EP0552655B1 - Multiple socket - Google Patents

Multiple socket Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0552655B1
EP0552655B1 EP93100378A EP93100378A EP0552655B1 EP 0552655 B1 EP0552655 B1 EP 0552655B1 EP 93100378 A EP93100378 A EP 93100378A EP 93100378 A EP93100378 A EP 93100378A EP 0552655 B1 EP0552655 B1 EP 0552655B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
contact
multiple socket
conductor
conductors
plugs according
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 - Lifetime
Application number
EP93100378A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0552655A1 (en
Inventor
Werner Bauer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Popp & Co GmbH
Original Assignee
Popp & Co GmbH
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Popp & Co GmbH filed Critical Popp & Co GmbH
Priority to DE9320735U priority Critical patent/DE9320735U1/en
Publication of EP0552655A1 publication Critical patent/EP0552655A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0552655B1 publication Critical patent/EP0552655B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R25/00—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits
    • H01R25/003—Coupling parts adapted for simultaneous co-operation with two or more identical counterparts, e.g. for distributing energy to two or more circuits the coupling part being secured only to wires or cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/65—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal
    • H01R12/67—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals
    • H01R12/675—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures characterised by the terminal insulation penetrating terminals with contacts having at least a slotted plate for penetration of cable insulation, e.g. insulation displacement contacts for round conductor flat cables
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/24—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands
    • H01R4/2416—Connections using contact members penetrating or cutting insulation or cable strands the contact members having insulation-cutting edges, e.g. of tuning fork type

