EP0797271B1 - Base for current socket - Google Patents

Abstract

The socket includes a protective device (35), including the moving shutters (37), which is fixed to the mechanism (11) by a support interposed in the space in the observation window (38,39). Each window is at least sufficiently narrow locally to oppose the passage of a test finger by the normal arrangement of the insulating material of the body (12). The window is at least partially covered by a transparent disc belonging to a small transparent plate which is common to the assembly and also is fixed to and overhangs from the device. The measurement of at least one of the windows in the direction of engagement is greater than half the mean diameter of the holes at rest.

Description

The present invention relates generally socket outlets, and it's aimed more particularly, but not necessarily exclusively, those of these socket outlets, commonly known as recessed socket, which, to be installed in a any support, for example in a wall or a partition, are adapted to be housed in a box, commonly called mounting box, itself arranged in a recess provided for this purpose in such a support.

Such a socket outlet is known from document DE-U- 78 08 262. This socket outlet comprises, on the one hand, a mechanism, which presents, in a body of insulating material, at least two conductive cells and at least two connection terminals, and, on the other hand, under the form, in practice, of a framework intended to allow the fixing the assembly to the installation box, a support, whose mechanism is integral, and which, by its recess central, leaves free access to it, particularly with regard to relates to its conductive cells and with regard to tightening screw of its connection terminals, the socket outlet also includes a protection device which is superimposed on the mechanism.

In practice, it is attached, on the front, to such a socket outlet, a hubcap, which does not leave access only to the conductive cells of the mechanism, to allow the engagement, in these, of the pins of a plug duly matched current, which, on the other hand, obscures access to the clamping screws of the connection terminals, and, in a way more generally, access to all active parts of the mechanism other than its conductive cells, i.e. to all the metallic parts of this mechanism susceptible to be energized with them.

For security reasons, in particular with regard to children, it is also planned to control access to conductive cells of the mechanism by superimposing on it a protection device, commonly called "eclipses", comprising a movable shutter, which, at rest, prohibits access to these conductive cells, and which, when the engagement of the pins of a socket outlet, and under the very effects of this commitment, authorizes on the contrary this access to these pins.

In certain embodiments known to date, this protective device is worn by the hubcap. Such a device is known from document GB 2 233 509 A.

It follows that, on a socket outlet already installed, removal of this hubcap, necessary, by example, to check the connection of the conductors electric, leads to direct access to some of the less active parts of the mechanism, both to the touch when hand, to the detriment of security, that, a fortiori, to the touch the test finger provided for by certain normative provisions in this area, and more specifically, by standard IEC 60529, at the expense of obtaining the level of certification corresponding.

This is the case, in particular, both for the alveoli conductive only for connection terminals, when, realized made of metal, the support constitutes a separate part on which the mechanism is attached by its body, free access being so most often largely left all around this latest.

But this is also the case for the alveoli conductive when, as a variant, the body of the mechanism is in one piece with the support, the assembly then forming a one and the same piece which, precisely, leaves for the essential access to only these conductive cells, even if, for other reasons, it also has windows which open onto the outlet of the connection terminals.

In other already known embodiments, the device of protection is carried by the mechanism itself, so that removing the hubcap does not release access to the conductive cells of this mechanism.

As, moreover, the body of the mechanism is of a standing alone with the support, total security is then retained.

But, jointly, the part which constitutes one with the other this body and this support leaves no visibility with regard to the outlet of the connection terminals, and therefore with regard to the connection of electrical conductors, however, the windows in this room are exposed profit for fixing the protection device, in practical by snap-fastening, and being therefore hidden.

It follows that, to control, during a installation, and after this, connecting the conductors to return it, it is necessary to disassemble the socket outlet, that is to say to separate it of the installation box, to the detriment, again, of the security.

The present invention generally has for subject a provision to reconcile the requirements of safety with the possibility of checking without dismantling the connection of electrical conductors.

More specifically, it relates to a base of power outlet of the kind comprising, on the one hand, a mechanism, which has, in an insulating body, at least two conductive cells and at least two connection terminals and, on the other hand, a support whose mechanism is integral, and which, through a central recess, gives free access to it, he is superimposed on the mechanism a protective device, the socket outlet generally being characterized in that, the protection device comprises, in a manner known per se, a movable shutter, which, at rest, prohibits access to the conductive cells of this mechanism, and which, when engaging a form, allows the pins of this plug to access the conductive cells of this mechanism, and, there is provision, at the outlet of each of the terminals connection of the mechanism, an observation window.

In practice, the observation windows thus set up work occur at the front of the mechanism and are elongated in the form of lights.

For example, each of them is, at least locally, narrow enough to oppose the passage of the finger test provided for by the normative provisions in this area.

