EP2187485B1 - Electric socket - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an electrical socket according to the preamble of claim 1 (see. DE 10026256 A1 ).

As part of the building installation technology electrical sockets are used to connect electrical consumers via a device connector releasably connected to a mains voltage. Such a socket is usually arranged stationary and includes a device base, the outside surrounds a support frame, which allows attachment in an installation housing. Front side, a front element is attached, which may be formed one or more parts depending on the embodiment. For special applications, for example, to indicate special functional states, sockets can have optical signaling devices that can be integrated into the front element in various ways.

In a known embodiment, a socket side of the device base on a signaling device with a glow lamp, which emits light on the user side via a front-side window in a front element of the socket. Furthermore, a socket with lighting is disclosed, are arranged in the light-emitting diodes in the two contact holes for the pins of a device plug.

In addition, bulbs are known which can be plugged as a compact body directly into a socket and on the side facing away from the electrical connections have light sources that illuminate as a marker light a room at least partially or used as an orientation light in a room.

The object of the present invention is to provide an electrical socket, which has the lighting functions of external devices and which is formed at the same time compact and visually good.

This problem is solved by the features specified in claim 1. Advantageous embodiments will become apparent from the description, the drawings and the dependent claims.

The invention according to claim 1 has the advantage that the integration of a lighting element in a socket no external devices for orientation in the room or to find the outlet are needed and thus the previous functionality of a socket is significantly improved. The insertion of a plug in unfavorable lighting conditions is facilitated and it is also the orientation in the room allows.

The socket comprises a device base and a superior user-visible front element, wherein the front element has at least one pot-shaped central insert for receiving a device plug. According to the invention, at least one lighting element is arranged on or in the side wall of the cup-shaped central insert and radiates light into the central insert.

According to the invention, the expense of creating Lichtaus- or - passages can be avoided in the often elaborately designed front elements and it can be a uninterrupted surface and compared to standard equipment especially the same appearance are maintained. This is desirable on the user side, especially for high-quality or sophisticated surfaces. The lighting elements can be integrated almost invisibly into the central insert and are located in a protected position, so that damage or tampering is not possible.

The lighting element can radiate the light through a recess or a translucent area in the central insert. In this case, the light outlet or passage near a peripheral edge or near the upper edge of the central insert may be formed so that the emitted light remains visible even when the plug is plugged and continues to mark and orientation or illuminates the plug. Hereby, the light can escape through the annular gap between the plug and the central insert which is still present when the plug is plugged in

The light can be radiated radially into the central insert to allow uniform illumination and at the same time to clearly mark the receiving area for a device plug. In an advantageous embodiment, the radiated light of the lighting element is directed against the bottom of the cup-shaped central insert, which serves as a reflection surface in this case, so that a concentration of the light rays takes place and at the same time any glare effects are avoided over a user. However, other Einstrahlgeometrien can be advantageous. In addition, additional reflection means may be provided or formed on the central insert and / or on the lighting element in order to be able to direct the light emitted by the lighting element to defined locations of the central insert.

In particular, by the arrangement, number, shape, color and / or control of the lighting elements can be different light effects and / or distributions form, for example, figures, patterns, letters and / or characters. On the one hand, such a marker or orientation light can be designed and in addition, an additional Information to be presented. In this way, in addition to the pure lighting function, applications in the area of the representation of information or the previously arranged elsewhere signaling of states, eg. As alarms or overloads realize.

In the context of the invention, the lighting element is understood as the element that radiates light into the central insert. Depending on the design, the lighting element can be configured on the one hand as a light source or on the other hand as a light-conducting body. The lighting element and / or its support may be releasably attached to the central insert to allow replacement, if necessary. For this purpose, positive-locking receptacles can be provided in which optional complementary locking means provide additional fixation. In a further embodiment, however, non-detachable connections are possible, which can be made adhesive.

The light can be generated by one or more light sources. If the light source is not itself the lighting element, it can be arranged interchangeably on the device base and on a support, such as a board, a socket or a housing, are. Light sources (LEDs, OLEDs), laser diodes, glow lamps, cold cathode lamps, incandescent lamps and / or electroluminescent lamps (EL film) can be used as light sources.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lighting element may be formed as a light-conducting body, in which the light is irradiated by a light source. The light-guiding body has the advantage that light-emitting surfaces can be arranged at positions which are unsuitable for the arrangement of a light source, for example. In addition, the light-conducting body allows a larger radiation area and an attractive design with respect to a light source. As the radiation an identical amount of light over a large area less glaring and dazzling, the use of a light-conducting body may be beneficial. In particular, by the design of the emission area, different light effects and / or distributions can be defined and chamfered and / or graduated emission areas can be provided.

