EP2106000A1 - Socket device - Google Patents

Abstract

The arrangement (11) has a housing (60) comprising sockets (24) and a safety switch (25) that is provided for safety disconnection of power supply to the sockets. A protection device is attached to the switch, and protects the switch against unintentional actuation. The protection device has a plate shaped function element (31) detachably fastened at the housing by a fastening unit. The function element occupies a switch height of the switch in an usage position, and does not cover the switch. The function element is formed as a plastic profile i.e. plastic injected cast profile.

Description

The invention relates to a socket assembly, comprising a housing having at least two in a row direction successively arranged sockets and a safety switch for safety shutdown of the power supply to the sockets, wherein the safety switch rises with a Schaltbauhöhe on top of the housing and the safety switch to a protective device whose protection against unintentional operation is assigned.

Such protective devices are already known and are mainly used to secure the safety switch during transport against unintentional actuation. Without such a protective device, there is a risk that the socket assembly is aligned with the top down during transport and thereby, possibly supported by a force acting on the socket assembly load, the safety switch no longer in one of its stable end positions, ie in the input or Exhibition remains, but is permanently charged in an intermediate position and in this intermediate position. As a result, the safety switch can be damaged, with the risk that it can no longer perform its function. To prevent this, protective devices are already known, which are designed as housing, whereby the safety switch housed and thus protected. However, it is disadvantageous that such a housing must first be removed during operation of the socket arrangement or brought into a position, for example, by unfolding, so that the safety switch can be actuated. This is cumbersome and there is also the danger that the housing will be damaged in turn.

The object of the invention is therefore to provide a socket assembly of the type mentioned, in which the safety switch is protected in a simple and cost-effective manner against inadvertent operation.

This object is achieved by a socket arrangement with the features of independent claim 1. Further developments of the invention are shown in the subclaims.

The socket arrangement according to the invention is characterized in that the protective device has at least one plate-like functional element which can be detachably fastened to the housing via fastening means, which occupies at least the height of the switch of the safety switch in a position of use fastened to the housing and the safety switch is arranged in an unobtrusive manner.

The plate-like functional element thus occupies at least the switch height of the safety switch, which prevents the safety switch is actuated unintentionally, if the socket assembly, for example, during transport, with its upper surface rests flat against the ground or adjacent components. The safety switch is thus blocked by the functional element. Furthermore, the functional element does not cover the safety switch, like the known from the prior art housings, so that it is not necessary to first remove the housing or position such that operation of the safety switch is only possible in the operation of the socket assembly. Furthermore, the functional element can be exchanged in a simple manner.

In a further development of the invention, the functional element is formed like a clip, wherein the fastening means are formed by at least one locking projection and at least one cooperating with the locking projection locking receptacle, which are locked together in the position of use, the functional element on the housing. The functional element, which can also be referred to as a functional clip or socket clip, can therefore be fastened to the housing in a simple manner, with no need for separate or additional fastening means, for example screws, in the case of such a type of fastening. Alternatively, it is of course possible, the functional element in other ways, for example, by the aforementioned screws to attach to the housing.

In a particularly preferred manner, the at least one latching projection is located on the functional element, while the at least one latching receptacle is arranged on the housing. In principle, however, it would also be conceivable to arrange the at least one latching projection on the housing and the at least one latching receptacle on the functional element.

In a particularly preferred manner, the housing of the socket arrangement is constructed in several parts, wherein an elongated base profile is provided, at the end in each case an end piece is attached, wherein the end pieces each have a receiving portion have for receiving the associated functional element. In such an embodiment, therefore, functional elements are provided on both end pieces, which are then arranged so to speak left and right of the safety switch. This prevents that the socket, if it is directed with its top side down, supported on one side, as would be conceivable, for example, the quite conceivable use of only one functional element. Of course, it is possible to install the at least one functional element also in socket arrangements, which are not constructed in several parts of base profile and two end pieces, but consist of two joinable half-shells. Even with such socket assemblies, the attachment of one or two, arranged at opposite end portions of functional elements makes sense.

In a further development of the invention, the receiving sections are configured as depressions, in each of which the associated functional element can be inserted.