Definitions

  • the invention relates to a multiple socket for power plugs, in particular a protective contact socket, with the features of the preamble of claim 1.
  • the contact elements arranged encapsulated within the housing shells, which are made of insulating material, are designed as contact springs, which encompass the contact pins of an inserted power plug and thereby make electrical contact.
  • Earthing contact clips for contacting a corresponding earthing contact of the power plug are provided as further contact elements.
  • This protective contact is connected to the protective conductor of the three-core power cable in this case.
  • the contact elements of the same voltage potential are integrally connected to one another by rail-like conductors. The one-piece production of the conductors and the associated contact elements saves expensive manufacturing time for the production of contact connections that would otherwise be produced by riveting or soldering.
  • DE-A-36 41 153 proposes a specific geometric arrangement of the contact elements within the housing shells. Multiple sockets of the type mentioned are, however, required according to the individual needs of the market with different numbers and arrangement of the plug pots. When the contact elements and the associated conductors have the same electrical potential, the combinations of contact elements with their associated conductors are differently shaped for each socket design. This in turn requires increased tool and storage costs.
  • the contact elements and the conductors are integrated in an insulating housing.
  • this insulating housing is not suitable for removing voltage by means of the plug of the type mentioned at the beginning. Rather, different plug units are provided there, which engage in recesses in the insulating housing by means of a plurality of differently dimensioned contact pins. Direct contacting of the contact pins with the contact elements is not possible. For electrical contacting of a contact element with a contact pin, the latter engages in the intermediate space of a curved, rail-like metal strip, the curved side surfaces of the metal strip clamping the contact pin between them.
  • the electrical contact between the contact pin and the contact element is produced by the contact element encompassing the metal strip in a form-fitting and electrically contacting manner.
  • the design of the metal strips and contact elements required for this is structurally complex.
  • the assembly of such an insulating housing is very cumbersome.
  • the interposed metal strip between the contact element and contact pin of a plug unit also causes additional electrical contact resistances, so that the electrical voltage which can be drawn is reduced by the voltage drop across these contact resistances.
  • the invention has for its object to simplify the internal structure of a multiple socket of the type mentioned and thereby enable cost-effective production with simple storage. This object is achieved by the combination of features of the characterizing part of claim 1.
  • the invention uses the aforementioned insulation displacement technique, the contact elements of the same electrical potential being individually pushed onto the conductor.
  • the contacting pushing of the contact elements onto the conductors avoids complex connection techniques, such as riveting or soldering. Elaborate bending and punching processes - especially in the one-piece manufacture of a conductor and its contact springs - are also eliminated. On the one hand, this considerably reduces the time required for production, and on the other hand, this also means considerable material savings, since there is only a small amount of waste. If we are talking about conductors, they can be designed as protective conductors and conductor tracks.
  • the contact elements mentioned can be designed as a protective contact clip, contact springs or flat terminals.
  • Another advantage is that the individual contact elements of the multiple socket can be easily fitted with automatic placement machines. In addition, any mechanically damaged contact element can be exchanged without any problems.
  • the protective conductor can be replaced with all protective contact clips.
  • the invention offers the advantage that completely differently shaped multiple sockets with a different number of plug pots and also a different number of protective contact brackets can be produced with essentially the same manufacturing facilities. The latter can be advantageous if both mains plugs with protective contact and without protective contact are to be used.
  • the conductor according to claim 3 can be a wire which is fixed in its extended position and can thus be loaded at least in tension and bending by the preferably cutting contact. It goes without saying that the wire must have the required mechanical stability, in particular tensile strength, in its extended position.
  • the embodiment of the conductor as a rail or as a wire has the advantage that time-consuming and costly bending and punching operations on the conductors are eliminated.
  • the rail or wire can be fixed within the housing without additional processing steps.
  • the mechanical stability of the conductor is additionally supported by a fixation according to claim 4.
  • This mounting namely compensates for pressure forces acting on the conductor during the sliding on of the contact elements.
  • a form-fitting fixation of the conductor cross-section ensures that the conductor is securely held in its inserted position.
  • the form-fitting fixation of the conductor can e.g. in that the conductor is inserted into a correspondingly dimensioned conductor slot in the holding projection. In this way, displacement forces acting on the conductor can be compensated. If we are talking about retaining projections, they can be designed as retaining pins, clamp fixation and contact spring fixation.
  • Claim 5 creates enough space for a longer Aufschiebeweg the contact terminals and takes into account their longitudinal extension in the deferral position.
  • the position fixing of the conductors according to claim 6 advantageously avoids specially manufactured components for fastening the conductors within the housing.
  • the one-piece production of the contact terminals according to claim 7 is particularly noteworthy. It ensures a good mechanical hold of the contact elements and avoids a contact resistance which negatively influences the electrical contact between the terminal lug and the contact element.
  • the U-legs of the slot according to claim 8 form, as it were, the guidance of the travel path of the contact element during its being pushed onto the conductor or when it is withdrawn from the conductor. This ensures reliable sliding of the contact elements, which e.g. is very important for automatic production.
  • the U-floor limits the travel path in the push-on direction.
  • the surface shape of the U-base and the adjoining U-legs is adapted to the conductor in such a way that the electrically contacting frictional connection is created and is permanently maintained.
  • An embodiment of the slot of a contact terminal according to claim 9 facilitates the accurate pushing of the contact terminal to its terminal contact holder or insulation displacement contact also by an automatic manufacturing machine.
  • bare rails or bare wires run as conductors within the multiple socket.
  • the conductors are therefore not insulated within the socket.
  • the individual wires are insulated from each other and covered by a common insulation.
  • the common insulation ends approximately in the area of the clamp clamp attached as a strain relief. From there, the individual wires run in isolation to the flat terminals.
  • the common insulation jacket for all lead wires has been stripped in such a way that the individual lead wires are released in a length approximately corresponding to the length of the multiple socket.
  • the individual wires are insulated from the start. These insulated cables only need to be inserted and are cut open at their contact points by the insulation displacement contacts in such a way that the cutting contact comes into contact with the conductor wire located in the insulating jacket, as a result of which the electrical contact to the conductor wire is produced. It is advantageous here that the conductors are fixed in position in the interior of the socket in the manner of strings of a string instrument and are therefore mechanically well tensioned.
  • the cross section of the conductor acts as a kind of mechanical resistance for the contact terminal during its sliding open, so that the insulation displacement technique is particularly easy to use.
  • insulated conductors are only cut open at their contact points, no special measures need to be taken outside the contact points to avoid short circuits between the individual conductors.
  • Such insulated conductors are available as bulk parts at a low cost. They can be obtained in almost unlimited lengths and in a simple manner - just like the rails or uninsulated wires mentioned at the beginning. related. In this way, it is possible to use the insulation displacement technology for contacting the contact terminals with all of its advantages.
  • Claim 12 ensures that the contact elements remain securely in their deferred position. If we are talking about fixing projections, they can be designed as a clamp fixing, contact spring fixing, retaining web, fixing pin or fixing webs.
  • Claims 13 and 14 relate to special embodiments of fixing projections. These embodiments improve the storage security of the contact elements in their deferred position.
  • fixing projections already hold the contact elements before the housing is closed and compensate for displacement forces acting on the contact elements.
  • the fixing projections encompass the contact elements.
  • Such enclosures protect the contact elements from mechanical damage or accidental electrical contact with electrically conductive parts.
  • the protective function of the enclosures can be improved in that they are formed by all-round enclosed enclosure walls.
  • a housing shell with a web strip increases the mechanical stability of the housing shell.
  • their arrangement within the housing shell results in electrical contact protection between contact elements or conductors arranged close to one another. Since the holding and fixing projections are also integrally formed on the housing shell, the mechanical stability of the housing shell is additionally improved if a plurality of holding and / or fixing projections are connected to the web strip.
  • certain fixing projections and holding projections have a double function in that they serve to fix the position of a conductor and a contact element. This enables a spatially close arrangement of the conductors and the contact elements.
  • the housing shell can thus be dimensioned smaller.
  • the number of projections to be molded onto the housing shell is kept low, which also simplifies the manufacture of the housing shell.
  • the multiple socket outlet 1 which can be connected on one side according to FIGS. 1 and 2, contains a housing shell 2 designed as a housing base and a housing shell 3 that can be lidded thereon and configured as a housing cover.
  • the housing base 2 and the housing cover 3 are according to FIGS. 1 and 2 formed as a substantially rectangular shells. Others, e.g. circular bowl shapes are conceivable.
  • the protective conductor 4 and the conductor tracks 5, 6 are located as elongated wires within the housing shell 2.
  • the protective conductor 4 and the conductor tracks 5, 6 are advantageous designs of the conductors mentioned in the claims.
  • the conductors 4, 5, 6 lie in a form-fitting manner in the conductor slots 7 along their longitudinal extent.
  • the conductor slots 7 are components of the holding pin 8, of the clamp fixings 9 and of the contact spring fixtures 10.
  • the conductor slots 7 have, according to FIG. Fig. 3 is a U-shape.
  • the U-bottom and the adjoining U-leg areas form-fit envelop the cross-section of the protective conductor 4 or the conductor tracks 5, 6.
  • the conductor slots 7 run essentially in the push-on direction 11.
  • the slot opening of the conductor slot 7 is widened in a funnel-like manner in the push-on direction 11 in the direction of the housing cover 3.
  • the holding pin 8 has gem.
  • Fig. 2 shows a square cross section. Transversely to the conductor slot opening running in the longitudinal direction of the conductor, this conductor slot opening is halved, a recess projecting into the holding pin 8 in the push-on direction 11.
  • the contact terminal 12 of the protective contact clip 13 is inserted into this recess.
  • a contact terminal 12 is also formed on the contact spring 14 and on the flat terminal 15.
  • Protective contact bracket 13, contact spring 14 and flat terminal 15 are advantageous embodiments of the contact elements mentioned in the claims.
  • the contact clamp 12 is an integral part of each contact element and contains two contact arms 16 which extend essentially in the pushing-on direction 11.
  • Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 show the legs of a U-shaped slot 17 extending in the push-on direction 11.
  • the slot width is adapted to the cross section of the bare conductors 4, 5, 6 such that the contact terminal 12 follows the corresponding conductor Kind of a frictional contact electrically contacted.
  • the legs of the U-shaped slot of a contact terminal 12 are extended at their free ends in the slide-on direction 11 by a funnel-like slot opening mouth 18. This makes it easier to push the contact elements 13, 14, 15 onto the conductors 4, 5, 6.
  • the legs of the U-shaped slot 17 of the contact terminal 12 can also be designed as cutting edges.
  • the advantage here is that there is no need for separately manufactured bare protective conductors 4 and bare conductor tracks 5, 6 and the insulated wires of the mains cable are conductors 4, 5, 6.
  • the contact elements 13, 14, 15 are in their open position in FIG. 4.
  • the contact spring 14 in Fig. 4 contains two opposite symmetrical parts. It is characterized in its central area by two circular sections, with their concave sides facing each other. These sub-areas complement one another to form an oval contact area 19, which at least partially electrically contacts a contact pin (not shown here) of a power plug moved in the push-on direction 11.
  • the contact area 19 is funnel-shaped in its extension in the push-on direction 11 (FIG. 5) in the direction of the housing cover 3. This makes it easier to insert the contact pin into the contact area 19. While one end of the oval contact area 19 is extended by the contact terminal 12, the other lateral extension of the contact area 19 consists of two spring clips 20.
  • the spring clips 20 are bent outwards towards the contact area 19 and each completed by a strap web 21 extending in its longitudinal extension in the push-on direction 11.
  • the bow web 21 is shaped as a polygon in the plan view in FIG. 4.
  • the contact spring 14 is supported in its slide-on position with the aid of the strap webs 21 against the inner walls of the contact spring fixation 10.
  • the contact spring 14 is a symmetrical part with an axis of symmetry transverse to the longitudinal extent of the conductors 4, 5, 6.
  • the contact spring fixation 10 is formed on the bottom of the housing shell 2 and protrudes into the housing interior.
  • the all-round self-contained surrounding walls of the contact spring fixation 10 form a housing which encloses the contact spring 14 in a form-fitting manner.
  • the contact spring fixation 10 thus forms the encirclement of the contact spring 14.
  • the contact spring fixation 10 also contains the conductor slot 7 (FIG. 3) for inserting the conductor track 6.
  • the contact spring fixtures 10 receiving the conductor track 6 are integrally connected to one another in the region of the contact terminal-side peripheral walls by the web strip 22 .
  • the web strip 22 is integrally formed on the bottom of the housing shell 2 and has a lower overall height than the contact spring fixings 10. It runs parallel to the conductors 4, 5, 6 and lies between the protective conductor 4 and the conductor track 6. In the area of the flat clamps, the web strip 22 forms part of the clamp fixings 9.
  • the web strip 22 increases the mechanical stability of the housing shell 2. Their special arrangement within the housing shell 2 also brings about improved contact protection between the contact elements 13, 14, 15, which are electrically separated from one another, and conductors 4, 5, 6.
  • the clamp fixings 9, like the contact spring fixations 10, are formed on the bottom of the housing shell 2 and protrude into the interior of the housing.
  • the clamp fixings 9 are designed like a housing.
  • the flat terminals 15 lie in a form-fitting manner within these housing-like terminal fixings 9.
  • a side wall of the terminal fixation 9 touches the contact terminal 12 of the flat terminal 15 and in this area contains the conductor slot 7 for inserting the conductors 4, 5, 6.
  • the U-bottom of the conductor slot 7 of a holding projection 8, 9, 10 is located at a distance above the bottom of the housing shell 2, so that the conductors 4, 5, 6 inserted parallel to one another in the holding projections 8, 9, 10 are at a distance run above this housing shell bottom.
  • a plurality of retaining webs 23 and fixing pins 24 are molded onto the bottom of the housing shell 2.
  • the retaining webs 23 and the fixing pins 24 extend in FIG. 3 essentially in the push-on direction 11.
  • the retaining webs 23 are widened in their lengthwise longitudinal direction relative to a base surface 25 of the protective contact bracket 13 (FIG. 4) and run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the conductors 4, 5, 6. With their free end facing away from the housing base, the holding webs 23 touch the base surface 25 of a protective contact clip 13 and support it in its deferred position.
  • the fixing pin 24 has a circular cross section in the direction of arrow II and engages in the base surface 25 of the protective contact bracket 13 in a form-fitting manner.
  • the base 25 contains a circular pin opening 26.
  • the fixing pin area penetrating the pin opening 26 has a smaller cross-sectional diameter in the direction of arrow II than the area of the fixing pin 24 lying between the base 25 and the bottom of the housing shell 2.
  • the base area 25 contains a second pin opening 26 (FIG. 4).
  • a circular screw opening 27 is located centrally on the connecting line between the center points of the pin openings 26. Below the screw opening 27, between the base surface 25 and the bottom of the housing shell 2 (FIG. 3), there is a pin molded onto this base with an internal thread 28.
  • the plug pot 29 is part of the housing shell 3, that is, the housing cover, which is uncovered in FIG. 3 on the housing shell 2.
  • the plug pot 29 contains a pot base 30 running parallel to the bottom of the housing shell 2.
  • At the side edges of the pot base 30 there are side walls 36 which are perpendicular to it and extend in the push-on direction 11.
  • the side walls 36 connect the pot base 30 to the rest of the part of the housing shell 3 that runs parallel to the bottom of the housing shell 2. They each contain a bracket opening 37 in the region of the pot bottom in order to be able to arrange the free ends of the protective contact bracket 13 during assembly inside the plug pot 29.
  • the bottom 30 of the pot has a circular outline as seen in the direction of the arrow II.
  • the side walls 36 adjoining the pot base 30 complement one another to form a hollow cylinder.
  • Two guide cheeks 38 (FIG. 1) are integrally formed on the side walls of the plug pot 29.
  • the guide cheeks 38 are designed as projections of the side walls 36 in the direction of the center of the plug pot.
  • the guide cheeks 38 have an essentially rectangular outline in FIG. 1. The long sides thereof are arranged parallel to the slide-on direction 11. With a narrow side, the guide cheeks 38 are each directly with the Pot bottom 30 connected.
  • the longitudinal extent of the guide cheeks 38 along the push-on direction 11 is somewhat smaller than that of the side walls 36 of the plug pot 29.
  • the guide cheeks 38 are arranged at a distance between the mutually facing longitudinal sides.
  • the two guide cheeks 38 together form a pair of guide cheeks.
  • the pair of guide cheeks 38 is offset in the arrow direction II by approximately 90 ° relative to a free end of the protective contact clip 13 within the plug pot 29.
  • Two pairs of guide cheeks are located opposite one another within the plug socket 29. However, the second pair of guide cheeks is not recognizable because of the sectional view in FIG. 1.
  • Fixing webs 32, 33 are formed on the surface of the pot base 30 facing the bottom of the housing shell 2.
  • the fixing webs 32, 33 run in FIG. 3 in the push-on direction 11. Their extension is oriented such that the free ends of the fixing webs 32 pointing to the bottom of the housing shell 2 touch the protective contact clip 13 on its base surface 25 and the fixing webs 33 with the corresponding free ends touch the contact spring 14.
  • a side wall of the housing shell 2 contains an insertion opening 34 (FIG. 4) for inserting a power cable, not shown in the drawings.
  • This power cable is clamped to a clamp clamp 35 attached to the bottom of the housing shell 2 for strain relief.
  • the contact elements 13, 14, 15 are brought into their opening position along the opening direction 11.
  • the two-armed contact clamp 12 clamps the cross section of the bare conductors 4, 5, 6 with an electrically contacting frictional engagement between them.
  • the flat terminals 15 establish the electrical connection between the conductors 4, 5, 6 and the wires of the power cable.
  • the stripped ends of the wires are clamped on the flat terminals 15.
  • the wires of the power cable form the conductors 4, 5, 6.
  • the flat terminals 15 and separately produced conductors 4, 5, 6 are then superfluous.
  • the holding webs 23 and the fixing pin 24 limit the pushing on of the protective contact clip 13 in the sliding-on direction 11. While the fixing pin 24 positions the protective contact clip 13 in a stationary manner, the holding bars 23 support it. Because of its resilient support against the inner walls of the contact spring fixation 10, the contact spring 14 is also fixed in place before the socket strip 1 is closed.
  • a fastening screw penetrates the bore 31 and the screw opening 27 and is screwed to the internal thread 28. Since this construction for screwing is located in the area of all plug pots 29, a secure closure of the housing is ensured.
  • the contact elements 13, 14 are additionally fixed in position by the fixing webs 32, 33.
  • the contact elements 13, 14 therefore have only a very slight play along the slide-on direction 11 when a mains plug is pushed on or pulled off.
  • the contact elements 13, 14 therefore remain securely in their slide-on position.
  • the holding pins 8, clamp fixation 9 and contact spring fixation 10 described above are advantageous embodiments of the holding projections mentioned in the claims.
  • the previously described clamp fixation 9, contact spring fixation 10, holding web 23, fixing pin 24 and fixing webs 32, 33 are advantageous designs of the fixing projections mentioned in the claims.
  • the guide cheeks 38 make it easier to fix the power plug immediately before it is inserted into the plug socket 29.
  • the two guide lugs formed on the protective contact plug each engage in the rail-like travel path 39 of the two pairs of guide cheeks.
  • the guide cheeks 38 also facilitate guiding the power plug.
  • the guide cheeks 38 are designed such that the inner contour of the plug pot 29 to the outer contour of the Earthing contact plug is adapted positively. This ensures that certain types of plugs that do not meet special technical and / or structural requirements - for example circular plugs without the contour of a protective contact plug - cannot be inserted into a plug socket 29.
  • the contact areas 19 of all contact springs 14 are arranged in a line parallel to the longitudinal extension of the power strip 1.
  • This arrangement of the contact springs 14 is advantageously suitable for mains plugs designed as angled plugs.
  • the power cord connection area of the power plug protruding at right angles from the contact pins extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the power strip 1 when the power plug is inserted into a plug socket 29.
  • neither of the two immediately adjacent plug pots 29 is covered by the angled plug.
  • several angled plugs can be inserted into immediately adjacent plug pots 29 without mutual hindrance. This enables the power strip 1 to be used to the greatest possible extent.

