EP0702433B1 - Electrical socket assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

The plug socket device has a housing (50) with a number of adjacent plug socket inserts (51-54), each having at least 2 terminal poles, cooperating with respective poles of a multi-pole lead (58) fitted into the housing. Each of the plug socket inserts can be rotated relative to the housing through a limited angle, about an axis parallel to the insertion direction of the plug, with the socket poles coupled to the corresponding lead poles via sliding contacts. Each plug socket insert can be secured relative to the housing in a given rotary position.

Description

The invention relates to an electrical socket arrangement, according to the preamble of claim 1, consisting of a housing with at least two socket inserts, the connection poles for an electrical contact of poles a multi-pole leading into the housing Have a connecting cable with a suitable multi-pin plug, the socket inserts about an axis parallel to the direction of insertion Plug are rotatable relative to the housing.

Such a socket arrangement is known from DE 43 09 453 C1 (see further down).

Electrical socket arrangements can be found in every household in the form of flush-mounted sockets, surface-mounted sockets and in single or multiple arrangement with a common Connection line as a mobile connection option for various electrical consumers such as lamps, electrical household appliances and / or power supplies for operating electrical Low voltage equipment.

In connection with the insertion of the plug into the socket insert an outlet it often happens that the Orientation of the connection poles in the socket not with a optimal plug insertion direction or that for example with a double combination with flush-mounted sockets, one of the sockets through angled plugs, Plug-in adapters, power supplies or chargers for battery-operated Devices or similar is covered. This is particularly problematic Situation with socket strips or table sockets where it was previously common for cost reasons, the socket inserts to be arranged in a row or in a square. If here several angled plugs or the like can be connected are not all socket outlets disadvantageously usable because they are from the kink protection device or several angled plugs or plug adapters, power supplies with molded plugs and the like can be covered.

To solve this problem it is already known that Socket inserts on flush-mounted sockets and on multiple sockets twisted to the longitudinal axis of the power strip to arrange for the insertion of several angled plugs enable. However, it has been found that at Use of chargers and plug-in adapters due to their size still the closest socket insert in some areas covered and is therefore not usable.

DE 43 09 453 C1 is an electrical socket arrangement discloses that from a housing with socket inserts which has at least two connection poles for one electrical contacting of poles of a multi-pole in the Housing leading connecting cable by means of suitable multi-pole Have plugs, each socket insert by one Axis parallel to the direction of insertion of a connector relative to Housing is rotatable. However, the rotatability is disadvantageous the socket inserts limited to the flexible wires between the individual socket inserts before excessive To protect twist. The socket inserts can thus not take all the desired rotational positions, and without There would be the possibility of securing against an attack Turning over to dangerous short circuits and tearing the flexible connecting line can come. In addition, is a relatively large manufacturing outlay for this socket arrangement required as all connecting lines must be attached to the respective connection poles.

From FR 2 054 888 A an outlet is known, the one the socket insert can be rotated indefinitely compared to the housing has, the contacting of the socket insert via side sliding contacts can be rotated indefinitely, which in attack different heights on slip ring sections, whereby the size of the electrical socket arrangement increased by about a third.

The invention has for its object an electrical Socket arrangement of the type mentioned in the beginning to further train that the respective socket inserts are safe each position corresponding to the respective needs can be brought.

According to the invention this object is achieved in the claim 1 marked features solved. Preferred features that the Advantageously further develop the invention are the subordinate Find patent claims.

The invention solves the problem by creating an electrical outlet assembly where the connection poles of each socket insert with the poles of the connecting cable in the Area of the socket inserts with a sliding contact arrangement with itself opposite separate slip ring sections are connected so that each socket insert around an axis parallel to the direction of insertion of a connector relative to the housing and in any Direction can be rotated indefinitely.

The connection poles of each socket insert are via a sliding contact arrangement with poles of the connecting line connectable, being in at least one predetermined relative Rotary position of each socket insert the sliding contact arrangement no contact with the assigned poles of the Has connecting line. This makes it possible for everyone Socket insert either endlessly left or right turn and in a favorable way also individually for each switch function for individual socket insert integrate due to the fact that every socket insert in at least a predetermined relative rotational position can be switched off. So it is not like for the electrical socket arrangement so far generally only a central on and off switch, but given the opportunity to use any socket independently turn the other on and off.

