EP2337159A1 - Surface mounted socket and surface mounted installation device series - Google Patents

Abstract

The socket (2) has a housing (4) with a housing upper part (10) for receiving angle plugs with a cable and closed by a cover (6). The housing upper part and the cover form a receiving chamber (18) for receiving the plugs at the closed cover. A sealable lock (20) is arranged such that the plugs of the cover inserted into the housing upper part are locked by the lock with the housing upper part. The cover forming the receiving chamber has an increased side wall (23), whose height (H) lies in a range between 1.5 and 4 cm.

Description

The invention relates to a surface-mounted outlet and a surface-mounted installation device series.

Electrical installation devices, such as switches, pushbuttons and sockets, are subdivided into under- and surface-mounted devices. On surface-mounted devices, the device is mounted with its housing outside on the wall. Surface-mounted devices are preferably mounted in utility rooms, such as basements, garages or commercial premises. Surface-mounted devices are often arranged in shared spaces, such as common washrooms in multi-party residential units. In the case of surface-mounted sockets there is therefore the problem that unauthorized third parties can use the sockets.

The invention has for its object to provide a surface-mounted socket with protection against unauthorized use. The invention is further the object of specifying a surface-mounted installation device series with such a surface-mounted outlet.

The object is achieved by a surface-mounted outlet, further referred to simply as a socket, with the features of claim 1. The socket then comprises an upper housing part and a lid, in particular a hinged lid, which is lockable via a lock on the upper housing part. Lid and housing top are in this case formed such that they form a receiving space for receiving the plug. Of particular importance is that even with the lid closed, the receiving space still allows the inclusion of the plug.

As a result, the particular advantage is achieved that can be closed by the special design of the lid even when plugged in, in particular angle plug, via the lock. The socket is therefore dimensioned in total so and lockable configured that the lid can be locked both when unplugged and plugged plug. This is a high utility value for the user given that he can close the socket with or without plugged in as needed. For example, when operating a washing machine or a dryer, it is ensured that no unauthorized person interrupts the operation by pulling the plug or uses the socket, for example, after the end of the program at the expense of the other.

The cover is usually pivotally connected to the upper housing part via a hinge and preferably covers the upper housing part completely. The lock is arranged such that it does not touch a plug inserted in the socket and thus does not complicate the closing of the hinged lid when plugged in. The lock can thus be operated and the lid locked, regardless of whether a plug is plugged into the socket or not.

The socket is preferably designed as a single socket. Alternatively, it is also possible to arrange a plurality of so-called plug socket or plug receptacles into which the plug can be inserted in a common housing lower part, in particular side by side. Preferably, a separate, separately operable and closable cover is provided for each individual plug socket.

To form the receiving space, the upper housing part and / or the lid preferably have a special contouring. The special contouring is realized either with the upper part of the housing or with the cover or in combination with both parts.

As a special contour, the upper housing part and / or cover preferably have an increased side wall compared to conventional upper housing parts or covers. Their height is particularly adapted to the typical height of an angle plug, with this from a plug-in receptacle in the housing upper part protrudes. The height is preferably in the range of 1.5 to 4 cm and in particular in the range of 2-3 cm. Preferably, the lid is pot-shaped or hat-shaped and in particular forms the entire height of the raised side wall. Alternatively, the raised side wall is formed only by the upper housing part and the lid is designed to be substantially flat like conventional lids.

Advantageously, it is further provided as a special contour that at least the lid and in particular the lid and / or the upper housing part are formed approximately T-shaped. This is understood to mean that, starting from the region in which the plug-in receptacle for the plug is located, a tapered housing section is provided. This is in particular arranged centrally and preferably formed channel-like. It virtually forms an extension and serves to accommodate and in particular also guide the cable of the plug out of the housing. An advantage here is that a possible sealing of the housing is easy to implement, since only one passage for the cable must be sealed. In the case of an angle plug, the angled portion of the angle plug is preferably received in this housing section. The entire angle plug is thereby preferably enclosed by the housing and in particular only the cable is led out of the housing.

Preferably, both the upper housing part and the cover is approximately T-shaped, so that the tapered housing portion is formed by a closed channel.

In contrast thereto, a lower housing part, on which the upper housing part is placed, expediently does not have a T-shape, so that at least the cover projects beyond the lower housing part. This allows the use of standard housing bases over a complete device series.