In a further embodiment, a plurality of light sources can illuminate a uniform optical waveguide extending around the socket. A further embodiment of the invention provides that only one light source illuminates a correspondingly graduated light guide ring.

The light-conducting body can contain acrylic glass, whereby a predominantly reflective effect can be achieved by polished surfaces and a predominantly emitting effect by roughened surfaces.

In an advantageous embodiment, modular assemblies can be formed, for example, an electrical module with the power supply and an optical module with all lighting-relevant components or a light-generating module including power supply and light source and a lichtverteilendes module with the photoconductive and lichtabstrahlenden elements. In these cases, one module can be arranged in the area of the device base and another module on the central insert. The modules can form self-contained assemblies, so that neither the device base nor the front element for their adaptation changes are necessary. The modules may preferably be releasably secured, but also permanent connections may be required. If a change in the number, location or type of light sources or other technical elements is necessary, this is made possible by the simple replacement of modules.

Advantageously, the lighting elements can be controlled user, consumption, time, program or event-dependent, with a corresponding wireless or wired (bus) signal can intervene in the power supply of the light source. In the simplest case, a manually operated command generator, z. As a switch and / or a button to be present at the socket. In a further embodiment, a twilight switch can be provided which activates the lighting of the socket only in insufficient light conditions. In a further embodiment, a motion detector can be provided which activates the lighting of the socket only in the presence of a person. Furthermore, activation of the lighting by further internal and / or external signal generator, for. B. by means of transponders. Thus, the lighting needs no energy to be supplied when the lighting is superfluous due to sufficient lighting conditions or non-use of rooms.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment with reference to the drawings.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels einer Steckdose;

Fig. 2

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel; und

Fig. 3

ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a socket;

Fig. 2

another embodiment; and

Fig. 3

another embodiment.

The same or equivalent components are provided in the following description with the same reference numerals.

Hereinafter, the structure and operation of an electrical socket 1 according to the invention will be described schematically with reference to alternative embodiments.

The electrical socket 1 is mounted in an installation housing 2, which is fixed in a stationary building wall 3. The electrical socket 1 has a device base 4, which is fastened by means of a support frame 5 in the installation housing, which surrounds the device base 4 on the outside and which allows the attachment of the socket 1 in the installation housing 2. Front side is a function-specific front element 6 is attached, which may be one or more parts depending on the application. The front element 6 is provided with a cup-shaped central insert 7 for receiving a device plug, not shown, which has a perpendicular to the insertion bottom, at the right angles to the bottom circumferentially surrounding side wall 19 connects. In the device base 4 terminals 8 and associated metallic contact elements are arranged, in the front side plug pins of the device plug can be inserted. A wall-side laid supply line 9 supplies the socket 1, for example, with a mains voltage, with individual lines are releasably fixed in the terminals 8.

According to the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 Various electrical and / or optical components for realizing a lighting of the socket 1 in modules 10 and 11 are arranged. The two modules 10 and 11 communicate via interfaces 12 and 13 (FIG. Fig. 1 ), at which signals are transmitted from the first module 10 to the second module 11. The interfaces 12 and 13 are integrated into the housing body of the modules 10 and 11 and due to complementary shapes easily and unmistakably plugged into each other. In this example, plug contacts 16 interlock. Preferably, their connection is maintained under resilient force.

The first module 10 is arranged at the front in a receiving space 17 of the device base 4. In the unpopulated state, a removable cover (not shown) closes this receiving space 17, into which the module 10 designed to be complementary to the receiving space 17 can be inserted and locked in place. On the bottom side terminal contacts 18 are touch-protected out of the module 10, which are electrically contacted with the terminals 8 in the device base 4. On the upper side of the module 10 is the interface 12 in order to be able to conduct signals to the front element 6.

According to Fig. 1 In the second module 11, the incoming electrical signals are converted into light signals. The module 11 comprises a carrier 24, for example a circuit board, with electrical components not shown in detail, and surrounds the central insert 7 both on the bottom side and in the region of the peripheral side wall 19. The module 11 is preferably made flat and on the central insert 7 form-fitting or lockable fixable. On the rear side, the interface 13 is guided in contact-protected manner with the plug contacts 16 out of the module 11, which is electrically contactable with the interface 12 of the first module 10 in the device base 4.

