EP0951105A2 - Multiple socket - Google Patents

Abstract

Conductors (20, 40) and contacts (17, 18, 22, 25) are arranged on a chassis (13) inserted in the casing. The chassis is assembled from a number of modules (14, 15).

Description

The invention relates to a multiple socket for power plug, in particular one Protective contact socket strip according to the preamble of claim 1. The term contact elements includes contact springs for contacting one Power plug, terminals for supplying an electrical potential the conductors and bridge contacts for the electrical connection of conductor pieces.

Such a multiple socket is known from EP 0 552 655 A1. The well-known Multiple socket has a number of the housing in the longitudinal direction through exciting electrical conductors, on which the contact elements below Use of an insulation displacement technique on which the conductors are pushed. Either the conductors as well as the contact elements are molded onto the housing Tabs kept. The insulation displacement technique makes one special achieved simple assembly, which is particularly good using an automatic placement machine is to be carried out.

Multiple sockets with a different number are usually used of slots for power plugs. Adversely, the known multiple socket for any given number of slots have their own housing. Likewise, for different Modifications to the multiple socket - for example, one with a switch or a fuse provided multiple socket - as well as for multiple sockets with different country-specific versions of the slots a separate housing shape is required. This leads to high costs in the manufacture and storage of the individual parts of the multiple socket.

The invention is therefore based on the object of having a multiple socket particularly high degree of prefabrication with low assembly effort specify.

This object is achieved by a within the housing Chassis is provided, which is the ladder and on this according to the type of Insulation displacement technology arranges pushed contact elements in a fixed position. The chassis is composed of a number of modules.

As a result of the modular design, the prefabricated Modules a chassis with any number of slots are generated. The housing parts are therefore for different lengths of the multiple socket prefabricated or available as continuous material. When assembling it is then only necessary to cut the housing to the desired length.

The conductors are preferably constructed from conductor pieces, each of which is inside of a module. In this way, the module can be pre-fabricated with the conductor pieces and the contact springs or terminals be provided. When assembling the Chassis then only have to conduct the adjacent conductor pieces in an electrically conductive manner get connected. This is expediently done by means of the conductor pieces slid on bridge contacts. In turn, the manufacturing technology particularly inexpensive insulation displacement contacting used.

The modular design is used particularly advantageously by the chassis is composed of plug-in modules, each of which is a single slot correspond. In this way, it can be pre-made with a particularly small number Parts, especially common parts, any number of slots be generated. The consistent use of identical parts lowers on the one hand the total construction effort and on the other hand the storage costs. The unit cost for identical parts are therefore comparatively low. Especially with a multiple socket only one connection is required for each conductor, are the connection terminals logically contained in a connection module. This connection module is in the longitudinal direction at one end of the chassis arranged modules and thus closes the chassis at least on one side from. Preferably only one connection module is provided for a multiple socket. However, it may make sense at each end of the chassis to provide a connection module. The connection module is advantageous to increase the safety of the multiple socket with an interruption switch the live conductor.

T"-förmige Fügezapfen und dazu komplementär ausgebildete Zapfenaufnahmen ausgeführt. Zur gegenseitigen Befestigung zweier Module ist der oder jeder Fügezapfen eines Modus dabei formschlüssig in eine korrespondierende Zapfenaufnahme eines benachbarten Modus eingeschoben. Die Module sind somit effektiv gegen eine Relativbewegung sowohl in Längs- als auch in Querrichtung geschützt.Joining elements provided on the end faces of the modules fix the modules lined up on the end face to one another in their position relative to one another. During final assembly, the chassis can be pushed into the housing as a block. Furthermore, relative movements of the modules that permanently impair the electrical contact between the conductor pieces are excluded in this way. The joining elements are preferred as

T "-shaped spigot and complementary designed spigot receptacles. To attach two modules to each other, the or each spigot of one mode is positively inserted into a corresponding spigot receptacle of an adjacent mode. The modules are thus effective against relative movement both in longitudinal and in Cross direction protected.