Abstract

A multiple socket (1) for mains plugs has fixed-position conductors (4, 5, 6) inside the housing. For simplification in production-engineering terms, the contact elements (13, 14, 15) which are required for electrical voltage supply through a mains cable and for electrical voltage pick-off through a mains plug are produced separately and are pushed on to the conductors (4, 5, 6) individually. A contact terminal (12) which is integrally formed on the contact element (13, 14, 15) encloses the cross-section of the conductor, with an electrically contact-making push fit, while the contact element (13, 14, 15) is being pushed on. <IMAGE>

Description

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Mehrfachsteckdose für Netzstecker, insbesondere eine Schutzkontaktsteckdosenleiste, mit den Merkmalen des Oberbegriffs des Anspruches 1.The invention relates to a multiple socket for power plugs, in particular a protective contact socket, with the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Mehrfachsteckdosen sind aus DE-A-36 41 153 bekannt. Dort sind die innerhalb der aus Isolierwerkstoff bestehenden Gehäuseschalen gekapselt angeordneten Kontaktelemente als Kontaktfedern ausgebildet, welche die Kontaktstifte eines eingesteckten Netzsteckers umfassen und dadurch elektrisch kontaktieren. Als weitere Kontaktelemente sind Schutzkontaktbügel zur Kontaktierung eines entsprechenden Schutzkontaktes der Netzstecker vorhanden. Dieser Schutzkontakt ist mit dem Schutzleiter des in diesem Falle dreiadrigen Netzsteckerkabels verbunden. Die Kontaktelemente gleichen Spannungspotentials sind durch schienenartige Leiter einstückig miteinander verbunden. Durch die einstückige Herstellung der Leiter und der zugehörigen Kontaktelemente wird kostspielige Fertigungszeit zur Herstellung von andernfalls durch Nieten oder Löten hergestellte Kontaktverbindungen eingespart. Diese Zeitersparnis indessen wird durch eine schlechte Werkstoffausnutzung als Folge eines erheblichen Verschnittverlustes erkauft. Um den Verschnitt bei der einstückigen Herstellung der Leiter mit den zugehörigen Kontaktelementen weiter zu verringern, wird in DE-A-36 41 153 eine bestimmte geometrische Anordnung der Kontaktelemente innerhalb der Gehäuseschalen vorgeschlagen. Mehrfachsteckdosen der eingangs genannten Art werden jedoch den individuellen Bedürfnissen des Marktes entsprechend mit unterschiedlicher Zahl und Anordnungsform der Steckertöpfe verlangt. Bei einstückiger Ausführung der Kontaktelemente und der zugehörigen Leiter gleichen elektrischen Potentials werden für jede Steckdosen-Bauform unterschiedlich figurierte Kombinationen von Kontaktelementen mit ihren zugehörigen Leitern benötigt. Dies erfordert wiederum erhöhten Werkzeug- und Lageraufwand.Multiple sockets are known from DE-A-36 41 153. There, the contact elements arranged encapsulated within the housing shells, which are made of insulating material, are designed as contact springs, which encompass the contact pins of an inserted power plug and thereby make electrical contact. Earthing contact clips for contacting a corresponding earthing contact of the power plug are provided as further contact elements. This protective contact is connected to the protective conductor of the three-core power cable in this case. The contact elements of the same voltage potential are integrally connected to one another by rail-like conductors. The one-piece production of the conductors and the associated contact elements saves expensive manufacturing time for the production of contact connections that would otherwise be produced by riveting or soldering. This time saving is, however, paid for by poor material utilization as a result of a considerable waste of waste. In order to further reduce the waste in the one-piece manufacture of the conductors with the associated contact elements, DE-A-36 41 153 proposes a specific geometric arrangement of the contact elements within the housing shells. Multiple sockets of the type mentioned are, however, required according to the individual needs of the market with different numbers and arrangement of the plug pots. When the contact elements and the associated conductors have the same electrical potential, the combinations of contact elements with their associated conductors are differently shaped for each socket design. This in turn requires increased tool and storage costs.

Um diesen Nachteil zu beheben und gleichzeitig auf aufwendige elektrische Kontaktverbindungstechniken zwischen Kontaktverbindungselementen und Leitern verzichten zu können, ist eine elektrische Kontaktierung der separat hergestellten Kontaktelemente mit dem Leiter während der Montage der Kontaktelemente aus US-A-4 830 626 die eine Mehrfachsteckdose gemäß dem Oberbegriff des Anspruchs 1 offenbart, grundsätzlich bekannt. Der konstruktive Aufbau des dort bekannten Kontaktelementes sowie des steckdosenartigen Isoliergehäuses ist jedoch für Mehrfachsteckdosen der eingangs genannten Art völlig ungeeignet. Außerdem ist die elektrische Kontaktiertechnik ungenügend. Der Isoliermantel des Leiters wird nämlich durch nadelartige Verlängerungen des Kontaktelements während dessen Montage in seiner Aufschieberichtung durchstochen, so daß nur ein punktförmiger Kontakt zwischen den Nadelspitzen und der Oberfläche des Leiters entsteht. Diese Art der elektrischen Kontaktiertechnik bewirkt außerdem eine mangelhafte gegenseitige Fixierung von Kontaktelement und Leiter in deren Montageendzustand.To overcome this disadvantage and at the same time on complex electrical contact connection techniques between contact connection elements and To be able to dispense with conductors, electrical contacting of the separately produced contact elements with the conductor during assembly of the contact elements from US-A-4 830 626, which discloses a multiple socket according to the preamble of claim 1, is known in principle. The design of the contact element known there and the socket-like insulating housing is, however, completely unsuitable for multiple sockets of the type mentioned at the beginning. In addition, the electrical contacting technology is insufficient. The insulating jacket of the conductor is pierced by needle-like extensions of the contact element during its assembly in its push-on direction, so that only a point contact between the needle tips and the surface of the conductor occurs. This type of electrical contacting technology also causes poor mutual fixation of the contact element and conductor in their final assembly state.

Eine demgegenüber verbesserte gegenseitige mechanische Fixierung und elektrische Kontaktierung von Kontaktelement und Leiter ist aus BROCKHAUS, "Naturwissenschaften und Technik", Band 4, NI-SN, Wiesbaden, 1983, S. 268, ISBN 3-7653-0357-7 und aus EP-A-0 419 031 bekannt.In contrast, an improved mutual mechanical fixation and electrical contacting of contact element and conductor is from BROCKHAUS, "Natural Sciences and Technology", Volume 4, NI-SN, Wiesbaden, 1983, p. 268, ISBN 3-7653-0357-7 and from EP A-0 419 031.

Nach EP-A-0 419 031 sind die Kontaktelemente und die Leiter in einem Isoliergehäuse integriert. Dieses Isoliergehäuse ist jedoch zur Spannungsentnahme durch Netzstecker der eingangs genannten Art nicht geeignet. Vielmehr sind dort verschiedene Steckereinheiten vorgesehen, die mittels einer Mehrzahl unterschiedlich dimensionierter Kontaktstifte in Ausnehmungen des Isoliergehäuses eingreifen. Eine unmittelbare Kontaktierung der Kontaktstifte mit den Kontaktelementen ist nicht möglich. Zur elektrischen Kontaktierung eines Kontaktelements mit einem Kontaktstift greift letzerer in den Zwischenraum eines gebogenen, schienenartigen Metallstreifens ein, wobei die gebogenen Seitenflächen des Metallstreifens den Kontaktstift zwischen sich einklemmen. Die elektrische Kontaktierung zwischen Kontaktstift und Kontaktelement entsteht, indem das Kontaktelement den Metallstreifen formschlüssig und elektrisch kontaktierend umfaßt. Die hierzu erforderliche Ausgestaltung der Metallstreifen und Kontaktelemente ist konstruktiv aufwendig. Außerdem ist die Montage eines derartigen Isoliergehäuses sehr umständlich. Der zwischengeschaltete Metallstreifen zwischen Kontaktelement und Kontaktstift einer Steckereinheit bewirkt außerdem zusätzliche elektrische Übergangswiderstände, so daß die entnehmbare elektrische Spannung um den Spannungsabfall an diesen Übergangswiderständen reduziert ist.According to EP-A-0 419 031, the contact elements and the conductors are integrated in an insulating housing. However, this insulating housing is not suitable for removing voltage by means of the plug of the type mentioned at the beginning. Rather, different plug units are provided there, which engage in recesses in the insulating housing by means of a plurality of differently dimensioned contact pins. Direct contacting of the contact pins with the contact elements is not possible. For electrical contacting of a contact element with a contact pin, the latter engages in the intermediate space of a curved, rail-like metal strip, the curved side surfaces of the metal strip clamping the contact pin between them. The electrical contact between the contact pin and the contact element is produced by the contact element encompassing the metal strip in a form-fitting and electrically contacting manner. The design of the metal strips and contact elements required for this is structurally complex. In addition, the assembly of such an insulating housing is very cumbersome. The interposed metal strip between the contact element and contact pin of a plug unit also causes additional electrical contact resistances, so that the electrical voltage which can be drawn is reduced by the voltage drop across these contact resistances.

Der Erfindung liegt die Aufgabe zugrunde, den Innenaufbau einer Mehrfachsteckdose der eingangs genannten Art zu vereinfachen und dadurch eine kostengünstige Fertigung mit einfacher Lagerhaltung zu ermöglichen. Diese Aufgabe ist durch die Merkmalskombination des kennzeichenden Teils des Anspruchs 1 gelöst.The invention has for its object to simplify the internal structure of a multiple socket of the type mentioned and thereby enable cost-effective production with simple storage. This object is achieved by the combination of features of the characterizing part of claim 1.

Die Erfindung bedient sich der vorerwähnten Schneid-Klemm-Technik, wobei die Kontaktelemente gleichen elektrischen Potentials einzeln auf die Leiter aufgeschoben sind. Das kontaktierende Aufschieben der Kontaktelemente auf die Leiter vermeidet aufwendige Verbindungstechniken, wie Nieten oder Löten. Aufwendige Biege- und Stanzvorgänge - vor allem bei der einstückigen Herstellung eines Leiters und seiner Kontaktfedern - entfallen ebenfalls. Zum einen wird dadurch der Zeitaufwand für die Herstellung erheblich reduziert, andererseits bedeutet dies auch eine erhebliche Materialeinsparung, da nur in geringem Umfang Verschnitt anfällt. Wenn hier von Leitern die Rede ist, können diese als Schutzleiter und Leitungsbahnen ausgestaltet sein. Die erwähnten Kontaktelemente können als Schutzkontaktbügel, Kontaktfedern oder Flachklemmen ausgebildet sein.The invention uses the aforementioned insulation displacement technique, the contact elements of the same electrical potential being individually pushed onto the conductor. The contacting pushing of the contact elements onto the conductors avoids complex connection techniques, such as riveting or soldering. Elaborate bending and punching processes - especially in the one-piece manufacture of a conductor and its contact springs - are also eliminated. On the one hand, this considerably reduces the time required for production, and on the other hand, this also means considerable material savings, since there is only a small amount of waste. If we are talking about conductors, they can be designed as protective conductors and conductor tracks. The contact elements mentioned can be designed as a protective contact clip, contact springs or flat terminals.