As an alternative to the T-shaped configuration, the lid or the upper housing part may be extended without tapering. It is crucial that the plug can be completely accommodated in the receiving space and at the same time the cable is led out by a adapted to the individual cable and thus easily sealable implementation of the housing.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lock is arranged in the lid and has a reaching into the receiving space locking member which engages behind the abutment of the hinged lid. This represents a structurally simple embodiment of a locking system, which is based on an interaction of the locking member with the abutment in the housing of the socket. When locking the lock by means of a key, the locking member rotates and engages behind the abutment, so that a movement of the locking member in the vertical direction (plug-in direction for the plug) is prevented and the lid can not be opened. Due to the arrangement of the abutment and the locking member under the cover of the socket they can not be manipulated from the outside to unlock the lock without authorization.

According to a preferred variant, the abutment is formed integrally with the upper housing part. The upper housing part is usually an injection molded part made of plastic, therefore, an additional element with a relatively simple geometry, which forms the abutment, can easily be formed in the manufacture of the upper housing part. The abutment is preferably formed in the manner of a locking lug on the edge of the plug-in receptacle for the plug, which is engaged behind the blocking member when the lock is shut off.

According to an alternative variant, the abutment is a blocking element, which is connected to the upper housing part. Here, the upper housing part and the abutment are two separate components, which are made for example of different materials and are connected to each other after their production at a later date. The blocking element is, for example, a metallic locking pin with a groove, in which engages the locking member of the lock to prevent opening of the hinged lid.

For better protection of the inserted plug from environmental influences, such as e.g. Dust or water, the lid has a spring element for independently closing the lid. The spring element is arranged in particular in the region of the connection of the lid with the upper housing part and always pushes the lid to the upper housing part, so that the lid can be opened only by the action of an external force.

The protective function of the lid is additionally supported by the fact that preferably - in addition to locking by the lock - a reversibly releasable positive connection, insbesondre locking, is provided between the lid and the upper housing part. The lid is preferably held via a positive connection, in particular latching or snap connection, in the closed state. When the lid is closed, it engages in the upper part of the housing and can only be selectively opened by external intervention. As a result, the lid is reliably held in its closed position and a load on the lock - for example, by a force exerted by the cable elastic restoring force - is avoided.

The engagement of the hinged lid in the upper housing part is realized by expediently the upper housing part a number of ratchet teeth and the lid has a number of locking receptacles. When closing the lid, the locking teeth engage in the locking receptacles and thus prevent the lid from opening again by itself. Preferably, on both sides of the implementation for the cable each pair of locking provided.

According to a preferred embodiment, the housing is designed such that the plugged plug is splash-proof with the lid closed. In particular, the socket complies with the requirements of protection classes IP44 and IP54 or higher and is protected against splash and jet water. This variant is suitable for use in damp rooms such as in washrooms.

Advantageously, the through opening formed between the cover and the housing upper part is designed for the individual and sealed removal of the cable. Otherwise, the receiving space is completed by the lid and the upper housing part to the environment, in particular sealed. This allows a total of a simple seal.

For the sealed lead out of the cable, a sealing element is preferably provided for sealing the through-opening, which is elastic and preferably seals the through-opening both with an in-laid cable and without an in-lying cable. The sealing element is expediently made of a suitable foam or a rubber-elastic mass. Thanks to its elasticity, the sealing element is compressed by the cable, and the sealing element fits snugly against the outer circumference of the cable. Conversely, the sealing element assumes its original shape when no cable is inserted and closes through opening completely.

Advantageously, the sealing element is in two parts and both parts are arranged in a lower seal receptacle on the upper housing part and in an upper seal receptacle on the lid. Due to the two-part design of the sealing element a secure tight enclosure of the cable is ensured. When the plug is unplugged, the parts of the sealing element can more easily return to their original shape and thus seal the passage opening against sprayed water. In particular, the two parts exert due to the elasticity of a mutual contact pressure in the region of their dividing line.

According to a preferred embodiment, the upper housing part is releasably connected to the lower housing part via connecting elements, in particular screwed, which are accessible only when the lid is open.

The second object is achieved by a surface-mounted installation device series according to claim 15. Thereafter, the housing base is provided as a base part, which for different types of devices, such as switches, buttons, sockets with and without cover and in the same way for the described here lockable socket is used. This is a device series realized in modular design, so that the specially designed lockable outlet can be integrated with little effort in existing equipment series.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine erste Ausführungsvariante einer Aufputz-Steckdose,

Fig. 2

in perspektivischer Darstellung ein Gehäuseoberteil der Aufputz-Steckdose gemäß Fig. 1, und

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine zweite Ausführungsvariante einer Aufputz-Steckdose.