At peripheral edges 20 of the second module 11 are lighting elements in the form of light sources 14, z. As light-emitting diodes, provided that dip after installation of the module 11 in the insertion direction radially extending recesses 21 of the side wall 19 of the central insert 7 and the user side preferably as orientation light or marker light serve. In order to obtain an inwardly directed and glare-free light surface, reflection means 25, in the form of reflective coatings, are applied in the recesses 21. Since the recesses 21 are formed in the region of the outer peripheral edge of the pot of the central insert 7 in the side wall 19, the light generated by the light sources 14 is visible through the annular gap between the plug and the central insert 7 even when plugged in the plug and continues to serve as lighting.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 is contrary to Fig. 1 in the second module 11 at a central location in the region of the bottom of the central insert 7 by means of a light source 22, preferably a light emitting diode, generates light. The light is radiated into an illumination element in the form of a light-conducting body 15 surrounding the central insert 7. Peripheral edges 23 of the light-conducting body 15 are angled at 90 ° perpendicular to the insertion direction and terminate in a radially surrounding the central insert 7 recess 21. Preferably, the peripheral edges 23 are chamfered at their ends so that their end face extends at about 45 ° to the insertion direction to the To direct radiated light against the bottom of the central insert 7.

In the embodiment according to Fig. 3 is on the device base 4, preferably arranged in the form of a module 10, a light source 22 in the form of a light emitting diode. The generated light is radiated into an illumination element 15 in the form of a light-conducting body 15 surrounding the central insert 7. The peripheral edges 23 of the light guide 15 are as in the embodiment of Fig. 2 angled and chamfered and end in a central insert 7 surrounding recess 21st

The design of the light-conducting body 15 is not limited to a ring shape and may have any other shape, in particular to to produce a point or from points resulting illumination of the central insert 7.

In addition, a programmable switching element 26 is arranged in the module 10, by which the lighting element 14 is controllable. The light source 22 is dependent on program data, eg. B. switching times, lighting conditions, supplied with power to illuminate the socket 1.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

socket

2

installation Enclosures

3

building wall

4

device base

5

supporting frame

6

front element

7

central insert

8th

terminals

9

supply line

10

module

11

module

12

interface

13

interface

14

light source

15

Light-guiding body

16

plug contacts

17

accommodation space

18

terminals

19

Side wall

20

Peripheral edge (module)

21

recess

22

light source

23

Peripheral edge light guide

24

carrier

25

reflection means

26

switching element

Claims (15)

1. An electric socket (1) for establishing a releasable connection to a plug, comprising a device base (4) and a front element (6) which is fastened at the front side and which has a cup-shaped central insert (7) having a surrounding wall (19), and having at least one lighting element (14, 15) from which light is irradiated into the central insert (7), characterized in that the lighting element (14, 15) is arranged at or in the side wall (19) of the central insert (7).
2. An electric socket in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the lighting element (14, 15) is arranged surrounding the central insert (7).
3. An electric socket in accordance with one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (19) has at least one cut-out (21) and/or at least one light-permeable region.
4. An electric socket in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that the cut-out (21) and/or the light-permeable region is formed proximal to the margin in the side wall (19) and is in particular formed close to a marginal edge of the central insert (7) such that the irradiated light also remains visible with a plugged-in plug and serves for the marking and orientation and illuminates the plug.
5. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting element (14, 15) and/or the central insert (7) has/have at least one reflection device (25).
6. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting element is designed as a light source (14, 22) or as a light-conducting body (15).
7. An electric socket in accordance with claim 6, characterized in that the light-conducting body (15) contains acrylic glass.
8. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting element (14, 15) is releasably or non-releasably fastened to the central insert (7).
9. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims 6 to 8, characterized in that a light source (22) is arranged at the device base (4) and a light-conducting body (15) is arranged at the central insert (7).
10. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side wall (19) is surrounded in ring shape by a light-conducting body (15).
11. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims 6 to 10, characterized in that the light-conducting body (15) is configured as stepped.
12. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting element (14, 15) is controllable dependent on the user, the consumption, the time, the program and/or the event.
13. An electric socket in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lighting element (14, 15) is arranged in at least one module (10, 11).
14. An electric socket in accordance with claim 13, characterized in that one module (10) is arranged at the device base (4) and one module (11) is arranged at the central insert (7).
15. An electric socket in accordance with one of the preceding claims 13 or 14, characterized in that a plurality of modules (10, 11) are mechanically, electrically and/or optically connectable via complementary interfaces (12, 13).

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