Furthermore, it can also be advantageously provided that everyone Socket insert in predetermined relative rotary positions with the Housing can be locked. The intended lockability in predetermined relative rotational positions with the housing preferably certain otherwise common positions, for example in an electrical socket arrangement in Last form a zero degree position to the longitudinal axis of the last, then a clockwise rotation of 45 °, a third Then turn position with a rotation to the longitudinal axis 90 °, and finally a fourth functional position, for example with a rotation of 135 ° to the longitudinal axis, as "Exhibition. The respective positions can also be simply on the housing and the respective socket insert make visible with markings.

For taking predetermined relative rotational positions is after a preferred embodiment on each socket insert at least one radial locking cam for the appropriate engagement in housing-side latches provided, preferably a total of two radially opposite locking cams for the occurring cogging force distributions are optimal.

Alternatively, there is a central one for each socket insert Locking profile in the area of the housing base and around the axis of rotation of the Socket insert provided to which at least one on the Socket insert attacks locking element arranged, preferably two diametrically opposed locking elements, which are preferably formed as molded locking lugs, the resilient with the locking profile due to their material elasticity can be locked.

With both alternatives of locking, everyone is Socket insert can be rotated on an upper section of the housing led and has at its lower area locking lugs that engages a locking profile in the lower housing section. If one half divided housing is provided, corresponds to the upper Housing section of the upper half of the housing and the lower Housing section of the lower half of the housing.

According to the invention electrical poles of the connecting cable in the area of Socket inserts as opposed separate slip ring sections are formed, wherein preferably in a strip-shaped socket arrangement an electrical pole on each side of the longitudinal axis of the groin formed as one piece for all socket outlets Slip ring section design and one in the field of Ledge longitudinal axis arranged neutral conductor rail with Contact with the assigned socket insert poles provided are. This makes it extremely simple Manufacturing of such socket arrangements achieve that can be done automatically, but not, as before, certain Connection points for the individual socket inserts are attached.

It is for the rotatable guide on the upper housing section particularly cheap if each socket insert on his Outside has guide formations that have an upper edge reach behind the socket housing. This allows the Verify rotatability extremely easily and the Install the socket arrangement without any problems.

The axes of rotation of the socket inserts can vary Configuration of the socket arrangement at certain angles to each other or parallel or in parallel planes. For the predominant use in the household sector becomes one parallel assignment of the axes of rotation to one another is preferred.

The socket arrangement according to the invention also offers due their conception advantageous when training with a shared Housing the possibility of adding individual socket sections Replace damage or other errors. With little Tooling can be socket arrangements after all international standards, especially according to Swiss, Italian, German and Belgian standards same housing with appropriately configured Socket inserts are manufactured.

The invention is described below with reference to FIG attached drawings explained in more detail.

Figur 1:

eine Draufsicht auf ein erstes Ausführungsbeispiel einer Steckdosenanordnung in Form einer Steckdosenleiste mit drei Steckdoseneinsätzen;

Figur 2:

einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie II - II in Figur 1;

Figur 3:

eine ausschittsweise Vergrößerung aus dem Abschnitt III in Figur 2;

Figur 4:

einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie IV - IV in Figur 3;

Figur 5:

eine Draufsicht auf ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer elektrischen Steckdosenanordnung in Form einer Steckdosenleiste mit vier Steckdoseneinsätzen und Steckdosenleisten-Befestigungslöchern;

Figur 6:

einen horizontalen Schnitt durch die Steckdosenanordnung gemäß Figur 5;

Figur 7:

eine vergrößerte Detaildarstellung aus Figur 6 zur Erläuterung des Eingriffs von Rastnocke und Einrastung am Gehäuse;

Figur 8;

einen horizontalen Schnitt ähnlich Figur 6, wobei der jedoch die Verrastungselemente zur Vereinfachung weggelassen sind und die elektrische Kontaktierung der Steckdoseneinsätze mehr verdeutlicht ist;

Figur 9:

einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie IX - IX in Figur 8; und

Figur 10:

einen Schnitt entlang der Schnittlinie X - X in Figur 8.

Show it:

Figure 1:

a plan view of a first embodiment of a socket arrangement in the form of a socket strip with three socket inserts;

Figure 2:

a section along the section line II - II in Figure 1;

Figure 3:

an enlarged detail from section III in Figure 2;

Figure 4:

a section along the section line IV - IV in Figure 3;

Figure 5:

a plan view of a further embodiment of an electrical socket arrangement in the form of a socket strip with four socket inserts and socket strip fastening holes;

Figure 6:

a horizontal section through the socket arrangement according to Figure 5;

Figure 7:

an enlarged detail of Figure 6 to explain the engagement of the locking cam and locking on the housing;

Figure 8;

a horizontal section similar to Figure 6, but with the latching elements omitted for simplification and the electrical contacting of the socket inserts is more clearly illustrated;

Figure 9:

a section along the section line IX - IX in Figure 8; and

Figure 10:

a section along the section line X - X in Figure 8.