Each module expediently has an approximate one H "-shaped support profile with a base plate and two side walls perpendicular to it. This support profile is particularly favorable for the stability of the chassis on the one hand H "profile from a safety point of view, particularly favorable, especially since the contact elements and the conductors are spaced from the housing wall and inside the H profiles are surrounded on three sides so that they are safe to touch. Even if the housing is damaged, the contact elements are largely secured against contact.

In this case, projections are formed on an upper side of the base plate, which both fix the conductors as well as the contact elements with regard to their position. A such a projection serves as a support for the conductor when sliding the Contact element and ensures that the contact element remains securely in place in its deferred position. Furthermore, the fixing projections serve as Counter with an elastic deformation of a contact spring, as z. B. at inserted mains plug occurs.

While the live conductors as well as the contact elements on the Are arranged top of the base plate, which is in a preferred embodiment provided protective conductor advantageously on the underside of the Base plate arranged. The protective conductor and the live conductors are effectively isolated from each other in spite of the close proximity. There is also also a clear optical separation between the protective conductor and the live conductors, which creates the risk of accidental incorrect connection is reduced.

A housing with an essentially as U "profile formed housing base, a housing cover provided with a number of plug pots and two sides of drainage pieces can advantageously be produced regardless of the length of the multiple socket. For the final assembly, only the length of the housing base and the housing cover have to be adjusted to the desired dimension. As a result of a composition of the housing cover from individual cover pieces, each containing a plug pot, the assembly is further simplified.

By fixing each cover piece in position on one below it The module is easily centered over the module Insert module reached. For this purpose, holding pins are preferred on each cover piece provided in corresponding hollow cylindrical receptacles of the plug-in module are inserted.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Mehrfachsteckdose mit einem Schalter und vier Einsteckplätzen für Netzstecker,

Fig. 2

eine Explosionsdarstellung der Mehrfachsteckdose gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

schematisch einen Längsschnitt durch die Mehrfachsteckdose gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 4

in Draufsicht ein Einsteckmodul der Mehrfachsteckdose gemäß Fig. 1,

Fig. 5

einen Querschnitt V-V durch das Einsteckmodul gemäß Fig. 4,

Fig. 6

einen Längsschnitt durch zwei zusammengesetzte Einsteckmodule,

Fig. 7

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Kontaktfeder zur Kontaktierung der Kontaktstifte eines Netzsteckers,

Fig. 8

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Kontaktfeder zur Kontaktierung der Schutzleiterkontakte eines Netzsteckers (auch als Schutzkontaktbügel bezeichnet),

Fig. 9

in perspektivischer Darstellung einen Brückenkontakt,

Fig. 10

in Draufsicht ein Anschlußmodul einer Mehrfachsteckdose gemäß Fig. 1, und

Fig. 11 bis Fig. 13

in perspektivischer Darstellung Anschlußklemmen.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. Show:

Fig. 1

in perspective a multiple socket with a switch and four slots for power plugs,

Fig. 2

2 shows an exploded view of the multiple socket according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3

schematically shows a longitudinal section through the multiple socket according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 4

in plan view a plug-in module of the multiple socket according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 5

4 shows a cross section VV through the plug-in module according to FIG. 4,

Fig. 6

a longitudinal section through two assembled plug-in modules,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a contact spring for contacting the contact pins of a power plug,

Fig. 8

a perspective view of a contact spring for contacting the protective conductor contacts of a power plug (also referred to as a protective contact clip),

Fig. 9

a perspective view of a bridge contact,

Fig. 10

in plan view a connection module of a multiple socket according to FIG. 1, and

11 to 13

in a perspective view of terminals.

The multiple socket 1 shown in FIG. 1 has four of a housing 2 Surrounded slots 3 for power plug. By means of a switch 4 can the mains voltage supplied to the plug-in locations 3 via a mains cable 5 to be interrupted.

