EP0905729A1 - Front panel for electrical apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The section between the central section cap (19) and the outer mechanical plate section (11) has a counteracting force mechanism (30) pushing perpendicular to the plate section.

Description

The present invention relates generally to the covering which it It is usual to have any electrical equipment on the front.

As is known, such a covering usually comprises a plate, generally in the form of a frame, which is intended to be attached from the front onto a support forming a housing for the mechanism of the electrical apparatus concerned, or that, in the case of built-in electrical equipment, this support either directly a wall or any other surface of this type, either that, in the case of an electrical apparatus to be disposed projecting from such wall or on such a surface, this support is a housing which is itself report on this wall or on this surface.

By its central opening, the plate gives free access to an organ central on which depends the use of the mechanism of the underlying electrical equipment.

When this electrical equipment is a switch, this organ central is for example a tilting operating finger.

But it can also be a barrel, for a key command.

For another type of electrical appliance, the central organ set up work is obviously of another type.

Thus, from one electrical apparatus to another, the central organ can have a different configuration.

The present invention relates more particularly to the case where, for satisfy such different configurations for the central organ of electrical equipment, it is planned to have, annually, around this central organ, between this and the plate, a peripheral organ, commonly known as a hubcap, shaped like a frame.

To date, when, voluntarily or involuntarily, this hubcap is subjected to a frontal mechanical shock, it transmits it completely to the underlying mechanism, at the risk of unacceptable damage to it.

The present invention generally relates to a provision making it possible to avoid this disadvantage, and, therefore, to save the mechanism of the electrical equipment.

More specifically, it relates to a covering for apparatus electric of the kind comprising a plate, generally in the form of a frame, which is intended to be attached from the front to a support forming a housing for the mechanism of the electrical equipment concerned, with, in the opening central of this plate, on the one hand, a central organ, on which depends the use of this mechanism, and, on the other hand, an embellishment, which extends annularly around of the central organ, between the latter and the plate, this covering being of a generally characterized in that, between the hubcap and the plate, are provided support means, which, in particular, play a significant role perpendicular to the plate.

Thus, any frontal impact exerted on the hubcap is transmitted to the support of the assembly by the plate, without repercussion on the mechanism of electrical equipment.

In other words, with regard to such a frontal impact, the following dressing the invention advantageously hinders the mechanism of the apparatus electric, and it is thus advantageously protected.

Preferably, the central organ itself presents at least locally an appendage, which projects laterally, and by which it is inserted between the hubcap and the plate.

For example, when this central organ is an operating finger mounted tilting, it comprises, in diametrically opposite positions, one by relative to the other, two appendages, which aligned with each other, materialize its pivot axis, and which are both inserted between the hubcap and the plaque.

Thus, any frontal impact which this central organ could itself be the object is also transmitted to the support of the assembly by the plate, without repercussions on the mechanism of electrical equipment.

This is thus completely protected from any frontal impact.

Finally, when, for sealing reasons, seals are provided, in particular between the hubcap and the plate, these seals also advantageously serve as shock absorbers during such a possible frontal impact.

la figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un habillage suivant l'invention, représenté en place sur un support ;

la figure 2 en est, avec un arrachement local, une vue en perspective éclatée ;

la figure 3 en est, à échelle supérieure, une vue partielle en coupe transversale, suivant la ligne III-III de la figure 1 ;

la figure 4 est, à l'échelle de la figure 3, et suivant la flèche IV de la figure 2, une vue de dessus de la plaque que comporte cet habillage ;

la figure 5 est, à la même échelle, et suivant la flèche V de la figure 2, une vue de côté de l'organe central commandant l'appareillage électrique concerné ;

la figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale de cet organe central, suivant la ligne VI-VI de la figure 5 ;

la figure 7 est, à l'échelle de la figure 3, et suivant la flèche VII de la figure 2, une vue de côté de l'enjoliveur que comporte l'habillage suivant l'invention ;

la figure 8 est une vue de dessous de cet enjoliveur, suivant la flèche VIII de la figure 7 ;

la figure 9 est, suivant la ligne IX-IX de la figure 2, une vue en coupe transversale d'un joint d'étanchéité que comporte également l'habillage suivant l'invention ;

la figure 10 reprend, à échelle supérieure, le détail de la figure 9 repéré par un encart X sur cette figure 9.

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 covering according to the invention, shown in place on a support;

Figure 2 is, with a local cutaway, an exploded perspective view;

Figure 3 is a larger scale, a partial view in cross section along the line III-III of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is, on the scale of Figure 3, and according to arrow IV of Figure 2, a top view of the plate that includes this covering;

Figure 5 is, on the same scale, and along arrow V of Figure 2, a side view of the central member controlling the electrical equipment concerned;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of this central member, along the line VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is, on the scale of Figure 3, and along arrow VII of Figure 2, a side view of the hubcap that includes the covering according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a bottom view of this hubcap, along arrow VIII of Figure 7;

Figure 9 is, along the line IX-IX of Figure 2, a cross-sectional view of a seal that also includes the covering according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows, on a larger scale, the detail of FIG. 9 identified by an insert X in this FIG. 9.