Ein weiterer Vorteil besteht darin, daß die einzelnen Kontaktelemente der Mehrfachsteckdose mit Bestückungsautomaten problemlos angebracht werden können. Außerdem ist ein eventuell mechanisch beschädigtes Kontaktelement problemlos austauschbar. Bisher mußte aufgrund der verwendeten Kontaktiertechnik bei Beschädigung z.B. eines Schutzkontaktbügels der Schutzleiter mit allen Schutzontaktbügeln ausgetauscht werden. Weiterhin bietet die Erfindung den Vorteil, daß mit im wesentlichen gleichen Fertigungseinrichtungen gänzlich unterschiedlich figurierte Mehrfachsteckdosen mit unterschiedlicher Zahl von Steckertöpfen und auch unterschiedlicher Anzahl von Schutzkontaktbügeln herstellbar sind. Letzteres kann von Vorteil sein, wenn sowohl Netzstecker mit Schutzkontakt als auch ohne Schutzkontakt verwendbar sein sollen.Another advantage is that the individual contact elements of the multiple socket can be easily fitted with automatic placement machines. In addition, any mechanically damaged contact element can be exchanged without any problems. Previously, due to the contacting technology used, e.g. a protective contact bracket, the protective conductor can be replaced with all protective contact clips. Furthermore, the invention offers the advantage that completely differently shaped multiple sockets with a different number of plug pots and also a different number of protective contact brackets can be produced with essentially the same manufacturing facilities. The latter can be advantageous if both mains plugs with protective contact and without protective contact are to be used.

Es ist vorteilhaft, den Leiter gemäß Anspruch 2 auszugestalten. Das schafft nämlich eine dauerhafte mechanische Stabilität des Leiters.It is advantageous to design the conductor according to claim 2. This creates permanent mechanical stability of the conductor.

Alternativ kann der Leiter nach Anspruch 3 ein in seiner Streckstellung fixierter und damit durch die vorzugsweise Schneidkontaktierung wenigstens auf Zug und Biegung belastbarer Draht sein. Es ist dabei selbstverständlich, daß der Draht in seiner Streckstellung die erforderliche mechanische Stabilität, insbesondere Zugfähigkeit aufweisen muß. Die Ausführungsform des Leiters als Schiene oder als Draht hat den Vorteil, daß zeit- und kostenaufwendige Biege- und Stanzvorgänge an den Leitern entfallen. Die Schiene oder der Draht können ohne zusätzliche Bearbeitungsschritte innerhalb des Gehäuses fixiert werden.Alternatively, the conductor according to claim 3 can be a wire which is fixed in its extended position and can thus be loaded at least in tension and bending by the preferably cutting contact. It goes without saying that the wire must have the required mechanical stability, in particular tensile strength, in its extended position. The embodiment of the conductor as a rail or as a wire has the advantage that time-consuming and costly bending and punching operations on the conductors are eliminated. The rail or wire can can be fixed within the housing without additional processing steps.

Die mechanische Stabilität des Leiters wird durch eine Fixierung nach Anspruch 4 zusätzlich unterstützt. Diese Lagerung kompensiert nämlich auf den Leiter während des Aufschiebens der Kontaktelemente wirkende Druckkräfte. Durch eine formschlüssige Fixierung des Leiterquerschnitts ist ein sicherer Halt des Leiters in seiner Einlegestellung gewährleistet. Die formschlüssige Fixierung des Leiters kann z.B. dadurch erfolgen, daß der Leiter in einen entsprechend dimensionierten Leiterschlitz des Haltevorsprungs eingelegt wird. Auf diese Weise können auf den Leiter einwirkende Verschiebungskräfte kompensiert werden. Wenn hier von Haltevorsprüngen die Rede ist, können diese als Haltezapfen, Klemmenfixierung und Kontaktfederfixierung ausgestaltet sein.The mechanical stability of the conductor is additionally supported by a fixation according to claim 4. This mounting namely compensates for pressure forces acting on the conductor during the sliding on of the contact elements. A form-fitting fixation of the conductor cross-section ensures that the conductor is securely held in its inserted position. The form-fitting fixation of the conductor can e.g. in that the conductor is inserted into a correspondingly dimensioned conductor slot in the holding projection. In this way, displacement forces acting on the conductor can be compensated. If we are talking about retaining projections, they can be designed as retaining pins, clamp fixation and contact spring fixation.

Anspruch 5 schafft ausreichend Platz für auch einen längeren Aufschiebeweg der Kontaktklemmen und berücksichtigt ihre Längsausdehnung in Aufschiebestellung.Claim 5 creates enough space for a longer Aufschiebeweg the contact terminals and takes into account their longitudinal extension in the deferral position.

Die Lagefixierung der Leiter gemäß Anspruch 6 vermeidet vorteilhaft eigens hergestellte Bauteile zur Befestigung der Leiter innerhalb des Gehäuses.The position fixing of the conductors according to claim 6 advantageously avoids specially manufactured components for fastening the conductors within the housing.

Die einstückige Herstellung der Kontaktklemmen nach Anspruch 7 ist besonders hervorzuheben. Sie gewährleistet einen guten mechanischen Halt der Kontaktelemente und vermeidet einen den elektrischen Kontakt zwischen Anschlußfahne und Kontaktelement negativ beeinflussenden Übergangswiderstand.The one-piece production of the contact terminals according to claim 7 is particularly noteworthy. It ensures a good mechanical hold of the contact elements and avoids a contact resistance which negatively influences the electrical contact between the terminal lug and the contact element.

Die U-Schenkel des Schlitzes nach Anspruch 8 bilden gewissermaßen die Führung des Verfahrweges des Kontaktelementes während seines Aufschiebens auf den Leiter oder seines Abziehens von dem Leiter. Dadurch ist ein zuverlässiges Aufschieben der Kontaktelemente gewährleistet, was z.B. für die automatische Fertigung sehr wichtig ist. Der U-Grund begrenzt den Verfahrweg in Aufschieberichtung. Die Oberflächenform des U-Grundes sowie der daran angrenzenden U-Schenkel ist derart an den Leiter angepaßt, daß der elektrisch kontaktierende Reibschluß entsteht und dauerhaft aufrechterhalten bleibt.The U-legs of the slot according to claim 8 form, as it were, the guidance of the travel path of the contact element during its being pushed onto the conductor or when it is withdrawn from the conductor. This ensures reliable sliding of the contact elements, which e.g. is very important for automatic production. The U-floor limits the travel path in the push-on direction. The surface shape of the U-base and the adjoining U-legs is adapted to the conductor in such a way that the electrically contacting frictional connection is created and is permanently maintained.

Eine Ausgestaltung des Schlitzes einer Kontaktklemme nach Anspruch 9 erleichtert das zielsichere Aufschieben der Kontaktklemme zu ihrer Klemm-Kontakthalterung oder Schneid-Klemm-Kontaktierung auch durch einen Fertigungsautomaten.An embodiment of the slot of a contact terminal according to claim 9 facilitates the accurate pushing of the contact terminal to its terminal contact holder or insulation displacement contact also by an automatic manufacturing machine.

Bei den bisherigen Ausführungsformen verlaufen innerhalb der Mehrfachsteckdose blanke Schienen oder blanke Drähte als Leiter. Die Leiter sind innerhalb der Steckdose also unisoliert. Im Bereich der Einführöffnung für das Netzkabel in die Mehrfachsteckdose sind die einzelnen Adern gegeneinander isoliert und von einer gemeinsamen Isolierung ummantelt. Die gemeinsame Isolierung endet etwa im Bereich der als Zugentlastung angebrachten Schellenklemme. Von dort aus verlaufen die einzelnen Adern isoliert weiter zu den Flachklemmen. Durch den Einsatz der Schneid-Klemm-Technik zur Kontaktierung der Kontaktklemmen nach Anspruch 10 ist es möglich, derart isolierte Leiter auch innerhalb der Mehrfachsteckdose weiterzuführen. Es ist also entbehrlich, die in der Mehrfachsteckdose verlegten Leitungsdrähte vorher abzuisolieren. Es muß nur gewährleistet sein, daß der gemeinsame Isolierungsmantel für sämtliche Leitungsdrähte so abisoliert wurde, daß die einzelnen Leitungsdrähte in einer der Länge der Mehrfachsteckdose etwa entsprechenden Länge freigegeben werden. Bei mehradrigen Kabeln beispielsweise sind die einzelnen Adern von Hause aus isoliert. Diese isolierten Kabel brauchen nur eingelegt zu werden und werden an ihren Kontaktstellen von den Schneid-Klemm-Kontakten derart aufgeschnitten, daß der Schneidkontakt mit dem im Isoliermantel befindlichen Leitungsdraht in Berührung kommt, wodurch der elektrische Kontakt zum Leitungsdraht entsteht. Hierbei ist von Vorteil, daß die Leiter im Steckdoseninnenraum nach Art von Saiten eines Saiteninstruments lagefixiert und somit mechanisch gut gespannt sind. Dadurch können während des Aufschiebens der Kontaktklemmen auf die Leiter einwirkende Verschiebungskräfte ausreichend kompensiert werden. Der Querschnitt des Leiters wirkt gewissermaßen als mechanischer Widerstand für die Kontaktklemme während dessen Aufschiebens, so daß die Schneid-Klemm-Technik besonders montagefreundlich einsetzbar ist.In the previous embodiments, bare rails or bare wires run as conductors within the multiple socket. The conductors are therefore not insulated within the socket. In the area of the entry opening for the power cable into the multiple socket, the individual wires are insulated from each other and covered by a common insulation. The common insulation ends approximately in the area of the clamp clamp attached as a strain relief. From there, the individual wires run in isolation to the flat terminals. By using the insulation displacement technology for contacting the contact terminals according to claim 10, it is possible to continue such insulated conductors within the multiple socket. It is therefore not necessary to strip the cable wires in the multiple socket beforehand. It only has to be ensured that the common insulation jacket for all lead wires has been stripped in such a way that the individual lead wires are released in a length approximately corresponding to the length of the multiple socket. With multi-core cables, for example, the individual wires are insulated from the start. These insulated cables only need to be inserted and are cut open at their contact points by the insulation displacement contacts in such a way that the cutting contact comes into contact with the conductor wire located in the insulating jacket, as a result of which the electrical contact to the conductor wire is produced. It is advantageous here that the conductors are fixed in position in the interior of the socket in the manner of strings of a string instrument and are therefore mechanically well tensioned. As a result, displacement forces acting on the conductors can be adequately compensated for during the sliding on of the contact terminals. The cross section of the conductor acts as a kind of mechanical resistance for the contact terminal during its sliding open, so that the insulation displacement technique is particularly easy to use.

Da die isolierten Leiter nur an ihren Kontaktstellen aufgeschnitten werden, brauchen außerhalb der Kontaktstellen keine besonderen Maßnahmen zur Vermeidung von Kurzschlüssen zwischen den einzelnen Leitern getroffen werden. Derartige isolierte Leiter sind als Massenteile zu niedrigen Kosten verfügbar. Sie können in nahezu unbegrenzten Längen bezogen und in einfacher Weise - wie auch die eingangs genannten Schienen oder unisolierten Drähte - bezogen werden. Auf diese Weise ist es möglich, die Schneid-Klemm-Technik zur Kontaktierung der Kontaktklemmen mit allen ihren Vorteilen zu nutzen.Since the insulated conductors are only cut open at their contact points, no special measures need to be taken outside the contact points to avoid short circuits between the individual conductors. Such insulated conductors are available as bulk parts at a low cost. They can be obtained in almost unlimited lengths and in a simple manner - just like the rails or uninsulated wires mentioned at the beginning. related. In this way, it is possible to use the insulation displacement technology for contacting the contact terminals with all of its advantages.