The structure of the multiple socket 1 is illustrated in an exploded view in FIG. 2. For reasons of clarity, the electrically conductive components of the multiple socket 1 are not shown. The housing 2 comprises a housing base 6, which is essentially U "-shaped profile is designed and extends in the longitudinal direction L over the entire length claimed by the plug-in locations 3 and the switch 4. The housing base 6 is provided with guide rails 7 running in the longitudinal direction L. The guide rails 7 are at the free ends of the U "leg of the housing base 6 arranged and protrude facing each other in the A housing cover 8 can be inserted into the guide rails 7. The housing cover 8 is composed of individual cover pieces 9. Each cover piece 9 is provided with a plug pot 10 for receiving a power plug (not shown). A modified cover piece 9a also serves as Enclosure for the switch 4 mentioned at the outset. The housing 2 is closed at its open end faces by a side end piece 11 pushed onto the housing base 6. In the side end piece 11 adjacent to the switch 4, a rubber connecting piece 12, which does not show the power cable 5, is inserted, which prevents the power cord 5 from kinking in the sensitive connection area.

A chassis 13 is inserted into the housing base 6 and acts as a mounting frame serves for the electrically conductive components of the multiple socket 1. The Chassis 13 is made up of identical plug-in modules lined up at the end 14 composed. A plug-in module 14 is centered below a slot 3 arranged and contains those corresponding to the slot 3 electrically conductive components. On the facing the power cord 5 The chassis 13 is closed at the longitudinal end by a connection module 15, which is lined up at the end of a plug-in module 14.

In Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section through the multiple socket according to FIG. 1 in schematic represented in a simplified form. After that is an exciting one Core 16 of the power cord 5 via a terminal 17 on the input side with the Switch 4 connected. The term live wire 16 includes the Phase and the neutral conductor of the power cord 5. Especially since the safety plug are symmetrical with respect to a rotation through 180 °, both can be live Cores 16 depending on the orientation of the network plug, not shown the power cord 5 be both phase and neutral.

A terminal 18 connects the switch 4 on the output side with an im Connection module 15 arranged conductor piece 19, which is part of a live Head 20 of the multiple socket 1 is. The exciting one Head 20 is composed of conductor pieces 19 and 21, which are each within of the connection module 15 or each plug-in module 14. The Conductor pieces 19, 21 preferably consist of bare copper wire. Alternatively however, the conductor pieces 19, 21 can also be made of insulated conductor wire or be made of metal rails. Adjacent conductor pieces 19 or 21 are electrically connected by means of a bridge contact 22.

To contact the contact pins 23 of a power plug 24 is with each conductor piece 21 a contact spring 25 connected. The contact spring 25 is under one arranged in the bottom of the plug pot 10 introduced passage opening 26. The terminal 18, the bridge contacts 22 and the contact springs 25 are to establish an electrically conductive connection to the corresponding Conductor pieces 19, 21 pushed on using an insulation displacement technique, detailed in connection with FIG. 7 and in EP 0 552 655 A1 is described.

4 shows the plug-in module 14 in a top view. Because of The electrically conductive components of the plug-in module 14 are clear corresponding to the sliding arrows P parallel to their installation position drawn.

The plug-in module 14 - as is also clear from the cross-section VV shown in FIG. 5 - approximately one H "-shaped support frame 30 with a base plate 31 and two side walls 32 standing perpendicularly thereon. Near each side wall 32 and parallel to this, one conductor piece 21 of the two live conductors 20 is arranged on an upper side 33 of the base plate 31 in a form-fitting manner in the conductor slots 34 formed on the base plate 31. The contact spring 25 pushed onto each conductor piece 21 is surrounded in a chamber-like manner by a projection 35 which is also formed on the base surface 31. The projection 35 fixes the contact spring 25 on the plug-in module 14 on the one hand and on the other hand serves the projection 35 as a counterhold in the event of an elastic bending of the contact spring 25 when the mains plug 24 is inserted (according to FIG. 3).