As illustrated in these figures, and in a manner known per se, the covering 10 according to the invention comprises a plate 11, in the general shape of a frame, which is intended to be brought forward from a support 12 forming a housing 13 for the mechanism 14 of the electrical equipment 15 concerned, with, in the central opening 16 of this plate 11, on the one hand, a member central 18, on which depends the use of this mechanism 14, and, on the other hand, a hubcap 19, which extends annularly around the central member 18, between this one and the plate 11.

In the embodiment shown, the support 12 is assumed, for example, to be a wall, in which the electrical equipment 15, or, more precisely, its mechanism 14, must be embedded.

In the housing 13 excavated for this purpose in this support 12 intervenes, therefore, in the usual way, a flush-mounting box 20, and it is this which more precisely ensures the housing, and the fixing, of the mechanism 14.

The corresponding provisions being well known in themselves, and not directly related to the present invention, they will not be described in more detail here.

In the embodiment shown, the electrical equipment 15 is further assumed to be, by way of example, a switch, with, for central organ 18 controlling its mechanism 14, an operating finger mounted tilting.

This electrical equipment 15 also does not fall within the scope of this invention, it will not be described in all its details here, in particular with regard to its mechanism 14.

It will suffice to indicate that, in the embodiment shown, the central member 1 8 has, peripherally, an outline generally quadrangular.

More specifically, in this embodiment, the central member 18 has a rectangular outline, with rounded angles, but, instead of being straight, its longitudinal edges are slightly convex.

In the embodiment shown, the plate 11 has itself peripherally, a generally quadrangular contour, and more precisely square, with rounded corners.

Its central opening 16 has a rectangular outline, with straight edges and rounded corners.

The hubcap 19, which is in the form of a frame, and which is complementary, to both, of the plate 11 and of the central member 18, has, therefore, in the form of illustrated embodiment, a rectangular outline with rectilinear edges along its outer periphery, and a rectangular outline with longitudinal edges concaves along its inner periphery.

In the embodiment shown, the plate 11 is also overall planar, although its facade surface 22, that is to say its surface upper, may for example be more or less curved or curved.

But, in any event, the support 12 to which it must be applied being planar, its lower surface 23 is itself generally planar.

For its attachment to the support 12, the plate 11 comprises, in each of its corner zones, for the passage of any fixing means, by example for the passage of a screw 24, as shown, a bore 25.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, this drilling 25 occurs at the bottom of a well 26 capable of being concealed on the facade, i.e. level with the facade surface 22 of the plate 11, by a cover 27.

Preferably, also, and as shown, tranche 28 of this cover 27 is notched, so that it is difficult to extract.

According to the invention, there are provided between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11. support means 30, which, in particular, play a significant role perpendicular to the plate 11, that is to say substantially perpendicular to the plane along which it extends, and from which it follows that any frontal impact exerted on the hubcap 19 is transmitted to the support 12 of the assembly by plate 11.

In the embodiment more particularly represented in lines continuous in the figures, these support means 30 comprise, on the plate 11, a rim 31, which borders the central opening 16 of this plate 11 on a at least part of its periphery, and on which the hubcap 19 bears, at least locally, from the front, either directly or indirectly.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the rim 31 which borders the central opening 16 of the plate 11 extends over the entire periphery thereof.

For example, and as shown, this rim 31 recedes by relative to the front surface 22 of the plate 11, and the hubcap 19 is therefore at least partly embedded in this plate 11.

In the embodiment shown, and for reasons which will emerge from what follows, the transverse sides 32 of the rim 31 have a width greater than that of its longitudinal sides 33.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the hubcap 19 bears directly on the rim 31 of the plate 11.

In the embodiment shown, it only carries locally, place in place, on this rim 31, by means of legs 34 which, each individually, protrude on its lower surface in each of its corner areas.

In the embodiment shown, between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11, centering means are provided for positioning details of this hubcap 19 on this plate 11.

For example, and as shown, these centering means include at least two pins 35, which, projecting from the lower surface of the hubcap 19, each cooperate individually in interlocking with housings 36 provided in correspondence for this purpose on the rim 31 of the plate 11.

In the embodiment shown, four pins 35 are thus provided, in a rectangle, at the rate of two per transverse side 32 of the rim 31.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11, are further provided indexing means, for a preferred orientation, in one direction or in the other, this hubcap 19 on this plate 11.