Es ist bekannt, daß Kabelhersteller zwei- oder drei-adrige Kabel in mit den zugehörigen Steckern vorkonfektionierter Form herstellen, die in der Installationsindustrie als Teil eines Installationsgerätes weiterverarbeitet werden. Diese mit dem Stecker vorkonfektionierten Anschlußleitungen sind wegen ihrer großen Stückzahlen ausgesprochene Massenteile und dementsprechend zu niedrigen Kosten verfügbar. Die Erfindung nutzt diese Verfügbarkeit durch das Kennzeichen des Anspruches 11 in besonders vorteilhafter Weise aus. Während herkömmlich die Anschlußkabel mit den die einzelnen Kontaktklemmen miteinander verbindenden Leitern beispielsweise durch Klemmung verbunden werden, können erfindungsgemäß die einzelnen Adern der Zuführungsleitungen die im Gehäuseinnern der Mehrfachsteckdose verlaufenden Leiter selbst bilden. Sie bedürfen dort nur einer entsprechenden Fixierung. Die sonst notwendigen Klemmelemente, wie z.B. Flachklemmen entfallen, was eine Bauteile- und Kostenersparnis bewirkt. Die von Hause aus vorhandene Isolierung der Adern reduziert erheblich eine Kurzschlußgefahr zwischen den einzelnen Spannungspotentialen. Zudem stellt sie wegen der Schneid-Klemm-Kontaktierung der Kontaktklemmen der Mehrfachsteckdose kein Fertigungshindernis dar.It is known that cable manufacturers produce two- or three-core cables in pre-assembled form with the associated plugs, which are further processed in the installation industry as part of an installation device. These pre-assembled connecting cables are available because of their large numbers of mass parts and accordingly at low cost. The invention takes advantage of this availability by the characterizing part of claim 11 in a particularly advantageous manner. While the connecting cables are conventionally connected to the conductors connecting the individual contact terminals, for example by clamping, according to the invention the individual wires of the supply lines can themselves form the conductors running inside the housing of the multiple socket. You only need an appropriate fixation there. The otherwise necessary clamping elements, e.g. Flat clamps are no longer required, which results in component and cost savings. The existing insulation of the cores considerably reduces the risk of a short circuit between the individual voltage potentials. In addition, because of the insulation displacement contacting of the contact terminals of the multiple socket, it does not represent an obstacle to production.

Anspruch 12 gewährleistet ein sicheres Verbleiben der Kontaktelemente in ihrer Aufschiebestellung. Wenn hier die Rede von Fixiervorsprüngen die Rede ist, können diese als Klemmenfixierung, Kontaktfederfixierung, Haltesteg, Fixierzapfen oder Fixierstege ausgestaltet sein.Claim 12 ensures that the contact elements remain securely in their deferred position. If we are talking about fixing projections, they can be designed as a clamp fixing, contact spring fixing, retaining web, fixing pin or fixing webs.

Die Ansprüche 13 und 14 betreffen besondere Ausführungsformen von Fixiervorsprüngen. Diese Ausführungsformen verbessern die Lagerungssicherheit der Kontaktelemente in ihrer Aufschiebestellung.Claims 13 and 14 relate to special embodiments of fixing projections. These embodiments improve the storage security of the contact elements in their deferred position.

Es ist vorteilhaft, die Fixiervorsprünge nach den Ansprüchen 14 und 15 auszugestalten. Derartige Fixiervorsprünge bewirken eine Halterung der Kontaktelemente bereits vor dem Verschließen des Gehäuses und kompensieren auf die Kontaktelemente einwirkende Verschiebungskräfte. Die Fixiervorsprünge umfassen gewissermaßen die Kontaktelemente. Derartige Umfassungen schützen die Kontaktelemente vor mechanischer Beschädigung oder einem unbeabsichtigten elektrischen Kontaktieren mit elektrisch leitenden Teilen.It is advantageous to design the fixing projections according to claims 14 and 15. Such fixing projections already hold the contact elements before the housing is closed and compensate for displacement forces acting on the contact elements. To a certain extent, the fixing projections encompass the contact elements. Such enclosures protect the contact elements from mechanical damage or accidental electrical contact with electrically conductive parts.

Die Schutzfunktion der Umfassungen kann dadurch verbessert werden, daß sie durch umlaufend in sich geschlossene Umfassungswände gebildet sind.The protective function of the enclosures can be improved in that they are formed by all-round enclosed enclosure walls.

Diese Umfassungen ermöglichen die Ausgestaltung von Kontaktfedern nach Anspruch 17. Diese Ausgestaltungsform gewährleistet ein sicheres Verbleiben der Kontaktfeder in ihrer Aufschiebestellung bereits bevor die Gehäuseschalen der Mehrfachsteckdose aufeinandergedeckelt sind.These enclosures enable the configuration of contact springs according to claim 17. This configuration ensures that the contact spring remains securely in its slide-on position even before the housing shells of the multiple socket are covered.

Es ist vorteilhaft, eine Gehäuseschale gemäß Anspruch 18 mit einer Stegleiste zu versehen. Diese Stegleiste erhöht die mechanische Stabilität der Gehäuseschale. Außerdem bewirkt ihre Anordnung innerhalb der Gehäuseschale einen elektrischen Kontaktschutz zwischen nah aneinander angeordneten Kontaktelementen bzw. Leitern. Da die Halte- und Fixiervorsprünge ebenfalls an der Gehäuseschale angeformt sind, wird die mechanische Stabilität der Gehäuseschale zusätzlich verbessert, wenn mehrere Halte- und/oder Fixiervorsprünge mit der Stegleiste verbunden sind.It is advantageous to provide a housing shell with a web strip. This web strip increases the mechanical stability of the housing shell. In addition, their arrangement within the housing shell results in electrical contact protection between contact elements or conductors arranged close to one another. Since the holding and fixing projections are also integrally formed on the housing shell, the mechanical stability of the housing shell is additionally improved if a plurality of holding and / or fixing projections are connected to the web strip.

Nach Anspruch 19 kommt bestimmten Fixiervorsprüngen und Haltevorsprüngen eine Doppelfunktion zu, indem sie zur Lagefixierung eines Leiters und eines Kontaktelements dienen. Dies ermöglicht eine räumlich enge Anordnung der Leiter und der Kontaktelemente. Die Gehäuseschale kann dadurch kleiner dimensioniert sein. Außerdem wird die Anzahl der an die Gehäuseschale anzuformenden Vorsprünge gering gehalten, was auch die Herstellung der Gehäuseschale vereinfacht.According to claim 19, certain fixing projections and holding projections have a double function in that they serve to fix the position of a conductor and a contact element. This enables a spatially close arrangement of the conductors and the contact elements. The housing shell can thus be dimensioned smaller. In addition, the number of projections to be molded onto the housing shell is kept low, which also simplifies the manufacture of the housing shell.

Der Gegenstand der Erfindung wird anhand von in den Figuren dargestellten Ausführungsbeispielen näher erläutert. Es zeigen:

Fig. 1
einen vertikalen Schnitt durch eine einseitig anschließbare, als Steckdosenleiste ausgebildete Mehrfachsteckdose entsprechend dem Schnitt I-I in Fig. 2;
Fig. 2
eine Draufsicht in Pfeilrichtung II entsprechend Fig. 1 auf die geöffnete Steckdosenleiste;
Fig. 3
eine vergrößerte Darstellung der Steckdosenleiste entsprechend Fig. 1;
Fig. 4
eine vergrößerte Teildarstellung der Steckdosenleiste entsprechend Fig. 2;
Fig. 5
eine Seitenansicht einer Kontaktfeder mit angeformter Kontaktklemme;
Fig. 6
eine Seitenansicht einer Flachklemme mit angeformter Kontaktklemme;
Fig. 7
eine Draufsicht in Pfeilrichtung VII auf die in Fig. 6 dargestellte Flachklemme;
Fig. 8
die Seitenansicht eines Schutzkontaktbügels mit angeformter Kontaktklemme;
The object of the invention is explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. Show it:
Fig. 1
a vertical section through a one-sided connectable, designed as a multiple socket outlet according to section II in Fig. 2;
Fig. 2
a plan view in the direction of arrow II corresponding to Figure 1 of the open power strip.
Fig. 3
an enlarged view of the power strip corresponding to FIG. 1;
Fig. 4
an enlarged partial view of the power strip corresponding to FIG. 2;
Fig. 5
a side view of a contact spring with molded contact terminal;
Fig. 6
a side view of a flat terminal with molded contact terminal;
Fig. 7
a plan view in the direction of arrow VII on the flat terminal shown in Fig. 6;
Fig. 8
the side view of a protective contact bracket with molded contact terminal;

Die als einseitig anschließbare Steckdosenleiste 1 gemäß Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 ausgebildete Mehrfachsteckdose enthält eine als Gehäuseboden ausgestaltete Gehäuseschale 2 und eine darauf aufdeckelbare, als Gehäusedeckel ausgestaltete Gehäuseschale 3. Der Gehäuseboden 2 und der Gehäusedeckel 3 sind nach Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 als im wesentlichen rechteckförmige Schalen ausgebildet. Auch andere, z.B. kreisförmige Schalenformen sind denkbar.The multiple socket outlet 1, which can be connected on one side according to FIGS. 1 and 2, contains a housing shell 2 designed as a housing base and a housing shell 3 that can be lidded thereon and configured as a housing cover. The housing base 2 and the housing cover 3 are according to FIGS. 1 and 2 formed as a substantially rectangular shells. Others, e.g. circular bowl shapes are conceivable.

Der Schutzleiter 4 und die Leitungsbahnen 5,6 befinden sich als langgestreckte Drähte innerhalb der Gehäuseschale 2. Der Schutzleiter 4 und die Leitungsbahnen 5,6 sind vorteilhafte Ausführungen der in den Ansprüchen genannten Leiter. Die Leiter 4,5,6 liegen in bestimmten Abständen entlang ihrer Längserstreckung formschlüssig in den Leiterschlitzen 7 ein. Die Leiterschlitze 7 sind Bestandteile von Haltezapfen 8, von Klemmenfixierungen 9 und von Kontaktfederfixierungen 10. Die Leiterschlitze 7 haben gem. Fig. 3 eine U-Form. Der U-Grund und die sich daran anschließenden U-Schenkelbereiche umhüllen formschlüssig den Querschnitt des Schutzleiters 4 bzw. der Leitungsbahnen 5,6. Die Leiterschlitze 7 verlaufen im wesentlichen in Aufschieberichtung 11. Die Schlitzöffnung des Leiterschlitzes 7 ist in Aufschieberichtung 11 in Richtung auf den Gehäusedeckel 3 trichterartig erweitert.The protective conductor 4 and the conductor tracks 5, 6 are located as elongated wires within the housing shell 2. The protective conductor 4 and the conductor tracks 5, 6 are advantageous designs of the conductors mentioned in the claims. The conductors 4, 5, 6 lie in a form-fitting manner in the conductor slots 7 along their longitudinal extent. The conductor slots 7 are components of the holding pin 8, of the clamp fixings 9 and of the contact spring fixtures 10. The conductor slots 7 have, according to FIG. Fig. 3 is a U-shape. The U-bottom and the adjoining U-leg areas form-fit envelop the cross-section of the protective conductor 4 or the conductor tracks 5, 6. The conductor slots 7 run essentially in the push-on direction 11. The slot opening of the conductor slot 7 is widened in a funnel-like manner in the push-on direction 11 in the direction of the housing cover 3.