The two projections 35 and thus the contact springs 25 are mutual aligned that one in the installation position through their contact areas 36 drawn connecting line V to the longitudinal direction L an angle of approx. 45 °. In this arrangement, power plugs are inserted diagonally into the Multiple socket 1 inserted. In this way it is particularly avoided that two plugged into adjacent slots 3 each other hinder. Perpendicular to this connecting line V and between the two Projections 35 is formed on the top 33 as a protective contact bracket 37 Contact spring for contacting the protective conductor contacts of a protective contact plug arranged. The protective contact bracket 37 passes through with a Contact terminal 38 the base plate 31. The contact terminal 38 makes contact a conductor piece 39 of a protective conductor 40. The conductor piece 39 lies in a Bottom 41 of the base plate 31 open conductor channel 42. The protective conductor bracket 37 is by projections 43 and fixing pin 44 on the base plate 31st held. For this purpose, the fixing pins 44 penetrate corresponding bushings 45 of the protective contact bow 37.

By means of hollow cylindrical projections 46 projecting vertically from the upper side 33 of the base plate 31 for receiving corresponding retaining pins of a cover piece 9 corresponding to the plug-in module 14 (according to FIG. 2), the cover piece 9 is fixed in position on the plug-in module 14 such that each passage opening 26 (according to FIG 3) is positioned vertically above the contact area 36 of a contact spring 25. The plug-in module 14 is on one end with two T "-shaped joining pegs 47 are provided. The joining pegs 47 are used in conjunction with peg receptacles 48 arranged on the opposite end side (not visible in FIGS. 4 and 5) for fixing the position of two plug-in modules 14 in a row.

As in Fig. 6 using a longitudinal section through two interconnected Module 14 or 15 and 14 is illustrated, the grips on the underside 41 the base plate 31 attached joining pins 47 form-fitting into the pin receptacles 48. Furthermore, FIG. 6 is a more detailed illustration compared to FIG. 3 the connection of two adjacent conductor pieces 21 or 19 and 21 by means of of the bridge contact 22 can be seen. The by means of two contact terminals 38 deferred bridge contact 22 is in chamber-like manner on each contact terminal 38 a projection 49 of the base plate 31 held. Thus the bridge contact is strengthened 22 the mechanical connection produced by the joining elements 47 and 48 between the two modules 14 (or also 15 and 14). The in Fig. 6 Conductor pieces 39, not visible, of the protective conductor 40 are in the same way a further bridge contact 22 connected. However, this is mirror symmetrical to the bridge contact 22 shown in FIG. 6 on the underside 41 pushed onto the conductor pieces 39 arranged in the conductor channel 42.

FIGS. 7 to 9 and FIGS. 11 to 13 show perspective representations of the contact elements. The term contact element is used in Framework of this application as a generic term for terminals, bridge contacts and contact springs used. The contact elements are preferably in one piece formed from punched sheet metal.

The contact spring 25 according to FIG. 7 contains two opposite symmetrical ones Parts. It is in its central area by two circular arches, with its concave side facing each other. This Sub-areas complement each other to form an oval contact area 36, which at least partially the contact pin 23, not shown here, of a plugged in according to FIG Power plug 24 sheathed. The two halves of the oval contact area 36 are each flanked on the outside by a spring clip 50. The connection area between the two symmetrical halves of the contact spring 25 is designed as a contact terminal 38. This includes two parallel to each other Contact arms 51, which form a clamping slot 52 between them. With the aforementioned Insulation displacement contacting, the contact terminal 38 is on the Slid on the conductor piece 21 so that it lies in the clamping slot 52. When postponed the contact clamp 38 on the conductor piece 21 cut the contact arms 51 in the conductor material. On the one hand, this creates a good electrical one Contact between the contact terminal 38 and the conductor piece 21. On the other hand this creates an effective frictional connection between the conductor piece 21 and the contact terminal 38. Both the contact spring 25 and the Contact terminal 38 are also described in detail in EP 0 552 655 A1, the disclosure content of which is expressly referred to. The revelation content EP 0 552 655 A1 is the subject of the present application be.