In a particularly preferred manner, the end pieces are sleeve-like, designed with respect to the base profile of larger cross-section, and each have an insertion, with the attaching to the associated end face of the base profile is possible. The base profile preferably has a receptacle for the plug sockets and the least one safety switch exhibiting plug-in module. In a particularly preferred manner, the functional element has a plate-like base portion and a transversely thereto, strip-like panel section over which a gap formed between the top of the plug-in module and a lower edge of the associated end piece can be closed.

In a particularly preferred manner, the functional element has an imprint with consumer information. The consumer information may be, for example, writing, numbers, symbols, icons, pictures or the like.

Conveniently, the functional element is designed as a plastic profile, in particular Kunststoffspritzgießprofil.

Figur 1

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines ersten Ausführungsbeispiels der erfindungsgemäßen Steckdosenanordnung,

Figur 2

eine perspektivische Unteransicht auf die Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1,

Figur 3

einen Längsschnitt durch die Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1 entlang der Linie III-III von Figur 1,

Figur 4

einen Längsschnitt gemäß Figur 3 ohne Einschubmodul,

Figur 5

einen Querschnitt durch die Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1 entlang der Linie V-V in Figur 1,

Figur 6

eine perspektivische Ansicht auf die Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1 ohne Endstücke,

Figur 7

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Basisprofils der Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1,

Figur 8

eine perspektivische Darstellung eines der Endstükke der Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1 mit aufgesetztem Funktionselement,

Figur 9

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Endstücks gemäß Figur 8 mit abgenommenem Funktionselement,

Figur 10

eine perspektivische Unteransicht auf das Funktionselement von Figur 9,

Figur 11

eine perspektivische Darstellung auf eine ersten Ausführungsform eines Schutzabdeckungselements der Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1 und

Figur 12

eine perspektivische Darstellung auf eine zweite Ausführungsform eines Schutzabdeckungselementes der Steckdosenanordnung von Figur 1.

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the drawings and will be explained in more detail below. In the drawing show:

FIG. 1

a perspective view of a first embodiment of the socket arrangement according to the invention,

FIG. 2

a bottom perspective view of the socket assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3

a longitudinal section through the socket assembly of FIG. 1 along the line III-III of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4

a longitudinal section according to FIG. 3 without plug-in module,

FIG. 5

a cross section through the socket assembly of FIG. 1 along the line VV in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 6

a perspective view of the socket assembly of FIG. 1 without tails,

FIG. 7

a perspective view of the base profile of the socket assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 8

a perspective view of one of the Endstükke the socket assembly of FIG. 1 with attached functional element,

FIG. 9

a perspective view of the tail according to FIG. 8 with removed functional element,

FIG. 10

a perspective bottom view of the functional element of FIG. 9 .

FIG. 11

a perspective view of a first embodiment of a protective cover member of the socket assembly of FIG. 1 and

FIG. 12

a perspective view of a second embodiment of a protective cover member of the socket assembly of FIG. 1 ,

The FIGS. 1 to 5 It is shown by way of example with reference to a power strip with in a row direction 12 linearly arranged one behind the other function sections. Alternatively, it is possible to group the functional sections differently, for example in the form of a square, rectangle or circular.

The socket assembly 11 is shown by way of example with a housing 60 in a multi-part design, wherein an elongated Base profile 13 is provided, at the end in each case an end piece 14a, 14b is attached.

As in particular in FIG. 7 shown, the base profile 13 is designed like a groove and has an elongated receptacle 15 for a plug-in module 16, on which in turn some of the function sections are described in more detail below are formed. One of these functional sections is located on the base profile 13 itself and is designed as a cable receptacle 18 for receiving a power cable (not shown) of the socket assembly 11. The cable receptacle 18 is the base profile side formed by the outer sides of the side walls 17a, 17b of the base profile 13, which are concave. Furthermore, the cable receptacle 18 extends over the end pieces, which also have a concave curvature on their outer sides for this purpose. Thereby, it is possible to wrap the power cord around the peripheral surface of the socket assembly 11, where it is then housed in the peripheral vaults.