Embodiments of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing. Herein show:

Fig. 1

in a perspective view of a first embodiment of a surface-mounted socket,

Fig. 2

in perspective an upper housing part of the surface-mounted outlet according to Fig. 1 , and

Fig. 3

in perspective view a second embodiment of a surface-mounted outlet.

Like reference numerals have the same meaning in the various figures.

In the figures, in each case a surface-mounted socket 2 is shown, which is designed in particular for receiving an angle connector, not shown here. The socket 2 comprises a housing 4 with a cover 6, here a hinged lid. The housing 4 is composed of a housing lower part 8 and a housing upper part 10. In Fig. 1 the hinged lid 6 is shown folded closed and covers the upper housing part 10. The upper housing part 10, the lower housing part 8 and the hinged lid 6 are preferably injection-molded parts made of plastic.

A detailed view of the upper housing part 10 is shown in FIG Fig. 2 shown. The surface-mounted socket 2 has in a bottom wall 12 of the upper housing part 10, a plug receptacle 14 for the plug, which is formed substantially by a pot-like depression. Under the bottom wall 12, a device base is arranged with electrical contact sockets, in which the plug is inserted with its contact pins. In an upper region of the housing upper part 10, the hinged lid 6 is fastened by means of a hinge. In the upper area is as well a spring element, not shown here, which presses the hinged lid 6 in its closed position and thus causes an independent closing of the hinged lid 6.

The hinged lid 6 has the same basic shape as the housing upper part 10 and covers the entire bottom wall 12 in the closed state. Around the bottom wall 12 extends a raised rim 16. When closed, the hinged lid 6 overlaps the rim 16 and rests on the bottom wall 12 from, so that except for a through opening 17 (see. Fig. 3 ) a closed to the environment and well-sealable receiving space 18 (see. Fig. 3 ) is formed. In the bottom wall 12 openings 19 are also provided, in which screws, not shown, are screwed for screwing the upper housing part 10 with the lower housing part 8. Due to the position of the openings 19 access to the screws only in the open state of the hinged lid 6 is possible. On an upper side of the hinged lid 6, a labeling field 21 is also arranged, which allows a simple inscription of the surface-mounted outlet 2 (see Fig. 1 ).

The receiving space 18 is dimensioned such that even when the lid 6 is closed, a plug, in particular angle plug, can be inserted. For this purpose, it is provided in the exemplary embodiments that the hinged lid 6 has an elevated side wall 23, so that the hinged lid 6 covers the upper housing part 10 like a hat. The side wall 23 in this case has a height H preferably in the range of 2-3 cm.

In the hinged lid 6, a lock 20 is integrated to lock the hinged lid 6. In this case, the hinged lid 6 is dimensioned in such a way and the lock 20 is positioned such that the hinged lid 6 can be folded and locked even when plugged in. How out Fig. 3 it can be seen, the lock 20 comprises a in the receiving space 18 between the hinged lid 6 and the upper housing part 10 reaching cylindrical locking member 22 which has a pin 24 at its lower end. When locking the lock 20 turns the locking member 22 and the pin 24 engages behind an abutment 26, which prevents unfolding of the hinged lid 6.

The difference between the first embodiment of the surface-mounted outlet 2 according to Fig. 1 and 2 and the second embodiment according to Fig. 3 exists in the nature of the abutment 26. Otherwise, the two variants are the same. In the first embodiment, the abutment 26 is formed integrally with the upper housing part 10 and manufactured therewith in a single manufacturing step. The abutment 26 is preferably formed as a locking lug 28 which is formed on a peripheral edge web 29 of the connector receptacle 14. In the second embodiment, the abutment 26 is a locking pin 30, for example made of metal, which has a groove 32 into which the pin 24 engages when closing the hinged lid 6. The locking pin 30 is made separately from the upper housing part 10 and mounted at a later time on the upper housing part 10.

In both embodiments of the surface-mounted socket 2, the hinged lid 6 is also designed to engage in the housing upper part 10. For this purpose, two latching receptacles 34 are on the hinged lid 6 ( Fig. 3 ), in which two ratchet teeth 36 (FIG. Fig. 2 ) of the upper housing part 10 and thus produce a snap action.