Der Haltezapfen 8 besitzt gem. Fig. 2 einen quadratischen Querschnitt. Quer zu der in Leiterlängsrichtung verlaufenden Leiterschlitzöffnung befindet sich diese Leiterschlitzöffnung halbierend eine in den Haltezapfen 8 in Aufschieberichtung 11 hineinragende Aussparung. In diese Aussparung ist die Kontaktklemme 12 des Schutzkontaktbügels 13 eingeführt. Eine Kontaktklemme 12 ist ebenfalls an der Kontaktfeder 14 und an der Flachklemme 15 angeformt. Schutzkontaktbügel 13, Kontaktfeder 14 und Flachklemme 15 sind vorteilhafte Ausführungsformen der in den Ansprüchen genannten Kontaktelemente.The holding pin 8 has gem. Fig. 2 shows a square cross section. Transversely to the conductor slot opening running in the longitudinal direction of the conductor, this conductor slot opening is halved, a recess projecting into the holding pin 8 in the push-on direction 11. The contact terminal 12 of the protective contact clip 13 is inserted into this recess. A contact terminal 12 is also formed on the contact spring 14 and on the flat terminal 15. Protective contact bracket 13, contact spring 14 and flat terminal 15 are advantageous embodiments of the contact elements mentioned in the claims.

Die Kontaktklemme 12 ist ein einstückiger Bestandteil eines jeden Kontaktelementes und enthält zwei sich im wesentlichen in Aufschieberichtung 11 erstreckende Kontaktarme 16. Die Kontaktarme 16 bilden gem. Fig. 5, Fig. 6 und Fig. 8 die Schenke eines U-förmigen, sich in Aufschieberichtung 11 erstreckenden Schlitzes 17. Die Schlitzbreite ist derart dem Querschnitt der blanken Leiter 4,5,6 angepaßt, daß die Kontaktklemme 12 den entsprechenden Leiter nach Art eines Reibschlusses elektrisch kontaktiert. Die Schenkel des U-förmigen Schlitzes einer Kontaktklemme 12 sind an ihren Freienden in Aufschieberichtung 11 durch einen trichterartig aufgeweiteten Schlitzöffnungsmund 18 verlängert. Dies erleichtert das Aufschieben der Kontaktelemente 13,14,15 auf die Leiter 4,5,6.The contact clamp 12 is an integral part of each contact element and contains two contact arms 16 which extend essentially in the pushing-on direction 11. Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8 show the legs of a U-shaped slot 17 extending in the push-on direction 11. The slot width is adapted to the cross section of the bare conductors 4, 5, 6 such that the contact terminal 12 follows the corresponding conductor Kind of a frictional contact electrically contacted. The legs of the U-shaped slot of a contact terminal 12 are extended at their free ends in the slide-on direction 11 by a funnel-like slot opening mouth 18. This makes it easier to push the contact elements 13, 14, 15 onto the conductors 4, 5, 6.

Alternativ können die Schenke des U-förmigen Schlitzes 17 der Kontaktklemme 12 auch als Schneiden ausgebildet sein. Der Vorteil hierbei ist, daß auf separat hergestellte blanke Schutzleiter 4 sowie blanke Leitungsbahnen 5,6 verzichtet werden kann und die isolierten Adern des Netzkabels die Leiter 4,5,6 sind.Alternatively, the legs of the U-shaped slot 17 of the contact terminal 12 can also be designed as cutting edges. The advantage here is that there is no need for separately manufactured bare protective conductors 4 and bare conductor tracks 5, 6 and the insulated wires of the mains cable are conductors 4, 5, 6.

Die Kontaktelemente 13,14,15 befinden sich in Fig. 4 in ihrer Aufschiebestellung. Die Kontaktfeder 14 in Fig. 4 enthält zwei sich gegenüberliegende symmetrische Teile. Sie ist in ihrem zentralen Bereich durch zwei kreisbogenförmige, mit ihrer Konkavseite einander zugewandte Teilbereiche gekennzeichnet. Diese Teilbereiche ergänzen sich zu einem ovalen Kontaktbereich 19, der zumindest teilweise elektrisch kontaktierend einen hier nicht dargestellten Kontaktstift eines in Aufschieberichtung 11 bewegten Netzsteckers ummantelt. Der Kontaktbereich 19 ist in seiner Erstreckung in Aufschieberichtung 11 (Fig. 5) in Richtung auf den Gehäusedeckel 3 trichterartig erweitert. Dies erleichtert das Einsetzen des Kontaktstiftes in den Kontaktbereich 19. Während das eine Ende des ovalen Kontaktbereiches 19 durch die Kontaktklemme 12 verlängert ist, besteht die andere seitliche Verlängerung des Kontaktbereichs 19 aus zwei Federbügeln 20. Die Federbügel 20 sind nach außen zum Kontaktbereich 19 hin abgebogen und jeweils durch einen in seiner Längserstreckung in Aufschieberichtung 11 verlaufenden Bügelsteg 21 abgeschlossen. Der Bügelsteg 21 ist in der Draufsicht in Fig. 4 als Polygon geformt. Die Kontaktfeder 14 stützt sich in ihrer Aufschiebestellung mit Hilfe der Bügelstege 21 gegen die Innenwände der Kontaktfederfixierung 10 federnd ab. Die Kontaktfeder 14 ist ein symmetrisches Teil mit einer Symmetrieachse quer zur Längserstreckung der Leiter 4,5,6.The contact elements 13, 14, 15 are in their open position in FIG. 4. The contact spring 14 in Fig. 4 contains two opposite symmetrical parts. It is characterized in its central area by two circular sections, with their concave sides facing each other. These sub-areas complement one another to form an oval contact area 19, which at least partially electrically contacts a contact pin (not shown here) of a power plug moved in the push-on direction 11. The contact area 19 is funnel-shaped in its extension in the push-on direction 11 (FIG. 5) in the direction of the housing cover 3. This makes it easier to insert the contact pin into the contact area 19. While one end of the oval contact area 19 is extended by the contact terminal 12, the other lateral extension of the contact area 19 consists of two spring clips 20. The spring clips 20 are bent outwards towards the contact area 19 and each completed by a strap web 21 extending in its longitudinal extension in the push-on direction 11. The bow web 21 is shaped as a polygon in the plan view in FIG. 4. The contact spring 14 is supported in its slide-on position with the aid of the strap webs 21 against the inner walls of the contact spring fixation 10. The contact spring 14 is a symmetrical part with an axis of symmetry transverse to the longitudinal extent of the conductors 4, 5, 6.

Die Kontaktfederfixierung 10 ist am Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 angeformt und ragt in den Gehäuseinnenraum hinein. Die umlaufend in sich geschlossenen Umfassungswände der Kontaktfederfixierung 10 bilden ein Gehäuse, welches die Kontaktfeder 14 formschlüssig umfaßt. Die Kontaktfederfixierung 10 bildet also die Umfassung der Kontaktfeder 14. Die Kontaktfederfixierung 10 enthält außerdem den Leiterschlitz 7 (Fig. 3) zur Einlage der Leitungsbahn 6. Die die Leitungsbahn 6 aufnehmenden Kontaktfederfixierungen 10 sind im Bereich der kontaktklemmenseitigen Umfassungswände durch die Stegleiste 22 einstückig miteinander verbunden. Die Stegleiste 22 ist am Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 angeformt und besitzt eine im Vergleich zu den Kontaktfederfixierungen 10 geringere Aufbauhöhe. Sie verläuft parallel zu den Leitern 4,5,6 und liegt zwischen dem Schutzleiter 4 und der Leitungsbahn 6 ein. Im Bereich der Flachklemmen bildet die Stegleiste 22 einen Teil der Klemmenfixierungen 9.The contact spring fixation 10 is formed on the bottom of the housing shell 2 and protrudes into the housing interior. The all-round self-contained surrounding walls of the contact spring fixation 10 form a housing which encloses the contact spring 14 in a form-fitting manner. The contact spring fixation 10 thus forms the encirclement of the contact spring 14. The contact spring fixation 10 also contains the conductor slot 7 (FIG. 3) for inserting the conductor track 6. The contact spring fixtures 10 receiving the conductor track 6 are integrally connected to one another in the region of the contact terminal-side peripheral walls by the web strip 22 . The web strip 22 is integrally formed on the bottom of the housing shell 2 and has a lower overall height than the contact spring fixings 10. It runs parallel to the conductors 4, 5, 6 and lies between the protective conductor 4 and the conductor track 6. In the area of the flat clamps, the web strip 22 forms part of the clamp fixings 9.

Die Stegleiste 22 erhöht die mechanische Stabilität der Gehäuseschale 2. Ihre besondere Anordnung innerhalb der Gehäuseschale 2 bewirkt außerdem einen verbesserten Kontaktschutz zwischen den voneinander elektrisch getrennten Kontaktelementen 13,14,15 und Leitern 4,5,6.The web strip 22 increases the mechanical stability of the housing shell 2. Their special arrangement within the housing shell 2 also brings about improved contact protection between the contact elements 13, 14, 15, which are electrically separated from one another, and conductors 4, 5, 6.

Die Klemmenfixierungen 9 sind wie die Kontaktfederfixierungen 10 am Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 angeformt und ragen in den Gehäuseinnenraum hinein. Die Klemmenfixierungen 9 sind gehäuseartig ausgestaltet. Die Flachklemmen 15 liegen formschlüssig innerhalb dieser gehäuseartigen Klemmenfixierungen 9 ein. Eine Seitenwand der Klemmenfixierung 9 tangiert die Kontaktklemme 12 der Flachklemme 15 und enthält in diesem Bereich den Leiterschlitz 7 zur Einlage der Leiter 4,5,6.The clamp fixings 9, like the contact spring fixations 10, are formed on the bottom of the housing shell 2 and protrude into the interior of the housing. The clamp fixings 9 are designed like a housing. The flat terminals 15 lie in a form-fitting manner within these housing-like terminal fixings 9. A side wall of the terminal fixation 9 touches the contact terminal 12 of the flat terminal 15 and in this area contains the conductor slot 7 for inserting the conductors 4, 5, 6.

Der U-Grund des Leiterschlitzes 7 eines Haltevorsprunges 8,9,10 befindet sich in einem Abstand oberhalb des Bodens der Gehäuseschale 2, so daß auch die parallel zueinander in die Haltevorsprünge 8,9,10 eingelegten Leiter 4,5,6 in einem Abstand oberhalb dieses Gehäuseschalenbodens verlaufen.The U-bottom of the conductor slot 7 of a holding projection 8, 9, 10 is located at a distance above the bottom of the housing shell 2, so that the conductors 4, 5, 6 inserted parallel to one another in the holding projections 8, 9, 10 are at a distance run above this housing shell bottom.