For example, and as shown, these indexing means include at least one pin 38, which, projecting from the lower surface of the hubcap 19, cooperates in fitting with a housing 39 provided in correspondence with this effect on the edge 31 of the plate 11, and, more precisely, on one of the sides transverse 32 of this rim 31, between two pins 35.

Finally, in the embodiment shown, between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11, a gasket 40 is inserted.

In the embodiment shown, this seal 40 extends continuously under the central organ 18, more or less following the shape thereof, while being applied, by its peripheral edge 41, against the rim 31 of the plate 11.

In the corner areas of this peripheral edge 41, the seal 40 has notches 42, for the passage of the legs 34 of the hubcap 19.

In this peripheral edge 41, it also has holes 43, for the passage of the pins 35 of the hubcap 19, and, in positions diametrically opposite to each other, two holes 44, for the passage of the pin 38 of this hubcap 19.

But, of course, depending on the orientation of the hubcap 19, only one of these holes 44 is used.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment represented, the central member 18 itself has, at least locally, a appendix 45, which projects laterally on one of its sides, and by which it is inserted between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11, so that, in the event that he would himself be the object of a frontal impact, this frontal impact would also be transmitted to the support 12 of the assembly by the plate 11.

The central member 18 being an operating finger mounted tilting in the embodiment shown, it comprises, in practice, in this form of realization, in diametrically opposite positions with respect to each other, two appendages 45, which, aligned with each other, each have, in hollow on their lower surface, a groove 46 with a rounded transverse profile, and, in correspondence, the rim 31 of the plate 11 has, locally, in protrusion on its upper surface, two ribs 47 with rounded transverse profile complementary to the previous one.

In the embodiment shown, the appendages 45 of the organ central 18 extend parallel to its longitudinal edges, and they are generally curved, like round tiles.

Jointly, the ribs 47 of the plate 11 protrude on the sides transverse 32 of its rim 31, in the median zone of these, and this is one of the reasons why these transverse sides 32 have a width greater than that of the longitudinal sides 33 with which they alternate.

For crossing the ribs 47 of the rim 31 of the plate 11, the peripheral edge 41 of the seal 40 is itself generally tiled, and so it closes, locally, in alignment with each other, on its sides transverse, two arches 48.

Similarly, the hubcap 19 has, on the lower surface of each on its transverse sides, in the median zone of these, on the one hand, the along its internal periphery, a notch 49, with rounded transverse profile, by which it covers the corresponding appendage 45 of the central member 18, and, on the other hand, along its outer periphery, beyond the notch 49, a notch 50, with rounded transverse profile, the amplitude of which is lower than that of the notch 49, and by which it covers the corresponding rib 47 of the plate 11 beyond the appendix 45 of the central member 18.

In the embodiment shown, the peripheral edge 41 of the seal 40, moreover, also, locally, projecting from its upper surface, four bosses 51, which, arranged in a rectangle, are intended to absorb the tilting of the operating finger formed by the organ central 18.

Finally, in the embodiment shown, the seal 40 has, in its central area, at least one knockout 52, for the passage of the coach, not visible in the figures, that the central member 18 usually protrudes on its lower surface to act on the mechanism 14 of the electrical equipment 15.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, two knockouts 52 are provided, which are arranged in diametrically opposite positions with respect to each other, of which only one is used according to the orientation of the central member 18, and therefore of the hubcap 19, compared to plate 11.

Preferably, and this is the case in the embodiment shown, the hubcap 19 is integral with the plate 11 and thus forms with this a unitary sub-assembly whose assembly is in practice carried out in workshop.

In the embodiment shown, for securing the hubcap 19 to the plate 11, screws 53 pass from behind the flange 31 of the plate 11, by means of holes 54 provided for this purpose in the zones angle of this flange 31, and these screws 53 are in screw connection with wells 55 provided in correspondence for this purpose on the hubcap 19, and, more specifically, on the lower surface of the legs 34 thereof.

The fact that the central member 18 is inserted by appendages 45 between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11, it belongs by construction to the same sub-assembly than this hubcap 19 and this plate 11.

The installation, in situ, of the covering 10 according to the invention on the support 12 is advantageously facilitated.

In addition, the screws 53 acting from the rear, the hubcap 19 is cannot be dismantled from the front, and the same applies to the central body 18.

It is therefore impossible to have access to the mechanism 14 of the apparatus. electric 15 without prior deposit of the plate 11.

In the embodiment shown, a seal 56 is provided between the plate 11 and the support 12, to oppose, together with the seal 40, upon any penetration of moisture into the housing 13 in which the mechanism 14 of the electrical equipment 15 intervenes.

Preferably, this seal 56 is glued under the plate 11 all the way around it, to participate in the same subset that this plate 11.

In its corner areas, the seal 56 has holes 57 for the passage of the screws 24 ensuring the fixing of the assembly to the support 12.