In Figure 1 is an embodiment of an electrical Socket arrangement according to the invention in the form of a Power strip 10 with a housing 11 and a multi-pole Connection line 12 shown. The housing 11 has three circular recesses 13, 14 and 15, in the socket inserts 16, 17 and 18 are used such that they are in the housing 11 are each rotatable about an axis A, which is parallel to The direction of insertion of a plug runs. The socket inserts 16, 17 and 18 can be rotated indefinitely relative to the housing 11.

The housing 11 has 16, 17 and 18 for each socket insert in the area of the edge of the recess 13, 14 and 15 Marking arrows 19, 20 and 21 for marking three different locking positions that each socket insert 16, 17 and 18 can occupy relative to the housing 11. The Socket inserts 16, 17 and 18 have on their edge associated marker arrows 24, 23 and 22, each together with the arrows 19 to 21 fixed to the housing Mark the locking position of the socket insert.

In the socket insert 18, latching angles α and β are related the longitudinal axis of the power strip 10 indicated that the Socket insert 18 from the position shown in Figure 1 can take one after the other. The angles α and β are at Embodiment 45 ° each. In Figure 1 the Socket insert 17 in relation to the socket insert 18 by 90 ° rotated clockwise while the connector section 16 relative to the socket insert 18 by 45 ° clockwise is rotated.

Each socket insert 16, 17, 18 has two contact openings 25, 26 for inserting the contacts of a not shown Plug, two neutral conductors 27, 28 which are diametrically opposed to each other opposite, as well as molded in the socket insert Insert guides 29 and 30 for a not shown Plug.

The housing 11 is in the illustrated embodiment divided perpendicular to the axis of rotation A. It consists of the figure 1 recognizable upper housing half 31 and the one in FIG. 2 shown lower housing half 32nd

Figure 2 shows a section along the section line II - II through the socket insert 18. This has side Guide projections 40 and 41, which by a peripheral edge 42nd overlapped at the opening 15 of the upper housing section 31 become. The lower housing half 32 has a bottom 43 which a circular locking profile 44 protruding inwards and around Axis of rotation A is integrally formed. The locking profile 44 has diametrically opposite locking grooves 45 for the engagement of diametrically opposite locking lugs 46 on one Socket insert part 18 'are molded, cf. also the Enlarged section according to FIG. 3.

In Figure 4 is a section along the section line IV - IV of Figure 3 shown, one from the shown Starting position from 0 ° by the angle α = 50 ° clockwise twisted position of the detents 46 'and one by the angle γ = Position of the locking lugs 46 '' rotated from the starting position are shown in dashed lines for illustration.

Instead of the embodiment shown in Figures 1-4 can the electrical socket arrangement also as a surface socket arrangement with an appropriately modified housing as well as Flush-mounted socket arrangement with an adapted housing frame according to all international standards are realized.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of an electrical Socket arrangement in the form of a socket strip 50 with four socket inserts 51 - 54 and socket strip mounting holes 55 and 56. The power strip 50 is in turn from a horizontally divided housing 57, to which one multi-pole connecting line 58 leads. The socket inserts 51 - 54 are also as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 rotatably guided in the housing 57, and the upper half 59 of the Housing 57 has arrow marks 60 and dot marks 61 for each socket insert, during each of the socket inserts 51 - 54 in turn has markings 62. The Socket inserts 51-54 each have two contact openings 62 and 64, two neutral conductors 65 and 66 and molded Slide-in guides 67 and 68 for a not shown Plug on.

In Figures 6 and 7 are a section through the Socket arrangement according to Figure 5 and an enlarged Detail representation to explain the latching in the housing 57 shown, the connecting line 58 and parts of the inner conductor routing are omitted.

Of the housing 57 is the strip-shaped socket arrangement 6 shows a lower half 69, in the four Different receiving areas for the socket inserts 51 - 54 are shown. The recording areas each have one circular cross-section 70 in which every 45 ° Snap 71 is formed, which is enlarged in FIG see is. As can be seen in connection with FIG. 9, everyone is Socket insert 51-54 with a lower section 72 formed, on the outside rounded locking cams 73 elastic are yieldably molded. In addition, in Figure 6 continue Slip contact bracket 74 and 75 shown with the respective Plug contacts are connected below the openings 63 and 64 and for the edge-side contact with in FIG. 6 omitted slip ring sections are provided. A central rail for FIG. 6 is also omitted Connection of the protective conductor.