An den Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 sind eine Mehrzahl von Haltestegen 23 und Fixierzapfen 24 angeformt. Die Haltestege 23 und die Fixierzapfen 24 verlaufen in Fig. 3 im wesentlichen in Aufschieberichtung 11. Die Haltestege 23 sind in ihrer Ausdehnung in Leistenlängsrichtung gegenüber einer Grundfläche 25 des Schutzkontaktbügels 13 verbreitert (Fig. 4) und verlaufen parallel zu der Längserstreckung der Leiter 4,5,6. Die Haltestege 23 berühren mit ihrem dem Gehäuseboden abgewandten Freiende die Grundfläche 25 eines Schutzkontaktbügels 13 und stützen diesen in seiner Aufschiebestellung ab.A plurality of retaining webs 23 and fixing pins 24 are molded onto the bottom of the housing shell 2. The retaining webs 23 and the fixing pins 24 extend in FIG. 3 essentially in the push-on direction 11. The retaining webs 23 are widened in their lengthwise longitudinal direction relative to a base surface 25 of the protective contact bracket 13 (FIG. 4) and run parallel to the longitudinal extension of the conductors 4, 5, 6. With their free end facing away from the housing base, the holding webs 23 touch the base surface 25 of a protective contact clip 13 and support it in its deferred position.

Der Fixierzapfen 24 hat in Pfeilrichtung II einen kreisrunden Querschnitt und greift in die Grundfläche 25 des Schutzkontaktbügels 13 formschlüssig ein. Zu diesem Zweck enthält die Grundfläche 25 eine kreisrunde Zapfenöffnung 26. Der die Zapfenöffnung 26 durchdringende Fixierzapfenbereich besitzt in Pfeilrichtung II einen kleineren Querschnittsdurchmesser als der zwischen der Grundfläche 25 und dem Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 einliegende Bereich des Fixierzapfens 24.The fixing pin 24 has a circular cross section in the direction of arrow II and engages in the base surface 25 of the protective contact bracket 13 in a form-fitting manner. For this purpose, the base 25 contains a circular pin opening 26. The fixing pin area penetrating the pin opening 26 has a smaller cross-sectional diameter in the direction of arrow II than the area of the fixing pin 24 lying between the base 25 and the bottom of the housing shell 2.

Da es sich bei dem Schutzkontaktbügel 13 mit Ausnahme der angeformten Kontaktklemme 12 um ein symmetrisches Teil handelt, enthält die Grundfläche 25 eine zweite Zapfenöffnung 26 (Fig. 4). Auf der Verbindungslinie der Mittelpunkte der Zapfenöffnungen 26 befindet sich zentral eine kreisrunde Schraubenöffnung 27. Unterhalb der Schraubenöffnung 27 befindet sich zwischen der Grundfläche 25 und dem Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 (Fig. 3) ein an diesen Boden angeformter Zapfen mit einem Innengewinde 28.Since the protective contact clip 13, with the exception of the molded contact terminal 12, is a symmetrical part, the base area 25 contains a second pin opening 26 (FIG. 4). A circular screw opening 27 is located centrally on the connecting line between the center points of the pin openings 26. Below the screw opening 27, between the base surface 25 and the bottom of the housing shell 2 (FIG. 3), there is a pin molded onto this base with an internal thread 28.

Der Steckertopf 29 ist Bestandteil der in Fig. 3 auf die Gehäuseschale 2 aufgedeckelten Gehäuseschale 3, also des Gehäusedeckels. Der Steckertopf 29 enthält einen parallel zum Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 verlaufenden Topfboden 30. An den Seitenrändern des Topfbodens 30 schließen sich senkrecht zu diesem stehende und in Aufschieberichtung 11 verlaufende Seitenwände 36 an. Die Seitenwände 36 verbinden den Topfboden 30 mit dem übrigen parallel zum Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 verlaufenden Teil der Gehäuseschale 3. Sie enthalten jeweils im topfbodenseitigen Bereich eine Bügelöffnung 37, um die Freienden des Schutzkontaktbügels 13 bei der Montage im Inneren des Steckertopfes 29 anordnen zu können. Der Topfboden 30 hat in Pfeilrichtung II gesehen eine kreisrunde Umrißgestalt. Dementsprechend ergänzen sich die an den Topfboden 30 anschließenden Seitenwände 36 zu einem Hohlzylinder. An den Seitenwänden des Steckertopfes 29 sind zwei Führungswangen 38 (Fig. 1) angeformt. In Pfeilrichtung II sind die Führungswangen 38 als Vorsprünge der Seitenwände 36 in Richtung der Steckertopfmitte ausgebildet. Die Führungswangen 38 weisen in Fig. 1 einen im wesentlichen rechteckförmigen Umriß auf. Deren Längsseiten sind parallel zur Aufschieberichtung 11 angeordnet. Mit einer Schmalseite sind die Führungswangen 38 jeweils unmittelbar mit dem Topfboden 30 verbunden. Die Längserstreckung der Führungswangen 38 entlang der Aufschieberichtung 11 ist etwas kleiner als die der Seitenwände 36 des Steckertopfes 29. Die Führungswangen 38 sind mit Abstand zwischen den einander zugewandten Längsseiten angeordnet. Dadurch entsteht zwischen den beiden Führungswangen 38 ein schienenartiger Verfahrweg 39 entlang der Aufschieberichtung 11 für eine an den Netzstecker angeformte Führungsnase. Die beiden Führungswangen 38 bilden zusammen ein Führungswangenpaar. Das Führungswangenpaar 38 ist in Pfeilrichtung II gesehen um etwa 90° versetzt gegenüber einem Freiende des Schutzkontaktbügels 13 innerhalb des Steckertopfes 29 angeordnet. Innerhalb des Steckertopfes 29 befinden sich zwei Führungswangenpaare gegenüber. Das zweite Führungswangenpaar ist jedoch wegen der Schnittdarstellung in Fig. 1 nicht erkennbar.The plug pot 29 is part of the housing shell 3, that is, the housing cover, which is uncovered in FIG. 3 on the housing shell 2. The plug pot 29 contains a pot base 30 running parallel to the bottom of the housing shell 2. At the side edges of the pot base 30 there are side walls 36 which are perpendicular to it and extend in the push-on direction 11. The side walls 36 connect the pot base 30 to the rest of the part of the housing shell 3 that runs parallel to the bottom of the housing shell 2. They each contain a bracket opening 37 in the region of the pot bottom in order to be able to arrange the free ends of the protective contact bracket 13 during assembly inside the plug pot 29. The bottom 30 of the pot has a circular outline as seen in the direction of the arrow II. Accordingly, the side walls 36 adjoining the pot base 30 complement one another to form a hollow cylinder. Two guide cheeks 38 (FIG. 1) are integrally formed on the side walls of the plug pot 29. In the direction of arrow II, the guide cheeks 38 are designed as projections of the side walls 36 in the direction of the center of the plug pot. The guide cheeks 38 have an essentially rectangular outline in FIG. 1. The long sides thereof are arranged parallel to the slide-on direction 11. With a narrow side, the guide cheeks 38 are each directly with the Pot bottom 30 connected. The longitudinal extent of the guide cheeks 38 along the push-on direction 11 is somewhat smaller than that of the side walls 36 of the plug pot 29. The guide cheeks 38 are arranged at a distance between the mutually facing longitudinal sides. This results in a rail-like travel path 39 along the slide-on direction 11 between the two guide cheeks 38 for a guide lug molded onto the power plug. The two guide cheeks 38 together form a pair of guide cheeks. The pair of guide cheeks 38 is offset in the arrow direction II by approximately 90 ° relative to a free end of the protective contact clip 13 within the plug pot 29. Two pairs of guide cheeks are located opposite one another within the plug socket 29. However, the second pair of guide cheeks is not recognizable because of the sectional view in FIG. 1.

Oberhalb des Innengewindes 28 und der Schraubenöffnung 27 befindet sich im Topfboden 30 zentral eine Bohrung 31.
An der dem Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 zugewandten Oberfläche des Topfbodens 30 sind Fixierstege 32,33 angeformt. Die Fixierstege 32,33 verlaufen in Fig. 3 in Aufschieberichtung 11. Ihre Ausdehnung ist dabei so ausgerichtet, daß die auf den Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 weisenden Freienden der Fixierstege 32 den Schutzkontaktbügel 13 an seiner Grundfläche 25 tangieren und die Fixierstege 33 mit den entsprechenden Freienden die Kontaktfeder 14 tangieren.Above the internal thread 28 and the screw opening 27 there is a central bore 31 in the pot base 30.
Fixing webs 32, 33 are formed on the surface of the pot base 30 facing the bottom of the housing shell 2. The fixing webs 32, 33 run in FIG. 3 in the push-on direction 11. Their extension is oriented such that the free ends of the fixing webs 32 pointing to the bottom of the housing shell 2 touch the protective contact clip 13 on its base surface 25 and the fixing webs 33 with the corresponding free ends touch the contact spring 14.

Eine Seitenwand der Gehäuseschale 2 enthält eine Einführöffnung 34 (Fig. 4) zum Einführen eines in den Zeichnungen nicht dargestellten Netzkabels. Dieses Netzkabel wird an einer am Boden der Gehäuseschale 2 angebrachten Schellenklemme 35 zur Zugentlastung festgeklemmt.A side wall of the housing shell 2 contains an insertion opening 34 (FIG. 4) for inserting a power cable, not shown in the drawings. This power cable is clamped to a clamp clamp 35 attached to the bottom of the housing shell 2 for strain relief.

Zum Herstellen des elektrischen Kontaktes zwischen den Kontaktelementen 13,14,15 mit den entsprechenden Leitern 4,5,6 werden die Kontaktelemente 13,14,15 entlang der Aufschieberichtung 11 in ihre Aufschiebestellung gebracht. Hierbei klemmt die zweiarmige Kontaktklemme 12 den Querschnitt der blanken Leiter 4,5,6 mit elektrisch kontaktierendem Reibschluß zwischen sich ein.
Handelt es sich bei den Leitern 4,5,6 um separat eingelegte Schienen oder Drähte, so stellen die Flachklemmen 15 die elektrische Verbindung zwischen den Leitern 4,5,6 und den Adern des Netzkabels her. Dazu werden die abisolierten Enden der Adern an den Flachklemmen 15 eingeklemmt. Unter Einsatz der Schneid-Klemm-Technik bilden die Adern des Netzkabels die Leiter 4,5,6. Die Flachklemmen 15 und separat hergestellte Leiter 4,5,6 sind dann überflüssig.To establish the electrical contact between the contact elements 13, 14, 15 with the corresponding conductors 4, 5, 6, the contact elements 13, 14, 15 are brought into their opening position along the opening direction 11. Here, the two-armed contact clamp 12 clamps the cross section of the bare conductors 4, 5, 6 with an electrically contacting frictional engagement between them.
If the conductors 4, 5, 6 are separately inserted rails or wires, the flat terminals 15 establish the electrical connection between the conductors 4, 5, 6 and the wires of the power cable. For this purpose, the stripped ends of the wires are clamped on the flat terminals 15. Using In insulation displacement technology, the wires of the power cable form the conductors 4, 5, 6. The flat terminals 15 and separately produced conductors 4, 5, 6 are then superfluous.