As a variant, or in addition, at least one of it is at least partially closed by a porthole transparent.

In either case, in cooperation with the protective device present on the surface of the mechanism, the desired security remains ensured when the hubcap is removed, the active parts of the mechanism generally subject to sufficient recovery for that, even taking into account the terminal clamping screws connection, which remain accessible on the front panel using of a tool, any direct access to the active parts of the mechanism is prohibited by touch or test finger.

Together, the observation windows allow however to visually check the connection of the conductors electric, and more specifically, the layout and number of these, without the need to intervene in whatever either on the socket outlet, and, in particular, without that it is necessary to remove it from the installation box on which it is reported.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un socle de prise de courant suivant l'invention ;

la figure 2 en est une vue en perspective partiellement éclatée, seul étant extrait de l'ensemble le dispositif de protection rapporté sur le mécanisme ;

la figure 3 est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale de ce dispositif de protection, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 2 ;

la figure 4 est une vue en plan du socle de prise de courant suivant l'invention, suivant la flèche IV de la figure 1 ;

la figure 5 en est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne V-V de la figure 4 ;

la figure 6 est une vue partielle en plan, qui, analogue à celle de la figure 4, représente le socle de prise de courant suivant l'invention en place dans un support, avec les conducteurs électriques assurant sa desserte ;

la figure 7 est une vue partielle en plan, qui, analogue, elle aussi, à celle de la figure 4, se rapporte à une variante de réalisation ;

la figure 8 est une vue partielle en coupe transversale de cette variante de réalisation, suivant la ligne VIII-VIII de la figure 7.

The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description which follows, by way of example, with reference to the appended schematic drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a socket outlet according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a partially exploded perspective view, only being removed from the assembly the protection device attached to the mechanism;

Figure 3 is, on a larger scale, a partial cross-sectional view of this protection device, along the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a plan view of the socket outlet according to the invention, according to arrow IV of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a larger scale, a partial view in cross section along the line VV of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a partial plan view, which, similar to that of Figure 4, shows the socket outlet according to the invention in place in a support, with the electrical conductors ensuring its service;

Figure 7 is a partial plan view, which also similar to that of Figure 4, relates to an alternative embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a partial view in cross section of this variant embodiment, along the line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a known manner per se, the socket outlet socket 10 according to the invention on the one hand, as it is better visible in FIGS. 2 and 5, a mechanism 11, which presents, in a body 12 of insulating material, at least two cells conductive 13 and at least two connection terminals 14, and, on the other hand, a support 15, the mechanism 11 of which is integral, and which, by a central recess 16, leaves a free access to it.

In the embodiment shown, the outline of the central recess 16 of the support 15 is overall circular, at least in two zones of this central recess 16 diametrically opposed to each other.

In a manner also known per se, and as illustrated by FIG. 6, the socket outlet socket 10 according to the invention is, in practice, intended to be implanted in a any support 18, a wall or a partition for example, in being for this purpose attached to a mounting box, not shown, housed in an excavation 19 provided for this purpose in this support 18.

In a manner known per se, finally, the body 12 of the mechanism 11 is, in the embodiment shown, integrally with the support 15, the assembly forming a single piece 20 obtained by molding of any suitable synthetic material.

In the embodiment shown, the support 15 is in the general form of a flat plate, of generally rectangular outline.

The part 20 to which it belongs forms, according to the perimeter of its central recess 16, a housing 21, which has, peripherally, a side wall 22, and on the bottom 23 of which the mechanism 11 intervenes.

In practice, in the embodiment shown, the socket outlet socket 10 according to the invention does not comprises, by way of example, that two conductive cells 13, which are each respectively in electrical connection with the two connection terminals 14, and it is equipped with a pin earth electrode 24, which extends between the two cells conductive 13, projecting from the bottom 23 of the housing 21, and which is itself in electrical connection with a terminal of connection 25.

The connection terminals 14, 25 open, laterally, on the same wall 26 of the body 12 of the mechanism 11.

As is visible for one of them on the FIG. 5, they benefit, for this purpose, on this wall 26, an outlet 28, in which can be engaged, such as shown schematically by an arrow F in this FIG. 5, the end, previously stripped of the conductive core 29 of a conductor electric 30.

Each of the connection terminals 14, 25 comprises, in a manner known per se, on the one hand, a block 31, of metal, which, parallel to the bottom 23 of the housing 21, is perforated with a drilling 32 aligned with the corresponding outlet 28, and, on the other hand, a clamping screw 33, which, intervening in a well 34 of body 12, is in screw connection with block 31 by transversely cutting through the bore 32 thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the terminal connection 25 associated with earth pin 24 is double, and therefore has two clamping screws 33, for allow possible transplanting.