8 is a contact spring designed as a protective contact bracket 37 for contacting of the protective contacts of a protective contact plug. The same The protective contact clip 37 described in more detail in EP 0 552 655 A1 has the shape an elongated sheet metal strip with a flat central region 54, to which bracket arms bent towards each other by an angle exceeding 90 ° 55 connect. The central area 54 has two bushings 45, which serve to fix the protective contact bracket 36 on the chassis 13. Furthermore a contact terminal 38 is integrally formed on the side of the central region 54. This serves the electrical connection of the protective contact bracket 37 to the protective conductor 40.

The bridge contact 22 shown in FIG. 9 essentially has the shape of a horseshoe-shaped sheet metal strip. Each leg 53 of the Bridge contact 22 formed as a contact terminal 38.

The connection module 15 shown in plan view according to FIG. 10 has a carrier profile 30 with a base plate 31 and side walls 32, which in terms of its geometry, the carrier profile 30 of the plug-in module shown in FIG. 5 14 corresponds. However, the side walls 32 extend in the longitudinal direction L only over part of the connection module 15. For connecting the connection module 15 with a subsequent plug-in module 14 is the connection module 15 provided on one end face with two joining pins 47. Because the connection module 15 provided at the end of the chassis 13 in the longitudinal direction L. is corresponding pin receptacles 48 on the opposite Front side of the connection module 15 is not required. The one opposite the joining pin 48 Front of the connection module 15 is instead with a strain relief 70 provided for a power cord 5, not shown. The two terminals 17 for connecting the live wires 16 with the Input of the switch 4 (according to FIG. 3) lie on projections 71 of the base plate 31 on. To fix the connecting terminals 17, it passes through with two angled ones Clamp arms 72 corresponding slots 73 in the base plate 31.

Each terminal 17 is in the longitudinal direction L at a distance from a terminal 18 opposite. The mutually facing ends of the terminals carry 17 and 18 each have a spring clip 74 which is used to hold a Flat connector as the input or output contact of the (hatched according to FIG. 10 indicated) switch 4 is provided. The opposite of the spring clip 74 End of the terminal 18 carries two contact terminals 38 with which the terminal 18 on the conductor piece 19 of the live conductor 20 is postponed. The conductor piece 19 lies in conductor slots 34. These conductor slots 34 also serve to fix the terminal 18. The Protective conductor wire of the power cord 5 is connected to a terminal 75. This terminal 75 extends through two contact terminals 38 corresponding Bushings 76 of the base plate 31 arranged above the conductor channel 42. The contact terminals 38 are on the conductor piece 77 of the protective conductor 40 postponed.

The terminal 75 shown in perspective in FIG. 11 is in the manner of a Flat clamp already described in EP 0 552 655 A1. The Core of the power cord 5 is used to make contact between one in one Threaded bore 80 inserted screw and the clamp body 81 jammed.

The terminal 17 shown in Fig. 12 has a flat terminal 82 for contacting a wire of the power cord 5 and a B "-shaped spring clamp 74 for contacting a flat plug of the switch 4. Angled and barbed clamp arms 72 serve to fix the connection clamp 17 on the base plate 31.

Fig. 13 shows the terminals 18. These are identified by a L "-shaped clamp body 84. Because of the asymmetrical L "shape of the terminal body, the connecting terminals 18 provided for contacting the opposite live conductors 20 are mirror images of one another. The connecting terminal 18 is provided at one end of the terminal body 84 with a spring terminal 74 for contacting a flat plug of the switch 4. The other end of the Terminal body 84 carries two contact terminals 38, with which the terminal 18 is pushed onto the conductor pieces 19.