Die Haltestege 23 und der Fixierzapfen 24 begrenzen das Aufschieben des Schutzkontaktbügels 13 in Aufschieberichtung 11. Während der Fixierzapfen 24 den Schutzkontaktbügel 13 ortsfest positioniert, stützen ihn die Haltestege 23 ab.
Die Kontaktfeder 14 ist wegen ihrer federnden Abstützung gegen die Innenwände der Kontaktfederfixierung 10 ebenfalls bereits vor dem Verschließen der Steckdosenleiste 1 ortsfest fixiert.The holding webs 23 and the fixing pin 24 limit the pushing on of the protective contact clip 13 in the sliding-on direction 11. While the fixing pin 24 positions the protective contact clip 13 in a stationary manner, the holding bars 23 support it.
Because of its resilient support against the inner walls of the contact spring fixation 10, the contact spring 14 is also fixed in place before the socket strip 1 is closed.

Um die Gehäuseschalen 2,3 nach dem Aufeinanderdeckeln sicher zu verschließen, durchdringt eine Befestigungsschraube die Bohrung 31 und die Schraubenöffnung 27 und wird mit dem Innengewinde 28 verschraubt. Da sich dieser Aufbau zur Verschraubung im Bereich aller Steckertöpfe 29 befindet, ist ein sicherer Verschluß des Gehäuses gewährleistet.In order to securely close the housing shells 2, 3 after being placed on top of one another, a fastening screw penetrates the bore 31 and the screw opening 27 and is screwed to the internal thread 28. Since this construction for screwing is located in the area of all plug pots 29, a secure closure of the housing is ensured.

Nach dem Verschließen des Gehäuses sind die Kontaktelemente 13,14 durch die Fixierstege 32,33 zusätzlich lagefixiert. Die Kontaktelemente 13,14 besitzen deshalb beim Aufschieben oder Abziehen eines Netzsteckers nur ein sehr geringes Spiel entlang der Aufschieberichtung 11. Die Kontaktelemente 13,14 verbleiben deshalb sicher in ihrer Aufschiebestellung.After the housing has been closed, the contact elements 13, 14 are additionally fixed in position by the fixing webs 32, 33. The contact elements 13, 14 therefore have only a very slight play along the slide-on direction 11 when a mains plug is pushed on or pulled off. The contact elements 13, 14 therefore remain securely in their slide-on position.

Die vorbeschriebenen Haltezapfen 8, Klemmenfixierung 9 und Kontaktfederfixierung 10 sind vorteilhafte Ausführungen der in den Ansprüchen genannten Haltevorsprünge.
Die vorbeschriebenen Klemmenfixierung 9, Kontaktfederfixierung 10, Haltesteg 23, Fixierzapfen 24 und Fixierstege 32,33 sind vorteilhafte Ausführungen der in den Ansprüchen genannten Fixiervorsprünge.The holding pins 8, clamp fixation 9 and contact spring fixation 10 described above are advantageous embodiments of the holding projections mentioned in the claims.
The previously described clamp fixation 9, contact spring fixation 10, holding web 23, fixing pin 24 and fixing webs 32, 33 are advantageous designs of the fixing projections mentioned in the claims.

Die Führungswangen 38 erleichtern die Fixierung des Netzsteckers unmittelbar vor seinem Einschieben in den Steckertopf 29. Dazu greifen die beiden am Schutzkontaktstecker angeformten Führungsnasen jeweils in den schienenartigen Verfahrweg 39 der beiden Führungswangenpaare ein. Während des Aufschiebevorgangs des Netzsteckers erleichtern die Führungswangen 38 außerdem die Führung des Netzsteckers. Die Führungswangen 38 sind derart ausgestaltet, daß die Innenkontur des Steckertopfes 29 an die Außenkontur des Schutzkontaktsteckers formschlüssig angepaßt ist. Dadurch ist gewährleistet, daß bestimmte Steckerarten, die besondere technische und/oder konstruktive Anforderungen nicht erfüllen - z.B. Rundstecker ohne die Kontur eines Schutzkontaktsteckers - nicht in einen Steckertopf 29 eingeschoben werden können.The guide cheeks 38 make it easier to fix the power plug immediately before it is inserted into the plug socket 29. For this purpose, the two guide lugs formed on the protective contact plug each engage in the rail-like travel path 39 of the two pairs of guide cheeks. During the process of pushing on the power plug, the guide cheeks 38 also facilitate guiding the power plug. The guide cheeks 38 are designed such that the inner contour of the plug pot 29 to the outer contour of the Earthing contact plug is adapted positively. This ensures that certain types of plugs that do not meet special technical and / or structural requirements - for example circular plugs without the contour of a protective contact plug - cannot be inserted into a plug socket 29.

Die Kontaktbereiche 19 sämtlicher Kontaktfedern 14 sind in einer Linie parallel zur Längserstreckung der Steckdosenleiste 1 angeordnet. Diese Anordnung der Kontaktfedern 14 ist in vorteilhafter Weise für als Winkelstecker ausgebildete Netzstecker geeignet. Der rechtwinklig von den Kontaktstiften abstehende Netzkabelanschlußbereich des Netzsteckers erstreckt sich quer zur Längsrichtung der Steckdosenleiste 1, wenn der Netzstecker in einen Steckertopf 29 eingeschoben ist. Dadurch wird keiner der beiden unmittelbar benachbarten Steckertöpfe 29 durch den Winkelstecker abgedeckt. Somit können mehrere Winkelstecker in unmittelbar benachbarte Steckertöpfe 29 eingeschoben werden, ohne daß gegenseitige Behinderungen entstehen. Dies ermöglicht die größtmögliche Auslastung der Steckdosenleiste 1.The contact areas 19 of all contact springs 14 are arranged in a line parallel to the longitudinal extension of the power strip 1. This arrangement of the contact springs 14 is advantageously suitable for mains plugs designed as angled plugs. The power cord connection area of the power plug protruding at right angles from the contact pins extends transversely to the longitudinal direction of the power strip 1 when the power plug is inserted into a plug socket 29. As a result, neither of the two immediately adjacent plug pots 29 is covered by the angled plug. Thus, several angled plugs can be inserted into immediately adjacent plug pots 29 without mutual hindrance. This enables the power strip 1 to be used to the greatest possible extent.

BezugszeichenlisteReference list

Figure imgb0001
Figure imgb0001

Claims (18)

  1. A multiple socket for mains plugs, in particular a safety plug socket bar,
    - with contact elements (13, 14, 15) enclosed in an insulating casing
    -- for the electrical voltage supply and
    -- for the voltage take-up taking place in the zone of individual plug pots (29), and
    - with conductors (4, 5, 6) that are fixed in position in the direction of their longitudinal reach for the interconnection of contact elements (13, 14, 15) of the same electrical potential,
       characterized in that
    the contact elements (13, 14, 15) of the same electrical potential are each pushed onto the conductors (4, 5, 6) to remain thereon, in the manner of the cutting-clamping technique.
  2. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 1,
       characterized in that
    one conductor (4, 5, 6) is designed as a rail that is stable in shape.
  3. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 1,
       characterized in that
    one conductor (4, 5, 6) is a wire that is fixed in its stretched position.
  4. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    in the zone of its clamping contacts taking place with the contact elements (13, 14, 15), the conductor (4, 5, 6) is fixed on holding projections (8, 9, 10) that project against its pushing-on direction (11) from a casing shell (2) and lies, preferably with a form-fit, in conductor slots (7) of a holding projection (8, 9, 10).
  5. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    the conductors (4, 5, 6) extend at a distance above the bottom of a casing shell (2).
  6. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    one conductor (4, 5, 6) is fixed in position on a casing shell (2) by injection or extrusion coating with the material of the casing.
  7. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 1,
       characterized in that
    - a contact element (13, 14, 15) integrally carries a connecting tag and/or
    - that the connecting tag is formed as a two-armed contact terminal (12).
  8. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 7,
       characterized in that
    the contact terminal (12) has a substantially U-shaped design, in which arrangement the contact arms (16) form between them the U sides with a slot (17) that is open in the pushing-on direction (11).
  9. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    the slot (17) of one contact terminal (12) is widened in the manner of a funnel into a mouth opening (18) of the slot.
  10. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    - the conductors (4, 5, 6) extend approximately parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction in the manner of strings of a string instrument,
    - that each conductor (4, 5, 6) has respectively one insulating sheath, and
    - that the contact arms (16) carry cutters on their inner flanks for cutting through the insulating sheath as the contact elements (13, 14, 15) are pushed onto the conductor (4, 5, 6).
  11. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    the conductors (4, 5, 6) are the wires of a prefabricated connecting cable.
  12. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    - the contact elements (13, 14, 15) are loaded by a casing shell (2, 3) in the pushing-on direction and
    - that the loading zones are fixing projections (9, 10, 23, 24, 32, 33) projecting from the casing shell (2, 3) into the inside of the casing.
  13. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 12,
       characterized in that
    the fixing projections (23, 24, 32, 33) bear with prestressing on the contact elements (13, 14).
  14. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 12 or 13,
       characterized by
    an engagement with a form-fit between the fixing projections (9, 10, 24) and the contact elements (13, 14, 15).
  15. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 14,
       characterized in that
    the fixing projections (9, 10) surround contact elements (14, 15).
  16. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to claim 15 or 16,
       characterized in that
    the contact elements designed as contact springs (14) resiliently bear at their periphery on the sides of the fixing projections (10).
  17. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized by
    a fin strip (22) which
    - is substantially parallel to the conductors (4, 5, 6),
    - is disposed between them and
    - is formed on a casing shell (2).
  18. A multiple socket for mains plugs according to one or more of the preceding claims,
       characterized in that
    the holding projections (9, 10) for the conductors (4, 5, 6) and the fixing projections (9, 10) for the contact elements (14, 15) are formed by the same parts.
EP93100378A 1992-01-17 1993-01-13 Multiple socket Expired - Lifetime EP0552655B1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9320735U DE9320735U1 (en) 1992-01-17 1993-01-13 power strip

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE9200482 1992-01-17
DE9200482U 1992-01-17
DE9201794 1992-02-13
DE9201794U 1992-02-13

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0552655A1 EP0552655A1 (en) 1993-07-28
EP0552655B1 true EP0552655B1 (en) 1995-04-05

Family

ID=25959061

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93100378A Expired - Lifetime EP0552655B1 (en) 1992-01-17 1993-01-13 Multiple socket

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0552655B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE120890T1 (en)
DE (1) DE59300116D1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE29502014U1 (en) * 1995-02-08 1995-04-13 Meyer A & H Leuchten Bueroelek Socket box
DE19817309C2 (en) * 1998-04-18 2000-11-02 Popp Gmbh & Co Kg power strip
DE102021107678A1 (en) 2021-03-26 2022-09-29 Abb Schweiz Ag Socket with an additional function

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2127859A1 (en) * 1971-06-04 1973-01-04 Mjoendalen Gummivarefabrik As BRANCH HANDLE OR BRANCH SOCKET FOR ELECTRIC POWER
DE3641153A1 (en) * 1986-12-02 1988-06-09 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Mobile multiple protective-earth contact plug socket strip (multiple German-standard plug socket strip
US4830626A (en) * 1988-07-27 1989-05-16 Liu Tzu Chen Christmas-tree securable extension cord
US4997388A (en) * 1989-08-28 1991-03-05 Amp Incorporated Electrical tap connector

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0552655A1 (en) 1993-07-28
DE59300116D1 (en) 1995-05-11
ATE120890T1 (en) 1995-04-15

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