In the exemplary embodiments shown, the housing 4 is approximately T-shaped and has an extended housing section 38. This housing portion 38 is particularly dimensioned such that it allows the inclusion of the angled portion of an angle plug when it is plugged into the connector receptacle 14. At the lower end side in the side wall 23 in the housing portion 38, the passage opening 17 is formed. This is formed in the embodiment by a slot-like recess in the hinged lid 6 in cooperation with the upper housing part 10. Through this passage opening 17, the cable of the plug is led out with the plug plugged in only. The plug itself remains completely closed in the receiving space 18 under the hinged lid 6.

For sealing the passage opening 17 is a two-piece sealing element 40 made of foam ( Fig. 3 ) is provided, which is elastic and the passage opening 17 seals against ingress of water, regardless of whether a cable is performed or not. In the exemplary embodiment, the two parts 42, 44 each formed cuboid. An upper part 42 of the sealing element 40 is inserted in an upper seal receptacle 46 on the hinged lid 6, from the in Fig. 3 only a border area is shown. A lower part 44 of the sealing element 40 is inserted in a lower seal receptacle 48, the Fig. 2 is apparent.

If no cable is passed through the opening 40, the sealing element 40 is in its extended position, so that when the hinged lid 6 is folded, both parts 42, 44 of the sealing element 40 abut each other and ensure a seal of the passage opening 17. When a cable is passed through the opening 40, the parts 42; 44 of the sealing element 40 compressed and enclose the cable, so that also a seal of the passage opening 17 is ensured.

Due to the closeability of the housing 4, an unauthorized use of the surface-mounted socket 2 can be prevented, even if an electrical device is already plugged into the surface-mounted socket 2. In addition, since the surface-mounted socket 2 is splash-proof, it is suitable, for example, for use in washrooms or other common areas.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

2

Surface-mounted socket

4

casing

6

hinged lid

8th

Housing bottom

10

Housing top

12

bottom wall

14

plug receptacle

16

edge

17

Through opening

18

accommodation space

19

perforations

20

lock

21

labeling field

22

locking member

23

sidewall

24

spigot

26

abutment

28

locking tab

29

edge web

30

locking pin

32

groove

34

latching receptacle

36

ratchet

38

tapered housing section

40

sealing element

42

upper part of the sealing element

44

lower part of the sealing element

46

upper seal holder

48

lower seal receiver

H

height

Claims (15)

Surface-mounted socket (2) comprising a housing (4) with one of a lid (6) closable housing upper part (10) for receiving a plug with a cable, in particular an angle plug, the housing upper part (10) and the lid (6) also with closed lid (6) form a receiving space (18) for receiving the plug and further wherein a lockable lock (20) is provided which is arranged and designed so that even when in the upper housing part (10) plugged the lid (6 ) via the lock (20) with the upper housing part (10) can be locked. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 1,
wherein the lid (6) for forming the receiving space (18) has an elevated side wall (23) whose heights (H) is in particular in the range between 1.5 and 4 cm. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein at least the lid (6) is approximately T-shaped and has a tapered housing portion (38) for guiding the cable of the plug. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 3,
wherein the housing (4) has a housing lower part (8) and the cover (6) projects beyond the housing lower part (8) with its tapered housing section (38). Surface-mounted socket (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock (20), which is arranged in the cover (6), a locking member (22) which extends into the receiving space (18) and engages behind the locking of the lid (6) an abutment (26). Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 5,
wherein the abutment (26) is formed integrally with the housing upper part (10). Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 5,
wherein the abutment (26) is a blocking element (30) which is connected as a separate component with the housing upper part (10). Surface-mounted socket (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid has a spring element for automatically closing the lid. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein in addition to the lockable lock (20) a reversibly releasable positive connection, in particular latching, between the cover (6) and the housing upper part (10) is provided. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 9,
wherein the upper housing part (10) has a number of latching teeth (36) and the lid (6) has a number of latching receivers (34). Surface-mounted socket (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the housing (4) is designed such that the plugged plug with the lid (6) is spritwassergeschützt. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover (6) and the housing upper part (10) form a passage opening (17) for the purpose of the sealed lead out of the cable of the plug. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 12,
wherein a sealing element (40) for sealing the passage opening (17) is provided, which is elastic and seals the passage opening (17) with and without in-lying cable. Surface-mounted socket (2) according to claim 13,
wherein the sealing element (40) has two parts (42, 40) and one part (42) in an upper seal receptacle (46) on the cover (6) and the other part (44) in a lower seal receptacle (48) on the upper part of the housing ( 10) is arranged. Surface-mounted installation device series comprising a surface-mounted socket (2) according to any one of the preceding claims and other types of equipment, all of which have a uniform serving as a base housing base (8) on which differently shaped housing upper parts (10) can be mounted.

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