The base profile 13 may be made of plastic or alternatively of metal. In the case of plastic, the production by means of plastic injection molding, that is, the base profile 13 is in this case a Kunststoffspritzgießteil. When using metal, in particular aluminum is suitable, wherein the base profile is then preferably designed as an aluminum extruded profile. However, other metals or their alloys are also suitable.

As in particular in the FIGS. 6 and 7 2, the two opposite side walls 17a, 17b of the base profile 13 merge into a bottom 19, on the outside of which two longitudinal slots 20a, 20b running parallel to each other in the row direction 13 are formed ( FIG. 2 ). Opposite the bottom 19, the side walls 17a, 17b are bent inwards on the upper side, so that, as it were, two upper strips 21a, 21b extending parallel to each other at a distance are formed. Slightly below the upper edges of the upper strips 21a, 21b, there are also two longitudinal grooves 22a, 22b running parallel to one another in the row direction 13, which are each open to the upper side and sliding, as it were, according to the tongue-and-groove principle for correspondingly alongside the insertion module 16 Longitudinal slots 23a, 23b is used. By the corresponding longitudinal grooves 22a, 22b and longitudinal slots 23a, 23b, the plug-in module 16 can be inserted into the base profile 13 in a simple manner.

The plug-in module 16 is preferably a plastic injection-molded part. As in particular in FIG. 3 shown, are located on the plug-in module 16 more of the functional sections of which at least two are designed as sockets 24. By way of example, four sockets 24 arranged one behind the other in the row direction 12 are provided. As another functional section is a safety switch 25 via which the power supply to the sockets 24 can be interrupted. The safety switch 25 rises above the top of the housing or in this case the plug-in module 16 with a switch height. The safety switch 25 has two end positions, namely an on position, which allows a power supply to the sockets 24, and a position that interrupts the power supply. Conveniently, the safety switch 25 is illuminated and configured bipolar.

Below the socket pots 26 of the respective sockets 24 is a contacting area in which the contacts for the respective sockets 24 and the power supply is housed.

As in particular in the FIGS. 1 and 4 to recognize, the Entstücke 14a, 14b are designed sleeve-like and each have a relation to the base profile 13 larger cross-section. As mentioned, the end pieces 14a, 14b have at their transversely to the row direction 12 extending back sides in each case a concave curvature, which forms part of the cable receptacle 18. On the opposite end face of a respective end piece 14a, 14b there is an insertion opening 27a, 27b, whereby the end pieces 14a, 14b can be attached to the base profile 13 on the face side. A part of the respective end faces of the base profile 13 thus projects into the insertion openings 27a, 27b. An axial fixation takes place by mutually corresponding stop surfaces on the base profile and at the end of the insertion. One of the end pieces 14a has a suspension tab 28, whereby the socket assembly 11 can be brought to a suitable suspension means in a vertical position. On the other hand, an additional attachment opening 29 is provided on the opposite end piece 14b, with which an attachment to the ground is possible. The end pieces 14a, 14b also each have two attachment holes 50 oriented in the row direction 12, which correspond to attachment holes 51 formed on the base profile 13. By means of suitable fastening means, for example screws, which are guided through the fastening holes 50, 51, end pieces 14a, 14b and base profile 13 can be firmly connected to one another.

The socket assembly 11 has a protective device for the safety switch 25 to protect against unintentional operation. The protective device has a housing 60 via fasteners releasably attachable plate-like functional element 31, which occupies at least the switch height of the safety switch 25 in a position of use attached to the housing 60 and the safety switch 25 is not arranged overlapping.