Figure 8 shows a section similar to Figure 6, but in which the electrical contacting of the individual socket inserts 51 - 54 shown in more detail and with the aid of FIG Embodiment is explained in more detail. From the three-pin Terminal 58 each lead a conductor to a slip ring section arrangement 76 and 77, which on both sides of the longitudinal axis B - B of the power strip 50 on the corresponding formations of the lower half of the housing are attached. The slip ring sections extend about for each socket insert 51-54 Third of the circumference and are symmetrical to the longitudinal axis B - B arranged. There is a slip ring section free between them Space in the area of the longitudinal axis B - B, which at the socket insert 54 ensures the rotational position "off". The individual slip ring sections of the two slip ring section designs 26 - 28 are connected to each other and are extremely easy to assemble. For the The protective conductor is in the area of the longitudinal axis B - B of the bar Rail profile 78 provided that 79 the lower housing half 69 and a profiled Plug-on column is connected to the protective conductors 66 and 67.

According to FIG. 9, each socket insert 51 - 54 has in its upper area an annular projection 80, which in the ice-shaped opening edge in the upper housing part 59 with a engages enough play to turn the insert. Like in The Schut conductor contacts can be seen in connection with FIG. 10 65 and 66 with each other via a rail profile 81 connected.

Also in the illustrated embodiment, a strip-shaped Socket arrangement according to Figures 5-10 are Socket inserts 51 - 54 can be rotated to any position, preferably detent positions after 45 ° pivoting are provided, and wherein the slip ring section design is taken such that the Socket inserts are de-energized.

Claims (11)

1. An electric socket assembly (10; 50) consisting of a shell (11; 57) with socket inserts (16 - 18; 51 - 54) including at least two terminal poles for electrically contacting poles of a multi-pin connecting line (12; 58) leading into said shell, by means of fitting multi-pin connectors, wherein each socket insert (16 - 18; 51 - 54) is adapted to be rotated about an axis (A) parallel with the direction of insertion of a connector relative to said housing (11; 57),
   characterized in that
   aid terminal poles of each socket insert (16 - 18; 51 - 54) are adapted to be connected to the poles of said connecting line (12; 58) in the region of said socket inserts via a sip contact means including opposing separate slip ring sections (76; 77) so that each socket insert may be rotated without any restriction.
2. An assembly according to Claim 1, characterized in that each socket insert (16 - 18; 51 - 54) is adapted to be engaged with said shell (11; 57) for locking in predetermined relative rotational positions.
3. An assembly according to Claim 2, characterized in that in at least one predetermined relative rotational position of each socket insert (16 - 18; 51 - 54) said slip contact as means (76; 77) does not have any contact with the associated poles of said connecting line (12; 58).
4. An assembly according to Claim 2 or 3, characterized in that each socket insert (16 - 18; 51 - 54) is adapted to be newly locked after optional rotation by 45° out of one locked position
5. An assembly according to any of the Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that at least one radial locking cam (73) is provided on each socket insert (16 - 18; 51 - 54) for the fitting engagement in locking recesses (71) on the shell side.
6. An assembly according to any of the Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a central locking profile (44) is provided for said socket insert (16, 17, 18), on which at least one locking element (46) engages which is disposed on said socket insert (16, 17, 18).
7. An assembly according to Claim 6, characterized in that said locking profile (44) is formed on a shell bottom (43) of said socket assembly.
8. An assembly according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that two diametrically opposite locking elements (46) are provided on said socket insert (16, 17, 18).
9. An assembly according to any of the Claims 6 to 8, characterized in that each locking element (46) is configured as integrally formed locking projections which is adapted to be locked by resilient engagement in the locking profile on accounts of the resilience of its material.
10. An assembly according to any of the Claims 6 to 9, characterized in that said socket insert (16, 17, 18) is guided for rotation on an upper shell section (31) and engages on said locking profile (44) by locking projections (46) integrally formed on its lower side.
11. An assembly according to any of the preceding Claims, characterized in that in a bar-shaped socket assembly (50) one respective electrical pole is provided in the form of a slip ring section design (76, 77) integrally formed for all socket inserts on either side of the longitudinal axis (B-B) of the bar, and that a protective conductor contact bar (78) in contact with the associated socket insert poles (66, 67) is disposed in the area of said longitudinal axis (B-B) of the bar.

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