The foregoing provisions are well known by themselves, and, not specifically falling under this invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

It will suffice to indicate that, intended to receive the pins of a plug socket, the alveoli 13 of the mechanism 11 are generally cylindrical, and that, to ensure elastic electrical contact with these pins, they are elastically deformable radially.

Let D _{1 be} the average diameter of these conductive cells 13 at rest, FIG. 2.

According to the invention, and jointly, on the one hand, it is superimposed on mechanism 11 at the bottom 23 of the housing 21, a protective device 35 comprising, in a manner known per se, away from an upper plate 36, a movable shutter 37, which, at rest, prevents access to conductive cells 13 of this mechanism 11, and which, when the engagement of a file, not shown, and for the very reason of this commitment, authorizes this access to the pins of this file, and, on the other hand, it is provided for, at the outlet 28 of each of the connection terminals 14, 25 of the mechanism 11, a viewing window 38, 39.

Observation windows 38, which correspond each respectively at the connection terminals 14 relating to the conductive cells 13, each extend respectively on either side of the observation window 39, which itself corresponds to connection terminal 25 relating to the pin earth 24.

In practice, in the embodiments shown, the wall 26 of the body 12 of the mechanism 11 on which open the connection terminals 14, 25 extends in withdrawal relative to the side wall 22 of the housing 21, and, for the formation of observation windows 38, 39, the bottom 23 of this housing 21 is at least locally hollowed out.

In practice, too, in these forms of embodiment, the connection terminal 25 is offset transversely to the connection terminals 14, to the favor of a boss 40 of the body 12 of the mechanism 11 which makes projection on the wall 26 of this body 12.

The observation windows 38 thus extend each respectively on either side of this boss 40, while the observation window 39 extends, on the right thereof, by biting in practice slightly on the side wall 22 of the housing 21 thanks to a notch 41 of this last.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in Figures 1 to 8, each of the windows observation 38, 39 is, at least locally, sufficiently narrow to oppose the passage of the test finger provided by the normative provisions in this area.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the side opposite to the body 12 of the mechanism 11, at least one of the observation windows 38, and, in practice, each of these, is at least locally delimited by a portion remaining 42 from the bottom 23 of the housing 21.

In practice, for each of the observation windows 38, this remaining portion 42 extends to the boss 40 of the body 12 of the mechanism 11, and it has, in plan, an outline broadly triangular.

On one side, it borders the window longitudinally observation 38 concerned, extending substantially parallel to the wall 26 of the body 12, and, on another side, it forms the corresponding transverse edge of the window observation 39.

The observation windows 38 are thus substantially elongated in a rectangle, like lights, and, in practical, it is generally the same for the window observation 39.

Taking into account the dimensions of the test finger provided for by the normative provisions in the matter, the width of the observation windows 39, or, more precisely, their dimension D ₂ measured along the direction of engagement F of an electrical conductor 30 in the corresponding connection terminal 14, 25, can be of the order of 3 to 3.5 mm.

Such a width or dimension D ₂ is effectively sufficiently small to effectively oppose the engagement of a test finger, but, to fix ideas, it is greater than half the average diameter D ₁ of the conducting cells 13 of mechanism 11 at rest.

Indeed, this mean diameter D ₁ is usually of the order of 3 mm.

Relevant to known arrangements, the protection 35 will not be described here.

It will suffice to indicate that, in the form of shown embodiment, its upper plate 36 follows, on part of its perimeter, the wall 26 of the body 12 of the mechanism 11, and that, on the remaining portion of this perimeter, it is fitted into a rebate 44 provided for this purpose at the surface of this body 12.

Of course, the protective device 35 is suitably subject to mechanism 11, and, more specifically, to the body 12 thereof.

According to the invention, the holding means correspondents, which are not shown in the figures, operate away from observation windows 38, 39.

In practice, these holding means result from a ultrasonic welding.

For a focus of the energy developed during of such welding, the upper plate 36 of the device protection 35 has, initially, projecting from its surface lower, as can be seen in FIG. 3, a bead 45, which, present, at least locally, from place to place, the along its perimeter, is then crushed during this welding.

When the next socket outlet 10 the invention is in place in the support 18 to be fitted, such as shown in Figure 6, none of the active parts of its mechanism 11 is not directly accessible, except, of course understood, clamping screws 33 of its connection terminals 14, 25.

Jointly, and as can be seen from FIG. 6, observation windows 38, 39 provided according to the invention advantageously allow to visually control the connection electrical conductors 30 in these connection terminals 14, 25.

Of course, it is usually associated with socket outlet 10 according to the invention, a hubcap, not shown, which, while covering the wells 34 giving access to the clamping screws 33 of the connection terminals 14, 25, gives access to the conductive cells 13 of the mechanism 11, under the control of the protective device 35.