According to the preferred embodiments, two functional elements 31 are provided, which are designed like a clip and are each received on a receiving section 30 formed on the upper side of an associated end piece 14a, 14b. For this purpose, the receiving sections 30 are configured as depressions, into which the respectively assigned functional element 31 can be inserted. As in particular in FIG. 9 shown, a respective receiving portion 30 is configured approximately rectangular and is located centrally on the top of the tail. Below the receiving portion 30, the tail is designed hollow. The receiving portion 30 opens to the end face of the respective end piece 14a, 14b, wherein on the front side opposite, extending perpendicular to the row direction 12 edge locking receptacles 32 are formed, which cooperate with formed on the functional element 31 latching projections 33. The corresponding locking receptacles 32 and locking projections 33 secure the associated functional element 31 against lifting from the associated receiving portion 30 perpendicular to the row direction 12. At the receiving portion 30 are still still at the two parallel to the row direction 12 extending longitudinal edges each have a particular circular configured fixing opening 34, in which a on the underside of the functional element 31 downwardly projecting, substantially circular fixing head 35 can be accommodated. By the corresponding fixing holes 34 and fixing heads 35, a displacement of the functional element 31 in the row direction 12 to the base profile 13 is prevented.

The functional element 31 is in particular in FIG. 10 clearly shown. It has a base portion 36 which is convexly curved at its upper side. The material thickness of the base portion corresponds to the recess dimension of the receiving portion, so that the upper side of the end piece 14a, 14b transitions seamlessly into the upper side of the base portion 36 of the functional element 31.

The latching projections 33 are integrally formed on the base portion 36, in particular two tongue-like locking projections 33 are provided extending from the rear edge 37 of the base portion 36 initially perpendicular to the row direction 12 down and then parallel to the row direction 12 to the rear, from the rear edge 37th projecting to the rear, extend.

The functional element 31 further has a strip-like cladding section 38 which projects downwardly substantially perpendicularly from the underside of the plate-like base section. This strip-like cladding section 38 serves to close a gap 39 formed between the upper side of the plug-in module 16 and the lower edge of the associated end piece 14a, 14b. It is therefore possible to put the two end pieces 14a, 14b on the opposite end sides of the base profile 13. Since the base profile 13 is suitably cut to length from an initial profile, tolerances can result at the cut end faces of the base profile 13 due to the separation process, for example, that was not exactly perpendicular to the row direction 12 cut to length. As a result of that but the end pieces 14a, 14b are placed over the base profile 13, such tolerance errors are no longer critical, since the end faces of the base profile are indeed sunk in the associated insertion openings 27a, 27b of the end pieces 14a, 14b. The problem that arises here between the top of the plug-in module 16 and the lower edge of the tail a gap 39, can be achieved that on the functional element 31 of the trim portion 38 is formed, which closes the gap 39.

Characterized in that the functional element 31 occupies at least the switch height of the safety switch 25 in its position of use, it is ensured that the safety switch 25 is secured against unintentional actuation, if the socket arrangement is arranged lying for example with its top on the floor. In this position, the safety switch 25 can not be operated because it is blocked by the two functional elements 31. This prevents the safety switch 25 is permanently applied in an intermediate position remaining between the two end position, whereby this could be impaired or damaged in its function. By the two functional elements 31, which do not cover the safety switch 25 is also ensured that the safety switch 25 in the operating position of the socket assembly 11 can also be operated quickly and easily.

The functional elements 31 furthermore have an imprint 40 with consumer information, for example in the form of a logo, lettering or symbol. Also a combination of writing, logo and symbol is possible. Furthermore, it is possible to print picture elements. The functional elements 31 can be exchanged in a simple manner, depending on Demand functional elements 31 with different imprint 40 can be used. For example, it is thereby possible, depending on the country in which the socket arrangement is distributed, to use different, country-specific functional elements 31.

The socket arrangement 11 preferably has at least one protective cover element 41 for the protective cover of at least one of the functional sections, with the at least one protective cover element 41 being fastened or attachable to the housing 60 via fastening means. The fastening means extend on the housing side along at least two of the functional sections in such a way that the at least one protective cover element can optionally be positioned in different operating positions in which it serves to protect the other functional sections.

As a fastening means is on the housing side at least one in the row direction 12 over at least two of the functional sections extending fastening groove 42a, 42b or more, each one of the functional sections associated mounting slots provided in which engages a Schutzabdekkungselement 41 formed mounting portion 44. As in particular in FIG. 6 shown, two in the row direction 12 over the entire length of the base profile 13 extending mounting grooves 42a, 42b are provided. The fastening grooves 42a, 42b thus run along both the safety switch 25 and the sockets 24. The fastening grooves 42a, 42b are each formed by the outer edge of the plug-in module 16 and an inner edge of one of the upper strips 21a, 21b of the side walls 17a, 17b downwardly projecting Randes 45, which can also be described as a fixing joint.