In the embodiment shown, this seal 56 is at less partially engaged in a housing 58 provided for this purpose recessed on the bottom surface of the plate 11.

In any case, it is at least partially overwritten when fixing from this plate 11 to the support 12.

The plate 11 can for example be made of metal or of material synthetic duly reinforced by a reinforcement, and, for example, by a fiber reinforcement.

It can be the same for the hubcap 19 and / or the central member 18.

But, in all cases, the plate 11 advantageously collects everything any frontal impact to which the hubcap 19 may be subjected and / or the central organ 18, thus sparing the underlying mechanism 14 of the electrical equipment 15 concerned.

It is also just as well able to absorb a possible shock more or less oblique.

According to a variant embodiment shown in broken lines on Figure 3, the support means 30 provided between the hubcap 19 and the plate 11 have, on the hubcap 19, a flange 59 by which this hubcap 19 overflows, at least locally, on plate 11.

This rim 59 can intervene jointly with the rim 31 of the plate 11 or as a substitute for it.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the forms of realization described and represented, but includes any variant and / or a combination of their various elements.

In particular, instead of laying directly on the plate, as more particularly described or shown, the hubcap can also be just as well bear indirectly on this plate, via a any intermediate piece, the main thing being that, with regard to a possible frontal impact or more or less oblique, the plate is an obstacle between him and the mechanism of the underlying electrical equipment.

In addition, the scope of the invention is not limited to that of switches only, but on the contrary extends to that of any other type of electrical equipment, and, for example, to socket outlets current.

Finally, instead of being built into a wall, the electrical equipment concerned can just as well be projecting on such a wall, the support on which must be attached the corresponding covering then being formed by a case itself duly reported on this wall.

Claims (15)

Cover for electrical apparatus, of the type comprising a plate (11), generally in the form of a frame, which is intended to be added from the front on a support (12) forming a housing (13) for the mechanism (14) of the electrical equipment (15) concerned, with, in the central opening (16) of this plate (11), on the one hand, a central organ (18), on which the use depends of this mechanism (14), and, on the other hand, a cover (19), which extends annularly around the central member (18), between the latter and the plate (11), characterized in that, between the cover (19) and the plate (11), there are provided support means (30), which, in particular, play a significant role perpendicular to the plate (11). Cover according to claim 1, characterized in that the means support (30) provided between the hubcap (19) and the plate (11) comprise, on the plate (11), a flange (31), which borders the central opening (16) of this plate (11) on at least part of its periphery, and on which the hubcap (19) door, at least locally, from the front, either directly or indirectly. Cover according to claim 2, characterized in that the flange (31) which borders the central opening (16) of the plate (11) extends over the whole around it. Dressing according to any one of claims 2, 3, characterized in that the flange (31) which borders the central opening (16) of the plate (11) extends back from the front surface (22) of this one. Dressing according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, between the cover (19) and the plate (11), there are provided centering means (35, 46). Dressing according to claims 2 and 5, taken together, characterized in that the centering means (35, 36) provided between the hubcap (19) and the plate (11) comprise at least two pins (35), which, projecting from the lower surface of the hubcap (19), each cooperating individually with housings (36) provided for this purpose on the edge (31) of the plate (11). Dressing according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, between the cover (19) and the plate (11), there are provided indexing means (38, 39). Dressing according to claims 2 and 7, taken together, characterized in that the indexing means (38, 39) provided between the cover (19) and the plate (11) comprise at least one pin (38), which, in projection on the lower surface of the hubcap (19), cooperates with a housing (39) provided in correspondence for this purpose on the rim (31) of the plate (11). Dressing according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that between the cover (19) and the plate (11) is inserted a seal (40). Dressing according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the hubcap (19) is integral with the plate (11) and forms thus with this a unitary subset. Dressing according to claims 2 and 10, taken together, characterized in that, for the attachment of the hubcap (19) to the plate (11), screws (53) pass from the rear edge (31) of the plate (11), at the favor of holes (54) provided for this purpose therein, and these screws (53) are in screw connection with wells (55) provided in correspondence on the hubcap (19). Dressing according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the central member (18) has at least locally a appendage (45), which projects laterally, and by which it is inserted between the hubcap (19) and the plate (11). Cover according to claims 2 and 12, taken together, characterized in that, the central member (18) being an operating finger mounted tilting, it comprises, in diametrically opposite positions, one by relative to each other, two appendages (45), which, aligned with each other, each have, recessed on their lower surface, a groove (46) to rounded transverse profile, and, in correspondence, the edge (31) of the plate (11) has, locally, projecting from its upper surface, two ribs (47) with rounded transverse profile. Dressing according to claims 9 and 13, taken together, characterized in that the seal (40) inserted between the cover (19) and the plate (11) extends continuously under the central member (18). Dressing according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, characterized in that a seal (56) is glued under the plate (11) all the way around it.

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