This hubcap is for example attached by screwing.

For this purpose, for cooperation with the screw corresponding, the body 12 of the mechanism 11 comprises, between the conductive cells 13, on the side opposite the plug pin of earth 24, a well 47, and, in correspondence, the device protection 35 has a bore 48.

According to the variant shown on the FIGS. 7 and 8, at least one of the observation windows 38, 39 is at least partially closed by a transparent porthole 49.

In practice, each of the observation windows 38, 39 is thus at least partially closed by a porthole transparent 49, and this one belongs to a wafer transparent 50 common to the whole.

In the embodiment shown, this transparent plate 50 is integral with the device protection 35.

It comes locally to replace the plate upper 36 of this protective device 35, by presenting locally holes 52, to allow access to wells 34 of connection terminals 14, 25 as well as to leave a passage to the earth pin 24, and, beyond the wall 26 of the body 12 of the mechanism 11, it extends cantilevered at count from protective device 35.

Jointly, for each of the observation windows 38, the remaining portion 42 of the bottom 23 of the housing 21 to right of the viewing windows 38 is reduced to a ledge which overlaps the corresponding edge of the transparent window 49 associated with such an observation window 38, and, therefore, in practical, that of the transparent plate 50.

Thus, the observation windows 38 can have a width or dimension D ₂ greater than the previous one, without safety being compromised.

On the other hand, for the observation window 39, the width or dimension D ₂ remains the same as the previous one.

In practice, for this observation window 39, it remains one day between the bottom of the notch 41 of the wall side 22 of the housing 21 and the edge of the transparent window 49 corresponding, and, therefore, that of the transparent plate 50, but this day is minimal.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown.

Claims (12)

1. A power socket base of the kind comprising on the one hand a mechanism (11) which in a body (12) of insulating material has at least two conducting openings (13) and at least two connecting terminals (14, 15) and on the other hand a support (15) to which the mechanism (11) is fixed and which by way of a central aperture (16) allows free access thereto, and in superposed relationship with the mechanism (11) there is a protective device (35), characterised in that said protective device (35) comprises in per se known manner a movable closure member (37) which in the rest position prevents access to the conducting openings (13) of said mechanism (11) and which upon the engagement of a plug permits access for the pins of the plug to the conducting openings of said mechanism and an observation window (38, 39) is provided in line with the orifice (28) of each of the connecting terminals (14, 25) of the mechanism (11).
2. A power socket base according to claim 1 characterised in that, the protective device (35) being fastened to the mechanism (11) by holding means, said holding means are disposed at a spacing from the observation windows (38, 39).
3. A power socket base according to either one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that each of the observation windows (38, 39) is at least locally sufficiently narrow to resist the passage of the test finger provided by the arrangements for setting standards in this respect.
4. A power socket base according to either one of claims 1 and 2 characterised in that one at least of the observation windows (38, 39) is at least partially closed by a transparent cover (49).
5. A power socket base according to claim 4 characterised in that each of the observation windows (38, 39) is at least partially closed by a transparent cover (49) and the latter belongs to a transparent plate portion (50) which is common to the assembly.
6. A power socket base according to claim 5 characterised in that said transparent plate portion (50) is fixed with respect to the protective device (35).
7. A power socket base according to claim 6 characterised in that said transparent plate portion (50) extends in cantilever relationship from the protective device (35).
8. A power socket base according to any one of claims 1 to 7 characterised in that, measured in the direction of engagement (F) of an electrical conductor (30) into the corresponding connecting terminal (14, 25), the dimension (D₂) of one at least of the observation windows (38, 39) is greater than half the mean diameter (D₁) of the conducting openings (13) of the mechanism (11) in the rest condition.
9. A power socket base according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterised in that the body (12) of the mechanism (11) is in one piece with the support (15), the assembly forming one and the same part (20).
10. A power socket base according to claim 9 characterised in that, said part (20) forming along the perimeter of the central aperture (16) of the support (15) a housing (21), on the bottom (23) of which is disposed the mechanism (11), the wall (26) of the body (12) of the mechanism (11) at which the connecting terminals (14, 25) thereof open extends in set-back relationship with the side wall (22) of said housing (21) and, for forming the observation windows (38, 39), the bottom (23) of said housing (21) is at least locally apertured.
11. A power socket base according to claim 10 characterised in that, on the side opposite to the body (12) of the mechanism (11), one at least of the observation windows (38, 39) is at least locally delimited by a remaining portion (42) of the bottom of said housing (21).
12. A power socket base according to claims 4 and 11 in combination characterised in that said remaining portion (42) of the bottom of the housing (21) is reduced to a rim portion on which is superposed the corresponding edge of the associated transparent cover (49).

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