The protective cover elements 41 are designed plate-like and each have a sheet-like base part, which is convexly curved in particular on its outer side. In a first embodiment, a protective cover member is provided which selectively covers one of the sockets 24 or the safety switch 25. The first embodiment of the protective cover member is in FIG. 11 shown. The mounting portions 44 are hereby formed on the base portion 46 and stand from this transverse to the bottom, so that the overall result is a U-like profile. The two strip-like fastening sections 44 are inserted into the two left and right of the associated functional section, for example the safety switch 25 or the socket 24, extending fastening grooves 42a, 42b and fixed there. Conveniently, the fastening groove is designed as a sliding guide, so that the protective cover element 41 can be selectively moved into different operating positions. It is possible, for example, to push the protective cover element from a socket 24 to the safety switch 25 or to another socket 24. Also, a plurality of such protective cover elements 41 can be used simultaneously.

FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the Schutzabdekkungselementes 41, which serves for the protective cover or fixing of the guided around the circumference of the socket assembly 11 around power cord. Also, this protective cover member 41 has a base portion 46, which is however more convexly curved in comparison with the first embodiment. The base part 46 also has two substantially mutually parallel sections on which then the fastening portions 44 are attached or formed, which project from the sections inwardly. These attachment sections 44 are then inserted on the one hand into the fastening groove 42a, 42b between the plug-in module and the inner wall of the base profile and on the other hand in the associated longitudinal slot 20a, 20b on the underside of the bottom 19 of the base profile 13. Again, it is possible that the protective cover member 41 in the row direction is longitudinally displaceable, whereby it can take different positions of use. Furthermore, the two embodiments of the protective cover element 41 as the functional element 31 may be provided with a print 47.

Claims (11)

Socket assembly, comprising a housing (60) having at least two in a row direction (12) successively arranged sockets (24) and at least one safety switch (25) for safety shutdown of the power supply to the sockets (24), wherein the at least one safety switch ( 25) with a switch height above a top of the housing (60) and the safety switch (25) is associated with a protective device to protect it against unintentional actuation, characterized in that the protective device at least one on the housing (60) releasably attachable via fasteners, plate-like Functional element (31) which occupies at least the switch height of the safety switch (25) in a position of use fastened to the housing (60) and the safety switch (25) is arranged unüberdeckend. Socket assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the functional element (31) is formed like a clip and the fastening means of at least one latching projection (33) and at least one with the latching projection (33) cooperating latching receptacle (32) are formed in the use position, the Functional element (31) on the housing (60) fixing, are locked together. Socket assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one latching projection (33) on the functional element (31) and the at least one latching receptacle (32) on the housing (60) is arranged. Socket assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional element (31) is convexly curved on its upper side. Socket assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the housing (60) is constructed in several parts, with an elongated base profile (13) on the end one end piece (14a, 14b) is fixed, wherein the end pieces (14a, 14b) respectively a receiving portion (30) for receiving the associated functional element (31). Socket assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that the receiving portions (30) are configured as depressions, in each of which the associated functional element (31) can be inserted. Socket assembly according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the end pieces (14a, 14b) are designed like a sleeve, with respect to the base profile (13) of larger cross-section and each having an insertion opening (27a, 27b), with the plugging on the associated end face of the base profile (13) is possible. Socket assembly according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that the base profile (13) has a receptacle (15) for a socket (24) and the at least one safety switch (25) having insertion module (16). Socket assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional element (31) has a plate-like base portion (36) and a transverse thereto, strip-like cladding portion (38) via which a between the top of the plug-in module (16) and a lower edge of associated gap (14a, 14b) formed gap (39) is closable. Socket assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional element (31) has a print (40) with consumer information. Socket assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional element (31) is designed as a plastic profile, in particular Kunststoffspritzgießprofil.

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