74 for fastening the base to a building. The base also contains recesses 76, 77 into which connection terminals 78, 79 are inserted and holes 81, 82 for receiving the contact pins 83, 84 of a plug (not shown) inserted into the connection terminals. Furthermore, the base has a central and two laterally arranged through holes 86 and 87, 88, into each of which a light guide 89 or 94, 96 is inserted. The end of the central light guide 89 is glued to the base of a double prism 91 resting on the front surface of the base (upper in FIG. 5). The free ends 92, 93 of the two light guides 94, 96 guided through the lateral through holes are bent in the direction of the double prism.

Diese weitere Ausführungsform der Steckdose kann praktisch ebenso mit einem elektronischen Verstärkerkreis und einer Stromquelle verbunden werden, wie es in den Fig. 2 und 3 für die Ausführungsform gemäss der Fig. 1 gezeigt ist. Zu beachten ist lediglich, dass der Lichtleiter 52 und/ oder 53 (Fig. 2 und 3) mindestens zweiadrig sein muss, damit zwei freie Enden 92, 93 verfügbar sind. Ohne praktische Bedeutung ist es, ob der am Doppelprisma angekittete Lichtleiter 89 oder der Lichtleiter mit den zwei Adern 94, 96 als Lichtsender oder als Lichtempfänger verwendet, d.h. ob deren andere Leiterenden zu der Lichtquelle bzw. dem fotoelektrischen Bauelement geführt werden. Weiter ist zu beachten, dass der elektronische Verstärker so abgewandelt wird, dass das Relais 51 nur dann erregt wird, wenn der Lichtweg der beiden Lichtschranken, d.h. zwischen dem Doppelprisma 91 und dem freien Ende 92 des Leiters 94 sowie dem freien Ende 93 des Lichtleiters 96 unterbrochen ist. Entsprechende Änderungen des elektronischen Verstärkerkreises sind jedem Fachmann bekannt, weshalb sie hier nicht weiter beschrieben werden.This further embodiment of the socket can practically also be connected to an electronic amplifier circuit and a power source, as is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for the embodiment according to FIG. 1. It should only be noted that the light guide 52 and / or 53 (FIGS. 2 and 3) must be at least two-wire so that two free ends 92, 93 are available. It is of no practical importance whether the light guide 89 cemented to the double prism or the light guide with the two wires 94, 96 is used as a light transmitter or as a light receiver, i.e. whether their other conductor ends are led to the light source or the photoelectric component. It should also be noted that the electronic amplifier is modified so that the relay 51 is only excited when the light path of the two light barriers, i.e. between the double prism 91 and the free end 92 of the conductor 94 and the free end 93 of the light guide 96 is interrupted. Corresponding changes to the electronic amplifier circuit are known to any person skilled in the art, which is why they are not described further here.

Es versteht sich, dass diese weitere Ausführungsform der erfindungsgemässen Sicherheits-Steckdose auf vielerlei Arten modifiziert werden kann. Beispielsweise können die Lichtleiter durch elektrische Schwachstromleitungen ersetzt werden, an deren steckdosenseitigen Enden als Lichtsender verwendete lichtemittierende Dioden bzw. als Lichtempfänger ein fotoelektrisches Bauelement angeschlossen sind. Es ist auch möglich nur einen Lichtleiter durch eine Schwachstromleitung zu ersetzen, an die dann eine lichtemittierende Diode oder ein fotoelektrisches Bauelement angeschlossen ist.It goes without saying that this further embodiment of the safety socket according to the invention can be modified in many ways. For example, the light guides can be replaced by low-voltage electrical lines, to the socket-side ends of which light-emitting diodes used as light transmitters or a photo-electric component are connected as light receivers. It is also possible to replace only one light guide with a low-voltage line, to which a light-emitting diode or a photoelectric component is then connected.

Claims (7)

1. Safety socket having a base (10) for holding at least two connection terminals (18, 19) and a housing whose front plate has holes for the insertion of contact pins into these connection terminals, and having an associated relay (51 ) which connects at least the voltage-carrying connection terminal to the supply lead (47) only when contact pins (L1, L2; 30) are inserted into the two or more connection terminals, characterized in that the two connection terminals (18, 19) are assigned a common light barrier (41, 43, 42) which is provided for controlling the relay (51 ) and has a bridge (33) which is displaceable transversely with respect to the longitudinal direction of the connection terminals and, in its rest position in which the two connection terminals are partly covered, interrupts the light barrier, and is displaced to a working position, in which the light barrier is open, when the two contact pins are inserted.
2. Safety socket according to Claim 1, characterized in that a bridge light guide (43) in the form of a fibre light guide is arranged on the bridge (33) to permit better optical coupling between the light transmitter and the light receiver.
3. Safety socket according to Claim 1, characterized in that the bridge (33), in the region of its lateral ends and outside the two connection terminals (18, 19), is arranged in two U-shaped guide tracks (31, 32) which are fastened to the base by means of a limb, and in that each guide track is assigned a spring (37, 38) which pushes or pulls the bridge against the connecting web between the two limbs of the guide tracks.
4. Safety socket according to Claim 1, characterized in that the light barrier has at least one light source used as a light transmitter and at least one photoelectric component used as a light receiver, and the light source and the photoelectric component are semiconductor components arranged in the socket.
5. Safety socket according to Claim 1, characterized in that the light transmitter and the light receiver of the light barrier are formed by one end of each of two fibre light guides, whose other ends are located at a remote light source or a remote photoelectric component.
6. Safety socket having a base (10) for holding at least two connection terminals (18, 19) an a housing whose front plate has holes for the insertion of contact pins into these connection terminals, and having an associated relay (51 ) which connects at least the voltage-carrying connection terminal to the supply lead (47) only when contact pins (L1, L2; 30) are inserted into the two or more connection terminals, characterized in that each connection terminal is assigned a light barrier (91, 92; 91, 93), which two light barriers are provided for joint control of the relay (51 ) and, between the connection terminals, have a common light transmitter or light receiver (89), to which a double prism (91) is assigned, and a light receiver or light transmitter (92, 93) outside each of the connection terminals.
7. Safety socket according to Claim 6, characterized in that the light transmitter or transmitters is or are in the form of a light source and the light receiver or receivers is or are in the form of a photoelectric component, and the said light transmitter or transmitters and the said light receiver or receivers are arranged in the socket.
EP84201796A 1984-02-10 1984-12-04 Safety receptacle Expired EP0152646B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CH638/84 1984-02-10
CH638/84A CH663694A5 (en) 1984-02-10 1984-02-10 SECURITY SOCKET.

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0152646A1 EP0152646A1 (en) 1985-08-28
EP0152646B1 true EP0152646B1 (en) 1988-06-01

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ID=4191672

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EP84201796A Expired EP0152646B1 (en) 1984-02-10 1984-12-04 Safety receptacle

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Country Link
US (1) US4591732A (en)
EP (1) EP0152646B1 (en)
CH (1) CH663694A5 (en)
DE (1) DE3471844D1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0152646A1 (en) 1985-08-28
CH663694A5 (en) 1987-12-31
US4591732A (en) 1986-05-27
DE3471844D1 (en) 1988-07-07

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