Reference list

1

power strip

2nd

casing

3rd

Slot

4th

counter

5

Power cord

6

Case back

7

Guide rails

8th

Housing cover

9, 9a

Cover piece

10th

Plug pot

11

Side end piece

12th

Rubber socket

13

chassis

14

Plug-in module

15

Connection module

16

live wire of the Power cord

17th

Connector

18th

Connector

19th

Ladder section

20th

live conductor

21

Ladder section

22

Bridge contact

23

Contact pin

24th

Power plug

25th

Contact spring

26

Outlet openings

30th

Beam profile

31

Base plate

32

side walls

33

Top

34

Ladder slot

35

head Start

36

Contact area

37

Protective contact bracket

38

Contact clamp

39

Ladder section

40

Protective conductor

41

bottom

42

Conductor channel

43

head Start

44

Fixing pin

45

execution

46

head Start

47

Joining pin

48

Cone holder

49

head Start

50

Spring clip

51

Contact arms

52

Clamping slot

53

leg

54

Middle range

55

Bracket arms

70

Strain relief

71

head Start

72

Clamp arm

73

slot

74

Spring clip

75

Connector

76

execution

77

Ladder section

80

Tapped hole

81

Terminal body

82

Flat clamp

83

Barbs

84

Terminal body

L

Longitudinal direction

P

Arrow

V

Connecting line

Claims (14)

Multiple socket for mains plug, with a housing (2) in which a number of electrical conductors (20, 40) running in the longitudinal direction (L) of the housing (2) with contact elements (17, 18,22,25,37,75) are arranged fixed in position,
characterized, that the conductors (20, 40) and the contact elements (17, 18, 22, 25, 37, 75) are arranged on a chassis (13) inserted into the housing (2), and that the chassis (13) is composed of a number of modules (14, 15). Multiple socket according to claim 1,
characterized, that each electrical conductor (20.40) is composed of conductor pieces (19.21.39.77), a conductor piece (19.21.39.77) extending only within one mode (14.15). Multiple socket according to claim 2,
characterized, that two adjacent conductor pieces (19,21,39,77) of a conductor (20,40) are electrically conductively connected by means of a bridge contact (22) pushed onto the conductor pieces (19,21,39,77). Multiple socket according to one of claims 1 to 3,
marked by a plug-in module (14), which has a plug-in location (3) for a power plug ker associated contact springs (25,37) contains. Multiple socket according to one of claims 1 to 4,
marked by a connection module (15) which closes the chassis (13) at least on one side and which contains connection terminals (17, 18, 75) pushed onto the conductors (20, 40) for connecting the conductors (20, 40) to a mains cable (5). Multiple socket according to claim 5,
characterized, that the connection module (15) contains a switch (4) for interrupting the live conductor (20). Multiple socket according to one of claims 1 to 6,
characterized, that the module (14, 15) has joining elements (46, 47) on its end faces for the end-to-end and mutually fixed sequence of several modules (14, 15). Multiple socket according to claim 7,
characterized, that the joining elements (46,47) one

T "-shaped spigot (46) and a complementary spigot receptacle (47) into which the spigot (46) can be inserted with a positive fit. Multiple socket according to one of claims 1 to 8
characterized, that the module (14, 15) is an approximation H "-shaped support profile (30) with a base plate (31) and two vertical walls (32) thereon. Multiple socket according to claim 9,
characterized, that on an upper side (33) of the base plate (31) projections (35,43,44, 49,71) are formed which fix the contact elements (17,18,22,25,37,75) on the base plate (31) . Multiple socket according to claim 9 or 10,
characterized, that the conductors (20, 40) comprise two live conductors (20) and a protective conductor (40), and that the live conductors (20) and the protective conductor (40) run on opposite sides (33, 41) of the base plate (31) are. Multiple socket according to one of claims 1 to 11,
characterized, that the housing (2) is essentially a U "-shaped profile formed housing base (6), a housing cover (8) containing a number of connector pots (10) and two side end pieces (11). Multiple socket according to claim 12,
characterized, that the housing cover (8) is composed of lined-up cover pieces (9) each containing a plug pot (10). Multiple socket according to claim 13,
characterized, that the or each cover piece (9) is placed in a fixed position on a module arranged below it.

Images